Water Mitigation in Bellingham Homes is Fast with SERVPRO

4/17/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has air movers and dehumidifiers galore to help your Bellingham home recover from storm damage.

Bellingham Homeowners Trust SERVPRO with Water Mitigation

Water mitigation of your Bellingham home by professionals like SERVPRO involves actions taken in the aftermath of a storm to prevent further damage and protect the property. Extracting standing water on your property and drying the structure as quickly as possible is essential for mitigation.

SERVPRO techs use state-of-the-art equipment during water mitigation of your Bellingham property. Techs use commercial-grade pumps and extractors to remove water, even if it contains suspended solids. After removing the water, the SERVPRO restorers use large air movers and dehumidifiers to dry the structure.  

Using the Building Envelop During Water Restoration 

The atmospheric conditions after a storm are not ideal for drying. In such situations, the building’s envelope can profoundly affect the drying plan's effectiveness. The building envelope separates the interior of the building from the exterior.

However, buildings are not air-tight, and SERVPRO techs expect some air to leak into and out of the building. According to the ability of the envelope to keep outside conditions from affecting the drying environment, building envelopes are classified into-

• Tight envelope: Outside conditions have little to no effect on drying conditions
• Moderate envelope: The outside conditions somewhat influence the drying conditions inside the structure
• Loose envelope: Outside conditions significantly affect the drying conditions

Depending on the type of building envelope present, SERVPRO techs develop unique, effective drying strategies in the given conditions. 

Movement of Air Within the Structure

Air can enter and exit the drying environment in moderate, loose building envelopes. The infiltration and air exfiltration can affect the entire building, part of a building, a single room, a wall or ceiling assembly, or even an individual cavity.

SERVPRO techs anticipate these movements and use them to improve the efficiency of the drying system.

Call SERVPRO of Whatcom County at (360) 733-1800; our techs are available round the clock to help you.

Do Not Let Bellingham Water Damage Destroy Your Home

3/21/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO extracts water and mitigates damage to your Bellingham home with our fast response; We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

SERVPRO Provides Fast Water Damage Cleanup

Water is an essential component of our lives. When it does not stay contained in the piping of the plumbing system or infiltrates your home through instances like flooding, you can see its destructive and hazardous properties as well. After leaks and other water emergencies, it is important to have a restoration team willing to act quickly to help. Disasters do not wait for convenient times to strike, so our rapid response team stays accessible and ready to mobilize 24 hours a day.

Bellingham water damage occurs in several ways, making no two situations similar. In contrast, our SERVPRO Green Fleet that stays stocked with extraction and drying tools carries the needed instruments to help the site's positioning and frequency of required products and equipment changes after these disasters.

Getting Mitigation Started Fast

Did you know?

Mitigation is a critical component of every restoration project. It is the earliest action to protect a home and its contents from permanent damage.

Completing mitigating steps requires experienced professionals of our SERVPRO team to reach the property shortly after the first notice of loss. While many possible emergency services can help a structure after disasters, some of the most common focal points of our technicians upon entering a water-damaged home include:

• Extraction
• Discarding materials
• Demolition
• Emergency repairs
• Content management

Thorough Drying Solutions for Your Home

Drying is a necessary element of every restoration project. Water and moisture must be removed using a combination of drying tools and products, beginning with high-velocity blower units placed in the work area to address surface moisture concerns. Usual drying tools include:

• Air Movers - High-velocity air mover units are the foundation of fast and continual drying. Blasting surfaces with warm air promotes steady evaporation on surfaces with water damage.
• Dehumidifiers - Using air movers increases the moisture grains in the air, which must be removed to an acceptable level that does not promote secondary effects like structural deterioration or microbial development. We have dehumidification units that trap and collect this water to improve environmental conditions.
• Portable Heaters - Heaters manipulate the temperature of the drying space, helping evaporation to happen more quickly, environments to hold more water in the air, and chemical processes to occur with less contact time.

Knowing the House is Dry

Peace of mind is earned, and we can show you why we are a team worth trusting when drying and restoring water damage in your home. With dozens or even hundreds of drying tools used simultaneously to help your property return to preloss condition, continual monitoring is needed to evaluate the progress of these instruments. SERVPRO technicians can reconfigure them to provide even more efficient production. We have several moisture monitors and sensors to help collect data as required.

Relying on Our SERVPRO Experience

We are not the only Bellingham restoration company, but we provide a level of preparedness that has allowed us to become a preferred vendor for insurance work and disaster relief. We are accredited through firms like the IICRC in areas like:

• WRT- Water Restoration
• ASD – Structural Drying
• OCT – Odor Control
• CDS – Commercial Drying

Bellingham water damage is one of the more common callouts for our professionals, making it a situation that technicians on our roster must stay ready to face. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster, starting with emergency preparedness at all levels. Give our SERVPRO of Whatcom County team a call at (360) 733-1800.

Understanding Bellingham Fire Damage Restoration Phases

3/21/2023 (Permalink)

Bellingham property owners rely upon SERVPRO for fire damage cleanup and restoration. "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Protects Homes After Fire Damage

Fires are an unfortunate reality for many homes every year. With the thousands living in the Greater Bellingham area and a high number of commercial properties and businesses, a single fire incident could be costly and devastating. We understand how vital loss mitigation is for these emergencies, so our SERVPRO team reaches properties as soon as possible for efforts like:

• Inventory Services
• Hazard Mitigation
• Content Care
• Water Removal
• Bulk Material Removal

Bellingham fire damage occurs from many possible triggers. From accidents around the stovetop to an overloaded outlet, fires can spark quickly and move beyond the ignition point at a rapid pace. Our professionals appreciate the urgency of restoration, so we keep skilled technicians ready to mobilize 24/7 when disasters strike.

Thorough Inspections for Detailed Estimation

Many parties are privy to the details of a fire damage restoration project. The customer, the restoration provider, and the insurance company involved all have a similar stake in understanding the condition of the house and the expected plan to restore and recover the residence. Our production manager conducts a thorough walk-through of the property early to document damage, catalog content loss, and formulate a detailed restoration plan and estimation.

On and Off-Site Content Cleaning

Managing the contents impacted by fire losses is another essential part of SERVPRO's restoration response. While we strive to protect or clean items on-site for a customer's peace of mind, off-site cleaning and storage are sometimes necessary. At our SERVPRO facility, we can provide more intricate cleaning and restoration like:

• Submersion tank for cleaning hard-surfaced contents
• Soft material wash station
• Ozone chamber for deodorizing multiple items
• Drying approaches

Soot Removal Solutions

Removing soot is one of the more complex areas of fire damage restoration our SERVPRO team performs. Inadequate measures can see soot permanently mar surfaces underneath the soil deposits. The corrosivity of acidic soot and its ability to stain porous surfaces requires fast action with surface cleaning, media blasting, or controlled demolition.

Different Smoke Damage Threats for Homes

Smoke damage is not all the same because the combusted materials and environmental conditions between disasters change considerably. Common smoke damage types include:

• Wet Smoke – Thick and moist residues on horizontal surfaces typically require solvents to dissolve to prevent smearing and staining.
• Dry Smoke – A product of high heat fires characterized by chalky, thin smoke residues.
• Protein Residues – Formidable, thick deposit of grease and oily residue deposited by range top fires.

Cleaning Commercial Large Loss Situations

Bellingham is home to many businesses and commercial properties, making our experience in Large Loss recovery significant for fire damage restoration. We have industrial-grade equipment sizable enough for massive production facilities like warehouses and call centers to the right tools that manage fire losses in multi-story structures and historic properties in the county.

Build-Back Services After a Fire

Few structure fires that impact homes and businesses in our area do not require some reconstruction or repairs. With a general contractor license, we can keep this work in-house and limit the time that the full spectrum of restoration and recovery services takes. Our experience with this next group of actions after fire loss restoration saves customers time and money on pursuing a subcontractor to complete the job on a new schedule.

Bellingham fire damage presents several layers of threat to a home or business. Even with the experience of our SERVPRO of Whatcom County team, not starting restoration right away can have costly and disastrous results for the property. We are ready to mobilize when emergencies occur. Call now at (360) 733-1800.

Needed Approaches and Solutions for Bellingham Mold Damage

3/21/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO knows all about mold. Call us to remediate your Bellingham home "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Has Many Mold Remediation Techniques

Effective mold and microbial cleanup and restoration is an intricate process that begins as soon as homeowners suspect colonization. Even without physical signs of an infestation, many property owners have been able to speculate about microbial development with effects like musty odors or persistent moisture in specific areas of the residence. Our SERVPRO team works quickly to help mitigate loss from spores and colonies.

Early Structure Inspections

Our SERVPRO remediation team works to understand the scope of the work necessary and the severity of the infestation to the house after Bellingham mold damage by inspecting. We have talented administrators capable of walking through a household with the homeowners to show the likely restoration processes to come, document damage, and evaluate the condition of structural elements directly exposed to mold growth or moisture.

How Does Mold Damage Remediation Begin?

There are no set ways for mold remediation and recovery to occur. In most situations, there is a combination of cleaning and removal efforts based on varying levels of infestation across materials:

• Cleaning Surfaces - Several sporicidal agents are available to our SERVPRO team to overcome surface mold threats. In most cases, mold spores and microbes are eliminated on contact or within minutes of exposure.
• Effective Mechanical Actions - Surface treatments alone are not always enough to be successful, and mechanical action must accompany the sporicidal products. Vacuums, brushes, steel wool, sanding, and other aggressive cleaning approaches can amplify the effectiveness of antimicrobial solutions.
• Blasting Options - Media blasting combines various abrasive products like baking soda, dry ice, or crushed walnut shells with pressurized air or water to eradicate mold on the surface of irregular materials. Water is not typically used as this could further promote mold growth.
• Removing Damaged Materials - Removing impacted materials can be a last resort for our IICRC-certified SERVPRO professionals when other ineffective remediation approaches. The process removes overly damaged building materials entirely, preventing their further negative influence on the damaged areas.

Can Mold Damage Dissipate on Its Own?

Many mistakenly believe that ignoring mold growth in the house is the best action. In most cases, microbial threats do not improve with time, allowing these conditions to worsen the more that action is not taken to overcome colonization. Understanding that conditions can continue to decline should inspire homeowners to pursue experienced remediation professionals like our SERVPRO team to help.

Clearing Strong Malodors from the Property

Residential mold growth can be challenging, but lingering effects like the harsh malodors these organisms produce can be even more formidable. Offensive odors remain even after much of the mold colonies have been removed and require separate focused actions to overcome and neutralize. Counteractant products can reduce the severity of these smells, but vapor fogging impacts musty malodors.

Will Mold Damage Repairs Be Needed?

Because mold uses organic matter as a food source, hosting materials and structural elements can routinely get destroyed by an aggressive organism. After cleaning up the bulk materials and eliminating lingering portions of the property too weakened to preserve, build-back services are necessary. Our SERVPRO professionals have a general contractor license showing our experience in this area. We begin needed repairs when remediation nears its completion.

Bellingham mold damage occurs frequently. There are homes in the area contending with microbial damage right now that could benefit from the focused mold removal tactics we provide. Give our SERVPRO of Whatcom County remediators a call today to mitigate loss and repair your home after mold exposure. We are ready 24/7 at (360) 733-1800.

Water Damage Repair Can Save the Ceilings in Your Bellingham Home

3/20/2023 (Permalink)

Don't get trapped with large water damage repair bills for your Bellingham home. Call SERVPRO; we make it "Like it never even happened."

Water Damage Repair Drains Leaked & Trapped Water

Owning a two-story home provides families in Bellingham with about twice the living space of the ground floor's footprint. The extra story has both benefits and drawbacks. The movement of unwanted water --leaks--through the floor and ceiling can destroy those structures. Destruction such as this requires timely water damage repair services from a qualified company.

SERVPRO provides property owners in Bellingham with water damage repair services that match the specific situation of the customer's home or business. Ceilings containing water that escaped the plumbing can bulge visibly downward.

Here, we explain several reasons why property owners should call SERVPRO as soon as they notice signs of trapped water inside a ceiling or a leak arising in an upper level of their property: 

• Increased electrical hazards, 
• Possibility of collapse, and 
• Repairs are possible for a short period. 

Many ceilings contain wiring to power overhead lighting. Water that collects in the space between the upper level's floor and the lower level's ceiling can cause shorts in the electrical system and corrode electrical system components in adjacent areas. We can fix such extenuating situations immediately after we repair the underlying cause.

Water damages ceilings in two ways – softening the drywall while the water's weight causes it to take the form of a large bowl. This new shape can cause the drywall around the center portion to separate from the screws used to secure it to the beams. Entire sections of your ceiling can fall onto the floor.

Before any ceiling sections detach and fall onto the floor, SERVPRO's technicians can repair everything. We do this by starting at the perimeter toward the center. If we do this soon enough, we can save the ceiling and reduce associated costs.

SERVPRO of Whatcom County at (360) 733-1800 is always ready to assist with repairs, restoration, and other protective measures that your property might require. 

Fire Restoration Procedures in Bellingham

2/19/2023 (Permalink)

Make sure to take precautions with heaters and in case of a fire, contact SERVPRO for effective remediation services. Our technicians are standing by.

SERVPRO Offers Fire Mitigation Services in the Bellingham Area

During the winter, when the weather is cold, we all rely on appliances in our homes to keep us warm. When temperatures are low, people tend to rely more on their furnaces and water heaters to cook and take hot showers and baths. With these appliances working in high gear over the winter months, the risk of a malfunction gets higher.

Although rare, malfunctioning water heaters or furnaces could force you to conduct fire restoration in Bellingham on your property. Since these appliances are stored in tight places like crawl spaces or attics, the outcome could be disastrous if flames ignite. Even if the fire does not spread far in your structure or you get it out quickly, the smoke released during the blaze could spread throughout your entire house and cause issues like soot residues or burnt aromas. And in some cases, when water got used to extinguish the fire, water and fire damage could exist together.

Once our SERVPRO technicians go through your building and ensure it is safe for all occupants, we can inspect for damage. We can start at the source and determine if burnt building materials must be removed and replaced or if we can save them through mitigation procedures. We can then conduct wipe tests on the surfaces of your walls and ceilings to see if soot residues exist. During the wipe test, we can also determine the best chemicals and methods to remove the soot.

Steps we can take to return your home to its preloss state:

• Content pack-ins and pack-outs
• Content cleaning
• Remove soot from affected building materials
• Set up the ultra-low volume (ULV) or thermal foggers
• Set up an ozone generator

If you ever notice that your furnace has caused flames to ignite in your attic or crawlspace, call SERVPRO of Whatcom County at (360) 733-1800.

SERVPRO Offers Premier Mold Damage Remediation in Bellingham

1/22/2023 (Permalink)

Don’t delay when you see or smell the tell-tale signs of mold. Contact SERVPRO for effective mold damage remediation services.

Mold Damage Repair in Bellingham Homes Needs Professionals like SERVPRO

Ignoring the early signs of mold damage in your Bellingham can lead to the situation quickly getting out of hand. If the mold finds conducive conditions, the contamination can spread quickly and cause structural damage to building materials. You need professional mold specialists to control the situation and get the damage under control. 

SERVPRO uses industry-leading, proven methods to restore mold damage to your Bellingham home. Our techs understand that it is crucial to prevent the spread of airborne mold spores to uncontaminated parts of the structure for an effective remediation process. Hence, we use strong containment systems as recommended in the IICRC S520 guidelines. 

Containments and Their Use During Mold Removal

Spores are loosely held on top of the mold hyphae and can become airborne with the slightest of disturbances. Removing mold growth without proper precautions can generate millions of airborne spore particles that air currents can carry to other parts of the structure.  

SERVPRO mold specialists use containment made from a high gauge 6-mil plastic system to prevent the spread of airborne spores to unaffected areas of the structure. 

The IICRC S520 guidelines recommend three types of containment:

• Source containment is done when the visible mold growth is confined to a small area. SERVPRO techs use tape and 6-mil polyethylene sheeting to cover the visible mold growth before removing it. 
• Local containment: It is done with a moderate level of mold growth present. SERVPRO techs create a structural enclosure with 6-mil polyethylene sheeting, PVC pipes, and spring-loaded expansion poles. 

• Full-scale containment: If contamination is too much to be controlled by source or local containment, SERVPRO techs must seal off a room or an entire building section. 

Call SERVPRO of Whatcom County at (360) 733-1800. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Bellingham Office Carpeting Requires Fast Water Mitigation

12/20/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO commercial water damage restoration services are top-notch. Call for the help your business needs.

Direct Water Mitigation Can Save Carpeting

The mitigation process begins as soon as our SERVPRO professionals arrive at damaged office buildings and commercial properties. Our Large Loss team works to regulate unsafe conditions and do whatever possible to contain the damage and reduce needed tear-out and reconstruction.

Evaluating the Extent of the Damage

A thorough inspection of the property can help to determine needed water mitigation for Bellingham office buildings. The first step will always be to work to eliminate any standing water and do what could be required to prevent unsafe conditions for the staff. We look at the following:

• Sagging materials
• Structural deterioration
• The severity of standing water
• Mold development

Clearing Contents and Obstructions 

Contents and furniture like desks often are a hindrance to the cleaning and drying of carpeting. We must assess where these items can go and what attention they might need from water exposure simultaneously. Often, SERVPRO professionals will establish a staging area to catalog the condition of contents and safely keep them from harm while mitigation continues. 

Potentially Cleaning Carpeting

Assessing the condition of the carpet could show that cleaning is possible. Hot water extraction is one of the proven methods for short pile carpeting, as this blasts hot water to the base of the fibers and rapidly extracts it back into the machine, dislodging debris and dirt in the process. 

Drying the Carpets

If SERVPRO can successfully clean carpets, you will need to take steps to ensure the installation is dry. Prolonged moisture not addressed within 48 hours can lead to mold and mildew development. The easiest option is to partially pull up the carpeting at two of its ends and position low-profile, centrifugal air movers between the carpet and concrete subflooring to infuse warm air into the wet materials.

It does not take much for short pile carpeting common to office buildings to become overwhelmed by standing water. Our SERVPRO of Whatcom County professionals work fast to mitigate loss and protect installed elements however possible. When disasters strike, call us at (360) 733-1800. 

Storm Water Damage Restoration in Bellingham Attics

11/15/2022 (Permalink)

Afraid your wood floors have been damaged by a Storm? No need to stress it, Let SERVPRO fix it.

Attic Storm Water Damage Restoration Needs

Storms and their respective damages to a house can be devastating, especially when structural breaches allow for water penetration into the attic. Roofs are particularly susceptible to several conditions that could ultimately lead to a flooded attic space, including:  

• Hail damage
• Fallen trees
• Ice dams
• Wind damage 
• Driving rain

Quick Roof Repairs 

When beginning storm water damage restoration in Bellingham attics, it is important first to locate where the water penetrates this space. Often vulnerabilities in the roof can allow moisture seepage or direct runoff into this upper region of your household. Temporary roof repairs like tarping or board-up services allow drying and restoration to begin in the attic without waiting for the full repair and reconstruction of a damaged roof to be complete. 

Clearing Water in Confined Spaces

The attic is a confined space, meaning that when it comes to removing water and even drying this portion of the property, the available tools from our inventory are limited by size and functionality. Wet vacuums are often a preferred extraction tool for their light weight and versatility with attachments and extensions. 

What Can Be Salvaged?

There is no mistaking the truth that many homeowners use the attic as a catch-all for seasonal items and possessions to get stored when they do not have a home in the main living areas. These contents can be at risk when stormwater gets introduced to this portion of the house. Part of our effective restoration and recovery plan is to evaluate the condition of stored items to determine what is salvageable and can be cleaned or dried. 

Providing storm water damage restoration for Bellingham homes and businesses can help in the greatest times of need. Our quick arrival ensures that areas like the attic do not require greater reconstruction. Give our SERVPRO of Whatcom County team a call at (360) 733-1800. 

Water Mitigation in Ferndale Prevents Property Deterioration

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO provide safe water damage mitigation to your Ferndale property.

SERVPRO Minimize the Losses from Ferndale Water Damage

Maintaining your Ferndale home is one of the best ways to prevent water damage. Regularly check your plumbing and heating pipes and inspect appliance hoses and faucets. However, you may not always foresee such disasters; hence when this happens, you need to act quickly to protect your home and its contents from incurring further damages.

Water mitigation in Ferndale homes is essential because many materials, such as drywall, wood, insulation, and all types of furnishings, are porous. This, therefore, makes it possible for water damage to continue to worsen if no rapid measures are taken. SERVPRO has the right equipment and training to remove excess moisture and thoroughly dry your home's furnishings and structural elements.

Other immediate actions include

• Standing upholstered cushions on end so both sides can begin to dry
• Removing area rugs and other temporary floor coverings
• Moving wet items to a dry, well-ventilated area
• Identifying electrical hazards and avoiding them

Entering a room with standing water while the electricity is still on is hazardous, and ceilings sagging from a water intrusion on the upper floor could collapse. SERVPRO offers rapid repairs to prevent secondary damages.

Some tools that facilitate the process

Tools such as moisture meters help the SERVPRO crew measure moisture levels and choose appropriate equipment to dry the property. High-speed fans are efficient in evaporating any leftover moisture and restoring the correct humidity levels in your home so that floors, walls, and furnishings do not rot, swell, or warp. Our crews set up and leave the drying equipment onsite until another temperature, humidity, and moisture testing round confirms that the affected areas have been fully dried and restored to preloss conditions.

Some equipment that facilitates rapid and efficient drying

• Dehumidifiers
• Air scrubbers
• Air movers

SERVPRO of Whatcom County properly and safely remediate and restores the damages from water. For water mitigation that you can count on, call us at (360) 733-1800. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Effective Fire Restoration at a Bellingham Property

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let imagined smoke odors upset your Bellingham household. Call SERVPRO for fire damage cleanup and odor removal--for real!

Bellingham Fire Damage Cleanup with SERVPRO

If any section of your Bellingham home catches fire, you face the daunting task of fire damage restoration. A lot is involved in restoring your property, including covering costs and taking steps to prevent further deterioration. Delays usually lead to severe damage, such as material deterioration from the effects of soot exposure.

Fire restoration companies in Bellingham specialize in helping people recover swiftly from such loss. It might be hard to think quickly and make the right moves when stressed by the damage or potential loss of your property. SERVPRO helps by offering a range of professional remedial services.

Some steps professionals take after a fire loss

• Securing your home
• Assessing the loss
• Wiping smoke and soot from structural surfaces
• Cleaning salvageable items

Flames are the main culprit for most of the damage to your home during a fire. However, smoke, soot, and water share in the responsibility too. Water helps put out house fires, but it can result in water damage which should be prevented. Exhaustive drying helps prevent mold from taking over. SERVPRO adheres to IICRC guidelines in the cleanup process, ensuring your home stays mold free.

Cleaning up and removing smoke odor

Odors from smoke and soot settle quickly into materials and surfaces, causing long-term deterioration. SERVPRO assesses to take appropriate restoration measures. We thoroughly inspect and replace the structural framing materials and components throughout the home if any charring or warping has occurred. To salvage the structural elements, we treat them with deodorizers to remove any smoke odor. Complete drying may be necessary before sealing and covering with new drywall and paneling.

Useful deodorization approaches

• Neutralization with ozone
• Air filtration
• Spraying deodorizers

SERVPRO of Whatcom County helps limit damages and salvage your home through elaborate fire restoration. You can reach us at (360) 733-1800. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Mold Damage in Bellingham - How It Impacts Your Property

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO says to properly ventilate your Bellingham bathroom to help prevent mold damage.

SERVPRO Successfully Addresses Mold in Bellingham Homes

Mold can be black, white, spotted, or colored. It may appear velvety, powdery, cottony, or slimy patches that increase in size as they grow. Most produce musty odors, the first indication of a problem in your Bellingham home. It develops with adequate moisture, favorable temperature, and a food source.

The best way to discern mold damage in your Bellingham home is to look for water staining, warping, or find the source of the odor. It would help if you looked underneath surfaces like carpets, sinks, cabinets, and walls. Some home areas are always susceptible to infestation and require routine cleaning to control the growth. SERVPRO helps identify areas in your home that may be prevalent to damage.

Mold latches onto diverse materials, including:

• Insulation
• Wood
• Fabrics
• Wallpaper

Dealing with the infestation

Due to its porous nature, wood tends to attract mold. When exposed to moisture, it acts as a good breeding environment. Spore removal is challenging and, when done inadequately, causes the infestation to spread further. SERVPRO has experienced technicians who look for adequate cleaning methods rather than those that only scratch the surface. We use products as indicated by the manufacturer to ensure your home is mold-free.

Practical measures to minimize indoor mold

• Adequately heating and insulating your home
• Install appropriate ventilation
• Avoid water leaks

To prevent microbial growth, avoid water leaks and address any moisture source immediately. This can be achieved by controlling and maintaining rain and surface water drainage. Also, removing or replacing upholstery and carpets that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away is necessary. Routine domestic activities may encourage growth. Make sure simple activities like cooking dinner, taking a shower, or doing laundry do not invite an infestation by providing proper ventilation.

SERVPRO of Whatcom County can safely deal with mold damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (360) 733-1800 to make the necessary repairs.

Various Issues Can Cause Water Damage at Your Bellingham Business

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO commercial damage restoration is second to none. Call now!

We Are Bellingham Commercial Water Damage Experts

At any time, one of a number of water-related problems could cause serious damage to your Bellingham business. These issues could involve everything from defective or weathered roofing and clogged gutters/faulty drainage systems to significant pipe network failures or appliance malfunctions. Whatever their cause, SERVPRO can likely help you overcome it.

Potential water damage always concerns Bellingham business owners, and water leaks are what motivate most of them to call SERVPRO for assistance. Regardless of whether their problems result from ceiling leaks, burst pipes, malfunctioning appliances, or poorly constructed/deteriorated containers, our emergency water damage services teams can usually help them. The specific water damage remediation situations we handle are:

• Ceiling leaks of all severities that arise from bad roofing, poorly maintained roof drainage systems, and storm-related damage
• Slow leaks or major pipe ruptures resulting from extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures, old/corroded/brittle pipes, faulty pipework with poor connections, mineral deposit clogs and other blockages, excessive water pressure, or earthquakes
• Standing water or puddling in basements produced by groundwater-infiltrated walls 
• Defective, damaged, or old appliances like water heater tanks, washing machines, and dishwashers that improperly drain water or drip it
• Corroded water containers that leak significant amounts of water that impact surrounding areas
• Water damage arising from firefighting efforts or poorly engineered/malfunctioning fire extinguishing systems

In order to substantially reduce your chances of needing water damage cleanup services, we suggest that you regularly have your roof inspected and repaired, home professionally inspected for water damage, appliances serviced, storage containers evaluated for corrosion, and fire extinguishing systems checked.

So, with all of this in mind, rest assured that we can assist you. Call the skilled experts at SERVPRO of Whatcom County whenever you need help dealing with commercial water damage. We are always ready to answer your call at (360) 733-1800.

Smoke Residues Are a Major Component of Fire Damage in Ferndale

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration is a lot of work. SERVPRO techs will be on-site within 4 hours of the initial call.

Mechanical Action Cleans Up Ferndale Fire Damage

When Ferndale homes suffer a fire, various types of residues can be left behind. These fire remnants are usually wet, greasy, or dry and necessitate using different cleaning methods to remove them effectively. While detergents are required to remove wet or greasy residues, dry ones can usually be cleaned off affected surfaces with just mechanical action.

SERVPRO’s fire damage professionals in Ferndale have the necessary training and tools to eliminate dry residues from your home successfully. In fact, our fire damage restoration crews have saved countless other fire-damaged homes via smoke remediation and their overall house fire clean-up efforts. As for the tools and techniques we employ to remove dry fire/smoke remnants, we:

• Clean electronic equipment and other sensitive items with compressed air blowers so that particles can be blown off without otherwise impacting their surfaces or internal elements
• Use feather dusters or paint brushes of differing softness/size to push light, powdery residues off of delicate objects or the hard surfaces of furnishings
• Vacuum heavy deposits of loose particles from structural elements like floors, walls, and ceilings
• Wipe lightly soiled surfaces with mineral oil-treated dusting cloths and pull dry rubber cleaning sponges across more heavily soiled surfaces to pick up loose fire and smoke-related residues
• Agitate harder to remove remnants with abrasive powders, like those found in Stain Scrub (#110), steel wool, sandpapers, or roto pads
• Use blast cleaning to “blast” some abrasive material like ground corn cobs, baking soda, sand, or CO2 at the most severely soiled surfaces

So, as you can see, your neighborhood SERVPRO of Whatcom County has all of the experience and equipment necessary to remediate your home’s fire damage. Take comfort in knowing that, regardless of the severity of your situation, our highly-trained experts usually know just what is needed to return your residence to its pre-fire state. Call us anytime at (360) 733-1800.

Bellingham’s Notorious Stormy Weather Often Causes Flood Damage

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Storm and flood damage restoration is a job for SERVPRO. We are ready 24/7 365 days a year.

SERVPRO Swiftly Repairs Flood Damage in Bellingham

Floods routinely threaten Bellingham homeowners because of the city’s excessive rainfall and bayfront location. Frequent storms often cause significant coastal flooding, while the nearly 4.5 feet of rain the area receives on average every year swells local waterways. Fortunately, when rising waters impact local homes, services like SERVPRO can help.

SERVPRO’s highly-trained and dedicated teams of flood damage professionals in Bellingham can usually return your residence to its pre-flood state in less time than other firms. Our biohazard remediation crews employ all of their expert knowledge when completing sewage cleanup, water removal services, water damage repairs, and overall flood restoration work. Some of the specific tasks SERVPRO technicians complete are:

• Locating and evaluating all of a home’s flood damage, then determining the expenses and efforts necessary to remediate the issues before the project is started
• Removing any standing water, sludge, or other debris that might have been brought into a residence by floodwaters
• Drying out interior air in open areas and hard-to-reach places like crawlspaces, behind walls, and in attics
• Restoring or replacing structural materials, including subflooring, floors, baseboards, walls, ceilings, framing, and insulation
• Examining, cleaning, and repairing electrical components like switches, wall outlets, and light fixtures
• Remediating HVAC system ductwork, restoring household contents, and thoroughly deodorizing all parts of a residence and its furnishings

Once these steps have been taken, flood-damaged homes have generally been returned to their pre-event state. Many times, SERVPRO performs these services so well that it is difficult even to detect that flooding has ever impacted your property.

With that said, keep your helpful neighbors at SERVPRO of Whatcom County in mind whenever you need assistance restoring flood damage. We are here and ready for your call at (360) 733-1800 seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day.

Don’t Let Bellingham Water Damage Costs Break the Bank

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

Bellingham homeowners know to call SERVPRO for rapid water mitigation and cleanup. WE can save your hardwood floors.

SERVPRO’s Water Damage Methods Save Bellingham Residents Money

Many working parts are involved with water restoration, especially if you have a significant incident inside your Bellingham home. SERVPRO’s water removal services help address all standing water, but our efforts go far beyond that. When you need structural drying, mold prevention, and reconstruction, we have the manpower and methods to handle everything for you in unison. This coordinated action ensures your property gets left “Like it never even happened” once we finish the job!

When you have water damage in Bellingham, you need solutions. SERVPRO’s scalability allows us to adapt to any restoration project that comes our way. We consider all unique aspects of your water emergency so we can select the right process to get results. Some of the equipment you will see us using may include:

•             Pumps and extractors –We utilize the best extraction tools for the job to pull up as much standing water in the shortest time possible to halt migration and further saturation.
•             Air movers and fans –Airflow is critical for drying and evaporating moisture, so we strategically place centrifugal air movers, industrial axial fans, and other equipment to facilitate the drying process.
•             Portable heating and dehumidification –In some situations, boosting the temperature in the work zone just enough will help eliminate moisture faster. Along with our powerful dehumidifiers, we can restore relative humidity (RH) more quickly than any DIY method alone.

One call to SERVPRO gets you all of the following and more:

• Highly-trained technicians
• 24/7 rapid response
• Advanced technology
• Insurance paperwork assistance
• Proven results

Nobody is quicker to get to work on your water damage than our SERVPRO of Whatcom County team. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, and you can reach us any time of day by calling our customer care team at (360) 733-1800. You can also initiate service by requesting help using our online contact form.

Stress and Worry Handled with Pro Fire Damage Help in Ferndale

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO protects our technicians as we mitigate fire damage for our Ferndale area homes.

Ferndale Residents Trust SERVPRO for Rapid Fire Damage Cleanup

A delicate timeline must be followed when handling any degree of fire damage in your home. Some homeowners that unfortunately take the DIY route for cleanup will miss essential steps and wait too long to address corrosive soot residues. SERVPRO knows and follows best practices to house fire cleanup to get your property back to pre-fire condition faster than any do-it-yourself job. We are also ready to assist around the clock so that you have a trusted liaison to handle your restoration.

Job scoping and assessment of all fire damage in your Ferndale home are critical for our crew to select the best methods, products, and equipment for the job. We inspect affected contents, structural integrity, areas that require cleaning, and possible safety hazards.

Safety is our number one concern

Safety is of the utmost importance whenever our IICRC-certified FSRT technicians enter fire-damaged homes. We think of not only our team but also the impact of further damage to your interior or belongings and all property occupants. Several areas that we look at include:

•    Structural issues –All damaged materials are of immediate concern. Upon permission to enter the property, we look for all irreparable building materials and major structural components that must get addressed. 
•    Airborne concerns –Our team wears personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever we enter a fire-damaged building. We also have powerful air scrubbers that use HEPA filtration to pull airborne particulates from the air as the project progresses.
•    Soot, ash, and debris removal –As part of our fire mitigation phase, we remove all unsalvageable, charred debris to work on the remainder of the materials. Less soot residue and corrosive elements help lessen the onset of secondary damage, thereby reducing damaged belongings.

When it comes to cleanup and restoration, you want a team like SERVPRO of Whatcom County on your side. Request help online or reach us 24/7 by dialing (360) 733-1800. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Heavy Storms Bring Flood Damage to Bellingham Homes

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

We're Faster To Any Size Disaster--Call SERVPRO for rapid water extraction from your flood damaged Bellingham property.

Storm Flood Damage Assistance from SERVPRO 24/7 in Bellingham

Storms can come in without warning and negatively impact their path. You must cautiously proceed when you have floodwater coming into your Bellingham home. Rapid removal is best, which is why area residents look to SERVPRO for water removal services and restoration. We are available 24/7 with our disaster-ready teams so that you can have peace of mind your family home will be in good hands. The faster we can get in to begin water mitigation efforts, the easier it is to generate the best outcome.

SERVPRO offers rapid solutions for your storm flood damage issues in Bellingham. Flooding can become hazardous and costly in the blink of an eye. We work carefully and in the most efficient way possible to lessen the restoration time while salvaging whatever is possible. We stock our Green Fleet with a wealth of industrial-grade tools, equipment, EPA-registered disinfectants, and cleaning agents to execute speedy restoration.

Once we arrive:

• We thoroughly assess all flooded areas to determine the right equipment, safety hazards, etc.
• Our tarping and board-up services help us cover a leaking roof from storms and other damage to your exterior.
• Disinfectants get sprayed over all standing floodwater to limit contamination
• Water removal services begin with trash pumps, truck-mounted extractors, and submersible pumps.
• Partial or complete content pack-out/move-out helps our crew sort items for cleaning or disposal and free up space to facilitate restoration.

The SERVPRO team performs controlled demolition and reconstruction for all areas requiring materials removal and replacement. This tear-out may entail carpet and carpet padding removal, subfloor replacement, new drywall, and all finishing touches to make it “Like it never even happened.” – General contractor license #: SERVPB*995NP

Get in touch with SERVPRO of Whatcom County for all your storm flood damage restoration needs! We are Here to Help around the clock, 365 days a year, at (360) 773-1800.

Bellingham Water Removal Also Means Humidity Management

7/21/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO reduces humidity and water damage in Bellingham homes with desiccant dehumidifiers. "Like it never even happened."

Water Removal in the Home Is Vital

One of the critical elements of overcoming water and moisture damage in your home or business is removing high humidity. Moisture content like this can dramatically slow the drying process, and without direct action to counteract and regulate it, it could stall the restoration progress entirely.                                                                                             

Why is a High Humidity Level Concerning?

Humidity might not seem like a cause for water removal in Bellingham homes, but there are more issues with rising environmental moisture content than you think. Damp environments directly impact structural elements, which could result in weakening or deterioration. In addition, persistent moist conditions are welcoming to mold and microbial development.

Regulating Moisture Content

As the drying process continues, the air's moisture level rises without measures taken to counteract this increase. The most effective strategy is the placement and operation of dehumidifiers. These work in conjunction with air movers evaporating surface moisture and portable heaters that increase the capacity of the air to hold more water. Collectively, regulating the environmental moisture content is a product of these tools:

• Desiccant dehumidifiers
• Low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers
• Portable electric heaters
• Air movers

Collecting Data on Drying Effectiveness

To understand the effects of the methods used to regulate environmental moisture concerns, our SERVPRO professionals must continually monitor the progress of drying tools and dehumidifiers. The best approach to track drying and humidity levels are with a thermohygrometer. These tools measure the volume of water content in the atmosphere to show when acceptable percentages have been achieved. Moisture meters placed directly on materials aid in determining the moisture content and when the effort is complete.

While water removal can indicate a need for extraction, it can also mean the steps taken to overcome high moisture content in the environment. Our SERVPRO of Whatcom County East team works fast to manage humidity concerns to protect the property and contents from damage. Call our experienced professionals now at (360) 788-4158.

Ferndale Office Carpeting Suffers After Water Damage

7/21/2022 (Permalink)

The advanced water extraction and drying equipment used by SERVPRO can keep Ferndale offices functioning during restoration.

Cleaning Carpets After Water Damage

Water and flood damage can both be substantial concerns for a business. One of these instances can be enough to close your doors for a time, so people rely on the fast response of SERVPRO professionals to help with aspects of mitigation that protect the structure, such as:

• Pooling
• Wet Carpeting
• Mold/Microbial Growth

Absorbent Carpet Material

Carpeting is one of the more challenging materials to consider after water damage to Ferndale offices. The inexpensive flooring selected is meant to get several years of foot traffic and then be replaced, making it unsuitable to survive more direct water exposure from burst pipes, broken sprinkler fixtures, or plumbing connections. Because of its thin and lightweight composition, short pile carpeting is often easier to dry and clean when contamination is not a concern.

Non-Permeable Subflooring Materials

While one advantage of short pile carpeting common to offices is the solid and non-porous subflooring materials underneath, this adds issues in other areas when restoration first begins. Concrete subflooring does not absorb the standing water on the surface, so this condition can stay a challenge to overcome until extraction devices get implemented.

Our Advanced Tools to Help with Cleanup

We must manage the water caught in the flooring as rapidly as possible. Often the best means of doing this is using various inventory extraction tools. High-efficiency carpet wands can be suitable for short pile carpeting common to office buildings. These can be run on stationary pumps or portable wet vacuums, depending on the power needed.

Cleaning up after water damage or flooding in your office building can often mean drying and restoring impacted building materials. Carpets and other flooring types require fast and deliberate action to prevent needed repairs or reconstruction. Give our SERVPRO of Whatcom County East team a call when you need us at (360) 788-4158.

Bellingham Mold Damage Is Often Hidden

7/21/2022 (Permalink)

Rely on SERVPRO professional mold remediation to make your Bellingham home appear "Like it never even happened."

Where is Mold Damage Occurring in Your Bellingham Home

Many areas of homes can suffer mold growth, such as the basement and the attic. If you believe mold could impact your property, you should take the necessary steps to confirm.

Mold Visual Inspections

A suspicion of mold damage in Bellingham homes should be enough for property owners to consider professional inspections. Our sophisticated instruments and probes can verify the presence of moisture when certain signs indicate mold might exist, such as:

• Musty odors
• Spotting
• Damp surfaces

Following the Water Damage to Mold

Tracking moisture movement can be another method of identifying possible mold development in the house. This strategy is ideal for noting where mold colonies could exist in structural cavities and less accessible areas, as we have moisture meters, thermal imagery, and other methods to track damp pockets. Our technicians adhere to EPA and IICRC guidelines.

Controlled Demolition Where Needed

Another obstacle to finding mold and discovering the scope of the damage is structural elements. For instance, when mold is believed to exist in wall systems, surface materials like drywall must often be removed and discarded to provide access for our SERVPRO team to begin remediation in this opening.

Removing the Mold When Discovered

Finding mold is only the beginning of the work that must be done. DIY remediation and mold removal are rarely advisable, as our SERVPRO professionals have trusted strategies and products to overcome microbial colonies. While surface treatments are the least invasive, more aggressive measures like sanding, dry ice blasting, and even controlled demolition might be necessary.

Mold is one of the common threats to homes in the Pacific Northwest, making the response of remediators like SERVPRO of Whatcom County East critical. Our involvement in mitigating loss and containing the movement of spores can protect more of the structure from avoidable harm. Call us when you suspect mold in your home at (360) 788-4158. 

Rain Water Damage in Ferndale, Wa.

6/15/2021 (Permalink)

The rain found an opening and damaged the interior of the medical office.

A typical rain storm in Washington drops a heavy amount of water from the sky but also is generally accompanied by wind. Wind helps the water find pathways to the interior of your home or place of business.

This particular water damage occurred when the tar caulking on a flat roof failed ever so slightly and wind driven rain found the weak spot.

The vent through the roofing system was all the water needed to penetrate the defenses of the building and after a long weekend the morning crew was met with wet floors, ceilings and walls.

They immediately called the trusted Water and Fire - Cleanup and Restoration Professionals, SERVPRO of Bellingham, to dry out the structure and get them back in business as soon as possible.

We work hard to keep your business up and going. 

Leaky Hot Water Tank in Bellingham, WA.

6/15/2021 (Permalink)

One of the most common sources of a water damage in the Hot Water Tank.

One the most common reason our clients call SERVPRO of Bellingham is to come out and dry their home or business because a Hot Water Tank has burst or is leaking. There are a number of reasons why a Hot Water Tank fails. It could be loose fitting, the tank itself fails, the supply line coming in or the supply line coming out, a broken drain valve, broken temperature or drain valves or just plain out age.

Hot water tanks wear out over time and if you aren't paying attention you will be calling SERVPRO of Bellingham to help you dry things out, so here are some things what to look for.

-Water leaking form the bottom of the tank

-Inconsistent water temps

-Running out of hot water

-Discolored water

-Unusual noises from the tank

-Low water pressure

We hopes this helps, but if you do need our help please call anytime 24/7.

Frozen Pipes caused by freezing temperatures in Bellingham, WA

6/15/2021 (Permalink)

Frozen Pipes made for a wet kitchen.

The weather plays an enormous roles in dictating our lives. When it's beautiful outside we barbeque, play sports, go boating and enjoy our beautiful community, but when the temperatures drop and the rivers freeze over our lives move at a different rhythm.

The winter time gives us great skiing and a mazing sunsets, but it also gives us snow, ice and gray skies. When the temperatures get down into the teens for an extended period of time, usually, 3-5 days, we receive a lot of phone calls about frozen pipes and wet interiors. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham is proud to help when we are needed most, so when frozen pipes makes your life miserable please don't hesitate to call 360-733-1800 to help you get back to life as normal. We are here to help.

House Fire in Ferndale, WA

6/14/2021 (Permalink)

There are many steps to a successful fire remediation project.

Fire damage cleanup will involve removing debris, removing any standing water and resolving water damage, removing all the smoke particles and soot accumulation in the home and vents, removing and replacing damaged contents, as well as removing the smell of smoke and ensuring the air quality in the home is safe.

All of these cleanup efforts will take significant amounts of time, effort, and expertise, as well as an understanding of the health and safety risks involved. Remember that you do not have to tackle the cleanup alone. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham has the experience and knowledge in fire damage to guide and help you through the process, manage and accomplish the most difficult and dangerous parts of the cleanup, and assist you in every step of the cleanup.

Fire Damaged Home in Bellingham,WA

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

The firefighter put out the fire and we will clean it up.

SERVPRO of Bellingham works with families and professionals when times are hard and they are experiencing disasters at home or in the work place. In all of our time helping people there is nothing more difficult to bounce back from than a fire.

Fires create a massive amount of smoke and that smoke creates a smell that is almost impossible to forget. To put the fire out the Firefighter use water, so not only does everything that survives a fire smell it is also wet. 

Luckily for those in need SERVPRO of Bellingham is well versed in cleaning up after and deodorizing not porous item after an fire. We also specialize in drying structures and deodorizing them.

We know how difficult it is to bounce back from a fire, but we also have the experience and know how to help guide you through this dramatic time.

Water Damaged Apartments

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

A plumbing system that recently failed.

Behind the wall of every building you walk into lies the systems that make you comfortable and at ease. The HVAC system keeps you warm or cool, the roofing system keep you dry, the structural keeps the building upright and the electrical system keeps the lights on and your internet connected.

The other silent system is the plumbing. This is a system we all take for granted. We make our coffee, use the restroom and wash our hands, but if this system fails what will you do? 

Some buildings are ticking time bombs when it comes to plumbing. Our crews are called out all of the time to help people that make mistakes, but it's an enormous job when the entire system fails. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham is here for you when you need us most. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham for Your Safety

6/9/2021 (Permalink)

The exposed floor of a 112 year old home in Bellingham Washington.

Why SERVPRO? Because SERVPRO of Bellingham takes all of the necessary steps to ensure your safety and the safety of our crews. That means taking lead paint samples before starting demolition as well as taking asbestos samples prior to disturbing potential hazardous materials.

We have licensed professionals with the credentials needed to correctly and competently sample friable materials, diagnose potential hazardous building materials and assure all parties of a clean, healthy work environment. 

The only way to know for sure if a building material or product contains asbestos is to have an approved laboratory analyze a representative sample. We employee a number of AHERA certified building inspectors that will take samples and get them tested at an approved laboratory.

When demolition needs to happen due to fire, mold, sewer or water damage you can trust the professional at SERVPRO of Bellingham to do what's right and what is legal. 

Wind and Rain in Bellingham, WA

6/9/2021 (Permalink)

Wind Driven Rain in the Dining Room.

The Pacific Northwest is famous for many things. We have beautiful mountains, the space needle and the Seattle Seahawks! We are also well known for rain. Rain is easy to deal with as long as you have good drainage and a watertight roof. The real challenges arise when the winds starts to blow and force water into cracks, crevices and otherwise out of reach areas. It's not uncommon for SERVPRO of Bellingham to receive phone calls in the middle of the night as wind and rain batter the community. 

Our policy is yes and we will always help a neighbor in need, so if you roof has failed or water is dripping in your living room, please know that SERVPRO of Bellingham will be there to help. The winds of the Pacific Northwest are no match for the drying power of SERVPRO!

Busy Bathroom at Bellis Fair Mall.

6/9/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bellingham knows how to clean and sanitize.

When the toilet has been unclogged and the public needs access it's time to call SERVPRO of Bellingham for professional cleaning.

Hiring a professional, certified restoration company to safely clean and sanitize the bathroom is important for the safety of your customers, your employees, and fellow building tenants. Black water contains pathogens that can carry parasites, bacteria, and viruses that can make people sick and close down businesses. Much of what the black water touches may not be salvageable, as it becomes contaminated. SERVPRO of Bellingham will not only clean up the sewage water, but we will clean and sanitize the area after the repairs made.

Our technicians are highly trained and totally dedicated to safety and well being of the public and themselves. When disaster strikes, you know who to call. 360-733-1800.

Water Damaged Bathroom in Bellingham WA.

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

A faucet to a sink failed and damaged the entire bathroom.

It's one of the busiest rooms in the house. The bathroom is where you have the most amount of water lines and drains in your home. 

We take running water for granted and we take perfectly functioning plumbing for granted almost all of the time. Do you know when you think about plumbing? When it's no longer functioning perfectly.

The bathroom sink and toilet get used throughout the day and we see a lot of failures in the bathrooms. Remember to treat your plumbing with respect and never over pack the cabinet under the sink with cleaners, garbage pails or towels. These items can knock into your plumbing and create a leak.

We think about this stuff because we live it everyday. A perfectly functioning bathroom is not appreciated enough, but the moment it's no longer perfect you can call SERVPRO of Bellingham at 360-733-1800 to dry it up.  

No job too large for SERVPRO of Bellingham

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Water extraction in the snow.

The freezing winds and driving snow caused multiple sprinklers to fail in a parking garage in downtown Bellingham. The water flooded the staircase, elevator shaft, numerous condominiums, the mail room and the shared lobby space. Our crews were called out to extract the water in the earlier morning and we quickly found out that more than extraction needed to happen.

The technicians were able to utilize FLIR technology to find hidden pockets of water in the ceilings throughout the structure and assist the building facility manager in addressing the complex water damage.

We set up a plan to utilize injection drying techniques and dehumidification to expedite the process. The professionals at SERVPRO of Bellingham got right to work when called and worked quickly to keep life a close to normal as possible to the condo owners. 

Frozen Pipes in Blaine Washington

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Example of a Burst Copper Pipe

Frozen water in copper pipes can lead to burst pipes. The damaged pipe is tied to pressure rather than the ice. The frozen pipe is blocked, causing water pressure to build up behind it. Eventually, the pressure builds up enough that the pipe bursts.

When the ice begins to melt is when the pressure issues are often the worst. The pressure as the water rushes through the pipes can also cause bursting.

Generally, houses in Washington are built with pipes located on the inside of the building insulation. This usually protects them from subfreezing weather, although extreme cold, insufficient insulation and holes that allow cold air to come into contact with pipes can still lead to freezing and bursting.

Pipes begin freeze at about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, even if it hasn’t been that cold for long. However, when it gets below 20 degrees, the frequency of burst pipes becomes higher.

When pipes burst it's time to call SERVPRO of Bellingham 360-733-1800.

Storm Situation in Lynden, WA.

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Freezing Temperatures lead to Frozen Pipes

The late winter storm is becoming the new normal. The region of the Pacific Northwest has been hit hard the last three years by winter storms that sneak in late and coat our area in snow and chilly northeastern winds.

Our most recent late winter storm caused a large water damage in a partially remodeled loft above a garage. The project was about half way completed when the storm hit and frozen the mixer in the shower causing water to spray all over the unfinished floors and flowing down into the garage below. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham was able to address the damage quickly with minimal downtime. The project was only a few days behind schedule. Thankfully they were able to complete the project in time for parents to stay in the new loft.

SERVPRO - Committed to Community

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Champion Boards by SERVPRO

When the graduating senior class asked for donations for end of the year auction SERVPRO of Bellingham immediately stepped up to the plate. We have been a driving force behind the Boys and Girls Club Cornhole Tournament for years and wanted to assist the class of 2021 in a similar manner. 

We developed the idea to build custom game boards and create a totally unique set of Championship logos for our boards. We celebrate the Seattle Supersonics and Seattle Seahawks, but we truly celebrate the Senior Class of 2021. They have overcome many obstacles to get this point. A pandemic has taken away so much, but our hope is to help them celebrate by raising funds and raising dreams. 

Best of Luck in the future Class of 2021!!!

Why you need to call SERVPRO

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Toilet Supply Line Failure.

Why SERVPRO? We are here for you when you need us most.

The time you left the water running in the tub and went outside to mow the lawn. The night you heard the sound of rain on your roof followed by a drip in your kitchen. There was the day that started off with massive rainfall and ended with the basement filling up with water and all of you belongings needing to be clean, dried and stored while you addressed the building? I remember the time the sprinkler system failed and four floors of condos got wet and everything in them had to dried. Then there's the frightening evening that the smoke detector warned you that an electrical fire was about to change you life forever. Nobody was hurt but your home needed lost of help. These are just some of the reason you call SERVPRO.

Why SERVPRO? Because we are always here to help when you need us most.

Commercial Water Damage in Whatcom County

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Large hotel water damage caused by frozen sprinkler system.

SERVPRO of Bellingham understands how disastrous commercial water damage can be can be, and how it can impact your business. Acting quickly to mitigate water damage is crucial, which is why it’s important for all businesses to know the common causes of commercial water damage, how to spot them, and what to do if you find signs of water damage in your office building or commercial property. 

Similar to damaged pipes, if there is a problem with your building’s sprinkler system, it could lead to leaks and water damage. Look out for wet walls and carpets, mold or a musty smell, or any standing water in your building. These clues could indicate an issue with your sprinkler system that should be addressed right away. 

Roof damage can be caused by extreme weather like heavy winds, rain or snowfall. A damaged roof will result in leaking water that may cause secondary damages to the ceiling such as mold damage. Be sure to regularly check your roof and sprinkler systems for signs of damage and provide maintenance as needed. 

We Know Containment

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

We set impeccable containment for our clients.

Mold is fact of life. We deal with mold on a daily basis here at SERVPRO of Bellingham and one of the most important factors when working with mold is keeping the mold spores confined to an affected area. 

Containment is the term used for limiting the spread of mold, dust, fibers and other items that can quickly make a small job a big job or a safe home a not safe home. 

We use the latest in technology and all of our available resources to create negative pressure, knock down mold spores down, containing the mold, drying any wet surfaces and utilizing a HEPA vacuum, thusly keeping our clients happy, safe and on their way to getting their homes back to "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO cares

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Another excellent day on the course.

SERVPRO of Bellingham cares about community. We are involved in coaching and supporting youth sports, various chambers of commerce in leadership and membership, high school fundraisers and a litany of other endeavors.

We also support a variety of non-profits in our area. We have been sponsors, planners, doers and shakers for many years helping with auctions, food and clothing drives, Christmas Trees pickups, and celebrator dinners.

One of our favorite ways to give back is during the year is when the weather turn gorgeous and the people of the Northwest take to the links. We have a policy when it comes to sponsoring golf tournaments and the policy is yes. If we can fit it in our schedule and the boss says yes... then we are there. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham loves our community and supporting those in need.

Work Hard Play Hard

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bellingham hosting an all Chamber Taco Night

One of the most difficult professions in the world is that of a Water and Fire Restoration professional. Our crew has gone above and beyond for our customers for over 40 years and this past year has been even more harrowing than ever before for our technicians.

The best way to unwind after a crazy week is to invite 100 or so of your closest friends and business associates to your shop for a meet and greet punctuated with fresh street tacos. The response has been undeniable as the "Thank yous" and "Oh mys" are almost never ending.

We enjoy hosting an Open House  and at SERVPRO of Bellingham we work hard, but we also know how to say thank you and play hard, and the tacos are authentic soft corn tortillas. 

Hopefully, we will be hosting another Open House as our world returns to normal. 

We are ALWAYS open

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

We are always ready to help.

Has anyone ever scheduled a water damage in their home or place of business?

Has a sudden and catastrophic accident occurred when you were ready?

Can you please make sure that the burst pipe happens during normal business hours?

SERVPRO of Bellingham knows that this will never be the case and that the worst case scenario only happen when you aren't ready and we are. You know why we are always ready? Because our job is to be there for you in most difficult of times. 

Our shop light might be off and the trucks might be parked, but the phone is always on and our crew is always ready. We work weekends, holidays and sometimes on vacation because we are here for you.

Call us anytime 360-733-1800. 

Water Damage caused by roof leak in Bellingham, WA.

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

We found the issue and helped solve the water problem.

The Pacific Northwest is known for coffee, salmon, it's incredible natural beauty and RAIN. Our roofs are asked to protect us during the wettest of times and through the winds that build coming off the Puget Sound. Sometimes these roofing systems fail and a water intrusion occurs. Our customers call these intrusions roof leaks and mystery drips, so we dig into the issue and help them solve the mystery of the drip.

Our technicians crawl through the attic with grace and determination to help answer questions about volume, insulation and dry time, but the rain must be kept out and for that you need a roofer.

Once the roof has been repaired and water is no longer finding it's way in we get to work drying and clean and helping. Like we always do.

SERVPRO of Bellingham at the mall

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Our crew working with Bellis Fair.

One of the largest buildings, if not the largest, in all of our territory is Bellis Fair Mall. The recent economic pivot has seen great changes to our local mall and to the shops that call it home, but one thing that hasn't changed is need for our services when things go wrong and are beyond the expertise of the maintenance department. The variety of reasons we have been called ranges from a simple toilet issue to a mysterious water damage hidden in an exterior wall to an enormous sprinkler system release that required 24 hour monitoring. When water or fire damage strikes at the mall they know who to call. Through it all we have remained grateful for the opportunity and always ready to help. 

Devastating fire in Ferndale, WA

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

We were able to salvage some of the fire damage dinnerware.

A terrible fire left a family homeless and grasping for memories lost. The insurance company was going to be replacing the structure and most of the household items that were destroyed in the incredibly hot burning fire, but what about the memories?

We met with the family and walked through what was left of the home in an effort to find something...anything that we could salvage from the ruble. We were able to find a few pieces of jewelry and about half of a set of fire damaged dinnerware. 

Our contents shop is set up for fires, so we knew the chances were quite high for us to be able to clean the plates, bowls and serving platters. The home owners weren't so sure, but gave us the opportunity to "save" some of their family memories.

We were proud to return the family a beautiful memory to move forward with and help them to heal after the traumatic experience. Happy to be of service.

Everything changes when fire strikes.

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

We were able to help a fire damaged home and family.

The house becomes a home when a family lives in and breaths life into the structure. A raging fire disrupted this family and brought them closer than they thought they could be. 

Our fire technicians were called out to a home in Bellingham, WA to help put a forever altered life back together. There is more real than a fire that rips through your home destroying everything in it's path. Together with the homeowners we were able to devise a plan to discard the contents that could not be saved and do our best to clean and deodorize those contents that could live with the family once again.

Our goal is always help our customers accomplish their goals and sometimes those goals are made easy by hard work and communication. Thank you for the opportunity to help.

Wind Blown Water Damage in Everson, WA

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Water damaged caused by wind driven rain

Early Sunday morning and the on call phone is ringing. No doubt someone has been affected by the high winds and rain form the night before. To tell you the truth it's still raining and the wind has only partially died down. 

Our technician is on the scene before breakfast is served and a plan of action is already underway. The first step is to stop the water from coming in. Once the leak has been addressed the professionals at SERVPRO of Bellingham are ready to make it "Like it never even happened."

Fast action, excellent communication and a science based drying plan helped limit the damage to this home while also leaving the customer overly confident in our abilities and willingness to get the job done.

Call SERVPRO of Bellingham anytime for all of your fire and water clean up and restoration needs 360-733-1800.

Fire Damage in Bellingham, WA.

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

The wood stove in the shop overheated and sparked a residential fire.

A life altering fire damage to your home can happen in a flash. Be prepared for whatever happens by knowing what to do if you experience a fire in your home. This fire started in the attached shop and the smoke spread throughout the home very quickly. Even though the fire was in the kitchen, the entire home was affected by the smell smoke and the residue of soot. 

Fires are very stressful and you should not have to clean up all by yourself. SERVPRO of Bellingham is here to help you restore your home and contents. With our industry approved training, rapid response, professionalism, cutting-edge technology and open communication, we strive to restore not only your home and everything in it but your piece of mind. 

Call the fire damage cleanup and restoration professionals at 360-733-1800.

Do you have a family plan?

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

Plan a path of escape from your home should a fire occur. Planning saves lives.

SERVPRO of Bellingham is always ready and prepared to assist families and businesses after fires, smoke damage and other scary challenges. We know that the most critical part of escaping a fire is to have a plan in place that is simple and makes sense to all family members. 

Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes.  Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of every room, including windows and doors. Also, mark the location of each smoke alarm.

Choose an outside meeting place (i.e. neighbor's house, a light post, mailbox,  the big tree, or stop sign) a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they've escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting place on your escape plan.

Everyone in the household must understand the escape plan. When you walk through your plan, check to make sure the escape routes are clear and doors and windows can be opened easily.

Having a plan and practicing the plan saves lives. 

Know the Stages of Water Damage

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

Understanding the Stages of Water Damage helps SERVPRO of Bellingham address the issues at hand

SERVPRO of Bellingham is ready to help. One of the first steps to when getting started on the  restoration of a home or business that has been affected by water damage is to know the extent of damage that you are getting into. According to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), there are four classes of destruction that explain the severity levels of water damage. Knowing the class of damage first will help in making a restoration plan to fix the harm that has occurred.            

Classes of Destruction

Class 1 –

            Class 1 is the easiest water damage to deal with due to the slow evaporation rate. Only part of the room or area is affected for this class and there is little to no wet carpet that has been affected.

Class 2 –

            Due to the fast evaporation rate of Class 2, the whole room becomes affected. From the carpeting to the walls and structure, moisture covers the room.

Class 3 –

            This class involves the fastest evaporation rate where ceilings have now become involved. Most instances from this class have had liquid come from the ceiling. The moisture in these incidents will most likely affect the ceiling, walls, insulation, carpet and sub-floors.

Class 4 –

            When an area has reached class 4, this means that the liquid has had enough time to completely saturate materials such as hardwood, brick or even stone. These incidents require specialty-drying situations.

Source - http://www.IICRC.org/the-basics-water-damage-restoration-training-a-23.html

Planning for Emergencies.

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bellingham will help you create a cost-free Emergency Ready Plan.

Do you have an Emergency Ready Plan? Have you discussed what to do if an event happens at your place of business. Do your employees know where the plan is located or if it even exists? Who to call? How to shut off the water? Where the back ups are stored? 

SERVPRO of Bellingham knows that statistically 50% of businesses will not reopen after a water or fire loss.  A major reason for this being the case is that they do not have an emergency plan in place.  If no plan is in place, there are extended amounts of time where revenue is not made.  This kills business and they forced close.  We understand the need to be prepared and we have a completely FREE service that helps you put a plan in place.  We gather emergency contacts, locations for vital shut offs, pictures and descriptions in one easy to access location. Our Emergency Ready Plan app can be accessed from a phone, tablet, or computer.

With a plan in place you know contacts, systems and locations of important items that can help you reduce down time and property damage in the event of a fire or water loss. We are firm believers in don't wait until disaster strikes. Contact us today to help you be "Ready for whatever happens" 360-733-1800.

Rain, Ground Water, Flooded Basements.

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

Flooded basement in Blaine, WA.

The recent rain has us thinking about flooded basements.

Flooding of basements can occur any time. While most often flooding occurs during big rains or rapid snowmelts in the spring, it can occur even during dry weather.

There are a number of reasons why basements flood. Flooding can occur by seepage or flow through the walls or foundation floor, from surface water sources, or by a sanitary or storm sewer backup. 

Groundwater is water that is naturally located below the ground’s surface. The groundwater level can be, at times, above the level of the basement floor. In some locations, groundwater can be above the level of the floor at all times.

Gravity moves water from high to low. If either the groundwater level or sewer level around your home is above the basement floor, gravity will try to move that water into your basement. A crack in the foundation floor, for example, provides gravity with a perfect path for water to be pushed into the basement, but have no fear. We are here to help.

When water finds it way into your basement you know who to call. SERVPRO of Bellingham 360-733-1800.

Helping Hotels in Trying Times

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

A frozen sprinkler during normal times. It's our time to help the hospitality industry.

We are ten plus months into a pandemic and our industry has been steady if not down right busy the entire time. 

We are the lucky ones. The gifted essential workers deemed with rescuing homeowners and business owners during their most difficult times. Well kinda.

The most difficult times aren't always when water or fire disaster strikes. Our business brothers and sisters in the hospitality industry are among those hit the hardest. In normal times, the hotels and the people that make them breath with life have the profound pleasure of hosting people from around the globe and welcoming them to our slice of heaven. 

These are not normal times. They have been forced to operate with skeleton crews, General Managers are working the front desks and your Concierge is waiting patiently to be asked back to work. Waiting patiently for you to come back and enjoy the Pacific Northwest. Waiting patiently to get back to normal.

SERVPRO of Bellingham has had the opportunity to help our local hotels many times when a dryer overheated, the sprinklers popped or the sinks overflowed, so as a business professional and a caring member of the community I want to say Thank you for all that the hospitality industry has done for SERVPRO of Bellingham and our region. 

Time to plan a staycation at your favorite local hotel, order in from a local restaurant and love where you live by supporting those that do the same. 

Water Damage and Asbestos Testing in Bellingham, WA

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

Samples for an Asbestos Test

SERVPRO of Bellingham realizes the importance of Asbestos Testing.

Many of our customers question why we need to test for asbestos?

We test because it's the law, because the health of our customers matters to us, because the health of our employees is paramount, and because it is the absolute right thing to do.

Our's require us to "demo" materials that have to affected all sorts of weird things like by microbial growth or sewer back ups. The policy is to always test these materials before they are removed to ensure the safety of the family that lives there, the employees that come to work everyday and the valued workers of SERVPRO fo Bellingham. 

We promote safety first by always testing for asbestos.

Fire Damage in a Garage. Bellingham, WA.

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

The Fire caused in the Garage created massive damage.

A fire can be an incredibly devastating experience for yourself and your loved ones. Not only will a fire cause extensive damage to your property, but you may also lose sentimental items. If you experience a fire in your home a restoration company like SERVPRO of Bellingham will be there to assist you. By leaving your fire damage repair to the professionals, you will gain valuable assistance during your fire clean up. Along with repairing your home, you may also need to heal emotional wounds. One of the most difficult things in life is dealing with the loss of your most cherished items, but even more profound is dealing with the loss of security and safety that comes with a fire in your home. We empathize with our clients and always strive to save the most precious items from their homes.

A series of small leaks create disaster

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial Spaces have different Challenges than Residential work.

A series of small minor roof leaks soon proved to be a major problem when microbial growth and wet insulation was found during a remodel in Bellingham, Wa. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham was called out to clean and disinfection the structure as well as the actual roof materials. We utilized scissor lifts, full face respirators, gloves, tyvex suits and the proper safety harness or fall arrest gear. 

Our job was to get into the is structure clean and get out as quickly as possible, so we worked diligently throughout the weekend and after hours to make it "Like it never even happened."

The clients could not have been more pleased with the results of the project or with the tight schedule we were able to keep.

Storm Damage in Bellingham.

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

Rain Storms drop lots of water and cause lots of damage

The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful place to live, raise children and do business. We have four seasons and moderate high and low temperatures. What we do have in large volume is wind and rain.

The smallest leak in a roof can result in a huge amount of damage and the added ingredient of wind only compounds the problem. SERVPRO of Bellingham fields many calls throughout the fall and winter from our good friends with roofs, windows, doors and, well, any structure. 

This particular project was a surprise for the new tenant. We were called to assess the problem and address the drying of the structure. What we found when we arrived certainly meant that some work was getting done that day. We also performed some demo and cleanup. 

Commercial Water Issues

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

Our Crew Set up containment in Bellingham, Wa.

A small water intrusion quickly became a larger issue when hard rains and high winds rolled into Bellingham, WA. 

The owners of the building knew something was certainly wrong but did not know how large the problem truly had become. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham was called out to help address the water issue and also to help develop a plan for drying out the building. 

The first step is always to stop the leak and once the roofer had fixed the leak we began to delve farther into the problems the water had created.

Our well trained skilled technicians were able to find hidden pockets of water throughout the structure and limit the amount of drywall removal by injecting dry hot air into the walls.

The team at SERVPRO proved once again that with the right knowledge and tools we are able to help businesses and building owners limit downtime and repair costs.

The Rain was so heavy it crushed the ceiling

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

The ceiling came down from the weight of the wet sheetrock and insulation.

Heavy rains are part of life in Bellingham, Washington. We are lucky to have excellent roofs and roofers, but sometimes materials fail.

We were recently called to help a customer that had the ceiling in the kitchen hanging from the rafters and sitting on the counters. The first step in dealing with water damage is to make assessment of the situation and game plan to getting the drying process moving in the right direction. This particular home had a unique problem. Most of the demolition that typically takes place had already been done by the water weight of the rain.

The material was removed the drying took place. Our crew left the job with a load of wet sheet rock, carpet and insulation. plus a happy customer with an amazing story to tell. 

Electronics Fire in Bellingham, WA

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

Burned and charred electronics in Bellingham, Wa.

The main frame was saved but most of the outlying computers, hardware and systems were burned beyond repair in the commercial fire. The racks of electronics could not be saved, but the that was the only loss as all the people were safe and unharmed. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham made valiant efforts to save as much as we could but the heat from the fire and the soot from the burned materials was too much for most of the electronics to recover from. The typical steps made to ensure a full recovery were impossible. Our job became an effort in disposal and structure cleaning.

The owner was able to get most of the information from offsite back systems, but the electronics were damaged beyond repair. SERVPRO of Bellingham cleaned all of the structure and they were back in business.

SERVPRO of Bellingham Cares About You

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bellingham cleans contents for Renters after a Fire

We have been working with a number of property managers lately as apartment buildings have been flooded by a leaky pipe, set ablaze by unattended soup stock, or lit up by an overzealous candle and put out by tons of water from even more overzealous firefighters. The structures were covered by insurance. We dried them out, cleaned them up and made it “Like it never even happened.”

The renter’s belongings…not so much. They are NOT covered by the building owner’s insurance.

Either way it happens one thing is for sure you better have renters insurance for your belongings.

I recently read that over 60% percent of renters do not carry insurance.

Get renters insurance.

Talk to an agent.

Know the policy.

How much stuff do you have?  What’s it worth?

Does your roommate need insurance too? YES!

Talk to those you trust. They will give you names of insurance agents that care about you and your stuff. That’s what they do.

For the cost of a latte a week, about $16 a month, you can have the security that you need.

A recent fire affected 13 units in an apartment building. We helped one family with their contents. One family had all of their items dried, cleaned, restored for immediate quality of life and preserved for future generations. The other 12 households didn’t have insurance. That’s 1 in 13 that were prepared.

Are you prepared?

It’s called renters insurance…and you need it

Separation is in the Preparation

6/1/2020 (Permalink)

Snow in the Pacific Northwest can cause massive damage.

The freezing level has fallen and the dark clouds have moved in. Now what?

We here in the Pacific Northwest are always ready for rain but always ready for snow. Here are a couple things to keep in mind as the fluffy wet cold white stuff starts to fall across our region.

Let's think safety first.

• Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways
• Sand to improve traction
• Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment
• Sufficient heating fuel, like dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove
• Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm

Next do you have a plan?

• Make a family emergency plan — Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency
• Listen to a NOAA Weather or other local news channels for critical information from the National Weather Service and be alert to changing weather conditions

Be smart and think about everyone and everything in the family.

• Minimize travel, but keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle
• Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather
• Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water

These few steps will help minimize any hardship as the snow storm closes in on us. 

Water Damage in the Kitchen in Bellingham, WA.

5/4/2020 (Permalink)

The busiest room in the house is also the most likely to cause water damage.

It's the busiest room in the house. If home is where the heart is then your heart is really in the kitchen because its the heart of any home.

We take running water for granted and we take perfectly functioning plumbing for granted almost all of the time. Do you know when you think about plumbing? When it's no longer functioning perfectly.

The kitchen sink get used throughout the day and we see a lot of failures with the kitchen sink. Remember to treat you faucet with respect and never over pack the cabinet under the sink with cleaners, garbage pails or dish racks. These items can knock into your plumbing and create a leak.

We think about this stuff because we live it everyday. A perfectly functioning kitchen sink is not appreciated enough, but the moment it's no longer perfect you can call SERVPRO of Bellingham at 360-733-1800 to dry it up.  

Crawl Space in Bellingham Washington

4/8/2020 (Permalink)

Hotel Crawlspace in Bellingham Washington

The hospitality industry in Belligham Washington is under constant pressure for rooms and availability, so when a water damage happens it is imperative that a speedy recovery occurs.

SERVPRO of Bellingham helped this hotel with a wet crawlspace caused by a failed sump pump. The lower level of the laundry room and East wing rooms had been inundated with ground water from torrential downpours. 

The sump pump had always kept the rising ground water at bay but when the pump failed it was trouble for the lowest part of the building. 

We installed several pumps, extracted water from rooms and began the restoration process.  

Flooded Crawlspace in Birch Bay Washington

4/2/2020 (Permalink)

The storm water was so high that the crawlspace was inaccessible.

The storm season of 2019 extended all the way into 2020. We saw wet basements, attics and crawlspaces for months. One of the most difficult flooding scenarios to deal with as a home owner is rising water in your crawl space. Often times here isn't anywhere for the water to go. Meaning the water table has risen to the point that even a sump pump to the exterior of the building isn't help and the water just makes it's way back under your home.

This particular situation was especially trying because of the new construction around this pre-existing home. The home owner and SERVPRO of Bellingham worked together to create a plan to pump out the crawlspace and get the structure dry again. 

It was a job well done. 

Storm Flooded Basement in Ferndale, Washington

4/2/2020 (Permalink)

A good indication of why you have a flooded basement.

Rain.

The Pacific Northwest or Pacific NorthWET is known for gray skies and rain. SERVPRO of Bellingham is also known for dealing with rain. Well not exactly dealing with rain, but dealing with the ramifications of too much rain. 

We were called to help the new homeowner of a beautiful gentleman's farm in Ferndale, WA. They were experiencing flood waters in the finished basement and an overwhelmed sump pump. 

We knew exactly what the problem was when we arrived. The driveway was pitted out with mud puddles and the field looked like a trout pond. Our crew set up two pump with the outtake hoses stretched down the hill and into the wood below.

Once the water was extracted we set drying equipment and helped them get back to life as normal.

Next time you have a flooded basement you know who to call... SERVPRO of Bellingham.

House Fire in Bellingham Washigton

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

Soot Lines and Smoke Chains in a Bedroom.

SERVPRO of Bellingham helps many clients with water damages and they are the most common reason for calls to the office. Fires are another reason we get called, but are less much frequent.

We were called on a Monday morning to assist a family that had thankfully been awoken in the middle of the night to smoke alarms and a line of smoke that extended down below the windows. The small fire occurred in the kitchen. The homeowners extinguished the flames and home was quickly evacuated. The fire trucks arrived to help the family and they spent the night in a local hotel.

Our crew was send out first thing on Monday and we created a plan to clean their belongings in our contents shop. The items were categorized, boxed up and delivered to our shop. The structure was then deodorized, cleaned and prepped for paint.

Why Ferndale, Washington chooses SERVPRO

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

Our crew shows up in full force to help our clients

Our crews work throughout Whatcom and Island Counties. One of our favorite cities to help customers in Ferndale, Washington. 

We are involved with the local Chamber of Commerce and many of our employees are raising children and living in the community. 

A neighborhood of Ferndale sits right on the Puget Sound and must deal with high winds, king tides and various other weather related issues during the year. 

Sandy Point is a beautiful water front community that prides itself on amazing homes, an awesome marina and wonderful people. SERVPRO of Bellingham is often called to assist with frozen pipes in second homes, salt water intrusion on water front homes and mechanical failures in family homes.

Our neighbors on Sandy Point help each other when it's needed and call SERVPRO when they need a professional. 

Why SERVPRO?

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO? Because we work with you to get the job done.

The basement has leaked and the water has been rising in the lower portion of the house. Efforts to curtail the water damage have yielded some success, but the professionals need to be called.

Why SERVPRO? Because we are always ready and willing to help those is need of assistance. 

The educated and certified technician at SERVPRO of Bellingham know what to do to get your home back to normal. Our mission is to help homeowners and commercial property owners get back to life and business as usual. 

Through hard work, knowledge and communication our office staff, field representatives and diligent technicians rally to get the job done in a timely matter and work with all insurance companies to get the bill taken are of. "Like it never even happened."

Smoke and Soot in the Attic

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

The Cobwebs and Smell of Fire Fill an Attic Space.

One of the most common issues when a fire occurs is getting rid of the lasting smell. SERVPRO of Bellingham takes many measures to assure the odors fade and away.

The first action item is to remove the source. This means to take the burned, charred or affected household items out of the structure.

Next the rest of the contents are removed after being itemized and boxed. The homeowners belongings will be taken to our contents shop cleaned and deodorized and stored until the home is livable again.

Cleaning the structure takes many steps, but one of the unseen issues lies in the attic. Odors are held in the insulation and building materials. Again, removing the affect materials needs to occur. We remove insulation and begin the cleaning process in the attic to remove odors.

Once the structure is cleaned and deodorized we move the contents back into the home. 

"Like it never even happened."

Broken Pipe In Bellingham, Washington

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

A failed supply line under the kitchen sink

Water Damages are most often caused by mechanical failures. A mechanical failure is a broken pipe, failed valve or any item that supplies water to an appliance. Our homes have many fixtures that bring water or drain water from all over the structure.

We are called to help all aspects of water damages caused by mechanical failures and faulty valves. A common area for a water leak to occur is the kitchen and specifically the kitchen sink. Water supply lines for hot and cold water, dishwasher supply lines, water filters and other lines are housed under the kitchen sink. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham is called to help people after a supply line failure. First call a plumber and then call the green trucks. We are here to help. 

Commercial Water Damage in Ferndale, WA

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

Large Water Pipe Disconnected in Ferndale Washington

A commercial water damage can put business in a tail spin. Our goal at SERVPRO of Bellingham is to get that business up and going as quickly as possible. The owner rely on being available and the employees need the business to be open in order to provide services and products.

The call came in after hours and our on call technicians were able to address the initial call within 30 minutes. They extracted almost 300 gallons of water and set equipment to stabilize the environment. 

Our crew arrived early the next morning to begin taking the steps of drying and content manipulation. A large part of what we do is moving office furniture, file cabinets etc. in an effort to open up the wet affected areas to dry air, dehumidification, and air movement.

Our team was able to address the issue early, minimize the time materials were wet and quickly get production back to full capacity. 

After Hours Extraction in Bellingham Washington

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Belligham Ready to Extract Water

The after hours call line lit up one evening due to a plumbed in coffee maker. The water line failed on the third story of a historic downtown building. Three full levels were inundated with water eventually filling a portion of the basement.

We set pumps in the basement and began extraction on the other floors. Our efforts showed immediate progress and we were on the way to another successful commercial water remediation.

The manipulation of contents was next. The moving of desks, chairs, tables, workspaces and filing cabinets took a better part of a day, but the hard working crew got the job dine in time to start the actual mechanical drying process.

Fans were set along with dehumidifiers, air scrubbers and containment. The following days were spent monitoring the dry down of 100 year old building. We had accomplished our goal and the business was able to stay open returning to normal within the week. 

Carpet Delamination in Bellingham Washington

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

The Carpet Delaminated and Needs to Be Replaced

Why SERVPRO

Because we work for you and your best interests.

Our goal is to always have a happy customer. We advocate for your needs and understand the hardship you are experiencing when you call us. When Fire hits your home or place of business or water dampens an otherwise normal day, we are here for you.

One way we help you is by understanding the ins and outs of the insurance industry. We are the eyes and ears of your insurance company on most jobs and report back to the adjuster on what we find.

Delaminated carpets usually indicate the need for replacement. The cost benefits are weighed and a decision is made. We want to be your eyes and ears while helping you overcome a difficult time. Let SERVPRO of Bellingham be your insurance remediation champion.

Here to Help Everyday in Whatcom County

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

The crew is ready to help our neighbors everyday.

Why SERVPRO?

The green SERVPRO trucks are images most people think of our company, but the memories our customers keep are about the people that were here to help. 

Our crews are comprised of hard working, selfless team players that go above and beyond for their customers. We take great pride in providing services seven days a week, twenty for hours a day. The focus of our techs is diagnose the problem and come with a solution that makes sense to all parties. The work we do is physically demanding and takes a great deal of problem solving skills.

We find ourselves in the middle of residential catastrophes on a regular basis and our people make the difference. We help our community members in the most difficult of times and the single greatest compliment we can receive is a happy customer. To bring light through the dark is what we strive to do.

Why SERVPRO? Because we are there and because we care.

We put safety first in Bellingham and Whatcom County.

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

An asbestos sample taken in Bellingham, WA.

The first action item before demolition of a home or business is to take asbestos samples.

Why SERVPRO?

Because we take many safety measures before disturbing building materials and the health our clients and customers comes first.

We sample 100% of the building materials that could contain asbestos before breaking into walls, tearing our flooring or dealing with insulation. Our professionally trained and certified staff takes the time to diagnose possible issues before they create greater damage. Before every job there is started a sit down meeting that occurs where numerous possibilities are discussed and sampling procedures are outlined. Many times we deploy two or more Certified Asbestos Samplers to a structure to ensure all safety measures are taken and adhered too.

Why SERVPRO?

Because the health and safety of all parties are taken into account before we start demolition.

Storm bring water damage in Ferndale, WA.

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

The Staircase is Hit Hard by Water Intrusion from a Storm

The winter rain storm brought seasonal highs in rainfall and an extremely high water table. Our office fields many calls during these times and the issue is often times water intrusion in the basement caused by Hydrostatic pressure. 

Hydrostatic pressure can easily drive groundwater into the basement through gaps and cracks in the masonry. High water pressure can also cause seepage through solid concrete. Hydrostatic Pressure refers to a water pressure and is a major cause of basement water problems.

One such issue occurred in the staircase leading to the basement of a home in Ferndale, WA. Our guys were able to help pinpoint the problem and assist in the remedy by using FLIR technology and many years of experience in this area. The first clue was the sloughing paint along the trim line of the stairs. This insight helped our client quickly address the issue and our crew got right to work.

Rain Storm in Lynden, Washington.

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

The roof was compromised during heavy rains and was leaking in the kitchen.

Most businesses have busy seasons and SERVPRO of Bellingham's busy season starts with the heavy fall rains. Our summers are beautiful and mostly dry, but fall hits hard and rain becomes the norm.

One gray fall day our office was contacted by a concerned family with a wet kitchen ceiling. We dispatched our certified water techs to figure out the problem. 

The wet ceiling and heavy recent rains lead the technicians to the attic for a close look at the roof's underbelly. It didn't take long for the crew to realize the issue. Almost directly above the bulging kitchen ceiling a steady drip of water had damaged the sheet rock below and the beginning stages of microbial growth had formed. 

Assisted by the roofer on the outside and SERVPRO of Bellingham on the inside, our clients were able to get back to life as usual in a dry, safe, healthy home.

A High Tide in Blaine Washington.

1/10/2020 (Permalink)

A basement flooded by storm water in Birch Bay Washington.

The old adage that "A high tide raises all boats" makes sense if you are a boat or on a team, but if the tide gets too high it only means you are going to need to call SERVPRO of Bellingham to dry your home and help get your life back to normal.

A King Tide hit our shores at the same time as a storm surge powered by high winds. The resulting damage was felt immediately and for many hours before the tides receded back into the ocean leaving behind unprecedented damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure.

We were onsite before the storm was over and stayed on with a number of customers to help get the water out and begin the process of drying. Our crews spent days extracting water and setting drying equipment in crawlspaces. 

In the end, SERVPRO of Bellingham helped make it "Like it never even happened."  

Home Fire in Bellingham, Washington

1/10/2020 (Permalink)

The garage door had been heavily damaged in a fire and the home needed to be secured.

A fire in your home can be one of the most devastating experiences of your life. The security of a fire ravaged home is something in which SERVPRO of Bellingham takes great pride. We are one of the first parties to be onsite following a fire and it's usually up to us to make sure the home is secure and safe for all who follow.

We know how much a family has already gone through and work diligently to create as much mental peace and stability as possible. That is why we board up the home immediate once we are given the go ahead and have systems in place to construct temporary pass through doors and cover all other openings quickly and professionally to secure a fire damaged home.

A dry clean home in Ferndale Washington

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

We take great pride in providing excellent drying services and a clean environment to work and live in.

SERVPRO of Bellingham is always helping families get back into their homes after hardships such as fires, sewer back ups and mold, but the most common cause for calling SERVPRO is water damage.

Typically, water damage is caused by a human error or a mechanical failure. Mechanical failures occur when a piece of equipment or part of a system such as plumbing no longer works correctly.  An old pipe, bad shingles, poor exterior caulking or the valves that fails are all reasons people give when contacting us to come into theirs homes to perform our duties.

When on the job site we always work with great pride and do our jobs like it was our own home. We dry, we clean, we care, we are SERVPRO of Bellingham.  

Commercial Water Damage in Bellingham Washington

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

A Forward Looking Infrared camera shines light on a commercial drying project in Bellingham, WA.

SERVPRO of Bellingham get calls 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Our on call crew is always prepared for any sized water damage or fire. The major piece to being prepared is having people willing and eager to work outside of normal business hours.

We know this is especially important to our business and commercial customers because any down time can mean lost revenue and lost wages for employees. 

Our goal is to be onsite within an hour and to begin the drying process and environmental stabilization as soon as possible. One of our favorite tools to help us diagnose water issues is a Forward Looking Infrared camera. This amazing tools lets us know where water is and allows us to get right to work with focused drying techniques.

This rainbow of information is extremely helpful in letting us know where to dry.

Communication is Key

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

We like to over communicate with our Commercial Customers and utilize their preferred form to update them often

The key to keeping customers happy and informed is communication. SERVPRO of Bellingham works with many business professionals dealing water damages, fires, mold and sewer issues throughout the year. We have found great success asking what people what form of communication points of contact prefer to use while also utilizing many forms of communication when necessary.  

Email and texting are popular options and very good for getting information that needs to be exact and is unwavering in tone, but can sometimes be misconstrued depending on how the intended party reads it and the style with which the author writes.  

Phone calls are great if everyone has time and is ready to devote effort when ready, but we all know that time is money and very precious.

We have found that a combination of communication forms works best especially with our commercial customers. We also know that a hand written card thanking them for their business and trust is truly the communication "cherry" on top.

Garage Fire in Bellingham Washington

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

A home fire in Bellingham, Washington that started in the garage.

A fire ripped through a Bellingham home in the early morning hours. Luckily nobody was home and the pets had been let out for the day. The fire had started in the garage and quickly spread throughout the home. Firefighter were able to save most of the structure and contents, but the damage had been done and a family was forced to move out and start the process of rebuilding the home, a life and happiness.

SERVPRO of Bellingham helps families with the grieving process by being a steadying force,  understanding helpers, thoughtful listeners and seasoned fire restorers. 

Our goal is to clean their contents and get the family back into their home as fast as possible. We know how much it means to have a home and to also have a helping hand in difficult times.

Rain Water Damages Wood Floor in Entry. Bellingham, WA.

6/25/2019 (Permalink)

The driving rain of Northwest Washington. We don't get down pours. Our wind driven rain comes in on an angle. Poor planning and design can lead to some unhappy home owners.

Our, unsuspecting client came home after work to find a large puddle of water near the front door. Initially, it was a mystery and we were called to help diagnose the problem. We extracted the water and began to dig into the cause. No water lines were near the issue and the line had yet to be drawn from the rain storm to the damage.

We worked the issue and found that the wind driven rain had forced itself into the home through an imperfectly sealed and door that also lacked protection from the rain. The home owner was thankful we had diagnosed the issues and was able to make thenecessary changes to the entry to erase the issue.

We also saved the hardwood floor!

Residential Fire in Lynden, WA

6/21/2019 (Permalink)

These smoke chains clearly define the fact that a smoldering fire had occurred. We can clean that!

One of the tell tale signs of a fire is the existence of smoke chains in the structure. Smoke will form chains of odor and discoloration in corners, behind doors, and in other hard to reach spots. This creates a situation that makes complete cleaning and odor removal difficult.

Fire and smoke damage can leave a heavy residue on ceilings, walls, furniture, and all other surfaces inside your home or place of business. This residue is a result of partial combustion so it may be just as heavy when you have a small, smoldering event as it is when you have a full blown fire.

Fire and smoke damage is usually more serious than what you see. Smoke travels throughout your home and contaminates every open space or air pockets. SERVPRO of Bellingham cleans both the structure of a building after a fire as well as the contents that survive a fire. 

Snow Storm in Whatcom County

6/21/2019 (Permalink)

Working to keep business in business.

All Hands On Deck is defined as "A call for all members of a ship's crew to come to the deck, usually in a time of crisis."

At no time is this term more applicable to SERVPRO of Bellingham than during a storm situation. Our most recent storm situation was over the winter when a cold front blasted us with sustained freezing temperatures and an unrelenting wind. 

Our crews worked all of hours of the day and throughout many weekends to assist our community in their time of need. 

We worked side by side with other trades to keep our local businesses in business. In these difficult times it truly takes a village and SERVPRO of Bellingham is proud to be a part of this amazing community. 

Water Damaged Stairwell in Bellingham, WA.

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

Water bubbles are commonplace in the water restoration business.

Water has the innate ability to find the path of least resistance. Sometimes that means simply flowing down hill or pooling up in a low lying area and other times it means going under doors and through walls to find a man made riverbed.

A staircase is often the path of least resistance for water and these areas can look like waterfalls if enough water finds it's way to them. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham can help in these times of need and our crews have seen numerous situations that would make a Maintenance Manager lose sleep and gain wrinkles. 

The water damage occurred on the second floor and the stairwell became the path of least resistance as the water flowed downhill cascading down stairs and into building cavities. 

I think you can see where the water helped separate the paint from the drywall.

Basement flood in Eastsound, WA on Orcas Island.

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bellingham helps out during difficult times. We dry water damaged homes everyday.

A pipe burst in a basement while the owner was on vacation. When they returned the water was running out of the lower level door. This is not the way you want to return from holiday.

Immediately turning off the water and a quick call to the plumber fixed the initial issue, but the real work starts after the leak in fixed.

SERVPRO of Bellingham was the next call to be made. Our crew set up containment, negative pressure, attacked the wet sheet rock, pulled out the laminate flooring, treated the surfaces for microbial growth and began the drying process.

Our clients could not believe how quickly we had started to make a difference.

We took a miserable end to a vacation and began to make a house a home again.

Fire Damaged home in Ferndale, WA.

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

We love to help families during their times in need.

A horrific fire left a family homeless and grasping for memories lost. The insurance company was going to be replacing the structure and most of the household items that were destroyed in the incredibly hot burning fire. 

We met with the family and wlked through what was left of the home in an effort to find something...anything that we could salvage from the ruble. We were able to find a few pieces of jewelry and about half of a set of fire damaged dinnerware. 

Our contents shop is set up for fires, so we knew the chances were quite high for us to be able to clean the plates, bowls and serving platters. The home owners weren't so sure, but gave us the opportunity to "save" some of their family memories.

We were proud to return the family a beautiful memory to move forward with and help them to heal after the traumatic experience.

Commercial Water Damage in Bellingham, WA.

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

The water fountain supply line sprung a leak, so we contained the area to create the optimal drying environment.

SERVPRO of Bellingham is proud of the many relationships we have fostered over the 40 plus years we have been in business. We take great pride in being the "GO TO" restoration company for those clients and they know we are available twenty four hours a day seven days a week. Call us anytime and we will be on the case.

We were recently called out over the weekend to help extract water and begin the drying process for a large multi story, multi tenant commercial building. We were quickly on site with the knowledge, dedication and hard work that is our trademark. 

We took care of the immediate issues and set the plate for the coming days dry down by communicating with all parties involved, creating realistic expectations and going above and beyond for our clients in an emergency situation outside of normal business hours. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham cares about our community

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

The big winner of the SERVPRO of Bellingham Seahawk Prize Pack.

We are proud of the community we call home. The owners have lived and worked in Whatcom County for over 40 years and our employees are raising children, volunteering, coaching and leading in our local communities.

One our favorite non-profits to support in the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County. We have coached various teams, sponsored events and even volunteered to clean carpets, spruce up the grounds and headed up charity events.

The annual bean bag tournament, or cornhole, is an excellent event to give back and have a great time. We donate to the event by assisting in the planning, donating prizes and creating the annual unique trophies for the winners. We put together a Seahawk prize pack this year and one lucky winner was able to go home with the prize.

We love our community and love giving back. That's "Why SERVPRO."

Freezing Temperatures and Burst Sprinkler Systems in Bellingham, WA.

6/3/2019 (Permalink)

Frozen Sprinkler System in Bellingham, WA.

SERVPRO of Bellingham is known for Fire and Water clean up and restoration. We are also on the front lines when it comes to storm situations.

We have the experience, equipment, technology and work force to assist in many difficult situations. 

The Pacific Northwest has a fairly mild weather pattern, so when temperatures dip below freezing for extended periods of time our buildings are a great risk of having burst pipes, frozen supply lines and solid drain pipes. 

A local hotel was struck by frozen sprinkler lines in the attic. The low points in the dry system where the water pooled had frozen solid and broken the seal where the pipes are joined. The break in the seal created a change in pressure which in turn set off the system. Pressurized water flooded the pipes and found the broken joint sending water down onto the rooms below. 

The sprinklers were shut down and SERVPRO of Bellingham was immediately contacted. Our crew was onsite in under 30 minutes and the drying process had begun. 

When storms hit SERVPRO is there for you.

Water damage in a bathroom in Bellingham, WA.

5/8/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage can't hide from SERVPRO of Bellingham.

The two most common rooms in your home to experience a water damage are the kitchen and the bathroom.

This makes perfect sense when you think of the infrastructure of your home and where water is actually plumbed. 

In this particular home, the bathroom vanity sink was the culprit, but we needed to find out how far the water had intruded into other walls and how far along the floor the water had gone. 

We utilized one of our most important and technologically advanced tools, THE FLIR infrared thermal imaging camera, to diagnose the issue. This allows us to see temperature differences behind walls and materials and allows our trained crew members to make well informed decisions prior to drying and demolition. It's also pretty cool.

When water damage seeps into your home, call SERVPRO of Bellingham to find the problem and dry it out. 

Spring has Sprung in Bellingham, WA.

4/5/2019 (Permalink)

A cold Winter has opened up to a beautiful Spring, but that means leaky exterior faucets and a call to SERVPRO of Bellingham.

This week in Bellingham, WA SERVPRO of Bellingham has fielded upwards to ten phone calls regarding leaking hose bib faucets.

Out door hose bibs are finally being utilized again after a long and sometimes harsh winter in the Pacific Northwest. Our neighbors are washing cars, cleaning exterior windows and starting to move out side for the first time since last fall and discovering that the freezing temperatures last winter have left their frost free faucets are now leaking.

The leaks come issues when the water intrudes on the indoor living space or creates moisture in crawlspaces and wall cavities. These leaks can be very difficult to find, but SERVPRO of Bellingham has many tricks and lots of technology to assist our customers during these stressful times. 

The next time you have a leaking frost free faucet, call SERVPRO of Bellingham to help find the problem and dry the structure.

Pipe Burst in Bellingham, WA.

3/14/2019 (Permalink)

A burst pipe or failed water supply line is the perfect reason to call SERVPRO.

SERVPRO of Bellingham is proud to have been in business for over 42 years. In that time we have alomost seen it all from frozen pipes to electrical fires and moldy basements to unattended stock pots. Our crews and staff have the skill, experience and knowledge that sets us apart from the competition. 

One of the most common issues with a home or business that would necessitate a call to SERVPRO of Bellingham is a failed water supply line or burst pipe. The pipe has lived a long a glorious life never causing any trouble and always doing a perfect job until one day. On this day, it's last day on the job, the pipe or supply line fails releasing all of it's pressured contents into the living envelope. Today is the day to call SERVPRO at 360-733-1800. 

We have the ability to make it "Like it never even happened."

Cleaning Contents in Bellingham, WA.

3/4/2019 (Permalink)

Our Contents Shop touts an ESPORTA Wash System and a Fireline Ultrasonic Cleaning System.

One of the best reasons to choose SERVPRO of Bellingham when dealing with a large fire, mold infestation or sewer back up is our ability to clean almost all of the contents of the structure "in-house."

The ESPORTA Soft Contents Recovery System and the Fireline Ultrasonic Cleaning System give us the opportunity to clean, disinfect and deodorize all shapes and sizes of homegoods and office belongings. 

We have sent many year perfecting our Contents Cleaning Shop and are proud to have saved innumerable household and office items for our clients.

We like the idea of a one stop shop for clean up and restoration and our clients love the opportunity to tour our contents shop and see where and how their personal belongings are going to be restored. 

We Work Clean in Whatcom County and San Juan County

3/4/2019 (Permalink)

A clean work space is a happy work space.

We Work Clean.

What does that mean?

The idea of working clean in the clean up and restoration business means that at the end of every work day our crews take the time to tidy up and prepare for the following day. We take great pride in keeping a clean work space and strive to make a fresh start the following workday

Each of our customers have different wants and needs when it comes to the drying or cleaning of their homes and businesses. We always coordinate and communicate with our clients to make this difficult process as painless as possible. 

We take great pride in keeping a clean work space and taking that extra bit of effort to help make working with SERVPRO of Belllingham that much better. 

We appreciate your trust.

We Always Test for Asbestos

3/4/2019 (Permalink)

We Test Before We Disturb Potentially Dangerous Materials

SERVPRO of Bellingham realizes the importance of Asbestos Testing.

Many of our customers question why we need to test for asbestos?

We test because it's the law, because the health of our customers matters to us, because the health of our employees is paramount, and because it is the absolute right thing to do.

Our's require us to "demo" materials that have to affected all sorts of weird things like by microbial growth or sewer back ups. The policy is to always test these materials before they are removed to ensure the safety of the family that lives there, the employees that come to work everyday and the valued workers of SERVPRO fo Bellingham. 

We promote safety first by always testing for asbestos.

Frozen Pipes in Ferndale, WA.

2/22/2019 (Permalink)

Note the ice build up on the siding.

The recent cold weather and winter storms have left our community in a difficult position. Our homes and businesses are not built to the standards that would allow for freezing temperatures for an extended time. There are steps individuals can take to help prevent frozen pipes, but at the end of the day sometimes nothing can be done. It's really trial by fire... or should I say trial by freezing. 

The major issue with residential building is plumbing in the exterior walls. Everybody should know to remove the hose from the hose bib and cover the spicket, but it's almost impossible to prevent a pipe from freezing that is in a wall. Be aware of where your home's plumbing is located and pay extra attention to those pipes that are in exterior walls that get hit by our cold Northeastern winds.

House Fire in Bellingham, WA.

1/16/2019 (Permalink)

The fire started on the outside of the home before moving inside and setting off the smoke alarm.

The number one cause of residential home fires is cooking. The numbers show that between 41% to 51% of all fires occur in the kitchen.

Not all fires start in the kitchen. A recycling bin than doubled, wrongly, as an ashtray for cigarettes was the culprit at this home. The fire started in the recycling bin and burned the exterior siding before entering the home through an exterior vent. The fire then began to move into the building envelope, but thankfully the smoke detectors alerted the residents and they were able to contact the fire department.

The fire department arrived shortly there after and was able to douse the flames from out side and keep the fire form having a catastrophic effect on the interior of the home. 

Fire safety and education is helping us reduce the number of total fires and injuries caused during residential fires. Always be on guard.

Commercial Water Damage on San Juan Island

1/16/2019 (Permalink)

Friday Harbor is a beautiful place to visit and our crew was happy to help this business owner get back to life as usual after a water supply line had burst causing extensive water damage to the main floor of the bed and breakfast.

The maritime heritage of the community and it's relationship with the Puget Sound is part of what brings people from all over the world to enjoy the San Juan Islands.

SERVPRO regularly works in the San Juan Islands. We are called out to dry up after water leaks, clean up after severe fires and remediate mold after the moisture issue has been resolved. We know the ferry schedule, how to get things done and how to work with insurance companies on the island.

Office Water Damage in Bellingham, WA.

1/15/2019 (Permalink)

Injection drying in an office damaged by water.

We recently received a frantic call early on a Monday morning regarding a flooded office.

Our crew was immediately dispatched to start the drying process and get the business up and going as quickly as possible.

The water came from an office above and the drop down ceilings were soaked. The ceiling tiles were removed, so that the rest of the ceiling could be addressed. Our crew made the right decision to start drying with injection technology. Hot dry air in blown in to wall and ceiling cavities. This allows the business to operate as close to usual as possible while we do our job of drying the water damaged structure.

Time is money and SERVPRO of Bellingham will always go the extra mile to ensure the fastest turn around time in order to get back to business.

Flooded basement in Bellingham, Washington.

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

Leaves and Rain made for a clogged drain.

Heavy rains and strong winds are the hallmark of storms in the Pacific Northwest. Part of the issue with our beautiful landscape is the amount of leaves on the trees. In a storm situation the leaves fall and get blown all over the place. Typically, the rain and the wind is just part of a normal day, but couple those wind and rainy days with a bunch of leaves blocking drain and you have a situation perfect for flooding.

The roads flood, drain get plugged and eventually homes start to flood as the rain has nowhere to go. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham was recently called to help clean up and dry out a finished basement that flooded due to heavy rain and a drain plugged with leaves. We quickly got to work and created a drying environment that expedited the process. The homeowner was happy to have called SERVPRO because our crew work knew what to do and helped them get back to life as normal.

Cooking Fire in Bellingham, Wa

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

A small fire in the kitchen made the entire house smell.

There are many reasons one might need to call SERVPRO of Bellingham. In this particular situation it was because of a fire in a kitchen. The homeowner was making soup and walked away from the stove for an extended period of time. The fire was small but the damage that followed was extensive. 

The entire house and connected garage smelled of burnt meat and the small particles of soot were everywhere. 

In this picture you can see a tiny soot chain in the corner, but but what you cannot see is the harsh odor that has permeated every nook and cranny, every item of clothing and each and every bit a furniture in the home

SERVPRO of Bellingham has over 40 years of experience with residential fire and cleaning contents. We know how to get rid of odors and staining. Our goal is a happy customer and place to call home again. 

Ice Maker Leak in Bellingham, WA.

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

Supply line to the refrigerator leaked.

The most common mechanical failure we see at SERVPRO of Bellingham is the break in a supply line. This is the line that brings water to an appliance, utility or faucet.

Our crew is on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week to be ready for these emergencies. 

Recently a customer called after hours to have us clean up and dry out a kitchen and living room after a supply line to the refrigerator had failed and sent water all over the floor and on to the wall behind the appliance. 

The crew showed up within 30 minutes and got to work immediately. Tired and impressed by our hard working crew the homeowner observed our handy work from the dry safety of the stairs. 

The ceiling came down after a rain storm in Ferndale, Wa.

6/26/2018 (Permalink)

A third floor unit with a leaky roof.

Washington State is known for natural beauty, mountains, the Puget Sound and rain. The most common call we receive after a rain storm is for a wet ceiling. In the most extreme cases the ceiling is not only wet, the ceiling is no longer up and has now found a new home on the ground. A ceiling that has come down due to heavy rains and a leaky roof is not only scary but difficult to impossible live with. The roof needs to be repaired and the home needs to be dried out. We have the trained professionals and truckloads of equipment to make this problem "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Bellingham works hard to help our customers get back to life as normal.

A small stove fire in Bellingham, WA.

6/26/2018 (Permalink)

A thorough cleaning is part of taking care of a home fire.

Is there really something we can call a "small" fire? 

Not really because even the smallest of fire leaves behind clues that it had been there. The initial inspection shows just how much of the home or commercial space has been affected by the smoke.

Our hard working professionally trained crew knows this and is able to diagnose the issue with a swiftness that only the best can. By reaching into our bags tricks and being willing to do the hard work. Tall ladders, lifts, extenders, the proper and safe products and diligent workers with an eye for detail coupled with an accurate plan of action sets us apart. 

The goal is get our customers lives back to normal as quickly as possible while also doing flawless work. 

Mold Clean Up and Disposal in Bellingham, WA.

6/22/2018 (Permalink)

Mold removal in Bellingham, WA.

SERVPRO of Bellingham fields numerous calls throughout the course of the work week regarding mold and mildew. Mold on window sills, mold around shower stalls, mold in bathrooms, mold behind beds, mold in closets, mold on clothing and textile. Our phone rings a lot because of mold.

The typical mold call is not really meant for us to mobilize and remediate. Most times a simple wipe down with a safe cleanser and a bit of regular air movement can alleviate the issue and keep it from coming back.

Sometimes an ongoing water leak or intrusion is the reason mold has taken hold and more evasive action is needed. SERVPRO of Bellingham is ready, willing and prepared to make these challenges disappear. "Like it never even happened."

Storm Related Roof Leak in Bellingham, WA.

6/22/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bellingham dries ceilings.

A perfect white ceiling can easily be taken for granted. The same can be said for a water tight roof. SERVPRO of Bellingham was called late one Sunday evening at a time most people refer to as after hours, but the funny part about that is that SERVPRO of Bellingham is always open and ready for any type of disaster...even a roof leak. 

Our on call technicians were able to quickly diagnose and advise the owners of the steps necessary to address this problem. Contacting a roofing professional to remedy the roof is the first step. Then we can begin the drying process. 

We've scene it all over the past 41 years and we will see even more over the next 41 years.

Heavy Rain and High Winds in Bellingham, WA.

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

A roof leak, wet insulation and a dropped ceiling in Bellingham, WA.

The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful place to live, raise children and do business. We have four seasons and moderate high and low temperatures. What we do have in large volume is wind and rain.

The smallest leak in a roof can result in a huge amount of damage and the added ingredient of wind only compounds the problem. SERVPRO of Bellingham fields many calls throughout the fall and winter from our good friends with roofs, windows, doors and, well, any structure. 

This particular project was a surprise for the new tenant. We were called to assess the problem and address the drying of the structure. What we found when we arrived certainly meant that some work was getting done that day. We also performed some demo and cleanup. 

Commercial Cleaning in Bellingham, WA

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

A thorough commercial cleaning in Bellingham, WA.

SERVPRO of Bellingham can do many things. We dry out homes and businesses after floods, clean structures and contents after fires, disinfect, deodorize and just plain old scrub.

The key to cleaning is in the details. Sometimes the plan is to prep for paint and sometimes a simple old fashion scrubbing with SERVPRO branded cleaning agents is what the plan calls for. 

In a local project we were called to clean the ducting system that works hard for the client and needed some TLC. We set up our crew and got to work. We systematically cleaned from one end of the space to the other with our ever persistent eye for detail. The focus and planning paid off in the end. Satisfied clients and proud employees.

Cleaning a Pole Building Ceiling

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

Massive Ceiling Clean

A series of small minor roof leaks soon proved to be a major problem when microbial growth and wet insulation was found during a remodel in Bellingham, Wa. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham was called out to clean and disinfection the structure as well as the actual roof materials. We utilized scissor lifts, full face respirators, gloves, tyvex suits and the proper safety harness or fall arrest gear. 

Our job was to get into the is structure clean and get out as quickly as possible, so we worked diligently throughout the weekend and after hours to make it "like it never even happened."

The clients could not have been more pleased with the results of the project or with the tight schedule we were able to keep.

It gets everywhere

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

Inside the closet too!

Soot.

SERVPRO of Bellingham is a leader in the cleaning and restoration industry and we see the most incredible things when fire damages homes or offices. The hardest part of cleaning up after a fire finding all of that darn soot. It literally gets in, on and around everywhere and everything.

Our well trained crew opened a closet knowing they were going to see soot and they were correct. Every item inside the closet had left it's print on the painted shelving below and fire particulate had filled in all of the blank spaces.

We know that every surface in a home affected by fire will need to be cleaned. This includes the front, back, bottom, top, side, inside and outside. 

Who knew there were so many sides?

Finding and Cleaning Mold

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

Mold or Microbial Growth?

We are contacted on a regular basis by home owners, real estate professionals, commercial property managers, condo owners and home owner associations regarding mold.

A slow leak might not be obvious at first, but at the first sight of microbial growth it becomes quite obvious.

Our techs at SERVPRO of Bellingham lead the charge to eraticate mold from behind the insulation and helped to detect where the actual leak was occurring, so that the roofing professionals could address the issue from the outside.

The insulation was pulled down from the roof  leaving the back side of the sheathing and the mold that was growing there. Through hard work and the proper protocol we were able to get this project back on track and create more happy customers. 

Did you know?

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bellingham. Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

This is just water that has been living in the duct work of a home. One of the most common mistakes made when drying down a home or commercial space is not thinking about the duct work and leaving water and/or moisture in the ducts.

Our crew at SERVPRO of Bellingham was working in a crawlspace of a home in Ferndale, Washington when they found a hidden danger in the dusts.

The hidden danger is water left in ducting can feed the mold spores and create an environment that is no longer safe.

Our crew always takes the extra precaution of disengaging the ducts and informing our customers of the need to have an HVAC professional come back to re-engage and clean the ducts themselves. 

Water Damage

5/9/2018 (Permalink)

Thermal Imaging is a savior when used correctly.

At SERVPRO of Bellingham we specialize in helping people and businesses with a number of issues, but our most common job to be contacted for is water damage. A faulty supply line to a refrigerator caused massive damage to a beautiful home in Bellingham, WA. Our initial call was to investigate cupping in hardwood floor. Our technician quickly diagnosed a much larger problem.

The water had to been leaking under the hardwood floor and had quickly spread to the surrounding rooms and walls. The use of Thermal Imaging helped us to find the affected areas before we stated demolition and allowed us to have a scope in mind well before the actual hard work started.

These tools of the trade can be the difference between success and failure.

Not our first rodeo

4/4/2018 (Permalink)

Wet Crawlspace

A failed hot water heater brought SERVPRO of Bellingham out to a home in Everson, Wa. The carpet and sheetrock were wet, the trim had to detached and the laminate flooring needed to be removed, but the real work was under the house.

We work in crawlspaces on regular basis. We see all sorts of things including animals, clothing, old building materials and mud. One of the main culprits of water and moisture retention is insulation. Our job is to get into the crawlspace and remove the wet insulation.

We also see a lot of prior water damage. This home was like many other that we have seen. The water damage that took place before the current hot water tank failure was easy to spot. 

Luckily, we were able to document the issues and bring them to owner's attention.

Microbial Growth

3/13/2018 (Permalink)

A flooded basement can lead to mold.

A pipe burst in a basement while the owner was on holiday. When they returned the water was running out of the basement door. This is not the way you want to return from a vacation.

Immediately turning off the water and a quick call to the plumber fixed the initial issue, but the real work starts after the leak in fixed.

SERVPRO of Bellingham was the next call to be made. Our crew set up containment, negative pressure, attacked the wet sheet rock, pulled out the laminate flooring, treated the surfaces for microbial growth and began the drying process.

Our clients could not believe how quickly we had started to make a difference. 

We took a miserable end to a vacation and began to make a house a home again.

Unseen Moisture

1/19/2018 (Permalink)

Tools of the Trade

A small water intrusion quickly became a larger issue when hard rains and high winds rolled into Bellingham, WA. 

The owners of the building knew something was certainly wrong but did not know how large the problem truly had become. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham was called out to help address the water issue and also to help develop a plan for drying out the building. 

The first step is always to stop the leak and once the roofer had fixed the leak we began to delve farther into the problems the water had created.

Our well trained skilled technicians were able to find hidden pockets of water throughout the structure and limit the amount of drywall removal by injecting dry hot air into the walls.

The team at SERVPRO proved once again that with the right knowledge and tools we are able to help businesses and building owners limit downtime and repair costs.

Mold In Garage Ceiling on San Juan Island

1/19/2018 (Permalink)

Mold on a ceiling in a garage in Friday Harbor, WA.

SERVPRO of Bellingham was working on San Juan Island and found a garage with a wet ceiling and a lot of microbial growth on both sides of the drywall.

Humidity and moisture in garage environments can lead to unwelcome mold growth on concrete, wood rafters, metal shelving, drywall and other surfaces.

Water intrusion and mold growth not only damage the structure of the garage and home in general, but they also negatively affect the vehicles parked inside. The best thing you can do to protect yourself from these negative effects is to take preventive measures against water intrusion to prevent mold growth and any further damage. Prevention is better than remediation.

SERVPRO of Bellingham had one option when dealing with mold like this and it was the removal of the affected drywall.

Snow Storm

12/27/2017 (Permalink)

The green truck awaits a winter sprinkling of snow

The freezing level has fallen and the dark clouds have moved in. Now what?

We here in the Pacific Northwest are always ready for rain but always ready for snow. Here are a couple things to keep in mind as the fluffy wet cold white stuff starts to fall across our region

Let's think safety first.

• Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways
• Sand to improve traction
• Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment
• Sufficient heating fuel, like dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove
• Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm

Next do you have a plan?

• Make a family emergency plan — Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency
• Listen to a NOAA Weather or other local news channels for critical information from the National Weather Service and be alert to changing weather conditions

Be smart and think about everyone and everything in the family.

• Minimize travel, but keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle
• Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather
• Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water

These few steps will help minimize any hardship as the snow storm closes in on us. 

Emergency Ready Plan

11/6/2017 (Permalink)

Make a Plan.

Does your office or employer have a plan in place should an emergency occur?

Where do you shut off the water if a supply line fails?

Who should I call if the heat isn't on?

These are just a couple of simply questions that could be easily answered if SERVPRO of Bellingham were to give your office or building an Emergency Ready Plan or ERP. 

We will come out and walk the property, photo document vital shutoffs, and help develop a plan of action should an emergency occur.

The most important part of the ERP is the fact that it starts the planning conversation before the emergency happens. It also helps to get a a business back up and going after an emergency.

This is no cost service we provide to local businesses and building owners. 

Hidden Dangers

11/3/2017 (Permalink)

Test before you disturb.

SERVPRO of Bellingham is called out to dry homes and businesses on a daily basis. Water damage is caused by mechanical failure, human error, many other failures in systems or just plain bad luck.

One if the first items of business for SERVPRO of Bellingham, as well as any contractor having to disturb building materials, is to take samples for asbestos testing. 

Asbestos has been used in literally thousands of products because of its unique properties- fire resistance, high tensile strength, poor heat and electric conductivity and being impervious to chemical attack. We find asbestos in a wide array of materials from fire proofing to insulation, flooring to adhesive, texturing to roofing felt and thousands of others. 

Before we can start any demolition or removal of building materials we must test for asbestos. We are trained to sample areas of concern and those that are going to disturbed. Always test before you cut, smash or remove. Safety and confidence in your contractor must be of utmost importance. 

Continuing Education

11/3/2017 (Permalink)

Informed and Accomplished

We are proud to be involved with many community associations, chambers of commerce and non-profits, but one of our favorite community endeavors is bringing Continuing Education Classes to our local Realtors and Insurance Agents.

Our classes are generally held in our facility and are based on subjects that are in our expertise. Water Mitigation for 4 credits, Fire in the Restoration Industry for 2 credits, Understanding Mold in the Restoration Industry for 3 credits are just a few of the courses we have offered. It's an excellent opportunity for professionals to get hands on experience in our industry as well as gaining credits towards their required continuing education. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham is proud to have been a part of so many excellent community enriching programs and our continuing educational program is one of favorite ways to give back and build community at the same time.

Fire Escape Planning

11/3/2017 (Permalink)

Two ways out of every room.

SERVPRO of Bellingham helps families and businesses after fires, smoke damage and other scary challenges. We know that the most important part of escaping a fire is to have a plan in place. It's easy and makes sense.

Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes.  Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Also, mark the location of each smoke alarm.

Choose an outside meeting place (i.e. neighbor's house, a light post, mailbox, or stop sign) a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they've escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting place on your escape plan.

Everyone in the household must understand the escape plan. When you walk through your plan, check to make sure the escape routes are clear and doors and windows can be opened easily.

Having a plan and practicing the plan saves lives. 

Renter's Insurance

11/3/2017 (Permalink)

Have a plan to escape and Renter's Insurance to help.

We live in a college town. Bellingham has about 55% of it's population in rentals.

We at SERVPRO of Bellingham are often called to help clean up after fires. One of the biggest challenges we see for renters is cleaning contents and finding new housing. 

Renter's Insurance is an easy and inexpensive way to be covered financially should a fire occur. Every property manager wants their tenants to have insurance but very few actually require it. Renter's insurance can help you replace burned up or damaged items. It can also assist you paying for housing while you are out of a damaged unit. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham wants all of you renters to ask your insurance agent about Renter's Insurance. You will be thankful if a fire or flood makes life hard.

Ice Dam

5/8/2017 (Permalink)

The water damage that resulted from the melting snow and the subsequent ice dam.

The dreaded ICE DAM. Our weather here in Whatcom County was the perfect breeding ground for an ice dam.

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms on a roof and prevents melting snow/ice (water) from draining off the roof. With nowhere else to go, and with freezing at night and melting during the day, the water will eventually back up behind the dam and ultimately leak into the home causing severe damage to roof shingles, ceilings, walls, insulation, and more. If damage from an ice dam goes unnoticed in an attic, there is also a potential for mold/mildew to form.

Thankfully our weather is rarely perfect for ice dams, but when it is know that SERVPRO of Bellingham is here to help. 

The Struggle is Real

5/8/2017 (Permalink)

A light switch at a recent home fire.

A fire can be an incredibly devastating experience for yourself and your loved ones. Not only will a fire cause extensive damage to your property, but you may also lose sentimental items. If you experience a fire in your home a restoration company like SERVPRO of Bellingham will be there to assist you. By leaving your fire damage repair to the professionals, you will gain valuable assistance during your fire clean up. Along with repairing your home, you may also need to heal emotional wounds. One of the most difficult things in life is dealing with the loss of your most cherished items, but even more profound is dealing with the loss of security and safety that comes with a fire in your home. We empathize with our clients and always strive to save the most precious items from their homes.

Containment

5/8/2017 (Permalink)

Safety First.

Mold is fact of life. We deal with mold on a daily basis here at SERVPRO of Bellingham and one of the most important factors when working with mold is keeping the mold spores confined to an affected area. 

Containment is the term used for limiting the spread of mold, dust, fibers and other items that can quickly make a small job a big job or a safe home a not safe home. 

We use the latest in technology and all of our available resources to create negative pressure, knock down mold spores down, containing the mold, drying any wet surfaces and utilizing a HEPA vacuum, thusly keeping our clients happy, safe and on their way to getting their homes back to "Like it never even happened."

We are always open

5/8/2017 (Permalink)

Call 360-733-1800 and we will be there. Even during the weekend.

Our weekends are not like a lot of weekends out there. Every Friday we spend the last part of our day making sure the trucks are filled with gas, the equipment is in tip top condition and every possible variable has been accounted for.

Do you know why?

We are in the restoration business and a water leak, a broken pipe, a home fire, a roof leak or any number of disasters can happen at any time...Even weekends.

Our crews work diligently through rain, ice, heat and weekends to help home owners rest easy and business owners get back to work. Our clients appreciate the effort and we appreciate our clients.

We work 24/7 365 days a year for our customers, for our community, and sometimes even for you.

The kitchen sink

5/8/2017 (Permalink)

The heart of any home is the kitchen.

It's the busiest room in the house. If home is where the heart is then your heart is really in the kitchen because its the heart of any home.

We take running water for granted and we take perfectly functioning plumbing for granted almost all of the time. Do you know when you think about plumbing? When it's no longer functioning perfectly.

The kitchen sink get used throughout the day and we see a lot of failures with the kitchen sink. Remember to treat you faucet with respect and never over pack the cabinet under the sink with cleaners, garbage pails or dish racks. These items can knock into your plumbing and create a leak.

We think about this stuff because we live it everyday. A perfectly functioning kitchen sink is not appreciated enough, but the moment it's no longer perfect you can call SERVPRO of Bellingham at 360-733-1800 to dry it up.  

Star Park

6/21/2016 (Permalink)

Building a park is a lot cleaner than pulling insulation out of a wet crawl space.

Designed by Ferndale Kids and to be built entirely by volunteers – that was the promise of Star Park, and Ferndale rallied together and made it a reality. The Star Park build involved over 300 organizations and 2,200 volunteers, making it the largest volunteer event in the history of Ferndale.

Working hard is something we know well at SERVPRO of Bellingham and helping the community is obviously something we believe in as well.

We are proud of our involvement is such a historic event. The time we spent at Star Park was for the kids. It was an amazing event to be a part of and the pride we feel is unmatched.

Volunteerism is way to show our appreciation for the community that supports our business and that we can home.

No time to sleep

6/21/2016 (Permalink)

And you thought cold floors were bad.

We have a monthly "On Call Schedule." Have you ever been on call? That means that at any time the phone could ring and action would need to be taken.

Our professional water technicans at SERVPRO of Bellingham know they will be asked to come out to homes and businesses at a moments notice.

Pipes burst, water supply lines fail, people leave the tub running and go for walk. There are alot of different ways to need SERVPRO and our crews are always ready.

A client called recently with a unique situation. She awoke to a drip and then a trickle and finally a stream. The next step was to investigate the sound. It only took a moment to know what had occurred as she reached her feet towards the floor and heard a splash.

Lucky for her our team of trained professionals were able to get to the home that very night to start extraction and the drying process. A drop had turned into a lake, but our on call crew was on the case. Always ready to help.

We are proud of the individuals that comprise our team and are extremely thankfully for their willingness to go the extra mile for our clients.

Renters Insurance

6/21/2016 (Permalink)

Water damage, structure fire, sewer back up, or plain bad luck.

We have been working with a number of property managers lately as apartment buildings have been flooded by a leaky pipe, set ablaze by unattended soup stock, or lit up by an overzealous candle and put out by tons of water from even more overzealous firefighters. The structures were covered by insurance. We dried them out, cleaned them up and made it “Like it never even happened.”

The renter’s belongings…not so much. They are NOT covered by the building owner’s insurance.

Either way it happens one thing is for sure you better have renters insurance for your belongings.

I recently read that over 60% percent of renters do not carry insurance.

Get renters insurance.

Talk to an agent.

Know the policy.

How much stuff do you have?  What’s it worth?

Does your roommate need insurance too? YES!

Talk to those you trust. They will give you names of insurance agents that care about you and your stuff. That’s what they do.

For the cost of a latte a week, about $16 a month, you can have the security that you need.

A recent fire affected 13 units in an apartment building. We helped one family with their contents. One family had all of their items dried, cleaned, restored for immediate quality of life and preserved for future generations. The other 12 households didn’t have insurance. That’s 1 in 13 that were prepared.

Are you prepared?

It’s called renters insurance…and you need it.

"We clean it all"

6/20/2016 (Permalink)

Yes, that is a Mallard.

What's that sound?

Oh, no. It's a fire alarm.

Whew, everyone is safe.

Fire spreads through the home, but firefighters are able to save it.

A house fire is more than just a damaged structure.

Typically, the good guys in the red trucks also use a lot of water to keep the fire at bay. The flames are scary, but the combination of soot and water is not only coerosive but extremely diffucult to clean up. SERVPRO of Bellingham is able to utilize Chem sponges and various other techniques to clean, disinfect and deodorize smoke affected walls, ceilings, and flat surfaces in commercial and residential structures. But that is just one step in getting things back to normal.

Did you know that we also clean contents affected in said structures? Think about all of the stuff that you have in your home. We see all types- luxurious homes filled with unique art, extravegant furnishing and mountains of high end shoes to studio condominums with simple decor and minimal furniture. Each home is treated with the utmost respect. The care and responsibility for these items is something that take time and effort in to get right. 

We clean it all.

A sigh of relief.

Things will get back to normal.

"Like it Never Even Happened."

Yes, that's a Mallard. #SERVPROofBellingham

SERVPRO is a sponsor for the American Red Cross Real Heros Celebration

11/18/2013 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bellingham is proud to be a partner with the Mt. Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross.  On December 5th at 6:00PM they will be holding their annual Real Heros Celebration at the Best Western Lakeway Inn.  Come join with us in supporting the Red Cross.http://www.redcross.org/news/event/wa/bellingham/Mt-Baker-Chapter-Real-Heroes-Celebration