Space Heater Safety

12/16/2022 (Permalink)

Space Heater Safety

With the colder temperatures moving into our area over the next few days, some people may be preparing to pull out the space heaters to help keep their homes warm. When the temperature drops well below freezing our main heat sources (heat pumps) cannot keep up -  leaving larger rooms and drafty areas in your home harder to keep warm.

Always keep safety your top priority – and follow these tips to keep you home safe during these cold temperatures!

• Plug your space heater directly into an electrical outlet – never use an extension cord or power strip
• If your heater is an older model, consider purchasing a newer one as they have the most current safety features
• Choose a heater that allows you to adjust the temperature and has an auto timer and shutoff feature
• Place your heaters on a hard surface – clear of any drapes or flammable furniture

Winter is here – following these safety precautions can and will prevent a house fire!

Decorating Safety

12/16/2022 (Permalink)

Decorating your tree

Our houses are beginning to look a lot like Christmas – Decorations are going up and families are getting geared up to decorate for the Christmas Holiday Season. Safety is key – review the below points to keep you and your family safe and festive this holiday season.

• Before you string up a single strand of lights, carefully check them for cracked cords frayed ends or loose connections.
• The combination of shorts in electrical lights and a tinder-dry tree can be deadly. Keep your tree well-watered. Not only will it stay fresh and green, but it will also prevent a house fire
• Ditch old stands of lights – purchase lights with fused plugs
• Remember the 3 light connection strand
• Check your extension plugs – if its hot unplug and replace the cord
• Turn off your lights when you go to bed or leave your home

Following these tips will you and your family safe from a house fire

Candle Fire Safety

12/16/2022 (Permalink)

Facts

Candles bring the perfect holiday scent to any home and make great gifts to give to any person. Although they bring great joy to people everywhere during the holiday season, it is important to note how to properly and safely use candles. According to the NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) "Candle fires peak in December and January with 11 percent of house fires in each of these months." 

SERVPRO of Greenwood, Abbeville & McCormick Counties is 'Faster to Any Disaster' and trained to handle any size fire remediation job, but the first step you can take is to take proper precaution when using candles. Here are some tips from the NFPA.

• Use candle holders that are sturdy, and won’t tip over easily.
• Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
• Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.
• Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
• Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.
• Have flashlights and battery-powered lighting ready to use during a power outage. Never use candles.

While all of these tips can help prevent a house fire this holiday season, we understand that disaster can strike at any time. Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Greenwood, Abbeville & McCormick Counties at (864)229-6610 for services 24/7.

Containment Importance

12/16/2022 (Permalink)

There are two different definitions of containment, one being "the action of keeping something harmful under control" and the other being "the action or policy of preventing the expansion of a hostile influence." 

At SERVPRO of Greenwood, Abbeville & McCormick Counties, we set up containment during any mitigation or remediation job for both of these reasons, depending on the cause of loss. Sometimes, containment is set in order to protect the contents from the work taking place around it. Other times, containment is set in order to protect the rest of the home or business from either the work being done or the cause of loss. 

Either way, our production crew know how important it is to keep the structure and its contents safe from any potential toxins, pollution, or debris done from the mitigation and remediation process. 

Our number one goal on any job, is to leave the home or business in as close to pre loss condition as possible. 

No Job To Small

5/17/2022 (Permalink)

Cleaning and restoring commercial properties require a unique blend of training, experience, and equipment. Our team at SERVPRO of Greenwood has the resources and more than 20 years of expertise to give you excellent results while minimizing disruption to your clients. We can help make it “Like it never even happened.”

• Small Office Buildings
• Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Senior Facilities
• Restaurants
• Hotel/Motels
• Small Retail Stores
• Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
• High-Rise Residential
• Manufacturing & Industrial
• Government/Military

Why SERVPRO?

• FASTER: With more than 1,900 U.S. and Canadian Franchise locations, SERVPRO is strategically positioned throughout the nation to be faster to any-sized disaster.
• READY: SERVPRO is always ready to help when disaster strikes but also knows the importance of ensuring home and business owners are “Ready for whatever happens.”
• PROOF: The science of Drying was developed out of the need to further validate the drying process and use more precise documentation on defining when a structure is dry.
• HERE TO HELP: Communication is the most important part of the process to keep everyone informed during cleanup and restoration.  We accomplish this through the Here to Help Connection process.

Our team responds quickly to your Greenwood, SC area fire, water, or mold damage emergency, 24 hours a day. Whether the damage occurs in a small business building, a senior facility, an apartment complex, or a big box store, we have the training, experience, and equipment to handle the situation. Our network of 1,900+ Franchises gives us access to trained restoration technicians and resources to respond to any size restoration emergency.

Why Do You Need a Water Mitigation Company?

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Why Do You Need a Water Mitigation Company?

If you’re like most homeowners in the Greenwood, Abbeville & McCormick County areas, you want to take care of home maintenance on your own. After all, who wants to pay for a repair service when you can just do it yourself? In some cases, that might be the best thing to do, but it’s also important to consult a professional restoration company when the need arises.

As a water mitigation company in Greenwood, SC potential customers can sometimes call back and decide to do the clean up themselves but many have called back with new problems. Lost time, costly do-it-yourself products, and frustration can be avoided by using a professional.

Why use a Water Damage  Restoration and Repair Company?

• Uncover hidden moisture problems. When it comes to water damage, there’s often more than meets the eyes. Materials like hardwoods and drywall, are porous, so they absorb water. Moisture can cause the materials to expand, or possibly trap moisture, allowing it to foster mold growth. A water mitigation company has the equipment to both detect and dry these materials.
  
  
• Prevent future mold growth. Mold spores are everywhere, but they don’t pose much of a threat until they are exposed to moisture. When water damage isn’t adequately addressed, it can increase the chances of mold growth. Our team can extract and dry the water, plus we apply an antimicrobial to deter mold.
  
  
• Equipment and Expertise to remove contaminated water. Not all water damage is equal. Water can occasionally be extremely contaminated (such as floodwater or sewage) and may pose health risks. In these cases, protective gear and specific processes are required for cleaning up the damage to reduce exposure. Our experienced technicians are equipped and certified to handle these situations.
  
  

Water damage can come in many different forms and it’s also important to know when things are beyond your control. No matter the situation, SERVPRO of Greenwood, Abbeville & McCormick Counties here to help.

Contact us at 864-229-6610 for 24/7 Water Damage Mitigation, Repair, and Post Damage Reconstruction.

Successfully Removing Mold from Your Home

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

Let review the facts about mold. 

Mold spores are around us everyday. They're a living organism that participate in our ecosystem. When they have a habitat that causes them to colonize in such numbers that the fuzzy green and black stuff starts to show is when we typically get worried.

Mold thrives in a humid, warm environment. That's why when water damage has been left for too long we see evidence of it. 

Mold can cause health effects and damage to your property. When you call a mold specialist at SERVPRO, we will follow the following basic steps to remediate and treat your issue.

1. Contain the area and place powerful air scrubbers. These machine draw the contaminated air out and filter through several layers of HEPA filters before sending clean air back into the room.
2. Remove items such as drywall, carpet, and insulation that show evidence of colonizing.
3. HEPA vacuum and clean all exposed areas with an anti-microbial disinfectant. 
4. Clean and disinfect ductwork to remove any spore that may have traveled through the HVAC system.

Finally, cleaning with bleach IS NOT an acceptable way to remove mold!! Bleach is not an antimicrobial disinfectant and only masks the issue for a short time before it returns. If you think you have an issue that concerns you, always call a mold remediation specialist for guidance.

April Showers Bring Water Damages By The Hour

5/2/2022 (Permalink)

As one of the wettest months in the year, April is known for its rainy days and perpetual showers. Though spring is officially here, we hardly get to enjoy the nice weather until late in the month or on those rare days when the weather allows some sunshine to peek through the clouds. 

One thing we can consistently expect from April is the amount of water damage claims our teams respond to. Though the after effects of water damage are all the same. the causes can vary depending on where the damage takes place. To minimize the risk of water in your home or office, here are a few of the top causes of spring water damage:

1. Flooding 

Whether because of heavy rains, a low water table, or leaks and cracks in your, flooding is the top cause of spring water damage. Waterproofing your basement and properly weather-sealing doors and windows can help in minimizing the risk of water damage in your home. 

2. Roof Leaks and Drain Back-Ups

Second to noticing cracks in your foundations, this can be one of the trickiest to get ahead on, mainly because most of us don’t spend much time out on our roofs. Periodically checking your roof and gutters is key to getting ahead of leaks and drain backups that can seep into your home.

3. Frozen Pipes

Last, but not least — frozen pipes. You may think frozen pipes are only a danger in the colder months, but the truth is, plenty of water damage claims happen when these pipes defrost in the warmer months. That’s because outside faucets and water irrigation systems that were shut off during the colder months, yet not properly insulated, begin to leak into your home once it is turned on. So instead of only watering your lawn, you may see these pipes have also watered your indoor living space.

There are plenty of other causes of water damage ranging from leaking AC units, downed trees, and even heavy storms. Whatever the cause, SERVPRO of Greenwood is only a call away. 

The Storm Damage Restoration Process: What To Expect

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

If a storm damaged your home , you might be worried about the storm restoration process. You may wonder how anyone can fix all that water damage or what happens if they must tear out a wall.

It’s understandable that you would worry about this. After all, restoration can seem daunting to the uninitiated. Luckily, understanding the steps can help calm your nerves. While all projects are unique, these are the basic steps to expect:

1. Initial damage control
2. Removal of damaged materials
3. A drying period
4. Rebuilding

Each of these steps is important and should be done by experienced and trusted professionals. Below is a closer look at each stage:

Initial Damage Control

Before your restoration crew can do anything else, they must extract the water from your home. This is the first step in stopping further water damage and keeping needed repairs to a minimum. It’s essential to call a storm restoration company as soon as possible after a flood to get this process going.

Removal of Damaged Materials

Once the water is out of the way, the contractors can survey the damage and decide what they need to tear out. They may decide to make a flood cut, which prevents mold by removing a section of wall above the flood line. The professionals will properly dispose of damaged materials to keep your home safe.

A Drying Period

The third step can be the most difficult for anxious homeowners. The affected area must be allowed to dry out, which can take some time. Be patient; you’re almost done.

Rebuilding

After the area is dry, the professionals can start rebuilding the damaged structures. Great companies can make sure it looks as good as or better than before.

If a flood damages your home, call a trusted storm restoration company immediately. They can get rid of the water, tear out damaged walls, and make it look like water damage never happened. 864-229-6610

6 Signs of Plumbing Trouble

3/26/2022 (Permalink)

6 Symptoms of Plumbing Issues

If you run a business the last thing you want to deal with is a problem with your plumbing system. If you experience a blocked sewer, toilet overflow or a pipe break, you should contact a commercial restoration service as soon as possible. Before you have to take that step, you can familiarize yourself with these common signs of trouble.

Chronic Drain Clogging

If you experience clogs on a regular basis, it could be a sign of a problem with your cast-iron sewer lines. After 25 years, these lines can deteriorate and fail. A blocked sewer can lead to more damaging and costly issues, so it’s a good idea to address it right away.

Sewer Gas Smell

Your nose may give you another indication of trouble with your sewer lines. If you notice the odor of sewer gas, you should get your sewer system examined for damage or failure.

Continuous Flushing

A toilet overflow is a messy situation for any business. When commercial toilets won’t stop flushing, it is usually a problem with the flushometer. Most commonly, the gasket needs to be cleaned out or replaced.

Bulging Walls and Ceilings

Pipe breaks can occur when clogs or pinhole leaks go unaddressed. If you notice any swelling or protrusions in your walls or ceiling tiles, this may be the reason.

Water Stains

Another noticeable sign that water is building up in the walls is discoloration. By the time you see these stains, the leak or break is already fairly advanced and requires swift attention.

Foundation Cracks

A crack in your building’s foundation can start from root intrusion into a weak point, but once established, can expand to larger cracks. In addition to the structural damage they cause, foundation cracks can wreak havoc on water and sewage systems.
As a business owner, you don’t want to wait for a blocked sewer or pipe break to address problems in your plumbing system. By being familiar with these warning signs, you can deal with plumbing issues before they get serious.