Recent Posts
How Soot Affects A Property Over Time
9/26/2024 (Permalink)
Fire can cause several issues that extend beyond the initial loss. When firefighters come to put out a fire, the water they use to put out the fire itself can often times be just as damaging. In addition, the lingering soot from the fire applies itself to every surface, making it nearly impossible to escape from. So how does soot, specifically, affect your home and its contents? Here’s how:
Within minutes:
- plastic surfaces affected by soot begin to discolor and turn yellow
Within days:
- Appliances, countertops and furniture turn yellow
Within days
- Materials corrode, pit and rust
- Clothing and upholstery can be permanently stained
- Electronics corrode and fail
- Vinyl floors MUST be replaced
Within weeks:
- Glass, crystal and China will etch and pit
- Audio and video tapes distort
- Carpet fibers are permanently discolored
Acting swiftly after a fire by choosing a high-quality restoration can help save so many precious valuables and items in your home. Here at SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park, we are your one-stop-shop for all things restoration. In need of help? Call today at 410-647-8181.
National Preparedness Month - Prep A Storm Kit
9/26/2024 (Permalink)
September is National Preparedness Month and hurricane season is upon us. Living in the metropolitan region, sudden summer thunderstorms are a common occurrence. It is never too early to prepare your family and home for hurricanes, severe weather, or natural disasters. Use this guide to help you prepare a basic storm kit, to survive for 48 hours to 1 week or more without electricity. Getting prepared is as simple as getting a plastic tote, filling it with these items, and tucking it away until the day comes that you need it. Your basin emergency kit should include, but is not limited to, these items:
- Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days)
- Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
- Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight and/or light sticks
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Whistle (to signal for help)
- Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
- Basic tools - a hammer, screwdriver, and a wrench or pliers
- Manual can opener
- Cell phone chargers - including a car charger
If a storm does cause damage to your property, SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park will be here to help. Call us any time day or night 410-647-8181.
Hire PROs For Your Post Construction Cleaning
9/20/2024 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park are experts when it comes to post-construction cleaning. Our highly trained, industry-certified staff has the attention to detail needed for large post-construction cleaning jobs. Countless commercial property owners have trusted us with the dirty work before the grand opening.
Want to make your office space or classrooms look like they’re brand new? Bring in our professionals to clean your carpets, upholstery, ceilings, walls, fixtures, deodorization, air duct cleaning, debris removal and window cleaning. No job is too big or small for us.
If your Severna Park property is in need of freshening up or even a deep cleaning, give SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park a call at 410-647-8181!
Do You Hear That Dripping Noise?
9/20/2024 (Permalink)
Do you hear that? That dripping sound? Yep, that would be a leak in your roof. Roof leaks can be especially detrimental for homeowners and, if left untreated, can cause extensive damage and costly repairs. By being proactive, Severna Park homeowners can prevent these damages from occurring in the first place. Here are just a few ways your leaky roof might be affecting your home:
Rotting Frames/Structural Damage
Even the strongest, most durable homes are susceptible to the rot that follows a water damage/ What starts as a small leak in the roof, can develop into an alarming concern for your home’s foundation. Water is persistent and WILL find its way to your foundation, causing rot and splitting.
Potential Mold Growth
A leak in your roof can inevitably lead to issues with mold growth. Mold grows fastest in contained, damp environments, making attics the perfect breeding ground. Mold can also spread quickly, making its way through HVAC systems.
Damaged Insulation
Whether the water is slowly leaking or pouring in, it can seriously damage any insulation inside a roof or attic. Wet insulation should be removed immediately as it traps moisture and can contribute to mold growth.
Sagging Drywall/Ceilings
Drywalls are very commonly used to divide spaces within homes during the construction process. Any drywall exposed to water can trap and hold moisture, causing it to sag, buckle, crumble, and fall apart.
Water Acts Fast, SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park Acts Faster
9/20/2024 (Permalink)
From a burst pipe in an office to faulty wiring in an apartment building, fire and water losses are never planned, but they do occur. Our professionals at SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park know there is no such thing as a small emergency when it threatens the welfare of the tenants and the revenue of the property owner. With over 40 years of business in the cleanup and restoration industry, and over 1,500 franchises serving 48, SERVPRO is the leader in all types of restoration services.
Serving as a SERVPRO franchise, we hold ourselves to the standard of being faster to any size disaster. We do this through strictly following our 1-4-8 Service Response Guideline.
1 – Within one hour from notice of loss, a SERVPRO Franchise Professional will contact you to arrange for your service.
4 – Within four hours of a loss, a SERVPRO Franchise Professional will be on-site to start mitigation services.
8 – Within eight business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the appropriate person.
We understand that quick response times may help avoid revenue loss for property managers and minimize inconvenience for tenants. Using professional equipment and industry-approved techniques, our restoration services can help you resume normal business functions quickly while avoiding costly construction downtime!
Fire Damage Causes Smoke and Soot to Linger
9/26/2023 (Permalink)
Fire can cause several issues that extend beyond the initial loss. When firefighters come to put out a fire, water can also damage areas of the home. In addition, soot affects several areas of the home beyond the location of the initial fire. How does soot, specifically, affect your home or business after a loss? Here’s how:
Within minutes
- Plastic surfaces discolor and turn yellow
Within hours
- Tile grout stains
- Fiberglass yellows
- Metals tarnish
- Appliances, countertops and furniture turn yellow
Within days
- Walls can become yellow
- Materials corrode, pit and rust
- Clothing and upholstery can be permanently stained
- Electronics corrode and fail
- Vinyl floors MUST be replaced
Within weeks
- Class, crystal and china etch and pit
- Audio and video tapes distort
- Carpet fibers are permanently discolored
Acting swiftly after a fire can help save so many items in your home or business. At SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park, we offer content cleaning and restoration services to make any size disaster “Like it never even happened.” Reach out today!
Mold Growth at Your Property? Trust SERVPRO
9/20/2023 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park specializes in mold remediation. It’s common for us to get called to commercial buildings with mold growth throughout the building. Even the smallest water damages have the potential to cause poor indoor air quality over time.
As a property manager/homeowner, here are a few things you can do to prevent mold growth at your property :
- Keep the humidity between 30-50 percent.
- Provide for proper drainage away from the building foundation.
- Regularly inspect plumbing and appliances for leaks.
- Keep gutters and drains clear of debris.
- Inspect the roof, windows and other areas where water might enter the building and perform necessary maintenance.
- Respond to all water intrusions immediately.
Got mold? Contact us, SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park at (410) 647-8181 for assistance after a water damage or if you discover mold!
Do You Hear that Dripping Noise? Water Damage Acts Fast!
9/20/2023 (Permalink)
Do you hear that? That quiet dripping noise? Yep, that would be your roof leaking. Roof leaks can be detrimental to your home and if left untreated, can cause extensive damage and costly repairs. By being proactive, homeowners in the Severna Park area can prevent these damages or address them before they become major. Here are some ways untreated roof damage can cause issues for your home:
Rotting Frames/Structural Damage
Even the strongest, most durable homes are susceptible to the rot that follows any water damage. What starts as a small leak in the roof can develop into an alarming concern for your home’s foundation. Water is persistent and WILL find its way to your foundation causing rot. Stop roof leaks in their tracks before it becomes an overwhelming issue.
Leaky Roofs Can Cause Mold
A leak in your roof can inevitably lead to issues with mold or mildew growth. Mold spores in water damage can pass through HVAC systems, leading to serious health and safety concerns. Mold acts fast, so should you.
Damaged Insulation
As water leaks or pours through your roof, it can seriously damage any insulation you may have inside your roof or attic. The water causes the insulation to clump, making it essentially ineffective in insulating warm or cool air inside your home. Be sure to have your roof professionally expected in order to avoid damaged insulation.
Sagging Drywall/Ceilings
Drywalls are very commonly used to divide spaces within homes during the construction process. Drywall exposed to water can hold and trap moisture causing it to sag, buckle, crumble and fall apart. Water can even travel through drywall, causing more damage to surrounding areas.
Summer Weather Causing Water Damage in You Home?
8/1/2023 (Permalink)
Who doesn’t love the summer? With the warm weather, constant sunshine, trips to the beach and so much more, summer seems like a great time. What people forget to mention about the summer is the amount of water damage insurance claims that are made in the Metropolitan area. A large portion of these water damage claims are a result of an accumulation of condensation on ductwork. If you see bubbling or staining in your ceiling or roof, that may be a sign of condensation forming on your ductwork. This can lead to several problems, such as:
- Damage to insulation
- High indoor humidity levels
- Mildew and mold growth
- Water damage to structural elements
Typically, “sweating” ductwork is caused by improper insulation around or from an outside source. If a home’s siding is exposed, warm or hot air can seep into spaces around the ductwork. When the hot and cold air mix, condensation forms. To avoid this, have your ductwork properly insulated to avoid the mixing in air temperature. Additionally, HVAC units that have not been inspected in some time can add to this issue. Have your HVAC unit professionally inspected and request a new filter to be installed. A dirty HVAC filter can cause the unit to freeze up which can contribute to the ductwork condensation.
If you see bubbling or staining from water damage in your home, don't wait! Call us at SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park at 410-647-8181!
Here Comes Hurricane Season
8/1/2023 (Permalink)
It is OFFICIALLY hurricane season! Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. During this time, it is crucial for home and business owners to know how to prepare their property to prevent disaster. Luckily, SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park has tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help keep your property safe from hurricane damage.
Tips for Preparing Your Home for a Hurricane
- Cover all your home’s windows with precut plywood or hurricane shutters to protect them from high winds
- Plan to bring in ALL outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else not tied down
- Keep all trees and shrubs well-trimmed
- Turn off utilities and turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting
- Turn off any propane tanks
- Ensure a supply of water for sanitation purposes, such as cleaning and flushing toilets
Tips for Preparing Your Business for a Hurricane
- Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally, to determine which materials and procedures are necessary to keep the business operating
- Identify operations critical to recovery
- Plan what you will do if your business is not accessible
- Consider if you can run your business from a different location or at home
- Develop relationships with other companies to use their facilities in case a disaster makes your location inaccessible
When the storm is a major event, you need more comprehensive restoration support. SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park is ready to make any size disaster “Like it never even happened.”
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