Diving Into Our Specialty Biohazard Cleaning Services | SERVPRO of Indian Land, Cherokee, Union and Chester Counties

2/21/2024 (Permalink)

Have you been left with a home biohazard incident? SERVPRO of Indian Land, Cherokee, Union and Chester Counties is here for the rescue. Call now!

No one wants to think about the possibility of a trauma or serious accident happening on their property. Recovering from the unexpected like a crime scene or an accident can feel overwhelming, especially if you are tasked with the cleanup and restoration on your own. 

It is important to remember that any dangerous or hazardous substances should always be cleaned up by professionals, which is where we come in. Our biohazard team is trained to handle dangerous and toxic substances so you can focus on the more emotional impacts of recovery.

When to Call in a Biohazard Team 

A simple spill or minor accident at work can often be cleaned up by your janitorial staff or a few spots of blood can be wiped up off your floor at home on your own, but larger situations or anything that is potentially dangerous should involve a biohazard team. 

Biological and chemical hazards pose exposure risks, which is why we prioritize safety and proper PPE when tending to your situation. We follow all regulations according to OSHA, the EPA and local health codes. 

Many different situations can warrant a biohazard cleanup crew, including bloodborne pathogens, sewage leaks, chemical spills, hoarding situations and disposal of animal remains. In fact, even fresh water can become a biohazard if it is left to sit for a long period of time. 

Bacteria or other hazards can start to grow in any of these circumstances and can be a danger to your health. Our team will clean, sanitize and contain the area while we work so everyone stays safe. 

If a Crime Occurs on Your Property

In the immediate aftermath of a crime that has occurred on your property, you may be consumed with helping the investigation and ensuring your family is safe and well-cared for. After you answer the appropriate questions and comply with the investigation process, the authorities will leave your home and reality can start to sink in. 

Oftentimes, the residents or owners of the property where the crime occurred are responsible for the cleanup. You have already been through enough, so give us a call so we can handle it for you. 

Crime scenes often have blood or other hazardous contaminants on the floor or walls, but we can take care of it for you. We can also help clean up any signs of the crime scene processing, like leftover fingerprint powder, pepper spray or tear gas residue, and fire extinguisher residue. There are many different aspects to a crime scene cleanup, but we are fully trained and qualified to handle it all for you. 

When an unexpected disaster or traumatic event occurs, our biohazard team is ready to get to work for you. Call us day or night whenever you need us. 

Hazardous substances should always be cleaned up by a professional team. Contact SERVPRO of Indian Land, Cherokee, Union, and Chester Counties right away. 

Leaky Appliance? Here’s What to Do | SERVPRO of Indian Land, Cherokee, Union, and Chester Counties

11/21/2023 (Permalink)

Have you been left with the aftermath of home water damage? SERVPRO of Indian Land, Cherokee, Union, and Chester Counties is Here to Help®. Call us!

If you had to pick which appliance you rely on most in your home, which one would you choose? We would bet it is probably one of the appliances that relies on water to function! 

We use appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and our water heaters every day and need them to work seamlessly to get our chores done and to stay comfortable in our homes. 

Unfortunately, water leaks can occur out of any of these appliances at any given time. These leaks happen unexpectedly and leave a huge puddle and a lot of damage. Knowing what to do if you notice your appliance starting to leak can help you control the situation and minimize the situation. 

Catching the Problem 

It can sometimes be tricky to catch the water issue as it starts because many times the water leak will happen at the back of or behind the machine. As soon as you notice any sort of dripping or a puddle leaking out of your appliance, turn off the appliance immediately and locate the appropriate water valve to shut it off. 

Knowing where your water valves are and what they are responsible for is a crucial element to homeownership, so take the time to learn where all your water lines go. Once the water has stopped flowing to the machine, take a breath and then give us a call so we can get started on your restoration and repairs. 

Recovering After a Water Disaster 

No matter how extensive the damage is, a thorough drying and cleaning of your space is crucial for preventing mildew, mold and lingering stubborn odors. We will extract all of the excess water, locate and repair the source of the leak, and address any repairs. Even just an inch of standing water can cause extensive home damage. 

We are trained to repair floors, walls and ceilings, but we can also address any soft materials or soaked documents that need to be dried out. We focus on a restore rather than replace mentality so we will work on every possession and keepsake as best as we can. 

After your restoration is complete, your home will be back to preloss condition and ready to work seamlessly again. Be sure to stay current on any routine maintenance for each of your appliances and address simple repairs quickly. A new caulk line or replacing a hose early on can help you avoid another serious water damage situation later. 

Even just a little water can cause a lot of damage. Contact SERVPRO of Indian Land, Cherokee, Union, and Chester Counties right away.

Take Action Against Potential Home Fires | SERVPRO® of Indian Land, Cherokee, Union, and Chester Counties

5/19/2023 (Permalink)

House fires are devastating. Call SERVPRO of Indian Land, Cherokee, Union, and Chester Counties to help so you can focus on what matters most.

No one wants to think about suffering from a house fire. It is perhaps one of the most stressful experiences to endure as a homeowner.

Thankfully, most house fires are preventable as long as you are attentive to your home and do your best to keep it clean and well-maintained. We explain a few locations around your home that can easily be the source of a house fire below, so read on to learn more.

Be Responsible in Your Kitchen

The majority of home fires start in the kitchen due to accidents or negligence. Unwanted fires can start anywhere there is a heat source or open flame, so it is important that you remain present in the kitchen whenever you are cooking.

Walking away for even a minute can be all the time a rogue spark or flame needs to catch a wooden spoon or towel on fire. After two minutes, your entire kitchen could be engulfed in flame and smoke. Try to keep anything combustible far away from your cooking and avoid wearing loose clothing in the kitchen.

Don’t Add Fuel to the Fire

Anything flammable in your home has the ability to add fuel to a house fire. While you can’t make your entire home fire-resistant, there are things you can do to reduce your risk.

Ensure your garage doesn’t have any leaky gas or chemical cans seeping onto your concrete, and check all gas lines leading to and from your home, outdoor equipment and propane tanks.

You should also get into the habit of cleaning your air vents regularly. A clogged HVAC air duct or lint trap in your dryer can cause an equipment malfunction and spark a fire. Lint and dust buildup are incredibly flammable, so clean these areas regularly to remove this massive fire hazard.

Prepare Your Home

Even with the best intentions, house fires can start unexpectedly and can quickly get out of control. The best way to stay safe is to be alerted as soon as the problem is occurring so you can quickly take action.

You should be testing your smoke detectors regularly and replacing batteries as needed. After 10 years of use, you should be replacing your detectors completely. The majority of home fire deaths occur in homes or businesses without working fire alarms.

You should also take the time to create a fire escape plan with your family. Every member of your household should know how to get out of each room in your home and head outside quickly and efficiently. Try to go over this seasonally and ensure your children understand.

All of this works together to make sure your family stays safe in a fire emergency. After all, your health and safety is the most important thing! When the fire is out, call SERVPRO of Indian Land, Cherokee, Union, and Chester Counties. Our fire damage restoration team has the knowledge and resources you need for a full recovery.

If you suffer from a house fire, we are here for you. Contact us right away at SERVPRO of Indian Land, Cherokee, Union, and Chester Counties.

How SERVPRO can help with Large Commercial Losses

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is a leading provider of commercial building restoration and cleanup services. They offer a range of services that can help businesses recover from losses due to fire, water, mold, or storm damage.

When a commercial building experiences a loss, such as a fire or flood, it can be overwhelming for business owners and employees. SERVPRO can help alleviate some of the stress and quickly restore the building to its preloss condition. They have the expertise and equipment necessary to handle any size commercial loss, from small retail spaces to large industrial complexes.

SERVPRO's services include water extraction and drying, smoke and soot removal, mold remediation, and rebuilding services. They also provide cleaning and disinfecting services, which can be particularly important in the aftermath of a fire or flood.

One of the key benefits of working with SERVPRO is their 24/7 emergency response. They understand that commercial losses can happen at any time, and they are always ready to respond quickly to minimize damage and get businesses back up and running as soon as possible.

 In summary, SERVPRO can help businesses recover from commercial building losses by providing comprehensive restoration and cleanup services. Their expertise, equipment, and 24/7 emergency response can make all the difference in minimizing damage and getting businesses back to normal as quickly as possible.

Prevent Residential House Fires

5/3/2023 (Permalink)

Residential fires can be caused by a variety of factors, including human error, electrical malfunctions, cooking accidents, heating equipment, smoking materials, and flammable liquids. Here are some ways you can prevent fires in your home:

1. Install smoke detectors: Smoke detectors are the best way to detect fires in your home. Make sure you have one on every level of your home, and test them regularly to ensure they are functioning properly.

2. Keep your cooking area clean: Cooking fires are a common cause of residential fires. Keep your stovetop and oven clean, and never leave cooking food unattended.

3. Use electrical appliances safely: Avoid overloading outlets, and do not use damaged or frayed electrical cords. Unplug appliances when they are not in use.

4. Keep flammable materials away from heat sources: Do not store flammable materials such as gasoline, propane, or cleaning fluids near heaters, furnaces, or other heat sources.

5. Practice safe smoking habits: If you smoke, make sure to dispose of cigarettes and other smoking materials properly. Do not smoke in bed or near flammable materials.

6. Use caution with candles: Candles can be a fire hazard. Keep them away from curtains and other flammable materials, and never leave them burning unattended.

7. Have a fire escape plan: Make sure everyone in your home knows how to escape in case of a fire. Practice the plan regularly, and make sure your smoke detectors are functioning properly.

How SERVPRO availability preserves homes after mold damage

5/3/2023 (Permalink)

Home mold damage impacts homes with humidity levels above 40-50 percent every year. Even dead spores can leave behind unpleasant stains and odors and negatively affect indoor air quality. While homeowners can perform some remediation tasks themselves, it is recommended that they contact a mold cleanup professional to mitigate the damage.

Mold remediation professionals are trained to perform inspection, sanitation, disposal, and odor control for microbial growth and the conditions that allow it to grow. Our AMRT team adheres to IICRC guidelines and protocols. Total mold removal is not possible because mold exists on some level in all spaces. However, restoration can return an affected property to a safe, sanitary pre-damage state.

Most vulnerable areas in the home for mold

While DIY remediation may not be feasible for many homeowners, they can safely monitor problem areas in most homes for mold. Vulnerable spots in residential structures include the following:

• Bathrooms, especially around sinks, showers, bathtubs, windows, and mirrors, are regularly exposed to large amounts of condensation. Wall and ceiling cavities around ventilation and exhaust fans may also be vulnerable, mainly when plumbing leaks or failures occur
• Kitchens, particularly around sink plumbing or refrigerator lines. Loose connectors or damaged supply lines are common culprits. Refrigerator drip trays can also overflow and damage kitchen flooring, baseboards, and drywall
• Laundry rooms, especially around washing machine lines or utility sinks. 
• Utility room fixtures like water heaters are also vulnerable to leaks or failures, especially if they are at least eight years old. Homeowners are recommended to get their water heaters serviced annually to minimize the risk of moisture damage that can encourage microbial growth

The key to minimizing mold risk in any residence is keeping airflow consistent, cleaning surfaces regularly, and maintaining relative humidity levels below 40%. This is crucial to successful mold remediation.

How SERVPRO availability preserves homes after mold damage

A crucial component of SERVPRO’s restoration strategy is the ability to respond to homeowners’ calls 24 hours a day, including during weekends and holidays. Crews provide personal protective equipment and commercial-grade tools to remediate mold spores, debris, and moisture that impact the safety and comfort of a residence.

SERVPRO’s mold remediation process includes:

• Sanitation of surfaces with EPA-registered biocide solutions
• Hot water extraction for vulnerable salvageable surfaces like rugs, upholstery, or drapes
• Drying units coordinate to wick up and remove excess moisture after extraction. Air movement units push moist air off of surfaces and toward dehumidifiers
• Odor Control Technicians (OCTs) can take on various tasks that minimize mold odors. Debris removal, moisture extraction, and sanitation are vital to keeping a property safe. Wet fogging may also be necessary, particularly for ductwork and other surfaces impacted by spores
• SERVPRO HEPA-filter vacuums can catch spores as tiny as 0.3 microns and use negative air pressure machines to prevent stray spores from migrating out of contained restoration spaces or sealed ducts

After mitigating mold damage with these tools, SERVPRO professionals can focus on repainting and restoring structures where needed, reinstalling baseboards, and replacing contents in their proper place wherever possible following the homeowners’ wishes. Restoration is about mitigating damage, preventing it from returning, and keeping damage to personal property to a minimum.

Indoor Flooding in Your Home or Business

5/3/2023 (Permalink)

What Causes Indoor Flooding?

Water damage usually has one major leading cause: indoor flooding. Some of the most common causes of indoor flooding are: 

• Leaky or Broken Pipes: The most obvious cause of indoor flooding is leaky or broken water pipes. Pipes can burst from changes in water pressure or even a faulty setup, but regardless of the cause, pipe problems often cause a ton of damage. Leaky pipes are usually a warning sign of more problems to come. Hidden floods caused by broken pipes in your walls can even create the perfect environment for microbial growth.
• Faulty Washing Machine Hose: The most common problem with watching machines are faulty hoses. A leak in your intake hose can worsen over time and can cause flooding in your home. 
• Water Heaters: Even a small leak in your water heater can cause major flooding due to its endless flow of water. Make sure to inspect your water heater on a regular basis, keeping up with maintenance to ensure it doesn’t spring a leak.
• Clogged Sewer or Drain Lines: The flow of water to and from your house can be disrupted when you have clogged sewer or drain lines. Some clogs might be benign, allowing for a slow drain that is merely an inconvenience. But those clogs can get worse over time. The clog can cause your sinks, toilets, and showers to overflow with water, resulting in major damage. This can even include backed-up sewage, causing a hazardous environment for anyone or anything that comes in contact with the affected water. 

SERVPRO Provides Professional Carpet And Upholstery Cleaning Services

8/2/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO® to schedule your professional carpet or upholstery cleaning.

Whether in your home, or business you will have areas that experience higher levels of foot traffic, or areas that are continually exposed to dirt, and or pet dander, and odors.  If you experience this type of heavy carpet traffic you might need to have your carpets cleaned more frequently.

Our technicians are highly trained to professionally clean your carpet, remove stains, and pet odors. We also provide area rug cleaning, which we will pick up, and return at no extra charge. Our technicians are trained to clean your upholstery as well.  Depending on the circumstances the upholstery will be cleaned at your home, office, or brought back to our facility.

At SERVPRO we recommend that you have your carpets cleaned one to two times per year. 

Call SERVPRO today to schedule a carpet cleaning for your home, or business.  We want to get you back to "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO® Is A Trusted Leader In The Restoration Industry

8/2/2022 (Permalink)

Time Matters and SERVPRO is ready 24/7 to assist with your disaster needs.

Our SERVPRO technicians are IICRC Certified, as well as Certified in Fire Cleanup, Carpet Cleaning, Mold Removal, Trauma, and Bio-Hazard Clean-Up.

The primary services we offer are:

• Fire, Smoke, And Soot Removal
• Water Remediation
• Reconstruction 
• Mold Mitigation, and Mold Remediation
• Catastrophic Storm Response
• Board Up
• Contents Pack Out
• Carpet Cleaning

We can also help, and provide Move Outs, Contents Cleaning and Restoration, Electronic and Equipment Cleaning and Restoration, Document Drying, Upholstery Cleaning, Duct Cleaning and Deodorization, Bio hazard, and Crime Scene Clean-Up.

At SERVPRO we are here to help. We understand the stress and inconvenience a disaster of any size can be for your home, or business. Time Matters.  The quicker we can get onsite, the quicker we can help get things back to “Like it never even happened.” 

We work directly with all insurance companies.  Feel free to give us a call with any questions.

With Fire Damage Comes Water, and Smoke Damage and SERVPRO® Is Here To Help

8/2/2022 (Permalink)

24/7 SERVPRO® is ready to assist with fire damage in your home, or business.

Smoke, and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various areas within your home or business, causing hidden damage and odor. Contents no matter how small can also be affected. Our smoke damage expertise, and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a plan of action.

We work with all insurance companies and understand their requirements for claims processing.  We can help with any size disaster.

Fires, both residential and commercial, can be devastating.  Some of us have experienced this personally.  We understand the major inconvenience these disasters, small or large can cause to a family, or business.  We strive to make it "Like it never even happened," in all situations and help get a family back to normal living conditions or, a business back to full operation as quickly as possible.