mold remediation

Roof Leaks and Mold: How Slow Water Damage Can Build Up

Steve VanDenBerg Blog

You can’t imagine a small drop of water causing any harm, can you? But what about thousands of water drops? If it finds a way into your home, water will easily penetrate all the porous materials in the property and may cause severe structural damage and mold growth long before you become aware of the problem. So, even a very …

hoarding help

How to Help a Hoarder

Steve VanDenBerg Blog

Hoarding – a type of anxiety disorder that prevents the affected individuals from assessing the actual value of an item and making informed decisions about their possessions and their own lives – has been a growing concern in the United States over the last several decades. Hoarders accumulate large amounts of worthless items and get emotionally attached to them, without …

Servicemaster flood safety tips video

How to Clean Up Flood Damage in your Home

Steve VanDenBerg Blog

All homes experience some water damage from time to time because there are so many ways that excess water can enter your home.  Any amount of water can cause problems in a home but the damage is much worse if there is significant in-home flooding.  A flooded house can sustain plenty of damage as the water can weaken structural elements, …

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Dealing with Sewer Backup – Do’s and Don’ts

Steve VanDenBerg Blog

Few things rattle a homeowner more than having a sewage backup. The smell is unmistakable and the thought of all that bacteria and other hazardous waste in your home is appalling. As you reach out to water damage restoration professionals to perform sewage removal, here are some things to keep in mind. Sewage backup do’s and don’ts Here are a few …

black mold on ceiling

Black Mold – Mold Damage Tips

Steve VanDenBerg Blog

Black Mold Finding a water leak isn’t fun, especially if it’s been leaking for a while, but there’s a much more serious thing to worry about than wet belongings – mold. There have been many sensationalized stories on the news about the dangers of black mold, but it’s important to remember that not all mold is black mold. Our mold …

Hoarding

What Everybody Ought to Know About Hoarding

Steve VanDenBerg Blog

By now, most people have heard of hoarding, mostly due to the cable show Hoarders. There’s a big difference between ordinary household disarray and hoarding. Typical clutter can usually be picked up quickly, and is usually temporary. Hoarding Stages Hoarding is a chronic condition assessed in five stages. In stage one, every room is still accessible, but closets are overstuffed …

Hoarding Cleaning

ServiceMaster DRR on the Hoarders Show by Matt Paxton

Steve VanDenBerg Blog

ServiceMaster DRR is airing an episode of Hoarders on A&E network. Check local show times for date/time. The Problem Mary’s historic home in the Napa Valley is filled with so much stuff, her two young children are in danger of being removed from the home by Child Protective Services. The Solution See what Mary has to say after Matt Paxton calls …