Call the Professionals

6/3/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Industries, LLC has been dealing with biological hazards such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi for over 50 years.  However, not with this much urgency! Nonetheless, we are ready and our awareness is heightened. Here at SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties, we have highly trained technicians that are equipped to help your business during this time.     

Cleaning - Sanitizing - Disinfecting

It is important for all parties to understand the different levels of cleaning that may or may not be possible for each surface. All surfaces can be cleaned, many surfaces can be sanitized, and some surfaces can be disinfected.

1. General Surface Cleaning – physically removes visible dirt, organic matter, viruses, fungi, and bacteria. General surface cleaning is accomplished with water, detergent, and physical scrubbing of the surface. The guiding principal is to remove microbes if possible, rather than kill them (with a sanitizer or disinfectant). In addition, thoroughly cleaning a surface can reduce the need to disinfect because without the nutrients and moisture needed to survive and multiply, most microbes cannot live on a clean and dry surface for very long.
2. Sanitizing – reduces but does not necessarily eliminates all the bacteria on a treated surface. Sanitizers do not have claims for viruses or fungi. To be a registered sanitizer, the test results for a product must show a reduction of at least a. 99.9% in the number of each type of bacteria tested on non-food-contact surfaces. Examples of non-food-contact sanitizers include carpet sanitizers, air sanitizers, laundry additives, and in-tank toilet bowl sanitizers.
3. Disinfecting – works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs. Disinfecting destroys or irreversibly inactivates infectious or other undesirable microbes, but not necessarily the spores of bacteria and fungi. The number of microbes killed during a disinfecting process will vary, depending on the specific chemical and how it is used.

Definitions of cleaning involving the COVID-19 virus:

1. General Cleaning- Proactive cleaning to minimize the transmission of Emerging Viral Pathogens (NO potential or actual exposure has occurred). 

2. High-Touch or Enhanced Cleanup- Request for Cleaning and Disinfection to Limit the Survival of Emerging Viral Pathogens (Confirmed or suspected exposure).

If your business has a confirmed case, someone has potentially been exposed, or you would like a proactive cleaning to limit exposure, give SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties/Decatur a call today (256) 233-4033

Faster to Any Size Disaster

6/3/2024 (Permalink)

From a burst pipe in an office building to faulty wiring in an apartment complex, fire and water losses are never planned, but they do occur. SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties/Decatur knows there's no such thing as a small emergency when it threatens the welfare of tenants and the revenue of the property owner. Have you developed a thorough contingency plan? Is the emphasis on the first 24-48 hours to help you get back in your building as quickly as possible?

SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties can provide you assistance in developing an Emergency Ready Profile. As part of a well thought-out contingency plan, your ERP will contain information you need in the event an emergency situation occurs.

SERVPRO professionals can manage the damage with

-Over 45 years of business in the cleanup and restoration industry

-More than 2000 franchises

-Detailed communication throughout the cleaning and restoration process to help keep you informed and in control

-Experience and training in mitigating damages ranging from single family homes to skyscrapers

We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties/Decatur will work hard to restore the property and its contents to preloss condition.

Cleaning Contents After a Storm

6/3/2024 (Permalink)

Contents Restoration

SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties/Decatur specializes in restoring contents damaged by storms and other water damage events. Our expertise and our “restore” versus “replace” mentality, can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that CAN'T be replaced. We'll pretest your contents to determine what items can be restored back to their condition before the water damage. We utilize several methods of cleaning your contents, including:

• Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to cleaning.
• Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if cleaned.
• Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
• Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

Storm and water damage affects not only the structure of your house, but also your belongings. SERVPRO of Limestone & Lawrence Counties/Decatur understands that your home is more than a structure; your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings help transform a house into a home.

SERVPRO CONVENTION 2023

6/30/2023 (Permalink)

Pirate Night at SERVPRO Convention!

SERVPRO's annual company wide convention was held in Tampa, FL this year. Convention is a great opportunity for all 2,000+ franchises to come together under one roof and collaborate new ideas.

For 50+ consecutive years SERVPRO has seen it's company wide revenue increase. It has also been ranked by Entrepreneur magazine 35 years running as one of the top 500 franchises in the nation, topping out at #1 in its franchise category.

SERVPRO convention is a staple in every SERVPRO franchise owner's yearly schedule. The amount of knowledge that circulates through the convention halls and work shops is unmatched.

It is always refreshing to hear from other SERVPRO owners about their successes, but most importantly their failures. As a massive company family, we are all committed to staying on mission and working every year to further our position as the #1 restoration company in the nation!

As you can see from the photo, this years opening night them was pirates!

When a Storm Gets Water in Your Home

6/6/2023 (Permalink)

Water from a storm got into this house and made the paint run from all the moisture

SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties/Decatur 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 we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 2.000 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

SERVPRO's Storm response team is "faster to any size disaster" and can get your home and life back to normal.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties/Decatur Today (256) 233-4033

Professionally Cleaning a Fire Job

6/1/2023 (Permalink)

House fire covers bathroom in thick black soot

Many homeowners think that they can clean-up smoke damage to their home after it has been burned in a fire. Unfortunately, that is never a good idea. Cleaning up smoke and soot damage requires professionals to do the job.

Bring in the Fire Damage Pros

First off, a house that has been burned in a fire is typically not safe to enter or spend time in. The integrity of walls and floors may have been damaged, along with other hazards. It’s important not to enter the home until professionals tell you it is safe to do so.

While you should not undertake trying to clean up smoke and soot damage from a house fire yourself, you should get the professionals into your home as soon as possible. Ash and smoke, if left untreated, will cause corrosion, discoloration and a lingering powerful and offensive odor. Ash, specifically, will start causing damage and discoloration almost immediately and the damage may be permanent and irreversible. Anything that was made of plastic will begin discoloring within minutes. Metals will easily tarnish and corrode and fiberglass will begin to yellow.

If you get fire damage restoration professionals in quickly after a house fire, they can mitigate or eliminate the smoke and ash damage from the fire and prevent further damage to your property. Unfortunately, if you don’t get the pros in early, the damage becomes worse and worse and the costs to repair will begin to skyrocket within just a few weeks!

Know Who to Hire

Many companies claim to be fire damage restoration specialists, but they may not actually have the proper training and certification to do the job. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the primary oversight agency for the industry. Companies recognized, registered and certified by the IICRC will have taken extensive coursework to earn their certification.

What a Trained and Certified Fire Damage Restoration Professional Does

A trained and certified fire damage restoration professional will first identify all affected materials and the source of odors, if possible. They will be extremely thorough. They will identify what can be salvaged and cleaned and what cannot be and must be completely replaced. They will then begin the clean-up process by removing built-up ash residue. Once the ash is cleaned, they can better identify the sources of odors, which they will treat with special detergents made to neutralize the odors. Once fire damaged materials are treated, they will be sealed to prevent future odors from emitting into your home.

Call SERVPRO of Limestone & Lawrence Counties/Decatur today at (256) 233-4033 for help with any fire related issues to your home or business!

Neat Facts About Mold

6/1/2023 (Permalink)

Black mold on the wood framing of a home

SERVPRO of Limestone & Lawrence Counties/Decatur's website gives some neat facts about mold that you may have not known:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.

• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.

• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.

• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If you have mold in your home, it is nothing to be embarrassed about, however it does need to be addressed and looked at if you question your well-being and your home being negatively affected by it.

Call SERVPRO of Limestone & Lawrence Counties/Decatur today and we will be glad to assess any mold damage that you may suspect. (256) 233-4033

How to Prevent Commercial Water Damage

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

Every day, hundreds of commercial buildings experience water damage. In fact, water is the most common type of damage that commercial buildings experience. When it is not dealt with promptly and effectively, the problem can rapidly grow from a minor issue to something costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. 

How can you best protect your business from water damage and minimize the fall-out when something does happen? Follow these steps:

1. Prepare an Emergency Plan

• Given how integral water is to all life and most industries, it is almost guaranteed that a commercial building will have to deal with water damage at some point. Thus, one of the best things a business owner can do is prepare for that inevitability ahead of time to keep losses to a minimum. Because water damage can grow exponentially if not addressed immediately, time is of the essence. 
• Your emergency plan should include:
  • A blueprint is showing where the shut-off points are for water, electricity and gas plus a set of instructions on how to shut them down fast.
  • A conveniently located toolbox.
  • A list of emergency phone numbers, such as the fire department, plumbers, SERVPRO of Catonsville, emergency personnel, and police.

2. Regularly Inspect Vulnerable Areas

• Inspect Your Roof Regularly
  • Check all rooftop penetrations, both interior and exterior.
  • Look for water stains.
  • Check all flashing, drains and seals. 

• Inspect Your Walls Regularly
  • Check wall joints around doors and windows.
  • Check flashing and sealant integrity. 

• Inspect Your Windows Regularly
  • Check for air seal integrity.
  • Test all locks and other mechanical parts.
  • Check flashing and joints.
  • Look for water stains or mold growth on window sills and interior walls.

Emergency plans and inspections are both measures to lessen any disruption to your commercial building. Questions about commercial water damage or how to prevent it?

Every day, thousands of commercial buildings experience water damage. In fact, water is the most common type of damage that commercial buildings experience. When it is not dealt with promptly and effectively, the problem can rapidly grow from a minor issue to something costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. 

How can you best protect your business from water damage and minimize the fall-out when something does happen? Follow these steps:

1. Prepare an Emergency Plan

• Given how integral water is to all life and most industries, it is almost guaranteed that a commercial building will have to deal with water damage at some point. Thus, one of the best things a business owner can do is prepare for that inevitability ahead of time to keep losses to a minimum. Because water damage can grow exponentially if not addressed immediately, time is of the essence. 
• Your emergency plan should include:
  • A blueprint is showing where the shut-off points are for water, electricity and gas plus a set of instructions on how to shut them down fast.
  • A conveniently located toolbox.
  • A list of emergency phone numbers, such as the fire department, plumbers, SERVPRO of Catonsville, emergency personnel, and police.

2. Regularly Inspect Vulnerable Areas

• Inspect Your Roof Regularly
  • Check all rooftop penetrations, both interior and exterior.
  • Look for water stains.
  • Check all flashing, drains and seals. 

• Inspect Your Walls Regularly
  • Check wall joints around doors and windows.
  • Check flashing and sealant integrity. 

• Inspect Your Windows Regularly
  • Check for air seal integrity.
  • Test all locks and other mechanical parts.
  • Check flashing and joints.
  • Look for water stains or mold growth on window sills and interior walls.

Emergency plans and inspections are both measures to lessen any disruption to your commercial building. Questions about commercial water damage or how to prevent it? SERVPRO of Limestone & Lawrence Counties/Decatur is here to help. Call us! (256) 233-4033

How do We Properly Handle a Water Damage?

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Limestone & Lawrence Counties/Decatur for help TODAY!

Water damages are bound to happen, whether from a deteriorated pipe, leaking refrigerator supply line, or one of a million other possibilities. When these damages do occur, it is important to handle them as quickly as possible to limit the amount of affected area and reduce the likelihood of secondary damages. One of the most frequent questions that we are asked when we take a call for a water damage is “how are you going to handle this?”  SERVPRO of Limestone & Lawrence Counties/Decatur utilizes industry leading technology, equipment, and practices to tackle even the most disastrous of damages, and here’s how:

• 24 Hour Emergency Response. The quicker that we can arrive on site and begin assessing the damages the better.
• Standing Water Extraction. Depending on the type of flooring, we have various equipment options to extract and remove any standing water present.
• Stabilization of the Property. There are many steps that can take place during this phase, including placement of containment barriers, setup of drying and dehumidification equipment, and contents manipulation to better access the affected area.
• Once these first steps have been taken, we will thoroughly assess the extent of the damages, formulate a plan for restoration and/or demolition, and begin coordinating all resources needed to take on the project.
• Communication is Key! Throughout the course of the project, we focus on staying in communication with the stakeholder(s) involved and providing them with progress updates. Along with these briefings, we will also extensively document our progress through photos, notes, and drying logs.

Planning of Traveling this Spring/Summer? Guard your Home Against Water Damage!

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

Returning from out of town just to find a water damage in your home? Call SERVPRO of Limestone & Lawrence Counties/Decatur TODAY!

The spring and summer months mean warmer temperatures, blooming foliage, and for many Limestone & Lawrence Counties/Decatur families, travel plans. Whether you are relaxing in the mountains, or spending time with loved ones in another state, the last thing you want is a phone call saying, “I’m so sorry, but there’s been a water damage at your home.”  Help safeguard yourself and your property against this scenario by prepping your home before heading out of town. How, you ask? SERVPRO of Limestone & Lawrence Counties/Decatur offers these tips: 

• Turn off the main water supply to your house before leaving. Since the water will not be in use, it may be beneficial to keep the water from flowing in case of a plumbing issue.
• Check your pipes for any corrosion, cracks, or leaks before heading out.
• Clear out debris from rain gutters. Clogged gutters can allow rainwater to back up onto your roof.
• Double check that all doors and windows are closed and locked. Not only is this imperative to keep your property safe from burglary but can also help limit water intrusion.
• Have a friend or neighbor check in on your home. Depending on the length of time you will be away, this approach may help limit the extent of damages if they were to occur.

In the unfortunate event that you do incur water damages at home while you travel, or at any other time, know that SERVPRO of Limestone & Lawrence Counties/Decatur is Here to Help. Our team of experienced professionals utilizes industry leading equipment and techniques to quickly address these damages and begin the mitigation process. Looking to learn more about our services, or in need of assistance? Give us a call at (256) 233-4033