Certipro Restoration

Mitigation Services

Water Removal & Water Repairs
Basement Water Removal
Anti-Microbial Treatments
Carpet Cleaning, Stretching and Repair
Carpet & Structural Dryout
Hardwood Floor Restoration
Mold / Sewage / Fire Remediation
Contents Recovery
Complete Remodeling Services

Water Damage Restoration Services

All Types of Flooring Replacement
Sheetrock Repair & Replacement
Professional Painting Services
Sump Pump Failures
Sink / Tub / Toilet Overflows
Sewer / Septic Backups
Sprinkler System Floods
Washing Machine Leaks & More

Restoration Procedures

Category 1 (Clean Water)

A Category 1 water intrusion is the result of compromised sanitary water supply lines

1 – Determine wet areas

2 – Extract wet areas

3 – Apply anti-microbial

4 – Install drying equipment

5 – Restretch carpet

6 – Steam clean carpet

Category 2 (Ground Water)

Water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological, and/or physical contamination is said to be Category 2..

1 – Determine wet areas

2 – Extract wet areas (water in the basement)

3 – Remove damaged pad

4 – Apply anti-microbial

5 – Install drying equipment

6 – Replace pad

7 – Restretch carpet

8 – Steam clean carpet

Category 3 (Sewer Backup, Flood Waters)

When water intrusion results from a grossly unsanitary source it is said to be Category 3. Category 1 to Category 2 will become Category 3 depending on circumstances.

1 – Apply biocide

2 – Extract wet areas

3 – Dispose of damaged carpet & pad

4 – Steam extract floor

5 – Re-apply biocide

6 – Install drying equipment

Storm Damage

Prompt response to any disaster situation is crucial for limiting the impact on the property and the pocketbook. CertiPro Restoration is ready to dispatch a fully prepared disaster recovery team to any residential or commercial emergency situation – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our EME Teams have the expertise and experience required to quickly size up a loss, address the situation on-site, and call in reinforcements if required.

Temporary Power & Generators
Temporary Fencing
Temporary Heat
Winterization
Fire-Related Electrical & Plumbing
Water Extraction
Equipment Restoration
Fire Damage Restoration
Water Damage Mitigation
Structural Dehumidification & Drying
Structure Cleaning
Structural Stabilization/Shoring
Roof Cover
Controlled Debris Removal

Types of Storm Damage

IMPORTANT: DO NOT INCUR MORE DAMAGE; CALL NOW

Wind & Storm

Though sometimes invisible, the damage resulting from excessively high winds is often quite easy to see. Modern roof shingles are better designed than their predecessors in terms of wind resistance due to ever-increasing standards and knowledge, but there is often little that can be done to prevent wind damage in the most extreme conditions. Wind-damaged roofs often appear to have been affected only in particular spots of the structure – the visual effect that this leaves is that the shingles have a crease from where it has been flipped over. The perimeter or edges of the roof are easily affected by high winds in this way, as the edge of a roof is particularly vulnerable to lifting.

Hail

The round dings in metal are obvious signs of hail damage. However, determining whether your roof has sustained damage from a hail storm may be a little more difficult. Once hail hits the roof, the protective granules are knocked off at the point of Hail Damage strike, and these damaged areas are the sources of roof leaks in the future if the roof is not fixed within a few years.

Storm Debris

Although some damage from debris may be visible, during violent storms debris flying through the air can hit your roof, causing damage that you may not even notice. When a hard object hits your roof, it can break the fiberglass mat that is inside the shingle. Once that mat is broken and fiberglass shattered, the shingle will begin to deteriorate over time. It’s important to have your roof inspected after any storm that has caused branches to break from trees or high wind to blow objects through the air.

Snow

Snow mostly causes damage due to its weight, and that weight increases immensely when rain, ice, and sleet are added to the mix. Two feet of snow on the average-sized roof can be the equivalent of 38,000 pounds, or 19 tons. Often, the obvious sign that a roof is about to give way is sagging.

Ice

Each winter, the functionality of many roof and gutter systems is affected by fluctuating temperatures that cause snow to melt and then refreeze on the edge of the roof, creating a dam. Ice dams form a barrier that water cannot pass. This means that as more snow on the roof melts and trickles down, it gets blocked by the ice dam and forms a puddle. Since your roof wasn’t designed to handle standing water, especially as that puddle grows and the water line moves up the roof, the water can then seep through tiny openings in the roof and into your attic or home.

Professional Representation

It is extremely important that you hire the right company for the job. We frequently receive calls from homeowners who have been denied roof replacement or have only been approved for a partial repair of their roof. While they most likely hired a good contractor who could complete the repairs, unfortunately, the contractor did not understand the insurance claim process.

Understanding the Insurance Claim Process

CertiPro Restoration understands the insurance claim process, policy guidelines, and how each individual insurance company evaluates and determines whether hail, wind, or a severe storm has damaged your home. CertiPro Restoration will walk you through the process of settling your insurance claim. Our process is efficient, and timely and guarantees you the best possible result.

Each insurance carrier utilizes its own specific criteria that must be met, documented, and verified to determine if the roof and exterior of your home or commercial property should be repaired or replaced due to storm damage. We have worked with all of the insurance companies, and have a great understanding of how they will evaluate the damage. Our experts will help you understand these documented guidelines and verify whether your property suffered storm damage.

Mold

Below is a list of frequently asked questions our mold experts often receive.

What Type of Services Are Typically Offered by a Mold Inspection and Testing Company?

At CertiPro Restoration a Certified Microbial Specialist will offer the following services: mold Inspection, black mold inspection, mold detection, toxic mold testing, moisture intrusion detection (Leak Detection), pre-purchase inspection for real estate transactions, allergen screening for dust mites, pollen, pet dander, indoor air quality testing. Mold growth can occur anywhere the conditions are correct, however certain areas are much more common. These include the crawlspace, attic, bathroom,and nearby plumbing fixtures. Crawlspace mold damage often occurs during new construction or in warm environments using air conditioning. Attic mold damage is common in cooler climates and occurs when warm air from within the home condenses on the cold surface of the attic sheathing. Bathroom mold is very common, though often is more of an aesthetic problem than a health issue. Plumbing fixtures, however, can be a source of major mold problems, and if left unattended, often wood rot as well. Carpet mold is less common, however, carpeting can often harbor old deactivated mold spores for many months after the source of the mold growth has been addressed.

CertiPro’s services are a key part of keeping your home safe. It is essential to find a qualified, certified toxic mold testing service to check your living conditions. Certipro Restoration can help you find this qualified professional.

What is Involved in the Mold Inspection & Mold Testing Process?

A thorough mold inspection involves two main components, a visual inspection and sampling. The visual inspection focuses on identifying the extent of the visible mold growth and the conditions conducive to mold growth. This portion of the inspection often entails moisture meter testing, thermal imaging, humidity testing, and CO2 and CO testing. Depending upon the scope of the inspection the process is either limited to a specific portion of the building or encompasses the entire property. Visual inspection and air sampling will identify problem areas that may be adversely affecting your indoor air quality.

Mold Experts

We utilize an extensive array of indoor air quality (IAQ) professionals to suit your needs. These include building inspectors, waterproofing contractors, mold inspectors, hazardous materials managers, industrial hygienists, and drainage contractors. Our unique combination of skilled, licensed tradesmen and CertiPro Restoration’s certified microbial specialist allows us to evaluate and resolve a wide variety of indoor environmental problems in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Our clients include real estate professionals, builders, attorneys, property managers, homeowners, developers, insurance companies, remodel contractors, and lending institutions.

Symptoms of Mold Exposure

The primary health effect of exposure to mold is through an allergic response. Asthma, allergies, and sinus infections can all result from exposure to mold spores. It is important to remember that mold spores are ubiquitous and occur naturally in the outside air. Much like pollen and other allergens, these reactions are possible in sensitive individuals even at levels found in the outside air. The goal of indoor air quality testing, therefore, is to determine if the mold spore counts in your home are elevated beyond the levels normally encountered in the outside air. Respiratory infections are also possible, though typically only occur in susceptible individuals with compromised immune systems. These people are often confined to hospital clean rooms. The toxic effects of mold growth are far less understood. Scientists are unclear whether an individual can receive sufficient exposure to mold growing indoors to cause the toxic effects.

Fire

Services Complete, Professional Care with CertiPro Restoration’s Fire and Water Restoration Services.
Rid your home of excess water and smoke with complete fire and water restoration services from CertiPro Restoration.
CertiPro makes sure your home or office building is restored properly and quickly after sustaining damage.

Determining Different Types of Smoke

Wet Smoke—Results from a low-heat fire; smoke will have a pungent odor and a sticky, smeary texture
Dry Smoke—Results from fast-burning, high-temperature fire
Protein Smoke—Has an extremely pungent odor but is virtually invisible, discolors paint and varnishes your structure
Fuel Oil Soot Smoke—Results from furnace current returns

Other Types of Smoke

Tear Gas
Fingerprint Powder
Fire Extinguisher Residue.

Evaluate Fire and Smoke Damage

Fire and smoke damage restoration, cleanup, and replacement is a complex and intricate process. CertiPro’s fire restoration specialist goes through a process when evaluating smoke and fire damage. The first is to target the type of smoke that has saturated your structure. This can help the evaluators determine the type of fire that has taken place and in doing so, helps the professionals identify what type of restoration or replacement needs to be undertaken.

What to Do After a Fire

It is important directly after a fire to contact your local disaster relief service. These services will help with your immediate needs like food, clothing, temporary housing, and other essential items. The next step to take in this difficult process is to contact your insurance agent and start planning the cleanup and restoration of your property. At this time, call CertiPro, the most reputable and highest-quality fire damage restoration and cleanup service provider in the industry, to help get you back on your feet.

Specialty Drying

Hardwood Floors

1 – Determine wet areas with a meter/thermal camera

2 – Install a hardwood drying system

3 – Extract wet areas

4 – Run the drying system until completely dry

Walls

1 – Determine wet areas

2 – Install wall injection drying system

Cabinets

1 – Determine wet areas

2 – Install injection drying system

Carpet & Pad

1 – Determine wet areas

2 – Install a thermal drying system ( Used also for wood floors & difficult drying situations)

* – Certain restrictions apply

Lead

Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home With Certipro RestorationAre You Planning To Buy, Rent, or Renovate a Home Built Before 1978?

Many houses and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains lead (called lead-based paint). Lead from paint, chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards if not taken care of properly.

Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renting, buying, or renovating pre-1978 housing:

Landlords have to disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before leases take effect. Leases must include a disclosure form about lead-based paint.

Sellers have to disclose known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before selling a house. Sales contracts must include a disclosure form about lead-based paint. Buyers have up to 10 days to check for lead hazards.

Renovators have to give you this pamphlet.

If you want more information on these requirements, call the National Lead Information Clearinghouse at 1-800-424-LEAD.

Important!

Lead From Paint, Dust, and Soil Can Be Dangerous If Not Managed Properly.

Facts:

Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born.
Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.
People can get lead in their bodies by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.
People have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.
Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.

Lead Gets in the Body in Many Ways!

People can get lead in their body if they:

In the United States, about 900,000 children ages 1 to 5 have a blood-lead level above the level of concern.
Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead in their bodies.
Put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths.
Eat paint chips or soil that contains lead.
Breathe in lead dust (especially during renovations that disturb painted surfaces).

Lead is even more dangerous to children than adults because:

Babies and young Children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them.
Children’s growing bodies absorb more lead.
Children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

Lead’s Effects

If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:

Damage to the brain and nervous system
Behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity)
Slowed growth
Hearing problems
Headaches

Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from:

Difficulties during pregnancy
Other reproductive problems (in both men and women)
High blood pressure
Digestive problems
Nerve disorders
Memory and concentration problems
Muscle and joint pains

Where Lead-Based Paint is Found:

Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier.

Lead can be found:

In homes in the city, country, or suburbs.
In apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing.
Inside and outside of the house.
In soil around a home. (Soil can pick up lead from exterior paint or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars.)

Checking Your Family for Lead:

Get your children and home tested if you think your home has high levels of lead.

To reduce your child’s exposure to lead, get your child checked, have your home tested (especially if your home has paint in poor condition and was built before 1978), and fix any hazards you may have. Children’s blood lead levels tend to increase rapidly from 6 to 12 months of age and tend to peak at 18 or 24 months of age.

Consult your doctor for advice on testing your children. A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead. Blood tests are usually recommended for:

Children at ages 1 and 2.
Children or other family members who have been exposed to high levels of lead.
Children should be tested under your state or local health screening plan.

Your doctor can explain what the test results mean if more testing will be needed.

Where Lead is Likely To Be a Hazard

Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard.

Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs immediate attention.

Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear and tear. These areas include:

Windows and window sills.
Doors and door frames.
Stairs, railings, and banisters.
Porches and fences.

Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep, or walk through it.

Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can’t always see, can both be serious hazards.

Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes. Call your state agency to find out about testing soil for lead.

Checking Your Home for Lead Hazards:

You can get your home checked for lead hazards in one of two ways, or both:

Just knowing that a home has lead-based paint may not tell you if there is a hazard.

A paint inspection tells you the lead content of every different type of painted surface in your home. It won’t tell you whether the paint is a hazard or how you should deal with it.

A risk assessment tells you if there are any sources of serious lead exposure (such as peeling paint and lead dust). It also tells you what actions to take to address these hazards.

Have qualified professionals do the work. There are standards in place for certifying lead-based paint professionals to ensure the work is done safely, reliably, and effectively. Contact your state lead poisoning prevention program for more information. Call CertiPro Restoration now.

Trained professionals use a range of methods when checking your home, including:

Visual inspection of paint condition and location.
A portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine.
Lab tests of paint samples.
Surface dust tests.

Home test kits for lead are available, but studies suggest that they are not always accurate. Consumers should not rely on these tests before doing renovations or to assure safety.

Simple Steps to Protect Your Family From Lead Hazards

If you think your home has high levels of lead:

Get your young children tested for lead, even if they seem healthy.
Wash children’s hands, bottles, pacifiers, and toys often.
Make sure children eat healthy, low-fat foods.
Get your home checked for lead hazards.
Regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces.
Wipe off your shoes before entering house.
Talk to your landlord about fixing surfaces with peeling or chipping paint.
Take precautions to avoid exposure to lead dust when remodeling or renovations (call 1-800-424-LEAD for guidelines).
Don’t use a belt sander, propane torch, heat gun, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper on painted surfaces that may contain lead.
Don’t try to remove lead-based paint yourself.

What You Can Do Now To Protect Your Family

If you suspect that your house has lead hazards, you can take some immediate steps to reduce your family’s risk:
If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.
Clean up paint chips immediately.
Clean floors, window frames, window sills, and other surfaces weekly. Use a mop or sponge with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead.

REMEMBER: NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH PRODUCTS TOGETHER SINCE THEY CAN FORM A DANGEROUS GAS.

Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas.
Wash children’s hands often, especially before they eat and before nap time and bedtime.
Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals regularly.
Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.
Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil.
Make sure children eat nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium, such as spinach and dairy products. Children with good diets absorb less lead.

How To Significantly Reduce Lead Hazards

In addition to day-to-day cleaning and nutrition:

Removing lead improperly can increase the hazard to your family by spreading even more lead dust around the house.

You can temporarily reduce lead hazards by taking actions such as repairing damaged painted surfaces and planting grass to cover soil with high lead levels. These actions (called “interim controls”) are not permanent solutions and will need ongoing attention.

To permanently remove lead hazards, you must hire a certified lead “abatement” contractor. Abatement (or permanent hazard elimination) methods include removing, sealing, or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials. Just painting over the hazard with regular paint is not enough.

Always hire a person with special training for correcting lead problems — someone who knows how to do this work safely and has the proper equipment to clean up thoroughly. Certified contractors will employ qualified workers and follow strict safety rules as set by their state or by the federal government.

Remodeling or Renovating a Home With Lead-Based Paint

Take precautions before your contractor or you begin remodeling or renovations that disturb painted surfaces (such as scraping off paint or tearing out walls):

If not conducted properly, certain types of renovations can release lead from paint and dust into the air.
Have the area tested for lead-based paint.
Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, heat gun, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper to remove lead-based paint. These actions create large amounts of lead dust and fumes. Lead dust can remain in your home long after the work is done.
Temporarily move your family (especially children and pregnant women) out of the apartment or house until the work is done and the area is properly cleaned. If you can’t move your family, at least completely seal off the work area.
Follow other safety measures to reduce lead hazards. You can find out about other safety measures by calling 1-800-424-LEAD. Ask for the brochure “Reducing Lead Hazards.
When Remodeling Your Home.” This brochure explains what to do before, during, and after renovations.

If you have already completed renovations or remodeling that could have released lead-based paint or dust, get your young children tested.

Other Sources of Lead

Drinking Water. Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call your local health department or water supply to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell, or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it: ##Use only cold water for drinking and cooking.

Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours.

The Job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on yours hands or clothes. Shower and change clothes before coming home. Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your family’s clothes.

Old painted toys and furniture.

Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain.

Lead smelters or other industries that release lead into the air.

Hobbies that use lead, such as making pottery or stained glass, or refinishing furniture.

Folk remedies that contain lead, such as “greta” and “azarcon” used to treat an upset stomach.

For More Information

Call The National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD to learn how to protect children from lead poisoning and for other information on lead hazards. (Internet: www.epa.gov/lead and www.hud.gov/lea).

EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline – Call 1-800-426-4791 for information about lead in drinking water.

Consumer Product Safety Commission Hotline – Call to request information on lead in consumer products, or to report an unsafe consumer product or a product-related injury call 1-800-638-2772. (Internet: www@cpsc.gov). For the hearing impaired, call TDD at 1-800-638-8270.

State Health and Environmental Agencies

Some cities and states have their own rules for lead-based paint activities. Check with your state agency to see if state or local laws apply to you. Most state agencies can also provide information on finding a lead abatement firm in your area and on possible sources of financial aid for reducing lead hazards. Receive up-to-date address and phone information for state and local contacts on the Internet at www.epa.gov/lead or contact the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-242-LEAD.