Cleaning Up Monroe’s Storm-Related Water Damage Is Not Easy

3/2/2023 (Permalink)

In our area, flooding happens. Our team has the equipment and training to restore your home.

We Are Monroe’s Go-To Water Damage Remediators

Cleaning up after one of Monroe’s periodic floods is never an easy task and generally requires professional assistance. Such events often submerge local homes in feet of polluted water and subject them to a myriad of microbial threats. As a result, excess moisture and harmful microorganisms usually compromise structural elements, destroy possessions, and completely foul interiors.

Fortunately, SERVPRO’s highly-trained teams of water damage technicians in Monroe know how to handle your storm-related water issues. As an experienced biohazard cleaning company, we have successfully handled everything from minor ceiling leaks to extensive flood restoration projects involving major sewage cleanup efforts. In carrying out their work, our experts:

• Employ their trained eyes and state-of-the-art gear to swiftly inspect your residence, assessing its level of impact and determining how to address the damage found most effectively
• Rapidly extract any floodwaters from the lower floors of your home with powerful extractors and professionally dispose of remaining flood waste
• Locate all areas and materials affected by excess moisture with infrared cameras, water sensors, and moisture meters
• Proceed to dry interiors, including even the hardest-to-access places, with air mover-dehumidifier-Injectidry system networks
• Restore/replace impacted structural elements, like flooring, walls, and ceilings, and remediate electrical components, such as light fixtures, wall outlets, and switches
• Thoroughly clean your home’s air ventilation network and deodorize its flood-affected interiors

Together, these procedures help ensure that all of your property’s flood-related problems are properly dealt with, structural materials are saved from further water damage, harmful bacteria and fungi are prevented from causing future problems, and interiors are returned to their pre-event condition.

So, with this in mind, if you ever require fast, high-quality black water damage remediation, don’t hesitate to call your helpful friends at SERVPRO of Monroe/West Monroe. We are always available and ready to answer your call at (318) 345-5121.

How Flood Damage Occurs to Monroe Homes During Storms

9/4/2022 (Permalink)

After flooding in your home, you want the damage to be dealt with quickly. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for certified technicians and professional equipment.

SERVPRO Prepares for Many Types of Flood Damage

Flooding is an occurrence that many around Monroe have contended with in their home's lifetime, and some in lower-lying areas remain susceptible to this when severe storm systems pass through. Understanding how flooding can occur in your home makes you better prepared to react quickly when these conditions arise to get experienced restoration professionals like our SERVPRO team there to help.

Roof Damage Flooding

Flood damage to Monroe homes can often occur through roof vulnerabilities. Not only does this cause attic flooding, which can be a challenge to restore on its own with the needed roof repairs and confined space to dry, but migration of moisture can also impact the main living areas.

Flash Flooding and Rising Exterior Water

Water entering the home from the ground level outside is a situation many properties have witnessed over the past years. Flash floods are violent and aggressive, overwhelming areas of your home before counteractive measures can be taken. In these situations, extraction must be the first consideration to prevent more of the house from becoming damaged.

Structural Damage from the Outside

External impacts, such as trees falling in your yard and onto the structure, can be an opening for water penetration. Responding professionals will need to cut up the tree and remove it, patch the building, and begin work on cleaning up the flood damage inside.

SERVPRO is Here to Help

We have talented and certified restoration technicians ready to help when disaster strikes. Flooding often impacts multiple homes simultaneously, so we keep our roster of water restoration professionals prepared to mobilize fast with:

• Extractors
• Air Movers
• Carpet Wands
• Cleaning Products
• Mold Inhibitors

Flood damage can be a threatening situation for area homes, especially when cleanup and mitigation do not start quickly. Our SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe professionals appreciate the urgency of disaster relief, so we are ready to help 24/7 at (318) 345-5121. 

Flood Damage in Your Monroe Home

7/10/2022 (Permalink)

When flooding affects your home from an external source, team SERVPRO can help with effective water removal. We have the equipment and staff to help.

Cleaning after Flood Damage in Your Monroe Home

Living near the Ouachita River, residents of Monroe, Louisiana, are no strangers to flooding. Sea level, high river water, and storms can team up together and leave your home with a flooded mess. As the waters recede, they often leave behind sludge and debris that need to be addressed right away.

Taking care of flood damage in Monroe is no easy task and should be taken seriously to mitigate any further damage, such as dangerous mold infestations or rotted out walls. Due to contaminants found on the ground, flood water is black (category 3) water. Typically, occupants need to leave during the contaminant removal process to protect themselves from dangerous bacteria. SERVPRO restoration specialists wear the appropriate personal protective gear like face respirators, including HEPA particulate/organic filters, full-body suits, waterproof boots, and nitrile gloves when exposed to black water. This PPE personal protective equipment is donned according to the contamination level and environment.

The SERVPRO crew chief or project manager helps to establish building containment involving sealing off doorways or openings with 6-mil polyethylene plastic and tension poles. Outside of this containment area, there is typically a decontamination chamber created where workers exit and remove debris. The HVAC system does not run in the contaminated area since the air system could spread particles throughout the home. However, an air filtration device blows clean air into the affected area from outside the building, but the contaminated air cannot go into the unaffected area. This is known as negative pressure.

Technicians remove solid waste, debris, and silt from the affected area, sometimes using shovels or rakes. If there are more than 2 inches of standing water, technicians use a submersible pump to remove it from the home. Typically, however, flood water recedes, and portable extraction devices remove the excess water from the flooring and other materials within the home. It is essential to understand your local and state regulations regarding the disposal of contaminated water. If using a portable extractor, wastewater is often flushed down the toilet, requiring disinfection later.

SERVPRO restorers sometimes make flood cuts several inches above the damage in the drywall. This is to ensure the removal of contaminants and allows the wall cavities to dry appropriately. Dehumidifiers and high-velocity air movers assist in drying the affected areas after cleaning. They may also be used to keep the relative humidity (RH) down in unaffected areas to limit secondary damage.

For 24/7 assistance, contact SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe at (318) 345-5121.

Drying Out Flood Damage in West Monroe

5/3/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO preserves and restores flood damaged building materials in West Monroe homes.

Techniques for West Monroe Storm Damage Mitigation

Flooding is common in Louisiana, and West Monroe is no exception. Levees break, and there are not enough sandbags in the state to keep water out of your home if enough comes rolling down the street or through your backyard.

SERVPRO cannot prevent flood damage in West Monroe, but our restoration teams can help remove the water and dry out your home. The process needs a professional service since no matter what size your home may be, there are some common issues that many people never consider.

In even the worst flooding, the water recedes after a few days. Many of our neighbors here gave up on wall-to-wall carpeting years ago and rely on area rugs. They are efficient and easy to hang over the fence to dry. The problem that lots of folks forget about is the water that finds its way between the floorboards and hides underneath. The water can eventually rot the wood, causing dips, soft spots, and other problems.

SERVPRO developed a method that finds the source of the water and removes it without disturbing the floor or the homeowner too much. One of our inspectors pulls up a board or two near the wall or where a large piece of furniture usually rests. That gives us access to find the water and then use a hose attached to a pump or an extraction wand to draw it out.

After removing the water, the inspector uses an air content meter to determine the moisture level of the air and the wood of the sub-floor. If either tests high, our IICRC certified team members attach a hose to an air mover and then force warm, dry air into the affected floor space.

Another issue is the space behind the walls. Floodwater can force its way behind drywall or wood paneling and then remain after the rest of it recedes. This water can also rot the wood of the wall framing and soak into other building materials.

Our teams can dry out this space by removing the wallboard at the bottom of an affected section of the wall and then drill several holes behind it. This procedure allows water to drain and gives our techs access to use an air mover to force warm air inside and speed up drying. Once the area tests normal we can have the holes patched and the wallboard replaced.

Drying out these areas requires professional training and equipment. If you are struggling with the results of a flood, call SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe at (318) 345-5121 today. We are here for you.

Storm Damage to Your Roof Can Lead to Flood Damages In Your West Monroe Home

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Storm damaged roofs can cause water to enter your home. Call SERVPRO for fast, effective remediation.

Water Intrusions Via Storm Water Can Cause Massive Damage--Reach Out to SERVPRO for Cleanup and Restoration

While West Monroe homeowners do not have to worry about heavy snow weighing down and damaging the roofs of their houses, unfortunately, this does not offer much relief regarding the damage that this structural component of your house gets asked to endure. With massive storm systems passing through the area on a fairly regular basis, your roof takes a very literal beating every time. While these elements are built to last for decades, this does not always mean that they can. 

While no one wants to have to endure the cost or the potential headache of residential contractors competing for roofing repair estimates, this annoyance is not the least of your worries. A compromised roof has a difficult time keeping the elements on the outside of your West Monroe residence, which in turn can result in flood damages to the upper level of your house. Since you likely are not regularly inspecting your roof for vulnerable points, you might not even be aware of a flooding concern until its presence begins to show on the ceilings and walls of the spaces below the attic. 

This discovery should encourage you to reach out to our experienced SERVPRO professionals right away. Our dedicated team can get to work quickly to assess the total reach of the storm damage from the source to where you have noticed its presence in other areas of your home. Sealing up the penetration points on the interior side of the roof can prevent further damage while the restoration process gets underway. 

Our team of technicians can get to work on extraction after the immediate threat of further damage has gotten removed. This process involves often involves portable pumps and wet vacs. Drying mats and our injectidry system allow the spaces in the walls and beneath the attic's flooring to get thoroughly dried. The exposed areas get reached with air movers and dehumidification equipment. 

Working quickly when your home suffers flood damage can help prevent damage to your home's contents and its structural components, making them unsalvageable. You can trust in the experience and dedication of our SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe team of restoration specialists to help you overcome this threat and restore the effects this flood has had on your home. Give us a call anytime you need us at (318) 345-5121.

How to Perform Storm Flood Damage Repair in Monroe

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

Storm and flood damage restoration is no DIY project. SERVPRO has the manpower and equipment for every size disaster.

Hiring Professionals from SERVPRO is the Right Way to Handle Storm Flood Damage in Monroe

There is nothing that homeowners can do about violent weather like storms and flooding, which can wreak havoc on their homes. Storms may cause multiple kinds of destruction, including hail and wind damage. If your home has sustained storm flood damage, you can trust experts from SERVPRO to bring your home back to normal condition.

Our technicians are experienced in providing proper storm flood damage repairs in Monroe. We can inspect your residence to assess the damage and follow the most effective restoration strategies. We can remove the damaged building materials and the debris that the storm left to give way for other restoration steps, which may include:

• Removing solid waste and silt from the flooring.
• Roof tarping
• Water extraction and drying
• Rebuilding

Solid Waste Removal

We can use rakes and shovels to remove solid waste from your home. Our SERVPRO technicians do this to expose structural surfaces or assemblies to inspect and evaluate them further. Our team can carefully remove all the contaminated porous materials and bag them in 6-mil polyethylene bags.

Water Extraction and Drying

Since floodwater is usually contaminated, we can use a disinfectant to treat it before we pump it out using portable extractors. We dispose of extracted water per applicable regulations and laws. Typically, SERVPRO accomplishes this by disposing of the water in a sanitary sewer system or a properly-licensed disposal facility. We dry affected structures and contents using air movers and dehumidifiers.

Roof Tarping

If the storm damaged the roof of your home, that does not mean that you need to strip and replace your roofing materials. We can tarp the roof to prevent damage that the elements of weather can cause.

Rebuilding

We offer full-scale reconstructions of storm-damaged properties. Our SERVPRO technicians can repair damaged structures like siding, drywall, and hardwood flooring. We can restore and recover everything we can according to industry standards.

After the unfortunate storm and flood damage event, you can trust SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe to restore your property. Call us today at (318) 345-5121. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Whom Can I Call When a Storm Causes Flood Damage to my West Monroe Home?

11/18/2021 (Permalink)

When storm damage impacts your property, call on our skilled experts at SERVPRO for assistance.

SERVPRO Can Offer Your West Monroe Home Expert Flood Damage Restoration Services! 

Storms can bring troublesome rain, lightning, and wind to your neighborhood and cause significant damage to your home with little notice. Heavy rainfall can bring flash flooding to your street, and that water can contain harmful substances within it, making it unsafe for human contact. So, what should you do when black water gets into your house because of a storm? 

Our techs are expertly trained and can help you clean up the flood damage in your West Monroe home. We use advanced technology for our restoration services, and we can wear safety gear when handling the black water inside your home. As an example, imagine that flash flooding caused the entryway of your home to flood with a few inches of water. Luckily, when your home was designed, the entrance was aesthetically designed a step lower than the proper flooring. 

In this scenario, the first step our technicians would take is to remove the standing water from your entryway. We can use advanced technological devices, such as wet/dry vacuums, to draw out the water quickly. Furthermore, we can also use thermal imaging technology to locate any hidden water, such as in between wall cavities.  

Blackwater can permanently contaminate some materials in your home, such as fabrics. Any welcome mats or drapery in the area cannot be safely restored and must be thrown away. Once the water is gone, we can clean your entryway with anti-bacterial and antifungal cleaning agents. We want to return your residence to you, feeling like it did before the flood. Our methodology includes taking pre-emptive measures, such as antifungal agents, to help prevent further issues like mold development.

Never wait when your home has black water flood damage. Speak with SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe by calling (318) 345-5121. We're always ready to assist you.   

Can My Documents Be Saved After a Flood in Monroe?

10/23/2021 (Permalink)

Storm and flood damage restoration is no DIY project. SERVPRO techs are trained and experienced in all phases of storm damage remediation.

SERVPRO Has Document Restoration Experts on Hand to Restore Important Documentation from Water Damage in Monroe

It can be devastating if you have experienced a storm that has caused water loss in your home and ruined paperwork, books, pictures, or other documentation. If you live in Monroe and are dealing with this issue, you may think everything is lost. A SERVPRO emergency mitigation team will rescue and restore everything they can.

Do I Need to Throw Everything Away?

To save as much as possible from flood damage in Monroe, immediate mitigation is crucial. Many people believe that documents and papers cannot be restored, but that is a false assumption. Here are some of the types of content SERVPRO can restore:

•   Photographs – including negatives, film, and microfiche
•   Paper documents – including files and manuscripts
•   Books & magazines
•   Maps and blueprints
•   X-rays
•   Parchment

Restoring Your Important Documents and Memories

When flood damage occurs, it can mean more than just waterlogged papers. The documents can become contaminated with viruses, bacteria, chemicals, or other harmful contaminants. Our professional Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) technicians take the steps needed to ensure proper handling and restoration of essential documents and memento. This process includes the following:

• Assessing what type of cleaning needs accomplishing for the items exposed to flood damage.
• Gamma Irradiation for sterilizing.
• Vacuum freeze-drying – this is done immediately and stops further damage. It is approved by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the General Services Administration (GSA).
• Air drying and dehumidification.
• Digitizing documents using a computerized inventory system can be the best option depending on volume and damage.
• Rejacketing, deodorizing, and other processes as needed.

Papers, books, pictures are never fully restored to preloss condition, but we make it our goal to “Like it never even happened.” Contact SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe at (318) 345-5121 for quality document restoration and storm damage repair. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

What Is Muck-Out Cleaning After Flood Damage in Monroe?

9/17/2021 (Permalink)

When storm water and debris become a problem for your Monroe home, call the experts at SERVPRO for help.

Clearing Debris, Mud, and Other Potential Contaminants From Your Monroe Home Can Reduce Threatening Conditions For Your Property.

Flooding can leave your Monroe home in disarray. Natural flooding invites debris, mud, and other contaminants into your house that must get addressed along with countless other damages. With flooding scenarios, it is vital for this cleaning and recovery effort to begin as soon as possible. Migrating water can have detrimental effects on structural cavities and exposed materials, especially when contamination is a threat.

Understanding the severity of the situation can allow our professionals to address flood damage in Monroe properties in distinct stages. The removal of debris, mud, and other solids that have entered the home through natural flooding can have multiple benefits for the property overall. Some of the reasons that we conduct this muck-out cleaning during the emergency services phase of recovery include:

• Identify Structural Vulnerabilities
• Reduce Present Bacteria
• More Efficient Drying
• Reduce Odors

What Cleaning Practices Can Protect Exposed Surfaces?

Removing the debris in the house is often insufficient to address contamination concerns that can often arise with natural flooding. These situations are deemed blackwater events, which assume that standing water in your home has encountered some contaminant level to make conditions hazardous to those exposed.

Addressing these concerns of contamination often requires efforts like controlled demolition to discard overly saturated or exposed materials and contents. Once the structural framework becomes visible and evaluated, we can focus on cleaning and protecting these areas from contamination and bacteria through surface cleaning approaches with our potent EPA-approved products.

Flooding is a situation that can get out of control quickly without the appropriate mitigation and restoration processes starting swiftly. For natural flooding scenarios, this often means muck-out cleaning. Give our SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe team a call anytime you need us at (318) 345-5121.

Not Taking Care of Flood Water Cleanup Can be Damaging

7/12/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage of any kind is a job for SERVPRO. Let our trained and experienced techs handle all the work for you.

SERVPRO Techs are Available 24/7 for Monroe Flood Restoration Services

Some types of water damage in Monroe properties, such as a slow leaking pipe, can wait until the next business day after discovery to begin cleanup. However, flood damage needs immediate attention.

Standing water damage in a Monroe home that needs flooding cleanup can cause a host of issues, including:

• Ruined walls
• Damaged floors and subfloor
• Biohazard situation from bacteria-laden water

SERVPRO technicians are available around the clock to come to the property to extract the water and get the structure dried. It does not matter if standing water is part of the problem. The technicians have access to specialized removal equipment, including submersible pumps, and for large-scale extraction, truck-mounted units. The longer the water remains within the structure, the potential for greater damage increases.

One of the key elements SERVPRO techs rely on is their moisture detection equipment. They have several different devices they use to determine if water has wicked into walls or seeped under flooring. Also, they can test the water to determine if any harmful elements are present and require treatment before the water removal services. 

SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe at (318) 345-5121 can tackle any size flooding cleanup needed in local Monroe properties. The team arrives quickly and works until the damage is "Like it never even happened."

Flooding in Monroe? Need Some Help?

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

We restore rather than replace wood flooring in Monroe after a water damaging event whenever possible. SERVPRO has the skills and the equipment.

Monroe Residential Property Owners Rely on SERVPRO for Flood Water Removal

Flood water intrusion into any building can be incredibly destructive. Immediate action is critical to mitigating the problem within the indoor environment. SERVPRO technicians have the training, skills, equipment, and time to make your home feel like home again.

Why You Need Our Water Damage Repair Services

Whether the water damage in Monroe occurred from a ruptured pipe or a broken appliance, you need water damage repair services that go beyond cleaning and drying. When groundwater floods the carpet, the contaminants may include mud, chemicals, petroleum products, microbes, and more. SERVPRO follows IICRC guidelines and removes and discards carpets since there is the danger of infectious elements still present. Our professionals understand the need for treating and decontaminating materials like drywall, assemblies, and contents, which can cause future problems if left damp. We use advanced water restoration equipment and techniques to detect hidden moisture, dry standing water faster, and thoroughly clean and apply disinfectant to your home. Our water damage restoration process involves;

• Emergency Contact
• Damage inspection and assessment
• Water extraction
• Controlled demolition when needed
• Drying and dehumidification
• Cleaning and sanitizing
• Restoration

SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe combines expertise and the use of sophisticated equipment to deliver exceptional water clean-up services. Call (318) 345-5121 to hire the area’s top flood water damage repair and restoration team.

What Are the Main Threats of Freezing Pipes for Monroe Homes?

2/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides emergency water damage services when that Ice Dam or Frozen Pipes harm your Monroe property. Don't Chill! Call SERVPRO.

Freezing temperatures can potentially damage area homes in several ways.

With severe weather conditions expected to impact Monroe in the coming days, residents should stay prepared for damages resulting from these freezing conditions. While frozen pipes that can burst are among the most considerable concerns, ice dams on the roof can lead to leaks, and growing icicles can put stress on eaves and gutters.

Are Frozen Pipes a Hazard for Monroe Homes?

Frozen pipes in Monroe homes can quickly become a devastating situation leading to significant water damage. These conditions can separate plumbing at connections and fixtures. Severe temperature drops can impact houses and businesses by targeting inadequately insulated portions of the plumbing. In many situations, the most vulnerable pieces of pipe are those transitioning from the outside service line to the pipe network inside of your residence.

How Can Standing Water Get Removed?

When pipes burst or separate, it could result in the loss of several hundred or thousand gallons of water in the immediate area. While accessible spaces can be more readily extracted and cleaned, structural cavities can prove more challenging to reach. Standing water is the initial threat to overcome, and this involves several leading water removal tools and instruments in our recovery inventory, including:

• Self-priming trash pumps
• Electrical submersible pumps
• Truck-mount extractors

Can You Prevent Burst Pipes?

There are methods for preventing or reducing the probability of burst pipes and frozen plumbing moving forward. While our SERVPRO professionals can show We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, an inspection of visible lines can often identify where insulation is lacking.

No matter how damaging burst pipes and freezing might be for your home, our SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe team is waiting to help. We understand how important it is to start mitigation fast, so we are ready 24/7 at (318) 345-5121.

Do You Need Flood Damage Help in Monroe?

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

Regardless of the way that your home was flooded, SERVPRO is the effective company for water removal services. Call right away.

SERVPRO is Here for Monroe Residents Whatever the Weather

Monroe is a bustling town of 48,815 residents that has a long and exciting history. The town was formerly known as Fort Miro but adopted the name Monroe in honor of a steamship. The steam-powered paddle-wheeler James Monroe sailed into the town in the first half of the nineteenth century and changed its fortunes. This event was so striking in the residents' minds that they changed the town's name in honor of it. Today you can see a mural of James Monroe at the entrance to the community library.

Monroe is also the place where coca-cola was first bottled – before that, shop staff had to mix the drink individually at the fountain.

If you visit Monroe, you will be delighted by the wide range of things to see and do. The city is big enough to have all the amenities you need but small enough to explore easily. Popular attractions include:

• Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, where you can view over 500 animals. This crowd-pleaser is popular with families. Kids will relish the chance to get up close and personal with kangaroos, hippos, swans, peacocks, and much more. There is a boat ride to take you to the exhibits that you won't see from the footpaths, including the primate exhibit.
• Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum gives kids the chance to get hands-on with history. They can learn about the White House, role play as a secret service agent, learn what it is like to work as a chef, be a doctor in the hospital, and much more.
• Biedenharn Museum and Gardens is a beautiful historic home from 1913. It was the home of Joseph Biedenharm, who gets credit as the first man to bottle Coca Cola. The house includes a Coca Cola museum full of memorabilia, and next door, you will find a museum of bibles and a stunning garden known as the Leong Garden.
• Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum is a small museum built-in 1984 to celebrate African-American heritage in the area. The museum focuses primarily on local artists and often exhibits their work, in addition to running a year-round program of educational events.

If you want to do some shopping while you are in Monroe, be sure to stop by Pecanland Mall. The mall features six anchor stores: Dick's Sporting Goods, Belk, Dillard's, JCPenney, Stein Mart, and Burlington Coat Factory.

There is also a nice large food court, and a ten screen cinema, for when you need to get some refreshment and take the weight off your feet.

Flood Damage is a Real Risk in Monroe

Residents of Monroe know how deadly storms can be. In 2020, a rain-wrapped tornado touched down in Monroe and caused extensive damage:

• Decimated twenty-three homes
• Caused extensive damage to an art museum
• Destroyed a metal hangar at the airport
• Snapped trees and closed roads

In the aftermath of a storm, SERVPRO is here to help. We offer swift remediation, including securing your home and evacuating water, drying your home and your belongings, and spot-cleaning damaged upholstery. Our teams do not leave until restoration is complete - "Like it never even happened."

If you need swift flood damage restoration, call SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe at (318) 345-5121.

Protecting the Monroe Community After Disaster Strikes

1/8/2021 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team can demolition flood-damaged homes in Monroe and then build them back, "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe Ensures That Homes and Businesses Return to a Clean and Safe Condition

Monroe, Louisiana, is a city of over 47,000 residents as of 2019, with a history that extends back to the American Civil War. The entirety of the Monroe Metropolitan area contains several parishes, including Union and Ouachita. It is estimated to have more than 170,000 residents.

Monroe’s beginnings are tied closely to New Orleans’s fall during the American Civil War, which prompted Confederate soldiers to establish Monroe and Opelousas training camps. However, locals reportedly held strong pro-Union sentiments. Monroe was also a haven for refugees fleeing from the war, especially during the months leading up to Ulysses S. Grant’s siege on Vicksburg, Mississippi.

The city’s name originated from a steam-powered ship, the James Monroe, named in honor of the fifth United States President. Today, locals and visitors can find depictions of this steam ship at the Monroe Library. Monroe is also considered one of the “twin cities” located in northeastern Louisiana, the other being nearby West Monroe. The official motto is, “One City, One Future.”

Some of Monroe’s most prominent employers outside of municipal government, primary and secondary education, and local healthcare services include:

• JPMorgan Chase
• The University of Louisiana at Monroe
• Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
• CenturyLink
• Walmart Stores, Inc.

Journalism in Monroe: The News-Star

The News-Star is nearing 130 years of offering journalistic services to the community. Its beginnings can be traced back to the evening newspaper publication The Monroe Evening News before merging with The Daily Star to publish The Monroe News-Star as an afternoon newspaper in 1909.

Robert Wilson Ewing, I purchased several Louisiana newspapers while publishing the New Orleans Daily States, including The Shreveport Times, the now-defunct Monroe Morning World and The News-Star, the latter of which had become a morning newspaper. Media giant Gannett would eventually acquire both Monroe publications from the Ewing estate in 1977. In 1980, The News-Star and the Morning World were consolidated to form The News-Star-World, later renamed The News-Star.

Two sons of Robert Ewing I, John D. Ewing and Robert Ewing, III, did their part to maintain The News-Star, including serving in executive positions.

Related news publications for the Monroe area include:

• The Ouachita Citizen, which reports weekly for the Ouachita Parish region, which includes Sterlington and Richwood as well as Monroe and West Monroe
• African-American-owned weekly news publications The Monroe Dispatch and The Monroe Free Press, both of which were founded between 1969 and 1975

Monroe’s Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo

Monroe’s zoo is an 80-acre zoological and horticultural sanctuary that is home to over 500 animals. The zoo got its start as Bernstein Park Zoo, named initially for Mayor Arnold Bernstein, who served the community from 1919 to 1937. Most of the zoo’s development can be credited to Mayor Jack Howard. His campaigns focused heavily on its development and the construction of municipal buildings like the Civic Center and the new Monroe City Hall.

In 2013, the zoo remodeled its food preparation area for the animals and added new primate pens at the behest of the United States Department of Agriculture and has remained in compliance with regulations since. After making these additions, new acquisitions included a male lion and a revamped lion exhibit.

Notable exhibits include:

• Boat rides for observing local fauna and animals on nearby islands
• The “Down-under” exhibit, which focuses on Australian species
• Primate exhibits with baboons, gibbons, and many other species
• An interactive feeding area for sheep, goats, miniature cows, and horses
• Indoor exhibitions like a reptile house and a greenhouse

The Monroe Zoo’s annual events vary from Boo at the Zoo to the Easter Eggstravaganza, all of which focus on safe and educational family-oriented fun. Overall, visitors can find over 200 species of animals as well as a 27-acre garden.

In 2020, the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo made efforts to take exhibitions online while adhering to local public safety regulations.

The Zoo is well-known for its volunteer opportunities, outreach programs, and a membership service that allows free entry to several other zoos around the United States.

What Does SERVPRO’s Flood Extraction Process Entail?

SERVPRO technicians flood damage in Monroe with necessary swiftness to minimize property loss for homeowners while optimizing savings on repair and replacement costs where possible. When ground floods have affected electrical power in residential properties, these professionals can provide power sources, such as generators, to render necessary services.

While properties rarely have standing water after a flood, it is crucial to address excess moisture and debris first to prevent mold growth and further structural damage. Several tools are available to SERVPRO professionals for removing floodwaters, including portable extractors, gas-powered submersible pumps, and truck-mounted units that can lift hundreds of gallons of water in one sitting.

While these tools can vary in scope and application, they generally have three systems in common:

• This system is the primary form of extraction for most water damage situations, including flooding.
• The heater system aids in sanitation by heating to between 180 degrees Fahrenheit and 212 to 220 degrees, depending on the device. This capability is essential for curbing microbial contamination
• When standing water is present, the pump system is crucial for its removal to a treated sewer or other authorized disposal areas

When SERVPRO technicians clean restorable items like furniture and carpeting in a typical water damage scenario, all three of these systems are used. However, many of the items used in all three are considered losses after a flood due to blackwater contaminants.

SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe can ensure that your home looks and feels, “Like it never even happened.” Homeowners can contact their local restoration team 24/7, including all holidays, at (318) 345-5121.

Come Meet Santa at His Christmas Village Near West Monroe.

11/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is looking forward to seeing Santa at His Christmas Village Near West Monroe.

Santa’s Christmas Village Returns to the West Monroe Area on November 21st.

Once again, Christmas is in the air, and parents are in search of fun seasonal activities for their children. Most times, this requires scheduling and taking your kids around town to different venues. Fortunately, there’s a better, more convenient way to entertain your children. Santa’s Christmas Village, a place where kids can participate in all the traditional seasonal activities in one place, returns to the West Monroe area on November 21st. Some of the holiday fun they can engage in there includes:

Visiting Santa

Watching a holiday movie

Making their own Christmas ornaments

Decorating Christmas cookies

Playing in a model train village

Ice skating

Sliding down Mount Sneaux

The village is at the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum and operates daily from November 21st to December 23rd.

As parents of local children, the technicians of SERVPRO of Monroe/West Monroe understand how important holiday activities are for kids. In being flood water removal experts, they are also always ready to help when water-related disasters strike. Contact us at (318) 345-5121 if you ever need assistance.

What Precautions Should Homeowners Take Before Returning Home After Flood Damage In Monroe?

9/17/2020 (Permalink)

Our Green Fleet is always stocked and ready to go to restore your home.

SERVPRO Has the Necessary Resources to Enter Your Monroe Property Safely, Addressing Any Challenges You Might Face   

The intensity of a storm in Monroe can make you feel helpless. Even after the storm clears, you still need to take precautions before venturing into the property since there are considerable risks involved. Involving a professional team like SERVPRO can help simplify the reoccupation of your house after flooding.  

What typical dangers should I expect after flood damage at my Monroe house?   

• Risk of fire when operating appliances  
• Health risks from contamination  
• Structural hazards   

When the floodwater inundates your Monroe property, it affects most of the contents, including your appliances. Having such appliances checked by an electrician before turning them on is crucial since they might short-circuit, leading to fires. Although our SERVPRO technicians cannot fix your equipment, we can help take steps that protect them from extreme damage, including:  

• Moving them to minimize exposure to water  
• Keeping items in a heated area to prevent cooling to the dew point  
• Covering them with plastic sheets or other protective materials   

How can I avoid health risks and other hazards?

Health risks arise because of the contaminants dissolved in the floodwaters. Damaged structural materials can also present risks of physical injuries. Wearing protective gear before entering the property is the ideal way to overcome hazards. Our SERVPRO technicians are equipped with a wide range of safety gear to address all possible risks, including:   

• Non-contact voltage detectors, GFCI, and circuit analyzers for electrical issues  
• Hard hats and rubber boots to protect against sharp or falling objects 
• Rubber gloves and bodysuits for protection against contaminants   

Taking the right precautions guarantees safety when entering the flood-damaged property. Call SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe at (318) 345-5121 to send a fully kitted team to your property. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

What Equipment is Used to Remove Water From My House After a Flood?

4/30/2020 (Permalink)

Each vehicle in our Green Fleet is stocked with equipment to repair and restore your home quickly. Call us today!

Rely on SERVPRO to Get the Water Out After Suffering Flood Damage

Floods can produce several levels of water damage, and different types of equipment are required to remove it. You should consult with a knowledgeable expert who has access to the right tools for the job.

What is the Most Important Step in the Water Removal Process After a Flood?

Extraction is critical in eliminating moisture from your Monroe home. Removing excess water with extraction equipment speeds up the drying process, and choosing the right extraction equipment is just as important.  

What extraction equipment is typically used?

o Extraction units

o Light wands

o Deep extraction tools

o Self-priming trash pumps

o High-pressure pumps

o Electric submersible pumps

What is the advantage of starting with an extraction unit?

These units can either be portable or mounted on trucks. Their strength is versatility; portables can be used effectively in different areas, while truck-mounted units offer more powerful suction.

What do light wands do?

Also known as “carpet wands,” these units are often used by SERVPRO professionals for initial water removal. They can also extract water from glued-down rugs or carpets where stationary water has already been removed.

How do deep extraction tools work?

These extractors rely on weight to compress the carpet and the pad to squeeze out water and remove it through a vacuum system. Self-propelled tools are powered by an independent motor, while stationary extractors use the weight provided by the operator to initiate the removal process.

What is the role of pumps in water removal?

Pumps are used to remove a larger volume of water in different conditions. Multiple factors determine the pump choice, including the type and amount of fluid present and whether the suction lift is required. The most common choice is electric submersible pumps because they eliminate the need for a lift and can be operated quietly and continuously.

Call on SERVPRO of Monroe/West Monroe to use the right equipment for water removal after a flood. Contact us at (318)231-4003 for an assessment.

Want to know more about Monroe?

Avoid Delays When Dealing With Flooding and Storm Damage in Monroe

4/5/2020 (Permalink)

If flooding has devastated your area, no doubt that your home has been affected as well. Contact SERVPRO for effective water removal and restoration.

Eliminating The Effects of Flood Damage in Monroe

Although Monroe is far enough north to almost be in Razorback country, flooding is still a problem thanks to the closeness of the Black and D’Arbonne Bayous and Wildlife Refuges. Heavy rains can send hundreds of gallons of water into a home in a matter of hours, and even minutes in some cases.

The water in this type of Monroe flood damage is either category 2 (gray water) or category 3 (black water). Both require extensive efforts by SERVPRO restoration teams to properly clean the home and property and return it to the owner in a safe condition.

Neither type of water is actually gray or black. The colors refer to the level and type of contaminants. Both contain dirt and waste products, which can cause sickness if swallowed and force disposal of contaminated property after they absorb it. Blackwater though, also contains animal and human waste, along with everything else the water picked up before carrying it into the home. The only way to eliminate these threats is with two methods: removal and disposal of affected personal property, and sterilizing the surfaces of everything else.

Getting the water out of the home quickly is the first step. Even water with no contaminants (clean water), if left in place for 24 hours, absorbs enough dirt, debris, and chemicals like carpet cleaners to become gray water. Another 24 to 48 hours later, and the flood can be classified as black water. That is why SERVPRO response teams arrive on-site with a full complement of pumps and extractors to get started immediately.

After spraying every now exposed surface with an antibacterial agent, our technicians carefully remove contaminated items like carpets, carpet pads, curtains, paper, and even clothing. If a furniture item has exposed wood, they may have to dispose of it as well. For property with treated wood, glass, metal, and marble surfaces, wipe down and clean them off using more antibacterial cleaners.

In some cases, team members can treat items like upholstered furniture and return it to the homeowner. They use sprayers and injectors to force cleaning agents into the fabric to counteract and remove the contaminants.

For SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe, removing flood damage effects means we are supporting our neighbors and family here and in other local communities like Bawcomville, Richwood, and Sterling. To learn more about how our teams can take care of you and your home, contact us today at (318) 345-5121. 

Click here for more information about Monroe.

We Proudly Serve Monroe With Flood Damage Restoration

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

We provided a pack out of the household items so that remediation and restoration could take place in this home.

Flood Damage Monroe – Dealing with Contamination

Flooding in homes and businesses after a storm can cause catastrophic damage. Flying debris punctures windows, walls, and roofs allowing rainwater to penetrate the building. Floodwaters can rise quickly, washing over sandbags and through open doors carrying debris and contaminants into your home or business. These events can be very stressful for everyone involved.

SERVPRO has been providing flood damage in the Monroe area since 1999. We understand how important it is to respond quickly to calls for help and mitigate the damage as quickly as possible. One of the first assessments by our technicians is to ensure it is safe to enter the building. We also determine whether the debris and water are contaminated. The response requires quite different approaches to these situations.

Non-Contaminated Rain Water

The initial response includes boarding up any holes and broken windows to prevent additional water from entering the building. We can also remove any debris that may have blown in and assess the overall damage.

Since the rainwater is generally not contaminated, SERVPRO can focus on extracting the water, removing the moisture, and drying the structure as well as the furniture and other items in the building.

Our mitigation and restoration may include large truck-mounted water extractors followed by portable extractors, air movers, and dehumidifiers. All items are dried and stored in a staging area on the premises, or at our storage facility.

Contaminated Flood Water

In addition to boarding up entry points, our team must follow IICRC processes to remove and clean contaminated items if possible. Fabrics, carpeting, and drywall typically must be removed and disposed of. Hard surface items can be cleaned and restored. We can maintain a record of all items removed for insurance claim purposes and reviewed with the client at every step in the process.

Many different sources can cause contamination. External sources can cause contamination brought into the building by the floodwaters. Existing asbestos in the building or lead in paints that have been disturbed can also be sources of contamination. SERVPRO can assess the level and type of contamination before preparing the appropriate plan to restore your building and keep you safe.

Call SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe at (318) 345-5121 for 24/7 service. We proudly serve Bawcomville, Richwood, Sterlington, and surrounding areas. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

See more about Monroe.

Could You Be Making a Mistake When You Don’t Hire an Experienced Flood Damage Remediation Company in Bawcomville?

9/12/2019 (Permalink)

Water removal is key when dealing with a flood damage situation. Contact SERVPRO right away.

Air Movers Play A Role in Recovery of Bawcomville Properties

Flooding and other water loss incidents require our rapid drying solutions, especially when construction materials and contents of your Bawcomville home can get preserved. While we have multiple options along these lines, the most common element used for drying and recovering saturated elements is an air mover. Based on the severity and spread of the effects in your home, multiple air moving units might be necessary.

As challenging as Bawcomville flood damage can seem, our professionals have effective strategies to begin vital mitigation work quickly. We have ready trailers stocked with the equipment we need for all water loss incidents, and much of these same tools help us to address flooding of all types in homes and apartments through the area. With hundreds of air movers in our facility, we can always meet the demand of our current project and offer effective drying solutions that can get started with our initial visit to your damaged property.

Our SERVPRO crew chief and other management oversee the inspection and assessment of your flooded property and determine the necessary equipment. Extraction tools are often the first consideration, but when it comes to the areas that require drying, a determination must get made as to how many air movers can dry out the saturated elements. Because of their ability to displace moisture in materials like drywall, many units are often necessary for every restoration project.

With an idea of how many machines are necessary inputted into the SERVPRO DryBook software which maintains a timeline of progress, the management and field technicians on site must determine the best placement of these tools. For damaged areas like the drywall, air movers get placed within inches of the wall, allowing a concentrated blast of heated air to the damaged portions of the sheetrock.

Air movers are one of the many tools that our SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe water restoration and flood recovery specialists use to bring your home back to preloss condition. As overwhelming as these circumstances might seem, We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. Give us a call anytime disaster strikes at (318) 345-5121.

Click here to see more info about the city of Bawcomville.

We Act Fast To Limit More Damage To Your Monroe Home After A Flood

7/31/2019 (Permalink)

When floodwaters come quickly into your home it can cause extensive damage. We are available 24/7 so call us right away.

Flood Damage in Monroe Property Bedroom Needs Fast Cleanup

Getting away for a long weekend is great, coming home to flood damage in your Monroe home is not so great. Even clean water gets demoted to a category three biohazard rating after 48 hours, and once groundwater sits that long in your home, the result is extensive damage from the water.

The longer water sits without cleanup efforts, results in considerable loss from flood damage. When a Monroe homeowner arrives to flood damage, her first call was to her insurance agent and then SERVPRO. The odor of stagnant water permeated the downstairs bedroom from a tree limb breaking a window and caused rainwater to pour in from locally heavy storms.

A minimum of four days had passed since the intense storms, and on arrival, our technicians engaged the following safety practices:
Understood this as Black Water contamination
Used EPA-registered antimicrobial cleaners
Wore personal protection gear (PPE) during cleaning as contact with this type of water has the potential to result in illness.
Tarped over the window to stop any further damage

SERVPRO technicians scoped the room to determine where the water migrated.The mattress in the water damaged bedroom absorbed the majority of the incoming water and was the source of the strong odor. Our moisture detection equipment found water did not reach the subfloor, and the area rug under the bed received a minor amount of water damage.

We advised the homeowner the mattress would require discarding as there are no sanitization treatments for category three biohazards to return it to a level of cleanliness for reuse. The homeowner instructed our certified Flood Damage Restoration Technician to discard the mattress, rug and saturated bedding but was thrilled to find we were able to save and restore her vintage metal bed frame and matching side table through our specialized cleaning methods. We understand the feelings of our clients and always try to salvage their possessions and treasures whenever possible.

Our goal is to take the stress of a home disaster off the property owner as much as possible. After cleaning, drying, and sanitizing the water loss areas in the bedroom, we gave the homeowner our detailed Contents Claim Inventory System that includes all mitigation actions along with photographs to expedite the claims filing process.

SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe at (318) 345-5121 when flood damage affects your property or possessions. We have the equipment and restoration services certifications to handle any type of storm damage, plus we are based locally and We're Faster to Any Size Disaster.

See more about Monroe.

Did the Recent Storms Cause Your West Monroe Home to Flood?

6/12/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO was on the ground within hours of the recent tornadoes. Did you know we provide emergency board up services to help prevent further damage?

Flood Damage in West Monroe Necessitates the Services of a Professional Restoration Company

Considering the many damaging tornadoes, storms, and heavy rain that our region has suffered from recently, it reminds us of the phenomenal destruction flooding may cause to homes. Flooding typically leaves homeowners with the challenge of cleaning up and replacing or repairing damaged structures.  

Being flooded is an awful experience with costly and long-term consequences for everybody concerned. Therefore, using flood damage repair services in West Monroe is imperative. The water damage remediation specialists from SERVPRO can assist you to clean up, dry, and sanitize your home after a flooding incident. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.  

Floodwater can ruin your home if you do not clean it up quickly. It can stagnate, corrode, and ruin the flooring, walls, and your possessions. Floodwater many also come from waterways like rivers, creeks, and bayous, bringing mud and silt from the runoff that can cause sanitation problems when the water recedes. This water can also come through the sewer system and bring all the bacterial and sanitary problems associated with sewer water. We have the equipment and expertise to remove black water and disinfect your home to prevent health issues.  

Our crews can use powerful portable or truck-mounted pumps to extract water from the floors. After removing stagnant water from your property, we can use air movers and dehumidifiers to dry the wet areas. Dehumidifiers are of great help in eliminating moisture, particularly in the closed off spaces like crawl spaces and basements.  

After your home has flooded, it may be necessary to remove certain kinds of flooring like carpet, tile, and vinyl flooring. Carpeted floors, in particular, hold large amounts of water and provide bacteria with a place to breed. Our SERVPRO crews can remove the carpet flooring, discard, and replace it. If your home has hardwood flooring, we can test it to determine how much moisture is in the slab. We can use the injectidry tool to eliminate water and moisture from the flooring. This tool can also extract water from walls and ceilings to accelerate the drying process.  

When floodwaters have entered your home, SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe can help you with cleanup and repairs. We combine advanced equipment and techniques with a caring attitude. You can reach us on our emergency hotline at (318) 345-5121.

West Monroe was once known as the ‘Natural Gas Capital of the World.’ Read more here.

We Respond Fast To Your Monroe Home Flood Damage Restoration Needs

4/29/2019 (Permalink)

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle all your flood damage restoration needs, call us right away to prevent further damage.

How to Handle Flood Damage in Your Monroe Residence After River Flooding Occurs

Flooding is a destructive and common problem that homeowners face. It can occur when a river overflows its banks. This commonly happens when rains increase the flow. Failing to clean up your home promptly can lead to damage to its structure and contents, electrical issues, and mold growth.

The drywall in your home can swell and disintegrate within hours of the flood, causing bacterial odor to spread all over. It is therefore crucial to hire professionals who can assist you to deal with the flood damage in your Monroe residence. The professionals at SERVPRO can respond fast to your call and come to our property ready to clean up and dry it. We can arrive at your residence at any time of the day or night, thoroughly assess the destruction and then begin the remediation process to protect your home from additional damage.

We can remove the water using sophisticated equipment like submersible pumps. We use these pumps if the level of water standing in a structure is two or more inches deep. If your home does not have a lot of standing water, we can use wet/dry vacuums to extract it.

Flood waters contain microorganisms and therefore, it is necessary to remove most porous building materials and replace them. Our SERVPRO technicians remove and discard carpets, mattresses, and upholstered furniture contaminated by flood water. We can restore metal, solid wood, and plastic furniture.

We also use different dehumidifiers like low grain refrigerant, desiccant, and refrigerant dehumidifiers to dry all the affected areas. These devices remove any excess moisture in the air, which can contribute to mold growth. We also use air movers of different sizes to move large volumes of air quickly throughout the flooded areas. Air movers promote fast drying of the affected surfaces while offering excellent air circulation throughout the home.

We also use air scrubbers to remove unpleasant odors and other particles from the air. Air scrubbers are ideal for eliminating unpleasant scents linked to water damage. We also have the expertise and equipment to clean and restore possessions like linens, books, clothing, and documents.

If your home has sustained flood damage, contact SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe at (318) 345-5121. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster and can restore your home to its preloss condition quickly.

Click here for more information about The 2019 CDBG Summer Youth Employment Program.

Why Professional Remediation is Necessary For Richwood Flooding

3/20/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe is always available to handle your water damage restoration needs.

The Challenges of Richwood Home Restoration After a Flood

While it might be customary for many Richwood homeowners to want to do their part in returning their damaged property to normal, this is not always practical or possible. After substantially damaging situations like floods, not only are there structural concerns to contend with that allowed the disaster into your home, but also the effects of the high volume of water on the property as well. With the full measure of all of the damage that your home could sustain during the ordeal, it is a wise decision to seek the experience and advanced equipment of our professional restoration team.

Many hurdles exist when overcoming flood damage in your Richwood home. From the initial inspection and damage assessment through the early mitigation tactics that ultimately save both time and money, homeowners lack the experience and professional equipment to perform these tasks alone. Our SERVPRO team can respond any time of the day to emergencies like floods with effective mitigation strategies that help later restoration efforts go more smoothly.

One of the most significant challenges that face our professionals when they first arrive at your flood-damaged home is the widespread effects of the flooding. If we did not get called immediately, saturation of exposed materials could lead to structural weaknesses and degradation, making even the assessment of the property a potentially dangerous task. Our team has a wide array of personal protective equipment and ongoing safety training to keep us safe while we assess the spread of the damage and what can get done immediately to preserve and protect unexposed areas of your home.

Another concern that should keep inexperienced homeowners from attempting cleanup and debris removal on their own is the need to extract and dry damaged areas thoroughly. Our production vehicles get stocked with our advanced equipment that can quickly remove excess water from flooring, but also an assortment of efficient drying machines and tools like air movers, drying mats, and dehumidifiers that can work to reduce overall moisture content in exposed materials to preserve them when possible.

Flooding can pose some challenges to a homeowner, but our SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe rapid response team can help. To make flood damage “Like it never even happened.” give us a call today at (318) 345-5121. 

Read more about Richwood here.

Our Experts Will Restore Your Monroe Home After A Flood

1/17/2019 (Permalink)

Our experts will restore your home with care after a flood.

SERVPRO - Flood Water Extraction Methods To Restore Monroe Homes

As the seat of our parish, Monroe is a little better known than other nearby communities. Unfortunately, like much of Louisiana, our town is also known for its flooding after a major storm.

Professional flood water extraction from Monroe homes requires more than just a large pump to draw out the water. SERVPRO restoration teams understand that it contains soil and other contaminants that pose a health risk to residents, as well as themselves.

To reduce that risk, our technicians spray the surface of standing water and any property that the water covered with an anti-bacterial agent. It kills any bacteria or mold on the surface so they can bring in the equipment needed for water removal and extraction.

SERVPRO team members begin with a commercial grade pump to draw out the standing water, which is the bulk of the flood problem. Since there are still contaminants in the water, they have to direct it all into the nearest sewer opening. If the sewer is blocked or otherwise unusable from the flood, technicians pump everything into a tank truck for disposal.

After team members remove the bulk of the flood water, they concentrate on drawing out the remaining amount from carpets, floors, and walls. Technicians use extraction wands and other devices to pull out water from between and underneath carpet layers, and from between floorboards. As with the standing water, everything they draw out, they dispose of through the sewer or into a tank truck.

While team members can use an anti-bacterial spray to help clean floorboards, there is no method we use that can guarantee 100% that carpets are safe to keep in the home. Team leaders always recommend disposal for every carpet affected by a flood.

When drywall panels and wood floor trim soaked up flood water, our teams can extract it with air movers and dehumidifiers to draw it out of the material. Once they finish this extraction procedure, and if the drywall or trim did not warp or start to crumble in place, they spray the affected surfaces once more with an anti-bacterial agent as part of cleaning them.

Whether you live off I-20 or 165, SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe is here for you. Handling floods and other disasters for our neighbors is what we do best. If you have had any flooding recently, call us today at (318) 345-5121 to start the removal and restoration process.

Visit the Monroe Zoo click here for more information.

The Biggest Problems With West Monroe Flood Damage Lie Below the Water Surface

11/18/2018 (Permalink)

Facing flood damages can be overwhelming. Contact team SERVPRO when your home is flooded for efficient remediation services.

Why Flood Damage Mitigation and Restoration Work Includes New Flooring in West Monroe

Invading floodwater covers your West Monroe home's floors, just like it covers the ground outside in your neighborhood. However, the ground suffers very little when compared to the damage your flooring materials sustain.
 
When a residence in West Monroe experiences flood damage, the flooring in the home goes through many detrimental changes. Carpeting becomes saturated with silt and other small-sized debris particles, including microbes, wood swells because of its tight-fitting construction, tiles loosen as their backing glue disintegrates, and linoleum also suffers wherever water seeps underneath through the smallest openings. Areas of crawlspaces and other open areas can become so saturated with water that it leaks through, affecting floor beams and joists.
 
SERVPRO can help mitigate the damage and stop it from progressing further. Restoration work requires us to work quickly and steadily to prevent water from spreading from one area to another. While one of our teams is working on removing soaked materials, another team is busy setting up drying equipment. Other technicians work with our detection equipment so we can keep accurate records of the progress made on your home's restoration. We also train employees to specifically take inventory of soiled belongings and to record accurate inventory information as they box these items up for cleaning and deodorization.
 
Flood damage renders most flooring types in such ruined condition that restoration becomes futile. We remove these, so the installation of new flooring becomes possible. These damaged materials hold water in the underlay, preventing thorough drying, an essential requirement for the proper installation of new flooring. Just as we check other areas of your home to ensure their moisture content readings match industry standards, we also examine the floor in several locations. To speed this up, we use large air movers, heaters, and desiccant machines. We also implement air scrubbers to reduce the number of microbes in the air, helping prevent mold infestations.
 
We can discuss with you the available options for new flooring and point out options that sustain less damage in similar situations. This is particularly helpful to families who live in floodplains and other low-lying areas that might experience flooding again. Flooding can happen at any time, and previous flooding never means it cannot happen again.
 
SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe responds Faster To Any Size Disaster, including flood damage, to those in Claiborn, Sterlington, and Bawcomville. Call us at (318) 353-4343, so we can help you in the mitigation and restoration of your home.

Click here for more about West Monroe.

Hurricane Party after Sterlington Flooding? Invite SERVPRO for Cleanup of Red Cups, Paper Plates, and Water Removal

9/17/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's Green Equipment Dries Out Post Hurricane Party Flooding and Mess in the Sterlington Area

Wind or Not, Steady Rains can Bring Flood Damage to Sterlington

Recently, hurricane Gordon was downgraded to a tropical depression, and while it did not hit us directly in Sterlington, our weather often reflects such events. Many reports stated that Gordon's winds were lower than a hurricane's but not by much, resulting in the change in its categorization.
 
Even with the reduced wind velocity pushing such storms into the Sterlington area, flood damage can happen to your home. The Red Cross encourages everyone, regardless of their location, to prepare for disasters, especially those most likely to affect them, during National Preparedness Month. Those in lower areas and valleys, near creeks, streams, lakes, and ponds, or where recent construction took place should know how to prepare for flooding that can damage their homes and other property. Others who reside in higher areas can also experience flooding. Our residents in the State of Louisiana are all too familiar with flooding from natural disaster.
 
SERVPRO employees can help mitigate flood damage after it happens with the latest in technology, expert skills, and hard work, but reducing the possibility of such damage from occurring in the first place falls on the individual family. Preparing for disasters may seem ineffective or a bother, but doing so can save property while also reducing the chances of injury. Preparing by getting things ready and practicing what to do during September helps our communities, also, by focusing on the issue together. Of course, being ready to deal with a flood during the entire hurricane season is prudent.
 
Moving more valuable items to higher elevations can help prevent their loss. Filling sandbags can also help keep floodwater from entering your home. When rain plays a role in flooding your home, making sure your gutters and downspouts drain correctly can help prevent flooding issues not related to contaminated groundwater.
 
If flood damage becomes an issue for your home in Claiborn, Bawcomville, of Calhoun, call us, SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe at (318) 345-5121. We are always here, available to answer your call and respond to your emergency.

For local city data click here

Avoiding The Risks Of Flood Damages In Your Richwood Home

8/9/2018 (Permalink)

Flood damages should incite an immediate response from a homeowner.

The Risks Of Flood Damage

As a resident in Richwood, you are familiar with the kind of disastrous weather that rears its ugly head throughout the spring and summer months every year. While your home was built to withstand a lot of this onslaught of high winds and torrential rainfall, even the smallest of vulnerabilities over time can lead to catastrophic failure at the worst possible time.

If your roof loses shingles or suffers a hole from falling debris or tree limbs, water can flow into your home instead of running to the gutter system surrounding it. Within a brief period, this invading water can saturate through the attic space of your Richwood home and lead to even more extensive flood damages throughout the second or first floor of your house.

In these unfortunate circumstances, you need to act quickly. The faster that our SERVPRO professionals can react to the problem that you experience, the better we can manage the damage. Mitigation can save you money and time spent in intricate restoration work, not to mention that it can help us to prevent further damages throughout the house as well.

Our SERVPRO technicians can also help you to avoid the risks associated with a flooded house. Extraction and drying efforts are critical in the restoration of this damage, and failure to do this adequately leads to weakened materials and mold growth.

Often in flooding situations, materials get oversaturated and begin to be too heavy to remain where they should be. Ceiling materials and framework are among the areas most susceptible to this kind of failure, but it can also occur with flooring and walls as well. This really illustrates the importance of skilled and experienced professionals working to restore the damage in your home, as it can often be challenging to determine when materials are most at risk of falling or breaking.

Flood damages should incite an immediate response from a homeowner. The faster our professionals get to work, the faster you get a restored home returned to you. Give our SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe water damage restoration technicians a call today at (318) 345-5121.

Click here for more about Richwood.

Fast Action Amid Flood Damage To Your Monroe Residence

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

Monroe Flooding, with the Right SERVPRO Equipment, Gets Dried Out Fast

Rely on SERVPRO for Rapid Water Extraction after Storm Damage

As many homeowners in the Monroe area know, severe weather can strike the region any time of the year. While multiple homes became reinforced in construction to handle the taxing force of many of these systems, these solutions have rarely been foolproof, especially after the house ages for a while. Over time, mortar in the joints of blockwork commonly used for the construction of foundations and basement walls degrades and weakens. This degradation eventually allows water on the outside of the house, even apart from literal flooding in the region, to find its way into the lowest levels of your home.

While this might not be an entirely surprising scenario to many homeowners, flood damage in your Monroe home is something that you should work to take care of immediately. Not only does pooling water weaken structural components as it stands, but it can also cause irreparable damage to anything you might store in the basement or contents of this affected area.

From the moment that our SERVPRO team arrives at your home, our priority is working on sealing up the vulnerable areas which have allowed the water to push through the walls. Often this process gets accomplished with the use of hydraulic cement. Once the water penetration gets resolved, our professionals can get to work on extraction. Under severe situations, the homeowner may need to hire a structural engineer to scope out the proper repair plan.

The extraction and drying process is often the most critical to the restoration process. Extraction typically uses portable pumps and wet-vacs. Significant volumes of water could require a pump truck from our SERVPRO fleet. Drying is often a combined effort of air movers and dehumidification equipment. Often specialized tools are also necessary to access and dry areas beneath the floors, or inside of wall cavities.

While many of the homeowners in the region are not unfamiliar with the possibility of flooding, it is not something that anyone wants to experience in their own house. Our SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe water damage restoration technicians can help you to overcome all of the obstacles between the current condition and a fully restored home quickly, whenever possible. Give us a call 24/7 at (318) 345-5121

Click to find city data.

Flood Damage can Leave Behind Unwanted Smells in West Monroe Properties

5/7/2018 (Permalink)

Even if flooding comes from an inside source like a loose water hose on your washer, your best bet is to contact SERVPRO to dry out your home.

Team SERVPRO Understands that Dealing With Flooding Often Includes Remediating Odors That are Left Behind

Flooding happens a great deal over the Spring months but any time of the year can also see this happen to homeowners in the West Monroe area. Flooding can keep homeowners from living in their properties because of the health risks caused by the water.
 
When a home dries out, and the majority of flood damage in West Monroe no longer poses a problem, smells can remain. These odors can come from moisture that damaged materials after the restoration work concluded, or from debris that remained undetected and hence, unremoved.
 
SERVPRO's technicians can help you and your family rid your home of these persistent smells with the use of different meter readers. Moisture helps odors dissipate into the air from wherever their source comes. This might include debris that washed in and now slowly decomposes. We can remove this and deodorize the area.
 
We use different types of deodorization techniques and methods, depending on the exact circumstances. At times, a combination of two or more works best because of the nature of the materials producing odor. When materials leach odors out from flood damage, gel packs placed inside the area affected can solve the problem. When silt filled with biological matter from nearby streams causes the problem, chemical-based agents can provide more thorough relief instead.
 
When flooding lasted a short time and came from relatively clean water sources, perhaps a misplaced hose from the backyard or another type of overflow, carpets can still stay smelly, even if properly cleaned. Injections of deodorizing scents can help make matters much more pleasant in your home. Our goal stays the same, no matter what type of flood damage your home sustains - bring it back to preloss condition so your family can return home "Like it never even happened" and resume your normal lives.
 
SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe serves Bawcomville, Calhoun, and Richwood area families, helping mitigate the problems of flood damage and other disasters. Call us at (318) 345-5121 for help during times of crisis, so your family suffers less and recovers faster.

Click here for more information on the town of West Monroe.