Why Choose SERVPRO?

4/29/2022 (Permalink)

Your friends at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton hope that choosing us will always be an easy choice. However, if you need more convincing, the following are reasons that we hope you’ll trust us to make your damage feel, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO®  Is Faster to any size disaster™

• A fast response is key when damage from water, fire, storms, or other sources occurs. Day or night, any time of year, residents and business owners in our communities can expect us to respond quickly and efficiently to their damage emergencies.

We’re Highly Trained Damage Specialists

• We specialize in water damage restoration, as well as fire, storm, mold and other types of restoration. Our teams go through extensive training through IICRC, which sets industry standards. They're taught a proven process and best practices in water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and so much more.

We Utilize Advanced Technology & Techniques

• We invest in the latest technology and equipment. This helps us to be able to restore homes and businesses more quickly and efficiently while helping to minimize cost. This equipment includes:
• Moisture Detection and Measurement Equipment
• Water Extraction Equipment
• Drying Equipment
• Odor Removal & Deodorization Equipment
• Sanitizing Agents, Germicides, & Antimicrobial Treatments

We hope that you will choose us, and we hope you’ll remember that we are always Here to Help®!

For information on how we can help, you can call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260.

How to Handle a Commercial Sewage Backup

4/29/2022 (Permalink)

Discovering sewage damage in your business can be both harrowing and disgusting. However, you'll need to be on your toes for the sewer cleanup. If it's more than a simple floor leak, specific measures need to be taken. While a restoration company can do the cleaning, there are a few procedures you may carry out. Here are four things to do if you find sewage damage in your business.

1. Unplug and Turn Off Nearby Electronics

First and foremost, it's essential to get rid of any safety hazards around the sewer backup. Make sure anything that runs on electricity is turned off and/or unplugged. Here are some items to look out for in a business setting:

• Computers
• Chargers
• Televisions
• Video Equipment
  
  

Don't try to use anything electronic that was in the area. If the water touches one of these items, the surrounding area could become dangerous.

2. Open Windows

Mold is a serious concern after sewage damage occurs. Therefore, airing out your space is an essential task if you want to deter it. The fresh air also helps to get rid of any putrid smells from, for instance, a flooded toilet.

3. Remove Endangered Items

Anything that's been contaminated by the sewage should be left to the professionals, but it's prudent to remove non-contaminated items from the area. If the water keeps leaking, it's liable to reach more of your property. Keep in mind that contaminated items might be restorable.

4. Inspect the Damage

The entire sewer cleanup process will go faster if you know what needs to be done. Without coming in contact with the sewage, try to see what damage has been caused. Make sure that restoration experts know your findings. If you can tell that something can't be restored and must be replaced, you'll be able to start that process immediately.

Sewage damage is never pretty, but it doesn't have to be debilitating. Stay attentive and know what steps to take. Once the sewer cleanup is over, you can know you did your best for the business.

If you experience a sewage backup at your commercial property, call the experts at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260. 

Preparing Your Business for Disaster

4/28/2022 (Permalink)

Have you stopped to consider whether or not your business is truly ready for whatever happens?

Sure, you may have your shelves stocked and your labels printed with restock orders on the way. But do you have a plan in place for when the unexpected happens and you’re stuck with picking up the pieces?

Disasters are a natural part of life in our area. When you take into account the year, or better yet, the decade, we’ve had so far, it would be wise to consider how your business may be affected when these disasters strike. Whether it’s an unprecedented pandemic, a historic freeze that forced the whole south central region of the United States to come to a screeching halt, or your average thunder, lightning, and hail storms that seem to make a weekly appearance. In this region, anything can happen. 

You may know SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton as your go-to disaster restoration company, which we are. But do you also know that we specialize in helping your business get disaster ready as well? One of the ways we enjoy serving our community partners is by creating Emergency Ready Profiles, or ERPs, for their commercial properties. 

When our SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton representatives meet with local business owners and facility managers, we gather important materials such as building information, utility shut off locations, and key contacts. Not only is this information important as it pertains to the daily tasks of a facility manager, but it’s also pertinent in the event of an emergency or disaster when time is of the essence. 

One of the key benefits in setting up an ERP with our team is having all of your essential property information in one place. In addition to keeping such relevant information organized, your local SERVPRO representative will contact you periodically to update any changes to your profile. 

Becoming disaster-ready is a process and our team is eager to help you get started! To set up your free Emergency Ready Profile, call our office today to speak to one of our representatives and ensure that your business is "Ready for whatever happens", just like SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton.

Understanding Your Mold Coverage

4/28/2022 (Permalink)

Understanding Your Mold Protection

You purchase insurance for your home to protect it and save yourself the cost of repairing damages. Mold issues can lower property value and even make a home almost impossible to sell. Most homeowner’s policies, however, do not cover the services of mold remediation specialists. Even if your policy does offer some type of mold coverage, there is usually a pretty low cap to the amount of your potential payout. Since fungus growth can often be prevented, its presence tends to be seen as more the fault of the homeowner than as a circumstance beyond one’s control.

Mold Prevention

Even if you have mold insurance or a policy that includes mold remediation, you need to be able to prove that you have done everything to prevent the problem from occurring. You can protect your home from mold simply by following some key prevention tips:

• Check indoor water sources for leaks frequently.
• Fix problems you find immediately.
• Lower the humidity of your home.
• Watch for condensation or standing water.
• Ventilate bathrooms, laundry rooms and attics appropriately.
  
  

Guarding against excess water can inhibit fungus growth and thereby decrease the need for an insurance policy that covers it. Prevention is the best way to protect your home from damage caused by mold.

Mold Coverage

An extensive mold problem can appear quickly, but there are usually extenuating circumstances that lead up to it, making it difficult to get insurance to cover the cost of remediation. Any problem that could have been foreseen or halted at its early stages is less likely to warrant an adjuster’s approval. If you believe that your mold issue is an exception, it is a good idea to enlist mold remediation technicians to back up your reasoning when the adjuster arrives.

No one likes to see fungus growth in their homes, nor does one like the bad news that it probably won’t be something their insurance covers. With proper prevention techniques or the expert opinion of a certified technician, you may be able to avoid the high out-of-pocket cost of mold remediation.

If you have questions related to mold or mold remediation, call the experts at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260.

Commercial Flood Damage Can Be Caused By High Winds

3/15/2022 (Permalink)

Anyone from our area knows that we can often see heavy hitting winds blowing through town. When the wind blows hard, and the gusts get high in speed, an object can become airborne and strike your glass shop, which could cause your business commercial flood damage.

When the wind picks up during a storm, it can blow branches off of trees, dirt, or landscaping rocks to fly into your company's building's windows. Commercial flood damage is often caused by windows breaking due to high winds. Once a hole in your structure occurs, the interior of your glass store can start to retain moisture, and many of your contents and building materials can get wet. The rocks or branches that broke your window could also ruin some of your glass bulk or products.

Once the exterior shell of your structure gets breached, it is wise to call in a professional restoration company such as SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton. We can start mitigating your storm-related issues by first securing your structure. If it continues to rain and your building is exposed to the outdoors, rainwater can keep entering your store and cause your business more problems.

For example, if moisture enters your place of business through a broken window, our SERVPRO technicians can board up and seal the opening with plastic so that no more rainwater can keep getting into your glass shop. We can then take other preventative measures to seal your building from the outdoors, like putting sandbags on each of your lower door seals. If the wind blew something into your roof, then we can temporarily seal it until we can get the problem repaired by a certified roofer.

Once our SERVPRO team secures your building and keeps water from entering, we then begin assessing the situation. We conduct an initial inspection to see what items inside your store we can save and which items must get removed and replaced. In some cases, many of your affected contents and building materials can be saved through our extraction and applied structural drying procedures.

If your commercial property suffers damage as a result of a storm, call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260. 

Winter Fire Prevention

12/14/2021 (Permalink)

It seems like every year, the holiday season approaches faster and faster—but that means the increased risk of house fires does, too. Our franchise has seen a dramatic increase recently in calls for house fire cleanup.

The leading cause of home fires is cooking regardless of the season, but the chances for heating and electrical-related fires always increases when the weather turns colder. Focusing on fire safety throughout your wintertime celebrations will ensure that fires are far less likely to get a chance to spark.

Tips for Fire Prevention Around the Holiday Season

Keep safe when cooking. Cooking is the top cause of house fires in every season, but during the winter, there are more large, family style meals and far more baking which causes the frequency of cooking related fires to increase. It is wise to always keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and be careful about utensils, potholders, dish towels and curtains being anywhere near the stove.

Heat the house with proper precautions. It is common to use space heaters throughout the winter season to knock the chill off, but it is important to be certain your model has safety features such as a tip over shutoff and overheating sensor. If you have a fireplace in the home, have your chimney inspected annually to reduce the risk of fire, and be sure to never leave a fire or a space heater unattended or going while you sleep.

Decorate with care. The decorations commonly associated with Christmas, such as trees and lights, present an electrical hazard if they are not installed correctly. Christmas tree fires due to electricity are extremely common, often as a result of the lights being plugged in improperly. Make sure to not overload outlets or power cables, and never use decorations with frayed wiring.

If you have fire damage at your home this holiday season, call the fire restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260.

Winter Weather Fire Safety

12/14/2021 (Permalink)

Winter weather isn’t a common occurrence in our area, but winter storms do happen from time to time. It is important to keep the following advice in mind before, during, and after a winter storm hits our area. These tips will help keep you and your family safe from a winter fire. 

• Test all smoke alarms. Do this at least once a month. This way you will know they are working. Install carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Test the alarms.
• Plan two ways out of the home in case of an emergency. Clear driveway and front walk of ice and snow. This will provide easy access to your home.
• Make sure your house number can be seen from the street. If you need help, firefighters will be able to find you.
• Be ready in case the power goes out. Have flashlights on hand. Also, have battery-powered lighting and fresh batteries. Never use candles.
• Stay aware of winter weather. Listen to the television or radio for updates. Watch for bulletins online.
• Check on neighbors. Check on others who may need help.
• Generators should be used outdoors. Keep them away from windows and doors. Do not run a generator inside your garage, even if the door is open.
• Stay away from downed wires. Report and downed wires to authorities. 
• Be ready if the heat stops working. Use extra layers of clothes and blankets to stay warm. If you use an emergency heat source, keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away. 
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room. Turn them off when you go to bed. 

IMPORTANT REMINDER

There are more home fires in winter than in any other season. Half of all home heating fires happen in December, January, and February.

As you stay cozy and warm this winter season be fire smart! If you do suffer fire damage at your home, give the fire restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton a call at (251) 809-1260.

Protect Your Home from Water Damage

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

You can protect your home from water damage in order to avoid costly insurance claims and ruined belongings. Follow these five steps to keep your house well-maintained in preparation for any event.

Locate Your Water Main

The best way to avoid water damage in your home is to locate your water main. If you can't locate the source of the water damage, turning off the water supply to your house will at least prevent more water from leaking in the meantime. 

Check Your Water Pressure

If the water going through your pipes is too highly pressured, it may cause the pipes or hoses to buckle under all of that weight. Contact a local plumber for a checkup of your residential water system to ensure it is holding the pressure it was designed for. You can also get a damage assessment from SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton if the water leak has already begun and you need additional assistance locating the source or repairing the damage. 

Maintain All Appliances

Broken appliances and poorly-maintained HVAC units are common reasons why there is water damage in your home. Invest in regular maintenance schedules so you can stay on top of your appliances. Make sure they still function properly. If you see the signs of disrepair, you can get in touch with a SERVPRO representative and schedule a water damage assessment.

Clean Your Gutters

Gutters should be cleaned 1-2 times per year to avoid too much blockage. Leaves, dirt, and other debris gather in the gutters over time and can create cavities for water buildup after a downpour. It’s also important to double-check that your downspouts are facing away from the home so the water can freely escape outside of your house.

Watch Your Water Bill

Some water damage is subtle, and you may not realize that you have damage at all. This can happen when the location of the damage is somewhere such as a crawlspace or your backyard. Keep an eye on your water bill to see if your usage charges skyrocket from one month to the next for no reason. This can be a good indicator that water is leaking somewhere in your home. 

Call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260 at the first sign of water damage in your home. Our technicians offer full damage assessment and restorative solutions for issues big and small.

A Sump Pump Can Help Avoid a Flooded Basement

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

A sump pump can help remove any water that collects in your home’s basement. The sump pump will collect any water that makes its way inside from heavy rains or extra ground water. If the pump fails for whatever reason, any water that collects in the sump basin can eventually overflow into the basement and cause water damage.

Below are 6 tips to ensure that your sump pump is working properly.

1. Confirm the pump is working before a storm. Pour a bucket of water into your sump pump to activate the pump.

1. Clean the inside of your sump out. Some pumps that are not used regularly are more prone to developing sediment. If the lid of your sump pump does not cover the basin some objects may end up in some pump and cause a clog.

1. Install a battery backup system. Install a secondary pump that is battery operated. This is important in the instance of a power outage. The battery backup pump is going to drain the battery when the primary pump does not have electricity, also in the situation where your primary pump is not keeping up with the extra inflow of water.

1. Know what type of sump pump equipment you have. If your sump pump breaks or malfunction you know your model and serial number to quickly purchase any parts to fix your pump.

1. Know how your sump pump operates. Knowing the workings of the system and how it operates will help you troubleshoot and determine any malfunctions allowing you to save money. Also, knowing how it operates will prevent you from being taken advantage of by professionals.

1. Install an alarm system – Installing an alarm will let you know when your sump pump has stopped working.

It is important to either install a battery back-up or an alarm to your sump pump to prevent basement flooding. It will save you money in the long run.

If you experience basement flooding from your sump pump, call the professional team at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260.

Your Dishwasher Can Cause Water Damage

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

The dishwasher is a modern amenity that’s included in almost every household kitchen nowadays. It takes out the stress and hassle of playing paper, rock, scissors to decide whose turn it is to do the dishes. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton has seen its fair share of homes dealing with water damage from this kitchen appliance. It can take homeowners on quite the whirlwind of emotions once they discover a pool of water collecting on the kitchen floor. Here are some tips for preventing water damage from your dishwasher in your home.

Dishwasher Door

The door itself may have loose hinges which could cause water to leak out. You may need to tighten the latch and hinge yourself with a screwdriver. If you’re having any issues, you can always call a professional plumber.

Rubber Seal

The rubber seal around the dishwasher door may have some wear and tear which will cause water to escape. To prevent this, make sure to routinely inspect the rubber seal and replace if needed.

Damaged Hoses

All dishwashers are equipped with two hoses that can be accessed by removing the bottom front access panel. Inspect the hoses for wear and tear. If you notice any moisture collecting in this area, you may need to replace the hoses.

These are the most common causes that homeowners face when they’re dealing with water damage in their kitchen caused by their dishwasher. If you find that a water leak has taken place in your kitchen, here are some steps to take:

1. Shut off the main water supply.
2. Shut off the electricity if need be, especially if water is pooling near outlets or electronic devices.
3. Call a plumber to resolve the dishwasher plumbing situation.
4. Once the plumbing issue is resolved, call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton to notify them of your water damage. We will send our technicians out as quickly as we can.
5. While you’re waiting for SERVPRO to arrive, use towels to soak up as much standing water as you can. The longer you let the water sit, the more damage it can cause.
6. Once SERVPRO arrives, we’ll walk you through the process and begin drying out the area with our fans and dehumidifiers.

If you experience water damage caused by your dishwasher, call the water mitigation professionals at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260.