Why Have a Professional Clean Your Carpet?

Sometimes it's better
to have a professional
take care of the
problem.

SERVPRO Home Furnishing Guide

Why Have a Professional Clean Your Carpet?

How often should you have a professional clean your carpets? The cleaning frequency for a home depends on several factors, such as the number of persons living in the home, number of children and pets, and whether any occupants are smokers. Outside factors also determine cleaning frequency, such as weather conditions, industrial pollution or dusty conditions, humidity, type of surface on outside entryways, etc.

A combination of conditions may require your carpets to be cleaned professionally more often. The main consideration is to clean carpets before they become totally saturated with soil. Dirt builds up in layers, and when a carpet looks dirty you are only seeing the dirt at the tips of the fibers. The dirt hiding below the surface down near the base of the pile is what causes most damage to a carpet. When a carpet is saturated with dirt, the soil has penetrated crevices and has become firmly lodged.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals employ six methods of carpet cleaning. The best method for a carpet cleaning situation depends on the type of carpet, type of fibers, age and condition of the carpet, how the carpet is soiled, the type of soil, and other factors including your own needs as a carpet owner.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals follow the highest quality standards and workmanship. You need not worry about shrinkage, over-wetting, mildew, rapid resoiling, and many other problem areas.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals remove the loose grit from the pile of the carpet. The sharp edges of gritty soils cut the carpet fibers - this dry, loose grit must be removed before cleaning solution is applied.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals remove the atmospheric soil created by cooking, smoking, heating, auto exhaust, etc. Removal of this oily, sticky residue will brighten your carpet color.

With six professional carpet cleaning methods, the SERVPRO Franchise Professional has the flexibility to respond to your unique situation.SERVPRO Franchise carpet cleaning will match the cleaning method to your needs.

-Denea Duran

Promote Sign Bilingualism During International Week Of The Deaf

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) celebrates International Week of the Deaf (IWD) of the deaf this week from September 24-30, an event observed by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), an international organization composed of 130 national associations of the deaf. The WFD has designated “Sign Bilingualism is a Human Right,” as the theme for this year’s IWD. IWD is celebrated annually during the last full week of September.
http://www.wfdeaf.org/news/international-week-of-the-deaf-2012

“The WFD theme of ‘Sign Bilingualism is a Human Right’ represents a basic concept of linguistic access for deaf and hard of hearing people worldwide. This right is absolutely necessary to ensure their empowerment and self-determination. The NAD supports this year’s International Week of the Deaf theme and asks everyone to join in celebrating IWD across the country,” said NAD President Christopher Wagner. “The NAD thanks all organizations and individuals who have taken the time to recognize and celebrate IWD (also known as Deaf Awareness Week), including state associations of the deaf and community organizations across the nation.”

In the United States, the NAD is committed to ensuring that sign language is a human right.  The NAD and numerous other organizations, including the United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD) have advocated for the passage of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (“CRPD”). The CPRD recognizes sign language as a linguistic right of the deaf and hard of hearing community and the cultural values of this community,  as well as the importance of complete visual access to information. The United States has signed but has not yet ratified the CRPD, which is awaiting a vote in the Senate. If you haven’t taken action, please take action now at: http://www.nad.org/news/2012/9/we-need-your-support-ratify-crpd.

The International Committee, one of seven committees overseen by the NAD Public Policy Committee, put together a guideline and information on how to best promote IWD and help individuals and organizations across the USA develop ways to celebrate this important week of recognition and pride. Please review this guideline and celebrate deaf culture and heritage, as well as the many sign languages of the world including American Sign Language at: http://www.nad.org/guide-celebrating-international-week-deaf-and-international-day-sign-languages.

The NAD and Gallaudet University are presenting a joint celebration and awareness event for IWD on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm at the Student Academic Center, G-Area. Please let us know what you are doing to mark this important week by sending information to us [link to contact page], tweeting your activities to us at @NADtweets or posting on our Facebook status update on IWD at www.facebook.com/NAD1880.

Content Credit: http://www.nad.org/

-Denea Duran 

-Denea Duran 

Fall Cleaning, Call Servpro

It's Autumn.              

Pumpkins glow in golden fields. Shorter days, crisp mornings signal winter's approach.

Can the holidays be far behind?

Use Autumn's brisk and breezy days to conquer deep-cleaning chores for a clean and comfortable winter home, and wrap up summer's outdoor areas.

Our Fall Cleaning Chore Checklist will help you prepare home and hearth for the coming of winter:

Outside The House

Summer's come and gone--and left its mark on outside the house.

Time to come inside for winter! Outside the house tend to these autumn chores:

• Clean and store patio furniture, umbrellas, children's summer toys.
• Touch up paint on trim, railings and decks. Use a wire brush to remove flaking paint; prime bare wood first.
• Check caulk around windows and doors. Follow manufacturer's recommendations to re-caulk if needed.
• Inspect external doors and garage doors. Do they close tightly? Install weather-stripping, door thresholds if needed.
• Wash exterior windows.
• Drain and store garden hoses. Install insulating covers on exterior spigots. In hard-freeze areas, have sprinkler systems blown free of water.
• Check gutters and downspouts. Clear of debris if necessary. In cold-weather areas, consider installing heating cable to prevent ice dams.
• Have chimneys and flues inspected and cleaned if necessary.

The Inside Story:

Autumn's the time for "spring cleaning". Deep clean now to take advantage of good weather, and face the coming of winter and the approaching holidays with a clean and comfortable home.

Learn how to clean efficiently! Check out the Clean House Guide for more information on how to clean fast and furious.

• Focus on public rooms: living room, family room, entryway, guest bath.
• Clean from top to bottom. Vacuum drapes and window treatments. Clean window sills and window wells. Vacuum baseboards andcorners.
• Vacuum upholstered furniture, or have professionally cleaned if needed. Move furniture and vacuum beneath and behind it.
• Wash interior windows.
• Turn mattresses front-to-back and end-to-end to equalize wear.
• Launder or clean all bedding: mattress pads, pillows, duvets, blankets, comforters. Tuck the family into a warm and cozy winter bed.
• Schedule professional carpet cleaning early this month! Warm October afternoons speed carpet drying. Carpet cleaning firms get busy by the end of October, so schedule now for best service.
• Prepare the kitchen for holiday cooking. Clean and organized kitchen cabinets, paying particular attention to baking supplies, pans and equipment.
• Clear kitchen counters of all appliances not used within the last week. Clear counters look cleaner--and provide more room for holiday cooking.
• Pull refrigerator away from the wall, and vacuum the condenser coils. For bottom-mounted coils, use a long, narrow brush to clean coils of dust and debris.
• Wash light-diffusing bowls from light fixtures.
• Inspect each appliance. Does it need supplies? Stock up on softener salt now, and avoid staggering over icy sidewalks with heavy bags.
• Check and empty the central vacuum's collection area.
• Clean electronic air cleaner elements monthly for most efficient operation. Wash them in an empty dishwasher (consult manual for specific product recommendations).
• Clean or replace humidifier elements before the heating season begins.
• Inspect washer hoses for bulges, cracks or splits. Replace them every other year.
• Check dryer exhaust tube and vent for built-up lint, debris or birds' nests! Make sure the exterior vent door closes tightly when not in use.
• Schedule fall furnace inspections now. Don't wait for the first cold night!
• Buy a winter's supply of furnace filters. Change filters monthly for maximum energy savings and indoor comfort. When the right filter is on hand, it's an easy job!
• Drain sediment from hot water heaters.

Content Credit: http://organizedhome.com/seasonal-spin/fall-cleaning-chore-checklist

Image Credit: Google Image

-Denea Duran 

Staying healthy in the fall

Fall Health Tips

This Fall season follow these tips to help you and yours stay in top health and be your best during the seasonal and all year long:

• Flu Shots - Check with your doctor or your local public health department to find out when the annual flu shot is available. If your doctor can give you the shot in the office combine it with a check-up. If your doctor does not give the shot check on local events for flu shot administration. You may also want to get a pneumonia shot also. Remember that the flu shot is recommended for all adults, especially those with a health condition such as diabetes or heart disease that makes them more at risk for the serious complications of the flu.
  (Also watch our web site in November for our OralFlu prevention remedy and other cold and flu remedies)
• Exercise - Exercise is important all through the year, but can help you get in shape for the winter months. If you exercise by walking outdoors, it may be time to locate other places you can walk that are protected from harsh winter weather. Indoor shopping malls are great places to walk and often have walkers clubs that offer discounts. With the days getting colder, take a few extra minutes to warm up your body and stretch your muscles before you exercise. Also wear a handkerchief around your nose and mouth if it's really cold to warm up the air before it enters your lungs.
  Boost your energy with Native Remedies Fatigue Fighter to keep you going all season long.
  
• Diet - Add all the fall vegetables to your diet. Many of the root vegetables are in season now and are an inexpensive and nutritious way to add variety to your diet.
• Drink More Water – You can experience dehydration even during the winter. Dry central heat robs your body and skin of vital moisture. If you keep hydrated your mucous membranes also stay hydrated, working much more effectively to filter our disease causing organisms.
• Sunscreen – Yes, even in the fall and winter months you should be thinking about sunscreen. If you're a skier, don't forget your sunscreen. The snow reflects the sun's rays and can quickly burn your skin. Don't let the cold temperatures fool you.
• Second-Hand Smoke - Watch out for the effects of second-hand smoke. During cold weather, you may find yourself behind closed doors and windows with a smoker. Avoid inhaling smoke and check your home for proper ventilation.
• Cold and Flu - Cover your face when you sneeze or cough, and wash your hands often to help stop the spread of the season's cold and flu germs. Get a flu shot if you are 65 or older; or if you have a chronic disease of the heart, lungs or kidneys.
• Hats and Gloves - Wear a hat and gloves when you go outside. The hat keeps warmth from escaping through the top of your head—a major source of body heat loss. And the gloves help prevent painful frostbite.

Also, be aware of Fall allergies. Late summer and early fall bring on another season that triggers allergic reactions. Outdoor molds become plentiful in the fall in gutters, soil, vegetation, rotting wood and fallen leaves. You can reduce your exposure to Fall allergens. For example, avoid being outdoors in the morning hours between 5:00 and 10:00 a.m. when pollen dispersal is peaking; avoid lots and fields where ragweed grows; shower and wash hair immediately after coming in from outside activities, and especially before going to bed; keep the windows and doors of your home and car closed.

Content Credit: http://www.holistichealthtools.com/fall-health-tips.html

Photo Credit: Google Image

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious crime which occurs when your personal information is stolen and used to commit fraud or other crimes. You can help deter identity thieves by taking the following steps: 

• Shred any documents with personal information or numbers before you discard it. 
• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails. Use firewalls and anti- spyware on your home computers. 
• Protect your social security number and ask to use another identifier, when possible. 
• Keep your employees' social security information in a secure place. 

-Denea Duran 

Small Fires

Even a small fires can cause an odor. Any firs in your home is bad But when you try to clean it up yourself, it can be a disaster. Especially considering that smoke and soot from even a small fire can cause odors that may resurface for years. So, before you risk doing more by attempting to clean it up yourself, call your local fire, smoke and soot cleanup and restoration experts at SERVPRO.

Servpro does not just cover up lingering odors, we seek out the source of odors and remove them.
Call us 803-755-9774
-Denea Duran

Ready Plan Mobile App

Be Ready on the Go

The SERVPRO Ready Plan is a tool for property managers and owners, both residential and commercial. It allows for the creation of an Emergency READY Profile containing critical facility information to help speed up response time after fire or water damage.

Learn more about the SERVPRO Ready Plan Mobile App

 

 

 

 

No one plans on a disaster,

but you can plan to be

"Ready for whatever happens."

As many as 50% of businesses close down following a disaster, according to the latest 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. And knowing you are "Ready for whatever happens" speaks trust to your clients and employees that in the event your business is affected by a disaster, they don’t necessarily have to be.
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

To get started with a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile, please call 1-800-SERVPRO.

• 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."