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.

Water Damage Can Happen Fast

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

When it comes to water damage in your home, time is not on your side.  In most cases the longer the water remains an issue the more at risk your home is for water damage.  Water damage can turn into mold within a few days, especially in warm environments.  Water damage is much easier and less expensive to mitigate before mold starts to grow.

Within a few minutes to a few hours, the water damage starts to spread and can damage flooring, furniture, and other items near the water.  Flooring can start to warp and lift, cloth furniture absorbs the water making it hard to extract, wooden furniture begins to swell, leather fades and stains the flooring, and the moisture/humidity mixes with normal household odors and you now have a stinky house.

 The longer you leave the water damage untreated the more damage your home is at risk for.  Eventually, the flooring and subflooring will be so warped it will not be repairable, if the water is affecting your walls the paint can begin to blister and the drywall will mold, and if left long enough the structural wood will begin to swell, warp, and split apart.  

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton has made its name by performing cleanup and restoration work after water damage. Using advanced extraction techniques, our technicians have the expertise, training, and certificates to help clear away water and mitigate loss. As part of a national franchise, we have access to national resources that ensure our technicians are equipped with the best possible equipment, including Injecta dry systems as well as truck-mounted extractors and desiccant humidifiers. If you notice or suspect water damage, call the water mitigation specialists at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260.

Toilet Maintenance Can Prevent Water Damage

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

The professionals at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton are always ready in the event that you find yourself with water damage due to an overflowing toilet that has flooded any area in your home. However, we know that you are better off to avoid this kind of headache altogether, and following a few tips for proper toilet maintenance can help you to do so.

Do

Clean your toilet regularly. A mild cleaner, such as baking soda, vinegar, or a mild soap will do the job without the risks of harsher chemicals. Cleaning the toilet gives you a more hygienic, better smelling bathroom, while also providing the opportunity to notice any leaks around the toilet.

Check the toilet’s interior mechanisms at least once each six months. Make sure that all parts are in good shape and working properly, that the flapper is sealing completely, and that the fill valve stops at the appropriate water level.

Fix a small leak (or running toilet) immediately. You might not even notice this type of leak if you aren’t looking for it, as it is silent and leaves no puddle. (The leaking water flows into the bowl and down the drain.) This type of leak can run gallons of water through your tank in a day causing a substantial increase in your water bill. To test for this type of leak, place a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank (above the bowl). Wait half an hour, then check the water in the bowl. If any color shows up in the bowl, the tank is leaking. You can get a flapper kit from the hardware store and replace it yourself, if you are a do-it-yourselfer.

Teach every family member how to properly care for the toilet. Teach them what can be flushed and what cannot, how to avoid clogs by using just the right amount of toilet tissue and no more, and how to keep the toilet clean. Teach these things beginning when a child first starts using the “potty.”

Buy the right kind of toilet paper. Commercials tout the benefits of thick, soft, fluffy paper, but a paper that is built to break down quickly is much easier on your toilet system. This is especially true if you are on a septic system where everything that is flushed must be broken down. But even if you are on a municipal sewer system, using too much of the hard to break down paper can cause clogs in the lines inside your home.

Have a flange plunger handy. For simple clogs, a bucket of hot water and a plunger is often all you need. Just turn off the water at the emergency shutoff valve behind the toilet and use the plunger to dislodge the clog. If the plunger doesn’t work, try an auger.

Don’t

Do not use “drop-in” tablets in your toilet tank for cleaning. These products can cause damage to the rubber flap and other mechanisms, resulting in a leak.

Do not use chemical drain cleaners on a clogged toilet. They can damage fixtures and pipes, kill off the good bacteria in septic systems causing problems in the functioning of the system, are harmful if they come into contact with skin or are inhaled, and are just not something you want to add to your water system.

Do not place a brick in the tank to save water. Newer toilet tanks use 1.6 gallons with each flush. This is the amount that is needed to move waste out of the toilet and through the system. If you have an older tank, consider replacing it. Many new models have two flushing handles, one for liquid waste only and one for solid waste. This type of toilet uses the minimal amount of water needed, while still efficiently moving waste through.

Do not flush anything but human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Nothing else is designed to break down and safely flow through the system — NOTHING.

If you experience water damage at your home due to a toilet issue, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260. 

What Will Insurance Cover After a Water Damage?

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage is a common insurance claim among homeowners. If you are about to make a claim on water damage to your home it’s good to know what to expect. However, it is important to note that coverage could be different depending on the situation, insurance carrier, type of coverage, and other factors. There are some items that homeowners generally have an easier time making water damage claims for than others. A few of those common items are listed below.

Problem Areas

There are some losses that homeowners typically run into problems when trying to make a water damage claim to their insurance company. These include losses that resulted from gradual damage. 

What Is Gradual Damage

Gradual damage is anything that happened over the course of a prolonged period, as opposed to an accident, or sudden damage, which happens as the result of one single event.

Will My Insurance Cover My Gradual Damage?

Loss such as leaky ceilings due to plumbing defects, water damage caused by cracks in the foundation, and in some cases, mold, fall under the category of gradual damage. These things are generally not covered by insurance. However, there may be some exceptions. For example, if mold was the result of another claim that was covered under insurance, but was not properly fixed, the insurance company would likely cover it.

Will My Insurance Cover My Water Loss?

On the other hand, if the water damage is sudden and accidental you’ll probably have a much easier time getting covered for the damages. This is the true nature of insurance – to cover accidents. Of course, everything is dependent upon the language of the policy that you purchased, but this is the very nature of insurance: coverage for sudden and accidental loss. A good practice for homeowners is to keep a record of all repairs and transactions for services that are made to your home.

About SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton

At SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton, we are not only experts at restoring your home as if it never even happened, but we are also experts at dealing with insurance companies. For a stress-free claims process, SERVPRO can help manage the insurance paperwork and process. Contact us today at (251) 809-1260 to learn more about how we can help you through the entire recovery process today!

Is Your Business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned?

12/2/2021 (Permalink)

When our logo is on your door, your commitment to clean is clear

While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton is here to help keep your customers and employees safe, and also let everyone know you've chosen a higher standard of clean.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive, proactive viral pathogen cleaning program backed by our more than 50 years of experience in cleanup and restoration. With an industry-leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes, we're helping businesses across the country open safely. So make the commitment to keep your employees and customers safer. Make sure your space is Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

CONSULT

A tailored cleaning program to meet your needs.

• We will assign you a Cleaning Protocol Specialist who understands your business.
• Programs are based on a range of factors: type of industry, business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touch points, foot traffic and congestion points.

CLEAN

Proactive and COVID-19 emergency response cleaning program.

• Trained and experienced in biohazard cleaning and decontamination for porous and non-porous surfaces - always adhering to the highest standards set by the CDC.
• EPA-approved products, including our proprietary cleaning agent SERVPROXIDE, a hospital-grade disinfectant that is NSF certified for direct food contact surface use.

CERTIFY

A commitment to clean for your employees and consumers. 

• Leverage SERVPRO's trusted brand to reassure your customers and employees that you are taking the steps needed to keep your space at the highest level of clean.
• Communication touchpoints include a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned window emblem, signage, marks for your digital footprint and more. 

Call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260 for more information about making sure your business is Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

How SERVPRO Cleans Up After Fire Damage

12/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Follows Scientific Principles When Restoring Your Property After Fire Damage

Fire can wreak havoc on your home. The smoke and soot can cause irreparable damage if it is not taken care of promptly and efficiently. Successful cleanup and restoration after a fire is a job for professionals. Trying to get the damage repaired or restored by yourself can worsen the already bad situation.

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton professionals have years of experience in successful restoration and cleanup of hundreds of homes after fire damage. Our meticulous technicians use tested scientific methods to get rid of the damage due to fire. Our state-of-the-art, multi-step cleaning process restores your home back to the pre-damage condition in no time. Here are the four scientific principles that enable SERVPRO technicians to restore your home after a fire damage.

Modulating the temperature can hasten the cleaning process  

Smoke and soot can build up on the walls and ceilings after an incidence of fire. These residues are notoriously difficult to clean even with some of the best and most active cleaning agents. SERVPRO technicians use their knowledge of chemistry to handle such stains. We use an elevated temperature that speeds up the reaction between cleaning agents and the stain causing residues.

Agitation can speed up the cleaning process

SERVPRO technicians use various agitation techniques such as brushing, air, and water pressure and even sound waves at high frequencies to clean difficult to clean stains. Our technicians have a thorough understanding of how the process of agitation works and how it can be successfully implemented depending on the nature of the damage.

Chemical cleaning products can work wonders

Various chemical cleaning products can work wonders cleaning the smoke and soot residue if they are carefully selected depending on the type of the damage. Our expert technicians use their extensive experience and knowledge to choose the best possible chemical cleansing agents that can clean the damage in no time.

Restoring fire damage is a process that involves careful planning and expertise. You can trust us to ensure that your home looks, smells and feels like home again in no time.

Drying Documents After a Water Damage

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Your immediate concern after a disaster strikes your company may be the safety of your employees, commercial building, and business inventory. Once the task of addressing urgent matters is complete, the need to assess the situation and stabilize the company will probably be your next mission. One way to mitigate possible damage after a water disaster is the preservation of key business items such as wet documents.

Saving Business Documents

Flooding response time can often determine whether documents can successfully be saved. Flood water generally has a high pH level, so the longer the papers are in the dirty water, the more ink can bleed and pages can deteriorate. Some of the business documents in question may include

• Employee medical documents
• Personal identification papers
• Financial papers
• Legal documentation
• Emergency contact information

Removing water as soon as possible is essential because mold can begin to develop in as little as 48 hours. A professional recovery service can remove standing water and sterilize the documents with gamma irradiation that can be critical to prevent mold and other contaminants from ruining the papers.

Freeze-Drying Papers

By using a state-of-the-art freeze-drying method to protect valuable data, the loss of documents due to water damage can be dramatically reduced. The new document drying technique safely processes the paperwork until it can be addressed by a specialized team. The materials are vacuumed and then dried using a process known as sublimation. During sublimation, the water is removed in a gaseous state. The vacuum process can safely be used on wet documents such as

• Photographs
• Files
• Blueprints
• Books
• Parchment
• Microfiche

The restoration procedure may also include cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing all materials.

Restoring Vacuumed Materials

Restoring wet documents to their pre-damaged condition is nearly impossible, but a professional recovery team can stabilize the acidity of the water damage and quickly freeze the documents. Once the recovery is completed, the materials can often return to your business with almost no visible damage.

Call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260 for more information about document drying.

When Fire Strikes Your Commercial Building

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

If you experience a fire loss in your home or business, here are some tips to better understand the fire restoration process. 

1. Emergency Contact 

When you call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton, you will be asked questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate team, equipment, and resources.

1. Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment 

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton technicians carefully inspect the entire home or business, not just the immediate area. Sometimes, soot and water affect areas that are not always seen. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

1. Immediate Board-up and Roof Tarp Service 

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs, as seen in the photo of the commercial property. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

1. Water Removal and Drying (if water is present) 

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. Most of the water occurs if pipes melt and leak, or from the firefighters' efforts to extinguish the fire. We use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the water and complete the drying process. 

1. Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces 

We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

1. Cleaning and Sanitizing 

We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire.  We’re also trained to remove several types of odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

1. Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton has a reconstruction division that focuses solely on getting your home or business back to normal, "Like it never even happened."

Having a company that can coordinate the whole process from start to finish to make your life easier and get you back in your home or business faster. “Like it never even happened.”

If you would like more information on hiring a team experienced in fire damage and water damage restoration, call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton today at (251) 809-1260!

Mitigate Storm Damage to Your Property

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

The best way to prevent storm damage is to prepare before the winds and rain hit. Prevent damages, such as missing shingles, a roof leak, broken furnishings, and other havoc by taking specific steps as soon as you know there's a storm on the way:

• Trim trees and shrubs around your business to prevent branches from breaking winds or becoming projectiles.
• Pack up furnishings outside your building and stash any decorations or marketing signs that aren't completely attached.
• Board up the windows. Again, the best time to gather these supplies is before there's any news of a storm. Purchase the hardware you'll need and store it safely until you need to use it.
• Reinforce any garage doors. These doors tend to be relatively flimsy. The damage to the doors or to your exposed inventory or vehicles could become very expensive.
  
  

Of course, proper maintenance is an essential step in protecting your company property.

Gather Evidence of the Damages

Before you take any cleanup steps and before you contact professionals to take care of the work, record the damage. First, take photos of all damage to document your losses for the insurance company. Make a written inventory of all commercial and personal property that was damaged. Don't forget to hold onto receipts when work is completed.

Practice Preventative First Aid

After the storm has passed, there are several steps you can take to keep your commercial property safe, avoid that annoying roof leak, and keep your repair costs down. One of the first is to address any damage to the roof. Use tarps and plywood to board up holes in the roof, cover holes in windows and skylights, and inspect the rest of the property.

Turn Major Repairs Over to Professionals

You may find that siding has been blown off the building or a tree branch has broken the building or some property directly. In many cases, a storm damage repair and cleanup professional is the best person to repair your damaged roof. There are many safety concerns to keep in mind before sending an employee to the top of your building. There's no roof leak more important than a person's safety.

SERVPRO Can Handle Many Types of Storm Damage

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

We can experience several kinds of storm damage. Some are wind damage, flood damage, and hail damage. Consider the following tips should your home or business be hit with storm damage.

Wind Damage Restoration

The high winds of the desert often cause severe wind damage, placing your roof at risk. Your roof is particularly susceptible. The strong winds may cause flying debris to hit or lift the roof. Roof damage can be challenging for homeowners and business owners, mainly because a roof leak may not be evident until the next storm hits.

Roof Leaks

Many roof leaks and roof damages are difficult to detect. Storms can loosen the roof without creating a problem that is not easily visible. Even small roof leaks can produce damp, moldy conditions inside your home or business. It is critical to secure roof inspection and repair immediately after high winds. Doing so can prevent long term interior damage. The professional technicians at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton can assist homeowners or business owners in receiving a comprehensive roof assessment and roof repair services when wind damage strikes.

Flood Damage

Heavy rains and flooding may cause water damage from many miles away. If the land around your home or business cannot absorb the additional water, flooding will happen. Even houses and shops at higher elevations can sustain flood damage.

Hail Damage & Recovery

Hail can damage not just your roof, exterior walls, and any detached buildings. It is a great idea to hire a storm damage restoration professional to inspect your roof, exterior walls, and outbuildings for damage. Dents, nicks, and cracks on the roof are areas where hail has damaged the exterior of your home. These weakened areas can lead to other more extensive problems like water damage

After a storm, if you are not sure if there is damage to your home or business, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton. We will access your property for any damage that could put your property at risk.

Give us a call at (251) 809-1260!

Preparing for Emergencies

11/29/2021 (Permalink)

In recent years, many forms of disasters have affected the United States. Flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and blizzards are natural disasters that can threaten your home, business, and community.

If you've seen the news, you know that emergencies can happen unexpectedly in communities just like yours, to people like you. We've seen tornado outbreaks, river floods, flash floods, historic earthquakes, tsunamis, and even water main breaks and power outages in U.S. cities affecting millions of people for days at a time.

Here are three steps to help you prepare and plan in the event that you must go for three days without electricity, water service, access to a supermarket, or local services:

1. Get a Kit: Keep enough emergency supplies on hand for you and those in your care - water, non-perishable food, first aid, prescriptions, flashlight, battery-powered radio - for a checklist of supplies, visit www.ready.gov
2. Make a Plan: Discuss, agree on, and document an emergency plan with those in your care. For sample plans, see www.ready.gov- Work together with neighbors, colleagues, and others to help build community resilience.
3. Be Informed: Free information is available to assist you from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial resources. You can find preparedness information by:

- Accessing www.ready.gov to learn what to do before, during, and after an emergency.

- Contacting your local emergency management agency to get essential information on specific hazards to your area, local plans for shelter and evacuation, ways to get information before and during an emergency, and how to sign up for emergency alerts if they are available.

- Contact your local firehouse and ask for a tour and information about preparedness.

Police, fire, and rescue may not always be able to reach you quickly, such as if trees and power lines are down, or if they're overwhelmed by demand from an emergency. The most important step you can take in helping your local responders is being able to take care of yourself and those in your care; the more people who are prepared, the quicker the community will recover.

As FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate reminded us, "Individuals and families are the most important members of the nation's emergency management team. Being prepared can save precious time if there is a need to respond to an emergency." For more information on NPM, and for help getting prepared, visit www.ready.gov, or call 1-800-BE-READY, 1-888-SE-LISTO, and TTY 1-800-462-7585 for free information.

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton wants you to be aware of the steps to take to help prepare for a natural disaster. For more information on disaster preparedness, visit www.ready.gov, or call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton; our professionals can help your business prepare for the unexpected by offering an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP). The profile is designed to be a quick and easy snapshot of your business, providing critical facility information needed for detailed emergency preparation. For a customized Emergency READY Plan, contact us at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251)809-1260.

What You Should Know After Storm Damage Affects Your Home

11/29/2021 (Permalink)

Though storms are common occurrences, storms that involve high wind levels and flooding can devastate homes. Many people don't know what will happen after their homes sustain storm damage. However, understanding cleanup methods and restoration methods, such as a tear out, can be useful to homeowners.

What Are the First Steps After Storm Damage Occurs?

After the storm has ended, there are several important steps that occur to begin the cleanup and storm restoration processes. After a storm has affected your home, the initial steps can involve:

• An assessment performed by storm damage restoration experts
• The documentation of damage, which can be provided to your insurance company
• A visit from an insurance adjuster
• Water removal with specialized vacuums, pumps and other equipment
  
  
  

How Is the Home Restored?

There are various restoration methods that are used after a storm. After water has been removed from the home, professionals will work to mitigate the damage by quickly drying the home, often using powerful dehumidifiers and other pieces of equipment. A tear out, the process of removing damaged building materials, can also be useful. After wet building materials have been removed, the home is sanitized. Finally, damaged materials are replaced.

What Happens to Damaged Items?

Many homeowners are concerned about what will happen to their damaged items after a storm. To mitigate the damage to these items, damaged belongings are usually removed from the home after a storm. Clothes, rugs and other items made of cloth can often be cleaned and restored if mold growth is not present, whereas electronics can be difficult to restore. Ultimately, whether or not an item can be restored depends on the extent of the damage and the fragility of the item itself, and items that can't be restored are replaced.

It's often useful for homeowners to know what happens after a storm affects their home. Learning what first happens after storm and water damage has occurred, knowing the methods and techniques, such as a tear out, that are used to restore homes and understanding what happens to damaged items can bring homeowners peace of mind after a storm.

If your home has suffered damage due to storms, call the restoration experts at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260!

SERVPRO Saves Homes After Storm Damage

11/24/2021 (Permalink)

We Can Reduce Flood Damage in Your Home

You were not expecting your home to flood from last night’s thunderstorm, but it did, and water is now standing in your basement. Flood waters contain contaminants like chemicals, raw sewage, and dead animals, which is why you should never hesitate to call in the professionals. Our techs set goals to make your home clean and safe after storm waters enter your house. Whenever it is possible, our crews can restore your home to its pre-storm condition. Plus, they strive to preserve many of the contents inside your home.

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton flood damage teams are highly trained and come ready to get to work when they arrive. The first step the team takes on is stopping the flow of water from entering your basement. Hopefully, that has already occurred. Next, they start extracting the water with various pieces of equipment such as a truck-mounted or portable extractor, wands and pumps that can remove water from the structure fast. The type of machinery we employ depends on the amount of water inside affected areas.

Many flooding situations may require the need for our teams to remove items from the house. When we do remove contents, our technicians keep an inventory of every item during the pack-out stage. Typically, clothing, furniture, and paper documents are sitting in several inches of contaminated water. Our crew can remove and clean all salvageable items with industrial cleaning products. Plus, they can use EPA-registered antimicrobial sprays to sanitize your items before bringing them back inside your home. Ultrasonic cleaning can also restore possessions that our customers believed were lost.

Drying the area is also an essential process during restoration. Our team can use air scrubbers to clean the air. Plus, they can utilize air movers and axial fans to enhance drying. In all cases, we use dehumidifiers to absorb water vapor. Heaters may also be put in place to target specific areas.

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton flood damage restoration services are fast and can help. We are available 24/7 to assist you in your time of need. If a flood ever occurs in your home, call us at (251) 809-1260 right away.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

11/24/2021 (Permalink)

Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Winter Storm Preparedness: Prevent Frozen Water Pipes

Winter storms are here and it won't be the last.

The National Severe Storms Laboratory categories a winter storm as having snow, sleet, or freezing rain. We can see any of this type of precipitation throughout the winter months. When the temperature is below the freezing point and precipitation is in the forecast, that’s when our office knows what types of calls we’ll be getting: water damages.

How Water Pipes Freeze and Break

Water damage during a winter storm happens when your pipes freeze.  When water freezes, it expands and creates pressure inside the pipe, which can cause it to break.  The pipes that are most likely to freeze are those outside the home that are exposed.  Other vulnerable pipes are those indoors that don’t have access to heat, like those under your kitchen cabinets or in the garage.

Indoor Frozen Pipe Prevention

• Before temperatures reach freezing, insulate exposed and vulnerable pipes.  You can do this by installing pipe sleeves or even wrapping the pipes with newspaper.
• Close the garage door to prevent cold air from coming in.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
• Keep your home heated above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

What To Do Until Help Arrives

If your pipes still freeze and you have water damage, give us a call immediately and follow the following steps:

1. Don’t delay.  Call us as soon as you notice your water damage.  The longer water stands in a structure, the more damage it will cause.  As soon as you call, we will schedule a crew of technicians to travel to your home and begin remediation.  
2. Cut off the water source, if possible.
3. Get textiles off the floor.  Many homeowners rush to put down towels to stop the water flow, and that’s okay.  Towels can easily be cleaned at our textile cleaning facility if need be.  What you want to look out for are small fragile textiles or objects on the floor that can be damaged by water.
4. Begin documentation.  Start with the point of origin and all affected areas.  While our technicians will also take the document, it's important to start documenting as soon as possible to prove your loss to your insurance company.

Be Aware of the Weather

Keep your eye on the weather forecast.  Not only will you be prepared to travel safely, it’ll also give you valuable time to prepare your home and keep it, and everyone living inside it, safe.  

Call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260!

Why You Should Hire Professionals to Clean Your Home After a Fire

7/23/2021 (Permalink)

Hidden damage and strong odors left behind by a house fire

Even after a small grease fire in your kitchen, you are going to wind up with plenty of damage afterward. You also must deal with a heavy smoky odor throughout your home, black soot on your ceiling and cabinets, burnt grease, and even melted appliances.

Many people attempt to clean up after a small fire in their home themselves. However, it is best to leave the inspection and cleanup of the fire damage to the expertise of our technicians at SERVPRO. We are trained and certified to deal with situations like this and have the proper tools as well to restore your home back to its proper state thoroughly.

Kitchen fires produce a mixture of residues which must be cleaned properly. A big challenge of kitchen fires is you will most likely have more than one kind of material which burns and leaves residues. It is not an easy task for the average homeowner to understand how to clean these residues. The different kinds include natural substances such as wood, paper, or natural fabrics, protein substances like grease and burnt food, plus synthetic substances like plastics. It is best that each kind of substance is cleaned with the right method unique to that substance.

Smoke smells are tough to combat. You can keep cleaning, but the smell of smoke can linger still. Smoke particles are tiny, and each of them has an odor. These microscopic particles make their way inside your walls through air ducts, behind the wood trim, into cabinets, under carpeting, and more. Even if you are the best cleaner in the world, there are such a vast number of places you could miss, and it can take weeks for the smell to dissipate.

The fire could have also done more damage than you realize. If flames shot up an air duct, for instance, you may not know about some of the damage done. When you allow SERVPRO staff to inspect your home, we can find all the hidden damage so that your home is completely cleaned and restored, giving you a peace of mind.

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton has the proper training to handle fire damage of all kinds. Call us at 251-809-1260!

Smoke Alarm Safety Tips

7/23/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms play a vital role in saving lives and, when properly installed, can reduce the risk of fire injury in half.*

The National Fire Protection Association recommends smoke alarms be installed in every bedroom, outside all sleeping quarters and on every level of the house. Business owners should consult the local Fire Marshall to ensure specific building fire codes and smoke detector requirements are met.

Smoke alarms work best when paired with a fire escape plan. A plan allows your family, employees, or clients to escape quickly and safely in an emergency situation.

Review the following tips regarding smoke detector installation and maintenance. For more on emergency preparedness, contact SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton.

- Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, including the basement.

- Smoke alarms should be installed away from the kitchen to prevent false alarms. Generally, they should be at least 10 feet from a cooking appliance.

- Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.

- Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm "chirps," the battery is low and should be replaced right away.

- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

JUST THE FACTS: Smoke Alarms

- Three out of five fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or when the alarms are not working.

- Smoke alarm failures usually result from missing, disconnected, or dead batteries.

- More than one-third (37 percent) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present.

- The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.

*Statistics and tips provided by National Fire Protection Association

Electrical Fires Can Cause Extensive Damage

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Offers Electrical Fire Damage Restoration Services

Statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration indicate that electrical fires account for about 7 percent of all residential fires in the country. This figure becomes much more significant when scaled down to a specific location. In most cases, the fire occurs from increased use of lights and heating appliances and usually starts in the bedroom. However, the highest number of fatalities (i.e., injuries and even deaths) come from fires happening in the family room, living room, and den.

When it comes to electrical fires, you cannot afford to be tolerant. You need to contact a locally based fire damage restoration company, such as SERVPRO, to start the mitigation process as fast as possible. Some electrical fires happen due to appliance failure or problems in house wiring, but many are a result of simple mistakes such as overloading extension cords or electrical outlets. Whatever the case, our IICRC-certified technicians have the tools and expertise to reverse the damage as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Research on fire damage events has shown that faulty wiring is the leading cause of electrical fires in most homes. If your house is at least two decades old, it is highly likely to have faulty wiring behind the walls. Rodents such as rats, mice, and squirrels can find their way into these spaces and chew on electrical cords, increasing the risk of a fire disaster.

At SERVPRO, we also deal with many instances of electrical fire damage resulting from shoddy installation. Home building trades are flooding with professionals who cut corners to save time or money, including electricians. On the other hand, overloading an older electrical system with modern electrical devices can prove to be too overwhelming, leading to damages on your wiring, appliances, and even the breaker box.

Holiday seasons are associated with the most house fires resulting from misusing extension cords. Generally, an extension cord should only serve as a temporary solution, especially when it comes to plugging several things in at once. Apart from overloading extension cords, using a frayed power cord can also lead to serious fire damage. Indeed, electricity can escape through the holes in the cord and set the surrounding materials ablaze.

In the event of an electrical fire, make sure that everyone is safe and then contact SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton as quickly as possible to deal with the fire damage. Electrical fires come with many hidden safety hazards, so it is important to allow trained restoration experts to come in and assess the extent of the damage. For any assistance, you can reach us 24/7, every day of the week at (251) 809-1260.  

Avoid Fire Hazards in the Kitchen

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

Who knew that the kitchen would become that wonderfully versatile place where family and friends gather to spend quality time while delicious meals are being cooked up? Unfortunately, however, the kitchen is also a space where many home fires occur.

Fires caused by cooking are listed as the No. 1 contributor of home fires and injuries. And the leading cause of these kitchen fires is unattended cooking.

In 2017, State Farm paid out over $130 million in homeowners insurance claims related to grease and other cooking fires. According to the insurance company, these are the worst states for kitchen fires:

• North Carolina
• Texas
• Pennsylvania
• California
• Ohio
• Illinois
• Maryland
• New York
• Alabama
• Georgia

Important Kitchen Safety Tips

Staying in the kitchen to supervise your cooking is not the only fire safety tip you should be following. Here are some other helpful tips to observe while cooking:

1. Clothing is flammable! Does your outfit have long, flowing sleeves or is it big and baggy? It could catch on fire if you aren’t careful while cooking over the stove. It’s best to wear short or close-fitted sleeve shirts and make sure any baggy shirts are tucked in or tied back.
2. Be observant as to what you have around the stovetop. Make sure you don’t have kitchen towels, oven mitts, appliance cords or even curtains too close to the stovetop when cooking. Ideally, anything that is flammable needs to be kept a safe distance from it.
3. Have a fire extinguisher available in/near the kitchen. It is important that you have at least one fire extinguisher available in your home and, ideally, one that is near your kitchen. Make sure you know how to properly use the extinguisher, just in case it is ever needed.
4. Hot grease in the garbage can be dangerous. While the grease may not actually be on fire, it might be hot enough to cause something in the trash to burn. You should let the grease cool a bit and then dispose of it in an old coffee can. Also, know the smoke points of the oils you cook with. Be sure to never subject a low-smoke point oil to high heat when cooking, as it could catch fire.
5. Make an emergency escape plan and practice it! It’s never fun when it comes to thinking about the worst that could happen, but it’s better to be prepared than to be caught by surprise if an emergency were to occur. Go over exit routes and designated meeting points with your family, making sure that everyone knows what to do.

Fire safety in the kitchen is an absolute necessity, as it can help prevent dangerous and destructive cooking fires. If your home has experienced damage from a cooking fire, know that SERVPRO® of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton is here to make it “Like it never even happened.”

What is Water Damage Restoration?

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton, our goal is to restore instead of replace whenever possible. Following are the steps we undertake in order to restore your property after a water damage incident.

Water damage restoration entails:

• It is putting someone’s home or business back together after a water damage incident. 
• It is the extra things, like re-laying the carpet, repairing the subfloors, and re-setting the contents. 
• It is restoring items to a preloss (normal) condition, whenever possible. 

Once the structure and contents are dry, our technicians can perform the restoration services. Restoration services are all of the tasks needed to return the site to its normal, preloss condition. During restoration:

• All repairs to structure and contents are completed. 
• Final cleaning is performed. 
• Final inspections are made. 
• All equipment is removed from the job site. 
• All of the customer’s contents are put back in place. 

Restoration may include:

• Cleaning, repairing, or reinstalling floors and floor coverings, such as carpets, carpet pads, hardwood floors, resilient, and non-resilient floors. 
• Removing and resetting contents to install or repair floor coverings. 
• Installing tack strips. 
• Seaming carpet. 
• Repairing or replacing subfloors. 
• Cleaning, replacing, or refinishing structural materials, including walls, plates behind baseboards, ceilings, insulation, framing, and vapor barriers. 
• Cleaning or repairing items in non living areas, including basements, crawl spaces, attics, and storage areas. 
• Cleaning, repairing, or replacing ductwork or other portions of the HVAC system. 
• Inspecting, cleaning, or replacing components of the electrical system, including outlets, switches, light fixtures, and ceiling fans. 
• Cleaning, deodorizing, or replacing window coverings, including blinds and draperies. 
• Cleaning and deodorizing contents. 

If you are in need of water restoration at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260!

Choose SERVPRO for Mold Remediation

6/19/2021 (Permalink)

For most homeowners, mold is not even on the list of dangers to their residences. Fire and especially flooding are what occupies most people’s concerns over their home and checkbook. What many forget is that mold can grow unnoticed for years to become just as expansive and expensive a threat.

So why use SERVPRO for cleaning and removing mold damage to your home? Our restoration teams train to the latest industry standards for cleaning and remediation. Our office maintains an extensive inventory of cleaners and equipment for a rapid response. If we do need additional, specialized tools, our access to a national support network ensures we can get everything we need in usually only a day.

The first step our technicians take is to isolate the mold infested areas from the rest of your home. They turn off the HVAC system and, if the ducts are clear of mold, cover the vents with plastic to prevent contaminating them while cleaning. As they do this, other team members seal off the affected area with heavy, plastic sheets and set up a combination of air movers and fans to create negative air pressure and direct loose spores out of your home.

Now, our restoration team removes mold from surfaces in the affected area. The type of surface determines what tools we use. If a surface is metal, glass or plastic, it is non-porous, which means the mold rarely penetrates the surface. Our technicians can wipe these surfaces free of the mold using clothes or sponges. For thicker layers, they may need to use water or a mild cleaning agent to break them up for removal.

For items like carpets, wood, or building materials like drywall, mold often grows or settles into the surface. These are porous surfaces and are harder to clean. SERVPRO technicians have to use stronger cleaning agents and a brush to agitate the mold to draw it out. In many cases, especially with drywall, we recommend disposal since it is cheaper to replace the items than expend the labor hours to restore them.

Afterward, we wait for any spores disturbed by our efforts to settle on surfaces. Our teams use vacuums with special, HEPA filters designed to draw out even a single mold spore from a table or chair. They finish by wiping down the surfaces and then repeat these last actions until the air mold content tests at a safe level.

SERVPRO Can Handle Biohazard Cleanup

6/18/2021 (Permalink)

Blood, bodily fluids, and other biohazards can endanger anyone who comes in contact with them. Even trace amounts so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye can pose serious health risks. When a site in your home or business has been contaminated, how do you make it safe again? Rely on the professionals at SERVPRO for top-notch biohazard cleanup and restoration services.

Avoiding Health Risks 

Is it necessary to seek professional assistance in cleaning up a location impacted by crime, trauma or death? With the risks posed by blood-borne pathogens and dangerous communicable diseases, cleaning a scene contaminated with biohazards like blood is a perilous undertaking for anyone who lacks the proper training and equipment. It is unpleasant to think about, but blood and bodily fluids are prone to splattering so that minute amounts can affect a wide area. The air at these scenes can be hazardous since small particles can become airborne if dried material is disturbed. Anything removed from the scene must also be disposed of properly to avoid spreading the contamination. Besides, you cannot assume the area is safe again just because the visible traces have been removed. If a space contaminated with blood or other biohazards is not appropriately cleaned, sanitized and restored, these unseen hazards can linger, posing a threat to anyone who enters it. Ultimately, the best way to make sure that a place is once again safe is to use a professional organization like SERVPRO that is experienced in biohazard restoration.

Preventing Legal Repercussions 

As if the health risks created by biohazards are not dire enough, failure to have a contaminated space properly cleaned can also have serious legal consequences. The responsibility for cleaning up after a crime, trauma or death falls on the property owner, and there are regulations and laws regarding how biohazards are handled that must be followed. These rules are designed to safeguard everyone, and ignorance is not considered an acceptable excuse for disregarding them. Individuals and businesses that do not follow these rules may find themselves facing hefty fines. They might even be held liable if someone else is injured by their actions. Using a professional team that understands what is required to comply with the various rules and regulations governing biohazards in your area can shield you from both health risks and legal issues.

Focusing on Your Safety At SERVPRO, we are committed to the well-being of our customers. Offering emergency services 24 hours a day, we will rapidly respond whenever you request our assistance. Our technicians follow the protocols established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), so you can be confident that they have the expertise and training to remove all biohazards and dispose of them properly. We use specialized equipment that allows us to detect the presence of even a minute trace of a biohazard, and we do not stop until your scene is thoroughly sanitized. As biohazard restoration professionals, we can often salvage items that others might have to discard, and we ensure that any material that does need to be removed from your location is disposed of appropriately. Dealing with a crime, trauma or death is undoubtedly difficult, but you can depend on SERVPRO for courtesy, empathy, and the quality biohazard cleanup and restoration services that you need. Safety-minded, we are ready to do our part in restoring your space and your peace of mind.

Training is the Key at SERVPRO

6/17/2021 (Permalink)

Training is vital in our industry. Things are constantly changing. Our team needs to stay up on the newest technology as well as the newest information and requirements from insurance companies. 

We trained on the use of our proprietary software program that we utilize in the field to collect and record data in regards to clients losses. This information forms the story of the loss for insurance companies and the client for documentation. It is vital to record the information in regards to affected materials and the process of restoring the affected materials. 

Our team has weekly Monday production meetings to go over any thing of importance but we also do more in depth trainings like these as needed to keep us up to date on information and well informed to make sure we are always ready to help our clients with the most up to date information.

Water Migration Detection is Why SERVPRO Delivers Success

6/16/2021 (Permalink)

When a homeowner tries to determine the extent of a water loss, both instincts and common sense can fall short. When water gets loose inside your home, it can migrate far from the original plumbing break, roof leak, or appliance breakdown. Without the tools to detect the path the water followed, significant damage can go unnoticed. Our investments in education and innovative moisture identification tools help avoid additional expense and secondary damage, why we offer our help. 

Water Detection is a Science and an Art

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) courses our managers and production technicians master covers the expected and unexpected behavior of water damage inside a bungalow. The lathe and plaster and stucco construction of signature Arts and Crafts structures are both charming and capable of hiding water damage when it is minor and manageable. Our training and experience in tracing water meanderings behind walls and built-in fixtures explains why we are skilled in finding and solving water problems before the integrity of your historic home is compromised.

Aging Heating and Plumbing Plus Temperature Extremes Equal Water Damage Challenges

When your dining room oak floor develops cupping and crowning the search for a water source can be daunting. Bungalows often retain their 100-year-old gravity heating, with old radiators filled with hot water from the boiler in the basement warming spaces. Rusted pipes and failing valves can slowly saturate the floor, unnoticed at first as the issue begins and then spreads from behind the radiator at the wall. Mold development on a main level wall or ceiling can trace to ice dam development the previous winter, moisture seeping in the attic from clogged gutters eventually traveling downwards. Our familiarity with this type of insidious damage is why SERVPRO can respond quickly and reliably to your water damage challenges.

Sensitive Moisture Meters and Infrared Cameras

The availability of and skill in using water detection tools are why SERVPRO crews can outline water damage with accuracy and confidence. Infrared technology indicates the presence of water through temperature variations. Moisture meters establish relative levels of absorbed water in building materials. Periodic use of these tools throughout a water damage remediation project ensures we find and release liquids. Then our Applied Structural Drying (ASD)-certified technicians create an effective drying plan using the data, moving water out of structural components with temperature adjustments and air movement. Dehumidifiers capture the vaporized water for disposal. Moisture measurements continue until we reach designated levels, avoiding over or under drying.

Training and innovative equipment are two reasons why SERVPRO efficiently mitigates and remediates hidden water damage.

SERVPRO's Trained Restoration Specialists

6/15/2021 (Permalink)

We have always put a high priority into educating our team. That need is more important than ever today. SERVPRO is an IICRC certified firm with certified technicians. That means you can expect the very highest in standards and protocol to be used in your home or business.

IICRC Training and Certification

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries. Our Professionals study IICRC standards and best practices in water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and other cleaning and restoration courses.

Employee Certification Training

The Employee Certification Training is a voluntary, self-paced program designed for SERVPRO Franchise employees. Certification is awarded after successful completion of course materials and an examination. Modules include:

• Crew Training
• Fire Restoration
• Water Restoration
• Advanced Structural Drying

SERVPRO Document Restoration Services

6/14/2021 (Permalink)

Document Restoration Services

After any major disaster, restoring your business and mitigating losses is essential for returning your company to an operational state in a timely manner. In addition to clean-up and repairs, you should add document restoration to your list of recovery action items. Using a professional restoration service can help you protect and save many of your important documents, including:

• Books, journals and magazines
• Patient records and employee files
• Blueprints and maps
• Photographs, film and negatives

Professional document restoration services can save your business because they follow through procedures for preserving and protecting critical paperwork that is often irreplaceable. Insurance companies trust SERVPRO because of the following state-of-the-art offerings.

1. Modern Technology

SERVPRO uses vacuum freeze-drying, a document drying technique that has been approved by the National Archives and Records Administration. They also use gamma irradiation technology to clean and sterilize items. This is particularly useful if your documents have been exposed to chemicals or bacteria during the incident.

2. Security

Documents are handled by HIPAA-certified technicians, ensuring compliance with privacy requirements. Your documents are also kept under 24/7 surveillance.

3. Digital Organization

Converting your files to digital files is a wise choice for protecting them against future incidents. In the event of a fire or flood, your contracts, files and paper materials will stay safely stored and out of harm’s way. Digital files are much easier to organize and access using a computerized inventory system, and they can free up storage space that used to house paper files.

In addition to the services above, a full-service restoration option is available to handle every step of the restoration, from drying and sanitizing to rejacketing and digitizing. This full-service option can save you time and money since the document drying is performed by SERVPRO and is not outsourced to a third party.

After disaster strikes, it is normal to feel overwhelmed about the cleanup process. However, being prepared and having a reliable document restoration service you can trust will save you time and ensure your business is protected.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Damage

6/13/2021 (Permalink)

• How long will the fire restoration process take?
  Because there are many variables and many services involved in fire and smoke restoration, it is difficult to predict exactly how long the complete restoration will take. Consult with your SERVPRO Technician on the estimated dates and phases of your restoration project.
• Can I clean the fire damage myself?
  We suggest that you do not attempt any “do-it-yourself” cleaning methods without consulting your SERVPRO Technician. Professional cleaning systems and products used by experienced, trained SERVPRO Technicians give you the best chance for complete restoration of your belongings. Pre-testing, using the right cleaning agent for the particular item, mixing deodorizing agents with cleaning solutions, and using correct dilution rates are just some of the ways a fire restoration technician expertly controls the results.
• What are some safety concerns?
  At SERVPRO, occupant and worker safety is a top priority. During the initial inspection, safety hazards are identified and addressed, including debris removal, air quality, electrical hazards, slip and trip hazards, etc. Burnt electrical cords and appliances are separate out for disposal, and questionable electrical appliances are unplugged and tagged for evaluation of the safe operation. Electrical power may be turned off and kept off until evaluation by a licensed electrician.
• Can I turn on my heating and air conditioning unit?
  We recommend that you not turn on your furnace or air conditioning unit without clearance from the HVAC contractor.
• What items do I keep in my possession?
  Cash, Medications, Valuable Jewelry, Checkbooks, Personal Documents, Valuable Paintings, Flammables, Pet, Weapons/Ammunition, Gasoline, Cans, Stamp/Coin Collections, etc.
• How do I keep track of non-restorable items?
  We recommend you make a list of items (including food items) deemed non-restorable. Use a format like a sample below, or obtain a similar form from your insurance company. Make a copy for your insurance company and keep one for yourself.
• Do I need to move out of my property during the fire restoration process?
  This is ultimately your decision. Some things you may want to consider are safety concerns, odors, electricity, noise from equipment, etc. If vacating your premises for any length of time, consider the following: forward your mail to your temporary residence; stop newspaper and other deliveries; notify utility company, Cable Company, etc. of temporary suspension of services.
• Do I need general contractors?
  There are some items that may require general contractors, such as drywall/painting, electrical, plumbing, roofing, framing/finish carpentry, flooring/carpet, installation of doors, windows, cabinets, post-construction cleanup, etc. Please talk with a SERVPRO representative as we have the ability to provide these services to you through our own in-house facility.
• Do my belongings need to be moved away from the premises?
  Depending on the source, nature, and extent of the fire, it may be best to remove all belongings to a secure facility for cleaning, storage and to make room for restoration or construction. SERVPRO will work with you and your insurance claim representative to manage this process.
• Will I have access to my belongings while they are in storage?
  Yes, with advance notice we can schedule a time for you to access your requested items.
• What about special items? Artwork, china, heirlooms, etc.
  Some high-value items require restoration by specialists. Working with your insurance claim representative, we can help you identify these and locate a qualified restorer.

Who is responsible for payment for the service?
Ultimately you, the property owner, are responsible for payment and will need to sign a form authorizing repairs and payment for the restoration services. If this is an insurance claim, SERVPRO generally collects the deductible (co-payment) amount from you and bills the balance to your insurance provider as a service to you. If you have a large loss, your mortgage company may be included as a payee on the payment from your insurance company, and you may need to obtain a signature from them as well. If your claim is not covered by the insurance or you decide not to file a claim, you will be expected to pay in full.

Kitchen Fire Prevention Tips

6/12/2021 (Permalink)

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. It’s important to be alert to prevent cooking fires.

Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.

Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.

If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

Keep anything that can catch fire—oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains—away from the stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire, consider the following safety protocols to help keep you and your family safe.

Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.

For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.

Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

Smoke Detector Maintenance Tips from SERVPRO

6/11/2021 (Permalink)

You have several appliances, systems, components and products in your home, many of which you use and depend on every day. Perhaps the most important one is something you hope to never need: a smoke alarm. This device is a critical warning mechanism that will alert you if smoke is present in your home. However, if you don't have enough in your house, or if you don't properly maintain them, you could suffer awful consequences if a fire does start.

Proper Alarm Placement, Care

If you move into a new home, you shouldn't have to worry much about whether you have enough alarms. On the other hand, older places might not be up to smoke detector standards. Make sure you adhere to the following:

• Have one alarm in every sleeping room of the house.
• Have one alarm outside each sleeping area.
• Have at least one alarm per floor.
• Make sure you properly install each alarm; have a professional help you if necessary.
  
  

Replacement

For years, fire damage restoration experts have advised homeowners to replace the batteries in each alarm at least once a year. This is a good guideline to follow if you have an older alarm. Newer alarms, however, have a much longer battery life. With these, you'll only have to change the batteries once every 10 years. It is wise to test your alarm monthly. Most models have a function where you can push a button on the device, which will sound the alarm, letting you know the battery is working and that the sound is sufficiently loud.

Don't Disconnect

Whatever you do, never disconnect a smoke alarm. Some homeowners get annoyed when the alarms go off if something is burning on the stove or in the oven. It's unwise to unhook your alarm under any circumstance.

A smoke alarm could save your life someday. Make sure you have the right number in your home and that you replace the batteries properly.

Summer Fire Prevention Tips from SERVPRO

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

We here at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton deal with many house fires throughout the year, they are the most common disaster throughout the U.S and with the summer rolling in, here are some ways you can help prevent these: 

#1. Don’t use fireworks at home

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, it’s always best to leave fireworks to the professionals and attend public fireworks displays instead.

#2. Be careful when grilling outdoors

Practice safe grilling this summer with these grilling fire tips:

• Always use your grill outdoors and far away from any structures. 
• Clean your grill after every use to prevent a buildup of fat or grease that can cause a grease fire.
• Stabilize the grill on a flat surface to prevent it from tipping.
• Watch for gas leaks. 
• Use charcoal starter fluid carefully. Don’t add starter fluid to the fire if it starts to go down.
• Have baking soda, a bucket of sand, or a fire extinguisher handy if you need to put out the fire. Never add water to a grease fire.

#3. Beware of lawn mower fires

You may use your mower with no signs of trouble then put it away in your garage without realizing the potential danger. If the fuel flows from the tank into the engine while the engine is turned off, it will eventually cause a buildup of flammable vapors and a heat source can spark a fire in your garage. To reduce this risk, replace your fuel line every other year, inspect your carburetor for damage, and add fuel stabilizer every fill up.

#4. Have your air conditioner inspected

Regular maintenance and tune-ups of your heating and cooling systems can help prevent a fire. 

#5. Reduce your risk of a kitchen fire

Throughout the year, kitchen fires are responsible for most home fires. The stovetop is the usual starting point for kitchen fires, not the oven. To reduce your risk of a fire, always remain in the kitchen when grilling, frying, or cooking on your stovetop. Make sure there are no flammable materials near the heat such as a paper towel dispenser or dish towel. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen but not too close to the stove and oven in case of fire and remember to suffocate cooking flames with a lid, not water.

#6. Check your dryer

Most dryer fires are the result of failing to clean the dryer vent ductwork as highly flammable lint will build up over time and may be ignited by the heat of the dryer. Clean your lint trap between every load and clean your dryer vent at least once a year with a special vent cleaning brush. Make sure the outside dryer exhaust vent allows hot air to escape.

#8. Make sure your smoke detectors work

You should have at least one smoke detector on every floor of your house in an area where it can be heard from every room of the house. Inspect your smoke detectors regularly to make sure they work and develop an escape plan that your entire household can practice in case of emergency. The escape route should have two possible exits from every room and these paths should be as free of clutter as possible.

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher

6/9/2021 (Permalink)

Every fire extinguisher is assigned a class. The suppressant in a Class A extinguisher differs from a Class B, C, D, or K extinguisher. Homeowners should consider where each piece of home fire safety equipment will be kept and choose the most effective suppressant for the fire risks in this area. The following fire preparedness measures can help homeowners purchase the right extinguishers.

Consider the Location

Certain extinguisher classes are better suited for different parts of a residence. Here are a few general guidelines:

• Home extinguishers should be able to put out fires involving standard combustibles
• It is a good idea to put an extinguisher rated for electrical equipment near appliances
• Class B extinguishers can be used on flammable liquids in a garage or work space or kitchen grease fires
  
  

Some extinguishers, such as Class D or K, are less common for residential use. Even though a Class K extinguisher is designed to suppress grease fires, using this extinguisher improperly can cause grease to spatter and spread the fire.

Check the Suppressant Class

Each fire extinguisher class is determined by the suppressant. Here are the contents of each major class of extinguisher:

• Class A uses monoammonium phosphate
• Classes B and C combine monoammonium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate
• Class D uses sodium chloride or copper powder
• Class K uses potassium compounds
  
  

Multi-class extinguishers are also available. A-B-C extinguishers are popular for residential use.

Choose One-Time Use or Refillable

Homeowners can save money up front by purchasing a single-use extinguisher. A rechargeable extinguisher costs more, but refills are less expensive than buying a new extinguisher designed for one-time use.

All of these factors determine which class of fire extinguisher is the best choice for various areas of a residence. If a fire is too large to suppress, home fire damage restoration specialists can rebuild structural damage and clean contents.

Wood Encapsulation After a Fire

6/8/2021 (Permalink)

In the process where SERVPRO is preparing a home that has had fire damage, the smells and air quality are very strong and unhealthy to say the least.

Even weeks after the entire home has been demoed and the inside of the home is close to being ready for construction to replace drywall, re-texture walls, paint, lay flooring, etc... The odor still lingers!

Here at SERVPRO we tackle the air quality by cleaning ducts, and often replacing the ductwork. The next step is to encapsulate all wood framing that was not damaged however still has been affected by odor.

Once full encapsulation is complete, the home begins to have a clean smell and is safe for being reconstructed.

SERVPRO takes great pride in this entire process and the family is always very hands-on in the SERVPRO process. It is actually very healing for the family because when anyone has been awoken by a home fire, it is very scary and unsettling!

Allowing these families to be a part in choosing what personal belongings they get back within 48 hours, helping to choose new paint colors, flooring, and stepping in to their home once it is encapsulated, it very comforting and these families begin to not only feel hopeful but they begin to relax and see themselves actually coming home.

Give SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton a call at 251-809-1260!

We Specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup & Restoration

6/7/2021 (Permalink)

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your San Mateo County Home's basement could flood, including:

A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
Storm sewer backup
Sanitary sewer backup
Foundation drainage failure
Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
And many more
Have Questions about Basement Flooding?
Call Today - 650-794-1000

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of South San Francisco City/ San Bruno and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
Our Technicians are Highly-Trained in Water Restoration Techniques
We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

How to Locate Water Leaks in Your Home

6/6/2021 (Permalink)

Water leaks are more than just a nuisance. Undetected leaks — or those that are simply ignored — can eventually lead to costly repair and further water damage due to rot, mold growth from extra moisture, and other extensive damage. Finding and fixing a water leak early on & before it gets out of hand can save you money and avert potential disaster.

The first sign of a hidden leak can be a higher than normal water bill. Once you’ve ruled out that the cause isn’t due to extra water use by house guests or from watering your lawn and garden during the warm-weather months, an undetected leak is the likely culprit.

Did you know that fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills? 

There are a few different ways to check for hidden water leaks. The first tool is your water meter.

In addition to telling the utility company how much water you’ve used, your home’s water meter can also be used to your advantage to find hidden water leaks.

Follow these simple steps to uncover your water leak:

1. Stop using all water inside and outside the house. This includes all the indoor faucets, outdoor faucets, water-using appliances, ice makers, and automatic backflow cleaning in whole-house water filters. Don’t flush the toilet during the test.
2. Locate your water meter. If your meter has a water flow indicator, watch the indicator for movement. This is a small rotating wheel on the meter that can detect even small amounts of water flow. If it moves when you know no one’s using any water, then there’s a leak somewhere in your house.
3. If you don’t have a water flow indicator, record the numbers that appear on the meter. Wait a few hours (remember not to use any water during this time).
4. Check the meter. If the meter reading goes up, it’s an indication of a hidden water leak.

Now that you know you have a leak, the next step is pinpointing its exact location. The following are the most common places for a home water leak to occur.

What is Secondary Water Damage?

6/5/2021 (Permalink)

Here Are A Few Things You Should Know About Secondary Damage

Any time you have water damage in your home, there’s a chance that secondary damage could also pose a risk. From what this damage is to types of damage, including black mold, here are a few things you should know.

1. What It Is

A secondary type of damage is any damage that occurs as a result of damage related to the initial problem. For example, if a pipe breaks the carpet could get soaked. This is a primary damage. However if the soaked carpet is not dried and the sub-floor warps, the damage to the sub-floor would be considered secondary. Secondary damage usually occurs if the initial damage is extremely severe, incorrectly cleaned up, or damage that is not cleaned up in a timely manner.

2. Types of Damage

There are a few types of damage that often fall into the secondary category. These include warped wood, cracking in sheet-rock or plaster, peeling vinyl, cracked tile, water stains, black mold, and high humidity problems as excess water evaporates. If the water damage has created a weakness in the exterior of the home, such as the roof, you may also experience problems from high winds or additional weather.

3. What To Do

If your home has suffered any type of water damage it’s best to contact a water damage restoration service for help with cleanup and repairs. These professionals can act quickly, are trained in the proper cleanup procedures, and have the tools necessary to safely do the job. Correctly handling the situation can help you prevent additional secondary damages.

It’s important to remember that secondary damage happens as a result of water damage. It can include things such as warped flooring or black mold. If you have water damage it’s important to call a restoration service, and make repairs as quickly as possible. Doing so can help you mitigate additional damages to your home.

Heavy Rains Can Lead to Water Damage

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

It does not take a large flood or severe weather to cause water damage to buildings—in fact, any amount of moisture can cause damage.

Heavy rains, defined as a rainfall rate greater than 0.3 inches per hour, are a big culprit of water damage, as they can suss out leaky spots in your home that lighter rain may not affect.

It is important to know where these vulnerabilities lie so that you are able to prevent them and know what to look out for.

How Household Water Damage Can Be a Result of Heavy Rain

Backup of clogged gutters. When gutters are filled with debris and do not allow water to drain effectively, heavy rain can quickly lead to serious pooling of water against your roof. This water can begin to seep into the areas it comes into contact with and cause damages.

Leaks around windows and doors. Any external opening of a home will be sealed when it is constructed, but with age, these storm-proofing measures can grow weaker. Steady rain can work its way into microscopic vulnerabilities in this sealant and lead to leaks.

Poor drainage around the foundation. When water is not able to drain away from the foundation and there is a lot of it, it can begin to seep into even the most resilient of materials such as cinder blocks. Landscaping and proper drainage are great ways to defend against this.

Leaks in and around the roof. Roof leaks are some of the leading causes of water damage to the home, and they can be quite sneaky. Broken shingles or general disrepair can lead to vulnerabilities that steady rainfall can quickly exploit and seep into.

Malfunctioning of a sump pump system. For houses that have a sump pump installed, regular care is important to ensure it is working properly. If it is unable to drain water out of your home, you can wind up with a serious flooding issue.

Leaks around chimneys and skylights. Seals on the roof around chimneys and skylights should be checked often and well-maintained to prevent leaks. As these seals age, they can begin to let in water especially if they become overwhelmed with rain.

If you experience water damage due to heavy rain, call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260!

Facts About Sewer Backups

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

Facts About Sewer Backups

When storms bring heavy rain water you may find your business is in danger of sewer backup. Cleaning up the mess can be a tricky process so there are several things you should know.

1. Sewer Water is Classified as Black Water

It’s important to note that all sewer water is classified as black water. This is because any water that may have been highly contaminated by fecal matter, bacteria, fertilizer, and other substances unsafe for human consumption falls into this category. Flood water is categorized in this way as well because it is difficult to determine where the water flow has been.

2. Safety Standards Should Be Followed During Cleanup

Due to its contaminated nature, there are many safety recommendations for dealing with sewer backup. A local flood damage restoration service will already know these regulations and have the appropriate safety gear and cleaners required for the job. For this reason, it’s highly recommended to contact a restoration service if your company has experienced sewage flooding of any type. Appropriate safety gear may include waders, coveralls, masks, gloves, and shoe covers.

3. The Area Will Need To Be Sanitized

One of the main things to be remembered after removing sewer waste from an area is that the space will need to be sanitized. Doing so can help prevent the spread of bacteria or other contaminants that could lead to further problems in the long term if left untreated. Fortunately, your restoration tech will have the appropriate cleaners and equipment to clean the space before repairs begin.

When dealing with sewer backup it’s important to contact a professional who can follow all the safety standards as Sewer water is considered to be black water. It’s also important to remember that after the material has been removed and the area dries, the space will also need to be sanitized before repairs can begin.

If you have a sewage backup at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260.

A Rusty Water Heater Can Cause Problems

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a problem. If you are having a problem with your water heater, contact a qualified plumbing contractor right away. Once you have called a plumbing contractor, contact SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton to provide an inspection utilizing advanced technical equipment.

Upon inspection if damages are determined, SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton will address the water damage and provide a full repair service estimate. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton has a 24 hour emergency service team that is highly trained and ready to help you at your home or business.

Contact SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260 to help save your home or business.

Clean Homes Sell Faster!

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

It is a fact:  A clean, fresh smelling home sells faster.  Unfortunately, not all homes are maintained in the same way.  Nearly all realtors are faced, at some point, with a difficult listing to show.

Your sellers may have trouble spots to address before you list or schedule a home inspection.  The clients may choose to handle these issues themselves to avoid filing an insurance claim for the damage because it may not be covered by their policy and can affect the home's CLUE report.  CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) is a database which records reported loss and damage information, and it is utilized by more than 80% of insurance companies.  Unfavorable CLUE reports can lead to increased premiums and policy renewal issues to property owners.

Whether the problem is a water stain on a hardwood floor or a mildew smell in the basement, reassure your clients that SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton can get their home in top show condition and ready to sell.

Veteran realtors encourage clients to keep their homes in top condition for very important reasons:

• Increased market value
• Shortened list to sale conversion times
• Enhanced reputation for quality listings and quick sales.

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton offers a variety of services to help revive your listings to op show condition:

• Carpet, Upholstery, Drapery and Blind Cleaning
• Ceiling, Wall and Hard Floor Cleaning
• Deodorization
• Mold Mitigation and Remediation.

Call us today at (251) 809-1260!

We Love Online Reviews

4/30/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton love our customers and appreciate your feedback. We strive hard to train our employees to meet the standards in our industry and to communicate clearly with our customers. If we have performed a job for you please take the time to leave us a review on Google, Facebook or Yelp. Many customers have complimented us on our response time and the quality of our work. Many of our employees have been named specifically on our customer satisfaction forms and we appreciate that. 

Please consider leaving us an online review of our great work on Google at the link below. We're not perfect but we correct our mistakes and that's the only way to conduct business.

https://www.SERVPROmonroevilleevergreenbrewton.com/customer-reviews/reviews

If you need us again please call us at (251) 809-1260.

At SERVPRO, Customer Service is Our Top Priority

4/30/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton, we make it a priority to deliver excellent customer service. We know that the situations our customers face are often stressful and complicated. A fire in their home, a busted pipe which has caused water damage in their kitchen, mold in their office building; these are all difficult situations emotionally, which is all the more reason for our employees to be sensitive to what our customers are dealing with. 

Depending on the situation, we could be there anywhere from days, weeks, or even months in the customer's home or office. Throughout this time, we build a trusting and reliable relationship with our customers. We take the time to get to know them on a more personal level and completely understand their needs. This allows them to feel more at ease throughout their entire restoration process. 

If you need our services, do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260. We are ready to take on your job and provide excellent customer service throughout the process.

Landlord Responsibilities After a Fire

4/29/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage to a kitchen after a grease fire

When a fire breaks out on a rental property, it can be hard to figure out who has to pay for the damages. Whether you rent out commercial or living space, the liability after a fire is pretty straightforward. Your tenants have to cover the damages done to their personal belongings, such as televisions, furniture and paintings. However, you are responsible for most damages done to the building itself. As a building owner, you may be responsible for the following tasks after an apartment fire.

Landlord's Responsibilities After a Fire

• Communicating With Fire Fighters: These first responders can help you assess the safety of your building. You and your tenants will likely want to enter the apartments to get an idea of the damage done. However, you cannot enter the building until it is deemed safe.
• Starting Claims Process: You have to get in touch with your insurance provider to report the apartment fire. Your agent may give you a list of fire restoration professionals that they prefer you use. You may also want to make sure your renter calls his or her insurance provider to start the claims process for personal belongings.
• Documenting Fire Damage: You need to take pictures of the structure, make lists of damaged appliances and record other furnishings you owned that were damaged.
• Securing the Property: You need to secure the property for two reasons. First, you need to protect the safety of those who may want to enter the building, such as your renters. Putting up warning signs may be enough to keep people out until it is safe to enter. Second, you need to keep vandals and thieves out. You may need to board up windows and put up a security fence.

After an apartment fire, you need to take the proper steps to ensure that everyone, including yourself, is safe and fully aware of the damage liabilities. While you aren't responsible for all of the damages, you do have a lot of financial responsibility. 

Give SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton a call at (251) 809-1260 for all your fire restoration needs!

Call the Mold Remediation Professionals at SERVPRO

4/28/2021 (Permalink)

Growth under a bathroom sink.

Anytime you open your windows to let fresh air in, mold spores are blowing through your home. Turning on your air conditioner or heater may produce mold. Rainy days? They are great for watching movies, taking naps, and stirring up mold.

Take a moment and look all around you - everywhere you look, mold spores are present. Moisture provides mold with the perfect climate for growth, and by the time you see mold, it has typically been growing for a long time.

No matter what any business might advertise, you can’t ever fully get rid of mold. There’s a great deal of misinformation about the mold remediation process, and it’s imperative that you work with a company that is forthcoming about the process. At SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton, we will always be open and honest with you about what our capabilities are.

Call SERVPRO to Help

All it takes is one simple phone call for help to be on the way. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, we are here for you. We want to start your mold remediation process as soon as we can, and we respond to your call and dispatch crews quickly. Mold spreads so rapidly - the faster we get started, the easier and more affordable it is to contain.

Mold Damage Assessment

Peace of mind arrives within hours of calling SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton. We quickly dispatch a Project Manager who helps navigate you through the entire process. They work alongside the crew to locate the water source that is feeding the mold growth. Using advanced technology and equipment, we are able to locate damage even if it isn’t in plain sight.

Mold Containment

The entire mold remediation process must be handled strategically, so there isn’t additional mold spreading during cleanup. For everyone’s health and safety, our highly trained team uses advanced containment equipment and procedures. Negative air chambers help us isolate the area, and negative air pressure can prevent further spreading during cleanup. It’s crucial that we successfully isolate and contain the area before moving forward.

Air Filtration

It takes professional-grade air purifiers and HEPA vacuums to help trap the mold particles. Powerful air scrubbers and filters are used to help filter out the mold spores during the remediation process. At SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton, we work hard to make sure that we stop the spreading.

Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

Every home and every situation is unique, which is why there are so many different variables involved in the mold remediation process. Mold can be found anywhere from your carpet to your ceiling. While some areas of mold can be eliminated with antifungal or antimicrobial treatments, other areas and items might require full removal. If you have carpet or drywall that needs to be disposed of, we make sure to handle it safely.

Cleaning Contents and Belongings

If mold has spread to furniture or other personal items, we have multiple ways to help restore them. We understand that you might have sentimental items that have been compromised, and we do everything we can to restore those items. Throughout the entire process, your Project Manager works closely with you to make sure that everything is handled with care. Our high-tech equipment cannot just clean and sanitize, but it can also deodorize.

Restoration

It can feel so nice once you are in the final homestretch of the project. The Project Manager assigned to you goes through the area with the team to make sure that your home is all ready to be repaired. Some homes may require some hefty rebuilding of areas, while others may require some fresh drywall or new flooring. No matter what needs to be done, we have experienced workers to make sure it gets done right.

During mold remediation, stress is inevitable, and we understand that this has affected you in multiple ways. We don’t just care about the mold in your home - we care about you. That’s why we assign you a Project Manager who is your one-stop contact and who walks you through the entire process. They are familiar with the insurance process and can provide you with any documentation your insurance company may need.

There is no one-size-fits-all process for mold remediation because there are so many ways and areas that mold can make its appearance in your home. Until we assess the magnitude of the situation, it’s hard to say what your home needs. One thing we can be sure about is that we have the skills and equipment to handle whatever remediation your home may need.

Protect your health and your home - call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at the first signs of mold in your home.

Traits of a Quality Restoration Company

4/28/2021 (Permalink)

What to Look for in a Restoration Company

When looking for a restoration company, there are a number of features you may want to look at including the ability to be faster to any size disaster. Choosing the right company for your property's restoration needs can make a difference. Here are some things you may want to consider.

1. The Ability to Deal With Multiple Damage Types

Many professional restoration services like SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton offer the ability to work with multiple damage types. This is often because one type of damage can lead to another. For example, fire put out by water can also result in mold if the water is left to stand too long. Most restoration companies can help fix smoke and fire damage, water damage, storm damage and also offer mold remediation for this exact reason.

2. A Quick Response Time

Being faster to any size disaster also means arriving with the right materials and equipment required to do the job. Locally owned franchises such as SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton have locations across the country allowing them to be where they need to be when disaster strikes. Because they are a franchise, they also have access to corporate equipment and materials, which gives them the ability to handle large-scale jobs as well.

3. They Offer a Variety of Services

A restoration company such as SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton also offers a variety of services designed to help your agent process the insurance claim. These include an electronics inventory service as well as an online database that provides access to information such as photographs and progress reports for the damaged areas, estimates, filed paperwork, and many other details needed for a properly filed claim.

Whether you're choosing a restoration company because they have the ability to be faster to any size disaster, or they can deal with multiple damage types, you may also want to look at the other services they provide. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton can help you clean contents as well as structure. 

GIVE us a call today at (251) 809-1260!

Let the Professionals at SERVPRO Handle the Cleaning

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

We receive this question many times from concerned callers: "Can I just spray bleach on it?" 

Using bleach to take care of mold was once recommended by agencies such as OSHA and the EPA. However, they have since been revised after research revealed that the "do-all, be-all cure" for killing microbial growth, actually had the opposite effect. First, let us take a look at how mold forms to understand why using bleach is not effective. 

Mold needs water, food and typically a warm temperature to grow. This illustrates the first reason to call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton: If mold is growing, chances are that the materials are wet. There has likely been a water loss of some sort, and until it is properly dried, mold will continue to grow. 

The chlorine in bleach, due to its ionic composition, cannot penetrate porous surfaces. Porous surfaces include materials such as drywall, ceilings, wood, carpet and many others. Spraying bleach on the mold will only kill it on the surface. Many people do not know that mold actually has roots called hyphae. These roots will still remain in the porous material and eventually rise to the surface again. Remember that bleach contains both chlorine and water. The chlorine cannot make it below the surface - but the water can. Thus, you are actually replenishing the mold with one of the key things it needs to grow - water! Secondly, it will "bleach" the color, making it appear that the mold is gone. Again, this is only on the surface. 

At SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton we use specialized products, designed to travel deep into porous surfaces to remove mold at its roots. Sometimes we cannot remove the mold from the material and the material must be completely removed from the home for the safety of you and your family. Our technicians are trained to differentiate between what can be safely cleaned and what cannot. In addition, live mold releases spores into the air. The air in your home may need to be treated with specialty equipment to make sure that all spores are removed.

Call SERVPRO for Immediate Service

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – (251) 809-1260

Residential Services

Whether your home needs emergency services or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business.

Give SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton a call today at (251) 809-1260 for all your residential and commercial restoration needs!

Let SERVPRO of MEB Handle Your Commercial Carpet Cleaning

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton help you with all your carpet cleaning needs! Here at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton, we use more than 100 exclusive cleaning products and award winning training to get your carpet looking restored and rejuvenated. Below are some common misconceptions about having your carpets professionally cleaned.

1. The only reason to have your carpets cleaned is to remove the dirt.

• In fact the IICRC standards for carpet cleaning S100, the CRI carpet and Rug institute, and United States EPA all state that: Carpets must be cleaned first for HEALTH and then APPEARANCE. Studies conducted by the EPA have proven that the indoor air quality of many buildings is more polluted than the outdoor air.
• Carpets act like a huge filter that traps all sorts of pathogens, toxins, and bio pollutants. For example tobacco smoke is a common toxin found in soiled carpets. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 different chemical compounds. Even if you, your family member or friends don’t smoke, the chemicals and so many others are picked up by your shoes, tracked into your house and deposited in your carpet.
• Therefore in addition to removing dirt and soil, you may want to consider the health issues and indoor quality issues related to pollution in your carpets. Having your carpets cleaned at least once a year will maintain a clean environment for you, your family, and friends.

1. Having the right equipment is all a company needs to clean your carpets properly.

• This is simply not true. Many companies have top of the line equipment but do not know how you use it. You probably know someone who bought the most high tech cell phone on the market and does not know how to use it properly. The same thing happens with carpet cleaning equipment.
• At SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton our equipment specialist goes through extensive training with our production managers on how to properly use the equipment and the do’s and don’ts when cleaning carpets. They are also trained on more than 100 products so they know exactly what products to use on all types of carpet.

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton is dedicated to excellence. We are proud of the products we sell and the service we give. We are committed to our customers and treat them with honesty and integrity. Let us help you keep you, your family, and friends’ safe. Call us today to make an appointment to have your carpets cleaned by the professionals at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260!

How Do I Restore the Floors in My Business?

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Your Business Can be Restored with the help of a Reputable Restoration Company.

Owning a business may be your lifelong dream, and you probably invest much of your capital and time in making it succeed. When you face an obstacle in getting it restored after a flood or a fire, it is best to trust experts in the field to perform a thorough assessment of the damage and guide you in the restoration process.

In our area, SERVPRO leads all restoration companies with our expert water and fire restoration technicians. Our staff trains with and holds certifications by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), verifying our expertise in the field. When you reach us at our 24/7 hotline, you gain peace of mind at being in the hands of experts.

How does SERVPRO dry my business after a water incident?

Among our specialists, we take great pride in our water restoration technicians and their expertise. At SERVPRO, we know that water in your business implies a loss of time, customers, and revenue, which is why we work diligently to restore your workspace as soon as possible. Our focus is not only on extracting water but also on removing excess moisture to protect your establishment from the threat of mold and other complications. To restore humidity levels our team may use-

Truck-mounted pumps connecting to municipal sewers as needed

Submersible pumps 

Handheld wand extractors for hard-to-reach corners 

We monitor our progress with state-of-the-art moisture meters and complement our actions with dehumidifiers, air circulators, and drying mats as needed. Our SERVPRO technicians document each step, which could help you if you are filing an insurance claim for the incident.

Let SERVPRO be your partner when life events threaten your business. Give us a call today and we’ll make it "Like it never even happened."

Electrical Fire Safety Tips

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Overloaded Electrical Circuit Safety Tips

Electrical circuits can become dangerous when overloaded.  Though it may be easy to simply plug in another power strip or extension cord when adding equipment, the wiring in some buildings often isn't capable of supporting too many high powered electronics.  Older office buildings and homes, in particular, often suffer from lack of electrical outlets.

Overloaded electrical circuits are a major cause of residential fires. Help lower your risk of electrical fires by learning the warning signs and not overloading your electrical system.

Overloaded circuit warning signs:

• Flickering, blinking, or dimming lights
• Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
• Warm or discolored wall plates
• Cracking, sizzling, or buzzing from receptacles
• Burning odor coming from receptacles or wall switches
• Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles, or switches

How to prevent electrical overloads:

• Never use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliances
• All major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Only plug one heat producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time
• A heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have a qualified electrician inspect your home and add new outlets
• Power strips only add additional outlets; they do not change the amount of power being received from the outlet

If fire damage has impacted your home or business, please call SERVPRO. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

How to Prepare Your Company for a Fire

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

The effects of a fire in your office could be devastating, especially if you're not prepared. There are effective ways to not only evacuate safely but to mitigate or even prevent the damage. Every company needs a contingency plan to be ready for a fire in the workplace. If you don't currently have one, now is the time to get started.

Preventive Measures

As a responsible business owner or property manager, you should be consistently looking out for the safety of the occupants and the protection of the property. These steps can reduce the chances of a fire starting:

• Inspect the electrical system in the building and make necessary repairs.
• Properly store flammable chemicals and materials.
• Ensure that all employees comply with regulations to smoke outside of the building.
  
  

Check Smoke Alarms

A big part of your contingency plan should include an assessment of the fire alarm system in the building. You should change the batteries every year and the alarms themselves every 10 years. If you have a digital system, have a professional test the alarms regularly. You should have several alarms on each floor of the office.

Outline an Escape Plan

If the smoke alarms go off and a fire begins to make its way through your building, will you know how to safely exit in an orderly fashion? If you have not come up with an evacuation plan, start today. Your plan should include identifying every exit on each floor. Also, assign roles to responsible people, including the task of ushering people out of the building and taking a headcount to make sure everyone safely evacuates. Determine a safe place to gather away from the building. You should practice this plan at least once a year.

A contingency plan can save your life during a fire. A professional fire cleanup and restoration team can get your building back in working order. In the meantime, you've got these important tasks to fulfill.

Avoiding Business Interruption

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

Avoiding business interruption is almost always the top priority of our commercial clients. 

At SERVPRO, many of our members come from backgrounds in finance and accounting professions, and they understand the importance of maintaining cash-flow for a business. 

Prior to beginning a commercial restoration project, the facility is walked-through with appropriate decision makers. If avoiding business interruption is a priority, our team will work with the client to provide quality service while helping the client maintain production in their facility. Some of the ways we do that is by working out a schedule with the client so that our team works after hours or on weekends while the facility is normally closed; or, we may work around the client in specified areas during business hours; another solution is moving the client to another building until restoration and repairs have been completed. Whatever the answer may be, each is tailored to meet and satisfy the needs of our client on a case by case basis.

Commercial Damage

At SERVPRO, we recognize the urgency to react and to immediately build a recovery plan when we partner with commercial clients. Our office works with our partners to make sure documents flow through the right channels in order to simplify settlements during claims or direct pay losses. If tenants are involved, we have the flexibility to work directly with them individually. We also anticipate and recognize coverage issues so that our customers can understand how the claim will be settled.

The SERVPRO brand is the most recognized and respected brand in the mitigation industry. If there is a disaster in your commercial facility, call the team at SERVPRO. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Signs of Storm Damage to Your Home

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

After a storm rolls through, it is important to inspect your house for damage the storm may have caused. Listed below are areas you should be looking at.

1. Roof: Look for shingles that have discoloration, tearing, or even holes in them. These can all be signs that your roof has been damaged. Another sign is if there are leaks in your roof or your ceiling.
2. Gutters: After a hail storm, looking for dents or dings can also give you a better picture of what the storm did to the rest of your home. Your gutters can also give you insight to whether you have roof damage. Check to see if there are granules from the asphalt shingles in your gutter.
3. Windows: Look at each of the windows on your homes and note any signs of shattered or broken window and frame damage. This is especially important after a hail storm or a strong wind storm.
4. Exterior: Not only is it important to look at the siding of your home to check for damage, it is also important that you check all appliances. Inspect your AC/HVAC unit as well as items such as an outdoor grill.

After your inspection, if you notice any signs of storm damage follow up by checking the area for signs of mold, mildew, pests or other secondary damage. Our team is able to put an emergency roof tarp to prevent any further damage. Call SERVPRO and we’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

High Winds Can Be Powerful

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

What are damaging winds? 

Damaging winds are often called “straight-line” winds to differentiate the damage they cause from tornado damage.  Strong thunderstorm winds can come from a number of different processes.  Most thunderstorm winds that cause damage at the ground are a result of outflow generated by a thunderstorm downdraft.  Damaging winds are classified as those exceeding 50-60 mph.

Straight-line wind is a term used to define any thunderstorm wind that is not associated with rotation, and is used mainly to differentiate from tornadic winds.

A downdraft is a small-scale column of air that rapidly sinks toward the ground.

A macroburst is an outward burst of strong winds at or near the surface with horizontal dimensions larger than 4 km (2.5 mi) and occurs when a strong downdraft reaches the surface. To visualize this process, imagine the way water comes out of a faucet and hits the bottom of a sink. The column of water is the downdraft and the outward spray at the bottom of the sink is the macroburst. Macroburst winds may begin over a smaller area and then spread out over a wider area, sometimes producing damage similar to a tornado. Although usually associated with thunderstorms, macrobursts can occur with showers too weak to produce thunder.

Source: www.nssl.noaa.gov

How SERVPRO Handles Storms

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

Storms have become stronger and more severe over the years.  However, thanks to the technology available today we know a storm is coming and we prepare the best we can and it still isn’t enough. Neighborhoods, cities, towns and even states are displaced by storms.  

When a storm event occurs all resources are stretched to the breaking point including shelter, food, and water. These are just the basics of necessities that are hard to take care immediately following a devastated storm. We at SERVPRO have teams all over the country who are called Storm Teams. These Storm Teams have the equipment, manpower and knowledge to hit the ground running to help clean up and restore after a disaster. 

Our corporate office does a great job of dispatching our Storm Teams to the right place so that we can help communities get back on their feet. SERVPRO works with the people, insurance companies and authorities to get the area back to normal as quickly as possible. 

When you see the next storm headed to a city rest assured SERVPRO is ready to respond where we are needed.

Clogged Drains Can Cause Flood Damage

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

Our Flood Water Removal Technicians Will Help You Handle the Storm Flood Damage in Your Property.

Floodwater can cause lasting damage when it gets into your property. It rots wood paneling, stains furniture, and causes mold infestation. However, if you engage with SERVPRO technicians immediately after the storm, we can work quickly to get your property back to its former glory.

How much does flood damage restoration cost?

The cost of storm flood damage to property varies from case to case, depending on its intensity. When looking for restoration services near you, it is essential to note that the cheapest option is not the best. Quality matters, and you need to rely on the professionals to do an excellent flood damage remediation and restoration job.

At SERVPRO, our pricing system is straightforward and guarantees every client a friendly price. We have a team of certified price-estimators who follow a standardized process of assessing the restoration cost.

What should I do after my home floods?

•   Follow the authority’s instructions.
•   Keep off from any electrical cords and switch off the main electricity supply.
•   Keep your kids from moving flood water.
•   Avoid consuming foodstuffs that came into contact with the water.

Can you remove the mud on my driveway?

Our technicians have access to top of the line equipment and tools for effective cleaning. Since flood water can carry dirt and debris to your doorstep and into your property, we can use a diesel-powered power washer to clean the mud on your driveway and sidewalk. However, the equipment's pressure might not be sufficient to break the bound of the dirt. Therefore, we can add detergent to enhance the cleaning power of the machine.

How long does the drying process take?

The drying process in water cleanup and restoration can take several days. With the help of our advanced equipment and tools, we can dry your property thoroughly. We can place several axial air movers in the affected area to facilitate drying. The equipment removes moisture in affected surfaces and turns it into airborne water vapor. We remove the water vapor from the air using your home’s HVAC system and low grain dehumidifiers. The dehumidifier converts water vapor into liquid and extracts it from the property.

If flood damage occurs in your property, act fast. The longer the contaminated water stands in your property, the more damage it can cause. Call SERVPRO today and we’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Recovering After a Tornado

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

Tornadoes are a terrifying, often devastating, weather event. They can turn houses into dust, and flip lives upside down. Living through a tornado can be traumatizing, and sometimes the aftermath is just as bad. Parts of your home may be destroyed, and the idea of fixing it can be overwhelming. Recovering from a tornado could be a huge task, depending on how bad the damage was. However, there are steps to take toward recovery and people ready to help along the way. There are steps that should be taken right after the storm passes, and other steps to take down the road when it is time for repairs and cleaning.

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

The first step is to stay in your safe place until the storm has completely passed. If you are able, try and wait until you get the all clear from local officials. After the storm, check yourself and those with you for any injuries. If someone is hurt, the next step is seeking out first aid. After everyone has been checked and is okay, you should see how bad the damage to your house is. Make sure to watch out for anything that is unstable and likely to fall. If you go outside, look out for any downed power lines. They can be life threatening, so if you see downed power lines stay inside.

Protect Your Property

After you make sure yourself and your loved ones are protected, start protecting your property. You can make temporary repairs in order to prevent further damage. Many insurance companies will reimburse you for the cost, so make sure to keep receipts just in case. In addition to temporary repairs, living expenses may also be reimbursable. If your house is damaged to the point of you having to stay in a hotel, keep the receipts. Your policy may pay you back for the cost of it. Make sure to make a list of anything that was damaged, and don’t throw out damaged belongings. An adjuster will need to assess them for value if your policy covers replacing them. You should also inspect all utility lines and appliances. Any damage could lead to a gas leak or electric shortage. Damaged electric wires may also cause a fire. You may even have to turn off the main valve in order to prevent more harm to your house. Once these steps have been taken, contact your insurance company. From there, they can work with you to see what your policy covers. Most of the time, they will hire services to come out and repair damages.

Clean Up and Repair

SERVPRO has an incredibly fast response time when it comes to disasters. We have equipment and personnel ranging across 1,700 franchises. Our experience and training will allow us to restore your property quickly and efficiently. In addition, we will document the entire process.

What to Do When a Storm Impacts Your Business

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

When you know that a storm is likely to impact your business, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, focusing on storm preparedness before a disaster occurs can help to keep yourself, your staff and your property safe.

1. Document the Building’s State Before the Storm

When a building is damaged, it’s often important for property management to provide the business’ insurance company with documentation of the destruction. However, it may also be beneficial to have photographs of your property prior to the incident. By showing an insurance adjuster what the business looked like before it sustained damage, you can help to ensure your claim is accurate.

2. Establish a Line of Communication

Storms can come on suddenly, and in the event that the property needs to be evacuated, it’s useful to know how to contact all employees in a timely manner. As part of your storm preparedness plan, you may consider asking all staff members to provide you with a way to reach them quickly before a disaster. Since you may not be present in the building when an emergency occurs, it can also be wise to create a list of tasks that the last person to exit should perform. An example might include making sure all doors and windows are closed.

3. Inspect the Property

Inspecting the structure before a storm can help you prevent damage, because leaks or malfunctioning equipment may worsen any problems that do occur. An inspection will also allow you to observe any openings in the building, which can happen when roof shingles are cracked or missing. This may let rain get inside more easily. If you see signs of a problem, you should contact emergency restoration services to prevent additional issues.

As a property manager, storm preparedness can be an important element of your job. Documenting the building before a disaster, establishing a line of communication and inspecting the structure can help you to prepare your business for any situation.

So give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are ready to help get things back to "Like it never even happened."

3 Tips for Drying After a Water Burst

11/10/2020 (Permalink)

Tips To Mitigate Water Damage

Having a pipe burst can be an unexpected disaster for any business or commercial space. Bursts that result from extreme cold or any other weather condition can cause extra damage because of the additional considerations they introduce to cleanup efforts. Here are some damage tips to mitigate water damage from a burst pipe as soon as you notice a problem:

1. Remove Objects From Floor Level

You should always ensure that water is no longer flowing from a source before you look into cleaning tips. Any items at floor level are obviously at high risk of suffering harm after a pipe burst. Because electronics present additional risks, these should be removed as a first priority. Furniture, rugs and other objects can be moved to a separate area so that you can assess whether these are salvageable at a later time.

2. Remove Water and Moisture

Water and residual moisture can lead to mold and rot, so it is essential that you remove water from affected surfaces. You can do this either with a mop and some towels or a purpose-designed wet vacuum if you have one. You can find stores that sell drying equipment as well as other water damage tips online.

3. Increase Ventilation and Get Help

In order to remove any remaining moisture from your space, you should ventilate and dehumidify all affected areas. Since doing this thoroughly can be tricky, contacting a water restoration specialist will give your space the best chance of remaining free of harmful mold. Professionals will understand how to react to outdoor weather conditions and may wish to carefully control your building's humidity over a period of time so that it does not increase after a few days.

While having a pipe burst is frustrating, many insurance plans actually cover water cleanup. Check to see what services are covered by your provider and make sure that you understand basic damage tips so you can be ready for any disaster.

How to Decide What to Save and What to Toss

11/10/2020 (Permalink)

No matter how well you prepare for storm season, a strong storm with heavy rainfall can still cause significant water damage in your building. Part of the flood cleanup process is content cleaning. It is likely that some items will need to be thrown away, but many items can probably be salvaged. There are a few factors that determine what can be saved and what must be tossed.

Surface of Item

The item itself is a prime predictor of whether or not it can be restored. Items with the following features are more vulnerable to flood damage:

• Porous surface
• Lack of finish or protective coating
• Delicate material

If an item has one of these features, storm restoration specialists may still be able to save it. If you can safely do so, try to dry the item gently to stop water damage from spreading before technicians arrive to commence content cleaning.

Contamination Level

The level of contamination also affects how likely an item is to be salvageable. If your building flood is the result of a pipe break, items can usually be saved as long as they can be dried. Items affected by storm damage, however, are more likely to be contaminated with black water and thus more likely to need to be thrown away.

Exposure Period

The longer an item sits in water or remains in a humid room, the more damage it is likely to sustain. If you delay in calling experts for a few days, you are probably going to lose many more items than if you call them right away. Quick response is vital for more successful storm cleanup.

Content cleaning is one of the steps of the restoration process, and deciding what to keep and what to throw away is a decision best made by the experts. To increase your chances of saving more items, call the professionals as soon as possible after a storm.

Smoke Detectors Can Save Lives

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

Fire spreads fast once it is started so SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton wants to remind you that smoke detectors (smoke alarms) can help save lives in your Cottage Hill home.

An alarm alerts you that danger is present giving you time to get out.

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton wants you to remember:

• Closed doors can slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. That is good for reducing smoke damage and fire damage. That is also why you should have a smoke alarm in every sleeping room in the home
• Install smoke alarms on every level of the home
• Large homes might need extra smoke alarms
• Some companies make alarms that are interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound
• Do not turn off smoke detectors when cooking
• Test the smoke alarms at least once a month. There is a test button on the alarm
• When the alarm sounds, get everyone outside and stay outside
• Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years

If your home is not properly protected by a smoke detector, please install one. If you experience a fire, immediately vacate the home and then contact your fire department once you are outside the home.

Call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260 for all your fire restoration needs!

What To Do After A Fire

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

After a house fire you may not know what to do first after the fire department leaves. It is an overwhelming and stressful experience and is hard to decide what you should do first. Being prepared and knowing what to do can do before it ever happens can make a stressful time a little bit easier. Below I am going to talk about the 5 things you should do after you have a house fire.

Contact Your Insurance Agent

• This is one of the most important steps you should complete shortly after the fire. This will get the process started of restoring your home and getting you moved back in asap.

Contact the Police

• If the fire is so bad where you’re not able to live there for some time it is necessary to let the police know. This will prevent things from getting stolen and will make sure there is no activity for people that don’t belong there.

Plan Your Finances

• During this situation you should plan what to expect financially. This includes talking with your insurance as well to see what they are going to cover as far as temporary relocation expenses, restoration services, and possessions.  

Save Undamaged Possessions

• If your home was only partially damaged it is good to go back and remove anything that wasn’t affected by the fire. Professional restoration companies have the experience and tools to restore fire affected items.

Wait to Turn on Utilities

• When you have a fire in some cases firefighters will turn off your utilities to prevent damage. You may need to have your house inspected to make sure nothing was damaged before you turn them back on.

If you experience a fire at your home or business, give SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton a call at 251-809-1260.

Indoor & Outdoor Fire Safety Tips

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

During the summer and fall months, we all love to enjoy a nice fire with our friends and family (socially distanced of course) and some s'mores! While in the winter, some of us enjoy a nice fire by the fireplace inside. However you enjoy your fires, it's important that you are safe! 

Indoor fireplaces/pellet/ wood stoves

Be sure your chimney and stove (if you have one) is inspected and cleaned by a chimney specialist once a year to ensure there is no creosote build-up and no other issues. Keep the area around the fireplace clean and clear of any fire hazards. This can include decorations, tripping hazards, and any other flammable materials. 

ALWAYS 

• Ensure the flue is open before igniting a fire
• Use fireplace gloves when adjusting the doors or screens
• Close the damper when the fire is completely out
• Control your fire

Outdoor fires 

While most of us enjoy sitting outside by the fire with friends and family, enjoying a beautiful summer or fall night, it is always important to remember and be aware of safety and any hazards. 

• Always use a designated fire pit
• Keep water nearby in case of an emergency
• Never use a flammable liquid to start a fire 
• Don't wear flowy clothing around a fire, always wear snug fit or short-sleeved clothes. 
• After you've had your fun around the fire, be sure the fire is doused with water and is fully extinguished. 

Whether you're enjoying a campfire outside or warming up by the fire inside, always be sure you're practicing proper safety measures!

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton is here to help you with any fire-related damage. Our teams are highly trained to help guide you through the entire process. We'll make it "Like it never even happened."

Give us a call at 251-809-1260! We're always here to help!

It Was Only A Small Fire - Do I Really Need SERVPRO?

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

Soot from Even Small Fires Can Cause Big Damage – SERVPRO Cleans & Restores Your Home “Like it never even happened.”

When most people picture a house fire, they think of a home that gets destroyed. But more commonly, small fires occur in a home that can seem minor but still need professional care.

We put the fire out quickly, and it seems like a quick cleanup is all that is needed?

Kitchen fires and fires from faulty appliances and outlets occur more frequently than most people realize. They are often put out quickly and leave little damage, or so it seems. Your paint may not peel, and it may look like no physical damage has occurred. The only thing you see is some soot on items in the room. The fire damage in your home may only be from smoke damage, but it can be extensive even when you cannot see it. Here’s what you should know about soot:

•   Soot is smoke that has settled onto surfaces.
•   It can cause hidden damage.
•   Its tiny particles can quickly spread.
•   It produces an acidic film that can cause worse problems when in contact with skin.
•   Specific chemicals are needed to neutralize soot.
•   If left untreated, it can eat away at the material it covers.
•   Causes odors.

Cleaning Up Smoke Damaged Rooms

Because of how soot can get into everything from furniture covers to the corners of the ceiling, you need a professional fire damage company that knows how to do the proper cleaning. SERVPRO’s fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) attack the situation with experience and the best tools. The techs use equipment such as dry sponges, HEPA vacuums, and potent cleaning agents to restore your home to pre loss condition.

Contact SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260 for quality fire damage service that is Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Top Causes of Summer Fires

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

Grill Fires

In the summer months, many people grill outdoors for various holidays and barbecue dinners. In fact, 5,700 home grill-related fires occur each year. Fifty-seven percent of these fires happen in just four months—May, June, July, and August. Grill fires happen when someone mishandles the igniting of the grill with a spark, ember, or flame. Fire hazards derive from cooking with things like coals, charcoals, or ashes. Oftentimes there are mechanical issues with the grill like broken containers or broken pipes that can also increase the risk of fire.

Take preventative measures by checking your grill’s condition before the grilling season begins. Clean the grill, the drip pan, and anything that could have grease on it from previous barbecue dinners. Inspect each part of your barbecue to make sure everything is attached properly. Additionally, be sure you are in a grill-friendly environment free of branches, roofs or any sort of overhang when igniting the grill. Be prepared for a fire, as grease and fat are likely to catch on fire. Keep baking soda near the grill in case a grease fire breaks out.

Air Conditioning Fires

About 2,300 residential air conditioners start fires each year. These fires are usually the result of inadequate wiring while having to deal with heavy electric loads, short circuits, or other electrical malfunctions. It’s not just the AC that catches on fire, if your AC heats up, flammable materials near your unit can catch on fire. Fires are most likely to occur when it’s hottest outside—between 2 and 8 p.m. While it can sometimes be impossible to be comfortable in your home without the AC on, there are ways to keep your home cool even if you don’t have the AC on all day.

Inspect your air conditioner’s wiring systems each year to prevent these types of fires. Also, find ways to use the AC less during the day. Not only will you save money, you can save your home from a potential fire. Using fans, keeping windows open during the night, and closing blinds during the day are just some ways you can keep your house cool without AC.

Arson Fires

Arson fires are the third-leading cause of fire injuries and fatalities. These fires usually peak in the month of July especially around the Fourth of July holiday since it’s not only firework season, but the weather is usually quite dry and hot, too. It is important to properly store any unused fireworks so they aren’t at risk of accidental combustion or misuse.

Smoking Fires

Smoking fires are common throughout the year but it’s important know they are the leading cause of summer fires. These fires start by improperly putting out cigarettes. If you’re outside enjoying activities like camping, be careful when smoking. Keep used cigarettes off the ground, and make sure they are properly put out before throwing them away so any dry grass nearby doesn’t catch on fire.

Summer is a time to get out and have fun. The weather isn’t the only thing that heats up during these few months. Be aware of the risk of fires and prepare by checking the batteries in your smoke detectors and having functioning fire extinguishers. 

If you find yourself faced with a fire emergency this summer, don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260!

Why Do Pipes Burst in the Summer?

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

When you hear about pipes bursting it is assumed it’s because of freezing temperatures, well that is the case most of the time but pipes can be faulty in the summer months as well.  Yes, its highly unlikely extreme temperatures and increased usage can lead the pipes to burst. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton wants our customers to be able to have tips and knowledge to help prevent it from happening!

Extreme Temperatures

With summertime comes less rainfall and harsh heat which can make the land and soil extraordinarily dry.  This makes the soil looser and makes the pipes more susceptible to movement which can lead to breakage. The breakage is more likely to happen on the route of the pipes from the road to your home, rather than inside your home. While you can’t control the weather, you can decrease the amount of water usage during extreme temperatures to alleviate the pressure on your system.

Increased Consumption

Who wants a pipe burst to put a damper on their summer? No one, right?  We know that during the summer months you may have a sprinkler,  a garden,  hanging flowers;  all of which require water.  We are just as big of fans for summertime festivities as our customers and community members, with the increase of consumption can lead to failing pipes if your system hasn’t been updated or recently checked recently.  Another way to minimize the chance of a pipe bursting is to make sure that there isn’t any warping due to the cold weather in winter, to ensure your system can keep up with summer demands.

If any loss is to occur no matter the time of year, SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton is here to help and will make it “Like it never even happened.”

Call us at 251-809-1260!

Negative Effects of Pipe Cleaning Products

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

Virtually anyone who has ever owned a home has dealt with the annoyance of backed-up pipes and a clogged drain. These issues can cause water to go down slowly or not at all. For many people, the first thought is to run to the store and pick up a drain-cleaning product. While these may seem effective, you should exercise caution and be aware of the long-term challenges they can create.

What Happens in the Pipes?

The hydrochloric acid in a drain cleaner can eat away at debris inside pipes. The liquid is designed to loosen the blockage, freeing the pipe or drain of the obstacle so water can go down. However, the chemicals can also affect the pipes and drains in the following ways:

• The chemical can sit in the pipes too long.
• The chemical can erode the pipes.
• The chemical can harm the finishes in your bathroom or kitchen.
  
  

Effects on Older Plumbing Systems

If you use these products on older pipes for a clogged drain, the consequences can be even more severe. While the cleaning agents may appear to work effectively, they can also harm the pipes through oxidation.

Effects on Plastic Pipes

If you have plastic pipes in your home, a cleaning product could be even more detrimental. The chemicals can create heat, warping, or damaging the pipes. If you continue to use the products on these pipes, they could break down and require replacement.

Other Outcomes

Drain cleaners can also be harmful to the environment and your septic system. Be aware that breathing in the fumes of these cleaners and touching the liquid can irritate your respiratory system and skin.

The Alternatives

For continual issues with a clogged drain, contact a plumber to inspect your lines. You can also get in touch with a professional sewage cleaning company to safely clear out your system.

Call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260!

SERVPRO Water Damage Restoration Services

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage in your home or business can happen at any time. From a small leak in your roof to a bathtub or toilet overflow to a broken water heater to major flooding from a storm, water can damage your home or business quickly when you least expect it.

When water damage occurs, there are many factors that you must consider to tackle the issue including how much water you are dealing with, the potential for deterioration, and the rate the materials affected will soak up the water.

If water and moisture are left in items such as furniture, carpet, or building materials such as drywall or plaster, mold will begin to develop within a day or so. While metals will rust and corrode, drywall will begin to crumble and wood will begin to swell, split, and eventually rot. The main objective is to get the area affected by the water dry as soon as possible.

For minor water damage, you may be able to take care of the issue yourself. An example of a minor issue would be if your kids decide to get water all over the bathroom floor and you immediately mop it up. Since the potential for mold and structural damage is minimal, you can handle it yourself.

When there is major flooding in your home or business and walls, flooring, and even insulation is saturated, it is time to call upon a professional water damage restoration company. The technicians are experienced at water eradication and will be able to dry out the affected areas much quicker, decreasing the chance for dangerous mold to form and the possibility of damage occurring. The technicians are also aware of electrical hazards, health risks, and other safety hazards so they can remove the water in a safe manner. They also have the specialized equipment such as HEPA air scrubbers and dehumidifiers to remove moisture and odor in the air, leaving your home or business fresh, clean, and dry.

Call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260!

Buckled Floors? Call SERVPRO ASAP!

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

What Causes Hardwood Floors to Buckle?

Floor buckling is the most extreme reaction to moisture in a hardwood floor. Buckling occurs when the wood flooring pulls up from the subfloor, lifting several inches in one or more places. Fortunately, this is not a common occurrence.

If caught early, spot repair and replacement may be possible. Once the standing water is removed, several boards can be taken up from the floor so that the air can circulate across and below the floor. When the floor has dried to a more stable moisture level, repairs can usually be made.

What can SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreeen/Brewton do?

• Set up floor protection, drying mats and drying equipment
• Wear PPE
• Clean all affected areas
• Content Manipulation, full Pack out and Storage
• Removal of buckled floorboards

Additionally, our Reconstruction Division will be able to replace the flooring for you, professionally. Call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260!

Check the Drip Pan on Your HVAC

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

If your home or business has central air conditioning you are probably prone to want to stay inside and stay cool during these hot summer days. And why not! Air conditioning has revolutionized the way we live and the places we can inhabit. But one hazard with a central air handling unit that most home and business owners are not aware of is the overflow of the drip pan, especially when the unit is working in overdrive! Your drip pan is designed to drain out of the building but this small drain line (normally 1" PVC) can easily be clogged just enough to slow down the drain pan and to cause the overflow. The result of this issue is water damage that could go undetected for weeks while causing thousands of dollars in damage. If you experience water damage from an air handler overflow, call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260. We can help with all phases of restoration.

Need Help with Water Damage?

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

Extracting Water From Drywall is Not an Easy Task

It is almost inevitable that your home suffers from water damage at some point in time. Homes in the northeast are susceptible to rain, to the routine wear and tear of plumbing and appliances, and even the added stress that a change in temperature can place on the structure of your home. Regardless of the culprit, water can make its way into your home fairly quickly, leaving you in need of water removal services to restore it. When this happens, many homeowners consider forgoing professional advice and applying themselves to the cleanup process. As admirable as this effort is, misinformation can misguide your tactics, compounding the problem and leaving you vulnerable to future complications.

Our  neighbors who need help with water damage can count on SERVPRO for expert advice. Our team holds certifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), where they learn about the intricacies of water removal and the restoration of your home. A call to our 24/7 hotline gives you access to our knowledge and expertise, which we put to work as soon as we arrive at your residence.

An essential aspect of what we do at SERVPRO is understanding the materials present in your home. Their use and composition guide our steps in evaluating the restorability and drying plan for your house. For example, drywall is present in many households, but they are not all the same. The drywall in a bathroom is different from one in a living room, and may require additional drying time. By using specialized moisture meters, we can determine just how extensive the water damage is and plan accordingly. This process also informs us as we evaluate restoration versus replacement and the cost-efficiency involved in this decision. When you choose to handle water extraction without expert advice, you run the risk of leaving hidden damage unattended, which can eventually resurface as mold and further complications.

Water removal is one of the areas of expertise for SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton. When you call us at (251) 809-1260, you gain access to a vast amount of technical knowledge that works to protect your home. Our technicians, like you, commit to taking every step toward leaving your home, “Like it never even happened.”

The SERVPRO Advantage

4/14/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is not just a local brand, but a national one.

Since its founding in 1967 SERVPRO has expanded to over 1,700 locations across the United States and Canada. Since then SERVPRO has also greatly expanded the array of services we offer. Since those services range from carpet cleaning and deodorization to large scale disaster recovery and with SERVPRO’s 1,700+ locations our collective knowledge and experience are one of the greatest assets SERVPRO has and we know how to use it. SERVPRO locations provide all kinds of support to each other ranging from equipment to people-power and technical advice. Sometimes we might run into an issue that we have not encountered before or possibly elements to a job that prevents our normal methods for jobs. This is when we have been able to rely on the knowledge base which our corporate office and other SERVPRO’s have accumulated. It does not matter what emergency you are facing. From Water Mitigation, Fire Restoration, or Mold Remediation. SERVPRO has the team and backing to handle it all. We are known for taking care of big problems and disasters, but we also are adept at helping people with issues you normally may not know the solution too. If you have an emergency which makes you think “I don’t even know who does this”, try giving us a call at (251) 809-1260!

Why Realtors Should Use SERVPRO

4/14/2020 (Permalink)

Currently, we are in a time where the real estate market is hot. Houses are selling faster than they can be listed. We are seeing interest rates drop to an all-time low and what a better time to have an edge with a reputation for having quality listings whether it be a commercial or a residential listing. 

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton understands that you want to move a sale through quickly to get your commission. How your listing looks is everything to a potential buyer and we can assist in making that happen. It doesn’t matter what shape or situation your listing is in, the SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton team can assist you in many different ways to make this sale quick and the most profitable for you!  Our team can assist you in inspecting a crawl space/attic area for mold, water, or biohazard damage and fix this damage efficiently. Our team can even assist in estate sales in the case of hoarder cleanouts with optional inventory itemization and cleaning services. A SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton professional would be happy to attend your next sales meeting to discuss how to recognize the potential for mold and what to do in case of a fire or water emergency.

Give us a call at (251) 809-1260!

SERVPRO Offers Continuing Education Courses

4/14/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton offers Continuing Education courses for insurance agents, insurance adjusters and Real Estate professionals. The Continuing Education courses provide you with information to better service your customers.

These programs are designed to improve the knowledge of your staff regarding emergency mitigation. 

Here are some of the CE courses that are offered by SERVPRO:

• Property Fire Damage Restoration
• Understanding Mold in the Restoration Industry
• Restoring Contaminated Buildings
• Restorative Drying for Water Damage
• Cleaning and Restoring Smoke-Damaged Contents
• Mitigation Awareness Response Seminar
• Deodorization of Malodors
• Biohazard Cleanup
• Ethics

Lee Knowles, Owner of SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton, is an approved instructor of these courses. Contact SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260 to schedule one for your office.   

This is just one more way SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton is Here to Help!

Call SERVPRO for All Your Residential & Commercial Needs

4/14/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Escambia, Conecuh, Monroe, Clarke, and Washington Counties. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – (251) 809-1260!

Residential Services

Whether your home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business.

SERVPRO Can Help Save A Claim

4/14/2020 (Permalink)

One of things that make SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton so unique is how we work with our agents and customers to identify whether a claim should be filed.

SERVPRO has learned that insurance companies do not look favorable on zero paid claims. The insurance companies have found that people who turn in small claims are in effect using their policies as a home maintenance program.

We tell our agents to call us so we can put eyes on the situation. We can tell within a few minutes whether the claim will meet or exceed the customers deductible. This in turn helps the customer avoid higher rates, and the agent avoids a loss that in the long run could affect retention.

SERVPRO was recently asked by an agent to look at a customer‘s basement that had a sump pump malfunction. After reviewing the loss, the damage would not have met the insured's $2500 deductible. This insured avoided a claim and had SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton do the water mitigation. Both parties were happy and we have a very satisfied agent and customer.

Don't Wait for an Adjuster After a Residential Flood

4/14/2020 (Permalink)

No one wants to go through a home flood. Still, flood damage in the Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton area, is more common than you might think. As you probably know, the hours following such an event are critical. If you wait for an adjuster from your flood insurance company before taking action, you may inadvertently allow more damage to occur. Here are three important reasons you should not waste time following a flood.

1. Water Gets Everywhere

Because it is a liquid, water can seep into parts of your home you may not think about. Even worse, sealed portions of your basement, crawl space and walls often prevent air from naturally drying moisture. If you wait for your adjuster to arrive before beginning water remediation or damage repair, the processes may be both more expensive and more invasive.

2. Mold Grows Fast

Part of the reason for having comprehensive flood insurance is to cover the cost of repairing mold damage. Like water, mold can grow in hidden parts of your home. Remediation experts have the knowledge, skill, experience and tools to quickly locate and address mold and mildew. Rather than waiting for an adjuster to inspect your home, working with a reputable service in the days following a flood is often your best bet to restore your home’s comfort, appearance and value.

3. Adjusters Are Busy

If broken pipes or backed-up plumbing caused your flood, your adjuster may respond quickly. On the other hand, if your home was part of widespread flooding, the insurance company’s representative may have a full schedule. In fact, you may wait weeks before your adjuster arrives. Remember, acting quickly is important, and waiting may cause more damage.

As a diligent homeowner, you carry flood insurance. You also likely have a duty to mitigate damage caused by rising waters. Rather than waiting until your insurance adjuster can inspect your home, begin the remediation and restoration process as soon as you can. Give us a call at (251) 809-1260!

What Should Be Expected When You Contact SERVPRO?

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

What should be expected when you contact us?

First and foremost, expect our 24-hour availability! Whether you are calling day or night, weekday or weekends, and even during the holidays, you can always expect to speak with a real person about the emergency you are experiencing. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton is the top choice for many insurance agencies in the Conecuh, Monroe, Escambia, Clarke, and Washington County areas. 

Here is what you can expect during the first several hours after contacting SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton: 

Quick Response - When a building has been damaged, the response time is an important factor in how time-consuming and how costly restoration will be. SERVPRO is always open, so you can expect to hear back within an hour after you have contacted them about the emergency. Once you have provided them with the necessary information, we will begin preparing to address the needs of your client.

Arrive Time - Our technicians can be on-site to begin the restoration process within four hours. This fast response can make the difference if your home or commercial business has suffered a great deal of damage. Beginning the process more quickly will result in less damage overall which can end up costing the insurance agency less money.

Inspection/Verbal Briefing - Once the damage restoration specialists have arrived, they can inspect the home to determine the extent of the damage and decide on the best course of action moving forward. Our team has the ability to let you know if the emergency is claim worthy or not as well. They will provide a verbal briefing so that you are aware of what will happen next. Our team's quick 24-hour response will allow us to begin mitigation as soon as possible to prevent any further damage before we begin work on necessary repairs.

Getting Rid of Unpleasant Odors in Your Home

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

Don’t live a life full of unpleasant smells

Odors from smoke, pets, decomposition or mold can cause lingering odors in your home or business. A simple surface clean doesn’t necessarily get rid of these smells. With technicians certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IICRC), SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton provides specialized services that can rid your home or business of offensive odors left by smoke, mold or other sources. Our professionals do not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; they seek out and remove the sources of the odor. Once the source is found, we use SERVPRO’s own proprietary line of cleaning products to treat and prevent the odor from returning. Any restorable item in affected areas will also be professionally cleaned and deodorized, including furniture, draperies and upholstery, electronics, art, flooring, walls, ceilings, HVAC air ducts, and more. Along with our proprietary line of cleaning products SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton uses various techniques and equipment to treat odors. These techniques are capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize an unpleasant odor thoroughly. 

Some of the tools we use include: Ozone Generator: The Ozone Generator is one of the quickest ways to eliminate odors from a home or office. We use the Ozone Generator to oxidize odor and eliminate odors from mold, mildew, pets, nicotine, smoke and more without the use of chemicals. Though the room being treated cannot be occupied while in use, the generator works quickly to clean, sanitize and remove offensive odors. 

Hydroxyl Generator: The Hydroxyl Generator has several benefits that the Ozone Generator does not. The main benefit is that the room being treated can be occupied during the deodorization process; though it does work slower. The Hydroxyl Generator can be used to treat fire and smoke, as well as biohazard jobs, water damage, crime scene situations, and animal odors. 

Air Filtration Device: This piece of equipment, also known as an air scrubber, is used to remove airborne contaminants during water, fire, smoke, mold, and sewage restoration work. These work by pulling air through HEPA filtration to remove airborne particles from the air. This helps clean the air and remove odors. 

Whether you are a building manager who needs an apartment cleaned for the next tenant or homeowner who wants to get your home ready for sale, getting rid of offensive odors is a high priority. Fire, water, or mold damage, or just a stubborn odor that refuses to go away, SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton is here to help make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (251) 809-1260.

Our Experienced Team Can Help You

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The water loss remediation industry continuously devises new equipment that takes a Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton property from soaked and deteriorating to dry and clean faster and more efficiently. As amazing as innovative tools are, it takes a crew of seasoned and highly-qualified technicians to use them to the best effect. Professional water remediation companies deliver their best outcomes when the workers pledge to train and recertify on a regular basis.

When you face water damage in your home, you benefit from cutting-edge equipment and crews who know how to operate them according to industry standards. Even diehard do-it-yourselfers recognize that managing water incursions is a tricky business, requiring not only hard work but also a solid understanding of the science behind water removal and structural drying.

Developing professional expertise to mitigate water damage is why SERVPRO sends our crew members to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) classes. The IICRC is a standard developing and establishing organization worldwide. Skills taught to the employees we sent to remediate and restore your home base their effectiveness on research.

An example of a task that might seem straightforward enough to be within the grasp of every homeowner is carpet water extraction. The equipment resembles a shop vac, and a homeowner typically feels comfortable operating a vacuum. Why SERVPRO requires crew members to complete a comprehensive IICRC course in carpet cleaning relates to the problems that can occur if standards are unknown or ignored.

The art and science of extracting water from carpeting or other floor coverings are not intuitive. An effective way to pull moisture out of a carpet is with a weighted wand extractor. SERVPRO IICRC-trained technicians learned and practiced the techniques that extract moisture without putting stress on the textile floor covering. Inexperienced individuals can stretch the carpet fabric by exerting too much pressure or moving too quickly across a surface. Inappropriate force might cause delamination of the carpet backing from the carpet face. 

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton delivers high-quality water mitigation results by arranging for professional training of all our technicians. Schedule an appointment with our top-notch workforce by calling 251-809-1260.

Want Quick Action from Your Insurance Company? Call the Right Cleanup Team

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

Like anyone in the Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton area, you dread the thought of water damage or a flood infiltrating your business. If you need immediate help following incidents such as these, you should have two groups on your mind: your insurance agency and a restoration company. Both of these essential helpers will help get your business back on track.

Your First Responsibilities

Large thunderstorms, hurricanes, or problems with sewage or plumbing can bring large amounts of water into your office. This flood damage can pose serious health risks and may damage your building and important materials. Make sure do the following without delay:

• Safely exit your building.
• Stay away from any black water.
• Call a disaster relief company.
• Get in touch with your insurance provider.
  
  

What the Restoration Team Will Do

Qualified, experienced storm restoration professionals have the skill and equipment to remove all the water from your office and to get your facility back to pre-flood condition. The technicians will inspect the affected area and will then determine what they can salvage and what they must restore or completely replace. The team will extract all the water and dry your floors, walls and furniture. They’ll also clean and sanitize all parts of your office.

What Role Does the Insurance Play

You need to provide your insurance company with detailed information about the incident so it knows how to proceed. Your agent will review your policy and discuss with you what it will cover and what, if anything, storm restoration and cleanup costs it will not cover.

How They Work Together

Sometimes, an insurance company will delay claim processing or payment because the storm response team is slow to do its part. A top professional company such as SERVPRO will get on the case quickly to help move the insurance process along.

You need a quick, successful storm restoration response. With SERVPRO and your insurance company working in tandem, you should be in good shape.

Why You Should Always Choose SERVPRO for Carpet Cleaning

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

The following tips for finding a reputable company to help you with your carpet cleaning needs were found on IICRC.org, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification website. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton has many highly trained professionals that can assist you. Give us a call today!

“Cleaning Carpet Can Be a Dirty Business” “Not All Scum Is In the Carpet” “Don’t Let them Pull The Rug Out From Under You” “Clean Your Carpets Without Cleaning Out Your Wallet” “Don’t Get Taken To The Cleaners.”  These clever phrases have appeared recently in newspaper articles and televised news programs across the nation warning consumers about carpet cleaning scam operations. The media has related horror stories of trusting consumers who have responded to low-price carpet cleaning specials only to become victims of unethical cleaners who refuse to honor the advertised price, intimidate the consumers and do poor quality work.

Bait-and-switch operators are prevalent in many industries, and the carpet cleaning industry is no exception. This does not mean that all carpet cleaners are rip-off artists. How do you know who is and who is not? The professional carpet cleaning industry has cited these scam activities as a major industry concern and is taking action to help eliminate unprofessional workmanship and unethical tactics. One of the leaders in this campaign is the IICRC, an international, non-profit organization that certifies cleaners who meet prescribed levels of technical proficiency and pledge to operate by a Code of Ethics.

To help educate consumers so they will not become victims of fraudulent practices within the cleaning industry, the IICRC has released a list of guidelines to consider when selecting a carpet cleaner.

• Price – If an advertised price sounds too good to be true – it is! Often carpet cleaners advertise a low price just to get their foot in the door. Use common sense; a low price usually equates to low quality for any product or service. Legitimate business people have expenses they must cover, including license, taxes, insurance, employee wages, and benefits, and quality tools of the trade. A professional carpet cleaner who must cover all of these business expenses and make a profit to stay in the business cannot afford to drive to your house for $5.95, much less clean a room of carpet when there.
• Quality – Never should the price of cleaning services be the sole criterion for selecting a carpet cleaner. A price that sounds high may not be a signal of a rip-off. In all professions, quality work deserves a quality price.
• Truth in Advertising – Read the fine print in advertised specials to find out exactly what the price includes, and request a firm price in writing before the work begins.
• Training – Professional cleaning firms require management and employees to engage in formal training in a variety of cleaning disciplines, and these educational efforts will be ongoing.  Consumers should ask about the formal training background of technicians who will be cleaning their carpet.
• Certification – Professional firms require technicians who have certification from organizations like the IICRC or through comparable franchise or independent training and testing organizations.
• Experience – The years of experience a firm has, combined with formal training programs, contribute significantly to the experience and proficiency of its employees.
• Knowledgeable – Professional firms employ and train technicians who have the ability to answer basic questions regarding carpet performance and maintenance, as well as spotting and cleaning.
• References – Consumers should ask for references from previous customers, and they should consult friends and business acquaintances about the reputation of the cleaning firm they are considering. Do not hesitate to call the Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau.
• Trade Associations – Professional cleaning firms are members of regional or national trade associations or other organizations that promote high ethical standards and continuing education. Look for trade association logos in advertising.
• Credibility – Community involvement through the Chamber of Commerce and/or professional business, charitable or similar organizations will be undertaken by concerned, caring professionals. Look for logos indicating involvement in these organizations.
• Method – Ask the cleaner which method of cleaning will be used and the advantages and disadvantages of this method compared to other methods.
• Proof – Never hesitate to ask for proof. Ask to see the cleaner’s certification card, business license and insurance certificate.
• No Pressure – Technicians must be courteous and willing to take the time to thoroughly explain the cleaning and to answer all questions. The consumer should never feel pressured.

There is no single criterion for selecting a carpet cleaning service. Several combined factors must be considered in the selection decision.

If you have any questions about carpet cleaning, call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260.

Why You Should Choose SERVPRO for Upholstery Cleaning

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Professional upholstery cleaning services are much more effective than do-it-yourself options or treatment performed by untrained personnel. That’s because certified professionals know how to use the latest equipment and practices to great effect, removing even the most stubborn soils deeply embedded in the fabric. Homeowners often ignore the need for furniture cleaning, but if it is not performed regularly, families may have to get rid of their favorite sofa or chair long before it is necessary.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) teaches technicians the best way to approach upholstery cleaning services in any setting. They know how to identify and clean every type of fabric, including delicate fabrics like silk and leather.

In general, the process is the same no matter what kind of furniture the technician is working with, though it still requires a great deal of precision and effort. The fabric is first vacuumed to get rid of all dry, loose soils. This ensures they are not matted during water application. Pretreatment sprays are then applied and help break down stubborn soils like body oil and liquid stains. The technician will then apply a combination of water and cleaning agents, either by scrubbing or with a special wand tool. The furniture is rinsed lightly and excess water is extracted before the fabric is allowed to dry.

This form of treatment reaches all layers of the fabric and can greatly extend the furniture’s life. For that reason, it should be considered an investment in the furniture. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton is proud to have fully trained technicians on staff to help you with your upholstery cleaning needs. Feel free to give us a call at (251) 809-1260 for a quote today!

Don't Let Water Damage Check Into Your Hotel

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage to Your Hotel 

Many hotels exist throughout the Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton area. Whenever water loss incidents occur in any one of the rooms of this hotel, you must act quickly to resolve the situation before it gets out of hand. Water can quickly spread through shared walls, floors, and ceilings to impact multiple rooms and areas of the hotel within a very short time. 

As potentially problematic as water damage can be to your hotel, the loss of your reputation can be even more detrimental. Correcting the effects of a water loss incident carries much more weight than improving the look and function of saturated elements and areas of your business.  People expect the management of the property to address any concerns promptly and thoroughly, and failure to comply with this expectation can lead to damaging reviews and ratings on major travel websites. 

Our professionals understand that you are under pressure to get the situation resolved, so we respond quickly and work fast to assess the damage and what the property needs from the moment we arrive. We already show up with our production vehicles stocked with our advanced extraction and drying equipment, allowing us to get to work quickly on both containment and mitigation solutions. 

Preventing the spread of water loss effects to other rooms and areas of the hotel is critical, as this can reduce the number of individuals affected by the damage. By setting up physical barriers with plastic sheeting and establishing a parameter with rapid drying equipment, we can limit our presence in the hotel and the number of inconvenienced guests at the resort. 

We know how powerful ratings and reviews can be, and the importance of truly satisfied customers. Let our SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton professionals help you through this traumatic water loss experience and make its effects “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (251) 809-1260.

Odors In Commercial Buildings Can Be Eliminated

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

WHAT IS THAT SMELL? WHERE IS THAT COMING FROM? IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK WITH THAT ODOR! Are you hearing things like that? Or maybe even seeing people new to your office turn up their nose when they walk in? You might have a foul odor and not even know about it. Mildew, mold, even a kitchen spill that might not have received the attention it needed-all of these things can make an office environment less than pleasant, even down-right dangerous to work in. 

Mildew is a version of microbial growth, much like mold, that can cause a host of issues to your employees and your customers. Does your assistant suffer from allergies? Do you have more than a few sick calls a week? Is your office filled with items to change the way the office smells? You might be suffering from a growth issue that SERVPRO can take care of.  

Kitchen odors, or break room odors as the case may be, can happen over time. Do you have appliances in your break room? A stove, refrigerator, dishwasher? In your home you may clean these areas with more frequency and attention that you might at the office. 

The second sense people use after sight is smell. It is part of that first impression that is related to your customers coming into your business. How does yours stand up? Give SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton  a call today at (251) 809-1260, and let us take a look at some potential problem areas for you.

Why You Need To Have Your Carpet Commercially Cleaned

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

Thorough commercial carpet cleaning is the single best way to preserve and extend the life of carpet, but proper treatment requires careful planning and extensive training. It’s the kind of training that a professional would receive through an organization like the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), and it is essential for a professional to integrate quality practices into their own firm. But how much goes into proper commercial carpet cleaning? It starts with keeping soil and debris from entering the building to begin with. By placing entry mats in entrance and high traffic areas and maintaining the walking surfaces outside of the building, there will be less soil to deal with inside the building. Inside, frequent vacuuming is the first line of defense, and may be needed daily in areas that receive a lot of traffic. Vacuuming ensures deposited soil does not penetrate deeply into the fibers and cause damage.

Spot and stain control is essential, even if the flooring is colored in a way to make stain detection difficult. Stains will degrade the integrity of the flooring and alter its texture, so professionals will have to respond quickly to any problem areas. Formulated detergents and targeted agitation will normally do the trick. Finally, deep treatment, usually through hot water extraction or encapsulation methods, will need to be done several times a year to remove soils that have become embedded in the carpet fibers. Regular office carpet cleaning is necessary for maintaining a professional, healthy atmosphere. No one likes to work in filth, and over time, the flooring will pick up a great deal of soil and debris. If it is not regularly removed, the flooring will deteriorate at an accelerated rate, harbor odors, and look unattractive and dirty. Fortunately, certified professionals can keep the flooring nearly soil free as long as they are brought in for a thorough treatment on a regular basis.

Commercial buildings withstand a great deal of foot traffic every day, and with the foot traffic comes soil, moisture, and other debris. With entry mats near the entrances and daily vacuuming, most of this soil can be kept from penetrating into the fibers. However, it isn’t a perfect solution, and deep office carpet cleaning will be needed before long. There are several treatment methods available for commercial buildings, but most textile manufacturers agree that hot water extraction is the most effective method. During hot water extraction, a combination of superheated water and detergent is injected deep into the carpeting and then extracted once it has a chance to suspend any soil.

Make sure that before hiring a professional, you select a company that is an IICRC Certified Firm. This will ensure that the technician sent to your office is also certified. Advanced treatment methods require expertise and proper training, and certification through a respectable organization will convey this. We would love the opportunity to give you an estimate for the cleaning of your office. With over 30 years of experience in the cleaning and restoration industry, we can offer assistance in almost any situation.

For all your carpet cleaning needs, call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at (251) 809-1260.

Restoring Commercial Properties

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large-scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So, when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergeeen/Brewton

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Commercial Property Managers Trust SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for Fire or Water damage to strike your Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity.

Commercial Property Managers know when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business.

Industrial Facilities, Hotel and Restaurants, Entertainment Venues, Government buildings and Commercial properties benefit from the quality work of SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton.  We work together to ensure the value of the property is restored back to its pre-disaster condition.

Learn more about our commercial services: Commercial Cleaning Services

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Fire Threats to be Aware of in Your Restaurant

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

A restaurant kitchen fire can happen in no time, and in that environment, there are many fire threats to be aware of. Awareness and caution can help to keep fires from starting, and also be vital in keeping the fire from spreading, threatening peoples’ lives and damaging expensive property and equipment. 

• The first fire threat you will think of will be the ovens. If there is a fire in an oven, close the door immediately and turn it off, leaving the door closed. Lack of oxygen will suffocate the flames. If the oven continues to smoke and you think the fire may have continued, call the fire department right away. 
• The next threat will be your stovetops. When it is a fire in a cooking pan or pot, use an oven mitt or other protection to put the lid on right away, and move it off the burner. Turn off the stove and wait for the lack of oxygen to stop the flames inside your pot. If you are not able to safely put the lid on the flaming pan, or if there is no lid readily available, use the kitchen fire extinguisher. Always aim at the base of the fire, not the flames themselves. 
• A major fire threat in any restaurant kitchen is going to be a grease fire. Never throw water on this type of fire; water repels grease and will splash, spreading the fire by splattering the grease. Try one of these methods instead:
• If the fire is small, put on the lid and turn off the burner.
• Dump baking soda on it. Do not use flour; it can explode or cause the fire to expand and thread. 
• Smother the fire with a wet towel or other large, wet cloth. 
• Use a fire extinguisher. 
• Swatting the fire with a towel, apron, or other material is likely to fan the flames and spread the fire. 
• If the fire is spreading and you don’t have control, evacuate your kitchen and restaurant premises and call emergency personnel. 

For cleanup after any type of fire, the SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton team is always ready to help. We have all the training, skills, and equipment necessary to get you back in business as soon as possible. We are also water damage and mold remediation specialists.

Water Damage Can Be a Nightmare

12/30/2019 (Permalink)

Research shows that every year 250,000 homes are exposed to water damage from bursting pipes.  Floodwaters rising only 6 inches in a 30 x 30-foot room can destroy everything in that room. Getting rid of water from a home is only the first phase of the cleanup process. Water also has to be carefully removed from drenched frames, drywall, wall panels, carpets, and anything else at risk for other more complicated mold and mildew problems. Water damage from bursting pipes, no matter how small and seemingly contained, is always a huge water damage restoration project that should only be done with professional help.  A small broken pipe in the basement can cause a flood of great proportions. Water does even more damage on the higher levels of a home, where it travels across floors and around frames causing damage to everything in its path until it finally reaches a drain point somewhere.

Bursting pipes can result from malfunctioning dishwashers, leaky washing machines and ice-makers, clogged toilets and sinks, faulty appliance hoses, leaky pipe fittings, frozen pipes and gutters, leaking roofs and ice dams, gaping window sills, foundation cracks and unsealed wooden decks.

The most treacherous water damage from bursting pipes takes place when water seeps into wool carpet fibers, paper, wood, bits of flaked-off skin, pet hair and dirt most commonly found in well-vacuumed carpeting.  It is then that water damage becomes a breeder for various types of toxic molds and decomposition. Depending on temperature and environment, molds will develop within a couple of days. Decomposition usually takes a bit longer, but it will develop. The sturdiest of floors can rot right through from the smallest leaks in refrigerators!

For water damage restoration don’t take it all upon yourself to make water damage cleanup in your home a do-it-yourself! Call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton.

We handle water damage restoration from the largest items in your home right down to the smallest because no project is too big or too small.  Our trained Certified Technician Professionals are well-equipped with state-of -the-art cleaning products and equipment making your worst nightmare of a water damage restoration seem like a breeze! We will also put our best efforts forward in restoring time-sensitive documents and refurbishing irreplaceable items that might have been damaged in your flood.  Money should not be a time-consuming object as we will work directly with your insurance company.

Wintery Stormy Weather

12/29/2019 (Permalink)

Here in Monroeville, Evergreen, and Brewton,, we get excited when we have even the slightest "threat" of snow. What we usually experience is some flurries, then heavy freezing. So many homeowners are unaware of how to handle a situation in which their pipes freeze in these winter storms. 

A heavy winter freeze when your home is unprepared can lead to pipes freezing, cracking and then severe water damage in your home. As bipolar as mother nature is in Alabama, within a few days of this water damage to your home, microbial growth can begin if the right conditions are in place. 

Homeowners also sometimes forget safety precautions when it comes to indoor wood fires, space heaters, and gas logs. One in six home fires during the winter months (December, January, February) are caused by home heating elements. Be sure to check your smoke alarms regularly. Be sure to treat space heaters and fires with EXTRA caution. 

Know that SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton is always here to help. 

Call us for water and fire damages at 251-809-1260.

Drying a Water Damage

12/29/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know there is actually a science behind the process of drying? Having the knowledge of psychrometrics is essential to restoring a water-damaged structure to its former condition. While your initial reaction may be to grab a few towels to mop up the mess and place a few fans or two around the damaged area, this can actually lead to secondary damages like mold. Our SERVPRO professionals are trained in the science of drying and follow strict industry-approved standards to help lower the chances of any of these secondary damages. If your business suffers a water damage, we will:

• Inspect the building to detect every component that is wet to help prevent secondary damage from happening.
• Measure how much moisture is in wet material and monitor whether the materials are drying properly.
• Speed up Mother Nature by using professional drying equipment. 

What exactly does it mean to help "speed up Mother Nature?" A wet building can often dry naturally because the environment always seeks equilibrium. When materials are wet, moisture will naturally move to drier air at the surface of the material-but only if the air is, indeed, drier. 

The only problem is, nature often takes too long and secondary damages may occur while the building is drying out. 

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton professionals have the tools and equipment to help Mother Nature along, including equipment to help dry hardwood floors, tough-to-reach spaces inside walls, and much more. We also use state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and a proven scientific process to help speed the drying of your home or business. 

It's not only the equipment, but the technology too. SERVPRO has developed DryBook, a proprietary tool that provides real-time documentation and updates on the drying process and helps ensure industry drying requirements are met. With DryBook Mobile, you have the ability to know exactly where your property is in the drying process. 

The bottom line? SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton professionals have the training and equipment to help make water damage "Like it never even happened." Call us anytime at 251-809-1260!

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton Commercial Property Management: Signs of Sewer Line Issues

12/28/2019 (Permalink)

While a blocked sewer drain is relatively common in commercial properties, legitimate concerns over sewer line functionality may be few and far between. However, when major sewer line issues occur, it is essential to remedy the problems quickly to avoid potential backups and structural damage. Be aware of these four signs, which may indicate sewer line problems.

1. Odors

While drain or toilet overflow are frequent problems in commercial properties, you should pay attention to odors surrounding these problems. For instance, if after clearing a clog you smell sewer gas, you may want to call a plumber for an inspection, as strong sewer smells can be an indicator of issues further in the line.

2. Clogged Drains

A blocked sewer will not only cause unpleasant odors to occur in your building, but the blocked pipe can also cause frequent clogging of your drains and toilets. This problem may also cause sewer backups into your facility.

3. Indentations in Landscaping

Also, while you may not have any clogging issues, it is still possible that your sewer lines have failed. Pipe breaks may cause indentations in your landscaping, like divots in the lawn. If the break is severe enough, it is possible that sewage is leaking into the grounds of your property. Eventually, this can also lead to a sewage backup in your building.

4. Deformations in Landscaping

In addition to indentations in the lawn, you may notice perpetual puddling in certain areas. You may also see that areas of your parking lot have sunken or cracked along with sidewalks. Depending on how close the break is to your building, you may even notice cracks in the foundation. These issues often require the expertise of a disaster restoration specialist in the Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton area to resolve, which depending on your insurance policy may be covered.

A blocked sewer line can wreak havoc on a business and may even lead to significant business interruption. You should be aware of the warning signs of such a problem so that you can resolve the issue as early as possible.

When Storms Hit & Cause Floods

12/28/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

We're Highly Trained Storm Damage Specialists

As a leader in storm and water damage restoration, SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton has the specialized training and expertise to restore your home back to its pre-storm condition. Our restoration process puts an emphasis on scientific drying techniques, progress monitoring and documentation.

• Water Damage Restoration Technician
• Applied Structural Drying Technicians

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Monroeville, Evergreen, or Brewton, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 251-809-1260

Levels of Commercial Damage in Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton

12/27/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton handles not only residential damage and restoration but commercial as well.

There are three levels of commercial damage that are considered:

LEVEL 1

Level 1 is a small commercial loss typically involving 15,000 square feet or less of affected floor space. If the facility was entirely affected, examples of a small commercial loss may include but are not limited to, a stand-alone retail establishment, a small church, a daycare facility, a small shopping center, a small warehouse or manufacturing facility, or a stand-alone administrative building. A Level 1 loss can also be a small portion of a much larger structure.

LEVEL 2

Level 2 is a midsize commercial loss typically involving 15,000 to 60,000 square feet of affected floor space. The building or buildings involved are usually multi-level or greatly divided spaces. If the facility was entirely affected, examples of a Level 2 loss may include but are not limited to, a small multi-family property, a midsize church or school, a small shopping center, a multi-tenant administration facility, or a midsize warehouse or manufacturing facility. A Level 2 loss can also be just a portion of a much larger structure.

LEVEL 3

Level 3 is a large commercial loss typically involving more than 60,000 square feet of affected floor space. The building or buildings involved will likely be large multi-level structures. If the facility was entirely affected, examples of a Level 3 loss can include, but are not limited to, a large church, hospital, school, or university; a large multi-family property; a mid- to high-rise retail or administration facility; a large industrial, manufacturing, or warehouse facility; or a large strip-style shopping center or shopping mall. This is the level at which it would be appropriate to refer to the project as a “large loss.”

Storm - Steps Before & After

12/27/2019 (Permalink)

Insurance companies encourage you to take precautions and be ready to take action following a major storm. Your safety and swift recovery are the top priorities for both you and your insurance company. Here are some tips to help you stay safe and return to regular daily life after a catastrophic event.

What should I do before a disaster strikes?

• Call or visit your insurance agent prior to a storm to discuss your policy.
• Keep the name, address, insurance policy and claims reporting telephone number of your insurer and agent in a safe and easily accessible place.
• Take inventory of your household items, especially valuables. Photograph and videotape items for verification and keep in a safe place such as a safety deposit box, and/or send copies of records to a trusted relative or friend who lives another state.
• Read your insurance policy and know what YOUR responsibilities are. Know what is and isn't covered, such as flooding, and know your general/specific policy limits and deductibles.

A storm has hit and my house is damaged. Now what?

• Find out the time limit on filing claims and notify your insurance agent in writing of the damage as soon as possible.
• If there are holes in your roof or your windows are broken, be sure to cover them as quickly as possible so that wind and rain do not cause further damage.
• Save receipts of what you spend and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.
• Don't throw away any damaged items until an adjuster visits your home.
• Photograph or videotape the damage for your records and the insurance company. Make a copy of your home inventory for your adjuster.

What kind of questions do I ask my insurance company?

• Does my claim exceed my deductible? Make sure you know the amount of your deductible. In many coastal areas, deductibles may range from 1 to 5 percent of your home's value.
• Will I need to obtain estimates for repairs or replacements? Before an estimate can be reimbursed, some companies may require an estimate to be approved first.
• How much insurance is enough? Check if your policy pays replacement cost or actual cash value for a covered loss. If you have increased the value of your property, be sure to increase the protection for your property.
• Does my policy provide reimbursement for additional living expenses when a property is determined to be uninhabitable due to damage? If you must evacuate the area, notify your insurance company and verify your insurance policy for coverage for temporary lodging. This provision helps pay for living expenses, restaurant food, overnight parking, and laundry services.

What should my insurance company be doing?

• Once you have made a claim, the company will send you the necessary claim forms. Properly fill the forms out to avoid delays.
• Your company will send out an adjuster to inspect your home. Make a list of structural damage to your home that you would like to show the adjuster.
• Once you and your insurance company agree on the terms of your settlement, state laws require that your payment is sent promptly.
• Damage to trees, shrubs and other plants during a hurricane or windstorm are not covered under a standard homeowners policy. However, insurance may pay to remove the debris from a fallen tree if it caused damage to a structure covered by insurance.

Call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260 for all your storm damage needs!

Commercial Water Damage

12/26/2019 (Permalink)

Here are SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton, we understand that when a commercial water emergency occurs in your business it is important that the issues is mitigated quickly and efficiently. During these emergencies, it is not just the building that needs to be back up and functioning but the materials and equipment you use on a daily basis that allows your business to be successful.  

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton has the ability to save things like office furniture, desk, and even sensitive information that may be stored in the office with our Document Restoration. We are in the business of restoring these items that may have been damaged during your water emergency. We always attempt to salvage anything damaged because we understand that it can keep the cost down for you and the insurance company as well the value it has to your company. If an item can be saved or restored it is worth the time to do so.  

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton works tirelessly to treat each of your items with special care to protect. Our team is trained to keep your items from damage while we do work. Our content specialists team does wonders with your clean-up on all types of materials.  

Trust that SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton keeps in mind that time down for your business, is money lost. So our team will work around the clock to make sure it is “Like it never even happened.” and your business is back up and running!

Facts About Tornadoes!

12/26/2019 (Permalink)

Every household should have an emergency plan in place before a disaster happens.  And part of that plan should include a stocked, ready to go, emergency preparedness kit.

An emergency preparedness kit is usually needed for you to survive for at least 72 hours. Make sure to keep an emergency kit at home and in your vehicle. Most items are easy to find and inexpensive:

Water – 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days

Food – Non-perishable food for at least 3 days

Manual can opener for food

Flashlight

Batteries

Hand crank radio or battery powered radio

First aid kit

Whistle

Matches

Dust Mask

Local Maps

Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Prescription medications

Infant formula, diapers, wipes, bottles

 The most powerful Tornadoes occur in the United States.

A typical tornado only lasts for a few minutes.

Every tornado has its own color, sound and shape.

You need to step on the pedal of a car pass 70 miles per hour to outrun the fastest tornadoes.

The chances that a tornado is a F5, the highest classification for a tornado on the F-scale, is less than 0.1%

Tornadoes have been reported in every state in the US and also in every season.

A Tornado can occur at any time, but most often between 3pm and 9pm.

The direction in which a tornado twists depends a lot upon which hemisphere you're in. In general, most tornadoes in the northern hemisphere rotate cyclonically, or counter-clockwise. Only around five percent of tornadoes in the northern hemisphere rotate clockwise, or anti-cyclonically.

 Remember to call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260 for all of your needs.

Commercial Sewage Backup

12/25/2019 (Permalink)

Sewage back-ups and toilet overflows are some of the most common issues home and business owners can experience. Water from sewer system backups should be considered very dangerous. The water is grossly unsanitary and may contain bacteria and viruses that could cause serious illness.

Special training and equipment is necessary to safely clean this type of contamination. That’s why it is important to call the professionals who have experience cleaning up these types of issues. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton understands that there are three major types of contaminated water and the necessary steps to handle each scenario. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton will inspect that contaminated water to determine the type of water and then plan the appropriate response to safely restore your home or business.

The Three Types of Water

Category 1: Clean Water

• Water from a clean source like a broken water line
• If left untreated, can degrade into category 2 or 3

Category 2: Gray Water

• May contain bacteria and viruses - may include washing machine overflow; toilet overflow with some urine, but no feces; or dishwasher overflow.
• Can quickly degrade into category 3 if left untreated.

Category 3: Black Water

• May contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes
• Water from flooding rivers or sewer backup

If your home or business experiences a sewage issue, it should be treated as quickly as possible. Call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260 and our professionals will respond 24 hours a day for emergency services.

Do You Know What to do Before the Storm?

12/25/2019 (Permalink)

Preparing for a storm can be intimidating, let us give you some tips to make the process a lot easier for you.

Before The Storm:

1. Build an emergency supply kit and make a family communication plan.
2. Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm.
3. Postpone outdoor activities.
4. Remember the 30/30 Lighting Safety Rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lighting, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.
5. Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
6. Get inside a home, building, or hard top automobile (not a convertible). Although you may be injured if lighting strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.
7. Remember, rubbed-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lighting. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.
8. Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades or curtains.
9. Unplug any electronic equipment well before the storm arrives.

If you have experienced storm damage please give SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260 where we can make it "Like it never even happened."

Steps in Fire Restoration

12/24/2019 (Permalink)

After the fire trucks leave, your home likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton has the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Have Questions About Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?

Call Today 251-809-1260

Every fire damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage emergency.

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call  SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton, which is on call 24 hours a day. Our representative will ask a series of questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us dispatch our team of Professionals with the appropriate equipment and resources.

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

Our Professionals will carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We will then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

We will use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

We will clean all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

When A Commercial Sprinkler System Goes Off

12/20/2019 (Permalink)

A commercial sprinkler system is a great way to put a small or large fire out very quickly. In condos or apartments, when you get cooks that are not Michelin star chefs, these sprinkler systems can protect your building from major fire damage. 

These sprinklers, however, have the power to release 250 gallons of water per minute. Which can cause a major water damage. Especially if you have multiple heads start going off at one time. 

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton has responded to several local commercial businesses that have experienced sprinkler heads going off. In this picture, you will see some of the damage a large amount of water can do to ceilings and walls. While this is inconvenient for business and for a tenant, the safety it provides versus the damage a fire can cause is well worth the inconvenience. 

If your commercial business suffers a fire or water loss such as this, please give us a call. We can help from start to finish with mitigation and reconstruction! 251-809-1260

7 Tips to Prevent Mold in your Commercial Business

12/19/2019 (Permalink)

Why should you worry about mold in your building? According to OSHA, some mold, over time, may cause structural damage to wood along with damage to furnishings and finishes. Use the following tips to help prevent mold growth in your business.

#1: Clean Out the Refrigerator

It can be difficult to keep track of shared refrigerators. Some people will always remember to clear out their leftovers, others won’t. Old food storage containers are a perfect breeding ground for mold. Over time, mold can travel to the shelving and even outside the refrigerator. Consider instituting an office refrigerator policy. If something is left in the fridge by a certain time each week, it goes in the garbage.

#2: Look for And Repair Leaks

Leaks from plumbing, windows, roofs, and more can lead to significant water damage in your business as well as an increased risk of mold growth. If you aren’t regularly inspecting your property, it’s easy for these leaks to go unchecked until they create a larger, more costly problem. Watch for telltale signs of a leak such as lower water pressure; wet spots on the floors, ceilings, or walls; and condensation around window sills and in attic spaces.

#3: Keep It Clean

It’s easy for anyone to get caught up in work and let clutter take over his or her workspace. However, clutter creates lots of hiding spots for crumbs and dust, which are both great food sources for mold. Make sure to clear the clutter and wipe down hard surfaces regularly. Make sure to promptly clean all spills as well. Clean and sanitize break rooms and bathrooms frequently. Both rooms provide ample opportunity for mold growth. These rooms should be cleaned at least weekly depending on how regularly people use each room.

#4: Turn on the AC/Dehumidifier

Leaks aren’t the only way for moisture to accumulate in your business. High humidity levels can lead to moisture and mold as well. On hot days, fans can cool you off, but they don’t do much for humidity levels. Run your AC or a dehumidifier to cut down the humidity in the building.

#5: Clean out Trash Cans

While you might switch out the liners regularly, can you remember the last time you washed out the trash cans? It’s easy for bits of food and condensation to sneak beneath liners into the can, which is all mold needs to grow. Try washing out office wastebaskets about once a month to prevent mold growth.

#6: Take Care of Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system can quickly distribute mold spores throughout your building if there is a problem. Make sure your HVAC system receives regular inspections. Sometimes moisture condenses inside air ducts or leaks drip onto ducts from ceiling tiles, which can lead to mold growth inside the ducts. Make sure to keep the HVAC drip pans clean and unobstructed. Additionally, replace your filters as needed.

#7: Slope the Ground Away from the Foundation

If the ground around your building slopes toward the foundation, water can accumulate and weaken your building’s structure. Additionally, it provides an ideal environment for mold to grow. The ground should slope away from the building. You should also make sure your building follows the local building codes for drainage. Mold is persistent. Even if you follow all the right steps, it’s still possible for mold to grow and spread in your building. Fortunately, at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton , we have the right experience in mold remediation to make your place of business “Like it never even happened.” Unfortunately, mold doesn’t stay put, it grows quickly. You’ll want to give us a call as soon as you notice it, so we can start the remediation process. Our technicians have the training, equipment, and knowledge necessary to help locate and remediate mold efficiently. If you find mold in your place of business, call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton at 251-809-1260.

Black Water

11/10/2019 (Permalink)

Black Water

In the restoration industry, there are three categories of water. As industry professionals, it is our job to determine which category of water each damage has. The most severe category is Category 3 which is also commonly called CAT 3, Black Water or Dirty Water. Category 3 water (Black Water) is highly contaminated water that can cause health effects.

The water is considered category 3 (Black Water) if it meets any of the following criteria. Sources include sewage backup, flooding from rivers or streams, toilet overflow with feces, or stagnant liquid that has begun to support bacterial growth. If Category 1 or Category 2 has been left untreated for more than three days, it is likely that it will develop into Category 3 (Black Water). If your damage is deemed as Category 3, it is likely that many pieces of your property will need to be replaced. Anything porous, such as furniture, carpeting and drywall is grossly contaminated. Category 3 water, although referred to as Black Water or Dirty Water, is not always visually black or dirty. In fact, most times it is completely translucent.

If you are ever faced with damage to your home act fast, find your source, and call the professionals at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton. We will assess the damage and ensure that it is properly mitigated to ensure your safety.

Severe Weather Tips

11/10/2019 (Permalink)

Since SERVPRO partners with the American Red Cross we love sharing their tips on different occasions. 

Check out www.redcross.org for more information!

TORNADOES

Tornadoes can strike without warning and destroy a community in seconds. Before a tornado warning is issued for your area, here are some things you should do:

1. Know your community’s warning system.

2. Pick a place where family members can gather if a tornado is headed your way. It could be your basement or, if there is no basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this place uncluttered.

3. If you are in a high-rise building and don’t have enough time to go to the lowest floor, pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.

4. Remove diseased and damaged limbs from trees.

5. Move or secure lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants or anything else that can be picked up by the wind and become a projectile.

THUNDERSTORM SAFETY STEPS

Thunderstorms injure an average of 300 people every year, and cause about 80 fatalities. Here are the top thunderstorm safety steps you should follow:

1. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.

2. As the storm approaches, take shelter in a building.

3. If you are driving, pull off the roadway and park. Stay in the car with the windows closed and turn on the emergency flashers. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside of the vehicle.

4. If you are inside, unplug appliances and avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose.

5. If you are caught outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground, water, tall, isolated trees and metal objects such as fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are not safe.

FLOODING

Heavy rains could fill rivers and streams, bringing flooding to the area. If your neighborhood is threatened with the possibility of flooding, here are some things you should do:

1. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.

2. Stay away from floodwaters.

3. If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

4. Keep children out of the water.

5. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

DOWNLOAD EMERGENCY

People should download the free Red Cross Emergency App to receive emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of tornadoes, flooding, and other disasters, as well as locations of shelters. The App also includes emergency first aid information and a Family Safe feature which allows people to instantly see if loved ones are okay. The free Emergency App is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

Fire Safety

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton responds to many residential and commercial fire damages, which means we tend to stay in close contact with local fire departments.  

Here is some data:

In Alabama, there are 796 fire departments registered with the National Fire Department Registry.

Most fires are structure/residential and vehicles. 

Fires only make up about 6% of calls in Alabama, others include: service calls (7.8%), false alarms (8.4%), good intent (9.1%), and EMS (65.9%). For the National average, fires make up around 4.7%. Surprising!

In 2016, 82 home fire fatalities were reported by the news media.

Fire prevention is important, we want to make sure your home or business stays safe. Make sure you replace batteries in your smoke detectors and keep a fire extinguisher close. If you don’t know what to do and need some helpful tips call your local fire department. 

Soot Damage and It's Dangers

7/26/2019 (Permalink)

After a fire, soot damage is very typical. Soot can be a black flaky or oily or powdery substance which forms from incomplete combustion. Fine carbonized compounds cling to surfaces in your home like ceilings and walls, plus your possessions. Soot can be difficult to remove, and sometimes it is not possible to restore the surface to its pre-fire condition.

There are two types of sediment you can find after soot damage home – oily and dry. A quick check you can do to discover the type of residue you have is just to run your finger over a soot-covered surface. It is oily residue if it smears. Try not to make a mess. Better yet, leave it to us to inspect and clean.

You need an experienced fire damage restoration team working with you to clean the soot from your home thoroughly. SERVPRO is standing by to help you as soon as the fire is out and everyone is safe. The longer you leave the smoky substance sitting in your home, the more damage it does. 

Heat from the fire pushes the soot and can cover everything in its way. Smoke looks for a kind of equilibrium and travels until its energy is used and it goes to cooler temperatures. When tested, soot can always be found on the acidic side of the pH scale. Acidic materials are destructive to a majority of elements found in nature. Over time, they keep degrading materials by oxidation which leads to discoloration, etching, corrosion or pitting. Stains over metals can yellow and soften. These reactions are ongoing from soot residues until they are removed. 

We can clean up oily residue with special degreasing agents, while we clean dry soot with cleaning sponges. Sometimes, soot will be oily in one room and dry in another. It all depends on the kinds of materials that were burned, so we check ahead of time before we begin remediation. 

Many varying types of damage occur after a fire, including water damage from firefighting efforts, but soot damage continues to eat away at the surfaces it is covering if left untouched.

Fire Safety

7/25/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton responds to many residential and commercial fire damages, which means we tend to stay in close contact with local fire departments.  

Here is some data:

In Alabama, there are 796 fire departments registered with the National Fire Department Registry.

Most fires are structure/residential and vehicles. 

Fires only make up about 6% of calls in Alabama, others include: service calls (7.8%), false alarms (8.4%), good intent (9.1%), and EMS (65.9%). For the National average, fires make up around 4.7%. Surprising!

In 2016, 82 home fire fatalities were reported by the news media.

Fire prevention is important, we want to make sure your home or business stays safe. Make sure you replace batteries in your smoke detectors and keep a fire extinguisher close. If you don’t know what to do and need some helpful tips call your local fire department. 

The Process of Contents Restoration

7/25/2019 (Permalink)

CONTENTS RESTORATION

From furniture to antiques, artwork,  and appliances, we'll treat your treasures with the care they deserve. While some items can be cleaned on-site, in many cases we'll need to inventory, pack out and transport the contents of your property to our state-of-the-art facility to ensure the best care possible.

Key Issues

• Contents may need to be cleaned off-site
• Contents inventory
• Determine replacement and restoration
• Pack
• Ozone treatment
• Cleaning
• Odor removal
• Secure
• Return

Contents Inventory

• We arrive on-site and inventory all of your personal belongings.
• We carefully pack all salvageable items to transport to our secure warehouse and cleaning facility.
• Non-salvageable contents are inventoried and discarded.

Contents Valuation

We have trained professionals to help you establish replacement values versus restoration costs. We are also available for pricing of non-salvageable inventory items.

Restoration

• Thorough cleaning
• Proper handling of all electronics
• Photographs and artwork
• Fabrics
• Clothes
• Memorabilia
• Antiques
• Soft goods
• Dry Cleaning
• Appliances
• Surfaces
• Odor Removal

What's the Difference?

7/25/2019 (Permalink)

Lately, there has been flooding all over the United States. If you are unfamiliar with the difference between a flash flood warning, flood warning, and flood advisory; then read below! 

What is the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service?

• Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.
• Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
• Flood Watch: Be Prepared! A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.
• Flood Advisory: Be Aware! A Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

Information from http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/

What to do AFTER a Water Loss

7/25/2019 (Permalink)

Understanding what type of water you are dealing with is critical. 

Clean water is water from a broken pipe, or other water source; rainwater is also considered clean. Gray water is slightly contaminated water; clean water becomes gray water when it is left untreated. Black water is highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, and chemicals. Black water is usually caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster. Black water should ALWAYS be handled by a trained professional.

Make sure you:

-Shut off the water source if possible or contact someone to do it

-Turn off circuit breakers (if safe) from potential electrical shock. DO NOT enter rooms with standing water.

-Remove excess water by mopping and blotting. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing tabletop items. Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet.

-Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions.

-Move any paintings, art, computers, documents, and other items of value to a safe place.

-Do not leave any books, newspapers, or magazines on wet carpet.

-Do not use your household vacuum cleaner since there is potential for electrical shock. 

-Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, and do not enter the room if the ceiling is sagging.

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot following a fire can be very invasive and penetrate various surfaces and crevices within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton will work to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the type of smoke identified. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution to fit the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damaged home or business. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton 251-809-1260

We do Water!

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage to your home or business.

We Answer Your Calls Ready to Help
Call Us Today - 251-809-1260

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed to properly care for your home or business.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Call Us For Immediate Services!

7/9/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in your town.  We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 - 251-809-1260

Residential Services

Whether your home needs emergency flood restoration or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us. Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or water damage to strike your commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services, we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business.

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Preparing for Vacation

6/28/2019 (Permalink)

With summer here almost everyone will be taking a vacation while the kids are out for school. So here at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton we have done some research to help you better prepare your home for the period of time you will be gone.

Make your house look lived-in

An empty house is like an open invitation to burglars. To keep your house looking occupied:

• Stop the newspaper and mail – or ask a trusted neighbor to pick them up 
• Park your car inside the garage, if you have one
• Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway occasionally so there’s activity at your house 
• Put at least one light in your house on a timer
• Install a motion-activated sensor on an outdoor floodlight. (Burglars hate outdoor lighting – and that’s why we love it)
• Make sure your lawn stays trimmed

Take the necessary plumbing and electrical precautions

Running appliances while you’re away is not only a needless expense, it could also lead to costly problems. To avoid the possibility of an appliance breakdown while you're away:

• Unplug small appliances and electronic devices
• Put the water heater in “vacation” mode
• Turn off water valves to the dishwasher, washing machine and all sinks 
• Set your thermostat to a temperature closer to outside temps (warmer in the summer, cooler in the winter) but which still protects your plants, pets and furniture 

General home preparation

Other things to consider doing before your vacation:

• Notify your credit card company and home security company that you’ll be out of town  
• Make sure your smoke detectors are working properly 
• Leave your emergency contact information with a neighbor 
• Dispose of any food that could go bad before you return from vacation 
• Take out the kitchen trash – especially anything that might start to stink 
• Run your garbage disposal with a half-cup of vinegar and some water 

Following this home preparation checklist before you leave for your vacation could save you a headache later. But don’t forget that the unexpected can follow you on your vacation – which is why the right travel insurance policy is crucial to stay protected.

How to Handle Grease Fires

6/12/2019 (Permalink)

A grease fire happens when your cooking oil becomes too hot. When heating, oils first start to boil, then they’ll start smoking, and then they’ll catch on fire. Most vegetable oils have a smoking point around 450°F, while animal fats like lard or goose fat will start smoking around 375°F.

The very best safety is prevention. Whenever you’re heating oil for pan-frying or deep-fat frying, stay in the kitchen. Use a heavy pot with a lid and clip a thermometer to the side so you know the temperature of the oil.

Keep an eye on the oil as it’s heating. If you see wisps of smoke or smell something acrid, immediately turn down the heat or remove the pot from the burner completely. The oil won’t immediately catch fire once it starts smoking, but smoke is a danger sign that it’s well on its way to getting there.

If the worst happens and your oil does catch on fire, do the following:

• Turn the Heat Off – Don’t try to move the pot. You might accidentally splash yourself or your kitchen with burning oil. And that would be bad.
• Cover the Pot with a Metal Lid – Fire cannot exist in the absence of oxygen. With the lid on (and the heat off), the fire should quickly consume all the oxygen and put itself out. Use a metal lid since glass will shatter.
• Pour on Baking Soda – Baking soda will extinguish grease fires, but only if they’re small. It takes a lot of baking soda to do the job.
• Spray the Pot with a Class B Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher – This is your last resort, as fire extinguishers will contaminate your kitchen. Still, it’s better than the alternative if the fire is getting out of control.
• Get Out and Call 911 – If the fire does break out of control, don’t try to be a hero. Get out and find a phone to call 911.

Whatever you do, DO NOT do the following:

• Do Not Use Water – Pouring water can cause the oil to splash and spread the fire. The vaporizing water can also carry grease particles in it, also spreading the fire.
• Do Not Move the Pot or Carry It Outside – Throwing the pot outside might seem logical in the frenzy of the moment. But trying to move the pot might splash burning oil on you, your home, and anything outside. 
• Do Not Throw Any Other Baking Product On the Fire – Flour might look like baking soda, but it won’t react the same. Only baking soda can help put out a grease fire.

Phew, now that we’re clear on all of that, hopefully you’ll never be in a situation where you have to actually use this advice. Be safe, fellow cooks!

For more information check out this article!

https://www.thekitchn.com/kitchen-safety-how-to-put-out-138233

Here to Help

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

If you have ever had a weather-related emergency, such as a flood, pipe burst, septic tank overflow you may have experienced the frustration of calling for help only to find you would be put on a list to be worked in. If you have never experienced this then consider yourself lucky. If you ever do have an emergency, here’s a few things to keep in mind:

• Everyone you reach out to, whether it's a plumber or us here at SERVPRO, we want to help you and as quickly as possible.

• When an area is affected, whether by a microburst, hurricane or deep freeze, the damage is common. In other words, if your pipes freeze when the temperature drops from 40 to 7 over a 24 hour period, the same thing is happening to your neighbors.

• Immediate response resources in an area are always limited. Your plumber of 15 years cannot hire additional crews overnight, as much as he would like to.

So when this occurs, it's nice to know that there is always someone there to help.

At SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton, our first question is always: Is the source fixed or do you need help fixing the source? No job is to big or small for our crew of certified and highly trained professionals. When it comes to your property, home, or business you can depend on SERVPRO to get the job done and done right! We have the resources for all trades and labor and can properly and efficiently handle any job no matter the size!  

A brand you can trust, a company you can depend on! We are available 24/7/365 because your emergency will not wait until Monday morning.

Avoiding Water Damage for HVAC Unit

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage resulting from an air conditioning condensation line leaks is more common than you might think. Condensation line leaks can be very devastating as they usually go unnoticed, mostly because they are inside walls and located in low traffic areas.

The high humidity and dark space around those lines can also make them prone to mold growth. As the mold grows, it gets distributed through the HVAC system to the rest of the home.

So how do you prevent A/C condensation line leaks? The most important thing you can do is inspect it regularly, as even a slight sign of condensation is a sign you may have a problem. Here are a four tips on maintaining your A/C condensation line:

1. Inspect it regularly - Every time you change your HVAC air filter, which should be about every 30 days on average, you should visually inspect the AC condensation line for moisture.

2. Ensure proper AC condensation line pitch and reduce elbow connection angles - Having your AC condensation line run straight as possible is ideal, and a drop of 1/8-inch for every 12 inches of length is the minimum pitch. Remove any elbow connections with 90-degree angles and replace them with 45- degree elbow connections when possible.

3. Check the AC condensation line opening and exit - When your AC unit is running, check the condensation line opening to make sure you see water flowing to the drain. The amount of water you see will depend on the humidity level in the house.

4. Clean the line every 3 to 6 months

One easy way to clean an A/C line is by using a nylon string and a small piece of cotton rag. Use a shop vacuum to suck out the nylon string on the exit side, then tie the small piece of cotton rag to the other end and just pull through. This will bring all of the debris in the line out the exit side. Do not make the rag piece too large or it will get stuck in the line with no way out. It should be small enough to fit loosely in the pipe.

Finally, if you have no room to create the minimum pitch, you may have to use a condensation pump to help move the water out. Consult your HVAC serviceman for installation and make sure you have an emergency cut-off if it fails.

For more information check out this link! 

https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-avoid-water-damage-hvac-condensation-line-leaks.htm

Evacuation Plans

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

Plan to Evacuate

A wide variety of emergencies may cause an evacuation. In some instances you may have a day or two to prepare, while other situations might call for an immediate evacuation. Planning ahead is vital to ensuring that you can evacuate quickly and safely, no matter what the circumstances.

Before an Evacuation

• Learn the types of disasters that are likely in your community and the local emergency, evacuation, and shelter plans for each specific disaster.
• Plan how you will leave and where you will go if you are advised to evacuate.
  • Identify several places you could go in an emergency such as a friend’s home in another town or a motel. Choose destinations in different directions so that you have options during an emergency.
  • If needed, identify a place to stay that will accept pets. Most public shelters allow only service animals.
  • Be familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area.
  • Always follow the instructions of local officials and remember that your evacuation route may be on foot depending on the type of disaster.
• Develop a family/household communication and re-unification plan so that you can maintain contact and take the best actions for each of you and re-unite if you are separated.
• Assemble supplies that are ready for evacuation, both a “go-bag” you can carry when you evacuate on foot or public transportation and supplies for traveling by longer distances if you have a personal vehicle. 
• If you have a car:
  • Keep a full tank of gas in it if an evacuation seems likely. Keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case of an unexpected need to evacuate. Gas stations may be closed during emergencies and unable to pump gas during power outages. Plan to take one car per family to reduce congestion and delay.
  • Make sure you have a portable emergency kit in the car.
• If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if needed. Make arrangements with family, friends or your local government.

During an Evacuation

• A list of open shelters can be found during an active disaster in your local area by downloading the FEMA app
• Listen to a battery-powered radio and follow local evacuation instructions.
• Take your emergency supply kit.
• Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
• Take your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be permitted in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency now.
• If time allows:
  • Call or email the out-of-state contact in your family communications plan. Tell them where you are going.
  • Secure your home by closing and locking doors and windows.
  • Unplug electrical equipment such as radios, televisions and small appliances. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding. If there is damage to your home and you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving.
  • Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
  • Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provides some protection such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and a hat.
  • Check with neighbors who may need a ride.
• Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts; they may be blocked.
• Be alert for road hazards such as washed-out roads or bridges and downed power lines. Do not drive into flooded areas.

After an Evacuation

If you evacuated for the storm, check with local officials both where you’re staying and back home before you travel.

• Residents returning to disaster-affected areas after significant events should expect and prepare for disruptions to daily activities, and remember that returning home before storm debris is cleared is dangerous.

• Let friends and family know before you leave and when you arrive.

• Charge devices and consider getting back-up batteries in case power-outages continue.

• Fill up your gas tank and consider downloading a fuel app to check for outages along your route.

• Bring supplies such as water and non-perishable food for the car ride.

• Avoid downed power or utility lines; they may be live with deadly voltage. 

• Stay away and report them immediately to your power or utility company.

• Only use generators away from your home and NEVER run a generator inside a home or garage, or connect it to your home's electrical system.

For more information on when, where, or why to evacuate take a look at this link!

https://www.ready.gov/hurricane-toolkit

Managing Mold

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

When there is water in your home, mold can quickly become an issue. It can cause health issues and damage to your property. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment to handle your mold problem.

Call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call us. One of our employees will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.

Assessment 

Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view.

Containment

Different containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold, like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. 

Air Filtration

Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton technicians use powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress. 

Removing 

The process of mold remediation depends on the amount of mold growth and the type of surface it's on. Anti-fungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new ones from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary.

Cleaning  

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton cleans your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other salvageable items affected by mold. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. 

Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, some building materials may have to be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs or major repairs such as reconstruction.

Industrial Hygienist

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

In some cases, our mold jobs need to be referred to an industrial hygienist. If you are like me then you're asking "what exactly is that and what do they do?" 

According to www.aiha.org ,  "Industrial Hygiene is a science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, prevention, and control of those environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace which may cause sickness, impaired health and well being, or significant discomfort among workers or among citizens of the community."

They describe Industrial hygienists as "scientists and engineers committed to protecting the health and safety of people in the workplace and the community."

The steps listed below illustrate our process for a “typical” mold remediation infestation:

1. Emergency Contact - (251) 809-1260
2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
3. Mold Containment
4. Air Filtration
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings
7. Restoration

Restoring Your Commercial Property After a Water Damage Event

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

For Immediate Service in Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton, Call SERVPRO

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – 251-809-1260

Residential Services

Whether your Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Call us to learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Call us to learn more about our commercial services:

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Help Prevent Heat Related Fires

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

It’s going to get cold again here soon…

Besides using the fireplace to stay warm some people use alternative sources such as portable space heaters, and wood burning stoves. Heating equipment is the cause for many residential fires annually, causing deaths, injury and property damage. Here are some tips to help you reduce the risk of a heating-related fire:

-Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heating equipment

-Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters, or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturers instructions

-Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed

-Plug space heaters directly into outlets, never into an extension cord or power strip.

-Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters

-Install and maintain carbon monoxide and smoke alarms inside your home and business.

-Test alarms monthly

-Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional

-Make sure fireplaces have a screen to help prevent sparks

-Make sure ashes are cool before putting them in a metal container

For more information on safety tips call your local fire department.

Emergency Ready Profile

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

As a homeowner you always want to make sure you have emergency contacts close by in case anything unexpected happens. What if you are a homeowner but also a business owner? I know personally I couldn't imagine the amount of stress! SERVPRO realizes that you might not think about the unexpected things that might happen to your business; flooding, tornado damage, etc. 

That's why we have our Emergency Ready Program available to you! Our ERP, Emergency Ready Profile is the best way to reduce business interruption following a disaster, plan for it now! As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster, according to the latest industry research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.
 The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Advantage A no cost assessment of your facility. – This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost. A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency. – It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save a lot of time if ever needed. A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster. – This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action. Establishes your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. – You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by. Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin. – This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money. Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information. – Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are “Ready for whatever happens.”  Give us a call today and set up your ERP!

Every Second Counts

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

In a fire, seconds count. Seconds can mean the difference between residents of our community escaping safely from a fire or having their lives end in tragedy.

That’s why this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme: “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” is so important. It reinforces why everyone needs to have an escape plan. Here’s this year’s key campaign messages:

• Draw a map of your home with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit.
• Practice your home fire drill twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out.
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
• Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.
• Close doors behind you as you leave – this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
• Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.

via http://www.nfpa.org/

Have you contacted your local fire department? See how you can get involved with them and your community to prevent house fires. Sometimes they will have events or give out smoke detectors for your home. Don't think this could never happen to you because it easily could. We don't have control over everything in our homes! Be safe and have a plan!

What to do until SERVPRO arrives!

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

If you have a water damage from a clean source such as water supply lines, sink overflows, tub overflows, or appliance malfunctions, here are some things to do before SERVPRO arrives.

• Shut off the source of the water.

• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if the access panel is safe from electrical shock.

• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting

• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items

• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying

• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting

• Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.

• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors

• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors

Protect Your Property During an Ice Storm

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

Whether there is heavy rain, freezing temperatures, damaging winds, or sleet and snow; all of these can cause property damage. You can't control Mother Nature but you can be prepared so here are some tips to help you:

-Check for tree limbs and branches that might be at risk of falling.

-Roofs, pipes and gutters should all be inspected and make sure they are in proper working order. Clear gutters from debris, a damming effect could cause roof damage or interior water problems. Downspouts should be facing away from the home or building.

-Clean your chimneys and exhaust systems from debris.

-Test your gas lines for leaks.

-Inspect your property for proper drainage.

-Protect pipes from freezing by allowing water to drip when temperatures dip below freezing. If any pipes are under cabinets leave the cabinets open. Make sure exterior pipes are properly insulated.

-If there are any outdoor faucets, you might want to shut the water off.

-Make sure all exterior doors and windows have sufficient weather stripping.

Do you have an ERP for your business? Call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergeen/Brewton and speak with a Sales and Marketing Representative today!

What's the difference?

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

Each year, we experience flooding all over the United States: if you are unfamiliar with the difference between a flash flood warning, flood warning, and flood advisory; then read below! 

What is the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service?

• Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

• Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

• Flood Watch: Be Prepared: A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

• Flood Advisory: Be Aware! A Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

Information from http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/

Flood Facts

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

Floods are one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States.

There is always potential for flood damage no matter where you live. According to the American Red Cross, floods cause more damage in the United States every year than any other weather related disaster. The American Red Cross offers these flood safety tips:

-Stay away from floodwaters. If you come up on a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

-If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are riding rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

-Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water. 

If a flood occurs and affects you, call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton. Even minor floods have potential to cause major damage. We are faster to ANY size disaster. Let us help you get your life back in order. 

IICRC - Water Damage

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

With temperatures below freezing, water damage becomes a common occurrence as pipes freeze and rupture. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. The detection of water in these areas can often only be discovered with sophisticated moisture detection meters. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. This damage, at a minimum, will cause odors. Greater damage will surface when materials delaminate, shrink, split and further deteriorate to where costly repairs are required.

More than just removing excess water, IICRC certified restorers have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to preloss conditions. Through timely response and the careful monitoring of water damage, mold and other health issues can be prevented. If water damage has been present too long, mold will occur.

All IICRC certified professionals have the training and experience to identify moisture sources, evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected), contain damage, remove contamination and dry materials to ensure that mold will not return.

[Information via IICRC.org]

How to Prepare for Spring Weather Hazards

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

Spring weather often arrives early in Alabama and is a welcome change from the cold winter months. However, there are spring weather hazards that can quickly arise. You are not powerless to inclement weather that produces tornadoes, flooding, and lightning. Make sure that your family has a plan in place for these types of inclement weather to ensure everyone’s safety.

Knowing your risk is a key part of ensuring you are prepared for weather hazards that arise. Always ensure that you are checking your local weather forecast before leaving home. You can also follow weather patterns and possible threats by downloading apps such as Accuweather or Yahoo Weather.

Planning for weather hazards, such as tornadoes, floods, or lightning strikes to your home is an essential part of preparedness. Assemble an emergency kit with non-perishable food items, water, and basic first aid supplies to ensure that your family is taken care of in case of emergency. Also ensure that your family has an emergency plan in case of evacuation, loss of power, or fire. You can visit ready.gov for a free template to create your plan.

If you find yourself with damage to your home from spring weather hazards, SERVPRO is here to help. From water damage to fire damage, you can count on our highly skilled project managers and staff to restore your property and ensure that it is back to normal as quickly as possible.

Tornado Season Readiness

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

Cold weather is upon us at the moment, but tornado season here in Alabama is quickly approaching. Here are a couple of things from ready.gov to help be prepared in the event of severe weather.

To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or to commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.

Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.

If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.

Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.

If your home is affected by severe weather, call SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton 24/7 at 251-809-1260.

Understanding Mold and Managing Growth

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

Understanding Mold

Mold is an essential part of nature and returns carbon as well as other elements back into our ecosystem. However, mold is not a word that homeowners want to use when describing their homes. Mold cannot be completely eradicated, but it can be managed to a sanitary extent.

Moisture control and rapid response are a key component in controlling mold growth in your home or outside structure. Controlling the indoor and outdoor moisture of your home are the first steps in preventing mold growth.

Indoor Moisture Control:

                -Fix any indoor plumbing that is dripping or “sweating”.

                -Limit indoor humidity levels

                -Improve air movement in poorly ventilated areas of the home

Outdoor Moisture Control:

                -Inspect and maintain roofs, gutters, and flashing

                -Ensure that the home has proper grading to direct water runoff away

                -Install air conditioners in outside buildings for air flow

                -Keep outside doors to the home closed on humid days

If you find that you have mold in your home or outdoor structure it is important to locate and correct the problem. Once the problem that is causing the mold growth is corrected, the area needs to be cleaned and porous materials need to be removed.

Call our office today for an estimate on mold remediation.

Follow These Safety Tips if You Suspect Mold

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 251-809-1260

Fire Damage: How do we do it?

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

Do you ever wonder how SERVPRO keeps up with every customer’s job progress? SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton has a pretty tried and true method to keep everyone up to date on the progress of every job. When a customer first calls in a loss, we at SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton enter all of the pertinent information into a form called the FNOL or “First Notice of Loss.” This form is sent to everyone involved including our first responders, office staff so they can communicate with your insurance company, managers and ownership so they know the status of every job in progress. Every note, assessment, detail associated with that job from that point forward is attached to that initial FNOL so that it is at our fingertips if you ever have any questions or concerns.

Tips for Cleaning Your Restaurant

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton offers many cleaning services to help your restaurant stay in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association and the federal Food and Drug Administration. These services not only help keep your restaurant in compliance, but they are key factors in the health and safety of your employees and patrons.

Carpet Cleaning

Great service and food are not the only things that keep customers returning to your establishment. Maintaining a restaurant's cleanliness and appearance play a large role in a restaurant's success. Although most carpeting is found in the dining area, there are aerosol grease particles that travel through the air and find their final home on the carpeting. The residue is a host for bacteria and a magnet for dirt. With the abundance of foot traffic, as well as food and drinks that are spilled regularly, keeping the carpets clean can be a daunting task. Scheduling regular cleanings will help to keep your restaurant's carpets clean and odor free.

Exhaust Fan Cleaning

Ensuring that your exhaust fans are cleaned regularly and properly is one of the most important tasks in the restaurant business. Having your exhaust fans cleaned is required by the National Fire Protection Association and the federal Food and Drug Administration. Commercial exhaust fans are a popular place for grease build up, and keeping a regular cleaning schedule decreases your risk of having a grease fire.  Cleaning your exhaust fans regularly also increases the lifespan and ensures that your equipment is working at top capacity.

SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton can not only clean the carpets and exhaust fans in your restaurant, we can work around your schedule to ensure that neither you nor your customers are inconvenienced. Call our office today for more information and scheduling options.

Prepare Your Business

12/14/2018 (Permalink)

Prepare your business for winter weather!

-Check your business property for downed tree limbs and branches. Weather, such as wind, heavy rain, ice and snow, can cause branches to fall, which could cause damage to the property and potentially cause personal injuries. 

-Inspect property, especially walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential. 

-Inspect all handrails, stairwells and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas. Install mats or non-slip surfaces and post caution signs where water could be present.

-Ask your SERVPRO Professional about starting an Emergency Ready Profile for your business. 

What is an Emergency Ready Profile?

It is a "snapshot" of each building owned/managed by a business, that provides critical information for emergency preparation. 

IICRC - Water Damage

7/20/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage can be deceptive. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. The detection of water in these areas can often only be discovered with sophisticated moisture detection meters. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. This damage, at a minimum, will cause odors. Greater damage will surface when materials delaminate, shrink, split and further deteriorate to where costly repairs are required.

More than just removing excess water, IICRC-certified restorers have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to preloss conditions. Through timely response and the careful monitoring of water damage, mold and other issues can be prevented. If water damage has been present too long, mold will occur.

All IICRC-certified professionals have the training and experience to identify moisture sources, evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected), contain damage, remove contamination, and dry materials to ensure that mold will not return.

[Information via IICRC.org]

What to Do Until SERVPRO Arrives

7/20/2018 (Permalink)

If you have water damage from a clean source such as water supply lines, sink overflows, tub overflows, or appliance malfunctions, here are some things to do before SERVPRO arrives:

• Shut off the source of the water.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if the access panel is safe from electrical shock.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting
• Move to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents, and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors

Duct Cleaning

7/20/2018 (Permalink)

Duct Cleaning Process:

• The process begins by using patented equipment. This equipment includes a roto-scraper, which automatically adapts to the duct's shape and diameter while traveling through the duct, removing debris and filth before vacuuming begins.
• Next, a powerful push-pull air delivery and collection system transfers the debris from the ducting to a 16-gallon container.
• Air is filtered through a HEPA filtration system, removing 99.97 percent of particles in the airstream. HEPA filters capture debris and keep the environment clean.
• As an optional process, a sealant or coating product may be sprayed to address odor to microbial concerns.
• Filters will either be cleaned or replaced to remove odor and dirt.

Duct cleaning may not always be necessary. SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton will inspect your HVAC system and ductwork and make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This inspection can save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your HVAC system and ductwork.

In some circumstances, such as after a fire, smoke or suspected mold growth, duct cleaning becomes an essential part of the cleanup process. In these cases, SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton can often restore the HVAC system and ductwork to pre-damage condition.

How to Help Prevent Mold

7/20/2018 (Permalink)

1. Identify problem areas in your home and correct them.Preventing mold from growing or spreading might be as simple as ripping up carpet in a damp basement, installing mold-resistant products, or repairing damaged gutters.
2. Dry wet areas immediately.Mold can't grow without moisture, so tackle wet areas right away. 
3. Prevent moisture with proper ventilation.Make sure an activity as simple as cooking dinner, taking a shower, or doing a load of laundry doesn't invite mold by providing proper ventilation in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and any other high-moisture area. 
4. Equip your home with mold-resistant products.Building a new home or renovating an old one? Use mold-resistant products like mold-resistant drywall or mold-resistant Sheetrock, and mold inhibitors for paints. 
5. Monitor humidity indoors.The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent. You can measure humidity with a moisture meter purchased from your local hardware store. 
6. Direct water away from your home.If the ground around your home isn't sufficiently sloped away from the foundation, water may collect there and seep into your crawlspace or basement.
7. Clean or repair roof gutters. Have your roof gutters cleaned regularly and inspected for damage. Repair them as necessary, and keep an eye out for water stains after storms that may indicate a leak.
8. Improve air flow in your home.Without good air flow in your home, that excess moisture may appear on your walls, windows and floors. To increase circulation, open doors between rooms, move furniture away from walls, and open doors to closets that may be colder than the rooms they’re in. Let fresh air in to reduce moisture and keep mold at bay.
9. Keep mold off household plants.They're beautiful and help keep your indoor air clean — and mold loves them. The moist soil in indoor plants is a perfect breeding ground for mold, which may then spread to other areas of your house.

[All information is from mnn.com]

Call SERVPRO if you have any signs of mold. We have trained professionals to handle the infestation.

Does Your Home Have A Mold Problem?

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. With that being said, our mold remediation services reduce the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water or moisture. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – SERVPRO of Monroeville/Evergreen/Brewton 251-809-1260