Home Emergency Tips

Here at SERVPRO we clean and restore fire and water damage, but our desire is that you never need to call us.

Harmful Waste (Sewage, Bloodborne Pathogens, Etc.)

Here are some home emergency tips:

Do:

-Stay out of affected areas

-Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life threatening.

-Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated

-Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage damage.

Don’t:

-Attempt cleanup of any kind

-Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids.

-Eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or handle contact lenses in affected areas.

*If exposed to harmful waste, OSHA recommends a post- exposure medical evaluation. Consult your local health department or physician.

Home Maintenance Checklist

There are tons of ways that you can keep your clean and safe and your SERVPRO team is here to give you tips on how to do so!

Weekly, you can:

1. Vacuum your carpet. (Rule of thumb: vacuum once per week per human inhabitant, twice per pet).
2. Feel plugs/ outlets for warmth. Call electrician if anything appears unusual.

Monthly, you can:

1. Change air filters (if there are no pets, smoking inside the home, or inhabitants with allergies, you may change them quarterly at a MINIMUM).
2. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms by pushing ‘test’ button.
3. Check faucet and hose connections under sinks and toilets and behind laundry equipment and refrigerator.
4. Look for leaks at shut-off valves.
5. Check walls and ceilings for brown spots. Check painted surfaces for peeling, chipping or blistering. This can be indicative of water damage.
6. Clean dust from molding and baseboards to preserve value.

Quarterly, you can:

1. Check inside basement walls for dampness or water stains.
2. Check to make sure crawl space vapor barrier is in good condition and placed correctly.
3. Examine outside vents and gutters. Make sure properly sealed and clear of obstruction. Recheck vents during and after a snowstorm.
4. Check condition of caulking around sinks, bathtubs, and showers. For extra protection, replace with long-lasting material such as silicone or latex.
5. Clean dirt and dust from around furnaces, air grills and ducts.
6. Have dryer vent cleaned by professional or remove lent with leaf blower to prevent clogging or fire damage. Check vent if clothes aren’t drying properly.

Bi-Annually, you can:

1. Have carpet cleaned by professional cleaner to preserve fabric or warranty.
2. Practice fire escape plan with family. Identify off-site meeting location/shelter.
3. Pull back floor insulation in basement or crawl space to check for leaks, wood damage around supply pipes.

Annually, you can:

1. Change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Clean detectors/vacuum each grill.
2. Have property inspected and treated for termites by professional technician.
3. Check roof for damaged shingles and flashing.
4. Replace washer/dryer and refrigerator hoses (steel braided hoses are recommended).
5. Have AC unit serviced by professional technician. Condensation drain lines need to be checked for clogging to prevent water damage.
6. Have fireplace inspected and cleaned by professional chimney sweeper.
7. Drain garden hoses and store for winter.

Long Term Reminders:

1. Every 5 years, have ducts cleaned by professional technician.
2. Every 25 years, replace roof shingles.

More general safety tips include:

•  Store emergency contact information (police, fire dept., hospital, etc.) in physical and digital locations. Free apps are available as a resource (see servpro.com/ready).
• Keep rescue ladder(s) for multi-story homes.
• Keep fire extinguisher in kitchen and on every floor. Have all house dwellers practice use.
• Plug a rechargeable flashlight into socket close to bed. May also be used to signal first responders.
• Trim back branches from roof and chimney to prevent fire or structural damage.
• Regularly clean fireplace ash pit.
• Never burn green wood. Burn only dry, well-seasoned hard wood that has been split properly.
• Use dryer sheets when drying clothes to reduce spontaneous combustion. Let clothes cool off before transferring.
• If a rotten-egg type smell is detected, check pipes for possible gas leak.
• Set water heaters no higher than 120 degrees. Keep combustible and flammable material away from heater.
• Consider a sprinkler system in home to prevent fire damage.
• Never plug more than one high wattage appliance in single outlet.
• Keep carpet stretched and healthy to prevent tripping on wrinkles. If wrinkled, check for delamination by pulling carpet back from corner of room. Delaminated carpet is not repairable and must be replaced.

In case of water damage, you should know what to do and what not to do until help arrives. SERVPRO’s got your back. Here are our tips:

DO:

• Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
• When access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock, turn off circuit breakers in wet areas of the building.
• 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 cushion for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Any painting, art object, computers, document and other material that are valuable or sensitive to moisture should be relocated to a safe, dry place.
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors.
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors.
• Hang furs and leather good to dry separately at room temperature.

DON’T:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist.
• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards.
• Leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors to cause staining.
• Leave oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet wall-to-wall carpets to cause staining.
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet.
• Enter rooms where ceiling is sagging from retained water.

What we can do for YOU

So you know that SERVPRO does “fire and water cleanup and restoration,” but do you know what that entails? Don’t miss out on all that we can do for you.

Restoration:

-Fire, Smoke and Soot

-Water Removal and Dehumidication

-Mold Mitigation and Remediation

-Catastrophic Storm Response

-Move out sand Contents Restoration     

-Electronics and Equipment

-Document Drying

-Contents Claim Inventory Service

Cleaning:

-Air Ducts and HVAC

-Biohazzard, Crime Scene and Vandalism

-Carpet, Upholstery, Drapes and Blinds

-Ceilings, Walls and Hard Floors

-Odor Identification

-Deodorization

We’re here to serve you and make it like it never even happened.

Give us a call: (803)755-9774

For more information: http://www.servprolexingtonsc.com/

-Denea Duran 

Let the pro's handle it!



Any water damage in your home is bad. Especially when the water contains potentially harmful bacteria that can affect the health of your family and the value of your home. Toilet overflows, sewage backups and other black water intrusions are more than nasty, smelly messes, these bio hazardous damages, also introduce harmful microorganisms into your home, as well as the moisture necessary to support their growth.

So before you risk your health by attempting to clean up the mess yourself, call your local water damage cleanup and restoration experts! Call us 803-755-9774!

Water Leaks and Prevention Tips

 Water leaks withing a business can seep into flooring, carpets,baseboards and walls while moving throughout the structure, potentially creating mildew and staining walls. Quick action is critical in avoiding costly repairs ans expensive downtime. SERVPRO Professionals understand the water damage event can not only disrupt your facility, it can also interrupt day to day business functions-possibly closing the business and ultimately affecting your revenues.

Leak Prevention Tips:
-Regularly check the following items for leaks:

Exterior

• Check roofing for deterioration.
• Check gutters and down spouts for blockage.
• Check basements and crawl spaces for moisture.

Interiors

• Check appliances in break rooms and cafeterias.
• Check sinks and toilets in restrooms.
• Check HVAC for leaks and blockage.

If you experience any water damage please call your
SERVPRO of Cayce/West Columbia/ Lexington 803-755-9774

-Denea Duran

Happy Birthday, Taylor!

Way back in 1995, 6 year old Taylor Williams sprinted downstairs early on a Saturday morning. He turned on the tv to watch cartoons and began playing loudly with his toy trucks. Our mom, Angie, stepped out the bedroom door to hush Taylor. The conversation went something like this:


Angie: "Taylor, you need to play quietly"


Taylor: "Why?"


Angie: "Because your dad is still sleeping"


Taylor: "Why is he still sleeping?"


Angie: "He's been working on a water damage all night"


Taylor (pausing for a second, confused):   ..."If I had a job like that, I would fire myself!" 

Stylin'

Taylor and Richland County SERVPRO owner,
William Hinson- aka Will'm

Seventeen years later, Marty has yet to fire himself and Taylor has yet to quit. I'd say we're thankful they've stuck around! 


Everyone wish a very happy birthday to our buddy, Taylor!

The Williams

--Tia Williams

HVAC, Whatever That Is

Three and a half months ago I had no idea what HVAC meant. For those who are in my boat, the acronym stands for a very prevalent part of your house: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. So maybe you know nothing about HVAC systems, but you know you want one. Dave Lyman of SERVPRO had an informative article earlier this year in "The Goal Digger." Check it out:

HVAC systems, when directly contacted by Category 1 water, can cease to operate, or they can function inefficiently or spread excess humidity throughout both affected and unaffected areas of a structure. If contacted directly by Category 2 or 3 water, they can spread contamination to unaffected areas. Even if an HVAC system is not directly contacted by water, when operating, it can spread humidity or contamination from affected to unaffected areas. Further, microbial growth from other causes can be carried to the interior of HVAC system components where it can accumulate and degrade HVAC component operation.

Since HVAC systems circulate the air that workers and occupants breathe when the system is operating both during and after restoration, it is a critical component in the overall water damage restoration plan. Category 1 water should be drained or vacuumed thoroughly from HVAC ductwork, systems and mechanical components as so as practical. Once excess water has been removed, the system should be thoroughly dried. Mechanical and other system components should be evaluated, and cleaned, as necessary, following NADCA ACR 2006 standards, or similar industry standards. System components should be evaluated for operational safety, repaired if necessary, and place back into operation by a licensed HVAC contractor.

In losses where Category 2 or 3 water has directly entered HVAC systems, especially where internal insulation fiberboard ducting is present, it might not be possible or practical to disassemble, clean and completely decontaminate HVAC ductwork, systems and possibly even mechanical components. In these situations, restorers should contain, disassemble and remove affected HVAC system components, and plan for replacing the system after structural restoration and remediation has been completed.

Before you panic and think, "I don't even know what the categories are, no less how to do all this," let me assure you that you don't have to. That's where we come in. We frequently see customers attempt to clean up after water damages, not realizing what level of involvement is necessary. When it's not just a house, but a home and not just a water damage, but damaged health, call a professional. Call SERVPRO.

Image Credit: http://airconditionerfortlauderdale.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/HVAC-Fort-Lauderdale.jpg

Sandy Hayden

Don't Let Mold Mold Your Health

In all of yesterday's allergy talk we touched briefly on the topic of mold. Excessive amounts of mold and certain types of mold may present health concerns. Water damages in particular can cause mold growth in your home or business, therefore it is important to have your water damages cleaned promptly and professionally. It's a do-it-yourself age, my friends, but some things are more important to have done right.

So check your home for the following signs of the presence of excessive mold:

• The presence of visible mold (shocker, I know).


• Strong, musty odors (yeah, that's not just the way your house smells).


• Any evidence of past moisture problems that might have caused undetected mold growth (spotting on the ceiling, anyone?).


• Excessive humidity (hellllllo South Carolina).

If you think you might have a mold problem, call your local SERVPRO (for us in Cayce/West Columbia and Lexington that's 803-755-9774) or dial 1-800-SERVPRO.

In most water damage situations mold growth is not a problem, and we can safely restore your home or business to preloss condition. The need to address the presence of mold can only be determined by an on-site, indoor environmental inspection.

In some situations an indoor air quality professional will be required to create a restoration plan for your home. SERVPRO is experienced at carrying out the assigned plan and working to make it, well, "Like it never even happened."

Photo Credit: http://mlmcored.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/a96718_a469_sneezing.jpg

Sandy Hayden