Recent Posts

Fire Restoration in Indianapolis Homes is a Crucial Service

5/4/2023 (Permalink)

Don't let fire damage go unchecked in your home. Call SERVPRO for help to avoid further damage.

How SERVPRO Performs Fire Restoration in Indianapolis

Besides burning structures, fires also produce smoke and soot. The water used to extinguish the fire also causes damage to the home. Fire damage restoration is usually a long process, much longer than either flood or water damage repair.

Fire damage restoration in Indianapolis homes involves dealing with the harm caused by the flames, water, soot, and smoke. Before restoration begins, our SERVPRO professionals assess the extent of the:

  • Flame damage
  • Smoke damage 
  • Soot damage
  • Water damage

Flames burn and destroy surfaces such as floors, roofs, ceilings, and walls. There are various types of smoke, including dry, wet, and fuel oil smoke. Unless addressed soon, the corrosive effect of smoke on metals begins immediately. The wet smoke that a smoldering fire produces has a strong smell and forms a thick coating on surfaces. 

On the other hand, soot attaches itself to surfaces.

Water damage hastens the growth of mold and damages drywall and wood, thus weakening the structure. After the assessment, our SERVPRO restorers take remediation steps. They include:

  • Fencing off the home.
  • Removing debris.
  • Sealing off areas of the property that the fire did not damage by the fire to stop further damage from mold, soot, or moisture.
  • Pumping out all standing water from the home.

The restoration team then identifies what is salvageable and removes it for restoration. Removing soot and smoke means cleaning every part of the structure. It could take weeks or even months. SERVPRO uses various products, tools, and equipment to clean the home. These include abrasive powders, liquid crème cleaners, sandpaper, steel wool, and compressed air or rotary blasting equipment. Abrasive powders offer various degrees of agitation based on the product. For instance, Liquid Crème Cleaners have a mild abrasive. 

Our SERVPRO team can also check metal surfaces for signs of corrosion to mitigate or remove it. Once through with the removals, we can deodorize your home to ensure that the smoke smell is gone. Our restoration team can also pressure-wash the exterior of the house. 

Call SERVPRO of Indianapolis South at (317) 784-3008 for effective fire restoration services. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Cleaning Up Indianapolis Fire Damage with Swift Action

4/5/2023 (Permalink)

Trust SERVPRO for Indianapolis fire damage cleanup, restoration, and reconstruction all by us "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Efficiently Restores Fire Damage

Cleaning up after a fire loss incident requires a combination of dozens of processes, cutting-edge tools and products, and experienced professionals. The choice of SERVPRO for this post-disaster cleanup and recovery puts all the necessary skill sets and licensed professionals on one team arriving simultaneously to help. From immediate repairs and controlled demolition to mitigative solutions to make the environment safer, we are a full-service restoration solution to help. 

Fire Mitigation Starts Quickly

After the Indianapolis fire damage events, we push to care for the most considerable structural needs. Mitigation can involve several objectives:

  • Air Quality - We clear smoke solids and airborne contaminants with HEPA filtration equipment. 
  • Structural Integrity - We assess structural stability and remove damaged materials as needed. A structural engineer may be required for inspection.
  • Necessary Repairs - We restore utilities and perform tarping and board-up services. 
  • Content Management - We relocate at-risk contents and then clean/restore them. 
  • Debris - We clean up heaped debris and buildup in the house that amplifies soot particles and smoke odors. 

Soot Fire Damage Cleanup Products

Soot gets created by partial combustion, and many materials impacted by a fire in your home do not completely burn. Thick and formidable residues and soil deposits require different cleaning and restoration approaches. Smoke damage types can impact the chosen products and techniques for eliminating smoke solids. Some of the preferred methods include:

  • Detergents – These cleaners are used to emulsify soils from the surface. Much like oil separates from water, emulsification causes soot particles to repel from the underlying substrate. 
  • Solvents – Solvents use similar substances to break down and remove soil deposits by dissolving them. 
  • Media Blasting – This technique is more aggressive by using pressurized air or dry ice pellets but effective when SERVPRO technicians attempt to preserve the material underneath the soot. 
  • Alkaline Cleaners – Acidic deposits are common after a fire, and alkaline surface cleaning neutralizes the corrosiveness of these smoke solids, primarily targeted for metal and glass belongings and assemblies.

Removing Malodors after Fire Damage

Post-fire odors are one of the more significant challenges that professionals face during cleanup and recovery. Combustion involves many material types, some of which create offensive odors that overwhelm areas of your house. The objective of our restoration professionals is to neutralize these malodors completely, which begins by reducing their strength with counteractant products and fogging machines. Removing harsh smells involves air scrubbing, hydroxyl machines, and even ozone production if the house occupants are relocated.

Large Loss Fire Recovery Services

There are thousands of businesses throughout Marion County, so as much as we are there for the residential fire cleanup, we also have suitable equipment and training to manage Large Loss events. Our effectiveness in this approach hinges on our trailered equipment like desiccant dehumidifiers and generators, and our advanced training in the latest techniques and strategies to make it "Like it never even happened" for area businesses.

Are Fire Damage Repairs Necessary?

There are many situations where repairs and build-back services will be needed after disasters. Even minor kitchen flare-ups can leave areas like wall systems, cabinets, and countertops permanently damaged and requiring replacement. With General Contractor License #: GL2000109 and years of experience, we can transition to these build-back services as necessary during post-fire recovery. This includes the initially controlled demolition and board-up services our SERVPRO team conducts during the vital mitigation efforts after first responders clear the property for entry.

Indianapolis fire damage can happen in many ways and impact properties in varying levels of severity. As a trusted insurance vendor for the city's close to 900,000 residents, Marion County depends on SERVPRO of Indianapolis South to help. Our 24/7 availability ensures that the Green Fleet is mobile and rolling out to help as soon as we can safely enter a fire-damaged structure. Call us anytime at (317) 784-3008.

Understanding the Conditions of Indianapolis Water Damage Events

4/5/2023 (Permalink)

Turn to the SERVPRO professionals for water damage mitigation for your Indianapolis property. Our training and experience make a difference.

We Help with Water Damage Mitigation and Cleanup

Water emergencies make up the bulk of the service calls our SERVPRO professionals undertake. In a city of nearly 900,000, these calls are frequent and unpredictable. Each situation is unique, so we must keep skilled technicians available to mobilize when disasters strike. Our prompt arrival ensures that mitigation and emergency services begin as soon as possible.

Because Indianapolis water damage can happen in many ways, the condition and needs of the structure are likely to change considerably from one home to the next. We dispatch experienced professionals to address these concerns, having our roster accredited through the IICRC in several fields relevant to water recovery and cleanup. These can include:

Expected Types of Water Damage

Disasters happen every day in Indy, so we must stay ahead of how water impacts homes and businesses and what to do in response to these occurrences. From the initial exposure to building materials to water getting pulled into porous elements, our understanding of the scope of the work can have corrective measures started immediately.

  • Standing Water – This is the pooling of water on the floors of a home before absorption or migration through porous material begins. 
  • Absorbed Moisture – The stage where porous building materials have begun to become penetrated by standing water or moisture exposure. Water is still able to be removed at this stage with special equipment. 
  • Trapped Water – Bound water describes the bonding of water to the molecular structure of building materials. This chemical process causes warping, bloating, and deterioration.

Usual Causes for Water Damage Events

Knowing how water emergencies can impact a home can help you recognize a situation that will get out of hand for DIY cleanup. Adverse conditions after water exposure lead to mold development and structural deterioration when not promptly addressed. Some common causes of this type of damage in a home or business include:

  • Fixture or Plumbing Leaks
  • Damaged Appliances
  • Human Error
  • Flood Damages 

Effective Water Mitigation

Our team's earliest action is vital in protecting the property and its contents from unnecessary harm. Mitigation starts with emergency services like content relocation and controlled demolition. Having a team qualified for restoration and repairs makes earlier mitigation solutions faster and more seamless.

Among the most necessary mitigative steps is the removal of standing water. Pooling is a hazard to your home, and prolonged exposure can lead to these affected elements becoming unsalvageable. Our SERVPRO team utilizes a combination of pumps and vacuums to manage surface water and limit absorption into the exposed flooring, baseboards, and wall assemblies.

Thorough Drying Approaches for Homes

Drying is the centerpiece of water damage restoration and recovery services. We can do more to protect contents and furniture because we have multiple methods of manipulating drying principles like temperature, airflow, and humidity to remove moisture and damp pockets from the house efficiently. The drying process is intricate and involves dozens of tools for even a small work area. The complete removal of water combines several methods:

  • Surface Drying
  • Air Infusion
  • Capillary Suction 
  • Absorption

When you notice water damage in your Indianapolis home, there is a limited window of restoration time before irreparable harm results. Because we have our SERVPRO of Indianapolis South team ready to respond quickly to these emergencies as they happen, we have qualified technicians to protect what matters most. Give us a call now at (317) 784-3008. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

When To Act on Indianapolis Mold Damage Threats

4/5/2023 (Permalink)

Indianapolis property owners rely on SERVPRO for efficient mold remediation and build back, "Like it never even happened."

We Offer Effective Mold Damage Removal for Homes

Mold is not one of the disasters or events to your residence that are as widely accepted as ruinous and destructive as fires, flooding, and water damage. Mold is a more invasive and widespread threat to a property, especially when it goes undetected for days or weeks. Homes contending with mold growth battle:

  • Structural damage
  • Continual spread of spores
  • Moisture concerns
  • Strong malodors

Indianapolis mold damage events threaten the structure, so homeowners should prioritize quick action. Our professionals have extensive experience in mold removal and accreditation from the IICRC and NORMI as remediation specialists. We are ready to mobilize when you need mitigation and mold removal with pre-stocked Green Fleet service vehicles.

Causes of Mold Damage to Homes

Homeowners do not always recognize the number of potential pathways mold organisms has to grow and thrive in your home's interior environment. Moisture is among the chief needs of spores to develop colonies, which can happen in several ways:

  • Leaks
  • Humidity
  • Unresolved water damage
  • Flooding

How Do You Identify Mold Damage?

Finding active colonies in your home is not always a challenge, though organisms can appear prevalently in unseen areas of the house. Wall cavities contending with a leak, for instance, may take a while for the mold colonies to surface in the living space visibly. Without physical spotting to indicate mold colonization, homeowners can rely on signs like persistent dampness in an area, musty odors, and structural deterioration to determine where an inspection could be helpful.

Surface Treatment for New Colonies

Surface cleaning is the least invasive of the cleaning and restoration approaches when mold removal is necessary. Damage to hosting materials can be prevented when colonies get discovered early and inhibiting products, antimicrobial solutions, and sporicidal cleaners are used in the structure. With the inhibiting properties, surface treatment is also effective in limiting the spread of active spores to new house areas.

Abrasive Cleaning Approaches for Mold

When surface treatments are not preferable or deemed inefficient, more aggressive and abrasive cleaning options get chosen. Blasting is often one of the preferred avenues in this more direct remediation solution. This remediation method puts media like corn cobs, sodium bicarbonate, or other abrasives under pressurized air to destroy active colonies on the surface of hosting materials and just beneath the outermost layer.

Will Odors Dissipate Naturally?

Odors are a typical product of active colonization, making it one of the effects that our responding technicians must address. Malodors are often one of the final hurdles in the remediation process, but they are substantial in the household. Counteractant products like slow-release gels and surface cleaning can reduce the strength of these musty smells. But ULV ultra-light volume fogging, hydroxyl generators, HEPA-filtered air scrubbers, and other deodorization tools finalize the approach.

Who Completes Mold Damage Repairs?

With hundreds of thousands of homes in Marion County alone, scheduling multiple companies to complete remediation and subsequent repairs could stretch a project out longer than necessary. Our General Contractor License #: GL2000109 is one of the advantages of looking to SERVPRO to help after mold and microbial growth. Our experience in this area lets us complete the needed build-back services, repairs, and even controlled demolition necessary to navigate mold remediation effectively.

Indianapolis mold damage incidents are more frequent than most realize. Moisture in areas like the basement or attic can quickly develop into intrusive and damaging colonies that require professional remediation to resolve.

Our experienced SERVPRO of Indianapolis South AMRT-Certified technicians are ready to help when you discover mold in your home. Call now at (317) 784-3008.

Water Restoration Removes Floodwater from Indianapolis Basements

4/4/2023 (Permalink)

All you need is SERVPRO for all your storm damage needs. Call (317) 784-3008.

Our Efficient Water Restoration Solutions 

Water can be introduced to your home in several ways following severe weather. Understanding the urgency of extraction and cleanup, our SERVPRO professionals provide efficient mitigation solutions to help. 

How A Storm Can Damage Your Basement 

Water restoration for your Indianapolis basement becomes a vital need after a storm. You can deal with structural woes and substantial volumes of standing water based on instances like flash flooding or freezing conditions.

Removing Standing Water 

One of the significant obstacles to helping your flooded basement is removing the standing water threat. Water can easily make its way to the lowest level of your home and become trapped there without appropriate drainage installed. We have several types of pumps and vacuums to clear the pooling water from the flooring so that drying can begin. Extraction units must be able to handle the following:

  • Debris
  • Contaminants 
  • High Volumes of Water

Drying Non-Porous Materials 

Several non-porous materials get used in the construction of your basement, like concrete and masonry units. While these can be influenced by the presence of water with contaminants, we can also dry and clean them. These foundational elements create a clean and stable base for reconstructing portions of the property that were removed for contamination concerns.

Repairs Needed After Storm Damage 

We have experienced professionals certified and licensed to complete build-back services. Repairs are inevitable in the restoration of a flooded or storm-damaged basement. We work with controlled demolition and repairs from the earliest stages to secure the structure. These same professionals will complete the final steps to rebuild removed portions of your finished basement to their original look. 


Storms can cause considerable damage in the basement of your house. We know the short timeline to preserve some of the materials, making our fast response critical to help. When your home suffers the effects of a storm, call SERVPRO of Indianapolis South at (317) 784-3008.

After the Storm: Swift Water Cleanup in Indianapolis

3/3/2023 (Permalink)

Air movers expedite the drying process after a water-damaging event in Indianapolis. Faulty appliances or storms, we restore.

SERVPRO Expedites Water Cleanup Quickly

When your life is turned upside down, SERVPRO can expedite water cleanup quickly in Indianapolis. Our mentality is to restore rather than replace your precious property if possible. Once we are at the cleanup stage, the worst of the process is over. We can now concentrate on restoring your home to its pre-damaged condition.

SERVPRO teams provide thorough water cleanup in Indianapolis to get your life back on track. Our goal is to restore the contents of your home and save you the costly expense of replacing items. Cleanup can include:

  • Dry Cleaning
  • Spray & Wipe
  • Abrasive Cleaning
  • Wet Cleaning
  • Immersion Cleaning

Our experienced team will also sanitize with antimicrobial and antibacterial treatment. We want to ensure your home is safe and up to Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards. We realize that the experience can be not only stressful but also emotional. SERVPRO team members work quickly to make the process as stress-free as possible.

Our technicians treat your belongings with the ultimate care because we know how precious and irreplaceable the contents of your life are. SERVPRO works to make you whole again.

Rest assured, we can handle every step of the process, including disposing of unsalvageable refuse. We can also work to remove the unseeable, unmistakable odors accompanying any water event. We use industrial equipment, such as thermal foggers and air scrubbers, that remove odors over simply masking them with less than effective methods.

When you need water cleanup in Indianapolis, you need it fast. Water damage waits for no one, and we know time is of the essence. You need to reach out to SERVPRO of Indianapolis South at (317) 784-3008 for fast, reliable service you can count on to make it "Like it never happened.

Faster Water Removal Can Keep a Business Running in Indianapolis

2/2/2023 (Permalink)

These air movers are just some of the equipment we have available to restore the water damage at your business.

Water Removal Services Improve a Shop's Recovery

Watching a small flood of water wash over your feet when you open the door to your shop is never something you want to experience. But if you ever do, call SERVPRO for the water removal services you need. We can help you stay open, continuing to serve your Indianapolis area customers.

SERVPRO teams provide businesses in Indianapolis with emergency water removal services, helping keep businesses from closing their doors and inconveniencing their customers.

We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. Here are some reasons why SERVPRO's goal is always to be faster:

  • Water continually spreads to fill its container,
  • Water damage continues on its own timeline, and
  • Prevention is better than reacting.

When you pour it into a container, water will spread out to fill as much of the space as possible, which is true of your shop. If the water from a broken water line is pouring out onto your floor, it cannot go anywhere to escape and will only continue to rise higher. You need to get it pumped out, and SERVPRO has the extraction system to get it done fast and efficiently.

Water continually causes additional and worsening damage the longer it sits within an establishment. Removing the water is the first step to getting things dry and restoring your business. We have the tools to remove water from inside recessed areas, interior spaces of walls, and other places, instead of waiting for it to drain on its own or slowly air dry.

We invite area businesses to participate in our free program by creating an Emergency Ready Profile Plan (ERP.) You can call the number below and ask for more information. However, we want you to know now that this program has significantly increased the likelihood of a business recovering instead of permanently closing its doors following a disaster.

Call SERVPRO of Indianapolis South at (317) 784-3008 for a faster response to your business's disaster.

Why SERVPRO Uses Plastic During Mold Damage Work in Indianapolis

1/8/2023 (Permalink)

Finding mold damage in your home can often cause panic. Call in the SERVPRO experts to guide you through the situation.

Mold Damage Spreads, but We Can Protect Your Home

When our technicians carry out restorative work or make repairs, specific protocols ensure our Indianapolis customers always receive consistent results. Mold damage spreads easily because the individual mold particles or spores can get carried around on moving objects and air currents.

The minute SERVPRO begins working toward repairing the mold damage inside your Indianapolis home, we start protecting everything from additional harm. We use several different ways to reduce the spread of microbes. If they cannot reach other areas, they cannot destroy additional areas.

We use different things to maintain control over the microbial population inside your home. Some of these measures include:

  • Plastic sheeting,
  • Blue tape,
  • Air scrubbing machines, and
  • Anti-microbials.

Clear plastic sheets do the same thing black plastic garbage bags do – keep stuff contained. However, we want to be able to see through the sheeting we use inside your home as we work. We create pathways from panels of poly sheeting so we can control how the air flows outside of your home. Sometimes we need to connect one 'room' to another 'room' by tunnels (sometimes rigged from flat lay rolls). We seal off doorways and windows.

All of that plastic sheeting requires attachment points to walls and ceilings. We don't want to damage any paint, paneling, or wallpaper. We always use blue tape because it does not mar surfaces or leave any residue. It is also very easy to see when we are removing everything.

Air scrubbing machines power the airflow needed to keep suspended particles moving out of your home. These machines also trap any microbes pulled into the system.

Our anti-microbial agents work in two ways – trapping and killing mold particles and spores and creating a hostile environment that keeps microbes like fungi from ever taking hold.

SERVPRO of Indianapolis South is always available to help homeowners with mold damage. Call us at (317) 784-3008 for expertly trained professionals to restore your residence, so it's "Like it never even happened." 

Indianapolis Residents Don’t Have to Tackle Fire Cleanup Alone

12/4/2022 (Permalink)

The aftermath of a fire can oftentimes feel quite overwhelming. Call SERVPRO to help. Our technicians are standing by 24/7 for your call.

Call SERVPRO in Indianapolis for Reliable Fire Damage Restoration

Once a fire is extinguished, and the first responders on your Indianapolis property say it is safe to enter, the restoration process should start as quickly as possible. A common mistake people make is moving through their property to look through charred debris while taking in the damage. However, this can lead to soil tracking in unaffected zones and compound the damage. SERVPRO is available 24/7 to help with fire damage restoration, so you get results quickly and have less stress and worry on your mind.

Mitigation is essential during the fire damage restoration process in Indianapolis. SERVPRO works to contain conditions, thus limiting harm to your contents and overall structure. We feature skilled IICRC-certified fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) that understand how to begin assessing and planning your customized project, so you have the results you deserve.

We look at all disrupted areas of your property

Water damage from putting out the flames and factors of the fire itself is crucial during our assessment and planning process. Slow-burning fires often produce a sticky residue that smears, while a hot, fast-burning fire will put out a powdery soot. Materials burned are also a factor and help us select the best methods for cleaning and removing residues. Some of the easier building materials to clean and restore after a fire will include:

  • Vinyl flooring and coatings
  • Tiles and polished concrete
  • Synthetics and items with smooth surfaces

We have technicians dedicated to content cleaning who take the time to identify and log all items for cleaning to create a chain of custody. Unsalvageable items are also logged before safe disposal. Once items are thoroughly cleaned and restored, they are returned to their proper places within your newly restored home or business.

The team at SERVPRO of Indianapolis South is who you want in your corner for fire damage restoration. Request help online or call us at (317) 784-3008 for an emergency response.

Plainfield Mold Remediation that Provides Professional Results

11/11/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO understands mold and provides and instructs Plainfield area individuals in mold prevention and remediation.

SERVPRO Training Mitigates Home Mold Damage

Home mold damage requires three conditions to thrive:

  • Elevated moisture levels.
  • Porous materials to feed upon.
  • Adequate temperatures for generating new spores and clusters.

General cleaning tasks can keep microbes at bay for a long time. Still, accidents can occur that allow spores to grow in places Plainfield homeowners do not expect or typically examine. When they notice the proliferation, professional mold remediation is often needed to protect and restore the property.

Home mold cleanup by Plainfield SERVPRO technicians restores affected property and addresses the structural damage that enables mold growth. Commercial grade personal protective equipment (PPE) and restoration equipment are used per restoration industry best practices for remediation, containment, furniture and carpet cleaning, and structural repairs.

What are "Normal" Mold Spore Levels in a Room? 

Because total mold removal is not possible, homeowners should stay in the know about what spore levels are considered normal for a property. This "normal" rate might differ depending on the outdoor spore population around the home, so it is best to have a professional evaluate spore density. The concentration of outdoor spores can vary between 50 and 50,000 in air sample tests depending on climate, plant growth, and precipitation levels. An arid desert climate will have lower mold damage levels than Midwestern farmland and forests.

  • The average room typically has 200-500 spores living in it at any given time
  • One room can have up to 1500 spores inside and still be considered safe to swell in so long as there are no factors present, like water damage, that would allow them to spread
  • Slightly elevated mold levels might be a concern between 1,500 and 3,000 spores, but a dusty home or HVAC system could achieve these levels easily
  • Some maintenance tasks should commence for homes with spore levels above 3,000 to 10,000 spores in a room, though general tidying up and HVAC cleaning can achieve this in many cases
  • Professional mold remediation is a must at over 25,000 spores in a room. Microbes should be easily identifiable by sight or smell. This proves especially true in areas with 75,000 or more spores

Mold proliferation in a home is typically driven by excess moisture. To reduce indoor air humidity, leaks, and spills must be addressed. We have the training and the devices to ensure the RH within the living space is at a standard level.

SERVPRO Training Resources for Mold Mitigation Technicians and Staff

Because mold damage is typically a secondary result of another disaster like fire or water damage, SERVPRO technicians are trained in the following disciplines along with their Initial Crew Training:

  • Understanding IICRC standards for restoration industry technicians
  • Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
  • Fire Restoration
  • Water Restoration

Technicians who wish to broaden their education, specialize in specific restoration disciplines, or stay updated on industry guidelines can learn more with self-paced e-learning modules. These online learning opportunities include support materials, video presentations, and knowledge tests at the end of each unit.

New SERVPRO franchise owners are also trained in these industries and Mold Mitigation during an intensive 15-day course at the SERVPRO Corporate Training Facility. This comprehensive educational experience includes practical cleanup experience in the Corporate Training House, which is designed to weather many disaster scenarios.

Continuing education classes offer credit and noncredit opportunities for industry-adjacent professionals, like insurance claims adjusters and real estate agents, to broaden their knowledge base regarding disasters. Available courses with credit offerings include separate units on water and fire damage restoration, Understanding Mold in the Restoration Industry, Restorative Drying for Loss Control. A noncredit Mitigation Awareness Response Seminar is also available for professionals to attend.

SERVPRO of Hendricks County restoration professionals can remediate mold damage "Like it never even happened." Call (317) 838-0100.