Preserving the Past: Restoring the Treasures of Kualoa Ranch - A Journey of Restoration for a Damaged Historic Home in Hawaii. 

5/31/2023 (Permalink)

A restoration project of a historic home located in Kualoa Ranch, Oahu, Hawaii.

In the heart of Kualoa Ranch on the captivating island of Oahu, a historic home was recently wounded by an unexpected force. A car, driven by fate and circumstances beyond anyone’s control, crashed into its sturdy wall, leaving behind a trail of damage and repair. Luckily, the family inside the home was not in the living room at the time of the crash, as coral rocks from the broken wall shattered several windows. 

Shortly after the incident, the homeowners insurance company contacted SERVPRO of Kailua to conduct an inspection to assess the damage for the restoration of the home. SERVPRO of Kailua completed an inspection and estimate of repairs for the project and after a few weeks was able to assemble a team to rebuild the Coral Wall and replace the 80 year old windows that were damaged.

Restoration of Historical Homes in Hawaii

Homes in Kualoa Ranch, located on the island of Oahu, possess a unique architectural feature, and a challenge for restoring this home-they are made of coral. Historically, the Hawaiians would harvest large pieces of coal from the reefs and transport them to the construction site. These coral blocks were then carefully arranged and interlocked to form the walls of the homes. Skillful craftsmanship involved in fitting the irregular shaped coral pieces together allowed for the creation of structurally sound walls that could withstand the test of time. 

The use of coral as a building material offered several advantages. Firstly, coral was abundant in the region, making it an easily accessible resource for construction. Secondly, its natural composition provided excellent insulation, keeping the interiors cool in the tropical climate and reducing the need for additional cooling mechanisms. Additionally, coral proved to be highly durable and resistant to pests, making it an ideal material for the construction of long-lasting homes. 

Although coral was widely used in the construction of historic homes in Kualoa Ranch, it is important to note that the harvesting of coral from reefs is now strictly regulated to protect the fragile marine ecosystem. The coral-built homes at Kualoa Ranch stand as a reminder of the ingenious methods employed by ancient Hawaiians to adapt and thrive in their environment. 

Restoration of a historic home in Hawaii, requires a meticulous and specialized approach to ensure the preservation of its historical integrity. Here is a step-by-step process for reconstruction of a coral built wall: 

1. Assessment and Documentation:
   • Thoroughly assess the current condition of the damaged coral wall. Identify areas that require repair or replacement and document the original design and arrangement of the coral blocks to guide the restoration process. 
2. Gather Materials:
• Source coral blocks from authorized suppliers who adhere to sustainable harvesting practices or obtain coral blocks from salvaged or reclaimed sources. Ensure compliance with local regulations and consult with experts in historic preservation to ensure authenticity and cultural sensitivity. 
3. Site Preparation: 
• Clear the damaged wall and create a safe and accessible work environment. Remove any debris, vegetation, or unstable elements that may hinder the restoration process. 
4. Disassembly:
• Carefully disassemble the damaged portions of the wall, taking note of the original positioning and interlocking patterns of the coral blocks. Label and store the salvaged coral blocks or future use. 
5. Cleaning and Sorting: 
• Clean the salvaged blocks using non-abrasive methods, such as gentle brushing or rinsing with water. Sort the blocks, ensuring they match the original aesthetics of the wall. 
6. Foundation Preparation: 
• Prepare a solid and level foundation to support the reconstructed wall. Ensure proper drainage and consider incorporating appropriate structural reinforcement techniques, if necessary. 
7. Rebuilding: 
• Begin rebuilding the wall by carefully placing the coral blocks in their original patterns. Use traditional techniques, such as coral mortal or lime-base mortar, to bind the blocks together, maintaining the historic authenticity of the construction. 
8. Mortar Application:
• Apply the mortar mixture between the coral blocks, taking care not to disrupt the original design. 
9. Finishing Touches: 
• Smooth the mortar joints to match the texture and appearance of the original wall. Take care to recreate any decorative elements or architectural details present in the original design. 

It is crucial to involve professionals experienced in historic preservation and restoration in Hawaii to oversee the rebuilding process. Their expertise in reconstruction and adherence to cultural and historical sensitivities will contribute to the successful restoration of the historic homes and structures in Hawaii, preserving its significance for generations to come. 

What Steps Can I Take If My Home in Kailua Floods?

10/17/2022 (Permalink)

We restore storm damage 24-hours a day in Honolulu County.

Aloha! Our local team in Kailua restores storm and flooding damage every year in Kailua. Here are some tips from our website on things you can do while waiting for help to arrive:

1. Stop the Source

When water flow is current, stop the water supply to the direct source. If you cannot shut off the direct source, shut off your home's water main. In the case you are unaware of where your water shut-off is, call the Board of Water Supply, and they can direct and inform you of where your water shut-off is. 

Call a plumber if you cannot stop the water flow. 

2. Call Our Kailua Office

Call Us! We offer our services 24 hours a day and will dispatch an emergency technician to begin the mitigation process. 

3. Call Your Insurance Carrier

Call your insurance carrier and get your insurance claim number. With your insurance claim number, we can work with your insurance company throughout the mitigation process of your home.

4. Prevent Further Damage

To prevent any further damage to your home:

• Remove any rugs to prevent bleeding
• Place tin foil or wax paper between furniture and wet carpet

Call Us Today!

When your Kailua home or commercial business has storm damage, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Halloween Safety Tips for Children and Families in Kailua?

10/11/2022 (Permalink)

We are leaders in fire damage restoration services in Honolulu County!

Aloha! Our local team in Kailua wants everyone to have a safe and fire-damage-free Halloween celebration this year. Here are some Halloween trick-or-treating safety tips for children from Farmers Insurance:

Walking with Children (Keiki)

• Know your surroundings - do not trick-or-treat in unfamiliar areas. It's safer near your neighbors!
• Street safety - remember to always cross at designated crosswalks and to wait until the light is green if you're standing at a traffic light. Cars may not be able to see you if it is evening time.
• Costume care - it's important to remember to check your keiki's costumes. It's ideal for the outfit to fit comfortably and not be lengthy (to avoid tripping).
• Stay distanced - to ensure safety, don't forget to social distance and remember to respect other trick-or-treaters' space.
• Bring a flashlight - don't forget to pack a flashlight so that you can see unlit areas and objects that are hard to see at dusk.
• No running! - running to a designated area can cause an accident. Prevent any scrapes, bruises, and spilled candy by walking.

Call Us!

When your Kailua home or commercial business has fire damage, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

My Kitchen Flooded in Laie, Now What Should I Do?

10/3/2022 (Permalink)

We are leaders in water damage restoration services in Honolulu County!

Aloha! When you discover water damage in your Laie home or business, the first step is to call us. Our local team in Kailua is on standby 24-hours a day to respond to your call for help. Water is invasive and can cause severe damage in as little as one to two hours. Fast action is necessary to avoid further damage and more costly and time-consuming repairs.

When you call, we will ask you questions regarding the nature of your water damage emergency. These questions will tell us how many people and what equipment and resources to bring.

Here are the questions we will ask:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

Water Damage Restoration Process

Step 1: Emergency Contact

Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment

Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction

Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification

Step 5: Cleaning and Repair

Step 6: Restoration

Call Us Today!

When your Laie home or commercial business has a water damage emergency, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Very Happy Water Damage Customers in Kailua?

9/27/2022 (Permalink)

We aim for gold stars from all of our valued customers in Honolulu County!

Aloha! Our local Kailua team restores water damage “Like it never even happened.” No job is too big for us, as we have the training, equipment, and experience to return any water damage to preloss condition quickly and efficiently. Here are some recent Google reviews that say it all!

“We were fortunate to have Zai, Roger, and their whole team. We were impressed with their efficiency, professionalism, friendliness, and their “we can do it” attitude. Zai’s ability to multitask and stay on top of things amazed me, always informing us what was happening. We appreciated their work ethic and their determination to complete each day’s tasks and always cleaning up. They patiently listened to our needs & gave great suggestions. They were always positive and cheerful.” Lei Hi

Services: Flooring, Plumbing, Painting, Remodeling, Water damage-related cleanup & repair

Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

“Zai and her team were great! She is always quick to answer my questions and is very helpful! Easy to work with, finished the job fast, and the house looks better before damaged! They cleaned up after their mess and painted my walls which was a plus! I would recommend them!” Janette Valdez

Services: Mold damage restoration, Water damage-related cleanup & repair, Water damage-related mold removal

Call Us Today!

When your Kailua home or business has a water damage emergency, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Our technicians are on call 24-hours a day to respond to water damage emergencies. Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Rain Causes Water Damage in Kailua Home?

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

We use industrial-grade equipment to remove water from homes in Honolulu County quickly.

Aloha! Our local Kailua team has been restoring storm and flooding damage for Kailua locals for years. Our fast emergency response time saves our customers time and money. We use powerful, industrial-grade water extraction and drying equipment to quickly pull the water out of the structure. Here are some examples of the equipment we use:

Moisture Detection and Measurement

• Surface moisture meters
• Infrared imagery
• Evasive moisture detectors
• Video borescope

Water Extraction Equipment

We use powerful extraction equipment to speed the drying process by removing the bulk of the water from your home or business.

• Submersible and gas-powered pumps for continuous pumping of high-level water
• Truck-mounted and portable extraction units perform efficient water removal

Drying Equipment

We use industrial-strength air movers and dehumidifiers to remove the remaining moisture from ceilings, walls, and floors. Proper drying helps to prevent swelling and warping of floors, walls, and furniture.

• High-speed air movers cause moisture to evaporate at a faster pace
• Industrial grade dehumidifiers pull the water vapor from the air

Call Us Today!

Storm damage can happen at any time of the day or night. When your Kailua home or commercial business has storm damage, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Our technicians are on-call to respond to storm damage emergencies 24-hours a day. Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

How Will My Smoke Damage Be Restored in my Kokokahi Home?

9/9/2022 (Permalink)

We use many methods to clean and restore smoke damage in Honolulu County.

Aloha! Our local Kailua team uses several methods to remove smoke damage from structures in Kokokahi. Every fire has a unique signature comprised of the items that burned during the fire. Here are some examples of the kinds of equipment we may use:

Air Scrubber or Filter

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning system (HVAC) air scrubber, or a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) air purifier can capture larger smoke molecules. There will still be some residual odor from smaller molecules or surface residues.

Ozone Generator

An ozone generator is a fast and highly effective smoke odor restoration method. These machines emit ozone, which follows the same paths through the air as smoke and oxidizes any residual traces in the air or on surfaces.

Thermal Fogging

Thermal fogging is an intensive treatment involving fogging machines. After residents evacuate, smoke cleaning professionals fill a structure with petroleum distillates that neutralize odors and ventilate the area.

Hydroxyl Generator

A hydroxyl generator is a slower and gentler alternative to ozone. These machines rely on ultraviolet light to generate hydroxyl radicals that eliminate smoke odors. It will take about three to five days of continuous operation to achieve the same results as a single ozone treatment.

Vapor Modification

Vapor modification is another odor elimination method that relies on aromatic compounds and a blower or fan to neutralize smoke odor

Call Us Today!

When your Kokokahi home or commercial business has smoke damage, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

How to cleanup after a flood

9/8/2022 (Permalink)

Water damaged home from flooding

When a disaster occurs, it's hard to know where to start. Many times after a major flood damage, your first thought may be to start cleaning things up. 

It's important to "first", find out your options. There may be insurance coverage or flood cleanup help that is available to you. And sometimes it can take time. And whether you hire a flood cleanup company or not, they can be a great resource for help. 

Initial Safety Inspection

Your first priority is your safety. It's a very normal reaction to want to start cleaning up. For a flood damage, many times homes or structures may contain sewage damage. 

During a flood water levels rise. They overwhelm the local sewers. The raw sewage contaminates the water, which then contaminates the homes and structures that it floods. 

If you don't know how to assess the safety of your home, your local flood cleanup company can help.

Flood Cleanup Insurance 

In some parts of the US, there are high-risk flood areas that already need flood insurance. Find out from your insurance provider if you have any coverage for your property for a flood. 

One thing to note if you in-fact do have flood insurance coverage is to find out what the flood insurance covers. Many time it is not all-inclusive. Meaning, you may only receive help for part of what needs to be repaired on your property.  

It's important to know this if you decide to hire a flood cleanup company.  You don't want to be stuck with a bill for more than what your insurance will cover you for. 

Removing Contents to Discard or Salvage  

As mold can grow within 24 hours, it’s important to work quickly when removing your belongings. It’s also important to note that long term flooding will likely ruin most contents. Rescue your most valuable items, but never at the expense of your own safety. 

• Remove all furniture and contents to allow for cleanup of the structure. Solid wood and metal furniture may be salvageable.
• Saturated mattresses and furniture should be discarded.
• Carpet, padding and drywall should always be replaced as well as rugs. 
• Most food products should be discarded. Sealed and canned goods may be cleaned and salvaged.
• Photos and important papers can be frozen within plastic bags in a frost-free freezer until there is time to thaw and clean them, perhaps by a professional.
• Flooded appliances will need to be inspected by a professional before use.
• Any material that is discarded should be kept for your insurance adjuster to inspect.

Cleaning and Drying 

Remove any mud and silt with a shovel. A garden hose can be used to wash hard surfaces. 

Once the structure is completely cleaned, dying fans and dehumidifiers can be used to correctly speed up and dry out the structure. 

Appliances that have direct exposure to sunlight may cause irreversible damage if left out too long. You can also increase the airflow with the use of drying fans which you can rent at your local hardware store. Air-dry is best for your personal belongings.

Gently clean fragile objects so as not to damage them. Use soft brushes and cloths and avoid rubbing which can cause scratches and damage. 

Focus on your most important belongings as you may not be able to salvage everything. 

During a major disaster, your local flood cleanup companies will find themselves overwhelmed. As a result out-of-state flood cleanup companies may come in for support and help. 

It is important to hire a good flood cleanup company. But how do you know a good company from a bad one? Here are the most common complaints our disaster team hears when we travel to a flood: 

• "The company I hired had a few guys come out to start the cleanup. But now, I can't get them to come back. They keep telling me tomorrow." 
• "I stayed home from work and the company I hired no-showed. I've called multiple times. I've already paid half down." 
• "I paid for a flood cleanup on my property but now there is a smell and I can't get the company that did the cleanup to come back". 

We hear these types of complaints quite often during a major disaster. At SERVPRO of Kailua we have a dedicated Storm Disaster Team. We get called in to assist our local Franchisees when they get overwhelmed after a major flood. 

We resolve issues like this by doing the following: 

• To speed up the process we assign one full crew at a time to a structure. This also helps us schedule the next property on-time as we know exactly when we'll be done.  Many times flood cleanup companies will bounce their labor crews back and forth. This only delays the completion of the project. 
• We always call in advance if there is ever a change to the schedule so you're not left waiting for someone that was never planning on showing up. 
• We are a preferred vendor for most insurance carriers nationwide. To maintain a "preferred" status we follow industry standards, local laws and city ordinances to a "T". 

What's good about hiring a flood cleanup company at SERVPRO is one, we are all locally owned and operated. And two, we are all part of a National Franchise which can offer support if there is ever an issue for work that's been performed to your home or structure.

For questions or to schedule a no-charge inspection, call us 24/7 at 808-235-5015 and one of our experience coordinators can further assist you.

How Common Is Water Damage in Kailua Homes?

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

We are leaders in water damage restoration services in Honolulu County.

Aloha! Our local team in Kailua is trained and certified to restore water damage by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the nonprofit certifying body for the cleaning and restoration industries. Here are some interesting facts about water damage claims:

The most common causes of water damage are:

• Severe weather
• Clogged gutters
• Leaking pipes
• Washing machine water supply line leaks
• Condensation from air conditioners
• Blocked drains
• Malfunctioning sprinkler systems
• Leaking water heaters

Here are some more facts about water damage:

• 14,000 people have a water damage emergency each day
• 98 percent of basements in the United States will experience some type of water damage during their lifespans
• 37 percent of homeowners in the United States claim to have suffered losses from water damage
• 5 billion is the annual cost to insurance companies from water damage and mold in the United States
• $6975 is the average cost of a home water damage insurance claim
• The average age of failed washing machine supply line hoses is 8.7 years
• 75 percent of water heaters fail before they are 12 years old

Call Us Today!

Water damage can happen at any time of the day or night in Kailua, and when it does, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

My Business in Kailua Has Mold Damage - Now What?

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

We are trusted leaders in commercial mold damage restoration in Honolulu County.

Aloha! Our local team in Kailua has been restoring mold damage for Kailua businesses for years. Our technicians are trained and certified to remediate mold following this comprehensive process:

1. Emergency Contact

We’ll ask you questions to determine the necessary equipment and resources.

2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

We follow local and state laws regarding inspection and documentation based on your unique situation.

3. Mold Containment

We may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to prevent mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.

4. Air Filtration

We utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.

5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

We use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing mold-infested porous materials may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.

6. Cleaning Contents

We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. We’re also trained to remove odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.

7. Restoration

Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet, or it may require the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Call Us Today!

When you discover a mold outbreak in your commercial business or home, our team in Kailua is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 808-235-5015. Mahalo.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.