Understanding Homeowners Insurance

1/17/2023 (Permalink)

If you own a home, it’s in your best interest to find out about homeowners insurance.

If you own a home in Brentwood, CA, you need to have homeowners insurance. It’s true that some people who rent also buy insurance policies, but this is typical because they have expensive electronics or other items that they want to be protected in the event of loss or damage. Some renters may even opt to purchase coverage that includes liability protection should they accidentally injure someone while on the premises.

Not All Insurance Policies Are the Same

When you purchase a homeowners insurance policy, what you’re actually purchasing is the protection that comes from covering your home, it’s contents, and your medical bills in the event of an unforeseen disaster.

There are many different types of policies with varying levels of coverage. It is important to know what each policy covers so that you can make an educated decision on which one suits your needs best.

Factors that Impact the Cost of Homeowners Insurance

You might have heard that homeowners insurance is based on risk. That's true, but it's not the whole story. The cost of your policy is also affected by:

• The location of your home 
• The age of your home
• The size of your home
• The type of construction material used to build your home 
• The number of stories in your home 
• Roof replacement costs 

What Is Covered and What Isn’t?

If you have homeowners insurance, it's important to know what is and isn't covered by your policy. The best way to know the limits of your policy is to read through your policy or talk with an agent. Your insurance company will be able to tell you exactly what's covered and what isn't, as well as how much coverage you have in certain areas.

Other Kinds of Policies You Should Consider

In addition to homeowners insurance, you should also consider other kinds of policies. Here are some examples:

• Renters insurance- If you're renting a home or apartment, it's best to purchase renters insurance. If a fire or other disaster were to destroy the property and all its contents, the policy would reimburse you for those losses.
• Flood insurance- You may be required by your lender or mortgage servicer to purchase flood insurance since many types of mortgages require it as part of their terms and conditions. Many people don't realize that there are two types—NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) policies and private policies—and they get confused when trying to decide which one is right for them and their situation.

It pays to Find Out About the Types of Policies Available

The best way to get the most coverage for your dollar is to shop around. Find out what types of policies are available, and then get quotes from different companies. You may be able to save money by installing a security system or fire alarm, or through some other means. For example:

• A smoke detector can save you up to 20 percent on your homeowner's insurance premium.
• A carbon monoxide detector can save you up to 5 percent on your homeowner's insurance premium.
• Having multiple fire alarms installed in your home could potentially increase the amount covered under your policy by as much as 15 percent!

If you have a home, it’s in your best interest to find out about homeowners insurance. It can protect you from financial ruin in the event of damage or theft, and it can also give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your possessions are safe from harm. While there are many options out there, it’s important to find one that fits your needs as closely as possible.

What Disaster Response Looks Like in a Large Scale Event

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can help you out if you have severe damage from a storm.

What a Massive Event's Disaster Response Looks Like

No one ever wants to experience a catastrophic loss due to a major storm or natural disaster. However, in the unfortunate event that this happens in Nortonville, CA, the disaster response will be thorough and feature a large network of support. Here is what can be expected in such an event.

1. Storm Damage Pros From the Region Will Team Up
If a major weather event happens that results in catastrophic loss, teams of damage cleanup and restoration experts will band together to help the affected area. Crews from out of state are often employed to help out with the damage, which could range from major hurricane flooding to structures burned in wildfires. Increased manpower is the ideal way to help homes and businesses recover from the disaster in a timely manner.

2. Damage Evaluation Is Extensive
Before any restoration project can begin, professionals will evaluate every property to get the full scope of the damage. In a large-scale event, this evaluation is extensive as a hurricane could not only produce dangerous floods but also powerful winds that can compromise roofs, possibly resulting in more structural water damage. Trust experts to get a clear read on the significant damage and how to tackle it.

3. A Careful Timeline for Restoration Efforts
Damage response teams will work tirelessly to clean and repair any property loss from major storms. However, there may not be a set timeline given the community-wide restoration project at hand. Events with catastrophic loss require careful thought to fully restore homes and commercial buildings quickly and efficiently. Expect that these restoration efforts may take longer than if just one property was damaged.
In the unfortunate event that Nortonville, CA, is hit with a major disaster, storm response teams will gather from across the region to help out. They will do thorough evaluations of damage but could spend longer on cleanup and repairs versus a minor damage event.

The Benefits of Owning a SERVPRO Franchise

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

Our team is trained in the best cleaning techniques, and we prepare them with safety suits and protective gear.

The Benefits of Owning a SERVPRO Franchise

Have you ever dreamed of owning a business in Brentwood, CA, but don't know where to begin? A SERVPRO franchise could be right for you. Consider the following benefits of joining SERVPRO's family.

Minimal Risk

Owning one of our franchises ensures you can be successful and avoid some of the pitfalls of starting a business from scratch. Among the reasons our franchisees give for wanting to be a SERVPRO owner are:

• It costs less than creating a new business
  
• Success is quickly achievable
  
• Prior business experience is not a requirement
  
  

Strong Reputation
Since its founding in 1967, SERVPRO has been setting standards for disaster cleanup and helping individuals and businesses rebuild after fires, floods, and a wide range of natural and human-created disasters leading to biohazardous contamination.

Every SERVPRO certified franchise adheres to the highest standards set by The Centers for Disease Controls, The Environmental Protection Agency and The National Sanitation Foundation. Our state-of-the-art methods, immediate response, and wide support network are responsible for the numerous awards and recognitions we continue to receive.

Exceptional Support

Although SERVPRO franchises are locally owned and operated, they can rely on SERVPRO's corporate team to train, advise and stand by them to ensure that their businesses grow and remain profitable. SERVPRO also encourages communication and support among franchise owners to ensure its service quality and promote its company culture.

Stringent Vendor Qualifications

Careful vetting by the SERVPRO Research Center ensures that every franchise has access to vendors who offer value pricing for services that correspond to SERVPRO's exacting standards. Selecting industry leaders whose services and supplies cover many geographic territories ensures consistency, accountability, and the highest level of customer satisfaction for which our franchises are known.
If you are looking for an opportunity to own a business in Brentwood, CA, but want the resources of a corporation with national reach, consider a SERVPRO franchise to make your dream come true.

How To Remove Mold From Your Company's Carpets

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Drying wet carpet in an office in Concord, CA.

How to Get Mold Out of Your Office Carpets

When businesses suffer an infestation of mold, it often gets inside walls and ceilings. It may also appear within carpeted flooring, in which case a carpet cleaning specifically targeted at killing spores is required. What follows is the proper procedure for getting rid of foot-level fungi in Concord, CA.

Carpet Mold Removal Safety

Any form of contact with mold contains risk. Protect yourself by using the following equipment:

• Rubber gloves
  
• Safety goggles
  
• Respirators
  
• Hazard suits
  
• Disposable foot and head covers
  
  

Besides the danger to one’s health, eliminating carpets of mold spores can be time-consuming and laborious. An alternative to handling the task on your own is hiring a team of mold remediation specialists to tackle the job for you.

Carpet Mold Removal Procedure

To execute a proper office carpet cleaning, start by increasing the room’s ventilation. Open windows and doors near the affected area. Additionally, you want to quarantine the contaminated zone, preventing others from accidentally exposing themselves to mold’s negative effects. Use plastic sheeting and floor signs to signal that the space is temporarily off-limits.

Take a stiff brush and sweep away as much mold as you can into disposable bags. Vacuums outfitted with HEPA filters can be used for an even deeper clean. Follow this step by scrubbing the area with a non-bleach cleaner and then allowing the carpet to dry. Once your rug has been de-moisturized, run your vacuum over the carpet one more time to rid yourself of any remaining spores.

Anti-fungal coatings can be sprayed to aid in the prevention of mold problems from reappearing. These helpful deterrents can be found at hardware stores or purchased online.
Steam cleaners may likewise be employed to rid carpeting of mold, although the level of success this method achieves varies. If musty odors linger, applying a mixture of vinegar and baking soda is a good strategy for ridding your company of unpleasant smells.

A thorough carpet cleaning is required wherever mold appears. When embarking upon the task, follow these comprehensive steps to thoroughly defeat the problem.

3 Reasons a Restoration Company’s Response Time Matters

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is available 24/7, 365 days a year to help with any size fire or water loss. Even if you just have a question, call us and we will answer you!

Three Reasons Why The Response Time Of A Restoration Company Is Important

Whether homeowners have had their home in Concord, CA affected by fire, flooding or storms, the damage that occurs as a result can be disastrous. A restoration company that has 24-hour availability and can respond quickly can benefit a home in many ways.

1. Accurate Assessments

After a home is damaged, receiving an accurate assessment of what has been affected can be useful to both homeowners and insurance adjusters. Knowing what has been damaged and what likely needs to be replaced can ensure the insurance adjuster provides a homeowner’s insurance company with the relevant information. Once the claim has been made, the process of restoring the home can begin sooner rather than later.

2. Mitigate Damage

If a restoration company does not respond quickly to a disaster, the home that has been affected can become increasingly damaged over time. Water damage can cause mold to grow, structures can become weak and items that could have been restored with earlier intervention may need to be replaced. A restoration company that has 24-hour availability can respond immediately to a disaster and can ultimately mitigate the amount of damage that a home sustains.

3. Answer Urgent Questions

Having confidence in the company that is restoring a home is important for all parties involved. The process of restoring a home can be complex at times, and when homeowners, insurance companies or insurance adjusters have questions, receiving a fast response is often important. Whether a homeowner wants to know how their belongings will be restored or an insurance adjuster requires documentation, a restoration company that is always available ensures no question will be left unanswered.

With a quick response and 24-hour availability, a restoration company can provide adjusters, insurance agents and homeowners with accurate assessments while mitigating the damage to a home and answering any questions throughout the restoration process. Working with a preferred vendor that is always open can make the restoration process much easier.

Wave Goodbye to the Mold in Your Front-Loader Washer

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

Twenty-four-seven, three hundred and sixty-five days, SERVPRO is ready to assist you in any fire, water, mold, or storm loss. Call us!

Say Goodbye To Mold In Your Front-Loader Washing Machine

When you think of laundry, do images of line-dried sheets wave on a gentle breeze in your mind? Can you smell a trace of your favorite laundry detergent? You probably even have a favorite dryer sheet. All of these scents are designed to make your clothing smell fresh and clean. So, is it the end of spotless laundry from now on because you discovered that your washing machine is moldy or musty? No, it doesn’t have to be. Simply try the following steps to get rid of the mold and nasty smells in your front-loader in Concord, CA.

1. Reach for the vinegar.

Run white vinegar in an empty machine to remove the mold smell and the residue attached to the inside of your machine’s drum. Use two cups of the liquid and the hottest water setting your machine has to kill the odor, mold, and mildew.

2. Select the baking soda.

It has long been known that baking soda can help brighten graying, dirty laundry, but did you know it can also help remove the residue hidden on the drum and top of the drain pipe of your washing machine? It only takes about a fourth of a cup in a cup of water. Just add it to your laundry, or put the solution in the detergent slot, and run the machine as normal.

3. Use some elbow grease.

After the vinegar and baking soda cycles, if you still find a few stubborn spots of discoloration, mold, or mildew, use a mixture of baking soda, vinegar and water to scrub them away. If the mold is present on the gasket, make sure to rinse with water after you gently scrub.

Yes, keeping your washing machine clean can be as easy as following these three simple steps. Even more surprising is the fact you can use vinegar once a month as a gentle mold preventative for maintenance. If you are unable to remove the offensive odor, consider calling in a professional mold specialist to find out where the fungus is growing. Don’t let mold take your clothing hostage, fight back today!