How to Eliminate Odors from an Old Home

How to Eliminate Odors from an Old Home

Steve VanDenBerg Blog, mold removal

A musty smell can make even a beautiful old home uninviting. That “old house smell” has its source in mold spores. Mold colonies proliferate where poor ventilation, darkness, and humidity meet. Fortunately, homeowners can use these 10 tactics to eliminate unwanted odors. What causes musty odors in old homes? Old homes filled with musty odors have three things in common: …

Kitchen Sink Clog

How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink that is Full of Water

Steve VanDenBerg Blog, water damage restoration

If you’ve experienced a clogged sink full of water, you know how much of an inconvenience this can be. When this happens, there is likely a clog somewhere in the sink or pipes that can be difficult to remove. If you’ve used a plunger and maybe even tried to use chemicals to remove the clog with no success, it is …

House Framing Floor Construction Showing Joists Trusses

How to Repair Floor Joists with Water Damage

Steve VanDenBerg Blog, water damage restoration

Floor joists in a home are vulnerable to water damage. They can rot when excess moisture from the home saturates them or they can weaken over time. Homeowners who encounter floor joists that have undergone minimal water damage should follow these DIY repair tips. What are floor joists? Important structural aspects of a home, floor joists support the subflooring. They …

What Causes Washing Machines to Leak?

Steve VanDenBerg Blog, water damage

Discovering a leaking washing machine is a moment that many of us have faced. It’s a scene that can send anyone into a whirlwind of questions. Do you find yourself in the same situation, wondering: What’s causing this unexpected flood? Why does my washing machine leak? Is there a way to prevent the leak from re-occurring? In this blog, we’re …

How to Survive a Flash Flood

How to Survive a Flash Flood

Steve VanDenBerg Blog, water damage

Flash floods are common occurrences when springtime weather arrives. Due to their unpredictability, these floods can be dangerous to homeowners and drivers alike. Here are ways for individuals to survive a flash flood if they are caught in the raging water. What is flash flooding? Flash floods are natural disasters that occur when rainfall is extremely heavy, and the ground …

ServiceMaster Trauma & Biohazard Cleaning

What are Biohazard Materials? Do I need Biohazard Cleaning?

Steve VanDenBerg biohazard cleanup, Blog

What is biohazard waste? How do we define it? Biohazard waste, also known as bio-medical waste, refers to any contaminated waste that occurs from microorganisms, viruses, plants, animals or pathological materials causing potential infections and danger to humans or any healthy living organisms. In years past, this kind of waste was simply collected in special colored plastic bags and then …

fix Washing Machine Smell Like Sewage

Why Does My Washing Machine Smell Like Sewage?

Steve VanDenBerg Blog, sewage backup

Odors emanating from the washing machine should be a cause for concern. After all, it’s an appliance that is intended to clean clothes, leaving them smelling fresh and spring-like. But when the foul smells arise, they could be due to plumbing issues, irregular maintenance, or excessive detergent use. The washing machine lines are connected directly to the sewer system. Without …

grease fire

How to Extinguish a Grease Fire on Your Stove

Steve VanDenBerg Blog, fire damage

Cooking for the most part is not a dangerous activity when taking the proper precautions. However, even when taking the right safety precautions while cooking, fires can still happen. Sometimes flammable materials like grease can set on fire while you are cooking and cause major damage to your property. It is important to be aware of how kitchen fires start …

Mold Removal Services for Sunnyvale, CA

Physical Signs of Mold in Your Home

Steve VanDenBerg Blog, mold removal

Finding mold at your home or business can be devastating. Mold forms in moist environments, usually due to a leak or water damage, and it can cause significant property damage. The damage from mold can be very costly to fix and exposure to mold can be dangerous for your health. This is why you should always watch out for signs of mold damage in your home or building and immediately take action to remove any mold growth you find.

home damages from winter storms

How to Protect Your Home from a Winter Storm

Steve VanDenBerg Blog, water damage

Much of the US is under blankets of snow. Along with accumulations of heavy snowfall are ice dams and powerful wind gusts that can do significant damage to a home. Taking steps to protect the home from winter storms should be at the top of a homeowner’s to-do list. While western states, like California, rarely expect frigid winter storms where …