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 …

water damage in the kitchen restored by ServiceMaster

How to Repair Particle Board Cabinets Affected by Water Damage

Steve VanDenBerg Blog, water damage

Particle board can be found throughout your home as it is commonly used to make kitchen cabinets and lightweight furniture. This material can also become water damaged very easily. When particle board does get water damaged, it swells up and loses its smoothness. How you fix the damaged particle board will depend on the extent of the damage. If the …

Protects Wet Carpeting from Mold

How to Protect Wet Carpeting from Mold

Steve VanDenBerg Blog, mold removal

If you’ve experienced a flood and your carpet has soaked up the water, it can be a very unpleasant experience. Not only will all the carpeting need to be replaced, but it is also important to react immediately to make sure that mold growth does not form and affect the rest of your property. Below are some tips on what you should do if your carpet gets wet, and how you can prevent mold on your property.

Prevent the Clothes in Your Closet from Smelling Musty

How to Prevent the Clothes in Your Closet from Smelling Musty

Steve VanDenBerg Blog, odor removal

Have you been opening your closet door lately to a musty, unpleasant smell? The smell of old clothes that have been left in the same space for too long can be off-putting and embarrassing. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce and eliminate those odors without throwing out all of your favorite apparel pieces. In this post, we will discuss some …