When Time Matters, Technology and Equipment Must be Counted On To Perform

1/6/2020 (Permalink)

THE TOOLS WE USE

At SERVPRO of Milwaukee North, helping our customers and returning water and/or fire-damaged areas and items to their preloss condition is our number one priority. To do this, SERVPRO of Milwaukee North understands that using the proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing claims loss expense. When time matters, technology, and equipment must be counted on to perform. With that in mind, we will take you through a behind-the-scenes look at some of the tools we use to help get your property and structure to its preloss condition. Each machine and piece of equipment has a crucial role in the restoration process. Every SERVPRO of Milwaukee North Restoration Technicians is trained to use each piece of equipment to its highest potential. Here are a few of our most commonly seen and used machines and their purpose.

PORTABLE EXTRACTORS: Extractors are used for cleaning carpets, cleaning upholstery, and removing water from floors after a water loss. An extractor has three major components: a heater, a pump, and a vacuum system. Restoration Technicians use this machine for variable heat-controlled cleaning, including to heat the rinse solutions to clean more effectively. The vacuum system and waste recovery tank remove soils and moisture from the surface and collects it in the reservoir. With this machine, we can expedite the removal of water and humidity from damaged materials and textiles to help restore it to preloss conditions. In doing this, the potential of having to replace contents or belongings is lowered.

THE OZONE GENERATOR: The portable ozone generator eliminates a variety of odors caused by animals, cigarette smoke, mold and mildew, fire, and water damage. This machine generates "ozone," which consists of unstable oxygen molecules (containing three oxygen atoms). Ozone chemically reacts with odor-causing molecules to oxidize residues and remove the odors. When using this piece of equipment, we follow the necessary guidelines. People and pets need to evacuate from the environment during the ozone process for health and safety reasons. Once the deodorization process is complete, ozone quickly reverts to the typical oxygen molecule, leaving no residues. Once the odor is gone, the results are permanent. One of the features of the ozone generator is that it is made to be compact and portable, yet also be a durable and professional unit.

WEARING AND FIT CHECKING OUR RESPIRATORS: Safety for not only our Technicians but also our customers is a priority at SERVPRO. We enforce that respirators must be worn during all times by our technicians during exposure to hazardous situations. Our crews wear their respirators to be safe. If we are using respirators, we inform customers in the general area of this and advise them with the necessary precautions associated with the work going on for their safety.

DEHUMIDIFICATION EQUIPMENT:  

The dehumidification process increases the rate of evaporation by removing water vapor from the air. Our Restoration Technicians position dehumidifiers strategically in a water-damaged structure, so the moist, humid air moves through the unit while dry, warm air is discharged. Did you know that dry air acts like a sponge to absorb moisture from wet materials? Since it does, we use the dehumidifiers, primarily because it provides a continual source of dry air to enhance the restoration process. We use small commercial refrigerant-dehumidifiers because it removes approximately 8 gallons of water per day from the atmosphere. An extra-large industrial refrigerant could remove as much as 20 gallons per day.

AIR MOVING EQUIPMENT: Air movers are used in water damage restoration to enhance evaporation at the surface level and reduce drying time. These machines introduce airflow at the surface level and replace the highly saturated air with drier air to enhance dissipation. Our crew is required to complete the "science of drying" coursework. This coursework teaches them how many air movers they will need and how to position them to create airflow across all wet surfaces. In some cases, when the lower portion of multiple walls are saturated, many air movers are placed to create a vortex of circular airflow around the walls. Our technicians operate the air movers in several different positions, offering flexibility in how to direct the airflow with the best possible outcome. 

TRUCK MOUNT EXTRACTOR: A truck-mounted extraction unit consists of several smaller components, which work together to make one of the best pieces of cleaning equipment in the industry. The pieces are made up of the engine, the vacuum, the chemical pump, the water pump, and the heating system. The heated chemical pumping system, along with the vacuum extraction tool, remove various soils and pressurizes the water used for cleaning. Due to the required training of this equipment, our technicians know the specific environment needed for this piece of machinery to work and how to maintain it appropriately for health and safety reasons. 

The SERVPRO® Equipment Department tests all equipment, including the truck mount, before putting the items in the product line. To provide the best service to our customers, we must know how the truck mount works, how to set up and maintain the unit, how to use it safely, how to clean the vehicle interior, unit, tools, hoses, and so forth as needed, and how to inspect all equipment and accessories for any damage, leaks, or wear.

There are many other devices and accessories we use, but for today's behind-the-scenes look, these are some our most commonly used pieces of equipment. The use of these devices helps us get your water or fire disaster back to its preloss condition. SERVPRO of Milwaukee North is always here to help!

When fire and water take control of your life, we help you take it back. Our goal is to make it… "Like it never even happened."