Causes of Commercial Water Damage

5/5/2022 (Permalink)

Here are the common causes of commercial water damage:

DAMAGED WINDOWS

In commercial buildings, water damage is often caused by windows that are not properly sealed. Damaged windows can cause moisture to seep in, which triggers a lot of problems including mold build-up and warped wood and drywall. Resealing windows regularly is important as caulk can break down over time.

DAMAGED PIPES

Broken pipes can stem from many reasons, such as changes in pressure, deteriorated water supply lines and sewer drains, and cold weather (freezing temperature can cause pipes to burst). Bulging walls, water stains on walls or floors, cracked or loose tiles, and musty smell – these are all signs of damaged pipes. Detecting leaky pipes is challenging and it usually requires some specialized water leak detection equipment.

BUILDING FOUNDATION

If gutters are not cleaned regularly, they can get clogged, causing water to leak into the property through the roof or the foundation. One of the most common signs of leaks in building foundations are puddles nearby or framing that has become wet. Poor drainage systems can also lead to water damage in your foundation.

ROOF LEAKS

A leaky roof can cause ceiling damage, mold or mildew issues, fire hazards from shortened wires, and compromised structural integrity. Exposure to heavy rains and snow make roofs vulnerable to damage. Moreover, incorrect snow/ice removal can also trigger water damage in roofs.

HVAC PROBLEMS

HVAC systems work by heating or cooling the air through a series of ducts. Over time, these ducts wear out and get damaged, resulting in leaks. The HVAC system needs to be cleaned regularly and the excess water from the condensation reservoirs has to be removed to prevent water damage.

SEWER CLOGS

Sewer water contains bacteria and other pathogens that cause illnesses and infections. If you see signs of sewage damage, such as gurgling sounds or water backing up out of the drain or toilet, you should call water damage and restoration professional immediately.

SPRINKLER SYSTEM LEAKS

Other causes of water damage in commercial buildings are leaks in sprinkler systems. Signs of sprinkler leaks include wet surfaces like drywall and carpets, presence of mold and mildew, and standing water. Regularly inspect your sprinkler systems for leaks and moisture.

Commercial Water Damage Prevention

5/5/2022 (Permalink)

Taking the necessary measures to prevent water damage can save you from costly repairs and business interruption in the future. Since water damage can come from a variety of sources, it’s essential to have the building inspected regularly to prevent leaks and related issues.

CREATE A FLOOD MONITORING SYSTEM

Regardless of whether your business is located in a flood-prone area, make sure you have an efficient flood warning system in place. Flooding can result from other causes, including plumbing failures, overflowing rivers, and melting snow.

GET ENOUGH COVERAGE FOR YOUR PROPERTY

Flooding is not usually included in property insurance policies. Water damage restoration can be very expensive. Water damage insurance can help you deal with the costs if ever your property gets damaged by a flood in the future.

CONDUCT A WATER DAMAGE INSPECTION REGULARLY

Water damage prevention is a lot cheaper than restoration. To prevent water damage from getting worse, have professionals inspect your property at least once a year. Leak detection is performed in several ways, such as humidity monitoring and the use of spot sensors.

INVEST IN FACILITY MAINTENANCE

A preventative maintenance plan should help keep your commercial building safe and secure and contribute to your water leak prevention efforts. Different parts of a commercial building should be inspected at different intervals. For example, doors, windows, and gates should be checked each year for weariness while the roof can be coated every five years or so to prevent damage.

Cleaning Up After A Storm

5/1/2022 (Permalink)

Be very careful climbing ladders or working on roofs.
Use extreme caution if using a chainsaw to cut trees or branches.
Cover leaking roofs before the next rain to prevent further water damage.
Remove wet rugs and carpet from floors.
Open windows and run fans if you have water damage in your home.

How Does Water Damage Homes?

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage is not always the result of dramatic events like hurricanes and floods. Homes often are ruined by pinhole-sized leaks in pipes, poorly graded soil, blocked gutters, or a sump pump that refuses to turn on. Much water damage results from easily curable flaws that most do-it-yourselfers can fix well in advance of a problem.

Water damage in a house can be truly disastrous. Left unchecked, even a slow leak will rot out drywall and studs, create black mold, and eventually weaken major structural elements like joists and beams. Stopping leaks before that first drop of water starts is the best way to prevent water damage.

Financially, water damage can affect your bank account, as well. Homeowners insurance may cover much of the cost of repairs. Even so, deductibles and coverage limits mean that homeowners will still need to pay out-of-pocket for repairs. A better solution is to address potential problems well in advance.

Why Commercial Property Owners Should Have Insurance

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial property is any piece of real estate dedicated to business activities. This means that the commercial property you own is really valuable, as it represents your livelihood and the livelihood of your employees. This is the biggest and most important reason to purchase insurance for your commercial property, because if something were to happen to it or the physical assets inside were lost, the business could suffer major, if not devastating, losses. While you may take other steps to secure the premises from property damage, this security is never truly a guarantee. For these reasons, it makes good business sense to purchase commercial property insurance as a safeguard.

But what does this type of insurance actually cover? There are a few types of damage to commercial property that are quite common. These may or may not be a part of your commercial property insurance policy, since some types of coverage are optional and come with an additional price tag. For example, damage caused by earthquakes or floods isn't typically included in a standard commercial property insurance policy, although this may vary by geographical area.

The five most common types of commercial property damage claims consist of burglary and theft, storm damage, fire damage, window damage, and roof damage. Below, we discuss each of these types of claims and if commercial property insurance companies typically approve them.

Burglary and Theft

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial property is a frequent target of burglary, vandalism, and theft for a few reasons. First, since these buildings or locations are used for business operations, commercial properties typically house valuable assets and equipment. Further, since commercial property is often largely uninhabited after business hours, these buildings and commercial areas are relatively easy targets for mischief.

Unfortunately, insurance companies often deny theft and burglary claims. This is because it can be difficult to prove that a break-in occurred, that certain items were stolen, or the value of the stolen items.

Storm Damage

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

Storm destruction is a common and particularly devastating cause of commercial property damage. Powerful storms can cause power outages, knock down trees, break windows, damage inventory or machinery, blow off roofs, and even cause structural damage to the entire building. While storm damage claims are more manageable than are claims of burglary or theft, it's important to detail the full extent of the damages in order to get the coverage your business deserves.

Fire Damage

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

The ruin that fires cause is another particularly challenging type of property damage for commercial property to sustain. If not controlled and extinguished quickly, the entire building and all the assets inside are at risk. An engulfing fire can therefore be devastating. To successfully file a fire damage claim, you should photograph damaged items and the building itself. And keeping as much of this evidence as you can without discarding it is important, however, just in case your insurance provider requests to see it in person.

Water Damaged Ceilings

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

Blistered or peeling paint or a discolored spot on your ceiling, especially if it's bulging, means water damage. And unfortunately, if you visibly see these telltale signs of damage, there is probably a lot more water somewhere that has caused it, which could lead to structural damage and hazardous ?mold growth.

Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Storm

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

Document damage to your home before clean up with photos or video, and compile a written list of damaged items.
Read your homeowner insurance policy thoroughly to see what is and isn’t covered before contacting the insurance company.
If you have trouble contacting your insurance company, try a multipronged approach including phone calls, emails, faxes, and letters.

Staying Safe After a Storm

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

Listen to the radio for advisories and other instructions.
Do not venture outside until it has been declared safe to do so.
Stay away from downed power lines and avoid standing water or metal objects near downed wires.
Leave and do not enter buildings that have sustained structural damage.
Stay away from damaged trees and dangling or broken limbs.
Do not swim or wade in flood waters.
Check on neighbors, especially those who are elderly or disabled.
Watch out for snakes or other wild animals.
Turn the gas off at the meter if you smell gas.
Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
If you must drive, watch for undermined roads and damaged bridges.
Do not attempt to drive through flooded streets or bridges.
Avoid using candles or other open flames indoors.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy at all times.
Test battery powered smoke and CO alarms.
Make sure your sewer system is working before flushing toilets.
Keep pets indoors and use a leash when taking them outside.
Operate generators outdoors in the open away from windows and doors.
Don’t eat perishable food that has warmed to over 40° F.

Is my insurance going to cover this water damage to my home?

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Many homeowner insurance policies do provide some level of coverage in a water damage situation, but you will need to contact your agent for details about your policy. The source of the water damage is important when dealing with insurance. Some flooding related to weather events requires special insurance that is gained through the National Flood Insurance Program.

What should I do after a water damage event in my home?

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

When a water emergency occurs in your home or business, it’s only natural to want to take action immediately. Below are some preliminary steps you can take before we arrive, but only attempt what you can do safely.

1. Shut off the water source, if possible. If you’re not sure where the water is coming from, we’ll inspect and handle the situation as soon as we arrive.
2. Remove excess water by mopping, blotting, or wiping. This could include flooring and hard surface furniture which has standing water on it. Do not use your household vacuum to remove water, since it could cause damage to the vacuum or be unsafe.
3. Protect carpet, rugs, drapes, and upholstered items from further damage. Place aluminum foil or parchment paper between furniture and wet carpet or rugs. Remove books, magazines, or other colored items from carpets and rugs. Hang draperies up with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet floors. Remove pillows or cushions from wet upholstered items.
4. Avoid using electric or electronic items that have come into contact with water. This may include items such as light fixtures, ceiling fans, televisions, or appliances. If there is a possibility that someone else on the property may turn on an electric item that has come in contact with water, consider turning off the power to individual circuits within the power distribution panel of the property.

How long does it take to dry out water damage?

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Drying out a structure depends on the severity of the water damage that occurred, and they type of structure, with an average situation taking 3–5 days. This can vary greatly though, depending on the magnitude of damage, amount of contents affected, any demolition that may be required, and the presence of any hazardous materials.

Returning a home or business to its preloss moisture levels is a closely monitored process, with our professionals making adjustments to equipment to help ensure the area is recovering as quickly as safely possible.

Top Tips for Fire Safety

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. 

Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.

Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

For more information visit: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire.html

7 Ways to Prepare for a Home Fire

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

1. Install the right number of smoke alarms. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year. Purchase smoke alarms here.        
2. Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one. 
3. Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.
4. Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure that all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.
5. Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year. Press the smoke alarm test button or yell “Fire“ to alert everyone that they must get out.
6. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
7. Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes catch on fire. 

For more information please visit: redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/home-fire-preparedness.html

What To Do if a Fire Starts

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

If a Fire Starts:

• Know how to safely operate a fire extinguisher
• Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone number.
• Yell "Fire!" several times and go outside right away. If you live in a building with elevators, use the stairs. Leave all your things where they are and save yourself.
• If closed doors or handles are warm or smoke blocks your primary escape route, use your second way out. Never open doors that are warm to the touch.
• If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Close doors behind you.
• If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.
• Once you are outside, go to your meeting place and then send one person to call the fire department. If you cannot get to your meeting place, follow your family emergency communication plan.

4 Steps to Take Immediately After a Home Fire

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

1. Call 9-1-1. Give first aid where needed; cool and cover burns to reduce the chance of further injury or infection.
2. Let friends and family know you’re safe.
3. People and animals that are seriously injured or burned should be transported to professional medical or veterinary help immediately.
4. Stay out of fire-damaged homes until local fire authorities say it is safe to re-enter.

Why is commercial property important?

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial real estate provides rental income as well as the potential for some capital appreciation for investors. Investing in commercial real estate usually requires more sophistication and larger amounts of capital from investors than does residential real estate.

Which is an example of a commercial property?

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial property includes office buildings, medical centers, hotels, malls, retail stores, multifamily housing buildings, farm land, warehouses, and garages. In many states, residential property containing more than a certain number of units qualifies as commercial property for borrowing and tax purposes.

What to Do If You Experience Commercial Water Damage?

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

 Steps To Take for Commercial Water Damage Restoration

1. Identify the source of water damage. Water leaks and intrusions can happen in many places. Some common areas to check are pipes or holes in your roof or walls. You can also work with a local plumber to help identify the source.
2. If necessary, shut off the water main. If you have a leaking or burst pipe, shut off the water main to prevent more damage.
3. Immediately contact your insurance company. Notify your insurance company about the water damage as soon as possible. It’s a good idea to also document the damage with photos.
4. Find a restoration team. You can work with your insurer to find a company specializing in commercial water damage repair. If there’s extensive damage, there may be an emergency service for water extraction or mold remediation available for your business.

Potential Causes of Water Damage in Your Business

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

Many events can cause water damage in your business, such as: 

• Roof leaks
• Appliance leaks
• Burst or leaking pipes
• Firefighters battling a nearby fire

24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Annandale/Falls Church is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 703-237-8800

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Annandale/Falls Church has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• 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)?

About SERVPRO of Annandale/Falls Church

SERVPRO of Annandale/Falls Church specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Commercial Mold Remediation Presents Unique Challenges

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

Mold can spread quickly through a property if left untreated. SERVPRO of Annandale/Falls Church can respond quickly, working to first contain the infestation to help prevent its spread to other parts of the building. Next, we will begin the remediation process, working safely and effectively to manage the situation. We have the training, experience, and equipment to contain the mold infestation and remediate it to preloss condition. Learn more about SERVPRO of Annandale/Falls Church training and certifications.

• Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist
• Water Damage Restoration Technician
• Applied Structural Drying Technician
• Odor Control Technician

Common Trauma and Crime Scene Scenarios

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

Crime Scene Residues

From fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals to tear gas and pepper spray residues, we can clean and restore your property after a crime scene investigation.

Bloodborne Pathogens

We remove and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accident, trauma, crime or death. Our trained Professionals clean, disinfect and deodorize the structure.

Illegal Drug - "Meth" Labs

Many of the chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs such as "meth" are volatile and can leave harmful residues throughout a structure. Our technicians follow federal and state guidelines to properly clean all surfaces.

How Allowing Our Team to Pretest Your Property Reduces the Claims Experience

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

Where do you begin when so much is lost at your place of business? How can you recover from a disaster that ruins the place you've built from the ground up? When fire, water, or mold harm your company in Annandale, VA, business owners desire direction and swift, competent assistance. Therefore, it's important to turn to those that understand the complexity of the situation. Our remediation team at SERVPRO of Annandale/Falls Church can investigate your property through pretesting measures, crafting a plan that can begin prompt, effectual cleaning and restoration.

1. We Review the Damages Quickly
   Effective and prompt response to an insurance claim is vital as it can reduce those costs as well as the type of repairs. We are available as a 24-hour aid. Our team arrives on the premises, surveys the destruction, and begins to determine the type and level of repair. This immediate response means our experts can begin drying walls and carpets, fix the origin of the problem, and block off the area. Our swift actions often deter the growth of mold, dry rot, and structural contamination.
2. We Emphasize Salvaging Valuables When Possible
   Often, people may begin tossing objects to the curb, thinking that everything waterlogged must go. Pretesting, though, allows for an understanding of the type of water that infiltrated the building. With this knowledge, our technicians can discuss content cleaning services, saving these belongings, and avoiding replacement costs. In addition, ultrasonic equipment may be able to restore items that otherwise would be deemed non-salvageable.
3. We Focus on Minimizing Lasting Issues
   Get it right the first time. An insurance agent wants to avoid residual aftereffects that could escalate the recovery bill. By completing an initial assessment, our team of specialists specify what has been harmed and what should be mended to avoid it in the future.

While, we understand it is tempting to jump into reconstruction, yet, in doing so, people can miss significant elements or misunderstand possible recovery efforts. Pretesting, then, becomes a valuable guide in how to work efficiently and responsibly.

Heating Safety For You and Your Pets

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

There is something about the winter months and curling up with your pet and a good book by the fireplace.  But did you know that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths? According to the National Fire Protection Association, half of home heating fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February.  With a few simple safety tips and precautions, you can prevent most heating fires from happening and keep you and your pets safe.

• Keep anything flammable that can burn at lease three feet away from heating equipment.
• Have a three foot “kid-free and pet-free zone” around open fires and space heaters
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
• Always remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• It’s a good idea to put the space heater far enough above the ground that pets do not have access to the heater or the cord. This will minimize the likelihood of a curious cat or dog chewing on the cord or becoming tangled in the cord.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
• Make certain the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container.  Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Some other pet-friendly features to look for are front panels and vents that are small enough to prevent curious paws from getting through them.
• If you have long-haired pets or pets who shed heavily, you may want a heater with a front panel that is like a mesh or grill. This will help prevent pet hair, fur, and other debris from getting into the heater and damaging it, or worse causing a fire9. 
• Pets are playful and they like to check out new things, so a heater that heats the room while staying cool to the touch can prevent any accidental burns.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

Annandale Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Annandale/Falls Church for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Annandale/Falls Church specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 703-237-8800

Conditions In Annandale Might Be Right For Mold

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

It’s estimated that more than 1 million types of mold exist, yet less than 10 percent have actually been named. This means mold is very common in both indoor and outdoor environments. While mold and humans can sometimes co-exist without issue, there are certain species of mold that can cause health effects for some people.

If the right conditions exist, mold will grow.  Those conditions include:

• Water - Different mold types require varying amounts of liquid before growth begins.   
• Temperature - Normal indoor temperatures will promote mold growth.
• Time - Initial mold colonizers can take hold within one day after being exposed to an adequate water supply.

Mold growth can occur in any home, so it’s important to keep an eye out for situations that might promote mold activity. Roof/chimney leaks, wet basements, or condensation from ducts that dampen surrounding insulation are just a few examples of issues that make a house a prime target for mold growth.

If you suspect mold in your home, call SERVPRO of Annandale/Falls Church to assess the situation. We have the knowledge, tools and track record to effectively remediate mold in your home or business.

If you suspect mold, call us today at 703-237-8800

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Annandale-Falls Church for mold remediation services.

When Storms or Floods hit Annandale/Falls Church, SERVPRO is ready!

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Annandale/Falls Church specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Annandale/Falls Church, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 703-237-8800

How Allowing Our Team to Pretest Your Property Reduces the Claims Experience

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

Where do you begin when so much is lost at your place of business? How can you recover from a disaster that ruins the place you've built from the ground up? When fire, water, or mold harm your company in South Arlington, VA, business owners desire direction and swift, competent assistance. Therefore, it's important to turn to those that understand the complexity of the situation. Our remediation team at SERVPRO of Annandale/Falls Church can investigate your property through pretesting measures, crafting a plan that can begin prompt, effectual cleaning and restoration.

1. We Review the Damages Quickly
   Effective and prompt response to an insurance claim is vital as it can reduce those costs as well as the type of repairs. We are available as a 24-hour aid. Our team arrives on the premises, surveys the destruction, and begins to determine the type and level of repair. This immediate response means our experts can begin drying walls and carpets, fix the origin of the problem, and block off the area. Our swift actions often deter the growth of mold, dry rot, and structural contamination.
2. We Emphasize Salvaging Valuables When Possible
   Often, people may begin tossing objects to the curb, thinking that everything waterlogged must go. Pretesting, though, allows for an understanding of the type of water that infiltrated the building. With this knowledge, our technicians can discuss content cleaning services, saving these belongings, and avoiding replacement costs. In addition, ultrasonic equipment may be able to restore items that otherwise would be deemed non-salvageable.
3. We Focus on Minimizing Lasting Issues
   Get it right the first time. An insurance agent wants to avoid residual aftereffects that could escalate the recovery bill. By completing an initial assessment, our team of specialists specify what has been harmed and what should be mended to avoid it in the future.

While, we understand it is tempting to jump into reconstruction, yet, in doing so, people can miss significant elements or misunderstand possible recovery efforts. Pretesting, then, becomes a valuable guide in how to work efficiently and responsibly.

Heating Safety For You and Your Pets

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

There is something about the winter months and curling up with your pet and a good book by the fireplace.  But did you know that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths? According to the National Fire Protection Association, half of home heating fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February.  With a few simple safety tips and precautions, you can prevent most heating fires from happening and keep you and your pets safe.

• Keep anything flammable that can burn at lease three feet away from heating equipment.
• Have a three foot “kid-free and pet-free zone” around open fires and space heaters
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
• Always remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• It’s a good idea to put the space heater far enough above the ground that pets do not have access to the heater or the cord. This will minimize the likelihood of a curious cat or dog chewing on the cord or becoming tangled in the cord.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
• Make certain the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container.  Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Some other pet-friendly features to look for are front panels and vents that are small enough to prevent curious paws from getting through them.
• If you have long-haired pets or pets who shed heavily, you may want a heater with a front panel that is like a mesh or grill. This will help prevent pet hair, fur, and other debris from getting into the heater and damaging it, or worse causing a fire9. 
• Pets are playful and they like to check out new things, so a heater that heats the room while staying cool to the touch can prevent any accidental burns.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

Annandale-Falls Church Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Annandale-Falls Church for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Annandale-Falls Church specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 703-229-0260

When Storms or Floods hit South Arlington, SERVPRO is ready!

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Arlington specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit South Arlington, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 703-229-0260

Protecting Your Home This Winter Season

12/13/2020 (Permalink)

Protecting Your Home This Winter Season

A winter storm can produce beautiful scenery in its wake, and it can be easy to overlook the level of damage that is sustained when overwhelmed by the snow globe-like appeal. However, as a homeowner, it is essential to remedy any potential threats before they cause significant structural damage.

1. Avoid an Indoor Blizzard

A blizzard belongs outside of your home, but with the combination of strong winds and ice, it is possible that the storm may end up overwhelming your property inside and out. Blizzards have a reputation for blowing open doors or even sending ice chunks through windows, and when no one is around this can lead to interior water damage. Invest in durable storm doors and windows to help prevent this type of loss.

2. Prevent Potential Roof Collapse

Living in Northern Virginia it is not uncommon for a winter storm to unload significant amounts of snow, and while that may not be an issue for people with a steep roofline or metal shingles, others may experience significant roof damage and possibly even collapse. Thankfully there are tools and other solutions to prevent snow buildup on your roof.

3. Ensure You’re Using Snow Removal Equipment Properly

While winter can cause several problems for your home, damaging your property in the process of removing snow is not unheard of. Snow blowers are powerful machines, and when chutes are not correctly controlled that machine can send ice hurling through the air and your beautiful bay window.

4. Have Assistance on Speed Dial

While there are many ways to prevent storm damage in the winter, no method is foolproof. It can be a good idea to have the contact information of emergency restoration services in your area. Additionally, it may be worthwhile to customize an emergency response plan as a precautionary measure.

A winter storm is easy to overlook as a threat because inside you are removed from the immediate danger, but that snow and those winds can be detrimental to the structure of your home. Therefore, to avoid damage, invest in precautionary tools and solutions and always have a backup plan.

5 Tips for Avoiding Candle Fires

12/12/2020 (Permalink)

Many homeowners light candles to freshen up a room or to have lighting during a power outage. However, candles still have the potential to create a fire that spreads throughout the building. Avoid a candle fire at all costs, and follow these helpful tips to stay safe.

1. Do Not Leave Candles Unattended

If you are leaving a room with a candle in it, first extinguish the flame. After all, you can always relight a candle if you desire.

2. Keep the Area Around Candles Clean

The shelf or stand where you place the candle should not have anything flammable on it. Additionally, you should avoid placing a candle on a nightstand near your bed. The bedding may catch fire if you are not careful.

3. Toss It Once It Is Less Than Two Inches Tall

You do not want to risk a candle fire by allowing the flame to get too close to the base of the candle. It is better to simply throw away a candle once it is less than two inches high. They are relatively inexpensive to replace.

4. Keep Candles Away From Pets and Children

Candles should be placed high enough that kids and animals cannot get them. It is dangerous for children to play with anything lit. If the candle is left on a coffee table, then a dog’s tail may accidentally hit it and cause it to fall onto the floor.

5. Do Not Put Out a Candle With Water

It is preferable to put out a flame by blowing on it rather than pouring water. The reason is that water can cause the wax to spill all over the place. The hot wax may still catch fire, causing flames to spread throughout a home in Northern Virginia. Candles are meant to be enjoyed, so always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions to avoid a nasty candle fire and the impending smoke cleanup.

We Are The Crew To Call If Your Home Experiences A Flood

12/12/2020 (Permalink)

Removing Damage And Restoring Homes After A Flood

To remediate the effects of flood damage in Northern Virginia, SERVPRO technicians pay close attention to the walls and other places where water collects and remains after the flood retreats, and we remove standing water. Quick removal helps to eliminate further damage and reduces the effects where damage already started.

Response team members quickly remove furniture outside for cleaning, but efforts inside center around replacement or restoration. As an example, interior walls often absorb much water, but can still be restored to a clean, usable condition.

SERVPRO technicians start by removing floor trim and drilling holes into drywall to release standing water. If the drilling shows that an affected panel is already crumbling or it cracks upward, then it absorbed too much moisture and required replacement. Team members then carefully break up the damaged panels, bag them, and remove them for proper disposal.

If there is no cracking or crumbling, then we take steps to dry each panel and the space behind them. For the exterior, this means directing an air mover to generate warm, dry air over the surface that carefully forces out moisture, so it evaporates into the air.

For the interior, our technicians use another air mover with an attached hose to force air into the wall cavity. That helps to dry the panel and the wall frame where it is attached. One of our inspectors uses a moisture meter to check that everything is back to a normal level and then team members patch the holes and reattach the floor trim.

For SERVPRO it is not really about customers. We work to help our neighbors return their residences to a clean, dry condition so they can get on with their lives. If this situation includes your home, call us today to find out what we can do for you.

Helpful Hints About Toilet Replacement

12/12/2020 (Permalink)

Toilet Repaired in Northern Virginia

A toilet is expected to be reliable, and they can last for 30 years or more. But sometimes the porcelain material they are cast in can develop a crack or the tank may break. When that occurs and water begins to escape, it is time to replace the leaking toilet. Here are a few tips to help you master the plumbing repair.

Preparation

After discovering the leak, there are a few steps to take before you can replace the toilet.

• Before beginning the project, purchase a wax ring gasket, water-supply tube, and toilet.

• There are different types of water a broken toilet can leak. If the toilet bowl itself is leaking, consider calling a professional cleanup crew to make sure the water is not contaminated and hasn’t seeped into your walls and flooring.

• Once the water is removed, allow the area to dry thoroughly.

• Remove all standing water from the toilet tank and toilet bowl.

Removal

Once the area is dry and disinfected, you are ready to remove the old toilet.

• Disconnect the water supply line from the toilet.

• Remove the bolts securing the toilet to the floor.

• Lift the cracked toilet away.

• Scrape the wax ring and check flange for cracks.

Replacement

Time to replace that leaking toilet with a new one.

• Center new wax gasket over the flange.

• Connect the water supply to the toilet base.

• Set the toilet in place over the wax gasket and press softly until the toilet meets the floor.

• Tighten bolts or hex nuts at toilet base.

• Connect water supply to wall shut-off valve.

• Sit on the toilet to compress further and re-tighten bolts.

Once the water is restored to the toilet, flush the unit several times. If water leaks between the toilet and floor, it probably means the wax ring was not properly seated or didn’t seal correctly. To correct the issue, consider installing a new ring to finish the toilet repair.

How to Take Care of The Aftermath Broken or Bursting Pipes

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

Dealing with water damage is never fun. Bursting pipes can lead to flooding, which can cause a lot of problems in your home. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to fix a broken pipe quickly so that the damage is lessened.

Keep Pipes in Good Condition

The best way to handle flooding is to keep it from ever happening in the first place. While there’s not always a way to prevent bursting pipes, there are measures you can take to help keep pipes in good condition and lower their chances of breaking:

• Keeping pipes from freezing

• Checking pipes regularly

• Turning off water while on vacation

Act Fast When Things Go Wrong

Even though you may take good care of your pipes, things can still occasionally go wrong. If flooding occurs, one of the most important things is to act fast. The more water that floods into your home, the more damage there is to be fixed and cleaned up. A damage restoration company can help you handle bursting pipes and the aftermath of flooding. The faster everything is dried out, the less risks there are of unpleasant aftereffects such as mold and odors.

Identify What’s Happening

There are several things to be identified when flooding occurs. You not only need to figure out where the water is physically coming from but also decide if it is clean water, such as water from a tap, or black water, such as sewage. A restoration company can help you handle all types of water and hopefully get the problem taken care of quickly.

Bursting pipes can cause a lot of problems, but you can get them fixed without too much trouble by keeping pipes in good condition, acting fast, and hiring a professional company to help you. If repairs are done quickly and well, you should be able to avoid other problems, such as mold, later on.

Water Classification: Making the Claims Process More Accurate

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

Water Classification

As an insurance agent in the Northern Virginia area, it is your job to move the claims process forward. However, it is also necessary that claims are accurate assessments of the damage sustained to a property. Pretesting water damage can help you deliver an accurate insurance claim.

1. Water Categorization

Water categorization refers to the type of water and its level of contamination. There are three categories.

Is Water Damage on the Menu at Your Restaurant?

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

How to Prepare Your Restaurant for Water Damage Recovery 

Restaurants throughout the Northern Virginia area are plentiful, so you need to work continuously to set your business apart from the competition in the area. While part of this comes from your commitment to providing your customers with top quality food and service, it is also about how quickly you can respond in the face of adversity. When situations like water damage occur, you need to work fast to prepare the property for restoration – even if it is out of your skillset to perform it. 

With how quickly emergencies like water damage in a Restaurant can get out of control, you have much more than your building to protect. In addition to structural concerns, you have the investment that you have made in the food and supplies to consider, as well as the foot traffic of your loyal customers. Even without the ability to handle widespread water loss as our SERVPRO professionals can, there are steps you can take to prepare your property for restoration work to come. 

Don't Let Mold Damage Close Your Business

12/10/2020 (Permalink)

Mold Damage in Your Northern Virginia Business Is No Need to Panic 

Much hype exists in the media about the dangers of mold, leading to your need for a fast fix if an infestation manifests in your commercial space. We have the certification to offer professional mold remediation services and are happy to evaluate your scenario and discuss the process from start to finish. Our crews master the techniques during the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training. We also invest in the equipment needed to abate mold growth efficiently and safely. 

Avoid Long-Term Shutdowns  

Every minute your business is on hold because of mold damage, your customers lose access to your products and services. We are sensitive to this issue as statistics bear out that nearly half of companies that shut their doors even temporarily because of a disaster might not reopen. When our project manager arrives, we discuss ways to partition off the moldy area safely and according to local ordinances. Permitting you to operate in at least a portion of your commercial building with as few limitations as possible during mold remediation is a priority. We also make every attempt to find and help arrange to eliminate the water source fueling the mold growth. 

Adherence to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Protocols 

Containment

Our Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians (AMRT) follow the procedures developed by the EPA for commercial buildings and schools. After we locate and determine the dimensions of the mold outbreak, the SERVPRO team partitions the affected space off from the rest of your business. Heavy-duty sheeting defines the perimeter. We then use negative pressure air scrubbing technology for two purposes. First, it seals the partitioned spaced, preventing drift. Second, it pulls airborne contaminants, including spores and other moldy residues, through HEPA filters, exhausting the air to the outside.  

Removal 

Scraping and brushing remove active mold colonies from solid surfaces. SERVPRO also works hard to save porous materials with innovations like soda blasting. Through gentle abrasion to agitate and dislodge the surface mold, the soda also inhibits the rebound of mold growth. Vacuuming and wipe-downs ensure we collect all debris for appropriate disposal as hazardous waste. 

Disinfection 

To inhibit mold regrowth, SERVPRO applies EPA-registered antimicrobials to affected areas. We might consider the use of disinfectant-infused sealers to provide a barrier and a smooth, mold-free surface for refinishing.  

Residential vs Commercial Fire Damage

12/10/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage is very difficult to get rid of on your own, especially when you consider what goes into fire restoration. Fire restoration involves many different steps and processes, and this is why it is imperative that you hire a fire damage expert who can come to your home and do the cleanup for you. They will be able to come and take care of the electrical fire or utility room fire that has happened after firefighters have left using their fire trucks and fire hoses.

Along with having this type of commercial fire damage repair done, you may also want to consider a fire sprinkler system and fire suppression system along with fire restoration. Fire restoration alone is simply not enough, since you will want to prevent the issue from happening in the future using a fire sprinkler system and fire suppression system for your own needs. This is why a lot of people have made the decision to contact the experts after dealing with an electrical fire or utility room fire.

Another wonderful benefit hiring commercial fire damage experts and those who deal with basic fire damage is that they will take care of the smoke damage and soot damage that has been left behind. Both the smoke damage and soot damage is problematic for homeowners and business owners. This is why it is so important to call the fire damage experts and Commercial fire damage professionals after you have dealt with an electrical fire or utility room fire. Firefighters alone with their fire trucks and fire hoses are not going to be able to do the fire restoration for you.

The fire suppression system and fire sprinkler system is also important when it comes to ensuring that fire damage is no longer problem for your home. Firefighters will also recommend that you put in a fire suppression system and fire sprinkler system in order to prevent an electrical fire or utility room fire from getting out of hand in the future. They are not going to be able to put out a significant fire with their fire trucks and fire hoses alone. Smoke damage and soot damage can be handled by the professionals as well.

Once you have made the decision to hire the professionals to take care of the smoke damage and soot damage left behind after a fire, it is important that you work with the experts and understand what firefighters have recommended using their fire trucks and fire hoses. There are many different options available to you when it comes to hiring a professional company to come in and do the work for you. One of the main issues that a lot of people face is the fact that they cannot handle the issues on their own, so they are left trying to figure out how to handle it themselves.

Thankfully, there are tons of different reputable companies out there that will be able to help you in one way or another. This ensures that your home or business is put back to its former glory and that you will find it to be incredibly beneficial in many different ways. If you have some type of insurance on your property, you will also find that this is incredibly helpful when paying for the services that are rendered. It can be incredibly expensive for you to do the repair work on your own, so make sure that you consider this as an option and work with the professionals in a way that is going to be beneficial for you and your loved ones. You might be amazed at how inexpensive this type of work can be once you work with the right experts and have some type of insurance that will help to pay for the costs that are associated with having all of the work done on either your home or business.

Preparing Yourself for Winter Storms

12/10/2020 (Permalink)

PREPARE YOUR HOME & VEHICLE

PUT TOGETHER A SUPPLY KIT

 A basic emergency supply kit should include the following recommended items:

 When evacuation is deemed necessary:

SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Whether you need emergency winter storm damage remediation or other restorative services, you can trust us to make your house feel like home again. We have the training, experience, and equipment to quickly get your home looking its best.

Some Shortcuts to Commercial Mold Damage Remediation

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

Reducing the Threat of Mold

Almost everything in your entire Park Slope café is organic, meaning that the entire assortment of items remains susceptible to mold and microbial threats. The fastest route for these colonies to start in your business is poor ventilation or a botched cleanup and drying of a water loss incident that occurred in recent weeks. Water damage does not always dry up on its own, and lingering effects can feed mold spores naturally occurring in the environment to encourage them to seat and spread on surfaces.

You might not realize that mold damage in your business has started until it has spread to the point of concern. Your customers are a primary focus here, and you need professionals that can assess the risks and determine if containment and remediation can allow you to keep your doors open. Because of how many coffee shops and cafes are in Northern Virginia alone, we understand how important it is to get back up and running at full capacity as quickly as possible.

Reaching out to our SERVPRO team is reaching out to a team of qualified and well-trained technicians accredited through the standard-setting Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC.) For remediation alone, we have certified Water Restoration Technicians (WRT), Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT), & Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians (AMRT). With the strict regulations and codes for mold remediation and construction work, professional services are a must.

Content management is critical to protect much of the furniture in the outer-lying areas of the damaged zone. We can move wooden furniture and other susceptible materials and items to a safer space while the mold region gets sealed off with thick, 6 mil plastic sheeting. Our remediation contractors can determine if drywall, flooring, and other fixtures must get removed before we deploy our effective colony removal strategies like media and soda blasting.

The discovery of mold requires a fast response from our SERVPRO team. We have effective containment strategies and tactics to stop the spread of the organism while we get to work on the necessary steps to remove the colony entirely.

What Are Some Resources to Contact After a Fire?

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

An unexpected fire in a home or fire in a business can cause extensive fire damage that is impossible to deal with without additional help. Luckily, there are a number of resources for property owners who require fire damage restoration to contact in order to get the help they need. Fire cleanup is a lengthy and complicated process which should not be tackled alone, especially when there are a number of organization that specialize in fire damage restoration.

Financial considerations are usually the first thought to come to a property owner's mind after a fire in a home or a fire in a business. Commercial fire damage can be absolutely devastating to a small business. After the fire has been stabilized by the fire department, the first organization to contact should be the insurance company. Insurance can sometimes cover the costs involved in hiring a restoration company, which can ease the transition back to normalcy after all the soot damage, smoke damage, and fire damage has been dealt with.

After the coverage of a restoration company's services is discussed, a fire cleanup team should be scheduled. A professional from the restoration company will evaluate the extent of the fire damage caused by the fire in a home or the fire in a business. The costs of repair and replacement will be discussed, and all commercial fire damage will be recorded and itemized. The fire cleanup team will also collaborate with the local fire department to discuss safety concerns and any damage to the building's structural integrity.

If walls or roofs are compromised, temporary walls and roofs may be put up by the fire damage restoration team. Windows and doors are usually boarded up to prevent unwarranted access to the premises. This boarding up of entry points allows for the property owner to rest assured that his or her property is safe while fire damage restoration is still under way. Because commercial fire damage can often damage locks, boarding up the doors is generally a good idea.

Once the building is secured, it is essential that all personal belongings damaged or not be organized and itemized. Soot damage and smoke damage may render some items unsalvageable. These items are then disposed of by the fire cleanup crew using regulated heavy machinery. The soot damage and smoke damage that is present is also evaluated for sanitization and possible restoration.

Smoke smells can be removed from fabrics and other surfaces using a variety of techniques including heavy vacuuming, steam injection, ozone treatment, thermal fogging, ventilation, and others. The smoke smell may persist and require multiple treatments before it is completely gone. Some individuals believe that ventilation alone can reduce smoke smells, but it sometimes requires treatments with chemicals called counteractants.

Because water is used extensively by the fire department to put out fires, water damage containment is also necessary. A fire in a home or a fire in a business can often result in extensive water damage and mold growth. Therefore, a specialist who can dry out the property and prevent further damage is necessary and usually contracted by the restoration company.

Fire damage can cause the loss of important paperwork like passports, driver's licenses, marriage certificates, birth certificates, insurance policies, and medical records. It is important to contact the authorities managing these documents immediately to have them replaced.

The fire department will also need to be in contact with the property owner to maintain the safety of the premises. Smoke damage and soot damage can sometimes cause a property to be dangerous. The smoke smell may be cause for the fire department to investigate further. Commercial fire damage is examined particularly deeply.

The 5 Step Water Damage Restoration Process

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

Flood damage is one of the most expensive types of property damage in the United States. Each year, billions of dollars are spent on repairing damage due to pipe breaks, supply line breaks or natural sources of flooding. Thankfully, water damage is almost always containable. But it is absolutely imperative that a professional restoration company be called in to begin mitigation efforts, the second any water in the home or water in the business is seen. Left untreated, flood damage will quickly compromise the structure and its materials, leading to potentially massive property damage and even condemnation of the property.

The good news is that, in the United States, hundreds of years of indoor plumbing, living on rivers and lakes and experiencing some of the most severe weather in the world, have all conspired to create a water damage restoration industry that is the best in the world. Almost every town in America has at least one professional restoration company. It's crucial that if any flood damage occurs to a home or property, the local professional restoration company is called in as soon as possible. With a prompt response, flood damage can almost always be completely reversed. With a delay of more than 24 hours, however, the chance of a successful restoration begins dropping precipitously with every passing hour.

The first step in the water cleanup process is calling in a team of restoration and mitigation specialists to the flooded home or business. A professional mitigation team has access to heavy-duty, specialized equipment that is specifically designed to handle flooded homes or business. They also have the expertise and manpower to attack the situation, head on, completely removing all water from the property, typically within just a few hours of arrival. Remember, the sooner a call to the pros is made, the higher the chances of a successful mitigation of potential damage.

The next phase of the cleanup process begins the second the water cleanup team arrives. They will immediately enter the property, surveying the extent of the water in the home or water in the business. At this stage, they will locate the supply line break, pipe break or other failure. If the pipe break or supply line break is causing active leaking, the water cleanup team will shut off the source of any additional flooding. In some cases, the supply line break or pipe break may need to be welded off using heavy equipment, such as torch cutters and gas welders.

If there is standing water in the business or home, the team will begin its extraction. Using ultra-powerful pumps and special vacuum equipment, the team will be able to remove up to 2,000 gallons of water in the home or water in the business, per hour. Within one hour or less, all standing water in the flooded home or business will be completely evacuated.

Next, the cleanup team will begin the drying process. This will be carried out through the use of heavy-duty drying equipment, such as that seen in car washes, as well as giant and powerful dehumidifiers. The drying process is the longest stage of cleanup, usually taking between a few hours to a full day. Upon completion, the flooded home or business will no longer have any traces of uncontained water. This will mark the point at which the structure is no longer at risk of incurring further water damage.

Finally, the team will thoroughly clean every item and surface affected by the flood water. This is to prevent mildew and mold growth, as well as removing smells that inevitably come with materials being soaked.

3 Reasons To Rely On SERVPRO For Large Loss Response

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

Relying On SERVPRO 

In the event of a major storm, fire or flood in Northern Virginia, commercial property owners may obtain a faster and more professional response from a local franchise location of a national restoration company. Here are three reasons to choose SERVPRO to handle catastrophic loss.

1. Many Franchise Locations

SERVPRO has more than 1,700 franchise locations. This means that the closest professionals can arrive on site in four hours or less, which may be faster than other regional mitigation and restoration services. In the event of widespread damage such as flooding or storm damage, additional experts and equipment may report from nearby locations.

2. National Corporate Support

The backing of one of the nation's leading mitigation and restoration companies enables local franchises to be better trained and equipped than most independent companies. Insurance jobs are only offered to locations that satisfy all of the requirements of a 21-point Participation Agreement. This oversight and company-wide services such as the Claims Information Center elevate the standard of service and make SERVPRO the right choice in the event of catastrophic loss.

3. Industry-Leading Standards

This national corporation is also a certified training school for the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration. Each franchise must employ at least one technician who specializes in a particular area such as storm damage to maintain certification. The IICRC requires technicians to obtain continuing education credits to ensure that professionals keep up with current best practices in the mitigation and restoration field. This means that the work performed by these employees should be up to the highest standards in the industry.

Removing Flood Damage From Your Property

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

Removing Flooring Flood Damage in Northern Virginia

According to the NFIP, businesses comprise only 5% of flood policies as of August 2019. While it could be tempting to cut costs, losses incurred by flooding can lead to more than just long-term damaged structures. Without professional mitigation, local businesses can lose significant amounts of revenue.

If your Northern Virginia business has suffered flood damage, IICRC-certified SERVPRO technicians are available to help you 24/7. Disasters do not always occur during regular business hours, so this team strives to help small business owners restore structures and get back to business as usual. Your local SERVPRO is actively involved with beneficial organizations like CERT, the American Red Cross, and many other drives and charities that seek to improve the community.

Assembling a Small Business Disaster Supply Kit

    •    Pack battery-powered essentials such as flashlights and radios to monitor disasters and navigate more safely.  

    •    Keep a stock of non-perishable foods, including canned goods and calorie- and nutrient-dense granola and energy bars, as well as disposable utensils and a manual can opener.

    •    Make sure there is a gallon of water per person per day in your kit.

    •    Mylar blankets are another must-have in the event of the flooding-related disaster at your business.

    •    Personal hygiene items and first-aid materials are a must-have in your disaster supply kit. Be sure to have garbage bags handy to dispose of trash and maximize sanitation.

Keep emergency numbers and procedures available throughout your facilities, and go over evacuation routes and procedures with your employees to maximize safety for both your staff and customers. If you have special needs employees or clients, include special accommodations for them in your planning.

How SERVPRO Restores Businesses

If you have over 2 inches of standing water in your business, technicians can deploy submersible pumps to suck up water fast. Technicians can then use extraction wands to remove moisture in surfaces and wall cavities and prepare the space for disinfection and drying. Carpet and pad need to be removed from the facility to maximize safety.

If your business keeps porous merchandise, these items may require removal as floodwaters contain microbes and other contaminants. If you need mold remediation after a flood, this SERVPRO team is licensed to address mold with EPA registered antimicrobial cleaners.

Smoke and Soot Clean Up

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor.  Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.

SMOKE AND SOOT FACTS:

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke - wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire.  Before restoration begins, SERVPRO will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred.  The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during the pretesting.  Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke - Plastic and Rubber:

Dry Smoke - Paper and Wood:

Protein Fire Residue - Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire:

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?

Call Us Today.

What to Do When You Suffer Storm Damage

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

What to Do When You Suffer Storm Damage

Water is the world's most powerful force, and while most people just focus on the wind when they think about a hurricane, flooding is almost always the bigger issue. In places around the world where storm damage has happened, river flooding, ground water problems and other subsequent issues have led to roof damage, roof leaks and other similar concerns. When you find yourself inundated with flood water and hurricane damage, what should you do? Whether it's hail damage, ice damage, wind damage or damage to your flood pump, it's important to have a plan. Here's where to start with storm remediation.

Put in a call to FEMA

Perhaps the first step when you've suffered storm damage is to put in a call to FEMA. Whether river flooding filled your house or you suffered a roof leak from wind damage, a call to FEMA is the first step in storm remediation. FEMA is a federal agency set up to help people deal with storm restoration, home restoration and other types of storm remediation. If you've taken a direct hit and are suffering from hurricane damage, FEMA can sometimes provide you with money to use in the storm remediation. You'll have to get a FEMA number to get the process started.

Gather and protect your personal information for insurance and other claims

If you've been the victim of flooding, wind damage, roof damage, roof leaks and other problems, you may be able to file an insurance claim that will provide you with the money to hire a professional to fix your home. Ground water and flood water can be dangerous, so it's critical to get the process started early. Even if you're the victim of a winter storm and you have frozen pipes from ice damage along with hail damage, you should still gather your information for insurance purposes. The home restoration process from a problem with ice damming or wind damage is largely the same. It should start with the successful protection of your most important documents so you'll have what you need when you go to file an insurance claim to cover that roof repair.

Get out of a damaged house as quickly as possible

Whether an ice dam has busted of you need storm restoration because of wind damage, it's critical not to spend time in a damaged home. Those homes suffering from ice damage or ice damming problems can have structural issues and be unsafe. If you don't have ice damage and you instead have river flooding, you may be living in a veritable cesspool. Your safety should be most important, so it pays to get out before you start the process of a complete home restoration or water restoration. After you've gotten out, you can find a professional company to provide storm damage help, including roof repair for a roof leak, water pump action for flooding, and full home restoration for ground water problems.

Call a company to provide professional help

Water restoration in your home is easiest with an professional flood pump, and frozen pipes from an ice dam issue shouldn't be handled by an amateur. If you find yourself fixing frozen pipes because of ice damming, you are doing it wrong. The better option to rid yourself of flood water or handle that roof repair is to invest in professional help. If it's hurricane damage that's brought that river flooding into your home, then you'll likely have a long road ahead of you. The flood water and ground water problems can do significant damage to the bones of your home, and a professional water restoration company may have to fix your home over the long haul. Even if it's just hail damage or ice damage from ice damming problems, you may have an insurance payoff to help you get professional help into your home. Take advantage of that and save yourself the trouble.

If it's storm restoration you're after, get your affairs in order and call a professional storm restoration company with skilled people and a real flood pump. If it's something like roof damage or other structural storm damage, allow a professional to do that roof repair or fix problems from an ice dam. Frozen pipes and water restoration from hurricane damage are nothing to play around with. A professional who has dealt with ice dam issues or hail damage before can walk you through a stressful time. Their flood pump may just accelerate the process, too, if you have extensive water in your home.

Tips To Protect Your Home From Water Damage

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage is the second most frequently filed homeowner insurance claim. Coming home after a day at work, or a relaxing vacation, to find water in your home can be devastating.  Whether a small unnoticed water leak, or a catastrophic flood, the results may be disastrous. Common causes of leaks that lead to water damage in our homes are:

By following these simply guidelines you can protect your home from water damage.

What are Signs of Mold Growth in a Bathroom?

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has extensive training to handle any type or size of mold remediation in your home

One thing to remember about mold growth is that it will not stop until the conditions allowing it to flourish in a home get eradicated. Only then will remediation efforts work to halt any further mold colony spread or growth. It is vital not to rely on DIY methods and engage a professional company. Signs that you may have a mold issue in your bathroom include:

• A musty odor that is persistent
• Visible signs of mold growth
• Delamination of tiles or wallpaper
• Damp conditions that do not diminish due to poor ventilation

Can Tile With Mold Damage Get Reused After Cleaning?

When SERVPRO techs handle mold damage remediation in your properties, their goal is to save as much of the structure as possible. Porous items such as sheetrock and fabrics may require disposal if there is no way to return them to a sanitary standard for reuse. However, if the fabrics and clothing can be washed and disinfected in an Esporta washing system, these can be restored.

Not only do the technicians remove the items that got ruined by the mold infestation, but they also scope the property to discover the reason for it. Frequently seen reasons for this type of issue in a bathroom are unseen leaks behind a wall or poor exhaust ventilation trapping the moist air from showers or baths in the bathroom. In the case of common walls in apartments and condos, the water source should be inspected and fixed.

SERVPRO is certified to handle mold damage remediation by IICRC and can determine the reason for the infestation and necessary repairs to help prevent recurrences.

We Get You Back In Business After A Flood

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

Common Issues with Commercial Flood Damage in Your Businesses

Commercial flood damage has the potential to shut down a business if it is not correctly cleaned up. Numerous factors affect the outcome of the restoration and how rapidly it can reopen. 

When SERVPRO technicians help local businesses experiencing commercial flood damage, the technicians work to not only get the company reopened as quickly as possible but also to save the property owners from the cost of replacement and repair through their restoration methods. 

Saving Stock From Cross-Contamination 

In almost any business, stock and equipment are significant investments. When they are on-site during flood water cleanup, SERVPRO technicians take careful measures to protect unaffected areas on the premises from cross-contamination from pollutants in the groundwater. This may include actions such as sealing off the loss area with plastic, coving HVAC vents, and in some cases, pack-out of undamaged items to a secure location until mitigation efforts complete. 

Mold is a Threat

The high humidity of a flood loss structure makes an ideal breeding ground for mold colonies, and airborne spores can germinate and begin to spread as fast as 24-hours. SERVPRO technicians have a mold remediation certification and know the early warning signs of a mold infestation as well as proactive treatments to inhibit growth. 

Common Losses Seen with Groundwater Damage

Even half-an-inch of groundwater leaves behind significant flood damage. Industrial carpet and tiles tend to be adhesive-backed and often delaminate in the presence of extended exposure to water. SERVPRO technicians remove items with too much damage for restoration and carefully note the condition along with photos. This attention to detail is part of a report created to assist property owners in filing insurance claims to expedite reimbursement. 

Sheetrock wicks water rapidly, and once it has warped or buckled, it requires removal. Technicians measure to the water-line and cleanly cut several inches above it to halt any further damage and open up the wall cavities for complete drying. 

Everything You Need to Know About Fire Damage

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage is often much worse than people realize, and it has a lot to do with the unknown damage it causes. Soot damage, smoke damage, and the smoke smell that lingers for so long after a fire in the home or fire in the business occurs are some of the worst forms of damage. Fire itself causes ample damage to most structures, whether it’s commercial fire damage or a fire in the home. Add the soot damage and smoke damage to the mix, and the mess requires the help of a company that specializes in fire cleanup.

Fire damage is devastating, and there is nothing homeowners or business owners can do but hope their belongings can be salvaged. If fire damage didn’t destroy personal effects when a fire in the home or fire in the business occurs, the soot damage and smoke damage might have done the job instead.

If commercial fire damage occurs, it’s even more imperative people call for professional fire damage restoration. Attempting to restore the property themselves can have even worse results either due to incorrect processes, or additional revenue loss from business interruption while the process is taking longer than needed to clean up . When fire damage occurs, it’s imperative home and business owners call for professional fire damage restoration.

What Happens After a Fire in the Home or Fire in the Business

When fire occurs, so many things happen. Items in the home or business are damaged because of several issues commonly associated with fire. Soot damage occurs when soot from the fire lands on the items in a home or office. Soot damage can stain or destroy items, and it’s not easily cleaned without the help of a professional. Smoke damage is another issue. Smoke damage can cause things to never smell the same, it can destroy artwork and books, and it can destroy clothing.

The smoke smell might never come out of furniture or clothing without professional fire cleanup. Most people can’t just wash the smoke smell out of things, which is why calling for professional fire damage restoration is so important.

A professional has the ability to work miracles such as removing the smoke smell from virtually everything. Don't let a home or office go uncared for after a fire because it's intimidating to start.

Why a Flood Cut Is Worth It After a Storm

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

When a storm hits flooding is many homeowners’ biggest fear. However, while contamination from standing water is a serious danger, water damage and contaminates left after the flooding recedes can not only cause health concerns but issues with your home’s insulation. A flood cut, or removal of the drywall from the floor to 12 inches above the flood line in a room affected by flooding, can ensure that your walls dry completely and don’t harbor mold or other health hazards. Additionally, a tear out of the drywall can reveal further water damage that must be repaired.

Not all cases require a flood cut. When the flooding only involves clean water, as from a broken pipe, and if there is no insulation in the wall, a flood cut may not be necessary. Flood cuts are typically used in the following situations:

• If flooding is due to a storm or sewage backup and the flood water may be contaminated

• If wet insulation is detected

• If microbial growth of any kind is detected

Flood Cuts Keep You and Your Family Healthy

When flood water is contaminated, it can foster the growth of mold and other bacteria harmful to your health. Because flood waters can seep through drywall, health hazards can be hidden in the walls even if the room looks dry and clean on the surface. A flood cut ensures that walls are thoroughly dried and free from growth, keeping you and your family safe.

Flood Cuts Reveal Hidden Damage

While not all walls are insulated, flooded homes with insulation need flood cuts to reveal water damage behind the drywall. Drywall tear out can reveal whether insulation has been damaged by the flood. Because insulation cannot be properly dried after a flood and maintain its R-value, any wet insulation must be replaced.

When your home floods, professional water restoration experts can ensure that you and your family stay healthy and your home stays insulated.

How to Choose the Right Water Damage Restoration Company

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

Broken sewerage systems, plumbing technicalities, and floods can cause serious water damage to a home or a commercial building. As a homeowner or a manager of a commercial building, it's prudent to consider hiring the services of professional water damage remediation services to prevent the damage from escalating and causing even further damages like mold buildup or collapsing of the entire building. Furthermore, such damages can cause problems to your wiring system and affect other expensive appliances like the air conditioning unit. Time is crucial when it comes to responding to flood damage. If the flood damage is not resolved as soon as possible it might lead to other substantial losses that will definitely be too costly to replace or repair. The only ideal step to take is to hire a professional water cleanup service provider to restore the mess. Here are a few tips and guidelines on how to choose the best professionals for the job.

Certifications and accreditation

Although the mitigation process is supposed to commence as soon as possible, it doesn't mean that due diligence shouldn't be followed. Don't just hire anyone who claims to be certified and experienced in offering flood damage restoration services in the neighborhood without verifying the certifications and accreditation. In fact, a credible water cleanup contractor should have specializations in other fields such as plumbing and wiring so as to disconnect and connect broken pipes to restore the water damage satisfactorily. The contractor should have accreditation documents from relevant bodies like the Better Business Bureau.

Years of experience in the mitigation

Hire experienced professionals who have handled water damage mitigation situations that are even worse than the current flood damage problem. Experienced professionals have a good reputation. A good start is to ask friends and close family members for referrals of some of the reputable water damage restoration professionals in the neighborhood who can handle comprehensive drying.

Proximity

Remember, proximity is an issue here, therefore don't hire contractors who will take several days to get to your home when it has started developing mold. Mold and fungus can start developing on the site after two days. If the home or commercial building gets a mold manifestation, it may require that the building owner hires a mold removal company on top of the water damage restoration expenses. Some valuable possessions and furniture can get damaged if not salvaged in good time. Therefore, hiring professional contractors from the locality is a good idea.

Insured

To avoid unnecessary lawsuits in case of any unexpected eventualities during the water in a home or water in a business drying process, it's advisable to hire insured and bonded water in home or water in business removal companies. The water mitigation company should be bonded and licensed and comply with all policies regarding professional operation of a mitigation company.

Tools and equipment

The tools and modern equipment used by the water cleanup companies in removing the water in home or water in business are designed to be more effective than equipment sold for home use. Most businesses or homes can't afford to buy the expensive drying equipment necessary for the drying of the water for personal use. It's necessary to inquire about the type of equipment that the water in home or water in business Restoration Company will use in the water cleanup before signing any contract papers. Sometimes usage of certain equipment is prohibited in some residential estates.

The water removal company professionals should also wear protective gear such as gloves and masks when handling contaminated water from broken sewerage systems so as to avoid cross contamination. Ask the residential or commercial water Restoration Company to recommend any necessary repairs that should be conducted on the building after the restoration project.

Water Crisis in Your Home?

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO Is Uniquely Qualified to Respond to Water Damage

The residential housing in Northern Virginia typically has a long history, with many renovations over the years. When a water crisis occurs in your home, the original structures plus any remodeling or rehabbing that happened can create barriers to hinder water removal and rapid structural drying. We have many talented and multi-certified and experienced employees who have “seen it all,” yet are up for the next challenge. That is why we are confident when we take on your unique project.

Layers of Building Materials Lengthen Drying Times

When water damage in your home is complicated by multiple layers of sheetrock, expect extended drying times and increased potential for secondary damage like mold growth. The drying time for a single layer of saturated drywall typically is five to seven days. Adding layers in place because of DIY or professional remodeling you or previous owners completed requires adjusted drying times, often more than twice as long. Our team is skilled in the use of penetrating moisture meters with non-stick probes to establish the presence of moisture and to monitor progress. We can head off issues that might be brewing deep inside your walls. 

Controlled Demolition 

Floors, ceilings, and built-in cabinetry can funnel water damage into remote spaces and cavities within your home. When we follow the migration of water, the following question arises: can we employ controlled demolition techniques to gain access to caches of water and damp areas challenging to extract and dry? The training and mentoring by more experienced experts our employees receive is another reason why SERVPRO can respond to unusual water damage circumstances with creativity. Opening up moisture-filled spaces with holes and strategically placed cuts allows our extraction equipment to reach the water. Our air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers are also able to utilize planned demolition to introduce psychrometry - or the science of drying - to mitigate and remediate water damage far from the original loss.

Build Back Support 

Our residential contractor license permits us to offer our customers rebuilding services after controlled demolition. This wrap-around approach is why SERVPRO ensures your water-damaged home eventually returns to preloss condition, “Like it never even happened.”

What causes flooding?

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

There are many causes of flood damage in your home or business.

Anything can happen to flood your home or cause water in your business; even small accidents like a supply line break or a pipe break can cause a flooded home. Some causes are preventable, others are not.

The most common causes:

• Broken water heaters / Sump Pumps
• Leaking pipes
• Supply line break
• Frozen water lines / pipe break
• Storm water
• Blocked Sewer Lines
• Overflowing appliances (Bathtubs, dishwashers, washing machines)

Effects of Excessive Water?

Unless the water cleanup and drying is handled correctly and by a professional, the devastation can quickly spread. A Water Damage Restoration Professional is experienced in the mitigation process and can save you time, money and headaches. Without them, you are exposing yourself to all types of additional problems with water in your home or water in your business:

• Mold
• Contaminants in the water
• Structural problems
• Building materials
• Carpets and carpet padding
• Loss of personal property
• Electrical / mechanical problems

There is more involved than just fixing a pipe break or supply line break.

Handling Water Damage to Your Restaurant

12/3/2020 (Permalink)

You can count on SERVPRO’s experienced professionals to eliminate water damage on your property. Call us today.

With the high volume of traffic that your franchise eatery receives every day, you need fast and reliable water restoration. 

Natural disasters and accidents that impact your Northern Virginia restaurant's productivity and operation are rarely situations that employees and property managers can handle on their own. Broken sprinkler heads, damaged sink fixtures, or broken pipes in the walls can cause substantial water damage to the building. How these conditions get addressed can often be a difference in whether your facilities can stay up and running after a loss or if the doors to your restaurant must close temporarily for professional water restoration companies to complete their recovery. 

Because water damage repair for Northern Virginian restaurants can encompass so many individual tasks, each approach for compromised businesses varies based on the circumstances and structure's layout. Certain fundamental mitigation steps are the centerpiece of our initial activity, but even these approaches get tailored to specific situations. For example, controlled demolition might not be necessary for most metal frameworks in wall systems. However, older franchise restaurants might still feature wood framing in the walls that could become overly damaged with exposure. 

What Water Mitigation Services Must Occur? 

Even with a fixation on cleaning and restoring a damaged property after a water disaster, your restaurant depends on the initial mitigation and emergency services our SERVPRO team provides. Applying some of these actions immediately can keep your facility open in some capacity, allowing you to continue serving customers while restoration, cleaning, and drying continue. Mitigation involves several quick approaches, including:

What Materials Are Affected by Standing Water? 

No matter where the bulk of the damage exists in the restaurant, from the kitchen and food prep areas to the dining portion of the building, our contractors and restorers' response remains the same. Understanding what materials are the most likely to become damaged by the presence of water ensures that the appropriate drying and cleaning occurs promptly to reduce tear-out. 

Is Mold Possible? 

If mold exists because of the water damage situations in your restaurant, it could welcome several immediate health and safety concerns for your patrons and staff. When water damages exist, our SERVPRO professionals work quickly to limit the spread and treat surfaces with antimicrobial solutions when possible. 

Removing Smoke Odors from a Local Library

12/3/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage odors can be a considerable obstacle for restorers, and there are multiple deodorization strategies to help.

When even a small fire ignites in a Northern Virginia library, there are many potential obstacles and hurdles that fire restoration companies like our SERVPRO team must overcome. While much of these initial steps involve the mitigation stages such as debris removal and surface cleaning, in many ways, lingering odors can pose the most significant challenge to making fire losses "Like it never even happened."

While fire damage restoration for public structures involves a careful union of advanced cleaning techniques and containment strategies, libraries add further challenges with so many volumes of literature to preserve and protect. These contents are as crucial in many ways as the structure itself, as this represents the borough's investments into the education of its residents. While smoke residues and ash can present immediate threats to these books and works, odors can become a lingering concern that stays trapped in the paper pages and covers of these novels stocked on the shelves. Removing odors often falls to several capable pieces of equipment in our inventory, including:

Is Fogging the Best Odor Removal Approach?

While each of these deodorization approaches can have its ideal use in fire restoration cleanup and recovery, few have the versatility of thermal and ULV fogging. By creating a mist or vapor of deodorizing compounds, they can penetrate porous surfaces and contents to neutralize smoke and burning odors already embedded there. With the lightweight portability of fogging units, they are among the most widely used in odor removal approaches. Fire losses can be a challenge for public buildings like the library when contents become exposed.

Storm Safety & Awareness

12/3/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding can occur during any season, but some areas of the country are at greater risk at certain times of the year. Coastal areas are at greater risk for flooding during hurricane season (i.e., June to November).  Flooding can occur in several ways, including the following.

EVACUATION

To avoid being trapped when floodwaters threaten your area, the best action to protect yourself and your family is to evacuate before flooding starts. Know and follow the directions from local officials for community evacuation or seek high ground for localized flooding. If you do not evacuate before the flooding occurs or you are trapped by flash flooding, do not enter flooded areas or moving water either on foot or in a vehicle, including areas that appear to have only inches of water. Protecting yourself today means having sources for information, preparing your home or workplace, developing an emergency communications plan, and knowing what to do when a flood is approaching your home or business. Taking action today can save lives and property. Know your flood risk.  Move costly possessions and important documents – shift valuables and electrical goods off the floor for their own protection, ideally upstairs. SERVPRO recommends the following steps to protect you, your family, and your home.

SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  Whether you need emergency flood damage restoration or top-to-bottom home cleaning, you can trust us to make your house feel like home again. We have the training, experience, and equipment to quickly get your home looking its best. 

How to Remove Water From Your Business

12/3/2020 (Permalink)

Our Professionals Can Get Your Doors Back Open Quickly with Effective Extraction, Drying, and Repair Approaches

Water losses might vary in their cause and origin, but their effect on your hair salon can be universal with almost any other business. Disasters threaten your ability to serve your customers and cause damage to your building that exceeds your cleaning or restoration abilities. Our SERVPRO professionals have helped many businesses to get their doors back open again after a water loss incident, and we can help yours too.

From the pressing content damage to a need for water removal in your Northern Virginia business, cleaning up the mess is a vital step in the right direction. Our technicians have a wide variety of powerful tools and technologies that can work towards managing the loss as quickly as possible. The faster that our team can mitigate the damage, the sooner we can get the salon cleaned up and ready for your loyal clients to return.

Is Professional Extraction Faster?

It is a common misconception that DIY restoration approaches are as effective as professional ones. Especially when you consider efforts like extraction and drying, the equipment available to even a knowledgeable property owner pales in comparison to the industry-leading tools in our inventory. When you consider hard flooring materials like the ceramic tile and laminated wood throughout your main open floorplan, we have multiple available tools already stocked in our READY trailers and production vehicles to help like:

    •    Submersible Pumps

    •    Wet Vacuums

    •    Squeegee Wands

Extraction is one of the most vital efforts in our mitigation process, as removing standing water can remove much of the pressing threat for the exposed materials and contents in the central area of your shop. Powerful extraction equipment like our submersible pumps can keep water from getting high enough to damage your mounted swiveling chairs and wooden shelving and stations for individual stylists working for your salon.

Is the Floor Damaged Beneath the Surface?

One of the things that you cannot tell with a visual inspection of the damage is how widespread water loss effects have become. The migration of water can be one of the most significant hazards of these disasters, as threats can continue out of sight to facilitate mold and mildew growth, or spread and allow the deterioration of structural supports and subflooring beneath otherwise stable looking surface materials. Identifying moisture pockets and the path of migrating water involves sophisticated tools and intricate drying equipment when these damp points get discovered.

Moisture Detection Tools

We have multiple moisture detection tools that can help our SERVPRO technicians to identify moisture pockets beneath the surface material like tile. Probing meters are the most effective for this approach, though surface meters and thermal imagery also have their place in moisture identification.

Floor Mat System

If moisture pockets get recognized underneath the hard flooring materials in your salon, it is vital to get the water removed as soon as possible. Floor drying mats can be a useful tool for this task, as they provide a steady draw of moisture that can get readily monitored to prevent over-drying the affected areas.

How Long Does Drying Usually Take?

Because no two drying or restoration projects are exactly alike, it is impossible to say with certainty how long drying takes, as many variables could impact these results. We continually modify our drying approaches, equipment, and layout of these machines to maximize drying production.

High-Velocity Air Movers

At the center of all drying efforts by our technicians are the air movers. These tools continually manipulate airflow to increase evaporation. Evaporative drying is the centerpiece of every water recovery project we undertake.

Moisture Monitoring

By monitoring the progress of our drying tasks, we can identify what elements need to get manipulated more to increase our output. For example, this monitoring might indicate that centrifugal air movers should get moved to new locations or that there are not enough dehumidifiers to meet the rising moisture content.

Drying Sciences

Our experienced professionals have a working knowledge of practical drying sciences and how these factors can speed up or slow the drying process. Airflow, humidity, and temperature all must blend harmoniously to meet an efficient moisture removal result.

Does SERVPRO Clean After Drying My Shop?

Cleaning after a loss incident is one of the final ways that we can work to make loss incidents “Like it never even happened.”® We can wipe down surfaces and clean flooring with products like thymol oil to improve their sheen and appearance before you reopen your doors to your patrons.

Does Business Have to Grind to a Halt When Your Building Needs Restoration ?

12/3/2020 (Permalink)

Give the Experts at SERVPRO a Call When You Need Restoration of Your Northern Virginia Business

If anything is more frustrating than the disruption of a water loss on your business property, it surely is when you also have tenants whose operations are affected. Northern Virginia commercial buildings can be full of many shops, cafes, offices, and production sites, so water damage affects dozens to hundreds in our neighborhoods. Add in disappointed customers, and the effect spreads.

Can a Restoration Company Help with Containment, So That “Business as Usual” Can Proceed?

Customers can be fickle, so it is crucial to maintain a presence when your Northern Virginia business needs water damage restoration. You cannot afford to have the customer base you and your tenants built go elsewhere as your damaged building recovers. To ensure that you and your commercial tenants can still honor customer requests, partnering with a restoration company helps immensely. Erecting containment and barriers while building contained workspaces for water damage restoration can carve out safe, welcoming areas that permit your and your tenants’ businesses to continue operation.

Once Was Enough -- Is There a Way to Avoid The Chaos of Water Damage Restoration in the Future?

Think about partnering proactively with SERVPRO by collaborating on an Emergency READY Profile (ERP). We encourage our commercial clients to consider our ERP to prepare for water damage or another disaster much the same way you prepare for other business crises. To access the benefits of an ERP, do the following:

• Schedule an in-person assessment with one of our experienced water damage restoration project managers
• Review any recommendations resulting from the evaluation, and implement them:
• Store critical documents off-site or digitally
• Raise equipment above typical flood lines
• Repair leaks and upgrade utility configurations
• Designate employees or others to act on your business’s behalf if you are unavailable during a disaster
• Discuss the final concise, digital ERP plan with our managers, so you anticipate accurately what a water damage restoration job means to your operations and create planned adaptations to keep you going during the restoration

We are Cleaning Experts

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

Kitchen/Food Areas

Bathrooms

Schools/Classrooms

Offices

Retail Spaces

Water Fountains

Shelving/Racks

Sales Counters

Carpets and Rugs

Stair Handrails

Elevator Cars

Playground Equipment

Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Annandale-Falls Church, 703-237-8800

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

Dos & Don'ts of Commercial Water Damage

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

Unfortunately, water damage events are never scheduled. They typically occur at the most inconvenient time.

Because it is your business, quick response is critical in AVOIDING:

 That's where SERVPRO® of Annandale-Falls Church professionals come in to help you get back to business quickly.

DO:

DO NOT:

Top 3 Fire Damage Safety Tips

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

As weather starts to change, so should your fire safety considerations in your Annandale or Falls Church home. Preventing fires is important all year long, and focusing on the appropriate fire safety tips for the season can make your efforts more worthwhile.  Here are a couple of things to keep in mind as the temperature gets cooler and the leaves start to fall.

1. Candle Safety- You might be tempted to start bringing out your favorite fall scented candles soon. There’s just something about a beautiful, fragrant candle that feels comforting on a fall day. Candles come with their own safety considerations, however. Keep candles 12 inches away from anything that can burn and blow out candles when you are leaving the room. Never use a candle if there is oxygen being used in your home for medical purposes; electric candles are a safer option.

2. Heating equipment- Make sure your heating equipment is in working order and has been inspected before you start to use it. Since this equipment has been out of use for the last several months, it’s important that you follow the appropriate steps to make sure the unit is clean and functioning properly. If you use space heaters, make sure that they are surrounded by three feet of empty space and that they are turned off when you leave the house or go to bed.

3. Chimney inspection- if you have a usable fireplace, it’s essential to make sure that it is cleaned and inspected before you start using it to prevent built up creosote from previous fires. Cozying up next to a beautiful fire might be a quintessential part of your fall, but make sure that you do so as safely as possible. Also, consider using a screen to prevent sparks from igniting a fire somewhere in your home.

Energy Saving Tips for the Colder Months

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

The strategies below will help you save energy, save money, and stay comfortable during the cool fall and cold winter months. Some of the tips below are free and can be used on a daily basis to increase your savings; others are simple and inexpensive actions you can take to ensure maximum savings through the Annandale winter.

Take Advantage of Heat from the Sun

Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

Cover Drafty Windows

Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold winter months. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration. Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing.

Adjust the Temperature

When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10° to 15° for eight hours and save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. If you have a heat pump, maintain a moderate setting or use a programmable thermostat specially designed for use with heat pumps.

Find and Seal Leaks

Seal the air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes ("plumbing penetrations"), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. Add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.

Maintain Your Heating Systems

Replace your filter once a month or as needed for furnaces and heat pumps. Wood- and Pellet-Burning Heaters need to have the flue vent cleaned regularly and the inside of the appliance cleared out with a wire brush periodically to ensure that your building is heated efficiently.

Lower Your Water Heating Costs

Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands.

5 Sewage Backup Tips

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

Sewage is one of the most dangerous substances to enter your Annandale and Falls Church homes or buildings.

Sewage can contain fungi, bacteria, and viruses; many of which are disease-causing. Unfortunately, many people fail to appreciate the hazards that sewage presents, particularly for the very young, the elderly, for those with compromised immune systems, or those with respiratory problems.

The IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification) has compiled guidelines for professional sewage clean-up called the Standard for Water Damage Restoration (S500). Our SERVPRO® Technicians are certified in multiple specializations through the IICRC.

Here are the key principles homeowners should know about sewage back-ups:

• Sewage contains a variety of pathogenic – disease causing – fungi, bacteria, viruses and parasites. Anyone who works on sewage losses must have updated vaccinations, including one for Hepatitis B.
• Sewage exposure is particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, including anyone under two or over 60, those who are pregnant, ill, recovering from surgery, on prescription drugs or chemotherapy, or are AIDS victims.
• It is not safe to stay in a building that’s flooded with sewage unless the contaminated area can be completely sealed off and placed under controlled air flow so that there will be no cross contamination of unaffected areas.
• Highly absorbent sewage-saturated materials, such as carpet, pad, upholstery, bedding, wicker, paper or even fabrics that can’t be washed in hot water (130°F/54°C) for at least 10 minutes, must be contained and disposed of properly.  This goes for sewage-saturated drywall, insulation and several other structural materials too.  There’s simply too great a health risk involved if any of these materials are dried in place and cleaned only.
• Only the most highly trained professionals should attempt sewage remediation work. Then, a “third party” Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) can provide post-remediation verification or “clearance testing” to ensure that the home or building is safe to re-occupy.

Prepare Your McLean Household for Spring

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Weather Stripping

The Department of Energy (DOE) says weather stripping the windows on your home is an easy and effective way to help save money on your energy bill. In the spring and summer, weather stripping works by keeping the cool air inside and the warm air out. In the summer, if the cool air is contained inside, then the AC will not have to work as hard, and that may help you save money on your energy bill.

Indoor Maintenance

Test and clean ceiling fans. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, an efficient ceiling fan in each room can help allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees Fahrenheit without reducing your comfort level. Ceiling fans can be a good way to air out the house and generate a cross-breeze.

Replace your AC filter. The National Center for Healthy Housing recommends that you replace the filters in the air conditioner in the spring. A new filter will likely optimize the efficiency of the unit.

Replace torn or damage window screens. If you don’t have an air conditioner, or if you simply like to keep the windows open in the spring and summer, it’s a good idea to make sure your screens are in good shape — you don’t want to let flies in with all that fresh air!

Exterior Upkeep

The National Center for Healthy Housing suggests that in the springtime, you may want to consider these outdoor maintenance projects:

Check your roof shingles. This should be done by a professional, as working on the roof can be dangerous without the proper training. You should ask the professional to make sure the shingles are not curling or clawing.

Replace rotten siding or trim. Make sure your home’s siding and trim aren’t damaged from windy, icy conditions. 

Clean gutters and downspouts. Get rid of any leaves or other debris that accumulated during the winter to make sure your gutters and downspouts are ready to take on those April showers.

4 Safety Tips for Landlord and Property Managers

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Here are four tips from various Annandale and Falls church landlord and property manager resources to get the conversation started:

Methods of Fire Restoration

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Team SERVPRO® Uses Appropriate Cleaning Methods When Dealing with Soot and Other Damage After a Fire.

After a fire damage incident, the smoke particles that move around the structure can negatively impact ceilings and walls in many ways. To prevent permanent or further damage, you need to take immediate action, and it is not advisable to do the cleaning by yourself. Not all fire events are the same, and that calls for professional help to determine the most suitable restoration procedures for your property. 

Specific factors guide our SERVPRO® technicians when selecting the most appropriate technique after a fire damage incident. For instance, if we are cleaning walls and ceilings, we look at the type of smoke residues, the nature of the surface, and whether the area is dry cleanable or wet cleanable. Peroxide active cleaning, wet cleaning, and dry cleaning are the primary cleaning methods that we use. 

Our SERVPRO® technicians use dry cleaning when cleaning surfaces that have non-oily smoke residues. In this method, we use a dry clean sponge to do the job, and it is among the initial steps that we perform before extensive cleaning starts. If we need to remove light to heavy smoke residues from wooden, metal, and painted ceilings, then wet cleaning is an option. 

Peroxide active cleaning is a suitable method for cleaning greasy particles that are on acoustical ceilings and other forms of nonporous and porous ceilings. We prefer this method when there are chances of dissolving the coating on textured ceilings through aggressive wet cleaning methods. The method also preserves the appearance of blown tiles. 

When our SERVPRO® technicians are dry cleaning your property, we usually start by cleaning the ceilings before moving to the walls to avoid introducing dirt to clean areas. To avoid streaking the walls with the cleaning solution during wet cleaning, we start by cleaning the walls and then move to the ceilings. We also clean walls from the bottom to the top when performing wet cleaning. 

Spring Storm Safety in Annandale and Falls Church

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Be Aware of the Weather Conditions

The most important thing you can do is to stay aware of weather conditions in the areas that you will be traveling. Tune into the local radio stations, watch the weather channel, or go to weather-related websites that will cover the area along your route. Awareness is essential part of spring storm safety, not only during tornado season, but during the winter as well, when snow and ice can make the roads a serious danger. Staying informed of any potential for severe weather will help you plan a safe route.

Stay Out (or Get Out) of the Danger Zone

If you can, stay away from any potential dangerous weather by planning your route accordingly. If your route goes through an area that shows a potential for storms, check the map and find a route that helps you avoid the situation entirely. If your destination is in the area of the storm, see if you can leave early to miss the storm or wait it out until the potential for hazardous weather has passed. It may not always be possible, but being proactive and avoiding the hazardous conditions altogether is the best way to stay safe during storms and tornadoes.

Stay Away from Overpasses!

If you do find yourself in a storm, never go for the myth of hiding under an overpass. For years, drivers believed this is one of the best places to wait out a storm, but in fact it’s one of the worst. Overpasses can become wind-tunnels, interacting with a tornado to create even more powerful winds. Stay away from overpasses, whether you’re in your cab or on the ground. Which brings us to another topic: whether or not to leave your truck...

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

This topic is highly-debated among truckers in the industry. Some swear by staying in your cab, while others advocate leaving the truck and seeking low ground like a ditch or valley. It seems the best answer depends on the situation itself. Sometimes, it may be best to stay put and let the cab be your shelter, while other situations call for leaving the truck. However, if there is real shelter nearby, like a building or home, this option is always better than staying in your truck or hiding in a ditch.

Benefits of Staying in the Truck

Inside your cab, the truck will act as your shelter, protecting you from hail, lightning, and debris. Keep your seatbelt on, as this will protect you if the winds become strong enough to overturn your vehicle. You should also crouch below the line of the windshield to protect yourself from flying debris.

Benefits of Getting Out

Getting out and hiding in a ditch puts you below the strongest winds and flying debris. If winds hit your truck hard enough, it could overturn, in which case you will be thankful you’re not inside. If you choose to get out, make sure you are far enough away from the truck in case it is pushed over.

In the end, it really comes down to being informed and aware. The #1, undisputed spring storm safety tip for truckers is to avoid the severe weather altogether. Yes, you need to do your job and be a dependable trucker, but taking risks with your life just to make your delivery is simply not worth it.

No reasonable person will be upset with you because you chose to avoid severe weather. In fact, most people will applaud your regard for safety.

Safe Flood Clean-up Tips

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Before entering a building where flood damage may have occurred, make sure it’s safe.

Check for electrical hazards and structural damage, and use proper protective gear like boots, gloves, and respirators. Before you start any construction or repairs, check for common hazardous materials like lead paint and asbestos, which may require help from professional and State-licensed contractors.

Then, follow these tips:

Customer Experience and Expectation Management

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What To Expect When We Arrive

1) On-site personnel is not permitted to give estimates or opinions on pricing and total cost as emergency  services often include  unforeseen costs.

2) Length of Process:                                

1. The average water damage restoration takes 1-1½ weeks to complete start to finish.
2. The average mold mitigation takes 1-1 ½ weeks to complete start to finish.
3. The average fire damage remediation takes 2-3 weeks to complete start to finish.
4. Please expect multiple visits throughout the project.

3)  PLEASE BE SURE TO CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, if you haven’t already. 

What To Expect During Remediation

1) Regular business hours are between 9AM and 4PM, Monday - Friday.  All other times incur “After Hours” fees at a rate of up to 40%. 

1. Some insurance will not cover “After Hours” fees.
2. Any fees not covered by insurance will be the responsibility of the Authorized Customer.
3. Request clarification from your insurance company.

2) Appointment reminders are sent to you via text the day before work is to be performed. Customer MUST confirm via text message, failure to respond WILL result in the job being cancelled. 

3) Customers who have missed an appointment or cancelled same-day WILL be charged $200.

4) Equipment is required to run 24 hours every day of the project. Drying equipment is loud and heats the area it is placed in. Please DO NOT turn off equipment as this will result in unsuccessful drying and will cause the customer to accrue additional charges.

 Situations To Be Prepared For

1) If removal of structural materials is required:

1. Reconstruction can be performed by our construction department after mitigation.
2. Insurance carriers may require you to use a construction company of their choosing.

2) Contents may be deemed unsalvageable based on:

1. If materials are porous (containing pores).
2. What type of damage they incurred.

3) Please take time to inventory and bring to the site manager’s attention any family heirlooms, jewelry, antiques, and items of emotional value.

4) Containment may be required on site to assist with drying or to prevent secondary damage to unaffected areas. While containment is in place, please limit your use of these areas for the duration of the project. Containment is set up for your health and safety. 

5) Please be aware that since this is an EMERGENCY SITUATION there may be unforeseen circumstances, time-frame extensions, structural conditions.

6) We WILL mitigate and remediate to the best of our ability in a timely fashion, following industry Standards, and providing you with a quality result.

What To Expect At Job Completion

1) Invoices will be sent to the customer’s email that they provided. 

2) Invoices will also be sent to the insurance adjuster (if applicable).

3) Payment is required 15 days from date of received invoice.

Commercial Building Management Winter Checklist

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Freezing or Bursting Pipes

One of the most common causes of damage to commercial buildings during the colder months is freezing and bursting pipes. As a building owner, there are measures you can take to prevent pipes from freezing; however, sometimes the worst happens anyway. If it does, the result can be thousands of dollars of damage to your building, furniture, electronics, and other business property.

Following are a few tips on protecting the pipes in your building from winter’s worst:

Winter Runoff

As winter begins to recede, the risk of damage from freezing pipes fades with it. However, melting snow and ice bring a new concern for building owners—flood damage to property resulting from the runoff of the melt. In many areas of the country, snowmelt is a greater threat for flooding than any other source. The bad news is that flood resulting from melting snow and ice is still considered a flood and, therefore, may not be covered by standard commercial property insurance.

Damage from Ice, Sleet or Snow

Ice, sleet and snow can be incredibly destructive to your property. They can be the source of damage or amplify existing damage—for example, ice getting into a crack in a wall. Unfortunately, damage caused by ice, snow and sleet are not covered by most standard commercial property insurance policies. While some policies will cover damage resulting from the abrupt collapse of a building’s roof under the weight of ice, snow or sleet, others will not.

Protecting your building from harsh winter conditions takes a great deal of preparation.

5 Simple Tips to Avoid Christmas Tree Fires

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Most house fires happen during the holidays and Christmas trees are one of the most common reasons. Christmas trees looks so elegant with the strings of lights and an electric tree topper of some kind. When Christmas trees burn, many go up in flames in seconds.

Some Holiday Fire Facts:

• One of every three home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems.
• Christmas tree fires are more likely to be serious, resulting in death once in every 31 occurrences (compared to an average of one death per 144 total reported home fires).
• A heat source too close to the tree causes 25% of all Christmas tree fires.

Here are 5 safety tips to avoid tree fires:

• Water your tree every day or at least every other day.
• Keep your tree away from any heating elements like a portable space heater or a radiator.
• Check your tree lights to make sure they are not frayed or damaged.
• Make sure all electrical items are plugged into a surge protector as an extra precaution.
• Make an escape plan for your family so you are prepared in case of emergencies.

When Lightning Strikes in Annandale and Falls Church

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Each year thousands of home and other properties are destroyed or damaged by lightning strikes.

The first step to protecting your home is contacting a professional who is qualified to design and install a certified lightning protection system. It will be designed to control or force the discharge onto a specified path, thereby eliminating the chance of fire or explosion within non-conductive parts of the house such as those made of wood, brick, tile, etc. A lightning protection system is not intended to prevent a strike. Its purpose is to provide a safe path on which the current can be safely directed to the ground.

A typical lightning protection system

A complete system is made up of the following components:

5 Money Saving Tips for Your Water Bill

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What is wastewater averaging?

Wastewater averaging is the practice of estimating the amount of wastewater discharged from your home into the city’s sanitary sewer system. It is essentially a cap on the volume of wastewater you will be billed for each month for the next year. This practice goes by a variety of names including average winter consumption, wastewater winter averaging, winter averaging, winter quarterly average, or winter period average.

Check with your local utility company to see how they handle your wastewater charges. Some utilities don’t want to mess with all these calculations, so they charge a flat, monthly wastewater fee.

Your water utility uses a wastewater average because they can’t measure the actual amount of wastewater discharged from your home. The best way to measure the wastewater discharge is to use your water meter to measure your monthly water use and then estimate the amount of wastewater that could be returning to the city sewers.

Shouldn’t water flow IN be equal to water flow OUT?

Well, in the winter time, it generally does, but during the rest of the year, it doesn’t since you could be using water outdoors. The water you sprinkle on your lawn doesn’t go to the city sewers. Therefore, the wastewater averaging period typically happens during the winter months when there should be little to no outdoor water use.

Typically, a multiple month average during the late fall and winter months is used rather than picking one month during the year. This averaging is more fair just in case you have a higher water use during a single month. If you use more water than your wastewater average, then it is assumed that this additional water has been used outdoors and will not be returned back to the city’s sewers for processing and treatment. Therefore, you are not charged for this water usage on your wastewater bill. Conversely, if you use less water during a month than your wastewater average, then your wastewater charge should equal only the actual amount of water used that month.

Why is this so important?

Generally, the cost of wastewater is higher than the cost of potable water. Due to the nature of wastewater, you can imagine it would be more expensive to treat before being released back into environment. In order to achieve these savings throughout the year though, you have to reduce your water use during your wastewater averaging period.

Conserving water in the winter = Saving money all year long

Using less water during the wastewater averaging period will result in a corresponding lower wastewater bill throughout the entire year.  Here are ways to reduce your winter time water use and consequently your monthly wastewater bill:

• Fix all leaky fixtures – This one is a mundane tip but leaks are a major culprit of unintentional water use in our homes.
• Shower at your gym – Not only will this conserve water at your home but it could also get your New Year’s resolution to lose weight started early.
• Don’t wash your car at home – This one is easy.
• Turn off your irrigation system – Your landscaping probably won’t need water during the winter months since the plants will be dormant.
• Insulate hot water pipes – Since the cold weather is coming, this is a perfect time to insulate any exposed hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet. You’ll save some energy as well.

Mold and You

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Mold is a family of organisms that are found throughout nature. Unlike plants, mold needs food and water sources in order to thrive. This food source is often in the form of a carbohydrate material, such as wood or cellulose.

Mold grows in units called mycelium and reproduce through the formation of spores. Spores frequently become airborne, and like pollen can cause allergic disease.

What Types of Diseases Can Mold Cause?

Mold has well-known associations with human disease. People can develop fungal infections of various types, especially those with poorly functioning immune systems. Fungi are also known to produce toxins, which have been blamed for causing various diseases.

Molds can also cause severe immune reactions as a result of colonizing (living in, but not causing an actual infection) the lungs (hypersensitivity pneumonitis) and the sinuses. Molds are also well known to cause various allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma.

Which Molds are Known to Cause Allergies?

There are thousands of types of mold, however, only a few of these are currently available for allergy testing. The following are the most likely causes of allergic disease based on the types of mold spores collected in the air:

• Alternaria is a  common outdoor mold; allergy to this mold can be associated with severe asthma.

• Cladosporium is the most common airborne outdoor mold.

• Aspergillus is a common indoor and outdoor mold; also associated with allergic

bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

• Penicillium is a common indoor mold; allergy to which is not associated with antibiotic allergy.

• Helminthosporum is more commonly found in warmer climates.

• Epicoccum is found in grassland and agricultural areas.

• Fusarium is a commonly found on rotting plants.

• Aureobasidium is a common outdoor mold, commonly found on paper, lumber and painted surfaces.

• Phoma is an outdoor mold, especially common during wet periods.

• Smuts are abundantly found in areas of agriculture.

• Rhizopus and Mucor are commonly found on decaying leaves and damp indoor areas. Airborne forms of these molds are less common.

• Yeasts are commonly found in the air during wet periods in agricultural areas. Allergic disease to Candida albicans is controversial, despite some people having positive allergy testing to this type of mold.

What Times of the Year Does Mold Allergy Occur?

In colder climates, molds can be found in the outdoor air starting in the late winter and peaking in the late summer to early fall months (July to October). In warmer climates, mold spores may be found throughout the year, with the highest levels found in the late summer to early fall months.

While indoor molds can occur year-round and are dependent on moisture levels in the home, indoor mold levels are higher when outdoor mold levels are higher. Therefore, a common source of indoor mold is from the outside environment, although can also be from indoor mold contamination.

What Measures Can Be Used to Decrease Indoor Mold Levels?

• Prevent outdoor molds from entering the home by keeping doors and windows closed and using air conditioning equipped with allergen-grade air filters
• Control indoor moisture with the use of dehumidifiers
• Fix water leaks in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements
• Ensure adequate ventilation of moist areas
• Clean (or replace) contaminated surfaces with diluted a chlorine bleach solution (one part household bleach in 9 parts water), while using proper protective gear (mask and goggles)
• Utilize HEPA-filters on vacuums or as a stand-alone air filter
• Limit indoor houseplants, and ensure those that are present are free of mold on leaves and in potting soil

For more information: https://www.verywellhealth.com/mold-allergy-83231

Annandale and Falls Church Businesses and Fire Safety

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When a fire breaks out at your business, you won’t have time to sit down and research what to do. You’ll be busy trying to get everyone out and grabbing important documents amidst all the chaos.

That, along with many other reasons, is why your business in Plant City, Lakeland, Winter Haven, and nearby central Florida areas needs to have a fire safety plan in place before a fire starts.

Why a Fire Safety Plan Should be a Top Priority

Running a business takes time and money, so it’s tempting to put administrative items on the back burner until you have time to get to them. However, you need to address a fire safety plan sooner rather than later.

Without a plan in place, you could be setting yourself up for even more of a disaster, including employee lawsuits and other liability issues. You also need to be cognizant of what could cause a fire in your business. A restaurant obviously has fire dangers in the kitchen, whereas a tech company could have equipment that overheats, and a retail store could have other issues arise.

Employee Safety is Key During a Fire

It’s vital to ensure that your employees will be safe in case of a fire. During storm season, it’s possible that a fire could break out due to a lightning strike. Fires start with no warning and most people will react with a flight response, running out of the room.

Without a plan in place, they may run to the wrong area of the building and there is no way to keep track of which employees went where or if they got out safely. In other words, during a disaster is not the time for employees to learn proper procedure. Instead, create a plan and make sure each employee has knowledge of what to do in case of a fire.

HOST QUARTERLY FIRE DRILLS AND MAKE SURE FIRE SAFETY TRAINING IS PART OF NEW EMPLOYEE ONBOARDING.

What Your Fire Safety Plans Should Include

Any business, small or large, should have a fire safety plan in place. There are many elements that go into ensuring a successful fire safety plan, which include:

What to Do After Fire Strikes Your Business

After you begin to pick up the pieces when a fire strikes your business, it’s important to quickly address the fire damage that has happened. Restoring fire damage is vital to ensuring the building structure and items inside can be salvaged. Contacting a company such as True Builders to assist with the fire damage restoration process should be one of your first steps.

Fire Place and Chimney Safety

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Gather round the hearth. Even if you use your fireplace only occasionally, you should check it annually for damage and hazards.

Inspect your flue for creosote. Creosote is a flammable by-product of burning wood. If it accumulates in a flue or chimney, the result can be a devastating fire. Have your chimney inspected annually for creosote buildup. If you use a fireplace or wood stove frequently, have the flue inspected after each cord of wood burned.

For most people, the best option is to have your entire chimney system inspected by a chimney sweep. Once you know what to look for, you can perform the inspection by shining a bright flashlight up the flue, looking for any deposits approaching 1/8 inch thick. These deposits should be cleaned by an experienced chimney sweep.

Look for flue blockages. Birds love to nest at the top of an unprotected flue. A chimney cap can prevent this from happening. If you don't have a cap, look up the flu to ensure that there are no obstructions.

Exercise the damper. The damper is the metal plate that opens and closes the flue just above the firebox. Move it to the open and closed positions to ensure that it is working properly.

Check your chimney for damage. Make certain that the flue cap (the screen or baffle covering the top of the chimney) is in place. Inspect brick chimneys for loose or broken joints. If access is a problem, use binoculars.

Keep the humidifier humming. 

You may know that bone dry winter air is bad for your health, but did you also know it can make fine wood more prone to cracking? You and your home will feel more comfortable if you keep your central humidifier in tip-top shape during the months it is running.

Here's how: First, inspect the plates or pads, and if necessary, clean them in a strong laundry detergent solution. Rinse and scrape off mineral deposits with a wire brush or steel wool.

Head-off gas problems. 

Keeping a gas heater in good shape is both a safety and a cost issue. An improperly maintained heater may simply be costing you more to operate. Have a professional check these devices annually. There are also some maintenance items you should address.

Here's how: First, shut off the heater. Then check the air-shutter openings and exhaust vents for dirt and dust. If they are dirty, vacuum the air passages to the burner and clean the burner of lint and dirt. Follow the manufacturer's advice for any other needed maintenance.

Be Prepared if You're in a Flood Zone

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When a Flood is Imminent

• Be prepared! Pack a bag with important items in case you need to evacuate. Don't forget to include needed medications.
• If advised to evacuate your home, do so immediately.
• If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground.
• If possible, bring in outdoor furniture and move essential items to an upper floor.
• Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances.

During a Flood

• Do not walk through moving water. As little as 6 inches (15 centimeters) of moving water can make you fall.
• If you have to walk in water, wherever possible, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

After a Flood

• Listen for news reports to learn whether the community's water supply is safe to drink.
• Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Avoid moving water.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.

Pre-Vacation Checklist

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Know where your home’s main water supply shut-off is located, and how to use it.

SHUT OFF THE WATER TO YOUR HOUSE AND DRAIN THE PIPES

This may sound drastic, but it will keep your house from flooding. Take away the water and there’s no pressure on weak points in your system. And even if something does break there’s no water to flood through. Removing the water from your pipes also keeps them from freezing, another big cause of flood damage.

Just before you lock the door for your vacation, turn off the water at your home’s main water supply shut-off. Then flush the toilets and turn on a faucet in the lowest part of the house. Let the water run dry before you leave.

 IF YOU NEED WATER RUNNING IN THE HOUSE, FOR PETS OR PLANTS, TURN OFF THE VALVES TO THE TOILETS, FAUCETS, WASHING MACHINE, AND REFRIGERATOR.

Maybe you never noticed, but all of these things have their own little shut-off valves. And while you’ll still have water in the big pipes in your house, these are much less likely to fail than a faucet or refrigerator line. Only leave the water on for the one faucet that will be used for your plants or pets. Click here to find out how to locate and turn off these valves.

CHECK FOR LEAKS

A few weeks before your trip scrutinize areas under sinks and around the water heater to make sure you don’t already have a leak somewhere. According to the American Water Works Association, a leak of 30 drips per minute totals up to nearly five gallons in a day. Imagine if you took five milk jugs right now and poured them out on your hardwood floor, then left that liquid for a week. Then someone came along tomorrow and added five more jugs to the pool. Trust me, this could be your reality. If you find a leak, get it fixed right away.

HAVE SOMEONE CHECK ON YOUR HOUSE

The monstrous damage our house sustained suggests the leak went unchecked for days. If someone had discovered the deluge sooner, we would’ve saved thousands of dollars in damage and blunted the heartbreak of blindly returning home to a disaster.

Whether you turn the water off or not, have a friend or neighbor go into your house every couple of days. Make sure they know where your main water shut off is located. And give them a local emergency contact in case something does go wrong.

HIRE A HOUSESITTER

If you want true piece of mind, find someone to stay in your house while you’re away. Not only will this defend against pressure build-up in your pipes, but if something breaks or leaks you will have a helpful person right there to respond. Ask friends and family for a recommendation or see if someone you know would be willing to housesit.

INVEST IN A WATER SENSOR SYSTEM

Increasingly, there are technological solutions to help prevent devastating water damage to your home. From water sensors that send an alarm when they get wet, to automatic shut-off systems that stop water flow; many options exist. In the next few months we will be investigating this topic – look for a future post with more in-depth analysis and advice.

KEEP YOUR STUFF IN PLASTIC STORAGE BINS

Even if everything goes wrong and your house fills up with water, you can still protect your possessions with plastic storage bins. We lost a lot of belongings in our flood, but my grandmother’s photos survived untouched. Even though they were directly under the breach, effectively at the bottom of a waterfall, inside their plastic storage bin was perfectly dry.

What was not in a plastic bin was my laptop and several other valuable electronics, and only my laptop survived (thanks to a heroic rescue from our local computer shop). If it’s small and can easily be stashed when you leave, put your laptop, tablets, and other sensitive gear in a safe or at least in plastic. This makes it harder for burglars to find too.

GET A SAFE

A safe is good policy even if you don’t have a flood. It can protect sensitive documents and electronics from water, fire, and theft. If you invest in a safe, get one big enough to hold your laptops and tablets. And don’t forget to stash everything in there before you go on vacation.

DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE

If it’s been awhile since you’ve reviewed your homeowner’s coverage limits, be sure you aren’t underinsured. With reconstruction costs often topping those from fire, water can damage everything from your furnace to wood floors to walls to the actual structure of your house. Make sure your policy will cover the full cost if you have a disaster.

Professional Team with a Personal Touch.

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Has your home or business fallen victim to water or fire damage? Our franchise is committed to offering quality restoration services to homes and businesses throughout Fairfax and Arlington County. We will work quickly to clean up your property, repair the damage, and get your building back in operational order. We offer 24/7 emergency services and outstanding personalized service to completely address all of your concerns.

Let SERVPRO Help Your Business Thrive

Floods and fires can take a toll on business owners, especially if you have to cut operations to clean up the mess. Instead of facing the problem alone, count on SERVPRO. Our team has extensive experience, advanced tools, and helpful resources available to quickly clean up damaged property and get your company operating in no time.

Our commercial services include:

• Storm damage restoration
• Water damage restoration
• Fire damage restoration
• Mold remediation

We can also work directly with your insurance company to ensure that you receive the best services to assist you through the inconveniences that you are experiencing. You should never go through a disaster alone, and when you work with SERVPRO, you will not have to!

Cause & Effect: Commercial Water Damage To Dos

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage in the workplace may not only prevent you from doing business. It can also put the health and safety of your employees at risk. The moment you spot signs of commercial water damage, it’s important to take action immediately.

Commercial water damage restoration is often more complex than residential water damage restoration and usually requires an intensive approach. The size and structure of commercial buildings, the extent of damage, the varying uses of space, and the number of occupants all affect the restoration process. Aside from these, there’s usually always a time constraint for the job because business has to continue as soon as possible.

While some water damage issues are inevitable, most problems can be prevented when the cause of water damage is found earlier.

In this post, we’ll talk about the most common causes of water damage in commercial properties and how to deal with them.

CAUSES OF COMMERCIAL WATER DAMAGE:

DAMAGED WINDOWS

In commercial buildings, water damage is often caused by windows that are not properly sealed. Damaged windows can cause moisture to seep in, which triggers a lot of problems including mold build-up and warped wood and drywall. Resealing windows regularly is important as caulk can break down over time.

DAMAGED PIPES

Broken pipes can stem from many reasons, such as changes in pressure, deteriorated water supply lines and sewer drains, and cold weather (freezing temperature can cause pipes to burst). Bulging walls, water stains on walls or floors, cracked or loose tiles, and musty smell – these are all signs of damaged pipes. Detecting leaky pipes is challenging and it usually requires some specialized water leak detection equipment.

BUILDING FOUNDATION

If gutters are not cleaned regularly, they can get clogged, causing water to leak into the property through the roof or the foundation. One of the most common signs of leaks in building foundations are puddles nearby or framing that has become wet. Poor drainage systems can also lead to water damage in your foundation.

ROOF LEAKS

A leaky roof can cause ceiling damage, mold or mildew issues, fire hazards from shortened wires, and compromised structural integrity. Exposure to heavy rains and snow make roofs vulnerable to damage. Moreover, incorrect snow/ice removal can also trigger water damage in roofs.

HVAC PROBLEMS

HVAC systems work by heating or cooling the air through a series of ducts. Over time, these ducts wear out and get damaged, resulting in leaks. The HVAC system needs to be cleaned regularly and the excess water from the condensation reservoirs has to be removed to prevent water damage.

SEWER CLOGS

Sewer water contains bacteria and other pathogens that cause illnesses and infections. If you see signs of sewage damage, such as gurgling sounds or water backing up out of the drain or toilet, you should call water damage and restoration professional immediately.

SPRINKLER SYSTEM LEAKS

Other causes of water damage in commercial buildings are leaks in sprinkler systems. Signs of sprinkler leaks include wet surfaces like drywall and carpets, presence of mold and mildew, and standing water. Regularly inspect your sprinkler systems for leaks and moisture.

COMMERCIAL WATER DAMAGE PREVENTION

Taking the necessary measures to prevent water damage can save you from costly repairs and business interruption in the future. Since water damage can come from a variety of sources, it’s essential to have the building inspected regularly to prevent leaks and related issues.

CREATE A FLOOD MONITORING SYSTEM

Regardless of whether your business is located in a flood-prone area, make sure you have an efficient flood warning system in place. Flooding can result from other causes, including plumbing failures, overflowing rivers, and melting snow.

GET ENOUGH COVERAGE FOR YOUR PROPERTY

Flooding is not usually included in property insurance policies. Water damage restoration can be very expensive. Water damage insurance can help you deal with the costs if ever your property gets damaged by a flood in the future.

CONDUCT A WATER DAMAGE INSPECTION REGULARLY

Water damage prevention is a lot cheaper than restoration. To prevent water damage from getting worse, have professionals inspect your property at least once a year. Leak detection is performed in several ways, such as humidity monitoring and the use of spot sensors.

INVEST IN FACILITY MAINTENANCE

A preventative maintenance plan should help keep your commercial building safe and secure and contribute to your water leak prevention efforts. Different parts of a commercial building should be inspected at different intervals. For example, doors, windows, and gates should be checked each year for weariness while the roof can be coated every five years or so to prevent damage.

COMMERCIAL WATER DAMAGE AND MOLD

Water damage and mold go hand in hand.

One of the most common effects of water damage in commercial buildings is mold and mildew build-up. It only takes 24-48 hours of exposure to water damage before these dangerous microorganisms start growing.

To stop mold growth, the source of water damage should be fixed right away. It’s best to hire emergency water damage restoration professionals to conduct mold cleanup and mold mitigation to ensure that no trace is left.

COMMERCIAL WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION

Commercial water damage restoration is a job that is best handled by professionals. Make sure to hire restoration contractors who have water damage restoration certification.

Water damage specialists are expensive. If you’re worried about the cost of their service, you can buy water damage restoration equipment instead, like air movers, commercial dehumidifiers, air scrubbers and more. These devices can help reduce the moisture in your indoor air, helping prevent mold growth and the other effects of water damage. However, if the water damage is caused by structural issues like the ones discussed above, you have no choice but to hire professionals to have those problems repaired.

CONCLUSION

Water damage in commercial buildings is a serious problem that should be addressed as soon as possible. There are many causes of water damage, like damaged windows, roof leaks, damaged pipes, sewer clogs, HVAC leaks, and sprinkler system leaks.

Thankfully, water damage can be prevented by creating a flood monitoring system, getting an insurance plan that covers flood damage, and conducting regular property inspection and facility maintenance.

If you see signs of water damage in your commercial property, call the professionals right away. Fixing the root cause of water damage should stop it from getting worse.

Burned Turkeys Happen... Home Damage Doesn't Have To!

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

While Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday, filled with food, family and football, there is another attribute that may surprise you.   According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), Thanksgiving is the peak day of the year in which home fires occur.  In 2016, U.S. Fire Departments reported a total of 1,500 home fires on Thanksgiving Day, with Christmas Day coming in as a close second.

In order to avoid any potential fire damage or injury, browse these simple guidelines to ensure you have a safe holiday season.

Hot Tips for Extreme Cold

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

Extreme cold weather can be hard on both you and your home. Here are some tips to put into practice when freezing weather, snow, and ice hit your area.

How to Deal with Frozen Pipes

Water Back Up: Prevention and Protection

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

There are a number of preventative measures you can take to avoid water back up damage and minimize the amount of damage should it occur. But a significant amount of water back up incidents may not be preventable. For example, Colorado Springs Utilities estimates that water back up damages amount to $1,000,000 annually and that 80% of these losses are unpreventable. Worse, 80% of homeowners do not have insurance protection against water back up.

Water back up most often occurs in the basement and can damage heating systems, water tanks. Basements that are used as laundry areas, for seasonal storage or are finished and used as additional living space put even more property at risk from this cause of loss.

Most homeowner policies do not provide coverage for water back up loss, but the protection can be added usually for as little as $25 to $50 a year.

Sump pumps and back flow valves installed in the sanitary sewer and drain lines are good measures against water backing up from those sources. Maintaining the sewer and drain lines is also an important loss mitigation measure. Homeowners are generally responsible for the sewer and drain lines running from the house to the street, so it is a good idea to have these checked periodically for blockage due to tree root intrusion or an accumulation of dirt, hair, grease or paper products.

Seepage through a building foundation is another common entry point for water back up. This can be avoided by making sure your basement is sealed and rainwater drains away from your home or office. Extremely heavy rains will saturate the ground and result in basement seepage even in homes that have had no problems in the past.

According to the Insurance Information Institute the results of water back up can range from minor financial set back to a potentially devastating consequence. A sewer backup can lead to disease, destruction of your valuables, damage to your house or business, and can even result in electrical malfunctions. Prompt cleanup of the affected property can help minimize the inconvenience and prevent mold and further damage. In the event of sewer backup, immediately arrange for the cleanup of your property. This should include:

Preventing Mold in the Winter

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

The wet season in the winter months is one of the best times of year for molds to grow and expand. Often mold is contained near sources of water where it can easily grow and reproduce. As it grows, mold can breakdown and compromise the integrity and strength of the source in which it lives.

Mold spores are microscopic and are naturally found in the air we breathe indoors and outdoors. When large amounts of spores grow, one’s health may be compromised. Mold can be killed, but if it is not removed properly, it can remain in the area just cleaned and the dry spores can be released into the air. Mold remediation services can help eliminate the mold in your home and personal items affected by water damage.

Prevention, however, is what will help keep your lungs healthy and homes and buildings strong. We’ve put together a few tips on how you can help thwart mold from infesting your home that are efficient and realistic:

General Home and Building Maintenance:

Benefits of a Cleaning Service

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

Cleaning Services

The office is one of those places where people spend most of their time. It’s where you meet and interact with other people daily. There are many spaces like the bathroom, board room, break room and the kitchen, that are used by everyone. Therefore, these are spaces where most employees encounter disease-carrying germs.

In fact, this is the number one reason common ailments like cold and flu viruses spread in an office environment. Things that are frequently touched such as door knobs, refrigerator handles or microwaves are perfect places for germs to thrive.

No wonder, illness spreads easily in such shared spaces, affecting everyone. Result? Unhealthy employees and frequent sick days, leading to decreased productivity.

As a business owner, one your priorities should be to keep your office environment clean, especially the shared spaces. Although it’s not possible to eliminate all germs and bacteria, there are steps our cleaning services company recommends for keeping your office germ-free. Let’s discuss some of them.

Company Clean Hands

We are taught from our childhood to keep our hands clean, especially before we eat. Unfortunately, an astonishing number of people still don’t follow proper hand-hygiene practices. Oftentimes, people don’t clean their hands after using shared equipment or germ-ridden things in public places such as elevators, handrails, light switches, and water fountain handles.

Moreover, people reportedly don’t wash their hands after coughing or sneezing. This is how germs get transferred to daily-used items such as keyboards, desks, door knobs and phones.

To promote good hand-hygiene in your office, post signs in bathrooms to remind employees to wash their hands thoroughly. In addition, stock your office space with disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer to keep germs at bay.

Keep Common Surfaces Clean

Some of the spaces in your office are commonly used and shared like breakrooms. The tables, chairs, door knobs, and countertops are touched by many people in a day.

Therefore, not cleaning or disinfecting these areas regularly increases the likelihood germs are passed from person to person. An experienced janitorial company focuses on these areas every time they clean.

Be Careful of the Overlooked Spaces

There are some surfaces in your office that may get forgotten. These include drawers, handles of the refrigerator, microwave buttons and sink knobs. These areas serve as perfect breeding grounds for bad bacteria and viruses.

A good cleaning services company will always pay attention to these oft-overlooked spaces. They use the right cleaning agent that not only provides a spotless look but also disinfects these areas effectively.

Keep Desks Clean

Office desks often have the highest potential to get contaminated with disease-causing organisms. Work areas and desk-top equipment are used daily and easily collect dust and germs.

Therefore, cleaning cubicles and desks sporadically is not enough to keep the area sanitized. Your janitorial company should give office desks a thorough cleaning on regular intervals. Encourage your staff to declutter their desktops so cleaning staff can better sanitize the work space.

Cleaning Services Company Conclusion

A cleaner workplace guarantees healthier employees. If your workplace productivity has nosedived due to employee sick-days, it’s time to rethink your office cleanliness. Following these tips should help to keep germs off the shared spaces in your office. To keep your business in top shape, it’s always best to work with a cleaning services company who knows the importance of keeping shared spaces clean and hygienic.

Fire Damage Follow Up

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

The first few days following a fire are often the most emotional for families and individuals—but they are the most important! As soon as the fire is extinguished, the time immediately begins to work against you. It’s absolutely critical that you take the first steps to save your home and valuables.

What you shouldn’t do when your home is damaged by a fire is clear: do not waste time, and do not attempt the clean-up and restoration on your own.

Experienced Professionals Should Begin Fire Restoration Work Within Two Days

Cleaning up from fire damage and beginning restoration isn’t as simple as opening the windows and scrubbing the walls. There could be unseen damage that poses a safety risk to anyone entering the home. The air could be unhealthy for breathing, and mold may begin to grow.

It’s very important to call in a professional restoration team within two days of the incident. That’s why our team is on call 24/7 to receive new requests to respond immediately.

THE MORE TIME THAT ELAPSES AFTER A FIRE, THE MORE LIKELY IT IS THAT FURTHER DAMAGE CAN BE DONE TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE HOME.

The soot and smoke that lingers after the fire can continue to degrade the structural integrity and more corrosion is possible. For proper, full restoration and repair, it’s important to start the process within the two-day window. If it’s been more than two days, we can still fight to save your property and belongings.

Professionals Bring Advanced Equipment & Experience For Fire Cleanup & Repair

Some homeowners may think a simple Google search and some sponges will do the trick. What they don’t know is that behind the walls, in the attic, and even in the foundation of the home there could be damage that may lead to a collapse.

It’s important to call in professionals to do the job right. Fire cleanup, restoration, and repair require advanced equipment and experience to avoid injury and further damage.

To clean the air, we use special dehumidifiers, air movers, and HEPA vacuums designed to trap dangerous particles found in the air of fire-damaged homes. We also utilize specialized cleaning products designed to cleanse fire-damaged building materials. The restoration and repair process often requires a visit from one of our structural engineers or licensed contractors with extensive knowledge of how to identify structural integrity and safety issues. A DIY approach to fire restoration can be very dangerous and lead to costly repairs and even structural failure down the road.

Our team is fully capable of handling every step of the process to ensure your safety and to preserve what remains of your personal property and the structure of your home or business.

Wind Storm Damage Prevention Tips

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

Severe weather is always on everyone’s radar, especially this time of the year. With severe weather comes strong winds, thunderstorms, and even hail. No matter the season, it never hurts to be aware of the damage that high winds can do to your home or business. Prevention is easy, just follow these three simple steps:

Keep outdoor items from becoming projectile weapons

High winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes can make something as simple as a trashcan or child’s toy into an airborne missile! When you hear of wind and storm warnings, make sure to bring in anything that could be picked up and blown into vulnerable areas of your home or business like windows or doors. Outdoor building such as storage sheds should also be anchored properly to the ground.

Reinforce susceptible areas

Garage doors are particularly susceptible to wind damage. High winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes can damage or blow them, creating a high-pressure situation which can damage the roof as well. Reinforce the door by using braces across the back or replace with a stronger door and tracks. Modifications should be done by an installer.

Pay attention to your trees and landscaping

Trees can cause debris that can damage your home in a windstorm. Maintain trees having them trimmed and debris raked and disposed of regularly to help minimize damage from a storm. If the recent storm has passed and you have damage to your home or business, Jenkins Restorations is here to help. We make the process of getting back into your home and back to your normal life a pain-free process.

Water Damage Remediation Explained

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Here’s What To Expect During a Water Damage Remediation & Restoration Project

 If you’ve had a burst pipe or flooding in your home or business location, a water damage remediation & restoration project may be necessary. Here’s what to expect from the process.

From the moment you discover water damage, speed is key to resolving the issue without lasting damage to your property. Your first step should be to prevent further leakage by shutting down your main water supply. Next, call your trusted water damage restoration experts. The sooner you hand over the situation to the pros, the sooner the cleanup process can begin.

Who to Call After Water Damage Is Found In Your Home or Business

SERVPRO® will work directly with all homeowner’s insurance companies to resolve your issues. We ask that you call us first because oftentimes we can help resolve issues faster that could potentially prolong the process by calling your insurance company first.

Water Damage Inspection

Our water damage restoration expert will inspect the property to determine the work required. Not all water damage restoration projects were created equal. The work required will depend on factors such as how long the water has been leaking, how much water has escaped, and the extent and severity of the damage. Specialized moisture detection instruments are used to assess the damage and determine the next steps. Your water damage mitigation expert will outline the process in detail and keep you in the loop at every stage.

The Water Damage Remediation Work Begins

Getting the process completed quickly could require a team moving in immediately, so you may need to make accommodation arrangements. While the work takes place, SERVPRO®; your water damage restoration experts will stay in touch with you every step of the way until the work is complete.

Water Damage Extraction, Evaporation & Dehumidification

Getting rid of any stagnant water is a crucial stage in a water damage restoration project. This job is performed using high-powered vacuums, dehumidifiers and evaporation techniques. Your damage restoration company will make sure that while the property is drying out, the water is contained in the affected area and does not cause damage to the rest of your house.

The Water Damage Drying

Once all stagnant water has been removed, the area will be dried out using a variety of methods and equipment designed to circulate air through your home. Among the equipment used are dehumidifiers, heaters, high-velocity air movers and air filters. Not surprisingly, the drying process can be quite noisy, and can also make the environment uncomfortably hot. If power is lost at any point, don’t hesitate to call your damage restoration company and notify them immediately.

During the drying phase of the project, your restoration crew will periodically assess how the drying process is progressing and adjust the equipment if necessary.

Keeping You In The Loop

The water remediation & restoration drying process could take three to five days to complete. However, it drastically depends on the depth and severity of the water damage. Some drying times can last longer. During this time, you will hear from our team who are handling different aspects of the project. You can expect to be kept well informed at every step via communication channels that suit you, whether it’s via email, in-person visits or phone calls.

After The Water Damage Drying Process

When all the water has been removed and the affected area is dry, the water damage remediation project can then move into fixing any areas of your home or business that were destroyed due to the water damage. This is the process we call water damage restoration.

Water Damage Restoration

Any damage that was caused due to water and now needs to be fixed is called Water Damage Restoration. This is where our team will get your home or business looking back to normal. This includes but isn’t limited to fixing:

• Flooring
• Subflooring
• Drywall Ceilings
• Ceilings
• Foundation
• Kitchen Islands
• Bathroom Vanities
• Bathroom Showers & Bathtubs
• Interior and Exterior Doors & Doorframes
• Personal Content
• Broken Plumbing
• Destroyed Electrical

Our mitigation expert will talk you through the work step-by-step and walk you through the whole process. Our quality control experts will verify & check that you are completely satisfied with your water damage restoration result.

Once you and our team have finalized all the details and your home or business looks better than it did before, our equipment will be removed, and your life can go on as normal.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

Our team here at SERVPRO has team members who have joined the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program. This program has amazing classes that are free to the community. Please see the information below and see if this would be something you or a family member would be interested in.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks. Through CERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is built and enhanced.

Watch and share CERT in Action

Watch and share CERT in Action (30 seconds)

Since 1993, CERT has impacted communities across the country, building essentials skills and capabilities to prepare for and respond to any disaster. There are now CERT programs in all 50 states, including many tribal nations and U.S. territories; each unique to its community but all essential to building a Culture of Preparedness.

The CERT program was designed as a grassroots initiative and specifically structured so that the local and state program managers have the flexibility to form their programs in the way that best suits their communities. CERT volunteers are trained to respond safely, responsibly, and effectively to emergency situations, but they can also support their communities during non-emergency events as well. There are over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide, with more than 600,000 individuals trained since CERT became a national program.

FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team Program trains volunteers to prepare for the types of disasters that their community may face. Through hands-on practice and realistic exercises, CERT members:

FEMA Citizen Responder

Registering your CERT program, or joining a local CERT through the FEMA Citizen Responder website will better connect you to opportunities to participate in preparedness activities and initiatives that support disaster resilience. Through the FEMA Citizen Responder site you can register a CERT program, join a local CERT and learn about a upcoming events. 

Background

The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs.

Since 1993 when this training was made available nationally by FEMA, communities in 28 states and Puerto Rico have conducted CERT training. FEMA supports CERT by conducting or sponsoring Train-the-Trainer and Program Manager courses for members of the fire, medical and emergency management community.

Training & Materials

This section includes all of the curriculum developed for the CERT program, and features instructor guides, participant manuals, and slide decks for conducting the CERT training. In addition to the basic CERT training, materials are also available for the CERT Train-the-Trainer and Program Manager Courses, as well as the CERT supplemental modules, which are intended to provide additional training in specific areas to participants who have already completed the basic course.

Course Overview

The CERT Basic Course is delivered in the community by a team of first responders, and other qualified volunteers. The organization and timing of training and meeting varies from program to program. It is often broken up into two to four hour blocks over a series of evenings or weekends. 

During each session participants are required to bring safety equipment (gloves, goggles, mask) and disaster supplies (bandages, flashlight, dressings) which will be used during the session. By doing this for each session, participants are building a disaster response kit of items that they will need during a disaster.

From <https://www.ready.gov/cert>

9 Tips on How to Prepare Your Commercial Building for a Snow Storm

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Is your commercial building and HVAC system ready for a snow storm?

Prevent Costly Facility Issues with these Facility Maintenance Winter Tips

Snow, ice, and freezing rain can wreak havoc on a commercial building, especially if you are not prepared. Here is a checklist of tasks to help any building owner or property manager prepare for a snow storm.

Checklist to Prepare Your Office Building for a Snow Storm:

Fire Safety Tips for the Winter

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Winter is one of the most dangerous seasons  due to the need to heat your home, cook large meals, and decorate for the holidays.

Half of all winter house fires occur between December and February; over 905 people die in winter home fires each year, according to the National Fire Incident Reporting System. Two-thirds of those fires occur in single and multifamily homes. During the winter months cooking triggers most house fires, while heating equipment is the culprit of one in seven house fires and one in five winter house fire deaths. More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles, so be sure to keep all candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.

Keep this checklist from the U.S. Fire Administration handy around your home to keep you and your family safe.

What you should know about home cooking safety:

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire:

• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.

• If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.

• Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid

over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

For More Information: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Top-causes-of-fire/Cooking

Safety Considerations for Heating Your Home:

• Only plug one heat-producing electrical appliance in at a time in an electrical socket (such as a space heater).

• Make sure your space heater can automatically turn off in case it tips over.

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators or space heaters.

• Close wood stove doors unless stoking the fire or adding wood or pellets.

• Get a qualified professional to inspect your chimney and vents every year.

• Install a metal or heat tempered screen around your fireplace.

• Store cooled ashes at least 10 feet from your home in a tightly sealed metal container.

• Make sure to have a carbon monoxide alarm installed and test it at least once per month.

• Store portable generators away from windows and as far away as possible from your house.

• Shovel snow at least three feet away from fire hydrants to be sure firefighters can get to them quickly if the need arises.

How to Prevent Mold Growth in the Winter

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Mold spores are all around us, but the growth of mold can be prevented.

Mold needs moisture, warmth, and food in order to grow in your home. When you deprive mold of moisture, warmth, and food, you will stop it from growing, but you won’t kill the mold that is already there. The mold spores will stay dormant and start growing again if they get moisture, warmth, and food. So, it’s important to prevent mold from growing in the first place.

If you live in a climate where you need to heat your home frequently, mold can start growing in the winter on your home’s inside walls, especially on the surfaces closest to the outside of your home. Moisture that travels through the air from your basement, bathrooms, or kitchen may condense when it comes in contact with a cold wall. One thing you can do to prevent mold growth is make sure your walls are well-insulated. Well-insulated walls can prevent condensation and mold, as well as cut down on your heating and cooling bills.

Here are some other steps you can take to prevent mold growth during the winter:

What to do After a Winter Storm

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You might be ready for the next winter storm, but after it hits, what is next?

Here are some tips:

Frostbite and hypothermia are cold-related emergencies that may quickly become life or limb threatening.

Take these steps to avoid frostbite and hypothermia:

Why Pipe Freezing is a Problem

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break.

Pipes that freeze most frequently are:

How to Protect Pipes From Freezing

Before the onset of cold weather, protect your pipes from freezing by following these recommendations:

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

How to Clean Your Own Air Ducts

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

One of the best ways to ensure that the air in your home stays tidy is to clean your air vents. The air ducts in your house contain millions of particles of dust, hair, dirt, pollen, spider webs and other allergens. Cleaning your air vents will also save you money on heating and air conditioning. So, read the tips listed below and learn about how you can clean the air vents in your house.

Here's what you'll need:

Here's what to do:

Winter Maintenance Tips for Commercial Buildings

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

While the cold weather may be great for deer hunting or ice fishing, it can be challenging for maintenance and service teams. As a result, preparing your commercial buildings and facilities for winter becomes all the more critical.

In this blog post, we will highlight maintenance tips you can do as a building owner or facility manager to prepare your properties for the heating season. Most of these tips are tied solely to your heating and cooling systems, while others focus on your building structure and the areas around it. All play a part in ensuring you are ready for whatever Mother Nature has up her sleeve.  

Inspect Heating Systems

It’s a no-brainer that maintaining your heating systems should be a top priority in colder weather. We recommend that you inspect heating systems regularly and create a written plan to outline what maintenance tasks need to be addressed daily, weekly, monthly and annually.

Concerning equipment, hot water heating boilers will see increased use.

To ensure their proper operation, we suggest you:

Winterize Cooling Systems

While heating systems move on-line, cooling systems not in use during the cold season need to be winterized. This might include draining your cooling tower, shutting down your chiller or emptying a condensate drain trap. Not addressing maintenance tasks as systems are taken off-line could result in significant damage to them. Additionally, necessary repairs can be addressed at this time rather than at the moment when you need cooling in the spring and summer.

Calibrate Thermostats / Reduce Set Points

This suggestion contains two points. First, by calibrating your building’s thermostats, you ensure your heating systems will operate more efficiently. And that saves money. You know what else saves money? Lowering the temperature in your building (not too much, though, as you don’t want building occupants to be uncomfortable). Studies show you lower your utility bill by an average of one percent for every degree dropped. Imagine the savings you’ll enjoy over the course of a winter!

Fireplace Maintenance and Safety

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Enjoying a warm, cozy fire requires a clean, safe fireplace.

Here are 15 tips for keeping it that way:  

How to Tell if it’s Black Mold?

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Since many types of mold can cause reactions, you should contact SERVPRO regardless of the color or type of mold. In many instances, multiple types of mold may exist in the same house or structure. If you suspect you have a mold problem, contact SERVPRO immediately. 

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today

When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours.

Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic, float along in the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even become ingrained in your clothing or a pet's fur.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture and can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be cleaned and dried to an acceptable level; otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor, and that odor can lead to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

How to Prepare for a Winter Storm

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Winter is here! Now is the time to prepare so that you are ready when snow storms hit.

Here are some helpful tips:

Consider buying emergency heating equipment, such as a wood or coal burning stove or an electric or kerosene heater.

Indoor Flooding Focus

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Flooding can be associated with water intrusion from and ocean, reservoir, river or canal. However,  in Northern Virginia flooding is frequently caused by intense rainstorms or melting snow with which drainage systems cannot cope. The risk of the premises being affected by floodwater needs to be assessed and appropriate precautions taken. Some buildings constructed using modern methods of construction can be particularly susceptible to damage from flooding. In some cases additional flood protection measures over and above country specific Building Regulations’ requirements may be necessary to adequately protect the premises against permanent floodwater damage.

The following general points should be considered in relation to flooding:

1. Check whether there has been a history of flooding in the area.

1. Check the current local flood risk with the responsible Government agency.

1. Have recent developments in the area made flooding more likely?

1. Local Government agencies and local water companies/authorities should be able to advise on specific areas which are liable to flood, and on recent modifications to drainage routes.

1. Have the authorities installed new flood prevention measure?

1. Where applicable, check you understand how the local flood warning system operates and have an emergency plan prepared for such an event.

1. If flooding is known to be a possibility, preventive measures to stop floodwater include: – installation of intervening walls or banks, provision of flood boards and sills to doorways or gateways in walls, – blocking up unnecessary openings in the building, – provision of sandbags for emergency use.

1. Check for any signs of site drains overflowing. If this has occurred, was it due to a blockage or were the drains inadequately sized? – Next time the flood could be more serious.

1. Check that basement areas are provided with adequate drainage. Where necessary, sump pumps should be provided.

5 Reasons to Request the Professionals

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage can be a minor irritant or a major problem, and even the minor irritants can become major issues if left untreated. Here are five basic reasons why you should dispense with the “do it yourself” approach and call in a professional.

Cleanup at Local Business

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

A business in Alexandria, VA experienced structural damage as a result of a serious workplace accident. SERVPRO has the expertise and equipment to provide remediation for damage resulting from an accident such as this one. In this particular situation, an employee of the business was attempting to retrieve fluorescent light bulbs from there storage location on top of a drop ceiling. The employee lost his footing and caused a panel from the ceiling to fall out and approximately 15 fluorescent light bulbs to fall through and shatter. Luckily there was no one underneath the area and the employee was able to catch himself before falling on top of the resulting broken bulbs.

SERVPRO was able to HEPA vacuum to ensure no tiny shards of glass created any safety concerns.  We also created a temporary cover for the ceiling. The business owner and office manager were very grateful to be able to use the space again within a matter of hours!

7 Ways to Prepare for a Home Fire

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

The 7 Ways to Prepare for a Home Fire

1. Install the right number of smoke alarms. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year.

2. Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.

3. Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.

4. Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure that all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.

5. Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year. Press the smoke alarm test button or yell “Fire“ to alert everyone that they must get out.

6. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.

7. Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

Find more at www.redcross.org

What is Mold?

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Molds, mushrooms, mildews, and yeasts are all classified as fungi, a kingdom of organisms distinct from plants and animals. Fungi differ from plants and animals in several respects. Unlike animals, fungi have cell walls. However, unlike plants, which also have cell walls, fungal cell walls are made mostly of chitin and glucan. Fungi cannot produce their own nutrients as plants do through photosynthesis. Fungi secrete enzymes that digest the material in which the fungi are embedded and absorb the released nutrients. Multicellular fungi do not differentiate into different organs or functional components the way plants and animals do.

Approximately 100,000 species of fungi exists; fewer than 500 fungal species have been described as human pathogens that can cause infections. Visible growth of multicellular fungi consisting of branching filamentous structures (mycelia) are known popularly as molds.

Molds are ubiquitous in nature and grow almost anywhere indoors or outdoors. The overall diversity of fungi is considerable. Molds spread and reproduce by making spores, which are small and lightweight, able to travel through air, capable of resisting dry, adverse environmental conditions, and capable of surviving a long time. The filamentous parts of mold (hyphae) form a network called mycelium, which is observed when a mold is growing on a nutrient source. Although these mycelia are usually firmly attached to whatever the mold is growing on, they can break off, and persons can be exposed to fungal fragments. Some micro-organisms, including molds, also produce characteristic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or microbial VOCs (mVOCs). Molds also contain substances known as beta glucans; mVOCs and beta glucans might be useful as markers of exposure to molds.

Some molds are capable of producing toxins (sometimes called mycotoxins) under specific environmental conditions, such as competition from other organisms or changes in the moisture or available nutrient supply. Molds capable of producing toxins are popularly known as toxigenic molds; however, use of this term is discouraged because even molds known to produce toxins can grow without producing them. Many fungi are capable of toxin production, and different fungi can produce the same toxin.

Storm Emergency Kit

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Spring is the time of year when many things change—including the weather. Temperatures can swing back and forth between balmy and frigid. Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather. Sometimes extreme weather changes can occur even within the same day.

Thunderstorms cause most of the severe spring weather. They can bring lightning, tornadoes, and flooding. Whenever warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air, thunderstorms can occur.

Because spring weather is so unpredictable, you may be unprepared when severe weather hits—particularly if you live in a region that does not often experience thunderstorms, tornadoes, or flooding. And when severe weather hits unexpectedly, the risk of injury and death increases. So planning ahead makes sense; prepare for storms, floods, and tornadoes as if you know in advance they are coming, because in the spring, they very likely will.

Advance planning for thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, and floods requires specific safety precautions.

Keep an emergency kit on hand.

Some items to include are:

• A battery-operated flashlight, a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio, and extra batteries for both
• An emergency evacuation or shelter plan, including a map of your home and, for every type of severe weather emergency, routes to safety from each room
• A list of important personal information, including:

• telephone numbers of neighbors, family, and friends
• insurance and property information
• telephone numbers of utility companies
• medical information
• According to the American Red Cross a first aid kit may include:

• non-latex gloves
• assortment of adhesive bandages
• antibiotic ointment
• sterile gauze pads in assorted sizes
• absorbent compress dressings
• tweezers
• scissors
• adhesive cloth tape
• aspirin packets (81 mg each)
• First aid instruction booklet (NOTE: Customize your first aid kit to meet your individual and family needs.)
• A 3–5 day supply of bottled water and nonperishable food
• Personal hygiene items
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• An emergency kit in your car

Preventing Unseen Water Damage

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Unseen water causes the most damage to a property, especially when the water contains bacteria and causes mold, rot, and other damage. You should understand where to look and what to look for - what causes this type of damage?

For example, the pipes and fittings in your home or businesses walls and floors can develop leaks due to failures in materials, joints, and seals. Leaky pipes inside a structure are hard to find and can cause major damage, since they go unnoticed until the water leaks through to visible areas from your ceilings , walls, and floors. 

Four places to look for water damage:

Pipes: Blocked bathroom drains, failure of waste disposals, and roots in sewer lines.

Air Conditions: Ignoring air-conditioners results in costly repairs, poor performance, and moisture issues.

Appliances: Water heaters, washers, and dryers often crack, permitting water to trickle inside. These kinds of  leaks may expand and create a flood over time, even though the leaking begins gradually. Hoses have a tendency to deteriorate  from the inside out, also resulting in leaks.

Basements: A wet basement is brought on by moisture accumulations that drip through the foundation. Humidity is increased even though there are no leaks or standing water. High humidity can cause condensation on the cold concrete walls and floors.

3 Major Reasons to Hire Fire Restoration Pros

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

A fire in your home can be a very devastating and dangerous experience. After the fire, many people will first react by wanting to clean up their home. Before you decide to clean up the property yourself, it may be a good idea to first reach out to a fire damage cleanup company. There are three particular reasons why you should hire a professional for fire damage cleanup. 

10 Commercial Building Water Conservation Tips

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

As conditions warm – thawing the ground and warming the air – here’s a list of conservation tips from water conservation firm Water Signal to help those who own and manage multifamily structures identify leaks and conserve water by staying proactive throughout the spring and summer.

Grill Safety

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Every year, 7,000 Americans are injured while using backyard barbecue grills. It's usually a case of good products used incorrectly.

Do:

1. Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house. Farther is even better. This includes portions attached to your house like carports, garages and porches. Grills should not be used underneath wooden overhangs either, as the fire could flare up into the structure above. This applies to both charcoal and gas grills.

2. Clean your grill regularly. If you allow grease and fat to build up on your grill, they provide more fuel for a fire. Grease is a major source of flare ups.

3. Check for gas leaks. You can make sure no gas is leaking from your gas grill by making a solution of half liquid dish soap and half water, then rubbing it on the hoses and connections. When you turn the gas on, with the grill lid open, the soap forms large bubbles, that's a sign that the hoses have tiny holes or that the connections are not tight enough.

4. Keep decorations away from your grill. Decorations like hanging baskets, pillows, and umbrellas look pretty AND provide fuel for a fire. To make matters worse, today's decor is mostly made of artificial fibers that burn fast and hot, making this tip even more important.

5. Keep a spray bottle of water handy. That way, if you have a minor flare-up you can spray it with the water to instantly calm it. The bonus of this tip is that water won't harm your food, so dinner won't be ruined!

6. Keep a fire extinguisher within a couple steps of your grill. And KNOW HOW TO USE IT. If you are unsure how to use the extinguisher, don't waste time fiddling with it before calling 911. Firefighters say many fire deaths occur when people try to fight a fire themselves instead of calling for expert help and letting the fire department do its job.

Don't

7. Turn on the gas while your grill lid is closed. NEVER do this. It causes gas to build up inside your grill, and when you do light it and open it, a fireball can explode in your face. 

8. Leave a grill unattended. Fires double in size every minute. Plan ahead so that all of your other food prep chores are done and you can focus on grilling.

9. Overload your grill with food. This applies especially to fatty meats. The basic reason for this tip is that if too much fat drips on the flames at once, it can cause a large flare-up that could light nearby things on fire.

10. Use a grill indoors. People often think it will be safe to use a grill, especially a small one, indoors. NOT TRUE. In addition to the fire hazard, grills release carbon monoxide; a deadly, colorless, and odorless gas. That gas needs to vent in fresh air or it can kill you, your family, and your pets.

Air Conditioners can Help to Prevent Mold

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

HOW A/C CAN PREVENT MOLD GROWTH IN HUMID CLIMATES

The temperature in your home can affect you and your family’s comfort level tremendously, especially if you live in states with hot, humid summers like Northern Virginia. However, living in such climates could have other consequences for your home and family, as humidity can contribute to mold growth. Fortunately, your air conditioner can prevent the growth of this fungus, while also keeping you cool.

HOW TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY CONTRIBUTE TO MOLD GROWTH

Mold needs certain conditions to grow, and unfortunately for those who live in hot and humid places like Maryland in the summer, the heat plus the humidity create a moist environment where mold and dust mites thrive, notes RSI. While the various types of mold have different minimum, optimum, and maximum temperature ranges for growth, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services indicates that many kinds of mold will grow well when conditions are between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit—the same temperature range we’re often comfortable in. Combine these temperatures with excessive moisture and you could have a mold problem in your home.

HEALTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MOLD

While some people may not experience any reaction to mold, others can be highly sensitive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that mold exposure can lead to itchy or irritated eyes, wheezing, coughing, skin irritation, stuffy nose, and sore throat for people with a mold allergy. Those who are immune-compromised or who have chronic lung illness may develop a serious lung infection from mold. Mold can also trigger asthma symptoms in individuals who suffer from the condition.

HOW AIR CONDITIONING CAN PREVENT MOLD GROWTH

Your air conditioner can control the temperature and humidity in your home, which can prevent mold growth. During the hot, humid summer months, set your air conditioner to between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The relative humidity in your house should not exceed 50 percent. While most modern air conditioners dehumidify as they cool, they do not independently control both temperature and humidity, so you may want to purchase a stand-alone dehumidifier for when conditions are especially humid, according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Other tips for using your A/C to prevent mold include setting your A/C’s fan mode to auto because setting it to “on” can cause moisture produced during the air conditioning process to be blown back into your home, reports the Florida Solar Energy Center. If possible, you’ll want to disable this feature completely to maximize dehumidification, which can be done by a skilled HVAC professional. The servicemen will be able to set it up so the blower and compressor turn off at the same time.

Additionally, when you purchase an air conditioner, you should get one that has enhanced moisture removal. These units have a SEER of 14 or more. Make sure you buy one that’s the size you need. One that’s too big will fail to effectively remove humidity because the unit doesn’t reach its full capacity in the first three minutes of operation. When the system is oversized, it has a shorter on-cycle and therefore a shorter amount of time when moisture is removed.

MAINTENANCE IS KEY TO AN EFFECTIVE AIR CONDITIONER

Neglecting to regularly maintenance your air conditioner can prevent it from working effectively, which can lead to mold growth. For instance, the system can become clogged if air filters are not changed regularly, causing airflow to be obstructed. Filters should be cleaned or replaced at least once a month during the summer. You’ll want to call an HVAC technician once a year. A service professional can handle more complex maintenance, such as cleaning coils and checking that the condensation drains properly and that drain pains are free of mold. Simple precautions like these can prevent the cost of mold removal, as well as major repairs to your air conditioner.

Tornado Watch Vs Warning

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

During recent years, the spate of historic severe weather systems, flooding and tornadoes affecting much of the Nation has impacted rural America significantly. A storm is any disturbed state of an environment or astronomical body's atmosphere especially affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather.

Tornado Watch - Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans, and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives!

Tornado Warning - A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Tornado warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Go immediately under ground to a basement, storm cellar or an interior room (closet, hallway or bathroom).

Flood Safety

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If you live in a floodplain, elevate and reinforce your home to make damage less likely during a flood.

Check with a professional to:

Use sand bags when flooding is expected:

Remember: Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding but flood insurance does. Get information at www.FloodSmart.gov.

9 Reasons NOT to Use Bleach on Mold

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

1. Bleach encourages toxic mold growth on porous surfaces because it provides excess moisture. Bleach contains about 90% water. When you apply bleach to a surface, the chlorine quickly evaporates leaving behind a lot of water. Then, when the water soaks into porous surfaces like wood, it encourages mold growth. So, bleach can actually make your mold problem worse.

2. Bleach only removes the color from mold. After you spray bleach, only the surface appears clean. But the problem is, the mold’s roots, or hyphae, continue to grow.

3. The EPA and OSHA specifically advise against using bleach for mold remediation.

4. Chlorine bleach is extremely harmful to surfaces. For example, when you use bleach on wood, it starts to weaken it by breaking the fibers. When you spray bleach on metal, it starts to corrode it almost immediately. Thus, using bleach to kill mold creates problems with the structural integrity of a home.

5. Bleach is extremely corrosive. When you spray bleach and it evaporates, it releases chlorine gas. It irritates and eventually causes damage to the skin, lungs, and eyes.

6. The corrosive nature of bleach is even worse when it’s mixed. Bleach should never be mixed with acids, because it causes dangerous fumes. Remember: Mixing cleaning compounds containing ammonia with bleach and ammonia produces deadly gasses that can kill with just a few breaths. 

7. Bleach doesn’t work as a sanitizing agent when it’s mixed with organic material. To be a successful sanitizer, bleach has to be used on clean materials and surfaces. That’s why bleach products get used in the laundry after the wash cycle. Light and heat compromise the sanitizing properties of bleach. Despite the fact that the chlorine odor lingers for a while after you use it, bleach loses strength so quickly it doesn’t have a residual effect. That is, it doesn’t prevent future bacterial or fungal growth.

8. Most bleach products are not registered with the EPA to be used as antimicrobial agents.

9. And last, but not least, you don’t want to use bleach to kill mold because there are many antimicrobial alternatives readily available. These antimicrobial agents are registered with the EPA specifically for killing mold. Some are formulated to be friendly to the environment, your family and your pets. In addition, they are cost effective, easy to use, and, they have a true residual effect. That means they actually prevent bacteria and mold from re-growing.

Plumbing Tips for Commercial Properties

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Simple Maintenance May be the Responsibility of Tenants

Commercial property owners who rent space to tenants should be aware that in some cases, the tenant is responsible for well-functioning plumbing. What should tenants do?

Never Put Up with Leaking Faucets or Pipes

Not only do leaking faucets or pipes waste water (in fact, approximately 900 million gallons in the U.S. each year), leaks also contribute to the growth of mold, wood rot, and other structural issues.

While not all leaks are noticeable, if the water pressure drops you should have a plumbing contractor investigate the situation at once, as it could indicate a leak in the plumbing network. It is not always possible to prevent a leak, however investing in a thorough plumbing inspection once or twice each year is the best way to manage your system and avoid leaks.

Fire Prevention in the Outdoors

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Unlike many natural disasters, most wildfires are caused by people—and can be prevented by people, too. People in fire-prone areas should plan ahead and prepare to evacuate with little notice. Here are some tips on how to prevent wildfires and what to do if you're caught in the middle of one.

How to Prevent a Wildfire

Evacuation Tips

Preventing Mold in the Winter

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

The wet season in the winter months is one of the best times of year for molds to grow and expand. Often mold is contained near sources of water where it can easily grow and reproduce. As it grows, mold can breakdown and compromise the integrity and strength of the source in which it lives.

Mold spores are microscopic and are naturally found in the air we breathe indoors and outdoors. When large amounts of spores grow, one’s health may be compromised. Mold can be killed, but if it is not removed properly, it can remain in the area just cleaned and the dry spores can be released into the air. Mold remediation services can help eliminate the mold in your home and personal items affected by water damage.

Prevention, however, is what will help keep your lungs healthy and homes and buildings strong. We’ve put together a few tips on how you can help thwart mold from infesting your home that are efficient and realistic:

General Home and Building Maintenance:

Hurricane Preparedness in Northern Virginia

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

WHAT IS A HURRICANE?

Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over warm ocean waters and move toward land. Potential threats from hurricanes include powerful winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, tornadoes, and landslides. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The Pacific hurricane season runs May 15 to November 30. Hurricanes:

IF YOU ARE UNDER A HURRICANE WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY

Prepare NOW

5 Water conserving Tips for Summer Gardening

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

To keep your grass or your garden alive during the summer heat wave without driving your water bill to new heights, follow these tips.

1. A standard garden hose and nozzle is the least efficient means of applying water to plants because so much water is lost as mist, runoff and evaporation. Use a soaker hose or a sprinkler wand.

2. For most Americans, a good rule of thumb is that a lawn needs 1 inch of water a week and perennial plants and shrubs will need from 1 inch to 2 inches a week. There's no neat rule for watering annuals, so your best guide is always the plant tag (the small spear-shaped plastic tag that came with the plant when you bought it). It will tell you the sun, soil, pH and water requirements.

3. When in doubt, keep the plant's soil lightly moist and see how it responds. If conditions are especially hot and windy where you are, keep a careful eye out for wilting. If you see the signs, add water to the soil, but don't overcompensate by drowning the plant. Over-watering is just as bad as under-watering; it leads to root rot and soil compaction that robs the roots of air.

4. Don't soak the plant's foliage; it does little good. And don't apply water outside a shrub's or a perennial's root zone. A shrub's root zone is roughly 1 to 3 times the diameter of its canopy, and keeping the water inside this radius will allow it to soak down to where the plant's roots can reach it. If you see water puddling or running off, stop; let the water soak in before resuming. Likewise, water that runs off your lawn or off the top of a flower bed onto paved surfaces does no good. The same applies to running lawn sprinklers: Water your lawn, not the side of your house or the driveway.

5. Mulch is great for holding in moisture and keeping the base of plants cool. However, a thick layer of mulch can also form a crust that prevents water from soaking in. Break up crusted mulch with a rake to allow water in.

You can buy a tool to gauge your soil's moisture level at a nursery or through a horticultural supply catalog. But if you don't have one, a large straight blade screwdriver is a good standby. Poke it into the soil; the drier the soil, the more resistance you'll meet.

The SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) Advantage

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

The Best Way to Reduce Business Interruption Following a Disaster is to Plan For it NOW!

As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster, according

to the latest industry research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming

majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an

insurance policy aimed at peace of mind.

By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile for your business, you

minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing

what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can

help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

 Are You Ready?

Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire or an area flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to ask yourself, “Are you ready for whatever could happen?”

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile is a startup approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference of important building and contact information. By working with SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile, your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile Advantage

This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.

It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save a lot of time if ever needed.

This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.

You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.

This saves time, so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.

Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are “Ready for whatever happens.”

3 Tips for Commercial Property Owners' HVAC Systems

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

If you run a commercial property, you probably have HVAC units to maintain. You care about keeping your tenants comfortable and it wouldn’t hurt to cut down on energy costs. Well working HVAC systems not only keep people comfortable but also foster a lower upkeep. With that in mind, here are 3 tips for commercial property owners to make their HVAC systems work for them.

1. Develop a System

You should always make sure to schedule regular HVAC maintenance for your residents. That means, at the bare minimum, you should clean air ducts on a regular basis for all of your tenants. In addition, make sure you are consistently getting rid of standing water. Water collecting in drain pans, humidity managing equipment, and cooling towers can harbor harmful bacteria and other microbial horrors if left unattended to.

2. Constantly Clean and Disinfect

Especially for managing large amounts of HVAC systems, whether for business property or living spaces, you need to make sure everything’s perfectly clean. Otherwise you’re putting your tenants in danger. Use brushes and other equipment to loosen debris from all components, and extract contaminants with a vacuum or a power washer. This is a great time to inspect any worn or damaged equipment and you can replace as necessary.

3. Dispose of Contaminants Safely

If not only for the environment, you should dispose of all contaminants in a safe green way for the heath of all your employees and tenants. After you clean everything thoroughly, make sure to follow the EPA guidelines for disposing of any excess.

Holiday Home Safety

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Safety for Holiday Decorating

Find more information at www.usfa.fema.gov

Mold and You

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is a family of organisms that are found throughout nature. Unlike plants, mold needs food and water sources in order to thrive. This food source is often in the form of a carbohydrate material, such as wood or cellulose.

Mold grows in units called mycelium and reproduce through the formation of spores. Spores frequently become airborne, and like pollen can cause allergic disease.

What Types of Diseases Can Mold Cause?

Mold has well-known associations with human disease. People can develop fungal infections of various types, especially those with poorly functioning immune systems. Fungi are also known to produce toxins, which have been blamed for causing various diseases.

Molds can also cause severe immune reactions as a result of colonizing (living in, but not causing an actual infection) the lungs (hypersensitivity pneumonitis) and the sinuses. Molds are also well known to cause various allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma.

Which Molds are Known to Cause Allergies?

There are thousands of types of mold, however, only a few of these are currently available for allergy testing. The following are the most likely causes of allergic disease based on the types of mold spores collected in the air:

• Alternaria is a  common outdoor mold; allergy to this mold can be associated with severe asthma.

• Cladosporium is the most common airborne outdoor mold.

• Aspergillus is a common indoor and outdoor mold; also associated with allergic

bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

• Penicillium is a common indoor mold; allergy to which is not associated with antibiotic allergy.

• Helminthosporum is more commonly found in warmer climates.

• Epicoccum is found in grassland and agricultural areas.

• Fusarium is a commonly found on rotting plants.

• Aureobasidium is a common outdoor mold, commonly found on paper, lumber and painted surfaces.

• Phoma is an outdoor mold, especially common during wet periods.

• Smuts are abundantly found in areas of agriculture.

• Rhizopus and Mucor are commonly found on decaying leaves and damp indoor areas. Airborne forms of these molds are less common.

• Yeasts are commonly found in the air during wet periods in agricultural areas. Allergic disease to Candida albicans is controversial, despite some people having positive allergy testing to this type of mold.

What Times of the Year Does Mold Allergy Occur?

In colder climates, molds can be found in the outdoor air starting in the late winter and peaking in the late summer to early fall months (July to October). In warmer climates, mold spores may be found throughout the year, with the highest levels found in the late summer to early fall months.

While indoor molds can occur year-round and are dependent on moisture levels in the home, indoor mold levels are higher when outdoor mold levels are higher. Therefore, a common source of indoor mold is from the outside environment, although can also be from indoor mold contamination.

What Measures Can Be Used to Decrease Indoor Mold Levels?

• Prevent outdoor molds from entering the home by keeping doors and windows closed and using air conditioning equipped with allergen-grade air filters
• Control indoor moisture with the use of dehumidifiers
• Fix water leaks in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements
• Ensure adequate ventilation of moist areas
• Clean (or replace) contaminated surfaces with diluted a chlorine bleach solution (one part household bleach in 9 parts water), while using proper protective gear (mask and goggles)
• Utilize HEPA-filters on vacuums or as a stand-alone air filter
• Limit indoor houseplants, and ensure those that are present are free of mold on leaves and in potting soil

For more information: https://www.verywellhealth.com/mold-allergy-83231

Summer Storm Safety

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Summer arrived with greenery and colorful flowers. However, the season can also bring severe weather. The American Red Cross wants everyone to know what steps they can take to stay safe if dangerous weather is predicted for their community.

TORNADOES 

Summer can be the peak season for tornado activity. Tornadoes occur mostly on warm days between 3:00 and 9:00 p.m. However, tornadoes can occur anywhere, at any time of the year, at any time of the day. The Red Cross has safety steps people should take now to be ready if a tornado warning is issued for someone’s neighborhood:

THUNDERSTORMS 

Thunderstorms are most likely to happen in the spring and summer, during the afternoon and evening. However, like tornadoes, they can happen anywhere, at any hour of the day. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people every year that tornadoes or hurricanes. The Red Cross has steps you can take if a thunderstorm is predicted for your area:

FLOODING 

Summer can be a time of year for flooding. Communities in the Midwest and south have already seen floodwaters inundate neighborhoods. Snow melt and heavy spring rains fill rivers and streams and flooding can occur. Flash floods occur suddenly when water rises rapidly along a stream or low-lying area. People should be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and head for higher ground when a flood or flash flood warning is issued. Other safety steps include

What to do After Flooding

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety:

What To Do After Flooding:

What NOT To Do After Flooding:

Odor Removal Done Right

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

As experts in deodorization, SERVPRO professionals are trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors. Malodors can come from a number of sources both inside and outside of a structure.

SERVPRO Franchises teach IICRC technical classes in the proper removal of odors. SERVPRO has the training and equipment to identify and eliminate these offensive odors. By identifying the cause of the odor and determining the conditions in which it contacts any surfaces, the odor can often be removed over time without a trace. Masking (using air freshener) and other short cuts don't work when your odor problem is serious or persistent. We start by removing the cause of the odor, be it bio-hazardous, mold, smoke, etc. SERVPRO technicians are then able to use SERVPRO’s state-of-the-art equipment and professional techniques to clean and remove the odors that plague your home or business.

The science of identifying and eliminating odors can be tricky, so give SERVPRO a call, and leave the restoration to us.