When your House has a Flood, you Need Cleanup FAST!

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Me and the boys going down to the basement to get a can of beans from the cellar

When your basement floods from a burst pipe, or your bathroom floods due to an overflowing toilet, or your living room floods due to a tub spilling over into the upstairs shower room, you need to act fast.

Some things can be ignored and avoided, like a searing pain in your chest, your car rattling and shaking, or frequently coughing up blood, but you can’t ignore and avoid a flood in your home or business. It takes quick action from experienced professionals to avoid permanent water damage in your floors, ceilings, walls, and furniture, otherwise the damage might be irreparable, and you might end up with a mold problem.

Both of these issues can be handled by SERVPRO of South Cabarrus, so if you find your home flooded, call us today!

Cabarrus County Tornado Risk

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

The irony of the century: The blue people feel the least blue

Tornadoes don’t normally hit us this time of year. Kentucky had a wild one back in December, but here in North Carolina, we usually don’t get hit by them in January or February. That being said, it’s not unheard of, and it’s best to know what your risk is in Cabarrus County!

Luckily, FEMA has put together a map of Tornado Risk by county, so you can follow this link to find the map: https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/tornado.

I’ve also popped the map into the top of this article, so you can take a quick peek at that picture and see what shade your county is. It’s not horrendous here, but it’s also not great. We’re somewhere between Oklahoma and Alaska in Tornado damage risk. The good news is we’re fairly safe from avalanches and tsunamis!

If you have Winter Storm Damage, you need SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County!

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

It's so pretty... pretty and destructive!

Winter Storm Damage can range from frozen windows breaking to heavy sleet damaging a roof to trees collapsing under the weight of ice or snow and breaking your precious belongings. No matter what the winter storm damage may be, SERVPRO of South Cabarrus is experienced and equipped to handle the restoration job. We have years of work to back up these claims, and collectively have decades of work history in cleanup and restoration for all sorts of damage, especially winter storm damage, which will likely be our bread and butter for the next few weeks. If you find yourself in the shoes of someone who needs some help cleaning and restoring your home after a winter storm, you need SERVPRO! Call us immediately and we can be there in less than four hours (our average is closer to three!).

Rapid Cold is Coming this Weekend–What’s your Risk?

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Grey is anything but dull--it means you can breathe a sigh of relief!

Rapid Cold can be catastrophic for your health and safety and well-being, and it’s tough to adapt when you don’t know what your risk is! However, you’re not helpless and without a clue thanks to FEMA’s Rapid Cold map: https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/cold-wave

As you can see, most sections of North Carolina are safe from a serious cold wave, although Virginia is supposedly fine as well and we saw how well that worked out for them a few weeks ago.

Nevertheless, cold waves are in season and can happen with little warning. It’s important to pay attention to the weather as you will generally have only a day or two to change plans, avoid travel, and stock up on supplies for the coming cold wave so you stand a better chance of making it through in one piece!

Ice Storms are Coming this Weekend–What’s your Risk?

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

We at SERVPRO prefer to keep the ice in our veins, not in our homes!

Ice Storms can be even more dangerous than traditional storms. Sure, there’s less lightning and thunder (although thunder isn’t a big deal if you’re not a baby), but there’s ice, and ice isn’t nice. If you’ve been living in NC for a while, you’ve probably got a pretty good grasp on what your risks are for certain types of weather, but if you’re new, or if it’s a particularly nasty year, it’s best to check things out and be safe rather than sorry! FEMA (The Federal Emergency Management Association) has maps for risk of damage for each type of natural disaster by county, so you can easily find out your risk! Follow the link here: https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/ice-storm, or check out the map image at the top of this article to find out your family’s risk of ice storms!

Cabarrus County Hail Risk

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Raising Hail may be alright on occasion, but falling hail is always bad news!

Hail can be a highly destructive form of precipitation for a giant chunk of ice falling 40,000 feet from the top of a cumulonimbus cloud! Also, since it doesn’t have to happen during particularly cold weather (it’s actually more likely in the Summer!), it can happen pretty much anywhere. Very few counties have absolutely no hail risk, and just slightly more have very little hail risk. How do we know? FEMA (The Federal Emergency Management Association) collects data to produce a map of Hail Risk by county, and it can be found here: https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/hail

It can also be found at the top of this blog post in an image header format. Sorry about cropping out the Western half of the US, but if you live out there, you should probably call a SERVPRO that’s a bit closer and won’t be a 60-hour drive away.

Fires Strike the Unprepared more than Anyone!

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Where did the pumpkin go wrong? It forgot to get a bucket of water to douse the fire!

Fires are unfortunately a staple amongst human civilization for as long as human civilization has existed, but that doesn’t mean you must become a victim to fire damage. Fires can be fairly easily prevented by simply making wise choices and never leaving a fire unattended, and never making a fire that’s too gnarly for you to tame. It’s also prudent to keep a source of water nearby (a hose or a bucket--but only a big enough bucket to knock the job out!) or a fire extinguisher (for worst case scenarios as they can be a bit of a mess to clean up after!) to douse out the flames if things get out of hand.

If you’re a smart firestarter and tend to it well, you should hopefully be able to avoid most types of fire damage. Of course, SERVPRO of South Cabarrus is still here to help you if needed!

Have Fire Damage? You need SERVPRO!

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Hmmm... yup. We can take care of this!

Fire is one of the most destructive forces we regularly contend with. It cooks our food, it keeps us warm, and it scares off bears when we’re in the wilderness (hopefully!). However, believe it or not, fire can have its downsides. Every year, around 350,000 houses experience a fire. If you find yourself inside one of those houses, once the fire is out, you’re probably wondering what to do next! Your next step after putting out the fire and making sure all your family and pets are safe is to call SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County. We have some of the most skilled and talented franchise professionals that are IICRC-certified to handle your fire damage cleanup, restoration, and even reconstruction!

We’re open 24/7 for your emergency needs, and can easily be reached at (704) 793-1488.

SERVPRO has the Snazziest Uniforms

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Milan has nothing on us.

SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County doesn’t just allow the shabbiest of the shabby to inhabit our work vans and office hallways. We have strict standards for the dress of our employees, and they always dress for success.

The look begins with a black polo--smart, sleek, stylish--a timeless piece of fashion since time immemorial. We don’t stop there. Far better than the cliche “Supreme” logo on most “popular fashion,” we plant the SERVPRO logo on the polo with pride. On a chilly day, you’ll find a franchise professional with a similarly-designed hoodie: black, SERVPRO logo, soft and comfortable. You’ll oftentimes find a black baseball cap with the logo or a toboggan with the same design donning the strong craniums protecting the clever minds of our employees.

Down below, professional slacks, cargo pants, or dungarees, and safe, smart work boots finish up the look at the bottom.

You won’t find a better-dressed cleanup and restoration professional in the biz!

Concord SERVPRO Reviews

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

We each get to wear one of these 24/7 if our scores don't drop beneath 4 stars.

4.3 Stars out of 5: That’s not half bad, folks! That means the vast majority of people have given us at least four stars, and the rest gave us perfect marks! In an industry as contentious as ours, that’s a pretty solid review. Keep in mind that we don’t delete reviews (unless they were left by someone who wasn’t even a customer!), and we don’t hide our reviews--we’re proud of them.

Some cleaning and restoration companies aren’t as jazzed about their reviews. They definitely don’t put them front and center on their websites! Not only do we openly show our reviews--we write blog posts about them. Blog posts like the one you’re reading right now.

So if a 4.3 cuts the mustard for you, and you need some damage cleanup and restoration, you should call SERVPRO of South Cabarrus.

SERVPRO has IICRC-Certification!

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

This is the last thing damage sees before it gets restored...permanently.

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification is the premiere institute for certifying that a company has professionals on staff who are experienced and adept at cleaning and restoration from all sorts of damage, beit fire damage, water damage, mold, or whatever your home or business has fallen prey to!

When you call SERVPRO of South Cabarrus, you can be confident that you are calling an establishment with years of experience and certification from the foremost organization for cleanup and restoration certification in the industry. Wanna learn more about the IICRC? Check out its website: https://IICRC.org/.

Wanna learn more about SERVPRO of South Cabarrus? Check out our website: https://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com/. Also, our phone number is (704) 793-1488, so you can call to ask more questions if you’d like. We have someone on call at all hours of the day at all days of the week at all weeks of the year, so get in touch!

SERVPRO of South Cabarrus: We only Hire the Best!

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

This is one of the greatest employees in America. Does he work for us? Probably.

Some cleanup and restoration companies might be okay with hiring anyone with opposable thumbs who can hold an industrial vacuum, but SERVPRO ain’t one of those companies!

We have high standards for our franchise professionals: we only hire the best. But we don’t only hire the best--we train them consistently to keep them in the upper echelons of cleanup and restoration professionals!

The IICRC handles our franchise professional’s training, both for initial instruction and for their continuing education.

So if you want to hire a cleaning and restoration company to clean, restore, and repair your fire, water, storm, or other damage that’s qualified, trained, and experienced, you want to hire SERVPRO of South Cabarrus! We can get your property and belongings to as close to preloss conditions as possible.

SERVPRO has Strict Standards of Quality

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

This guy gave us a thumbs up--what more do you need to see?

If you’re calling SERVPRO, you’re likely not calling us to come clean up spilled milk. You’re most likely calling SERVPRO because you’ve got a big job you need us to take care of! The good news is SERVPRO of South Cabarrus doesn’t quit during big jobs. Sometimes it will take hours and hours of labor. Sometimes it will take days. Rarely, it will take weeks.

Regardless of the time required for the size of the job, you can know that SERVPRO will not bail part way through. We have strict standards of quality for our work, and we don’t do halfway jobs. When SERVPRO shows up, gives you an appraisal, and says the work will be done, that means the work will be done. If you’ve had rough experiences with previous restoration companies, your rough experiences end the day you call SERVPRO!

If your Damage can’t Wait, Call SERVPRO!

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

I hope that's filled with graphene. Have you heard of graphene? Go look up graphene. It's super cool! You'll be obsessed with graphene afterwards.

There are twenty-four hours in a day. How many of those hours would you want your local damage cleanup and restoration company to be open for? Eight? Ten? Fifteen?

Try Twenty-Four.

That’s right! SERVPRO of South Cabarrus is available 24 hours a day to handle your business’s water, fire, or other damage, as soon as you need it. Other companies may be open “normal” hours, and they’ll head on out to help with the damage when they have a chance to; they might even wait all weekend before crawling to your business and cleaning up with the blazing speed of cold molasses. After all, who would be open on the weekend?

Oh yeah… SERVPRO is!

SERVPRO will be there, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, to help you when you need us. If your business fell prey to a disaster at an inopportune moment (when is it ever an opportune moment, though?), call SERVPRO of South Cabarrus at (704) 793-1488, and the day will be saved!

Murphy’s Law Applies to Business!

11/20/2021 (Permalink)

Worral Floorer

If you’re a big fan of “laws” (not the dark arts used in those courtrooms; clever little aphorisms people take credit for by putting their name before “‘s law”), you’ve likely heard of Murphy’s Law. If you haven’t, you’ve definitely still experienced it!

Murphy’s Law says "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." It’s usually said tongue-in-cheek after some big plan goes belly-up as a way to cope with the pain, but it still applies to most ventures.

That includes your business!

I’m sure you’ve run into your fair-share of problems while running your business, and you just may be thinking this Murphy chap is onto something! However, have you ever considered that Ole’ Murph is also accurately describing your risk for damage from a fire, flood, or storm?

He is. He is.

So if you’re worried about Murphy’s Law striking your business, keep SERVPRO of South Cabarrus in your mind, and give us a call as soon as disaster reveals its ugly head.

It’s Getting Colder, which Means it’s Fire Season!

11/16/2021 (Permalink)

If you wish to avoid this ire, Keep your eyes on every fire. Never leave it unattended, Unless you want your housing ended.

“Okay, what’s the deal here? I thought fire was hot! Why is cold season fire season?” That’s probably what you’re thinking right now. Well, I’m here to clear things up--it’s my job!

Although you’re correct about the average temperature of fire being quite high, what you neglect to mention is when we use fire most! When do you usually use fire?

I use fire when it’s cold.

You probably do too.

That’s right, autumn and winter are primetime for fire, when we use it indoors to heat our homes, cook, light our rooms, and outdoors to stay warm. All that fire can cause some damage, especially in the hands of someone without the requisite amount of caution. Fire is an incredible tool; without it, humans wouldn’t exist! However, it’s also extremely dangerous and can destroy a structure in a matter of minutes.

If you want to stay safe during “fire season,” make sure you never leave a fire unattended (and no, putting your toddler in beside it with a water hose while you grab another Heineken doesn’t count as attending it!), always have some form of adequate fire extinguisher nearby (hose, bucket of wire, chemical fire extinguisher, an entire dump truck of dirt), and remember to put the fire out when you’re done with it--it’s not that hard to start another if you realise your brats didn’t get fully cooked!

Follow these rules and you’ll be able to survive the autumn and winter, and have a nice, warm, safe time.

What is my Risk for Hail Damage?

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

This map shows your risk for loss from Hail. (Note, this is unrelated for your risk of hailing a taxi! That would be red mostly in NYC!)

Water is a beautiful molecule. It sustains all life on earth, it refreshes, it cleanses, it supports us.

However, when water freezes into a block of ice the size of a softball and falls from the top of a cumulonimbus cloud down on your home, it’s a bit less beautiful.

You might wonder what your risk of hail damage is. There’s not much you can do to stop a block of ice the size of a grapefruit from falling on your house if it decides to fall on your house, but you can at least get an idea of what to expect as far as damages go in your county.

Luckily, our friends at FEMA put together a map showing expected loss for each county in our great nation, and we found it. It’s attached to this post, but you can also see it for yourself here: https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/hail

Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like we in the Cabarrus County area are at too much risk--in fact, we might even be at the lowest risk!

So that’s a bit of some positive news to help you get through your day.

Most Fire Damage...Comes from Within!!

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

You should hopefully only be seeing these guys on a calendar!

When you think about fire damage, the first memories you might recall are visions of wildfires in California spreading through the forests, rapidly approaching civilization. That was certainly a frightening experience for all those involved, but did you know that the majority of house fires are actually started from within the house?

Kitchens, fireplaces, candles, and electric wires are where most house fires come from, and they’re almost always started by people inside the house!

There’s no reason to start preemptively pointing fingers at beloved family members yet, however. Your time will be better spent implementing safe practices inside your home.

Don’t leave open flames near drapes or flammable furniture, remember to always turn the stove off and don’t leave things inside too long, keep the fireplace burning at a moderate pace so it doesn't get out of control, and never plug in too many electronics into one wall port. 

If you make wise choices this winter, you can avoid fire damage. However, if you make a mistake (we all do!), SERVPRO of South Cabarrus will be here, 24/7, ready to take your call!

How to Clean Furniture after Flooding

10/25/2021 (Permalink)

Why would someone buy a painting like this?

If you’ve just been the unfortunate victim of a flooding incident in your home, you likely know you need to call a restoration company. If you’re reading this blog post, you likely also know you should call SERVPRO of South Cabarrus. However, you may not know what you should do with your furniture while you’re waiting for the cavalry.
First thing’s first--do NOT enter any room with standing water until you can verify there aren’t any electrical hazards in there. We can fix your house; we cannot fix you! Once you’re certain the pathway there is safe, go turn off the circuit breaker in the wet areas of the building.
Now, the next step should be obvious, but in stressful situations, you might forget to do it (I wouldn’t, but you might): turn off the water source, if it’s still running. You can’t bail water until you patch the hull!
Then, move all fragile/sensitive items (art, electronics, upholstery) out of the room, and start mopping! (But only if it’s clean water. If it’s biowaste, stay the heck outta there!)
Finally, get some fresh air and have a diet soda, and we’ll be there in a few hours to rescue your home from the ole menace, dihydrogen monoxide. You’ve done your part, now let us do ours.

More Locations than you can Count!

10/21/2021 (Permalink)

Okay, MAYBE we don't have locations in this many countries, but we're pretty darned close.

Did you know that there are more than 1700 SERVPRO locations in North America? No? Why not? What did you learn at that fancy schoolhouse you went to? Oh well, nevermind.

Anyhow, SERVPRO has over 1700 locations in North America, and over 1500 in the USA!

So if you find yourself in a jam and you need some damage cleanup and restoration, don’t choose some Johnny Come Lately without experience or hundreds of positive reviews, and opt for the folks who have thousands of locations with dozens of positive reviews for each location! It takes hard work and plenty of know-how to build one business, let alone thousands, so you can be confident each of our locations is as professional as the next.

A Crucial Step to Cleaning your House after a Fire

10/11/2021 (Permalink)

"What's that smell? Oh yeah...the fire..."

Disaster has struck, and you’re left reeling. Your home had a fire, whether from the kitchen, furnace, fireplace, or an electrical malfunction. You likely put the flames out and made sure your family is safe and started working on the damage. Maybe you called a restoration company like SERVPRO of South Cabarrus! 

Regardless, you might be overlooking the last step in making it “Like it never even happened.” When it comes to fire damage, you likely focused more on the visible damage, but what about the smokey smell?

That’s where SERVPRO comes in! Our franchise professionals provide specialized services that rid your home of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. They do not merely cover up lingering odors with a cheap fragrance; they seek out the sources of the odor and remove them, so your house can smell like your house, for better or for worse!

First Rule of Business: Expect the Unexpected!

10/11/2021 (Permalink)

This is the confident visage of a man who has his local SERVPRO on speed-dial.

One thing a budding entrepreneur soon learns (oftentimes the hard way!) after starting a business is to “Expect the Unexpected.” That can mean anything from employee troubles and HR issues all the way to supply chain bugs and shortages. However, sometimes it means an unforeseen fire, water, or storm disaster.

What you need to know, then, is who to call when disaster strikes. You need a company that’s confident (likely with many positive online reviews), competent (hopefully IICRC-certified), and quick (hopefully giving you an assessment within four hours).

There are plenty of companies in the restoration biz, but if you’re looking for a restoration and cleanup business with those qualifications, competition gets thin. SERVPRO of South Cabarrus can show up quickly and knock out the restoration job for you so you can be in “Like it never even happened,” mode in a day or two, depending on the job. Give us a call at (704) 939-1944 and we will help save the day, so you can get back to work.

A tree fell on your house, what's next?

2/18/2021 (Permalink)

Do you know what to do if a tree falls on your home? After evacuating and calling the authorities and your insurance, who would you call first? It is often suggested to call a tree removal service, a plumber, a roofer, and an electrician. If you contact us first and we can find all of them for you. We don't stop there either. We have a pack-out system each technician is trained to follow. Your belongings are well taken care of and secured until your home is repaired, and we can pack your things back into the home exactly where we got them from. Our priority is to take the stress of this loss off your shoulders. If you experience a tree crashing through your roof, contact us, and we will make it "Like it never even happened."

Covid-19 Cleaning Consultation

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

It looks as gross as it is contagious!

Covid-19 is still just as vicious now as it was at the beginning of 2020. A majority of us that can have made a variety of changes. Some people are working from home while our most essential workers are running the country. For many, the effects of Covid-19 are stressful. One stressful point is how to keep your facility clean. Here at SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County, we strive to be the premier cleaning experts in your area. It is crucial to minimize the opportunity for the infectious disease to contaminate anyone. For this reason, we offer affordable Covid Cleanings for your facility. We are the national standard of cleanliness, and we follow every C.D.C. guideline to ensure your structure and contents are cleaned to the highest possible standard.
Before hiring a commercial cleaning company, there are five essential characteristics you want to utilize.
1. Hire a reputable company with experience in biohazard cleanup and remediation.
2. The company is trained and has access to proper protective equipment.
3. Utilizes an E.P.A. recognized hospital-grade disinfectant.
4. Comfortable giving upfront work protocols and pricing.
5. Successful track record of meeting client's needs.
Your SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County team is readily available to assess your needs. Give us a call at (704) 793-1488 to schedule a Covid Cleaning Consultation.

Candle safety during the chilly months

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

Between 2009 to 2013, an estimated 9,300 house fires were started by candles. These fires caused $374 million in property damage and caused 86 deaths and 827 injuries. During the winter months, home fires due to candles peak. 11% of these home candle fires start because of decorations in December compared to 4% throughout the year. A few candle safety tips are as follows:

1. If you are leaving a room or going to bed, blow out any lit candles. 
2. Keep candles a foot away from flammable objects.
3. Keep candles on sturdy holders in uncluttered areas.
4. Keep your hair and loose clothing away from open flames.
5. Try not to let a candle burn all the way down to the bottom.
6.  If your candles are not full enough, use flashlights during a power outage instead.

Give us a call if you have a fire loss or even soot damage. We'll clean your home up and make it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Facts

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County, we have highly trained technicians and state of the art equipment. When you’re having an emergency and looking for companies who can assist you with water mitigation, mold remediation, and fire restoration services, SERVPRO should be on the top of your list. Don’t just take our word for it. Some facts to consider are as follows:

1. SERVPRO has been around since 1967 when Ted and Doris Isaacson founded the company, which started as a painting business. Today, more than 1,700 SERVPRO franchises exist nationwide. One of the top 10 franchises, SERVPRO has proved to be an outstanding company.
2. At SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County, our owner started our SERVPRO franchise over 20 years ago. We have the experience to go along with our state of the art equipment and highly trained technicians.
3. All of our technicians are trained and specialists in the restoration and remediation work they do. Training is continuously updated when there are any new ways to assist our customers best.
4. We help you work with your insurance company to ensure you are covered for the work we complete. If your insurance company does not cover a service we recommend, we will let you know the price before the work is done.
5. We work quickly yet thoroughly to ensure that your home is restored, making it “Like it never even happened.”
6. At SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County, we are here for you in case of fire damage, water damage, mold, storm damage, biohazard cleanup, and emerging pathogens disinfection using the EPA-approved products in the SERVPRO product line. We are available 24/7 and 365 to help you with anything you may need.

If you experience fire damage, water damage, mold, storm damage, or need a biohazard cleanup, call us, SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County at 704-793-1488.

Why SERVPRO?

12/22/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County, we are an independently run, family-owned business. Our range of services includes water and fire damages, mold remediation, restoration, cleaning such as biohazards, soft contents, and carpet cleaning. We aim to provide the highest level of service to our clients in their time of need. Our technicians and managers are highly skilled and trained in both restoration and reconstruction techniques. Their training is ongoing as we stay updated on all new technologies and procedures in the industry. Without our team of dedicated employees, our business wouldn't be what it is. From those of our team, who are in our office, to our managers and technicians, each one is vital to our operation. Our incredible team consists of people from all different walks of life. All have one thing in common, though, they have a passion for what they do, and they enjoy helping members of the community put their homes and businesses back together after an emergency. Everyone works together to get the job done! We are proud to have such a great team, proud of their work, and grateful for their dedication to our community and us. Our office members and technicians respond to calls every hour of the day, every day, including on weekends and during all holidays. From water damage at a large business or a fire at your home to a major storm hitting our community or in a portion of our country, we are always ready when our phone rings! We appreciate the support from the community and are very grateful we get to serve them. We hope to continue making it "Like it never even happened." for many more years to come. 

If you find yourself in need of our water damage services, fire damage, or mold remediation, give our team at SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County a call at 704-793-1488. 24/7 and 365, we are here for you! 

Committed to helping you!

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County is doing its part to protect Cabarrus County residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Through the North Carolina stay-at-home orders, the state’s reopening, and now a mandatory curfew, we’ve continued to provide our essential services to the community. 

SERVPRO is committed to keeping our employees and customers safe; this is critical to all of us working together to defeat this virus. Our office staff has screening questions such as, have you or anyone in your household recently tested positive or been exposed to someone who has tested positive for coronavirus? We do all we can to protect our employees and customers from exposure to the disease. 

SERVPRO’s team members are also adhering to CDC Guidelines when meeting with customers or out on site. Each is required to wear a face-covering while onsite and disposable gloves. Their temperatures are also checked daily before going to a customer’s home or business. 

If your home or business needs our services, whether for fire, water, or mold damage and even deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County, 704-793-1488.

The damage ice dams bring

12/18/2020 (Permalink)

Ice dams can be harmless or cause some serious, secret destruction. The ice that forms at the edge of a roof, blocking water or melted snow from draining, is called an ice dam. When the water doesn't drain, it puts weight on the roof, and because water takes the path of least resistance, it will find an entrance into your home, usually between the shingles. If water enters your home because of an ice dam, it is typically undetectable, allowing mold and mildew to grow behind your walls, in your attic, and on your ceiling. Mold and mildew can cause health effects, so it is imperative to stop the source of loss, dry the moisture, and clean any mold that may have grown. If you discover this has happened to your home this winter, please call us. We can fix any issue that is caused due to moisture issues in your home. We'll make it, "Like it never even happened."

Ice storms - BEWARE!

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

Ice storms can often be one of the most horrific natural weather occurrences. These storms cause a multitude of accidents like car crashes, power outages, and injuries to oneself. When falling snow meets a layer of air that is warm enough to melt the snow, it becomes freezing rain. If you look at a weather map, freezing rain is usually found on the cold side of a warm front. In this area, surface temperatures are typically below freezing or at the freezing point. As the rain falls, it becomes super cold from passing through a layer of cold air, and as it comes in contact with a cold surface, it freezes. The drops themselves do not freeze; however, they become so cold they are referred to as "supercooled drops." When these supercooled drops come in contact with a surface, they freeze instantly and form a thin layer of ice, and this is why it is called freezing rain. Freezing rain can affect any surface. Call SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County for any restoration you need due to melted ice.

Fire Protection and Prevention

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

Every business knows they NEED to get fire and general liability insurance policies, but how many companies have thought of fire prevention practices and making an Emergency Ready Plan? You can follow a few tips to help prevent fire loss and build an emergency ready plan with SERVPRO.
-The first fire prevention tip is to have fire protection equipment such as a sprinkler system. You will also want to have a smoke detector and a multipurpose fire extinguisher.
-The second fire prevention tip is to have an electrician inspect your appliances and make any repairs necessary. Leave space behind devices that heat up in an effort to prevent overheating. You will also want to ask the fire marshall to review your building to ensure everything is up to code. Practice good housekeeping by dusting off electric appliances and storing chemicals and liquids in the appropriate designated space. You will also want to ensure any tools that require heat are thoroughly cooled off before storing them.
-The third piece of advice is to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
If your business has the capability, store an emergency kit packed with bottled water, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and an escape mask to fight against smoke inhalation. Every employee should know where this kit is. It is also vital for each employee to know all the exits, where all the fire extinguishers are, and understand the emergency plan. SERVPRO can help you by setting up an Emergency Ready Plan. In this plan, we help you gather all the information you and your team will need to know in case of an emergency. An example of this would be listing the number to your electrician and other numbers you may need to call in case of an emergency. Call SERVPRO of South Cabarrus day or night, and we will help you and make your loss “Like it never even happened.”

Typical Commercial Water Loss Causes

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial water losses cause extreme damage. To restore a commercial property to its originality will always involve insurance, and how long it may take varies. At SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County, we want your business to be open, so we work as quickly as possible to repair and restore any damage done to your business. There are many causes of commercial water loss, and it is vital to the health and safety of the employees for action to be taken immediately if any signs of a water loss are found. The most common water loss causes in a commercial building are damaged window seals, damaged pipes, cracked foundations, inadequate drainage systems, roof leaks, HVAC leaks, sewage backups, and sprinkler system damages or malfunctions. If these damages are left sitting for too long, it could cause mold and mildew growth, which is harmful.  If you notice any of these issues, call SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County. We can connect you to the right subcontractor if necessary and dry any water damage and restore the building “Like it never even happened.”

Step to take after your pipe bursts.

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

Owning a home is a considerable expense, especially if the house is older. Having a pipe burst in your home is also considerably expensive. The water damage from a pipe bursting is extensive! Your possessions can be ruined, and if not cleaned up quickly and adequately, your health could be at risk. If a pipe should burst in your home, your first step should be to turn off the water to the house. This should be done especially if you are unsure of exactly where the water is coming from. The few places you can turn your water off are under the sink, behind the toilet, or outside of your home under the main water shut off lid typically found in the yard. If you set up a free Emergency Ready Plan with SERVPRO, we offer Emergency Shut Off Valve tags so that everyone knows where these shutoffs are. After turning off the main water supply and the water heater, drain the pipes by running the hot and cold water separately.
Make sure to flush the toilets to clear their waterline as well. Once all the lines are cleared, the leak will also stop. Your next move should be to locate where the leak is coming from. If you can repair it yourself, that is great; otherwise, call your plumber that was listed in your Emergency Ready Plan you put together with SERVPRO. Last but not least, to save all of your valuable items and the structure of your home as well as maintaining your health, call SERVPRO, your professional drying crew. Trying to dry your things with a fan or open windows is an open invitation to mold and mildew. SERVPRO will take the water damage caused by a burst pipe “Like it never even happened.”

How to know when your pipes may freeze.

12/7/2020 (Permalink)

Freezing pipes are a common inconvenience during the winter months. Your home's insulation typically protects your pipes from the freezing temperatures outside your home. This means that even though it is 32 degrees outside does not mean your pipes will freeze necessarily. It's important to know that 32 degrees Fahrenheit is the freezing temperature of water. House pipes begin to freeze when it is at least 20 degrees out for a total of at least six hours consecutively. Depending on the house's geographical location and how deep inside your home your pipes are, some pipes are preinsulated to handle colder temperatures. For example, a house in Michigan will have better-insulated pipes than a house in Florida. All of these factors can be used to calculate how long it could take your pipes to freeze, allowing you just enough time to run to a hardware store to buy pipes insulation.

If your pipes burst, call SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County, and we will work hard to make it "Like it never even happened."

Space heater fires

12/2/2020 (Permalink)

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, space heater fires are mostly caused when a heater is placed too close to curtains, bedding, or upholstered furniture. Space heaters contribute to 25,000 house fires and 300 deaths annually. Additionally, 6,000 people end up in emergency rooms with burns from contact with a heater's hot surface. If a heater can cause cotton to ignite when operating on its hottest setting, it receives a Poor rating in the Consumer Product Safety Commission fire-safety test. When purchasing a new space heater, make sure it has a safety certification, shutoff features, and a tip-over switch that automatically shuts the heater off. You'll also want to make sure it has a sturdy cord and a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter plug. Most space heaters do not have a GFCI plug to prevent shock, and space heaters should not be used on power strips or with extension cords.

Holiday House Fires

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving comes around every year like clockwork, and every year there are new cases of cooking-related fires, and a majority of them are related to pressure cookers. Pressure cooking is the process of using high-pressure steam for cooking food using water or a water-based cooking liquid such as broth, in a sealed vessel. This method cooks food significantly quicker than most other methods. The high pressure allows for cooking temperatures well above 212 degrees and limits all around boiling. In many cases of cooking-related house fires, people were not following pressure cooking safety guidelines. Between 2014 and 2018, in the U.S., fire departments responded to 172,900 home fires started by cooking. These fires caused an average of 550 deaths and 4,820 injuries. This led to more than $1 billion in property damage each year.  During Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays alone, house fires peak due to negligence and unsafe cooking environments. It's important to be aware of your surroundings while cooking. Although SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County can restore your home "Like it never even happened," we would prefer for everyone to be safe and enjoy the holiday season.

Continuing our in-depth look at the dangers of hurricanes

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

Winds of greater than 110 miles per hour are considered to be major hurricanes. In the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic ocean, ten tropical storms develop every year. Of those ten storms, six become hurricanes. Over the course of three years, roughly five of those hurricanes will hit the U.S. coastline. During these five storms, harsh weather can kill 50 to 100 people in coastal states spanning Texas to Maine. Hurricanes vary in size but are typically around 300 miles wide. The center of a hurricane is referred to as the eye, a relatively calm area that spans between 20 to 40 miles wide. The storm wall surrounding the eye has extremely dense clouds that host the highest winds in the storm. These storms have such forceful winds they create rain bands. Rain bands are thick bands of thunderstorms that can be 50 to 300 miles long and anywhere from a couple of miles to tens of miles wide.

Even storms with winds of 40 miles per hour can be dangerous. It is important to stay safe during a storm and remain indoors if possible. If a storm causes damage to your home, give us a call, and we'll make it, "Like it never even happened."

Recipe for a Hurricane

11/16/2020 (Permalink)

It takes several factors for a hurricane to form in tropical areas.
Most hurricanes start as tropical waves. Tropical waves are most easily defined as an elongated area of relatively low air pressure spanning from north to south moving east to west. Water that is 79 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a depth of 164 feet powers the storm. Ocean heat is used by thunderstorms to fuel hurricanes. The storm can weaken depending on any significant differences in wind speed and direction around the storm. When these factors mix together, you may just get a hurricane, but having all of these ingredients doesn’t necessarily mean a hurricane will form. In most cases, an entire hurricane may not develop, but there will still be heavy storms that affect the surrounding areas. If your area has been affected by heavy rain and strong winds, call SERVPRO to make any damage “Like it never even happened.”

Hurricane categories

11/10/2020 (Permalink)

There are five categories for hurricanes. Wind speeds determine what category a storm is. Category one hurricanes have wind speeds of 75 to 95 miles per hour. These wind speeds will cause some damage. The damage to well-built houses will likely be roof damage, damage to the shingles, and vinyl siding and gutters. Trees with shallow roots may be uprooted, and the large branches will snap. Power lines will have extensive damage that may cause power outages that could last up to several days. Category two wind speeds continue at 96 to 110 miles per hour with similar damage to homes as a category one hurricane but more severe. This means damage to roofs and siding will have more damage and snapped or fallen trees will be more likely to block roads. Expect near-total power losses for several days to weeks. A category three hurricane is considered a major storm. The wind speeds reach up to 111 to 129 miles per hour. The damage incurred to a well-structured home will be severe and may even remove an entire roof, decking, and gable ends. Trees will snap or be uprooted and block numerous roads along with power and water outages several days or weeks even after the storm has passed. A category four hurricane’s wind speeds are measured at 130 to 156 miles per hour. A cyclone in this category is considered a significant storm that will incur catastrophic damage. Trees and power poles will be uprooted and isolate many residential areas leaving them with no power or water for weeks. Roofs and exterior walls will be severely damaged, and a majority of the site will be uninhabitable. A category five has wind speeds of 157 miles per hour or faster. A hurricane of this category will cause extreme catastrophic damage. Most homes, well-built or not, will be destroyed with total roof failure and structure collapses. Trees and power poles will be fallen over, blocking roads. There will not be water or electricity for many weeks to months. The area will be considered uninhabitable until the area is cleared and repaired. SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County works diligently to help in such distressing disasters to make it “Like it never even happened.” Our goal is always to help where we are capable.

Prepare for a storm ahead of time.

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know SERVPRO offers a FREE Emergency Ready Profile App that you can download in the app store today to help you be ready for any type of disaster? The benefit of using the Emergency Ready Plan app is that any member of your team or family can access the information stored there. The app compiles the list of companies you will need in the case of an emergency. When your home or business is flooding due to a storm or busted pipe, the last thing you want to waste your time doing is looking up plumbers and reading reviews while you're standing in a foot worth of water.
With that being said, the CDC states it is Atlantic hurricane season from June 1 through November 30 each year. It is natural for storm disasters to cause stress, anxiety, grief, and loads of worry. This year has been even more chaotic than the last because we have all been affected by the global pandemic, Covid-19. Take the necessary steps now to ensure your safety should a storm hit. Prepare ahead of time by stockpiling all the supplies you will need in an emergency by preparing your emergency food, water, and medical supplies.

Things to know about mitigation

10/1/2020 (Permalink)

Mitigation and restoration are drastically different. Mitigation concentrates on minimizing how much damage there is after a disaster. Restoration concentrates on repairing what has been damaged. Whether it is in your home or at your business, a disaster due to water or fire is devastating. It is vital to start mitigation immediately in order to preserve the property. The loss information should be sent to the insurance company's mitigation vendor if the client hasn't called for services themselves. That vendor should arrive within 4 hours and have their crew begin emergency work. By the 8 hour mark, the insurance company should have all updates on the work being completed. We work hard to clean up a loss and make it "Like it never even happened."

Teamwork makes the dream work!

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

Our teamwork makes the dream work to complete all jobs!

The definition of teamwork is the effective and efficient combined action of a group of people. "The History of Team building," says the idea of teams emerged in the late 1920s and early 1930s with the now-classic Hawthorne Studies. Researchers agreed that the most significant factor was building a sense of group identity, a feeling of social support, and cohesion that came with increased worker interaction. One of the original researchers, Elton Mayo, pointed out certain critical conditions: the manager had a personal interest in each team member's achievements, took pride in the team's record and continuously posted feedback and helped the team set their own work conditions. It was also noted that the group took pride in their work, and people noticed their achievements; the group did not feel pressured to change, and if any changes were made, the group was consulted beforehand. Combining all these factors helped the group develop a sense of confidence in their abilities and camaraderie. When a team works together, the work is more efficient, and the team is more productive. Sharing the workload allows the unit to be more efficient and productive because it relieves each member of the pressure of completing a multistep task alone on time.
At SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County, we wholeheartedly believe teamwork makes the dream work. When one team member is down, we all feel it, and we all shift our efforts into completing a job correctly and helping each other. We make the job "Like it never even happened," using teamwork every time.

Grill Safety suggestions

8/24/2020 (Permalink)

More than 10,000 home fires are started by grills each year on average. July is a peak month for grill fires followed by June, May, and August. 

Barbecuing is a summertime staple we all love! Follow these tips to prevent yourself from being a statistic:

• Any type of grill should only be used outdoors. 
• Place the grill far away from the home or anything that could cover it and cause a fire.
• Keep children and pets away from the grilling area, and never leave your grill unattended. 
• Clean your grill by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and trays below the grill before every use.
• Keep your gas grill lid open before lighting it. 

Charcoal Grills-

• Only use charcoal starter fluid. Do not add charcoal fluid or other flammable liquids to light the fire.
• Keep charcoal fluid away from heat sources and children. 
• Use an extension cord for electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. 
• Let the coals completely cool before disposing of in a metal container. 

The National Fire Protection Association posted on their website, https://www.nfpa.org/education, some tips for gas grills. The suggestions are as follows: Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and have the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. In case you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department.Do not move the grill. If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it. 

Trapped Lint!

8/14/2020 (Permalink)

It is well known that a vital part of drying clothing is cleaning out the lint trap. However, cleaning it from the lint trap is not the only area the dryer needs to be cleaned to prevent dryer fires. Though you are reducing the risk of a fire, the lint trap only catches about 25% of the lint. The remaining 75% goes into the dryer vent and sticks to the crevices of the dryer hose. The U.S. Fire Administration (part of FEMA) cites that there are 2,900 dryer fires every year, resulting in an estimated five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. The leading cause has been the failure to clean the lint out of a dryer thoroughly. To ensure your dryer ventilation system remains safe and efficient, you need to know the hose’s length and whether there are any curves in the hose. You will also want to make sure that you are not using a foil or plastic hose. 

You want to know the length of the hose because the shorter the hose, the better. There are town requirements for dryer hose length. You also have to acknowledge that every bend in the dryer hose practically adds two and a half more feet or more to the hose length. Plastic and foil hoses sag and catch much more lint making it more difficult to clean. Using metal dryer ducts is a safer and more efficient material. It is also important to clean the duct regularly and clean the lint screen with every laundry load. It would be best if you also wiped inside, behind, and underneath the dryer because lint also builds up there. 

Warning signs that your dryer vent needs to be cleaned include:

• Drying times are taking longer.
• Your dryer is getting hot when you’re using it, and your clothes are being damaged.
• You can’t see any steam or hear any noise outside your house at the wall vent when you run the dryer.

Lightning Myths!

8/10/2020 (Permalink)

There is a myth that lightning does not strike the same spot twice. It turns out that lightning is more likely to strike the same spot twice because it favors the path of least resistance.
One of the benefits of lightning is that it helps fix atmospheric nitrogen into an organic form that rain can bring to the earth. At SERVPRO, we have an Ozone machine that negates the harsh smell of smoke in clothing, furniture, and many other porous items. We often describe how the machine works by comparing it to the way lightning cleanses the earth. And lightning has other benefits such as restoring the electrical equilibrium to earth.
There is another myth that if it is lightning while it is raining, there is a lower likelihood of starting a forest fire. The fact is, any air-to-ground strike can cause a fire. A lightning strike is not always immediately visible, but this depends on the fuel base's combustibility. Greener fuels may smolder for several days before breaking out and spreading. Rain might delay the spread of a lightning fire. A fire can only result depending on the interaction between environmental conditions and lightning. A significant amount of heat must be produced from the lightning, weather, and fuel base to ignite. In the U.S., lightning strikes an average of 400 people a year and kills 80 people per year.
Lightning isn't all bad, but you 100% want to stay away from it!

Asbestos during a house fire.

7/30/2020 (Permalink)

The official website for Homeland Security, Ready.gov, states that more people are killed in house fires due to smoke and toxic gases than flames.

Immediately after a house fire, attention turns to rebuilding and recovering what can be salvaged from the damage. Often people are not aware of the unseen dangers that are in the air.

Asbestos is a ubiquitous fire-resistant ingredient used in construction material. This ingredient can be found in drywall, roof adhesives, linoleum, and vinyl flooring and cement sheets. It was often used to insulate wall gaskets, attics, and wiring for being flame-retardant and durable.

If asbestos is left untouched, it is considered "safe," but as products are damaged or wear down over time, toxic asbestos fibers are released into the air. If the airborne fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they become lodged in the body causing damage to cells, inflammation and can lead to a form of cancer called Mesothelioma.

When a house is burning, many chemical substances are released and become toxic. Although asbestos is fire-resistant, when its area is disturbed in any way, it becomes airborne and an immediate safety hazard. It is essential to cover your face when making a hasty exit out of your house and wait for the fire department. Your safety is important to the team members at SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County. We work with the fire departments to board up any homes that have had a fire loss.

Water Damage from a fire loss

7/24/2020 (Permalink)

If you've ever experienced a fire loss in your home then you know water damage comes with that. You may wonder how or why the damage can sometimes be pretty extensive. To answer that question, it is because when the fire department enters your home during a fire they bring their hoses. They spray in the general area of the fire and usually, they try to tarp off some of your items to avoid damage. Of course with nearly 900 pounds of water spraying out its nearly impossible to keep it all in one single area. Water travels freely and will flow through any porous material it can. With insurance, most broken items are covered and will be replaced therefore there is no reason to stress over any broken items. 

Vapor Diffusion

7/15/2020 (Permalink)

The movement of water vapor through vapor-permeable materials is the definition of Water Vapor Diffusion. Vapor diffusion happens through a solid material even when the material has no holes. A typical example of vapor diffusion occurs when a material separates two zones, such as sheetrock. Moisture will diffuse through drywall if one side of the wall is arid, but the other side is very damp. Sheetrock acts like a sponge if it is left in a highly moisturized area. If a room is dry, a sharp knife could easily cut through sheetrock and snap it; however, if a room is humid or damp, the sheetrock absorbs that moisture and becomes limp, much like a noodle. The difference in vapor pressure on either side of the wall could be the driving force for vapor diffusion. Moisture will look for dry areas to invade by diffusing through sheetrock from a damp region to a dry area on the other side of the sheetrock.

Water under tile

7/15/2020 (Permalink)

What happens when water gets under tile? If water gets under tile and goes unnoticed, mold could quickly begin to grow. If you notice any gaps in the grout, moisture may have already traveled under the tile. In some cases, the water can actually pop the tiles out of place. If you have noticed this happen, your best course of action is to notify your insurance you have a water and mold loss. Once your insurance has been notified and gives you approval to begin mitigation, calling us will ensure the repairs are done correctly. If no mold is detected, the drying process is much easier. We set dehumidifiers and air movers to draw out the moisture. If there is excessive mold, we remove the tiles, clean the mold, and begin a drying process to be certain the ground is dry before replacing the tiles. If the tiles are on a slab, we use a non-penetrating meter to determine if the concrete is still wet. If the tile is on a subfloor, a penetrating meter better detects moisture in wood at various levels. Do not let water or significant moisture sit for longer than 24 hours as mold can begin to grow, and mold spores may cause health effects.

What happens to sheetrock?

7/13/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage is a common reason for drywall replacement. Although sheetrock is a lowcost and versatile material, it is not water-resistant. Under certain circumstances, sheetrock can withstand limited amounts of water. If sheetrock needs to be replaced, it should be done by professionals. Replacing sheetrock in a house does not affect the structure of the home and can be done without any consequences. Some examples of different possible scenarios are:

-Minor incidents, which would be if an appliance has a small leak that you noticed quickly. This means the water did not get absorbed into the sheetrock and was wiped dry with absorbent towels. It is important to point a fan at the affected area and run it for at least 24 hours to ensure dryness.

-Heavy soaking, which would be if a room floods and the water has moved into other rooms. In a case like this, the sheetrock would have absorbed a significant amount of water and will likely need to be replaced. Once sheetrock has been penetrated by water and is then dried, the gypsum core loses its ability to be totally solid and will crumble easily. It will be evident that the sheetrock needs to be replaced by signs of sagging, bulging, collapsing, or any other form of warping.

-Mold contamination is occasionally noticeable immediately. In many other cases, mold will not be detectable until a portion of the sheetrock is cut out and examined on both sides. It takes mold 36 to 48 hours to grow and typically appears as dark spotting or blotches on the exterior or interior of the sheetrock. We use Benefect to decontaminate mold if it is only on the surface of the sheetrock. However, once mold has penetrated below the surface into the porous gypsum material, replacement of part or all of the affected panel is usually the most practical recourse.

SERVPRO professionals are trained to help you.

4/17/2020 (Permalink)

Here, our lead technician uses a common practice to disinfect this location.

At this time, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 is well known. The CDC has partnered with premier cleaning companies to combat the spread and clean areas after contamination. SERVPRO is one of those companies, and we have a cleanup protocol for this major event. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that spreads mainly through person-to-person contact or respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is also possible for a person to contract COVID-19 by touching a surface or object and then touching themselves. 

SERVPRO professionals can perform proactive cleanup, but the customer must be aware that cleaning and disinfecting will only apply to the current state of the structure and contents. This means that the location and its contexts remain clean and disinfected unless an infected person enters and occupies that structure. It should also be made known that carpet and other porous material can not be disinfected, but they can be sanitized.

The CDC encourages cleaning surfaces that are frequently touched, such as keyboards, phones, toilets, switches, faucets, etc. The CDC also recommends the disinfecting process be completed by using hospital-grade disinfectants with claims against similar pathogens. SERVPRO uses SERVPROxide because it meets the CDC's standards. 

Please contact us if you have more questions about our disinfecting process and please stay safe, don't touch your face and wash your hands frequently.

If a flood occurs at your complex

4/8/2020 (Permalink)

If you own an apartment complex, it is wise to hire educated maintenance personnel. You know all the risks that come with owning a complex. You and your management team need to be aware of any possible issues that might arise in any unit, whether it is due to weather, the landscape, or any equipment failure. Untreated leaks cause mold growth and property damage. Residents should all inform management of any issues.

Each unit needs routine maintenance checks on the appliances, HVAC units, and safety accessories. This check is for any visible signs of deterioration. This will help ensure the safety of the surrounding units. Generally, you will want to look out for the sound of running water, funky odors in odd places, low water pressure, mold, and worn down parts on appliances. 

Maintenance on the exterior of the building will be essential in the long run. Any drain that is blocked should be cleared so that there is no flooding if there are heavy rains. Landscaping is also significant to be aware of because tree roots can bust apart pipes. 

If there is a flood in your complex, the most important thing to do is make sure everyone is safe. Check that the elderly are accounted for and that children and pets are taken care of. You should rely on the police and fire department if you are given the option. Work on any necessary arrangements with any residents that need relocation once the storm and flooding have passed.

During the 2020 quarantine

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

Dear Valued Cabarrus County members,

As we continue to stay safe and follow CDC Protocol, we wanted to ensure our customers receive the high-quality, essential services we provide. SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County can provide these services to protect public health, safety, and, most importantly, the essential operation of homes and businesses.

As previously stated, SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County wants to help the community in protecting public health and safety. How? Our technicians are certified and trained in the proper use of the products and personal protective equipment (PPE) that enables them to safely clean as well as disinfect and restore your home and your businesses.

SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County is willing to address the array of issues that may arise through disaster restoration, clean up, and disinfection facing you, our valued customers. Regardless if it involves emergency mitigation and recovery or cleaning and disinfecting our homes, schools, restaurants, healthcare locations, public institutions, quarantine facilities, and of course, businesses, we are open and ready to work for you.

SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County is standing alongside our community during this time of new, unfamiliar territory, so reach out to us anytime 24/7.

Stay Safe!

Humbly yours,

SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County

We enjoy giving back to the community.

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County, we love being active in the community. Over the years, we have found many different ways to participate in assisting those in need throughout the city. During the holidays, we partner up with the local fire department and plan a special gift to give away to a family in need. We give what we can, such as a bike and some clothing. We've provided many toys and books to young children that need new sparks of imagination. We've helped those parents by giving them something they never knew they wanted or needed. We do not do this to get recognition. In reality, we do this because we are also working-class citizens that understand how hard the hustle and bustle of everyday life can be. We know some times an adult needs recognition for trying so hard every day, and their kids need a new reason to smile even if it is just from a toy. We just want our fellow community members to know they are not alone. That is why the community trusts SERVPRO. 

Helping to get you back to work

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

At each commercial loss, the owner of the property has his or her reasons why the location must get back to business as soon as possible. Our main goal is to get them running again so that the employees can continue to make money to feed their families. With each job comes new complications, but we are a group of determined employees working towards the completion of these jobs. We absolutely understand the importance of getting a business fully functional again. If it were our location, we would want someone that worked hard to dry our rooms, or clean our content, or replaced damaged structure, so that we could get back to work. We appreciate every kindness we receive from our clients, and it makes us proud of our work.

When the employees are cared for, it shows.

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County, we care about our employees. We want them to be able to take whatever time off necessary. We want our employees to be happy and healthy. We believe our employees must know it is ok to be sick and need a day or two of rest. We go into many homes and clean all sorts of unimaginable things. We know sometimes it is a lot of work and can be overwhelming but, you would never know if our employees are burnt out because they can take time to rest should they need it. Happy employees make for good business. No one wants an unhappy technician in their house. People can tell when someone is disgruntled. It shows in the work they produce. People choose SERVPRO is because we provide excellent work at a nationally certified level with a great attitude.

Prepare Before a Snowstorm

11/18/2019 (Permalink)

A winter storm can keep you trapped indoors for days without power. How do you prepare for a snowstorm? 

Prepare your home for winter before it starts to snow. Keep your family safe and comfortable during a blizzard by having a storm plan.

• If you live in a place where it snows often enough, it is a good idea to invest in a generator. A reliable generator and fuel supply can practically save the day.
• Make a winterized emergency kit. American Red Cross has a guide you can follow.
• Inspect your chimney and have it cleaned before winter.
• Get a weather radio that can use batteries if the power goes out.
• Stock up on batteries.
• Get a sturdy shovel.
• Clean the gutters and ensure that the roof is stable.
• Check the weatherstrips on windows and doors.
• Make sure the walls and attics are insulated.
• Stock up on blankets.
• Make sure you have a fully stocked first-aid kit.
• Learn first-aid for hypothermia and frostbite.
• Make sure you have a fire extinguisher that works.
• Get sand, ice melt, or kitty litter for icy surfaces.
• Winterize your car. Fema.govhas more information on this.

What to do just before a storm:

After the National Weather Service issues a Winter Storm Watch, start taking precautions for a more significant storm.

• You'll need to stock up on fuel for the generator.
• Charge all phones, rechargeable batteries, and power banks.
• Make sure flashlights at the ready.
• Fill your gas tank and have spare gas ready.
• Make sure you have plenty of non-perishable foods and toilet paper.
• Let pets in and bring plants indoors.
• Make sure your stoves are clean and work with no issues.
• Let all faucets drip slowly and insulate exposed pipes with newspapers or other insulation materials.

To-Do Tip for Winter Storms

11/14/2019 (Permalink)

To-Do Checklist (With Electrical Power)

1) If you still have electricity in your home, try to keep your thermostat as high as possible for as long as you can. If you no longer have power in your house try to find a gas-powered heater

2) Unless there is an emergency STAY INSIDE. 

3) If you turn all your faucets to a slow drip, it can help prevent your pipes from freezing.

4) Wear dry or waterproof clothes, maybe even a few layers to preserve body heat.

5) Stay hydrated with plenty of fluids.  It is recommended that we drink two quarts (64 ounces or about eight glasses) of water each day. Experts also suggest that, in emergencies, you should drink two quarts (half a gallon) of water a day – more if you're in a hot climate, sick, pregnant, or a child

To-Do Checklist (If the Power Goes Out) 

1) Use a generator to power "essential devices," like the refrigerator and heaters.

2) Unplug computers and other non-essential electrical equipment to avoid a power surge.

3) To keep food from spoiling, try not to open the freezer or fridge.

4) Move frozen food and things that could go bad quickly to a garage to stay frozen if the power is out for a long time.

5) Use flashlights to avoid the risk of a fire.

6) Try not to use cooking devices that may emit carbon monoxide or other fumes.

7) Try to dress in layers, and use blankets and towels to help keep warm.

8) If you have a weather radio, periodically listen to weather reports for your area.

Damage To Your Home

11/8/2019 (Permalink)

Frozen Pipes
Pipes are more likely to freeze and burst when the temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Water can get into cracks and expand when it freezes. This freezing action causes larger cracks and damage. The resulting water damage can be severe. Outdoor pipes and pipes in unheated areas of the home can freeze if they are not insulated or if temperatures are frigid.

Outdoor pipes likely to freeze include:
Outdoor hose
Swimming pool supply lines
Water sprinkler lines

Pipes in unheated or partially heated areas might also freeze, including:
Basements
Crawl spaces
Garages

Ice Dams
An ice dam forms when snow melts unevenly on a roof and refreezes at the edge of the roof, near the eaves. This dam prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The standing water can back up under shingles, leak into a home, and cause water damage to ceilings, walls, and other areas. Ice dams can also tear off gutters and loosen shingles.

Roof Damage
Snow and ice can cause major damage to your gutters and roof. The additional weight of snow and ice could cause a roof to collapse. When there’s a cold snap, water can get into cracks and small spaces and expand when it freezes, causing larger cracks and more damage. Freezing and melting over and over again can cause small cracks to become more significant.

A Few Ways Winter Storms Damage Homes

11/1/2019 (Permalink)

If you live in an area where temperatures drop quickly in the winter, it is best to educate yourself and be prepared. There are a few ways a snowstorm can affect you listed below.
Ice:
The weight of frozen rain on trees and power lines can have a severe impact. Damage can start with a quarter-inch of accumulation. There can be widespread destruction with power outages lasting for days with thick piles of a half-inch or more.
Wet Snow:
Snow sticks easily to trees and power lines when they're carrying a lot of moisture. Similar to ice accumulation, this adds extra weight and stress, which highers the possibility of damage.
Snow on Roofs:
Snow from multiple storms building up on roofs and can cause the roofs to collapse.
Flooding After the Snow:
Temperatures that rise quickly or heavy rain after a winter storm that had a lot of snowfall can set the stage for significant flooding when it begins melting.
High Winds:
When strong winds can enhance the potential for tree damage and power outages when accompanied by ice and snow. Strong winds from winter storms can also cause power outages and cause tree damage even in areas where there is hardly any snow or ice.

Mitigation for any size

10/1/2019 (Permalink)

MITIGATION AWARENESS AND RESPONSE SEMINAR

A water or fire damage is a traumatic event regardless of the size. It doesn’t matter if the loss affected one room or the entire structure; the client feels a loss of control.

What is Mitigation? “Reasonable and prudent” steps taken under the terms of an insurance policy to limit loss (preserve, protect, and secure property from further damage). Begin mitigation as soon as possible from damage caused by water, fire, vandalism, or other covered disasters. According to many carriers, policy coverage may not extend to you if you do not take action to mitigate a loss. Meaning “Neglect by or failure of any ‘insured party’ to use all reasonable means to save and preserve property at the time of and after the time of a loss or damage.” SPEED IS KEY.

What to expect from a Mitigation Vendor?

Within one hour, the loss should be dispatched to a mitigation vendor who will contact the customer.

Within four hours, the mitigation vendor should have a crew on site to begin emergency work.

Within eight business hours of the initial on-site visit, the mitigation vendor should complete a verbal briefing to the adjuster.

The most important job is helping each customer put their life back together- to help them regain control.

Why Ethics matter

9/17/2019 (Permalink)

What is ethics?

Well, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is a federal law that set new standards for all U.S. public company boards, management, and public accounting firms.

The bill was enacted as a reaction to several major corporate and accounting scandals. These scandals cost investors billions of dollars when share prices of affected companies collapsed and shook public confidence in the nation’s securities market.

Ethics is defined as

• The principals of conduct governing an individual or a person the discipline dealing with what is good and evil or right and wrong or with moral duty and obligation

Ethical is defined as

• Of or relating to ethics
• Conforming to professionally endorsed principals and practices

We teach each other these about ethics because throughout time, not only do things change. As things change, we occasionally need to be reminded sometimes of how we should be behaving. As humans, we are not born being ethical or understanding what being ethical means. In these classes, we are taught that being ethical consists of having good judgment, being honest, loyal, compassionate, being trustworthy, having integrity, having accountability, and being respectful of others. These are important to know not only to function in society but also to function peacefully as an employee.

Soot Stains- Upholstry

8/12/2019 (Permalink)

Upholstery

To clean upholstery, you will need detergent.

Steps to Clean

-Your first step will be to combine one tablespoon of dishwashing detergent with two cups of water.

-The second step will be to use a white cloth and dab the stain with the detergent solution.

- The third step is to dab the stain until the liquid is absorbed.

-Your fourth step to remove the detergent solution is to dab the affected area with water and apply pressure until the area is dry,

*Continue repeating steps two and three until the stain is no longer visible.*

Or

For another way to clean upholstery, you will need an absorbent chemical and a dry cleaning solvent

Steps to Clean

-Your first step will be sprinkling baking soda, cornstarch, or another absorbent on the stain.

- The second step will be to allow the absorbent chemical to stand 10 to 15 minutes and then vacuum to clean it up.

-Your third step is to use a clean white cloth and dab the stain with a dry cleaning solvent.

- the fourth step is to continue dabbing the stain until the solution is absorbed.

*Repeat Steps two and three until the stain is no longer visible.

Soot Stains- Carpets

8/7/2019 (Permalink)

Carpet

What you will need; Isopropyl rubbing alcohol, Detergent, and Hydrogen peroxide.

Steps to Clean

-First, Vacuum using the crevice tool of vacuum cleaner to remove all or most the soot. If the smoke has not been removed, call a professional cleaner. If vacuuming has removed all particles go to the next step to remove any traces.

-Second, Try removing as much of the foreign material as possible. Blot the area with a white paper towel or use a dull knife to scrape the area clean.

-Third, prepare a clean white cloth, white paper towel, or cotton ball, wet with rubbing alcohol. Use a blotting motion if the spot is deep until no color is transferred to the cloth or until the spot is removed. Do not allow the alcohol to penetrate the back of the carpet because this will cause delamination or the destruction of the latex bond. Rub in one direction at a time if the spot is only on the surface because, by cleaning in a circular motion, you risk ruining the texture of the carpet. Stop if spot is removed. If the stain persists, continue with the next step. 

-Fourth, use a small amount of detergent solution directly on the spot. Use a blotting motion to work the detergent into the affected area. Make sure to keep putting the detergent solution until spot is removed using the blotting movement with a white paper towel. (To make the detergent solution mix 1/4 teaspoon of a hand dishwashing detergent which does not contain lanolin or bleach with 1 quart of water)

-Fifth, Rinse the area with clean water using a spray bottle, or a water bottle with a hole popped in the top. Blot the area to dry excess moisture.

-Sixth, Spray lightly with water, do not blot this time; apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.

-Seventh, If there is still a spot on the carpet then moisten the tufts of the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let the hydrogen peroxide stand for one (1) hour. Wipe up the peroxide by blotting and repeatedly reapply the peroxide until carpet is stain free. Light will cause peroxide to change back to water so you will not need to rinse off the rug.

-Eighth, using a heavy object, such as a brick, apply pressure to a stack of paper towels on top of the affected area.

Soot Stains- Washable Fabrics

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

Treat stains as soon as possible after staining. The older the stain, the more difficult it is to remove.

All stain removal methods should be applied prior to laundering washable garments. Stains that have been laundered and dried are almost impossible to remove.

Washable Fabrics

What you will need; a pretreatment laundry stain remover, heavy-duty liquid detergent, chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach, dry-cleaning solvent, and absorbent paper towels.

You’ll want to saturate the area with pretreatment laundry stain remover, first. For greasy stains, aerosols seem to work better. Wait one minute for the product to dig deep to draw out the stain.

For stubborn stains, knead the area with heavy-duty liquid detergent. Launder immediately afterward.

If it is safe for the type of fabric you’re cleaning, soak/wash in chlorine bleach, or oxygen bleach if the color stain remains.

For stains that persist, apply a dry-cleaning solvent to back of the stain over absorbent paper towels. Let it dry, rinse it, and restart the process from the beginning.

We All Fit Test and It Can Be Fun!

7/29/2019 (Permalink)

In our business, EVERYONE needs to be fit tested. Each member of our crew gets fit tested, including marketing. You never know when you'll have to walk into a house with soot or other airborne spores floating around waiting for you to inhale them. Inhalation of soot and other spores can lead to long term breathing issues. A Fit Test checks that while we're wearing full masks or half masks, we can breathe properly without inhaling outside air. We even go so far as to check that our team members can breathe with no problems while touching their toes and that we can hear them through the mask by reading a short passage. We like to ensure our team's safety so they can provide for our clients, safely. #SERVPRO

More about Air-Transported Moisture

7/23/2019 (Permalink)

Air-transported moisture is water in the form of vapor carried through the air allowing the water vapors to leak into, or out of, buildings. There are several factors to be considered when decreasing the effects of air transported moisture. Independent pressure sources (such as wind or stack effect) and controlled sources (fans and air handlers) can move substantial amounts of moist air past a building's envelope through holes. Leaky ductwork can cause moisture problems by increasing the level of infiltration, and by drawing air in from a humid crawlspace or basement area. As this moist air travels through a building, moisture will condense on any surface with a temperature that is below the dew point. The amount of condensation that forms depends on several factors: inside versus outside temperatures, the relative humidity, and the speed of the air moving across the condensing surface. Windows and poorly insulated walls are colder surfaces that condense moisture more easily. Air moving more slowly allows more time for condensation to form. There is more moisture available when the relative humidity is higher.  Effective sealing against infiltration, sealing the ductwork, and pressure-balancing the HVAC system are the best defenses against outside air carrying moisture. Exhaust fans in all bathrooms and kitchens help to remove indoor air moving moisture at its source when used correctly. Remove potential sites for condensation by heating and cooling areas at temperatures above the dew point. 

More in depth information about Capillary Action

7/18/2019 (Permalink)

Notice how water is seen to be moving up the brick wall.

Capillary action refers to water’s ability to travel up against the pull of gravity through porous materials. Water “wicking” up through a paper towel is one typical example of this action. The water follows the direction of the paper fibers. Capillary forces are both powerful and somewhat secretive, since they often work in the dark of a crawlspace, causing significant damage to a building without the occupant’s knowledge. Evidence of capillary action can be seen on many older brick foundations as a white line visible a foot or so above the ground, caused by a process known as efflorescence. This occurs when water that is drawn up by capillary action evaporates, leaving behind a residue of salts, minerals, and other materials. Capillary action prefers small holes or pores such as those found in concrete and brick, rather than larger ones. The concrete footings wick the water up from the ground, where it then travels up the foundation wall. Plastic sheeting placed in footing holes before pouring concrete can help to prevent groundwater wicking. Large pore sizes, such as pea gravel and coarse sand, serve to “break” the flow of capillary water. Even two nonporous materials can provide a channel for capillary action to occur if placed close enough together. Lapped wood siding is an example. Rainwater striking the side of the house will run down the siding to the edge allowing a bead of water to get sucked up behind the siding, wetting the backside of the siding. It can be hard to observe such forms of capillarity until severe damage has already happened. Capillarity can be controlled by providing a capillary “break” like plastic, metal, a damp-proofing compound. Adding another impermeable material or air spaces too large for capillarity to occur can also control capillarity.

A few ways water travels

7/15/2019 (Permalink)

Have you ever wondered how water moves through a structure? Listed below are the definitions of the different ways water moves through a structure.

• Bulk water movement- Typically thought of as rain or snow; bulk moisture movement also includes flowing groundwater.
• Capillary action (capillarity)- is the ability of water to travel up against the pull of gravity through a porous material.
• Air transported moisture- water in the form of water vapor hitchhiking on air can leak into, or out of, buildings.
• Vapor diffusion- Even without leaks, small amounts of moisture in the form of water vapor can pass directly through a building’s envelope, through a process called diffusion.

These different ways water can travel through a building may seem minuscule, but over extended amounts of time can cause serious damage. In some cases the moisture can turn into mold, making it a very different but severe problem.

What happens after water damage?

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

It is imperative to clean and dry a structure after a water loss for many reasons, potential mold growth is one. There are some cases when nothing can be done to the structure for various reasons, one being insurance issues. However, in some cases after a water loss, mold may not grow in the structure even though water was left sitting for longer than the usual window of time it takes mold to grow. If there were any signs that mold was beginning to grow, it was usually a “musty” odor, which we know are microbiological volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). Based on guidance documents collected from various jobs, we can deduce that mold can begin to grow in 24 to 48 hours. Mold generally grows well within the same range of temperature that makes you feel comfortable, around 60-80 degrees. Many indoor environments have 40 to 50 percent relative humidity, or atmospheric moisture content, once the temperature is around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Different molds prefer different amounts of wetness, usually called moisture content, but is correctly referred to as water activity.

Cleaning Parasites i.e. Scabies, Bedbugs, Fleas, Lice, Dust Mites, etc

6/20/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is not a licensed pesticide company!! The customer needs to be aware that we are performing a cleaning service only!!

We follow the steps below in the cleanup and removal process of dead parasites.

1. First, we sub-contract the job to a local pesticide company to eradicate the parasites. We stay in contact with them to know when they’ve finished their portion of the job so we know when we can start our process.
2. Second, we wear the appropriate personal protective equipment during the clean-up process.
3. Third, once the appropriate amount of time has passed and the pesticides have worked, the cleanup process is routine. We wipe down everything in the structure.
4. Fourth, we use a portable extractor or a truck mount to remove any dead parasites or eggs from the carpet and any upholstered items.

If there are any questions, please call our office.

How to prepare for floods

5/22/2019 (Permalink)

Flooding can occur in several ways, including the following.
- Rivers and lakes cannot contain excessive rain or snowmelt.
- Excessive rain or snowmelt cannot be fully absorbed into the ground.
- Waterways are blocked with debris or ice and overflow.
- Water containment systems break, such as levees, dams, or water or sewer
systems.
- Strong winds from tropical storms or hurricanes cause a storm surge by pushing
seawater onto land.

If flooding in your area is possible. You should leave or be prepared to move to higher ground
immediately upon short notice. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. If the danger is significant, local authorities may issue an evacuation notice to alert residents that flooding will be or is occurring and it is important to leave the area. Evacuation orders vary by state and community and may range from voluntary to
mandatory. When authorities issue a mandatory evacuation notice, leave the area
immediately.

Follow the link below to get more information.

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/98102

Lets Eliminate Fire Odors

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

Regardless of how unpleasant burned and smoky odors crept into your home, until effective methods permanently remove the stench it is impossible to put a fire event behind you. That is where SERVPRO of South Cabarrus comes in.

The odor remains in your home long after the neighboring fire is history. Ridding a home of the odors produced by a fire is not a task conducive to a do-it-yourself method.

-Odor elimination include disposal of the burned items and surfaces followed by a thorough cleaning. If not completed carefully, post-fire cleaning can make matters worse, the soot along with the smell.

-Professional fire damage restoration technicians complete a series of training that teach industry best practices. These methods ensure that the odors and particles locked into furnishings, carpets, and unsealed surfaces are dislodged and removed.

-Steam cleaners and innovative products with efficient wetting agents and attractants that loosen the particles, trained technicians remove all soot, which are released out of the smoky vapor.

-Smoke also contains vapors and gases that carry noxious odors in the smallest particles. Some of the airborne molecules can be cleared with fans and ventilation, but not completely. A home that has duct work is the probability that smoke vapor and soot particles recirculate through the HVAC system.

-Expert cleaning of the venting and replacement of the filters goes a long way toward eliminating the residual odors. 

Homeowners respond by using candles, air freshener sprays, and other masking agents. These attempts are a temporary fix, and by mixing synthetic chemical smells with the smoke can create an even ranker aroma. Air scrubbers scrub particulates from the air and penetrate into crevices, cracks, and fibers where the odors hide. The chemical changes effected by this unique equipment eliminate the last bit of the smoky odors lingering after a fire.

A Breath of Fresh Air

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

A thorough spring cleaning is a fantastic way to banish any dust, dirt, allergens or germs that have invaded your home. Cleaning some things are fairly straightforward. You can launder curtains, wipe down walls, scrub counters, polish wooden surfaces, and shampoo carpets. What about the air in your home? Poor indoor air quality can result in discomfort and illness, but cleaning the air ducts connected to your ventilation, heating, and air conditioning system can lead to significant improvements. How do you get clean air ducts? You call SERVPRO. We have the experience and state-of-the-art equipment to do the job properly.

THE TROUBLE WITH DIRTY AIR DUCTS Although you rarely see the grime coating the inside of your air ducts, it can still cause problems. When it comes to issues with indoor air quality, ventilation systems are often among the biggest troublemakers. An HVAC and air duct system that has been running for a while without attention can circulate foul odors, dust, germs and other contaminants throughout your home. Cleaning the air ducts can freshen the air, improve its quality, decrease the likelihood of a mold infestation in the ductwork and reduce the volume of tiny particles circulating inside your home. This can make breathing more comfortable for anyone, and it can be especially beneficial for those who struggle with allergies, asthma or other respiratory concerns. Dirty air ducts are not just a problem for your home’s inhabitants. They can also interfere with your HVAC system’s ability to do its job. Clearing these passageways of obstructions that hinder the passage of heated or cooled air allows your HVAC system to operate more effectively, reducing wear and tear on the system and potentially extending its life. It can also improve its efficiency, which may be reflected in lower energy bills.

WHEN SHOULD AIR DUCTS BE CLEANED? Air duct cleaning is done on an as-needed basis. For most homes, this will be roughly every three to five years. If your household includes pets, smokers, or people with allergies, asthma or other respiratory conditions, then you may find more frequent cleanings suit your needs better. How can you tell if it is time to have your air ducts cleaned? If you see puffs of dust floating out of your vents, discover debris cluttering the air returns or notice an increase in the amount of dust around the house, your air ducts could probably use a professional cleaning. HOW AIR DUCT CLEANING WORKS The interior of ductwork is not easily accessible, and attempting to do so can easily damage the ductwork. As a result, cleaning air ducts is not a project that the average homeowner can tackle alone. It is a task best left to professionals. At SERVPRO, we provide routine inspections and cleanings of HVAC systems, and we can also clean air ducts when it is necessary. Air duct cleaning takes a few hours. After shutting your HVAC system down, we use specialized equipment to carefully vacuum out the ductwork and clean the ducts and openings. In addition, our highly-train technicians can disinfect the air ducts, change filters and clean the HVAC system’s coils. Do you want fresher, healthier air for your family? Would you like to keep your HVAC system operating at peak efficiency for as long as possible? Is the thought of saving on your energy bills appealing? Contact SERVPRO today to learn more about the benefits of our air duct cleaning and HVAC cleaning services and schedule an appointment.

Residential Water Damage, Be Proactive

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

Water is used and useful in our homes, providing hydration for our family, friends, and pets, and also assisting with household tasks like cleaning,  laundry, and food and beverage preparation and cleanup. Personal care would be impossible without tubs, showers, and sinks. Many homes also use water-supported heating and cooling systems, and outdoor areas benefit from sprinkling.

External forces such as floods, storms, and aging municipal infrastructures can threaten homes with unwanted water incursion. Inside, if water migrates away from the pipes, hoses, radiators, appliances, tubs, and sinks, severe consequences to the structure and contents of homes follow.

Insurance statistics show water damage to be second on the list of claims made overall losses. At one time or another, 37 percent of homeowners find themselves asking for loss coverage from their insurance carrier. Because water damage can be such a common occurrence, putting together a plan together to prevent the damage from happening at your home is an excellent decision. Even if some water damage is unavoidable, preparing for the devastation water brings can minimize its effects. The following are common sense strategies to prevent or limit water damage in your house.

- Your roof, gutter, and downspout systems are the first line of defense, keeping water from storms and even just gentle drizzles from entering your home and foundation.

- Clean gutters and downspouts regularly, at least twice yearly. Make sure they are correctly attached and replace damaged parts. Attention after the autumn leaves fall is critical. In many areas of the country spring tree flowering and seed dispersal clog both gutters and drains, requiring cleaning.

- Inspections after heavy rains or other precipitation make sense. Twigs, branches, and granular debris from the roof are another common cause of gutter system fails. The roof itself needs to be evaluated periodically.

- After storms or just high winds, flashings and shingles can dislodge. Tiny leaks in a roof become significant water problems in your home over time.

- Landscaping is great and beautiful. If done improperly it can send water flowing into your home. The ground around your home must slant away from the foundation, avoiding pooling of water that invades basements, crawl spaces, or slabs. Trees and bushes planted should be chosen and positioned to avoid sending roots into utility pipes.

- Gardens and plantings near the structure of your home should not drip or deposit water into the lower levels or the siding of the building.

- Faucets, hoses and sprinkler systems need regular evaluation for leaks that can saturate the soil next to the foundation. In the cooler months, the faucet needs winterized to avoid a freeze-up that can burst pipes inside the home as water in the pipe expands in below freezing temperature. Take care to water judiciously, and maintain and monitor automatic sprinkler systems so that they do not over water or direct their spray against buildings.

- Locate and educate yourself on how to turn off the main water source in your home. Also find the shutoffs near sinks, water heaters, showers, and appliances, so a minor overflow does not become a flood.

- Everyone has Appliances in there home. Monitor the hoses and connections on appliances that use or produce water regularly. Drip pans and drains beneath and around freezers, refrigerators, and air conditioning units and venting all have the potential to collect and spill water, often in a hidden area. Replace hoses regularly and check drains within appliances like dish and clothes washers to make sure a leak or burst pipe does not surprise you.

- Take care of small leaks promptly before significant problems follow. If the repair is beyond your skills, arrange for a professional to help. The minor cost to fix a leak early is much more manageable than major water damage restoration later.

- Do not ignore small leaks and loose connections. If you do not spot a leak, there are other ways to discover hidden water loss. Fluctuations in water pressure should be investigated. The problem may be inside your home or in piping entering your home from the public water source.

- Water pressure meters are available, and you can test on an outdoor faucet. Low pressure signals a potential leak and too high pressure can risk breakage of pipes and connections.

- Check and chart your water bill. Seasonal changes are to be expected, and adding or subtracting inhabitants using water also cause the bill to change. If you note a jump in water cost that cannot be otherwise accounted, a hidden leak can be the culprit.

Get Back to Business with Commercial Water Damage Restoration Services

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

Whether it is caused by a severe storm that sends floodwaters rolling through your area, a leaking roof, a malfunctioning appliance, a clogged toilet, failing pipes or some other plumbing disaster, water damage is bad for business. It is a predicament that demands a prompt, effective response.

SERVPRO can supply precisely that with our commercial water damage restoration services. The problems caused by water damage. Why is water damage such a problem? While water is vital to life, uncontrolled water that infiltrates spaces where it does not belong can do a great deal of harm. It can cause structural damage to your commercial facility and destroy the property, equipment, and inventory that you have stored inside it. It can also produce the ideal conditions for mold growth, setting the stage for a potentially hazardous mold infestation. In fact, unattended water damage can produce health hazards and liability issues that can leave your business vulnerable to lawsuits, so it is vital that the damage is dealt with properly. When water damage occurs, time is not your friend. Any delay in addressing it allows the damage process to continue, which is likely to increase both your losses and your restoration costs. The disruption triggered by water damage can also lead to lost productivity. After all, every hour that you spend working to restore your commercial space is an hour that you were not able to spend focused on what you do best. The solution that your business needs water damage can be a significant problem for your business, but it is one with a clear solution.

-Professional water damage restoration services. -Experts with the right combination of training and resources can quickly identify the problems plaguing your property, take steps to restore your property and belongings, and return the area to a safe, healthy space so that you can get back to work without unnecessary delay.

At SERVPRO, we understand the damage that water can do, and we are always ready to make it “Like it never even happened.” Our teams include restoration professionals trained in water damage restoration, applied structural drying, odor control, and upholstery and fabric cleaning. When you reach out to us for help, we do not hesitate. We move quickly to assess the situation and prevent further damage. We use our knowledge and specialized equipment to identify all the areas impacted by the water, including any hidden pockets of moisture.

After identifying the source of the water, we will create a plan to effectively deal with the troubles at the scene. If water remains, we can use professional-grade pumps and vacuums to extract it before shifting to dehumidifiers and air movers as we carefully monitor the drying process to ensure that the structure and its contents are properly dried.

We also begin working to clean and restore your belongings. With an expansive arsenal of professional tools and techniques, we can save items that many others would forsake, so you retain more of your property and reduce your replacement costs. We can also take steps to sanitize the location with antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold issues and deodorize the space to remove musty, unpleasant odors. We work diligently to restore your commercial facility to its preloss condition so that you can get back to business.

If water damage is threatening your business, don’t wait. Contact SERVPRO to arrange for our commercial water damage restoration services today.

Introduce Yourself

6/6/2018 (Permalink)

According to the late author and motivational speaker Zig Zigler, “success occurs when opportunity meets preparation.” You never know when you might cross paths with someone who could impact your career or become your next big client. So, it’s important to have a well-crafted “elevator pitch” ready to go when you need to introduce yourself on the fly.

It’s called an “elevator pitch” because you should be able to recite it in the time it takes to ride an elevator from the bottom to the top floor. So, if you run into a potential business contact on an elevator, you want to be able to introduce yourself with the most important information before they or you reach your floor and have to exit.

On average, at a regular conversation speed, people speak at a rate of 150 words per minute, and according to an article from the Harvard Business Review, the average elevator ride is about 118 seconds. That means if you run into a potential new business contact on an elevator—or any of a wide variety of similarly time-crunched situations—you only have about two minutes to explain in enough detail why they should be in business with you.

http://expresspros.com/

Managing and Limiting Residential Bathroom Mold Issues

6/6/2018 (Permalink)

Every home has some “hot spots” where mold spores are more likely to find the moisture and temperatures needed to grow. Bathrooms provide an optimum environment for mold development. Homeowners need education on the risk
factors contributing to microbial growth and familiarity with practical pointers that can minimize the threat of mold problems in their particular circumstances.

Mold problems are common in bathrooms. Oxygen and moisture are the two requirements for mold spores to develop into mold colonies, with an organic food source necessary for the mold to multiply. Mold spores and oxygen are a
constant presence in the average home. Many opportunities exist within residential bathroom spaces for mold spores to find and absorb water. Organic food sources include soap scum and sloughed off skin cells, often found coating
the porcelain and tiles in bathrooms.
Common sources where water gathers in bathrooms include shower enclosures, bathtubs, and sinks. Accidental overflows or spray that gets past a shower curtain or door can collect in a corner or a crevice or grout line on the floor. The steam from hot water can condense on colder surfaces like windows or tiles. If the water is not cleaned up and completely dried out within the first 24 to 48 hours, spores begin growing.
Barely noticeable but capable of depositing moisture in vulnerable spots, minor plumbing leaks also can create the conditions for significant mold damage in a bathroom. Vanities and cabinets hide the moisture, but the mold spores
are opportunistic and find the dampness and grow.

Homeowners can make a significant difference and minimize mold growth wit just a few simple responses.

-Install and use exhaust fans at least 30 minutes after baths and showers to reduce the humidity levels in the rooms, or open a window to ensure the damp air exits the space.

-Wipe down tiles and enclosures, removing all moisture at least daily.

-Choose shower and window curtains and other accessories manufactured from mildew and mold resistant materials.
-Replace towels and mats if damp and wash and dry before their next use.

-Carefully inspect plumbing, both pipes, and
connections, to find leaks.

-Immediately arrange for repair of any problem areas.
Do-it-yourself attempts to remove mold pose challenges include the potential spread of moldy materials or incomplete abatement tied to the use of inadequate cleaning and antimicrobial products. Although not all mold infestations link
to health problems, susceptible individuals may suffer health effects to the spores or mold growth byproducts. If despite your best efforts mold finds its way into one or more of your bathrooms it is a smart move to contact a professional mold remediation company for assistance. Technicians trained to Institute of Inspection, Cleaning,
and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards use proven strategies to contain and remove mold without compromising safety inside your home.

Surviving Disaster, The Value of Commercial Property Insurance

6/6/2018 (Permalink)

A disaster can strike without warning and change everything in an instant. Many businesses closed by a catastrophic
storm or significant event don’t survive the blow. At SERVPRO, we know exactly what it takes to restore a commercial
enterprise to its preloss condition. We also understand that having the right insurance coverage for your commercial
property in place can ensure that you have the resources you’ll need to recover from a catastrophe. Do you?
PREPARING FOR SURVIVAL WITH COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE
In the aftermath of a disaster, it’s only natural for business owners to prioritize mitigating their losses and reopening
their doors. After all, time is money for a business, and every hour of lost productivity hurts. However, rushing your
insurance settlement can be a costly mistake. A commercial property insurance claim is a complicated business
transaction. It’s imperative that you take the time to carefully review your policies for all available coverages. This
guarantees that nothing is overlooked and that you receive the entirety of what you bargained for when you purchased
your commercial property insurance coverage.
The benefits received from your insurance company can play an essential role in sustaining your company in the
disaster’s aftermath and in funding its recovery. Therefore, time spent investigating and documenting, examining the
ins and outs of your insurance policies, and familiarizing yourself with the specific requirements for making a claim
so that you secure the maximum settlement is generally time well spent. Commercial property insurance policies can
cover many things:
• Property damage. This coverage can include damage to inventory, buildings, fixtures, furnishings, machines and
raw materials.
• Ordinary payroll coverage. Employees are a valuable resource for a company. This coverage allows payroll to
continue for a period while the business is closed.
• Extra Expense. Intended to help offset expenses involved in returning to normal operations, this coverage can cover
the costs of mitigation efforts, any increased costs incurred by continuing to do business in the wake of a disaster, or
the expense of temporary relocation.
• Business interruption. When a business is closed, its revenue stream is impacted. Ideally, this coverage should
offer the funds needed to maintain the business while its operations are suspended. It generally pays the continuing
operating expenses and the expected profit for a period.
• Contingent business interruption. Businesses don’t operate in a vacuum. This provides coverage for extra costs and
lost profits resulting from damage to a third party’s property when you are dependent on that third party to deliver,
manufacture or purchase your materials or products. It may also come into play when you depend on the third party
to attract customers.
• Loss of rents. When renters are not required to make rental payments because a property has been rendered
uninhabitable by a disaster, this coverage pays for that lost income.
• Loss of ingress or egress. This offers benefits when access to a property is prevented as a direct result of a covered
peril.
• Extended period of indemnity. This extends the period of restoration defined in the standard business interruption
policy, increasing the duration of your benefits.
• Utility services. Interruptions of services from a critical utility like power, water or electricity can interfere with
operations. This protects against losses triggered by interruptions.
• Civil authority. When a mandatory evacuation or other action by a civil authority bars access to the property, this
coverage comes into play.
COMMERCIAL STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION
Even with the safety net provided by proper insurance coverage, you’ll want to get back to business as usual as soon
as possible. At SERVPRO, we specialize in making it seem like the disaster never happened. Our Commercial Large
Loss Division is always ready to step in and handle any size disaster with a fast response, seamless communication,
appropriate mitigation efforts and expert restoration services. Our strategic, professional response keeps your
restoration costs lower and enhances our efficiency as we work to return your commercial property to pre-damage
condition. We’re also a preferred vendor for many insurance companies.
Disasters may be unpredictable, but SERVPRO thrives in delivering a consistently effective response. Available 24/7,
we are always ready to provide superior commercial restoration services. Contact us today to learn about our services,
create a READY Profile for your business or request our assistance.
SURVIVING DISASTER
The Value of Commercial Property Insurance

Summer Water Safety 2018

6/4/2018 (Permalink)

Safe Kids North Carolina offers tips to reduce child drownings in all bodies of water

RALEIGH -- As the summer swimming season kicks into full gear, Safe Kids North Carolina, a statewide program housed within the North Carolina Department of Insurance and Office of State Fire Marshal, is reminding parents and caregivers about important safety tips to reduce child drownings.

“On these warm summer days in North Carolina, many families will be drawn to activities near water,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, chair of Safe Kids North Carolina. “We want parents and caregivers to be particularly cautious and take steps to avoid any potential tragedies in swimming pools and other bodies of water.” 

Safe Kids Worldwide and Nationwide’s Make Safe Happen program have released a new report highlighting the dangers of childhood drowning, with a specific focus on incidents that occur in lakes, rivers, oceans, and other types of open water.

Key findings of the research include:

• Overall, an estimated 1,000 children drown in a single year, 70 percent of them between May and August.
• An additional 7,000 children end up in the emergency room because of a drowning scare. That means a minimum of 150 families a week are impacted by a tragic or frightening event.
• Most often those drownings take place in open water. A 10-year-old, for example, is three times more likely to drown in open water than in a pool. Older teens are more than eight times more likely to die as a result of an open water drowning than a pool drowning.
• Boys are at greatest risk: Eight in 10 open water fatal drowning victims are males.
• African American children are twice as likely to fatally drown in open water than their white counterparts. American Indian children are at even higher risk.

Between 2015 and 2016, there was a 14 percent increase in fatal drownings. The 1,002 drownings in 2016 (latest data available) was the highest number in five years.Most of those drownings occurred in lakes, rivers, oceans, and other types of open water.

Safe Kids North Carolina reminds parents and caregivers to take the following precautions around the water:

LOCK – Homeowners should put up a fence that is at least 4-feet high around all sides of a pool or spa with a locking gate that closes and latches by itself. Homeowners should cover and lock pools and spas when they are not using them, and also remove or lock ladders to above-ground pools and spas when not in use.    

LOOK – Adults and caregivers must always watch children — whether the children know how to swim or not — when kids are in or near water without being distracted by phone calls, text messages, reading or talking to others. If a child is missing, look in the water first.       

LEARN – Children and adults should know how to swim. Adults should learn how to use rescue equipment and correctly choose and use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Caregivers should learn adult and infant CPR and teach children to never swim alone or swim near pool or spa drains.   

For more detailed information about the water safety, go to https://www.safekids.org/water-safety or contact Safe Kids NC Director Shannon Bullock at 919.647.0081.

When Your Water Heater Ruptures

6/4/2018 (Permalink)

How can you turn a bad experience into a good Experience? No time is a good time, especially for a water leak. Quick action is needed to prevent major damage. We understand, your home, time and day-to-day schedule is  as important to us as it is to you. We try to help you cope with the aftermath. Leaking water can seep into all your flooring, baseboards and walls while moving throughout your property, potentially creating mildew and staining.

What You Can Do: 

-Before doing any maintenance on your water heater, shut off the power at the service panel.

- Once every two years, have water heater serviced.

- Once every three months, drain a gallon of water from your tank. This can reduce sediment collecting in the bottom of the tank.

- Once every five years, have a service technician replace the anode rod.

Prescription Drug Drop Off Cabarrus

5/15/2018 (Permalink)

Good evening. This week — May 14th through 19th — is Prescription Drug Drop-off Week in Cabarrus County.

Members of the Leadership Cabarrus Class of 2018 are asking residents to Check Your Rx to ensure that legally prescribed drugs do not end up in the wrong hands. They are asking residents to:

Check their medicine cabinets and closets for unused or expired medication
Collect the medication and
Drop it off at one of four locations within the county

It is important to drop prescriptions in the approved, secure drop boxes because disposing of medication in the trash or toilet is unsafe and causes contamination of soil and water supplies.

Collection locations include the City of Concord and City of Kannapolis Police Headquarters and the Sheriff’s Administration Building, as well as Harrisburg’s Hometown Pharmacy in Harrisburg and Moose Pharmacy in Mount Pleasant.

You can learn more about the Check Your Rx campaign by visiting our district website at www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us and through our other district communication channels as well.

Thank you for your time and attention. Good night.
This e-mail has been sent to you by CABARRUS COUNTY SCHOOLS. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you no longer wish to receive email notifications from CABARRUS COUNTY SCHOOLS, please click here to unsubscribe.

Buckle Up

4/4/2018 (Permalink)

With so much information out there, it can be difficult to figure out the best way to keep kids safe in the car and people often wonder if they have made the right decision.

Luckily, there are many car seat checking stations in North Carolina that teach parents and others how to properly install and use their car seats and seat belts. Locate a program in your area.

If you live in the Concord North Carolina Area you can visit Fire Station #3, 100 Warren C Coleman Blvd. Concord N.C. 28027 Station #3 is a Safe Kids Hub. You can make a appointment to learn how to install, check on age and weight or just need help to insure your installing properly.

If you would rather use a on line resource, you can visit www.buckleupnc.org

SERVPRO and Auto -Owners

4/4/2018 (Permalink)

For over 100 years, Auto Owners Insurance has been dedicated to the Independent Agency system with 6200 independent agencies and is most recognized for exceptional financial strength and stability. It is among the nations largest insurers, providing insurance to 2.7 million policyholders. Auto-Owners backs up its products by providing a "No Problem" claims service. The company represented by over 42,000 licensed agents and 90 claims offices in 26 U.S. states and offers multiple lines of insurance in the country. Its no wonder then, that SERVPRO has a national Residential and Commercial water, mold, fire, and smoke mitigation program in place with them. The Auto-Owners Insurance resource page on SERVPRONETlocated here offers talking points for marketing reps interested in building a local relationship with an Auto-Owners agent or adjusters. SERVPRO is 1 of 2 approved mitigation vendors for Auto-Owners in their first Notice of Loss (FNOL) system for water and fire/smoke. Once SREVPRO is selected by the agent, the job will transferred electronically and dispatched immediately and submitted the Select National Accounts Participation Agreement (SNAPA) can participate in this program.

If you the consumer ever has a question or concern, you can always contact FPinson@SERVPROnet.com or your local SERVPRO franchise.

Independence Day Fire Safety

4/4/2018 (Permalink)

Staying Safe on Independence Day is sometimes not the first priority. 4th. of July is a fun family time holiday, its great for cook outs, beach trips and yes Fireworks. Most all people associate the two together. They are bright colorful and make a exciting loud noise throughout. 

Kids find fireworks to be the most intriguing of all. Fire works are also a number one cause of fires and burns associated to the combustible material they are made of. If you and your loved ones choose to engage in a night of Fireworks this Holiday please follow these safety tips.

-The Best Way To Enjoy Fireworks

To view public Fireworks Displays put on and conducted by the professionals in a public location

-If You Plan To Use Fireworks

Ensure they are legal to purchase in your area

-Always Read The Directions 

Warning labels are located on all fireworks. If a devise is not marked with the contents, directions and a warning label, do not light

-Stand Several Feet Away At All Times

If a device does not go off or ignite, do not stand over it or pick it up to investigate. Do put it out in water and dispose of properly

-Most Important

Always supervise children at all times

Every One have a Safe and Happy 4th. of July

You Will Never See What Is Lurking In Your Ducts

4/4/2018 (Permalink)

Since the ventilation system is often the biggest  culprit in poor indoor air quality, inspecting the Ductwork should be the high priority . In the most cases the HVAC systems has been operating for some time without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors and containment such as mold and irritating dust throughout your building or home.

Inspecting the heating , ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC) is a service offered. Keeping the HVAC system and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which may save you many.

But keep in mind Duct Cleaning may not always be necessary. Always have your HVAC inspected so your technician or inspector can make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. 

In certain circumstance, such as after a fire, smoke, or suspected mold growth, duct cleaning may become an essential part of the clean up process. In these cases, professionals can often restore the HVAC system and ductwork to pre-damage condition.

-Remediate bacteria, fungi, and mold

-Reduce potential for mold growth

-Restore peak energy efficaincy

-Eliminate offensive odors

-Provide free written inspections and estimates

Toilet Problems

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

Water Damage large or small can be a huge inconvenience. Toilet overflow to ruptured pipe can cause a water loss. When water begins leaking, even small leaks in areas you can’t see can be a large hazard. The possibility of harmful mold, rot or unseen damage may effect your home and the long term effect of loved ones.

SERVPRO professionals understand how disruptive water damages can be. Your family is very important so it is a top priority to identify the source of the water loss, regardless of where it hides. With top of the line equipment and highly trained professionals we have the expertise to help make your house feel like a home again. 

A mop and common household cleaning methods may not be enough. Always call the professionals. 

-Identify the source or water loss

-Measure Temperature & Humidity

-Servey extent of damages

-Inspect premises 

-Perform emergency water extraction 

-Move & Block furniture and belongings 

-Provide floor service

-Apply necessary treatments

-Disinfect & deodorize 

-Putout drying equipment & moniture 

This would be the appropriate steps that should be taken during this time.

Fire & Restoration Process

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

When your home or business has suffered significant fire damage, getting the local fire cleanup and smoke damage restoration at the location in a timely manner can make all the difference. These fire in home or fire in business professionals can transform even the more dire fire loss to back what the location looked like before the fire. Here is how the local fire cleanup crew can make short work of giving you back piece of mind and your property after fire damage.

Once you reach out to the fire in home or fire in business experts, they will arrive in a timely manner to perform a fire loss assessment. This part of the fire cleanup process allows the fire in home or fire in business professionals to inspect the soot damage and further test adjoining rooms to determine the extent of the all the fire damage, smoke damage, and soot damage. This is a very important step in the fire loss cleanup process to helping the fire in home or fire in business team to developing a plan of action.

Now that the fire in home or fire in business experts have analyzed the air quality risks, they will begin boarding up any locations that pose a serious security risk. They will board up windows, doors, and tarp the roof. When it comes to commercial fire damage, the amount of work in this process could be further complicated due to the large amount of equipment on the property that didn't sustain fire damage. The commercial fire damage team will secure the premises and maintain security to protect further damage or theft. If the commercial fire damage team finds issues that they can not address, they have inroads to fire cleanup contractors that can work on air quality too.

The next part of the fire cleanup process is water removal that was used to prevent fire loss. The more fire loss that was prevented, the more water could be on the property. The fire in home or fire in business team will locate all the water and utilize high-power vacuums and drying machines in a timely manner. The air quality experts remove the majority of the water and then will use dehumidifiers or air movers to completely remove all of the remaining water while completing the drying process.

After the fire in home or fire in business team have successfully removed all the water and dried all property, the smoke damage and soot damage removal process begins. In order to improve the air quality in the home or business, the soot damage and smoke damage from the fire damage has to properly be removed by the fire loss experts. These commercial fire damage professionals use specialized equipment and techniques that remove smoke damage and soot damage from ceilings, floors, walls, doors, and other fire damage surfaces.

As it pertains to commercial fire damage, the cleaning and sanitizing process is extremely important because customers and employees will both be on the property. The commercial fire damage experts will clean all restorable items or structures that sustained fire damage and improve air quality. Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on fire damage.

What is water damage

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

What to Do About Water Damage

Water damage and flood damage are two of the most challenging conditions to overcome when they happen inside of your home or office. Major breakdowns can occur when you get water in home foundations and water in business equipment. A flood, hurricane or overflowing appliance can end up costing you thousands of dollars if you don't handle it properly. The following are some tips that can help to protect you from trouble that comes along with water in home properties and flood damage:

Protect Yourself With Water Damage Insurance

If you don't have insurance to protect yourself from water in home structures or water in business foundations, then you will need to secure a policy now. A flood damage or water damage policy can protect your finances during times of turmoil. The insurance company can pay for most of the repairs that are necessary because of the water in home components. It will pay for water in business structures, as well. You will need to have someone come to the home or business and perform work such as water cleanup, air movement, drying and mitigation. A water damage restoration company can help you to clean up the mess.

Shut off the Electricity

The first thing you will need to do when you realize that your property is experiencing aftereffects of water damage is turn off the electricity. Electricity and water don't mix. Therefore, you don't want to inspect the property until you shut off the electric and prevent it from mixing with the water and electrocuting someone. You can go in the building and assess the damages once you're sure that all electrical lines have been dismantled or disabled. The goal is to clear the way so that some professionals can come in and help you. They understand that speed is important if you are running a business. They will try to eliminate water in business equipment.

Clean up as Much as Possible

Next, you can clean up as much of the water as possible before the water damage restoration even arrives. You can use paper towels, blankets, regular towels and the like. You don't have to do a perfect job. You're only setting the stage for the company that has to come in and perform a task like mitigation, drying, air movement and water cleanup. Mitigation is a process by which the water cleanup company reduces the severity of the problem. Air movement is a process that someone may use to push the water out with air. Drying is what you want the specialists to do to your entire house.

Contact a Reliable Water Cleanup Company ASAP

Finally, you must contact a reliable water cleanup and flood damage company that can give you a fair estimate for the work that the specialists do. A reputable company will give you a fair estimate for processes like:

Water cleanup
Mitigation
Air movement
Drying

Water damage restoration companies are available seven days a week and 24 hours a day to provide you with a quote that you can afford. They understand that you want to get your home or office back to normal as quickly as possible. Because of that, they will do their best to aid you with water damage restoration as soon as you call. Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on water damage.

Home Inspections Are a Must

4/2/2018 (Permalink)

Sellers may have trouble spots to handle and resolve before listing a property. No one knows this better than your realtor. 2018 is a Sellers market, but do not under estimate your buyer or your buyers Inspector. Before you list a property schedule a Inspection. Some clients choose to handle items from a inspection report themselves because it may not be covered by there policy. This can also effect there homes Insurance CLUE report. CLUE ( Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) is a data bass which records reported loss and damage information, and it is utilized by most Insurance carriers. Bad CLUE reports can follow you over years and can effect and increase premiums and renewal issues for a customer.

Contact the experts at your local SERVPRO Franchise to conduct a inspection at no cost to you the home owner.

Whether the issue is a water stain on a hardwood floor, a wine stain on the dinning room area rug, mildew smell in your basement, reassure clients that your SERVPRO Franchise Professional can get the there home in top selling condition. 

A Guide to Professional Water Damage Restoration

6/26/2017 (Permalink)

A Guide to Professional Water Damage Restoration

Water in unwanted places can damage your valuable items. However, quick water cleanup can significantly minimize flood damage and possibly save some of your precious items. The extent of flood damage depends on the water damage restoration period. If water cleanup begins immediately, you can save some pieces of furniture or even a carpet. In most cases, any electronics hit by the flood is irreparable. Never treat water in unwanted places lightly. Even an inch of stagnant water in business premises can be a perfect breeding ground for mildew. Similarly, water in home facilities can damage your flooring, walls, carpet, and furniture. Before calling your insurance company, follow these few tips to guide you through the process of water damage mitigation.

Remove Items Out of Water

The faster you get items out of the water, the more likely you can protect them from water damage. Start by disconnecting the primary power source and unplug any electronics. Next, pull up any carpets and under-padding. You can save your carpet by disinfecting it. However, if it shrinks, you can use it as a rug someday.

Get rid of the Water

You can use power or manual flood damage restoration techniques to get rid of water in home facilities. Use mops and old towels to soak as much water as you can. If sewers in your neighborhood aren’t swollen, pour the water down the drain. If otherwise, pour the water onto your lawn. You may also use a wet or dry vacuum for water cleanup in business premises. However, you need to be cautious. Plug the vacuum cleaner into power sockets far away from the water. If floods are overwhelming, consider hiring a flood damage restoration company in your neighborhood. After mopping up all the water in the business premises, dry out the affected area. That is the most efficient way you can prevent mold growth.

Drying out the affected area

Once you get rid of all the water, use dehumidifiers and fans for drying out the affected area. Once it stops raining, open windows to allow air circulation. Drying out the affected area prevents mold growth. If some parts of your drywall contacted water, you would probably have to cut away the affected areas. Crumbled drywall can be a perfect breeding ground for mold. If your baseboard trim is wooden, it’s possible to save it. However, it might not be salvageable if it's made from pressboard.

Disinfect

After drying out the water in business premises, use a good disinfectant to kill any bacteria that might have come up through sewers. Don’t forget to clean any walls, wood, or furniture that contacted flood water in home facilities.

Dispose of the Damaged Items

You might be tempted to throw all damaged items into a dumpster. However, it would be wise to organize damaged items into piles and recycle the reusable ones. As such, you can alleviate the pressure on your local landfill site and ease water damage restoration process. You can visit your city’s waste management website to find out where you can recycle your toxic liquids, old paints, broken electronics, and furniture. Earth 911 can also help you find recycling centers and water damage mitigation professionals in your neighborhood.

Mitigation of Flood Damage

Use Plastic Storage Bins

If your business space is limited, use rubber and plastic bins for storage. Plastic and rubber containers are a cheap and clutter-free option for storage. It’s important to ensure your bins have tight tops to protect your goods from leaking water in business premises.

Put Items up High

Boxes and items can easily get destroyed once water in home facilities starts to rise. Use plastic or metallic shelves to store your valuable items. Solid wood shelves can also be a good option. Getting your stuff off the ground can help in mitigation of water damage in the future.

Water Cleanup

Basements often become a perfect breeding place for mosquitoes and mold. It is, therefore, important to take time at least once a year to thoroughly clean your basement and get random clutter and old clothes to the recycling bin.
Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on water damage.

The Need for Professional Fire Damage Services

6/26/2017 (Permalink)

The Need for Professional Fire Damage Services

It is devastating and traumatizing to see your home or business go up in smoke. However, fire damage happens and in most cases, at the worst possible time. When faced with a fire in home or fire in business, you need to seek fire damage restoration services. In most cases, people assume that everything is lost and nothing can be salvaged. However, you might be surprised with how much of a building you can save if you bring in commercial commercial fire damage restoration companies in good time.

Timing is everything when it comes to dealing with fire damage. The number of items that can be salvaged will depend on how first you engage the services of commercial fire damage restoration services. Understanding different timelines and the extent of damage emphasizes the need to call in the experts immediately after the fire has been put out.

Once a fire has occurred, in the first few minutes, the soot damage residue can cause discoloration among appliances, plastics and porous materials such as marble and alabaster. Several hours of fire damage can cause deeper stains and smoke damage. These stains can affect appliance finishes, bathroom grouts, furniture finishes and counter-tops. Repair on these items can be very expensive, while this could have been easily avoided by calling in commercial fire damage experts.

If the fire in home or fire in business damage extends for days without being dealt with, then the discoloration on the appliances and the wall can become permanent. The smoke smell and smoke damage may also spread to other rooms or buildings. In most cases, the furniture, floors and finishing’s get damaged that they need replacement. If the damage extends beyond a few days, then the cost of commercial fire damage restoration is much higher. The personal items and household components can also erode.

The fire in home or fire in business effects through the timelines show that you should not wait. The fire cleanup and fire damage restoration need to begin on the material day. The soot damage and smoke smell and smoke damage also need to be addressed immediately. If professional services are sought in good time, the commercial fire damage process can be completed in a few hours.

There are several steps that are involved during a fire cleanup process. The first order of business should be protection. Fire damage protection involves putting on thick gloves and clothes. An oxygen tank is also necessary due to the burning of harmful chemicals. Proper ventilation is also crucial in a commercial fire damage mitigation process. Opening the windows and doors help to release the smoke smell. If you do it on a windy day, then you may not need extra ventilation. Fans can be used for enclosed spaces that lack sufficient ventilation.

Fire cleanup will include cleaning, doors, fixtures, ceilings, windows, and clothes. To get rid of the soot damage residue, high-efficiency cleaners need to be used. This is especially when cleaning upholstery or the carpeting. Pressure washers may also be needed to wash the brick, wood or paint walls. High-quality detergents are also necessary to deal with the discoloration.

The smoke smell also necessitates the need for odor removal measures. This is also part of the fire damage restoration process. Odor removal may involve the use of aerosol sprays, disinfectant sprays, and deodorizing sprays, alongside other measures such as ensuring proper ventilation. As evidenced, the process of damage restoration is neither easy nor simple. This is why it is advisable to seek the services of commercial fire damage companies.

The fire cleanup services also involve inspection of the entire home and identification of the source of fire. Water damage remediation is also important when dealing with fire damage. Once water has been used to put out the fire, it needs to be removed to avoid further damage to the property. A professional fire cleanup company will have expertise on both fire and water damage to deal with any fire in home or fire in business. They also need to have a mitigation strategy for dealing with the smoke smell, smoke damage, and soot damage.
Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on fire damage.

The Science Behind Mold Damage

6/26/2017 (Permalink)

The Science Behind Mold Damage

Mold, mildew, fungus is a universal problem that affects the well-being of people exposed to the spores. There are many species of mold, however, the most toxic is the black mold. This type of mold feeds on the host surface while releasing spores. These spores can attach on wet surfaces, carpets, clothing or any surface exposed to moisture. Mold, mildew and fungus can easily grow into colonies which pose a health concern to occupants in the house or the business.

Mold in home or business should not be ignored. If you are dealing with black mold and other forms of mold damage, it is wise to bring in commercial mold damage companies. Apart from causing a smelly odor. Mold damage can cause symptoms such as allergic reactions, irritation, asthma attacks and infections. It is therefore evident that mold removal and remediation needs to be done immediately. Mold mitigation services need to be sought once the mold is spotted. While a smelly odor can help detect the presence of mold, most of these spores are not visible. This is why mold inspection by commercial mold damage companies need to be done on a regular basis.

The presence of black mold is often triggered by a respiratory response. This can be evidenced in a child or a pet. Once these signs are detected, mold mitigation measures need to be sought. Prompt action can prevent further spread of the spores. The first measure in the remediation of the mold in home or mold in business is to contain the mold and keep it from spreading.

Another sign of mold, mildew or fungus is black patches. These are often seen in bathrooms and basements. Mold in home and mold in business can also be seen on the window sills, shady areas and humid places. It is wise to take action before the mold escalates. Mold, mildew and fungus replicate easily and the situation can get out of hand. Timely mitigation is the best strategy to address the mold situation.

Any signs of mold in home or mold in business should be addressed by a licensed and qualified company. This industry is not well regulated, as such it is very easy to find rogue contractors who perform substandard mold removal services. You need to find a reputable and established commercial mold damage company. These professionals will have the right equipment. The mold remediation services should include a plan to deal with the moisture problem. Experts in this business will also offer deodorization services.

Professional mold damage companies also carry state of the art equipment. They also use moisture meters to detect the mold infested areas. Mold, mitigation, remediation and removal should only be done after thorough inspection. Commercial mold damage companies also give advice to their clients on preventative measures to avoid mold re-occurrence.

Commercial mold damage remediation is not complete without deodorization. Deodorization takes care of the smelly odor from fungus, mold and mildew. The musty smell can easily permeate and spread to other properties. Once the mold removal has been completed, the smell odor may linger but it will fade away after several days. A professional mold damage removal company will include deodorization in the services.

The major benefit of seeking mold removal services early is that you save costly repairs in future. If the mold damage is extensive, expensive repairs are needed to deal with the damaged items. Extensive deodorization is also needed to deal with the smelly odor. To restore the indoor air quality, mold removal is paired with deodorization.

Scientists have done research to prove that there are over 1000 species of mold which can breed in a home setting. The reason why you should be concerned about the mold situation in the home is that on average, most people spend over 50% of their time locked indoors. Mold in home needs to be dealt with professionally through commercial mold damage services.
Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on mold damage.

How to Handle Water Damage in Your Home or Business

5/19/2017 (Permalink)

How to Handle Water Damage in Your Home or Business

There are many types of water damage events that can impact your home or business. For example, your home may suffer from flood damage related to a severe storm that passes through your area. Perhaps you are dealing with water in home because of a fridge or washing machine leak, or you may have water in business because of a plumbing leak. These are issues that can impair your ability to live in the home or to complete regular operations in the business. You must find a way to quickly and effectively deal with the damaging issue, and hiring a water restoration team for mitigation, drying out and water cleanup is imperative if you want to enjoy the best results without delay.

What You Can Do to Prevent Additional Water Damage

Your water restoration and mitigation team can often arrive at your home or business very quickly after you set up service. However, minutes matter when you are dealing with a water damage issue. You can typically stop more water from entering your space during these minutes by taking a few simple steps. When dealing with flood damage, the level of water in business or home may continue to rise until the rain stops. With other water issues, you may be able to turn off the plumbing line’s main valve, disconnect appliances or take other steps to prevent additional water from entering the space. This can save considerable time and effort during the water cleanup process. Some broken components, such as pipes and appliances, may require specialized repair service as well. You can call these professionals to your home before contacting a restoration team for the water cleanup process.

Why Professional Mitigation Service Is Needed to Dry Out Your Space

Regardless of the type of water damage you are dealing with, water in home or water in business can lead to significant property damage. The water itself may cause staining on hard surfaces, and it may warp or deteriorate porous surfaces. It can also lead to mold growth if the drying out process is not completed promptly. Your water restoration team will assist with drying out the home as soon as possible. Some types of water and flood damage may leave several inches or more of standing water in home or business. Professional extraction equipment will be used to remove the standing water, and dehumidifiers will be used for drying out the space quickly.

How the Team Will Restore Your Home or Business

When you are dealing with water in business or in your home from flood damage or other related issues, drying out the space is only the first step. After the water has been removed from the space, you will likely have a considerable mess to deal with, and water cleanup efforts must begin. Your restoration and mitigation team will complete the water cleanup phase of the process quickly. Water damage can cause drywall, wood and other surfaces to deteriorate, and these surfaces may need to be removed from the home or business. Replacement materials may be installed. When you have water in home or business, professional cleaning and deodorization steps must also be taken in many cases. This is a critical step in the water cleanup process because water can stain the area and leave behind a musty, unpleasant smell.

Water in home or business properties can be devastating in many ways. While there is the financial aspect to consider, it can also be disturbing to see a property that means so much to you in a state of chaos. While you may understandably be feeling emotional and stressed because of the water event, rest easy knowing that the restoration process will be completed soon and that the home or business will be returned to its previous conditions. All traces of the water event can be permanently erased, and you can continue going about your days as usual. Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on water damage.

The Need For Water and Fire Damage Mitigation

5/19/2017 (Permalink)

The Need For Water and Fire Damage Mitigation

Once the fire has been put out, and the fire damage has been contained, the property will suffer water damage. Commercial fire damage services should also include water damage remediation. The water used in fire damage restoration can create another problem. Fire cleanup should be done prior to the water damage remediation. This way the fire in home or fire in business is first contained. The smoke damage, smoke smell and soot damage must also be handled. When dealing with fire damage or water damage, business and homeowners need to enlist the services of a company that will also handle the water situation. It becomes very expensive to hire another company after the fire damage restoration has been done to deal with the water.

Water cleanup should come after the fire in home and fire in business has been dealt with. To appreciate the need for restoration or water cleanup services, it is best to understand categories of water contamination. w

Classifications of water contamination

Water damage or flood damage can be put in three broad categories. The first category of water damage is from clean water. The second is grey water used for home appliances. This water can cause illness if ingested. The third category is black water contamination from unsanitary sources that could contain animal or human waste. Flood water from rivers and lakes is classified as black water. This water contains disease causing pathogens.

Water in home or water in business remediation should be done in safe conditions. Special cleaning agents and disinfectants should be used when handling household items. It can be very easy to contract tetanus especially when handling contaminated water. This is why it is best to let the water cleanup agents handle it. Professional water and commercial fire damage restoration companies use high-tech equipment and tools when drying the water. These water restoration and commercial fire damage technicians are also trained on safety measures when conducting fire damage or water remediation.

While contemplating on the need for water or fire clean up mitigation services, most people faced with fire in home or fire in business consider the cost aspect. However, businesses and home owners stand to gain if their property or household items can be salvaged. Water or fire can also be stopped from creating further losses. There are several instances when water or fire in home or fire in business calls for the expertise of water or fire damage companies.

When to enlist the services of water or fire cleanup services

When there is a fire, there is also the aspect of smoke damage, soot damage and smoke smell. These issues need to be addressed immediately before the water restoration process begins. How much damage can be avoided largely depends on how soon these water and fire cleanup professionals are brought on board. To save business property or household items, these commercial fire damage experts should be contacted immediately.

Timing is everything when it comes to restoration or commercial fire damage mitigation services. Once the fire has been put out, special attention should be paid to smoke damage, soot damage and smoke smell. The fire cleanup paves way for water damage restoration. It is essential to note that mold can begin breeding as soon as two days after the water or flood damage incident. The water therefore needs to be dried using the right equipment. When it comes to water cleanup or commercial fire damage restoration, professional water and fire clean up firms have the manpower needed to deal with the smoke damage, soot damage, smoke smell and water damage from an entire building or house. Acting promptly also helps to salvage more items before they are completely destroyed in water.

As evidenced, water cleanup and commercial fire damage restoration requires expertise. This is why it is best to entrust the process to certified and experienced professionals. Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on fire damage.

Important Mold Removal and Remediation Strategies

5/19/2017 (Permalink)

Important Mold Removal and Remediation Strategies

Mold can grow into a colony within 48 hours from the time its spore comes in contact with a damp surface leading to mold damage if not contained early. This explains why mold is found in most home structures that provide a prime environment for it to develop. These include utility rooms, laundry equipment, kitchen area, basements, and bathrooms. Therefore, property owners should take proactive mitigation steps to limit mold growth.

Spotting Mold Damage

Every fungus; including mold and mildew, develops and spreads when its spore reaches a surface that has enough moisture, favorable temperature, and a food source such as wood moldings, ceiling tiles, sheathing, and carpet. Whether mold is found in a commercial or home structure, removal and remediation after mold damage can be costly. However, the owner can begin the restoration process early by spotting signs of mold in home before domestic or commercial mold damage occurs.

The earlier the property owner investigates the damage signs, the better the possibility of early mitigation. These signs include the following:
• Observable mold and mildew growth
• Smelly odor
• Areas of stagnant water or condensation on the window sills, walls, or floors
• Water stains on the ceilings, outer walls, or internally facing walls
When a Mold Removal and Mitigation Professional is Required
The home or commercial owner can prefer to use a mold removal and remediation company for safe mitigation. An expert from the company will begin by identifying the source of water leakage then stopping where necessary. He will also measure the extent of the mold growth to make sure that the mold in home is completely mitigated.

The expert will then take the samples when dealing with home or commercial mold damage. They may also test the quality of air to help in deodorization process. They will then send the samples to an approved laboratory that will provide a report stating the genre of fungus or mold present for the right deodorization . The report is important for the following reasons:
• It helps the mold removal expert in determining the extent of commercial or home damage. This is because some types of molds pose more risks that may need extra safety measures to secure the residents.
• It helps in determining the cheapest mold removal and alleviation process.
• It also helps healthcare professionals to know whether there are health concerns related to the mold or mildew infestation.

The next step will be creating a removal and alleviation plan of work for handling home or commercial mold damage. This is vital for addressing the cause of fungus on mold damage and determining all safety procedures necessary when removing mold in home.

The mold control experts will then work on the affected areas and create the right air pressure for frequent monitoring to eliminate mold spread to other home or commercial areas. They will also remove the mold or mildew and dispose of damaged materials. However, non-porous materials can be thoroughly cleaned before deodorization for reuse. The professionals on remediation should seal the moldy and damaged materials before removing them from the containment to avoid cross infection.

Elimination of smelly odors from the place will be done using carbon filters during the removal and remediation process. Air cleaners and specialized treatments may also be needed to ensure that the smelly odor will not recur. When all is done, an expert is required to carry out post-remediation verification to ensure that the home or commercial mold damage restored and is suitable for occupancy. This will include the use of specialized equipment to sample the air and surface during the clearance investigation process.

They say prevention is better than cure. Therefore, proper precautionary measures should be taken to prevent any fungus from infesting a home or commercial property. These include fixing foundation cracks that could bring mold in home, properly organizing stored items, having proper ventilation, and using treatments that can absorb moisture in damp places. Through deodorization after mold removal, smelly odor will be gone for good. Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on mold removal.

Water Loss in The Home

4/24/2017 (Permalink)

Water Loss in The Home

Water in home is very necessary in our lives. Water in home and water in business has a myriad of functions that are both secondary and primary in our lives. Despite this, countless of lives and properties have been lost as result of water-related tragedies such as floods. Water damage refers to a variety of losses that are incurred as a result of flood damage thus making water damage restoration necessary. Stagnant water in homes and water in business or water in place of business will then facilitate destructive processes such as rusting of steel and rotting of wood thus making mitigation a necessary action.

Water damage in our homes and business

Flood damage in our homes results to various destruction such as leaking drainage pipes, clogged pipes, and broken dishwashers. For instance, a leaking water in home and water in business will not only cause rotting of wooden floors but also the growth of molds on the floor. To correct this, you have to consider mitigation.

Water damage restoration in our homes can be done by unclogging water pipes and mitigation. Mitigation helps to reduce further problems that may develop such as flood water. Mitigating water flow may also involve contacting technicians.

Water damage in our place of business can result in dire consequences as it undermines the customer retention policy of the business.Wet and slippery floors often lead to accidents of employees and even customers.Furthermore leaking water in our business may cause the destruction of electronic gadgets in our place of business.

Most electronic devices are irreparable once water has trickled in and therefore it is essential to confirm there is no leaking water in our place of business. In case there is water; water flow has to be mitigated to eliminate the problem of flood water in our areas of business.

Warning signs – slippery floors- should also be placed around the office to avoid accidents that may occur due to slippery floors. Drying of wet floors and regular water cleanup will also help reduce these accidents.

Water damage as a result of floods water

Flood water always results in catastrophic losses in our homes and businesses. Despite causing damages, most insurance companies barely cover the losses incurred as a result of flood damage.To losses, it is important to stay away from areas prone to flooding.

However, in case you are affected by floods, getting assistance by applying to the FEMA program can help. Water cleanup as a result of flood damage is done by technicians skilled in current procedures. The use of rapid structural drying is an example of a method that is used in water cleanup due to floods.

Air movement in water damage restoration

Air movement is vital in water damage restoration.Air movement is a method used to enhance the drying process in floors. Air moving on the surface of water frees the floor from water and therefore enabling the drying process.Air movement can also be used to dry walls from the outside to the inside. This process is used especially in ceramic titles.

Apart from these, air movement can also be used to prevent the growth of molds on the floors and walls Moving air does not allow the spores produced by molds to settle on the floors and walls and thereby germinate and grow. Using this method of water cleanup is reliable and highly efficient. Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on water damage and the restoration process.

Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment Restoration Crew

4/24/2017 (Permalink)

Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment Restoration Crew

When your home or business has suffered significant fire damage, getting the local fire cleanup and smoke damage restoration at the location in a timely manner can make all the difference. These fire in home or fire in business professionals can transform even the more dire fire loss to back what the location looked like before the fire. Here is how the local fire cleanup crew can make short work of giving you back piece of mind and your property after fire damage.

Once you reach out to the fire in home or fire in business experts, they will arrive in a timely manner to perform a fire loss assessment. This part of the fire cleanup process allows the fire in home or fire in business professionals to inspect the soot damage and further test adjoining rooms to determine the extent of the all the fire damage, smoke damage, and soot damage. This is a very important step in the fire loss cleanup process to helping the fire in home or fire in business team to developing a plan of action.

Now that the fire in home or fire in business experts have analyzed the air quality risks, they will begin boarding up any locations that pose a serious security risk. They will board up windows, doors, and tarp the roof. When it comes to commercial fire damage, the amount of work in this process could be further complicated due to the large amount of equipment on the property that didn't sustain fire damage. The commercial fire damage team will secure the premises and maintain security to protect further damage or theft. If the commercial fire damage team finds issues that they can not address, they have inroads to fire cleanup contractors that can work on air quality too.

The next part of the fire cleanup process is water removal that was used to prevent fire loss. The more fire loss that was prevented, the more water could be on the property. The fire in home or fire in business team will locate all the water and utilize high-power vacuums and drying machines in a timely manner. The air quality experts remove the majority of the water and then will use dehumidifiers or air movers to completely remove all of the remaining water while completing the drying process.

After the fire in home or fire in business team have successfully removed all the water and dried all property, the smoke damage and soot damage removal process begins. In order to improve the air quality in the home or business, the soot damage and smoke damage from the fire damage has to properly be removed by the fire loss experts. These commercial fire damage professionals use specialized equipment and techniques that remove smoke damage and soot damage from ceilings, floors, walls, doors, and other fire damage surfaces.

As it pertains to commercial fire damage, the cleaning and sanitizing process is extremely important because customers and employees will both be on the property. The commercial fire damage experts will clean all restorable items or structures that sustained fire damage and improve air quality. Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on fire damage.

Understanding Mold, Mildew, and Microbial Growth

4/24/2017 (Permalink)

Understanding Mold, Mildew, and Microbial Growth

Most homes and businesses are exposed to bacteria and fungus growth, such as mold, mildew and other microbial growth. These growths can be harmful as they destroy building materials, cause a bad odor, discolor leather and fabrics, as well as cause fabrics to rot. They can also cause adverse health problems. It is, therefore, necessary to be equipped with the right knowledge of developing mitigation strategies for getting rid of mold when it occurs. The services of an environmental hygienist come in handy during the process of conducting an effective mold cleanup and treatment.

Characteristics

Mold is a plant that belongs to fungus group. When exposed to some levels of temperature and moisture or dampness, they cause mildew. Mildew manifests itself in the form of a thin black or white discoloration. They grow on practically anything they can get the required nutrients, such as fabrics, wood, and paper among other places. The growth thrives in humid weathers mostly in closed houses. Microbial growth is the growth of harmful bacteria. They commonly grow in areas that are often wet in the house, such as the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry areas. They manifest in the form of water spots on walls and ceilings, cracked paints, and a yellow discoloration. Though they display almost similar characteristics, the presence of microbial growth does not denote that it is mildew. After conducting mold cleanup, you should have your home inspected by an environmental hygienist.

Mitigation

Bacteria and fungus that bring about mildew causing microbial growths are found anywhere. Therefore, preventing them from entering the house can be a difficult task. Materials used for building such as wood and papers provide the necessary conditions for the growth. The oxygen they require is freely available in the air. These growths cannot occur in the absence of moisture. In addition to mold cleanup, controlling moisture in homes is another important mitigation strategy for these growths. The following measures can be taken to keep the homes dry.

1. Control moisture levels in the air

You can control moisture by using exhaust fans in the areas where moisture is mostly formed like the bathrooms and kitchens. Ensure also that the air coming from the clothes dryer is directed to the outside.

2. Do not use a humidifier unless necessary

Using a humidifier can increase the level of humidity in the house, which can provide an appropriate environment for these growths. Use the hygrometer to measure the humidity level before using the humidifier. Also, ensure that the relative humidity doesn’t rise above 35 percent when using a humidifier.


3. Be on the lookout for leaks

Sometimes windows, roofs, and plumbing pipes leak and cause dampness and wet spots, which cause these unwanted growths in a very short time. It is important to note these leaks on time for repair. A proficient environmental hygienist will look for signs of leaks when inspecting a home for fungus growth.


Treatment

In case a home is infested by fungus growth, appropriate mitigation measures should be adopted to keep the homes clean. First, determine the extent of the mold growth. If it has affected a small area, you can use detergents to carry out a thorough mold cleanup. If the microbial growth has affected an extensive area, enlisting the help of a qualified environmental hygienist is important. Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on mold removal and remediation.

Handling a Water Loss in Concord NC

3/24/2017 (Permalink)

Water Damage in Concord, NC

Handling a Water Loss in Concord NC

Residents of Concord NC and Midland NC know the devastating effects of flood damage. Heavy rainfall on the creeks in Cabarrus County, in recent storms, forced the North Carolina Department of Transportation to close some of the roads in both Midland NC and Concord NC due to flooding.
In addition to natural disasters, water loss is caused by broken pipes and damaged appliances. You should have a plan of what to do if you experience a loss due to water in home or water in business. Here are ten things to consider in the case of a home or business water loss.

1. Determine the cause of the damage
When you discover damage from water in home or water in business that is not caused by a weather-related event, you must determine the source. If a pipe burst was the cause, shut off the main water line for your home or business. If the cause is an appliance, such as a dish washer or washing machine, turn off the appliance and disconnect the power. If you are unable to determine source of the water, call a professional plumber or some other expert.

2.        Ensure that everyone remains safe
No one should be allowed to go inside of a home or business until it is safe to do so. Look for live electrical wires. Make sure there are no live electrical wires lying in the water. Wear personal protective gear, such as masks, gloves and rubber boots. Small children and pets should be kept away from the area of any standing flood water.

3.        Ensure that the electrical power is shut off
If the flooding is caused by an appliance that is overflowing, you may be able to simply disconnect the power to the appliance. If the problem is more extensive, then the electricity to the entire building should be turned off. Also, shut off the gas from the main source. Prior to turning the power back on, the wiring should be examined by a certified electrician.

4.        Remove excess water
All excess water must be removed. The longer the water remains the more damage it will cause. Natural flood water levels will have to recede below your house before water can be removed from the house. For a small amount of flooding, a wet-dry shop vacuum may be all that is needed to remove the water. A household vacuum should never be used to remove water. Also, remove water from the wood and furniture.

5.        Remove wet or damaged contents

Remove damaged contents from the home or business. Pieces of furniture, office desks and chairs, or other items may need to be set out to dry or temporarily stored in another location. Use caution when lifting wet materials like floor rugs. These items will be much heavier than they are when they are dry. Even if you hire a professional water loss mitigation company, they will do this for you. However, the more of this clean-up that you can do on your own, the more you may be able to reduce the cost.

6.        Remove valuables from the area

In a natural disaster one of the most heart-breaking things is the loss of valuables and irreplaceable sentimental items. If you locate these items, you should remove them as soon as you find them to prevent further damage or to keep them from disappearing. Depending upon how extensive the damage to your home or business, you may be forced to temporarily relocate. Therefore, you will want secure all of your important items.

7.        Dry out the area

The area should be dried out as quickly as possible. Drying the area will prevent mold from forming and spreading. Window should be opened if the humidity outside is lower than inside. Fans can be used for drying and removing moisture, if no mold is present. Otherwise, fans should not be used, because the air movement can spread mold spores to other areas. The air movement of the fans will help get the water granules into the air through evaporation. A dehumidifier will help remove the humidity from the air.

8.        Clean and Disinfect
Once all of the furniture and items are removed from the area and everything is dried out, then the entire area should be cleaned and disinfected. This includes all of the floors, walls and anything else remaining in the area. Either bleach solutions can be used to clean with or other green products on the market made for that purpose.
9.        Take Preventative Measures
No one can prevent natural disasters. Likewise, no one can altogether prevent other types of flood damage. However, steps can be taken to lessen the possibility of damage occurring in the home or business by conducting regular home maintenance. Small water leaks and other maintenance issues can be discovered while they are small before they have the opportunity to cause a major problem.

10.        Know Your Limitations
Do only what you can do and leave the rest up to the professionals. A water loss in a home or business is a serious matter. Sometimes, the situation may not be that severe and the home owner or business owner can take care of the clean-up themselves. However, most of the time, it is recommended that a water damage mitigation specialist be consulted. If flood water is from a contaminated source, it can contain a deadly bacteria, viruses and fungi that are harmful.

The certified water damage restoration specialists in North Carolina are specially equipped to handle this type of situation. For businesses owners, the amount of time lost due to not being able to operate, the use of a professional company could be the difference in whether or not they are able to stay in business. Hiring a water damage mitigation company to take care of a water loss is the best way to ensure that a home is safe for a family to live, and that a business is a safe place for employees to work. Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on water damage.

Managing A Fire Loss In Concord, NC

3/24/2017 (Permalink)

Residential Fire Damage in Concord, NC

Managing A Fire Loss In Concord, NC

Fire damage is a devastating thing that no one wants to go through, and it may stretch from water damage from fire and soot damage or smoke damage to the upper reaches of the home where no one can see. This article explains how a mitigation company in Concord NC will ensure the house has high air quality. The things that happen during a fire may be reversed, but the homeowner must be prepared to invest in a process that will make their home much cleaner.

#1: How Is The Water Cleaned?

Water damage from fire is the first thing everyone notices when the fire is out. The people who come to the site will see there is quite a lot of standing water, and it must be cleaned up as soon as possible because there is no other way to get to the repairs on the house. Smoke and soot will cover the parts of the house that were burnt, and the rest of the house must be treated with gentle care.

The water that is removed from the house will cause mold and mildew if it is allowed to stay, and the mitigation company may begin making repairs when they are ready. They will build every part of the house that was torn down, and they will clean the house at the same time.

#2: The Fire Cleanup

Fire damage that is cleaned in any North Carolina home must be scrubbed from the walls because it will stick easily when has burned for some time. There is quite a lot of debris that will sit in the home, and it is difficult for the homeowner to control the air quality in the house. They must have every part of the house cleaned, and they may ask for tests in the house that ensure the air quality has improved. Midland NC homeowners may ask the company how they plan to clean each part of the house, and they will find it simple to ensure the house has come clean even after a bad fire. The cleaning process is not complete until air tests come back clean.

#3: Building Parts Of The House

There are many parts of the house that will begin to break down after a fire, and someone who is looking for assistance with their home must ensure they have taken the time to have each part repaired. The mitigation company will ensure the house has been sealed as it should be, and they will show the homeowner all the issues that they found when they inspected the house. The house is much simpler to manage once it has been repaired, and the home will look better than it did when it was burned.

#4: Soot And Smoke Damage

Air in the house will be quite dirty when there is soot damage and smoke that touched all the walls. It will cling to everything, and there will be a pall in the air that is hard to ignore. The people who live in the house will have many problems breathing, and they will fall ill more often because of the low quality of the air. There are quite a few health problems that may start, and it is possible that mold and mildew will begin to grow.

#5: Mold And Mildew Growth

North Carolina homeowners must ensure they are prepared for the humid climate, and they will find it much simpler to remain prepared when they have asked the mitigation company to help. The mitigation firm will ensure the homeowners in Concord NC and Midland NC have services that take in to account the humidity in the air, and they must ensure they have cleaned all the parts of the house before mold and mildew begin to grow. The growth could be toxic, and it will be a terrible thing for the family as it will make them even more sick.

#6: Emergency Response

The emergency response on behalf of the customer will be quite easy to manage, and they may contact the company at any time. They crews will scramble to the house, and they will have every opportunity to clean up the house before daylight hits. There are many different people who will quite enjoy the way the response team works, and they will not feel as though the house is being broken down when the fire occurs. The best emergency crews will show up at the house when the fire trucks are leaving, and they will notice how easy it is begin work. They will ensure the house is safe, and they will start the water removal process. They have special vacuums that are easy to use, and they will work into the early hours to ensure the house is stable.

The emergency response team will continue their work by beginning the cleanup process inside the house. There are many different things that must be done if the company wants to get their clients in the house, and they will work for days until they have created a place the homeowner is prepared to live. It is not healthy for the homeowner to be in the house when it is not safe, and they will not allow the homeowner back in until they are certain they are allowed to.

#7: How To Work With The Company

The company must be left enough time to do their work, and there are many different people who are looking for a way to get the house back to the way it was. The house will begin to take shape when the homeowner is searching for a simpler way to recover what they have lost, and they will see the whole of the house repaired to its original glory. They may remove all air problems, and they will make the house look as though it was never burned. Every job that is done by the mitigation company includes their commitment to customer service and the health of the family. Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on fire damage restoration.

Mold Removal in Your Concord, NC Home or Business

3/24/2017 (Permalink)

Mold Containment in Concord, NC

Mold Removal in Your Concord, NC Home

Mild, mildew and microbial growth in the house is a terrible thing to find, and anyone who has confronted it must take steps to bring the home back to proper condition. This article explains what to do when a home in Concord NC, Midland NC and other arras of the state is hit with a major growth. The home will not be as healthy, and it will cause problems for people who are attempting to live their live comfortably.

#1: How Is The Mold Found?

Anyone may find a microbial growth or mildew in their home, and they must not approach it or attempt to fix it on their own. They do not have the tools or equipment to deal with a fungus of any type, and the environmental hygienist must be brought to the house as soon as possible to ensure the problem has been addressed.

#2: What Is The Process For Cleaning Up The House?

The environmental hygienist will inspect the house from stem to stern, and they will learn where the source of the problem is. They will make adjustments for the North Carolina weather, and they will find it simple to use the equipment they have brought to the site to remove anything they find. There are quite a few people who will notice growths that they could not have imagined, and they may be baffled about how they got that way. There are things that may be done to remove them, and the work will begin in earnest.

#3: Removing Everything

Removing everything from the house is quite important, and the hygienist will come in with a team of people who will use their devices to scrub the house of everything that may be dangerous. They know how to check for a fungus or mildew, and they will find items that appear to be harmful. They will continue to use their tools and techniques to clean the house, and they will ensure they have cleaned up everything properly before they move on. They will find it simple to clean the house to a point where they may begin to pull back.

#4: Testing Air Quality

Testing air quality is an important part of closing down the house. The air in the house must be checked to ensure it is healthy, and there are many people who are searching for ways to ensure they do not smell the must that has been passed through the house. A house that seems to be in poor condition will begin to feel unhealthy when the air is not clean. The hygienist will continue to clean until they are certain the air is clean, and they will climb into the air ducts if they need.

#5: How Long Does Work Last?

The team of professional who work on the house will offer a number of services that ensure the homeowner is safe. Homeowners cannot be healthy if they have not cleaned their homes properly, and they may call for help in the Concord NC, Midland NC and other North Carolina locations. Mold that is found in the home is removed using their basic processes, and they will let the homeowner know how long they believe it will take to complete the job.

Weather in the area is a factor that may cause problems for the homeowner, and they may need extra time to get everything cleaned. The work crew will let the homeowner know they have time left on the job, and they will inform the homeowner when new patches of fungi or growths have been found. They will work diligently until the job is done, and they will ensure they have spent an adequate amount of time repairing.

#6: The Home Is Certified Repaired

The home is certified repaired by the people on the work crew, and they will leave a receipt of the work with the homeowner. The homeowner will offer quite a lot of information ensures their home has been repaired properly, and they may call the company back when needed. Each step in the process will leave the house cleaner, and the homeowner will notice the difference when they breathe in.

There are quite a few people who need to have their homes repaired before they live another day with the growths that they have found, and they may call the hygienist for help. The crew will arrive ready to clean out the house completely, and they will help the homeowner understand what happened when the fungi invaded. Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on mold removal.

Experiencing a Fire Loss in Concord, NC

2/15/2017 (Permalink)

Fire Loss in Concord, NC

Experiencing a Fire Loss in Concord, NC

There are not many ways by which the initial shock of a fire accident can be alleviated in North Carolina. However, there are steps that can be taken to get one’s life back to a normal condition and the home or business back to a near pre-accident condition. However, these steps must be engaged quickly and actually, one of the only steps that a homeowner can take in a way that will result in a completely remediated home is to contact a proven, comprehensive water and fire remediation service with many years of proven service to the community.

Every step after the call to one of these North Carolina cleaning services that will make the home livable or the business viable will have to be accomplished by this Concord, NC or Midland, NC company, so choosing the appropriate service correctly is very important. Home and business owners must be persistent in their quest for the appropriate service, and they should exercise due diligence and be very thorough even though this is a stressful time for Midland, NC and Concord, NC residents and any of those affected by the incident.

The initial damage occurs from the fire itself, but there are corresponding components to the fire that are also vehicles for damage like water and other fire retardant materials, soot damage, ash, smoky air and the odors that correspond with every level of the accident. All of these combined issues must addressed in thoroughly and in their entirety in order to have a full remediation, so the experience of the company contracted is central.

Contracting the wrong service at this point would be a serious set back. Additionally, If there are any even slight remnants that are missed or neglected, these residual particles will begin to emit odor from wherever they are, and still may even stain drapery and carpet as well as many furniture items. Any excess or residual moisture that is not remediated properly will present the same issue, but residual water will also produce a chance to create the conditions in which mold propagates.

All of the substances that were necessary to arrest the fire in the home or building are still present in the structure after the fire is extinguished, and these dirty, malodorous substances are negatively affecting everything that they encounter, and the longer these materials impact the home or business, the more damage that is being done multiplies. Additionally, the water damage from the fire cleanup instituted by the remediation company includes drying time, and the constant changing and rearranging of the equipment necessary to render a habitation moisture free. This makes this part especially stressful for the inhabitants of the home or the business owner, but it is one of the most important steps, and abating the water damage from the fire must be performed thoroughly.

Additionally, this step will bring the family or business owner closer to regaining their former domiciles when the water from the fire damage remediation step is occurring, so patience at this step is required, but crews should be active. This information is helpful because less than honest remediation companies will use this step to artificially lengthen a job. Additionally, water remediation can sometimes mean removal of wall board and other parts of the structure in some areas, and sometimes this deconstruction can be extensive. However, it is sometimes unnecessary to disassemble the structure when remediating the water that has proliferated from abating the fire because the volume may not be great enough to warrant such action.

Smoke damage can be as invasive a water sometimes and depending the structure of the fire, this problem can do much smoke damage to the home. The damage is so great because it spreads stains and odors throughout the home including areas that are not directly related to the fire like airdrops, vents and ducts. This negatively affects air quality greatly, and it means that the entire HVAC system must be cleaned thoroughly to not only improve air quality, but to also eliminate odor and prevent damage to the HVAC system. However, this type of cleaning is a specialty of comprehensive remediation and cleanup companies here in Concord, NC. 

Soot damage is the fine particulate contained in the smoky, hot air from fires. This is especially true in home and business fires because of the many varied things that can become incinerated in the fire. It differs from ash because ash is the remains of material incinerated in the fire, and it is heavier because it is produced as a by product of the fire and carried away in the smoky air. Additionally, ash is a heavier, larger grained particulate. Additionally, it is sometimes the particulates left over from smoky water after remediation, but before the actual cleaning occurs. For example, soot would be the particulate that invades the HVAC system because it is fine enough to be picked up by the smoke-filled air and also the HVAC system itself, and sent throughout the building, or carried via the smoky air.

The smoke itself is a potent vehicle for odor, ash, stains and soot throughout the entire habitation, but it is more dangerous because of the things that the smoke carries, and the extent that smoke-filled air proliferates everything including the interior sections of walls and in between floors. This is why smoke is so dangerous to health in a fire and creates such extensive damage to structures also.

All of these combine to present a real picture of the extent of damage that must be eradicated in order to make a building habitable or usable in the case of a business. This is in conjunction with the things that the fire damages itself. In many cases, much of the damage must be cleaned in order to accurately assess the extent of the damage. Additionally, these issue must addressed immediately in order to mitigate the damage. This is especially true for the water involved, but all of the issues will be exacerbated by the failure to act immediately. Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com for more information on fire loss and fire damage.

Mold in Your North Carolina Home?

2/15/2017 (Permalink)

Mold Damage to home.

Mold in Your North Carolina Home?

Several different types of tasks will need to be done if a homeowner is to find themselves in an unfortunate and unexpected scenario of finding mold growing in their home. Fungus is something that is never wanted in the premises of any property. If one is to find any of these forms of bacteria within the interior or exterior premises of their home, then they should contact a mildew removal professional as soon as possible.

Microbial growth is often found in places where one may least expect it. An environmental hygienist may be able to assist you with not only detecting areas that may be prone to microbial growth, but also of removing them is they do indeed exist. More often than not, an environmental hygienist is able to find fungus in areas where they will be showing you they are most prone to develop without giving off any types of signs for one to be aware of their existence. Although the mold may go unnoticed unless one knows where to look and where their opportunities of growth are, it is highly important for residents of households to know that such instances are extremely harmful to their health. A mildew removal specialist of Midland NC will be able to assist you in having them removed.

Concord, NC is perhaps an area that is known for having homes that have mildew growing in them. In North Carolina, if you are experiencing bacteria growth and/or damages, then please do not hesitate to contact your local restoration and cleaning expert. Concord, NC professionals are always standing by to receive your phone call and help you with setting up an appointment. Midland NC professionals are well aware of the importance of ensuring home and business owners are given adequate amounts of services for full and absolute extents of restoration. North Carolina has some of the best experts available for assisting you in achieving optimal qualities of home amenities and appliances by removing the mold and fungus that exists within or on them. Cracks and crevices are some of the best spots for unwanted bacteria to grow in. It is going to be necessary for you to ensure that you contact a professional immediately to assist you with restoration efforts. The cracks and crevices the bacteria often exist in are not only difficult to find, but they are also difficult to reach in to remove and clean as bacteria can require strong efforts of scrubbing and wiping. They also often require sprays for removal, which an environmental hygienist can provide. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are taking necessary steps towards securing the value of your property, both its appraisal value, and the value it offers in pertinence to quality of living or working in. No one will want to visit a home or business property that has bacteria lingering around within its premises. It is bad for business when it comes to business and bad for visitation when it comes to home gatherings. Be sure to contact a professional who is reputed well in the community so that you can achieve a higher quality of living and working.

Some of the best bacteria removal companies are not only aware of where to find instances of bacteria within their properties, but they also possess some of the best types of sprays and sanitation chemicals to ensure that both present and future conditions are properly tended to. Oftentimes, when bacteria is removed from a property, one may not be aware of it, but they tend to come back after some time. This is usually due to the chemicals that were utilized in the cleanup processes not being strong enough. The Property hygienists possess some of the strongest chemicals to assure their clients that the different forms of bacteria will be eliminated completely. After acquiring their cleanup services, it is recommended for home or business owners to ensure that they are proceeding with efforts of keeping their properties clean and maintained on a regular basis as it helps with keeping new forms of bacteria from developing and spreading in living and work areas. Living in an immaculate work and/or living space is something that should be considered to be a priority for all everyone. If an individual is to place importance on these necessities in their life, then they will find that there are a myriad of benefits for them to reap and take advantage of. Perhaps one aspect of clean living that is often overlooked, yet, extremely important is optimal levels of health!

Visit http://www.SERVPROsouthcabarruscounty.com if you suspect mold in your home or business.

Safe Medication Disposal

9/20/2016 (Permalink)

The Healthy Cabarrus Substance Use Coalition advocates the safe disposal of medication through the Medicine Drop Box Program. Disposing unused/expired medication can help save lives and keep our communities safe.

Why is proper disposal important?

67% of people who abuse prescription drugs get them from friends or relatives.

1 in 6 North Carolina teens use prescription drugs to get high.

Unintentional poisonings are the 2nd leading cause of injury death in the state after motor vehicle accidents.

Safely dispose unused/expired medication at one of your local drop boxes. See photo for local drop box locations in Cabarrus County as well as the types of medications that can be disposed.

Franchise Updates

3/16/2016 (Permalink)

We at SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County would like to thank you for the opportunity to service your clients over the past 7 years. We are only getting better with age! Below, is a brief list of our past and most recent achievements.

• We have a highly trained staff with certifications in multiple fields.

• We have a certified technician to handle any job (water, fire, mold, trauma, carpet cleaning, etc), which will provide clients with a quality experience.

• Our staff uses the latest application software, such as Xactimate and Symbility. We currently have six people on staff trained in Xactimate and three people trained in Symbility. This training allows for quicker estimates, remediation and file closure turnaround times.

• We have been identified by SERVPRO corporate as being in the top 10% of franchises with the fastest cycle time in our trainership.

• We have hired a new commercial marketing representative to develop long-term relationships and create new relationships with commercial clients.

• We offer a no-cost emergency plan to all commercial clients, which contains all the information a business owner may need to know in case of an emergency (emergency contacts, shutoffs, etc).This planis a way for usto give back to the community and to make people aware of our services in case something were to happen.

We would love to support you on your next claim. We received some great feedback from adjusters and agents who attended our latest CE class. They prefer a restoration company to provide clients with assistance, even if the company does not receive the job. We will and we have been offering your clients this service.

We have been in the Charlotte area for 7 years and are building the business for the long run. Please do not hesitate to try us out on your next job and we promise you will not be disappointed. We would love to show you the difference between a Restoration Crew and a Certified Restoration Crew equipped with the proper tools and training to complete the job correctly and efficiently.

Thank you again for your time. At your earliest convenience, please browse our website. Here you will find photos of our technicians as well as a detailed description of their individual certifications. Also, check us out on Social Media! Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter and leave us a review on Google Plus. We look forward to working with you in the future.

National Safety Month

6/1/2015 (Permalink)

Spring has sprung and June is National Safety Month. During this month, take the time to discuss safety education with your friends, co-workers and family. Learn to become better informed and equipped to prevent injuries. The National Safety Council helps people to understand where the greatest number of preventable injuries and deaths occur, what actions need to be taken to stay safe and who is at risk. For more information, please visit that National Safety Council's website at http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/safety-at-home.aspx

Air Quality Awareness Week

4/24/2015 (Permalink)

April 30-May 4 is Air Quality Week. Take the time this week to learn the causes of poor air quality and what you can do to help make our air cleaner. The goal is to increase air quality awareness and inspire people to takes steps, no matter how large or small, to reduce the poor air pollution. You are never to young and never to old to learn how to do your part. Innovative ideas is what sets us apart. Think green and go outside to smell the fresh air.  Visit the U.S Environmental Protection Agency website at http://www.epa.gov/airnow/airaware/ for more information.

Flood Safety Awareness Week

3/13/2015 (Permalink)

March 15-21 is Flood Safety Awareness Week. Use this week to learn more about some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with floods and what you can do to save a life and property. Visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service website at http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/ for more information.

Burn Awareness Week

2/4/2015 (Permalink)

February 1-7 is Burn Awareness Week. This week is designed to provide an opportunity for fire and life safety educators to share burn awareness and prevention messages in our communities. In honor of Burn Awareness week, the American Burn Association has provided preventions tips on their website. Some of these resources include Pediatric Scalds, Cooking Safety for Older Adults, and Scald Injury Prevention. Please visit http://www.ameriburn.org/preventionBurnAwareness.php for more information.

National Blood Donor Month

1/9/2015 (Permalink)

January is National Blood Donor Month. SERVPRO is also a proud, national sponsor of the American Red Cross. This is the time when blood organizations, like the American Red Cross, pay tribute to the nearly 12 million people who give blood each year and encourage others to start the New Year off right by donating as well. Give back to a great cause by organizing or volunteering at a blood drive, or by suggesting blood donation to your family and friends. For more ways to get involved, please contact your local American Red Cross Chapter.

Cabarrus Meals on Wheels Emergency Food Drive

9/19/2014 (Permalink)

This year commemorates the 40^th year that Meals on Wheels has been delivering meals to homebound and disabled senior neighbors in Cabarrus County. They have served over 1.5 million meals in Cabarrus County alone.  In 2013, they served almost 10% of those meals. Today, they serve 400 seniors in our county every day.

Now more than ever, they need our support so we can end senior hunger in Cabarrus County. They are reaching out to you to recognize and help those who are less fortunate in your community. They are beginning an Emergency Food Drive for their clients and your help would be greatly appreciated!

Your support to Cabarrus Meals on Wheels enables them to provide nutritional meals and a friendly visit to homebound neighbors in Cabarrus County. 400 clients depend on them to deliver their noon time meal. They also provide weekend meals to over 180 clients, pet food, birthday cakes, and holiday treats. The canned goods provide them with food for their pantry.  Most of their clients live off only $800 a month. 

SERVPRO of South Cabarrus County will be glad to come by and pick up anything you have to donate. Please email or call to let us know they are ready for pick up. We would like to have all donations collected by October 1. 

Thank you for your generous support.  Together, we can end senior hunger in Cabarrus County.

National Preparedness Month

9/3/2014 (Permalink)

The month of September is National Preparedness Month. It is important for families and businesses to have a plan in place when disaster strikes. Take the time this month to be better prepared and informed for an emergency.