Storm Preparedness: Your Guide to Staying Safe Before, During, and After the Storm

9/23/2024 (Permalink)

Storm damage can leave your home in ruins, but SERVPRO® is here to help with expert storm cleanup and restoration services.

When it comes to storm preparedness, it’s all about planning ahead. Storms can strike quickly, leaving behind a trail of damage if you’re not ready. While you can’t control the weather, you can control how prepared you are. So, let’s dive into some practical steps to help keep you, your family, and your home safe when storms roll through.

Before the Storm: Preparation is Key

Start by staying informed. Keep an eye on weather updates from reliable sources and make sure your emergency kit is stocked with essentials like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, and first aid supplies. If you have time, secure outdoor furniture and any loose items that could become projectiles in high winds. Also, double-check that your home’s gutters and drainage systems are clear to prevent flooding.

During the Storm: Safety First

When the storm hits, stay indoors and avoid windows and doors. If you live in an area prone to flooding, move to higher ground and avoid walking or driving through floodwaters—it only takes six inches of fast-moving water to knock you down. Keep a battery-powered radio handy for real-time updates, and if the power goes out, don’t try to use generators indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

After the Storm: The Road to Recovery

Once the storm has passed, the real work begins. Safety should be your first priority—avoid any downed power lines, and don’t enter any damaged buildings until they’ve been inspected by professionals. Flooding is a common issue after storms, and standing water can cause significant damage if left untreated. This is where calling in the pros can make all the difference. SERVPRO® has the expertise and equipment to assess storm damage, begin the drying process, and restore your property to its pre-storm condition. By acting quickly, you can minimize long-term damage and get back to normal faster.

Storms are unpredictable, but your response doesn’t have to be. With a little planning and the right help, you can weather the storm and come out stronger on the other side. Stay safe, and when in doubt, call SERVPRO®.

Restoring and Repairing your home cost effectively

12/18/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help with all your restoration and repair needs after a flood

Restoring and repairing a home after flood damage requires a comprehensive approach to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Understanding the complete flood restoration process is crucial in engaging the right professionals for this daunting task. It encompasses various stages of repair and cleaning, all of which our team of qualified experts is equipped to handle. Recognizing the significance of professional assistance in returning homes and businesses to their preloss condition is paramount.

In addressing flood damage, prompt action is imperative, starting with containment and emergency services. These initial steps are crucial before mitigation or scoping of the job. Effective planning precedes the restoration process, but certain immediate actions cannot be delayed and need inclusion in the overall restoration plan. Our team employs efficient strategies, commencing with communication through our SERVPRO emergency line.

The gathering of information about the disaster is pivotal. Our professionals rely on data shared through our emergency line to prepare adequately. Thorough details enable us to mobilize the right personnel, equipment, and products from our warehouse. There are three primary ways we gather essential data for formulating a restoration plan:

1. Emergency Phone Call: Sharing comprehensive information with our emergency line operators prepares our technicians for the situation awaiting them.
2. Job Scoping: Our experienced project managers assess the flood-damaged property, determining necessary actions for restoration and documenting losses or additional measures needed.
3. Customer Conversations: Leveraging the customer's insights helps prioritize actions during the restoration process.

Creating staging areas is an efficient approach our SERVPRO technicians utilize. These areas, set up in unaffected sections of the home close to the damaged areas, facilitate easy access to equipment and protective gear. This practice minimizes trips in and out of the house, ensuring efficiency, convenience, preventing cross-contamination, and proximity to drying/work zones.

Efficient strategies for water extraction are vital due to the potential damage caused by standing water. Removal of standing water is crucial to focus on drying, cleaning, and other recovery actions. Various methods are employed:

1. Trash Pumps: These gas-powered pumps effectively remove flood water, including smaller solids and debris.
2. Wet Vacuums: Versatile extractors with different attachments suitable for removing water below two inches in depth.
3. Subcontractors: In cases of severe contamination, subcontractors may be engaged for handling blackwater incidents.

Numerous initial tasks must be addressed promptly after a flood, bridging the gap between potential contamination and removing bulk materials. Our dedicated team of water restoration technicians and cleaning specialists is committed to restoring the property to its original state seamlessly, ensuring it's "Like it never even happened."

Grease Fire and The Holidays

11/2/2023 (Permalink)

Grease fire aftermath, 2022

These are important safety tips for anyone cooking with hot oil, especially during the holiday season when deep frying is common. Here's a summary of those tips for a safe and enjoyable cooking experience:

When Cooking with Hot Oil:

1. Stay in the Kitchen: Never leave the stove or deep fryer unattended while it's in use. Most grease fires occur when people step away from the kitchen.

2. Heat the Oil Gradually: Slowly heat the oil to the desired temperature to avoid overheating, which can lead to fires.

3. Monitor the Temperature: If you suspect the oil is getting too hot, turn off the burner to prevent it from igniting.

4. Careful Placement: Gently place food into the hot grease to prevent splattering and burns.

5. Fire Safety: If a grease fire starts, immediately use a fire-smothering method. Options include using a pan lid, cookie sheet, cat litter, a fire extinguisher, flour, or a wet cloth to extinguish the flames.

Avoid These Actions:

1. Don't Carry the Pan Outside: Moving a burning pan outside can be dangerous and may cause severe injuries. It's best to handle the fire right where it started.

2. Avoid Panicking: Panicking can lead to poor decisions, like splashing the grease or knocking over the pan. Stay calm and act quickly but with caution.

3. Don't Use Water or Dry Cloths: Water should never be used to extinguish a grease fire, as it can cause the fire to spread. Dry cloths are also not effective. Use the recommended fire-smothering methods mentioned earlier.

Special Consideration for Turkey Fryers:

When using turkey fryers, it's essential to follow specific safety precautions:

1. Outdoor Use: Always use turkey fryers outdoors, away from any structures or flammable materials. This reduces the risk of a fire spreading to your home.

2. Maintain Safe Distances: Ensure the fryer is placed on a stable, level surface and at a safe distance from any walls or structures.

3. Thaw the Turkey: Make sure the turkey is fully thawed and dried before lowering it into the hot oil. Ice or water on the bird can cause violent reactions when submerged in hot oil.

4. Use Appropriate Safety Gear: Wear appropriate safety gear, like oven mitts and safety goggles, when operating a turkey fryer.

By following these guidelines, you can reduce the risk of accidents and enjoy a safe and delicious holiday cooking experience. Remember to prioritize safety and be prepared for emergencies by keeping a fire extinguisher on hand. If a fire does occur, Call 911, and then call SERVPRO, we are hear to help. 

Revitalize Your Workspace with Professional Carpet Cleaning Services by SERVPRO

11/2/2023 (Permalink)

Carpet cleaning

In the fast-paced world of commercial business, maintaining a clean and inviting workspace is crucial. Among the many facets of office maintenance, carpet cleanliness often takes center stage. A clean carpet not only enhances the aesthetics of your office but also contributes to a healthier and more productive work environment. That's where SERVPRO, a trusted name in the restoration and cleaning industry, can make a significant difference.

Why Carpet Cleaning Matters

Carpeting is a common choice for commercial spaces due to its durability and sound-absorbing properties. However, it's also a magnet for dirt, dust, allergens, and stains. Over time, neglected carpets can accumulate these contaminants, resulting in reduced air quality, unpleasant odors, and a negative first impression for clients and employees. This is where professional carpet cleaning becomes essential.

SERVPRO: Your Trusted Partner

SERVPRO, with its decades of experience in cleaning and restoration, offers comprehensive commercial carpet cleaning services that can transform your workspace. Here's why SERVPRO stands out:

1. Cutting-Edge Equipment and Techniques: SERVPRO uses state-of-the-art equipment and industry-best practices for carpet cleaning. Their highly trained technicians are well-versed in the latest techniques to provide the most effective solutions.

2. Customized Cleaning Plans: Every commercial space is unique. SERVPRO tailors their services to meet your specific needs. Whether you have high-traffic areas, stubborn stains, or just need regular maintenance, they can create a plan that suits your business.

3. Healtheir Work Environment: Clean carpets mean healthier air quality. SERVPRO's deep cleaning removes allergens and pollutants, contributing to a healthier workspace and potentially reducing employee sick days.

4. Enhanced Aesthetics: Clean carpets create a professional and welcoming atmosphere for your clients and employees. A tidy workplace can boost employee morale and leave a lasting positive impression on visitors.

5. Prolonged Carpet Lifespan: Regular professional cleaning not only keeps your carpets looking great but also extends their lifespan. This can save your business money in the long run.

6. Emergency Services: In the event of unexpected accidents, such as water damage or flooding, SERVPRO offers emergency carpet cleaning and restoration services to minimize downtime and protect your assets.

The SERVPRO Process

When you choose SERVPRO for your commercial carpet cleaning needs, you can expect a meticulous and thorough process:

1. Inspection: Technicians begin by inspecting your carpets to assess their condition, identify stains, and determine the best cleaning method.

2. Pre-Treatment: They pre-treat stains and high-traffic areas to ensure effective removal of dirt and grime.

3. Cleaning: Using their advanced equipment, SERVPRO technicians perform a deep cleaning, removing embedded dirt, allergens, and stains.

4. Drying: After cleaning, they ensure your carpets are properly dried, preventing mold and mildew growth.

5. Post-Cleaning Inspection: A final inspection guarantees that your carpets meet SERVPRO's high standards for cleanliness and appearance.

Experience the SERVPRO Difference

In the world of commercial carpet cleaning, SERVPRO is a name synonymous with excellence. Their commitment to quality, attention to detail, and industry-leading techniques can help you maintain a clean, inviting, and healthy workspace. With SERVPRO by your side, you can confidently focus on what matters most – your business success – while they take care of the cleanliness and aesthetics of your office.

Don't let dirty carpets hold back your business's potential. Contact SERVPRO today and discover how their professional carpet cleaning services can transform your commercial space.

Michigan 2023: fast flooding requires fast action.

9/25/2023 (Permalink)

the recent flash flooding that occurred in Michigan left a lot of local resident in peril. In news reports they say some businesses were left as "Islands," and homes were virtually underwater.  With all of the local company's overloaded with calls, we send our team of water mitigation specialists to help. After 3 weeks of working day and night our team helped many people get their homes cleaned up and ready for reconstruction. Some of the work done, included sewage backups in their basements, main floor flooding, or water coming in from the outside. 

After leaving their families, driving across the country (South Carolina to Michigan) and then immediately getting to work to exact and dry, Our team has returned safely home. 

Heating Equipment Safety

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Any time you use heating equipment, it is important to talk about fire safety in order to decrease your property's fire risk.

It’s getting to be that time of year again when the temperature starts to drop and we begin to feel a chill in the air. It is this time of year when many homeowners and business owners start thinking about turning on their property’s heating system. Any time we use heating equipment, it is important to talk about fire safety. In today’s blog, we’ll consider 3 statistical observations on the subject of heating safety risks from the National Fire Protection Agency and discuss ways in which you can prevent your property from becoming part of the statistics.

In a report based on annual averages between 2014 and 2018, the NFPA found that…

1. “Most home heating fire deaths (81%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.”

To prevent fires from portable heaters, be sure to keep them at least 3ft away from people and combustible objects, like blankets and upholstery.

2. “The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (25%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.”

Chimneys and other solid-fueled heating systems should receive professional cleaning services on an annual basis. Getting into the habit of having your chimney inspected and cleaned once every year can help decrease your property’s fire risk.

3. “Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.”

It can get extremely cold during the winter months, which makes it easy to want to keep portable heaters on 24/7. However, it is important to turn heaters off when you leave the room or go to bed, as fires can ignite when heaters are unsupervised.

Call SERVPRO Team Harloe for Fire Damage Restoration Services

Disinfect your workspace

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

Clean Desk

The physical environment of the workplace has a significant effort on the way that we work. When our space is a mess, so are we.

Whether you worked in an office or in a cubicle, you probably worked to keep it clean and disinfected. When you’re concerned about keeping yourself safe from sickness-causing germs, you’re probably ready to bust out some serious chemicals to help you to help you clean and disinfect your cubicle, desk, office, or home office. Unfortunately, while disinfectants can be a powerful safeguard against bacteria and viruses, they can also contain some pretty scary chemicals that can have serious health effects on you and your co-workers. All cleaning products are not created equal and not all of them are disinfectants. Only products registered by the Environmental Protection Agency which have gone under specific testing to ensure their efficacy. Also, just because a disinfectant can be used to effectively kill germs and bacteria does not mean it’s safe to come into contact with your skin, eyes and lungs.

SERVPRO of Pickens offers disinfection services. We work to clean and sanitize office buildings and other commercial facilities. We train our cleaners to sanitize surfaces based on the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). We follow their guidelines and use various methods and products to clean surfaces and limit the spread of bacteria and viruses.

The best results come when the right tools are used, and consumer cleaning products don’t always provide the desired outcome. Our team has access to industrial strength chemicals, as well as specialized equipment that’s much more effective than that found in stores. All the cleaning supplies we use are registered with the EPA, so they’re sure to be eco-friendly.

When searching for a disinfection service, be sure to choose a company that is flexible and follows guidelines that protect workers’ safety and health. Call us at 864.855.3993

When does water cause mold Damage?

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

Mold from leak

As weather pattern change and storms becomes more intense and prevalent, the potential for water damage and subsequent mold growth increases as well. Water in your home or building is disconcerting  thought. Whenever you have a water loss, it is a nerve-racking experience. You have to worry about cleaning up the water and drying out what’s affected. Sometimes you need to take care of these on you own, other times a professional company like SERVPRO of Pickens County, need to come in and assess and then clean. With any water loss, mold should be worry but when does water actually causes mold growth. Below are different types of water damage that can cause mold growth.

1. Sewage back-up from flooding in the area.
2. Plumbing or root lease
3. Damp basement or crawl space
4. Overflows from sinks from bathtub
5. High humidity
6. Any type of stagnant water in you home

Mold will begin to grow 24- 48 hours after the initial water damage. If you discover the source of damage, stop it quickly and clean the mess. If the water is not dried out within that time, a professional may apply antimicrobial products to prevent growth.

Experiencing a water damage disaster is enough stress on its own. Always seek for professional advice. If you experience these kind of emergencies, call SERVPRO of Pickens County at 864.855.3993!

Winter Safety Tips For The Upstate.

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

The New Year is finally here. We know you probably have a few New Years Resolutions for yourself, but now is the perfect time to prepare you and your family for the upcoming winter weather. The first step to overcoming or avoiding disaster is to prepare now. The more prepared you are now, the better you can handle an emergency. Below are a few winter safety suggestions you can use to keep you and your family safe. 

Prepare Your Car: 

Roadside emergencies can happen any time, but being stuck on the road during cold weather is the worst. Prepare for the worst by winterizing your car now, and save yourself from stress and headaches in the future. 

• Check your tires and replace them with all-weather tires if necessary. Check your spare tire as well. 
• Use a wintertime fluid in your windshield washer. 
• If you do not already have one, make an emergency kit for your car. Whether you get a flat tire, you slip off the road, or you run out of fuel, an emergency car kit can help you get back on the road quickly and safely. Include bottled water, nonperishable high energy snacks, a first aid kit, multi-tool or swiss army knife, blankets, an extra change of clothes, flashlights, extra batteries, portable cell phone chargers, jumper cables, spare tire, a tire gauge, foam tire sealant, a jack and lug wrench, tow straps, extra cash for emergencies, rags and hand wipes (baby wipes are a great option), a small 5 lb fire extinguisher (class B or C), and emergency flares or reflective triangles. 
• You should also include winter-specific items such as mittens, socks and hats, hand warmers, a bag of non-clumping cat litter (to help you regain traction if needed), a shovel, and an ice scraper. Once you have gathered all your supplies, store them in a box or container that you can easily access in your vehicle.   

Prepare Your Home: 

Winterize your home to protect you and your family from potential damage that cold temperatures may bring. 

• Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. During the winter season, there is an increase in fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Checking these devices now can increase your chances of surviving a fire or avoiding CO2 poisoning. 
• Check your heating systems. 
• Clean out chimneys and fireplaces. 
• Keep a power outage kit in your home. If you lose power for a significant amount of time, be prepared by having enough water and nonperishable food to last for three days for each family member, a first aid kit, extra batteries, flashlights, and baby items (if needed).
• Invest in a portable generator for your home. Remember you should only use a generator outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Never use them indoors, in a garage, or close to your home. 

Prepare Yourself: 

• Stay indoors during inclement weather. 
• Be careful when you go out. Watch out for ice and snow on walkways. 
• Keep your clothes dry. Wet clothing loses its warmth and rapidly transmits cold. 

If you experience damage from winter storms - don't panic! Call SERVPRO of Pickens County. No matter the size or type of disaster you experience, we will make it “Like it never even happened.” 

Tis The Season For Twelve Days Of Safety.

12/2/2021 (Permalink)

Tis the season – to celebrate safely!

This time of year isn’t just the time of year that we eat more than usual and gather with family and friends; it’s also when we see an increase in household accidents and fires. To help make sure your holidays don’t go from merry to scary, remember these Twelve Holiday Safety Tips. 

Twelve Holiday Safety Tips: 

1.  Keep your Christmas and other holiday decorations at least three feet away from any heat sources – especially those with an open flame, like fireplaces, heaters, and candles. Remember to extinguish your holiday candles whenever you leave the room or go to sleep. 
2. The best decorations are safe decorations, so when decorating, make sure you never run cords under rugs or furniture, out of windows, or across walkways or sidewalks.Only use outdoor and indoor lights as indicated on their packaging.
3. Natural Christmas trees are beautiful and bring extra holiday magic into your home. However, real trees can dry up and turn into kindling in no time at all, be sure to water it frequently to keep it fresh and safe. If you use a real tree, get rid of the tree after Christmas. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard, do not leave them in your home or garage. 
4. Always turn off your lights and decorations when you leave your home and when you’re sleeping. The most deadly fires happen while people are asleep. 
5. Be mindful of how you are using your electrical outlets. If you’re using extension cords or adapters that add receptacles, consider having a qualified electrician add more outlets to your home. Never plug multiple extension cords together, and always use a polarized or three-pronged extension cord rated to handle the electrical current your devices need. 
6. Never leave cooking or baking unattended. Always stay in the kitchen even if you are baking or roasting-and set a timer to remind yourself to check on cooking food. 
7. Remember that your phones and tablets should stay on your nightstand, not in your bed under pillows and blankets. We all love falling asleep to the muffled crooning of Bing Crosby and Michael Bublé, but overheated electronics are dangerous.
8. Check all your smoke alarms to make sure they still work or if your alarms need new batteries. Install a working smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement if you have one. 
9. If you’re using a space heater, always turn it off before leaving the room. It only takes seconds for a fire to start if a space heater tips over or comes in contact with a blanket or curtains.
10. Inspect your decorations and discard any that are damaged or worn out. Safely discard frayed light strands, broken ornaments, or worn-out decorations that no longer work properly. 
11. Keep batteries stored safely in their packaging and out of reach of anything that might try to eat them, like small children and pets. Eating a battery can be deadly. 
12. Never share holiday or travel plans on social media. Do not put your travel plans or pictures on social media until you return home. You could be unintentionally inviting thieves into your home while you are away.