Impact of Water Damage

8/18/2022 (Permalink)

Pipe leak

Your home is your safe place or respite and relaxation. It provides protection and comfort for family, friends and loved ones.  However, sometimes accidents happen. Houses flood, pipes burst, and roofs leak.  What might not seem like a big deal initially may become much worse if left unchecked. Water damage in a home can have a substantial negative impact on those living in the house. Water damage and freezing as a category is the second-most common type of home insurance claim (following wind and hail).

• Nationwide, household leaks waste an estimated one (1) trillion gallons or enough to supply 11 million homes with water for a year.
• 10% of homes with leaks waste 90 gallons or more per day.
• A leaky faucet can waste 3,000 gallons per year.
• A leak in an irrigation system can waste 6,300 gallons in a year.
• An average household leak can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water in a year.
• Annual water wastage from a typical household leak is equivalent to the water used for:
• 270 loads of laundry.
• 600 showers.
• 1,200 loads of dishes in a dishwasher.
• 6,250 flushes of a standard toilet.
• 80,000 servings of water.

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Charles County arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Charles County provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.  As always, SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill professionals are here to help!

Hailstorm

8/18/2022 (Permalink)

Hailstorm Damage

Occasionally, we southern Marylanders encounter a hailstorm.  Let’s discuss what causes hail and its impact.

What is and what causes hail?

Often round in shape, hail is layered ice particles produced by thunderstorms with strong, tilted updrafts.  They usually form within a unusually unstable air mass in which the temperature falloff with height is much greater than normal. The unstable air is required to create large updraft speeds -- fast enough to keep a developing hailstone from hitting the ground.

1. Hailstorms are the identifier of a strong thunderstorm.
2. The eventual size of the hail depends on how long they can defeat gravity.
3. Hail size depends on the strength of the updraft.
4. The bigger the hail balls are, the harder they fall.
5. The largest hailstone ever recorded was the size of a volleyball.
6. Hail causes $1 billion in damage each year with millions of ice balls ranging in size from golf balls to grapefruits.
7. Oklahoma is the large hail champion in the United States.

Regardless of the type of storm, we recommend:

• Check your surroundings and make sure you are safe.
• Contact your insurance company.
• Inspect the roof and exterior siding.
• Check other outside structures
• Inspect your home’s appliances
• Check the attic, crawlspaces and basement.
• Document any and all damage.

In the event of an emergency, we are here to help and available 24 x 7.  Call SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill 24/7/365 Emergency Services at 301-753-8313.

The Importance of Professionals

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

We are here to help!

We can never accurately predict when the disaster will strike. But when it does, it is vital for us to understand that restoring damaged commercial property is a huge responsibility. In the case of commercial property, when it is the physical face of your company, it is always best to rely on professionals.

At SERVPRO^® of Charles County and SERVPRO^® of Oxon Hill, we provide:

• 24 x 7 Response to your emergency from the restoration team
• Experienced and trained technicians to guide you through the process
• Commercial equipment capable of restoring fire, water, mold, and storm damage
• Stress-Free claims process working with your insurance company
• Limits to service disruption while working on getting you back in business

Whether businesses, apartments, hospitals, hotels, medical facilities, or educational institutions, SERVPRO^® of Charles County and SERVPRO^® of Oxon Hill are here to help! We offer the best restoration services for commercial buildings so that your business can start running smoothly again. We can be reached by calling (301)‌ ‌753-8313 for commercial restoration service.‌

Responsive, Ready and Qualified

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill are available 24 hours a day for emergencies, large or small. Depending upon the situation, immediate action may be crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the damage.

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.
Serving our community for over 35 years, SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill have the specific training and experience to help you through this tough time. 

We specialize in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, 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 team is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Our Commitment to our Community

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Communities begin with Children

Why choose SERVPRO^® of Charles County and SERVPRO^® of Oxon Hill? With many other choices available, we stand out because of our local ties and commitment to our community. We are not just about work, work, and work. At SERVPRO^® of Charles County and SERVPRO^® of Oxon Hill, we believe a strong and cohesive community can grow and flourish. We understand the importance and responsibility of giving back to the community. When you give back through donations, volunteerism, promotions, we broaden our horizons and perceptions of the world. We realize what actually matters and are thankful.

To demonstrate our commitment to our community, we continue to support the Children’s Aid Society. The Children’s Aid Society is all about improving the quality of life for struggling Charles County families and children. We stand behind their goal of offering basic amenities of life like food, clothing, holiday assistance and much more.

The importance of community service lies in the fact that it connects us to the community by improving it, and making it a better place for all of us to live in.  SERVPRO^® of Charles County and SERVPRO^® of Oxon Hill are here to help!

Exceeding our Customers Expectations

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Exceeding our Customers' Expectations

After commercial or residential damage, it is necessary to begin the restoration process as soon as possible. Analyzing the damage on your own leaves behind many unnoticed areas that can cause havoc later or can lead to a bigger damage to your property.  SERVPRO^® of Charles County and SERVPRO^® of Oxon Hill are professionals equipped to take care of everything, from analyzing to repair and restoration.

Why SERVPRO^® of Charles County and SERVPRO^® of Oxon Hill?

• Services on Time: We provide emergency services and are at your service as soon as you reach out to us for help.
• Expert Personnel and Technology: We provide highly trained technicians who are familiar with advanced technology designed for property damage restoration. With IICRC industry certifications, our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
• Low Restoration Costs on High Quality Process: Our “restore first” mentality helps to lower costs and get you back in your home or business sooner. This focus relies upon our specialized training and equipment to restore your property back to pre-event condition.
• Insurance Claim Handling: We are also experts in handling insurance matters. If you have no experience in filling the insurance claims, then we can provide stress-free claims process where we manage the insurance paperwork and process.

Trained experts of SERVPRO^® of Charles County and SERVPRO^® of Oxon Hill are available 24*7 for emergency requirements and are reachable at (301)‌ ‌753-8313.

Flash Flood Facts!

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Don't do it! Stay Safe!

As severe spring weather begins to come into our region, it is wise to understand the importance of flash floods. A flood watch is issued when flooding is possible within the watch area. A flash flood is a rapid rise of water along a stream or low-lying area.  They can be produced when slow-moving or multiple thunderstorms occur in the same place.  A significant number of deaths occur due to flooding more than any other hazard related to thunderstorms. Accidents resulting in death commonly happen when vehicles are driven into hazardous floodwaters.  It is essential to be aware of many of the possible hazards and precautions to take during a flood watch or warning, including:

1. Gather emergency supplies, including food and water
2. Listen to your local radio or TV station for updates
3. Have immunization records handy
4. Bring in outdoor possessions
5. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately
6. Only drive if necessary, since only two feet of water can float most vehicles
7. Do not cross flowing streams where water is above your ankles
8. Do not drive through a flooded road
9. Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams or washes
10. Do not drive around a barricade as they are there for your protection
11. Be especially cautious at nights as it is harder to recognize 

Let’s welcome Spring 2022 safely!

SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌

(301)‌ ‌753-8313

Knowledge is Key

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

The more you know!

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® Oxon Hill works to support commercial and residential customers. Available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, we are ready to support you whether your facility is a hospital, school, college, apartment complex, hotel, casino or home. Our knowledge and experience at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® Oxon Hill is over 35 years plus strong and we are only getting better and stronger.

Our Crew Chiefs and Technicians are trained on the latest and most up-to-date technology which helps us stay on top of our game and fully prepared to deliver quality service to you. We are constantly learning and improving our skills. There is so much to learn in this industry that our guys are constantly searching for new and more efficient ways to help improve our abilities to handle disasters.  Additionally, we use the most recent equipment in order to provide the best for your property. No matter the size of your emergency, SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are here to help! What is better than having those that genuinely care, help you restore your home or business? We can be reached by calling (301) 753-8313 for water damage repair and restoration service.

Winter Warm and Cozy

12/20/2021 (Permalink)

Snow Covered Homes

Although you may be all warm and fuzzy with thoughts of freshly fallen snow, a crackling fire and a warm mug of hot chocolate, damage that may come from a winter storm is infinitely less cozy.  Storm and flood damage can be devastating and occur when you least expect it. Storm damage may include flooding from heavy rainfall, snow, freezing pipes or roof leaks from heavy wind and driven rains. Here are some steps to make your home more resistant during a storm:

• Protect potential wind and water entry points
• Make sure roof shingles are secure using roofing cement
• Make sure any openings or cracks by phone and cable lines are chalked up
• Install proper weighted shutters to cover your windows and doorways
• Invest in a heavy-duty garage
• Protect and secure your HVAC system
• Secure any loose item outside i.e., bikes and trashcans

But in the event your winter dreams of sugar plums fairies and candy canes turn into a personal version of the Grinch who stole Christmas, SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ are here to help! We can be reached by calling on (301)‌ ‌753-8313 for storm damage repair and restoration service.‌

Holiday Fire Safety Tips

12/20/2021 (Permalink)

Beautiful Candlelight

During the holiday season, warm wishes, family time and good cheer come to mind, however, there are a few precautions that should be remembered because no one wants a reenactment of the infamous National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Cooking

• In the U.S., most home fires and accidents are cause by unattended cooking.
• Anything that can catch fire must be kept away from the stove and it should be turned off when you leave the kitchen.
• At least three feet around the stove and hot food areas, create a “kid-free zone”.

Heaters

• Create a three feet zone for heating equipment such as furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves and portable space heaters.
• Turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Never use an oven to heat your home. This is very dangerous and can lead to an electrical fire.

Christmas Trees

• U.S. fire departments annually respond to an average of 160 structure fires caused by Christmas trees. 44% of these fires are caused by electrical problems, and one in five resulted from a heat source that’s too close to the tree.
• Three feet zone rule which suggests that fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles and heat vents or lights should be followed for trees as well.  Make sure your tree is not blocking an exit.
• Before leaving the home or going to bed, always turn off Christmas tree lights.

Candles

• December is the high month for candle fires.
• Keep candles at least 12” away from anything that can burn, and blow candles out when you leave the room or go to bed.
• More than one third of home candle fires begin in the bedroom or in other areas where people may fall asleep.

Enjoy your holiday season safely!

SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌

(301)‌ ‌753-8313

Ahh Choo!

12/20/2021 (Permalink)

Flu and Cold Season

As the COVID pandemic continues to wreak havoc, we at SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ support your efforts to keep your business open and your employees safe. There are a few steps you can take to help keep your facility clean, sanitized and the viruses at bay.

Identify the frequently touched areas and regularly wipe them down

• Focus on tables, door handles, sinks, fridge/microwave handles and coffee pots
• Use disposable disinfectant wipes/paper towels
• Recommended to wipe down these areas three times a day
• Provide Hand sanitizer
• Remind employee to clean and sanitize their desks
• Invest in commercial cleaning services
• Remind employees to stay home or take a sick day if not feeling well
• Wash hands frequently
• Practice respiratory hygiene

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are STILL Here to Help!

We are being called on by many businesses and community leaders to perform the necessary bioremediation services to clean, disinfect and sanitize their facilities. SERVPRO® uses EPA approved products and follows CDC guidelines for all cleanup practices. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

Many things have changed during these unprecedented times, but one thing remains the same. We are here to support our community and help get us back to normal as best we can.

Call today for your free Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned evaluation today, (301) 753-8313.

Icicles

12/20/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage in your home or business is a tragic event. The causes of water damage vary from a pipe bursting, leaking appliances, sewer backups, and or an extreme storm. In these events many people have no clue what first steps to take in order to deal with this flowing problem. Some of the immediate steps to take after water damage in your home and business include:

• Turn off the power! If the water level reaches any electric sockets in the area, it creates a bigger hazard zone.
• Call your insurance company. Contact an adjuster to assess the damage and determine if it is a covered loss.
• Start water damage repair immediately. Mold can build up under wet surfaces within 24 hours.
• Once all standing water is removed from your home or business, the area must be dried out removing all humidity. Air movers and dehumidifiers can help dry damp areas.
• Determine what needs to be fully restored after water damage. Flooring and walls are typical a major concern in the restoration process.

We at SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ are here to safely ensure the water damage removal process is done thoroughly and correctly. Give us a call at (301)‌ ‌753-8313.

Thank you to the Fire Fighters!

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

Fearless Firefighters

October is not only fire prevention month, but it is also a time to honor those strong firefighters that took an oath to protect our communities. The National Fallen Firefighter Foundation was honored to announce their 40^th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial during the first weekend of October 2-3, 2021. The memorial service honored the names of 215 firefighter who are now a permanent part of the National Memorial in honor of their sacrifices. Many landmarks and fire departments far and wide across the United States were lit up red to honor our fallen firefighters.

The National Fallen Fire Fighter Foundation is also very dedicated in providing families of the fallen firefighters with important resources, programs, and support as they face a long and difficult journey. Some of the resources and programs include scholarships, wellness conferences, and a remembrance program. We at SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ salute our firefighters and thank them for their service.

When the Storms Come...

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

Stormy Weather

Storm and flood damage can be devastating and occur when you least expect it. Storm damage encounters may include flooding from heavy rainfall or roof leaks from heavy wind-driven rain. Here are some useful measures you can do to make your home more resistant during a storm:

• Protect potential wind and water entry points
• Make sure roof shingles are secure using roofing cement
• Make sure any openings or cracks by phone and cable lines are chalked up
• Install proper weighted shutters to cover your windows and doorways
• Protect and secure your HVAC system
• Secure any loose item outside, i.e. bikes and trashcans

After the Storm, SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are here to support you!  Call SERVPRO® of Charles County, 301.753.8313 or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill, 301.292.4447. We provide free visual inspections, and we will guide you through the claim, cleanup and reconstruction processes as necessary. We are Here to Help!

Every Business is Unique

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

Owning a business is a considerable investment. The saying “it takes a village” could not be more accurate. That is why it is essential to hire someone you can trust who provides excellent service and can perform critical restoration tasks without interfering with the business itself. Just like every person is different, every business is different and has unique needs. We will cater to each of your needs to ensure all services requested are completed not only promptly but in a way that makes sense for you and your business.  Our technicians at SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill are trained to mitigate the damage quickly and manage the restoration process.  No matter the size of your emergency, SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are here to help! We can be reached by calling on (301) 753-8313 for water damage repair and restoration service.

Smoke and Soot

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot covering everything.

An unexpected fire in your commercial property can cause damage for which you are completely unprepared. Along with the structural damage, fire damage leaves a mark on your heart as well. The soot, odor, damage of belongings and water damage are some of the effects in the aftermath of a fire. Soot can cover almost every inch of your business.  Smoke can seep into walls, air ducts and surfaces.  Unseen odors may be everywhere. However, SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill’s fire damage restoration process can reverse this damage and make it "Like it never even happened."

Burned equipment and fried possessions after a fire, are just the damages visible on the surface. Even after the flames have been put out and the smoke has cleared, your business is still in trouble. Smoke and soot are highly acidic and can damage a wide range of materials they come in contact with. The unexpected amount of smoke damage can easily devastate any business owner. That's why it's important to call SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill at  (301)‌ ‌753-8313 to restore your building to a clean, healthy, and safe condition for yourself and your employees.  We are always Here to Help!

Fire Prevention Month

10/15/2021 (Permalink)

October is fire prevention month. The overall goal of fire prevention month is to raise fire safety awareness and help ensure your home and family are protected. Fire prevention month was established in 1922 by The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA along your local firemen celebrate fire prevention month by raising fire safety awareness and educating communities, families, students, and encouraging everyone to practice fire prevention and keep their home and families safe.

The NFPA campaign theme for 2021 Fire Prevention Month is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety”. With so many devices in our homes today from safety systems to personal electronics, it is important to be able to distinguish the difference between a potential emergency or push notification. Smoke alarms when triggered make a continuous beeping sound to alert those around of smoke coming from a potential fire. Smoke alarms may also make a chirping noise indicating that the batteries need to be changed. If the alarms continue to chirp after a battery change it may be time to fully replace the smoke alarm with a new one.

SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ join with the NFPA and firefighters to celebrate National Fire Prevention month and all efforts to keep our community safe!

When the Water Rises...

10/15/2021 (Permalink)

During these seasonal changes we tend to see more wet weather and heavy winds. These factors cam have an adverse effect on your home. Here are some of the ways to detect signs of water damage if they occur in your home.

• Listen for leaks or constant water flow around your home.
• Be mindful of your water bill, note any high fluctuation.
• Look out for cracks in the wall that may spread or seem to have movement.
• Be aware of a distinct, musty order, mold may be present.
• Look for dark spots or white patterns that may differ from the flooring, roof, & base boards.
• If you have hardwood flooring, be aware of any buckling or lifted nails from the floorboard.
• Be mindful of pooling water or puddles that may appear in random areas of your home.

No matter the size of your emergency, SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ are here to help! We can be reached by calling on (301)‌ ‌753-8313 for water damage repair and restoration service.‌

Be Prepared

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know that nearly 4,000 Americans die each year in house fires and over 2,000 are severely injured? Having a working smoke detector more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a fire.

The most vulnerable people in fires are the elderly and young. That is why it is so important to teach your children fire safety by creating evacuation plans in the event a fire should occur.  They should learn how to exit safely in the event of a fire and basic movements,  i.e. stay low, stop drop and roll, etc.

Fire produces gases and fumes that can make you sleepy, weak, and confused. You may not smell these fumes and they won’t wake you, but a smoke alarm will. That is why it is so important to have smoke detectors that work within your home, ideally just outside areas where you sleep. Following a few basic precautions and having a plan may save your life.  Be safe!

Storms and Fear

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

Some animals fear storms

Storms come in all shapes and sizes. The one that comes to mind the most often are thunderstorms. However, tropical, lightning, flood, snow, ice and hurricane are just another few types of storms that exist. Some are scarier than others, and some are more of a nuisance than anything.

Did you know that tropical storms are given names before hurricane season begins? They have to get pre-approved by the World Meteorological Organization and can be repeated after six years. If there is a storm that causes major destruction, that name is retired permanently and replaced with a different one.

Astraphobia is the extreme fear of thunder and lightning. While children and adults suffer from this fear, animals do as well. This causes them to run and hide or howl. Did you know that often times, pets can sense a storm coming before we can? That could be why it always seems quiet outside before a storm hits, pets are busy looking for shelter and a place to hide. Your pet may hide under blankets, pace a lot, tremble or pant when a storm is either coming or already happening.  Be fearless knowing that no matter the type of storm, SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ are here to help!

Fun Facts About Water!

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

The Worlds Water

Enjoy these fun facts about water!

• Did you know that the water from your faucet could contain molecules that dinosaurs drank?
• 97% of the world’s water is salty or otherwise undrinkable, 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers. This leaves just 1% for all humanity’s needs.
• A person can live 1 month without food, but only one week without water.
• 70% of the human brain is made up of water.
• Drinking too much water can be fatal.
• Water covers about 71% of Earth’s surface.

• 85% of the world’s population lives in the driest half of the planet.
• Water is less dense as a solid than it is as a liquid which is why ice floats.

 As much as we love water, its not so much fun when it floods and damages our homes.  As always, SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill professionals are here to help!

When the Unexpected Occurs

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

When the unexpected and inexplicable occur, SERVPRO is here to help!  The tragedy of a crime in a home or business can be painful and traumatic, and we are dedicated to helping families and communities.  Your property, home, or business may be affected by blood, body fluids, and sometimes other damage.  We are available to compassionately, quickly, and discretely provide thorough cleanup services. The decontamination of a home or business due to trauma, sewage backups, chemical spills, hoarding, or other biohazards can be both dangerous and emotional.  Bioremediation is the removal, cleaning, and disinfection of blood, bodily fluids and other pathogens requiring specialty training, equipment, certification and licensing.  Our technicians follow OSHA and EPA protocols to help transform an unsafe environment back into a clean, safe home or business. Our focus is always safety first.  SERVPRO of CHARLES COUNTY and SERVPRO of OXON HILL are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! We can be reached by calling (301)‌ ‌753-8313.

Home Fire Safety

7/28/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke Detectors Save Lives

We have all experienced that annoying beeping noise that you can’t seem to locate in your home no matter how hard you search.  You instinctively know that it is the smoke alarm, but for all of your efforts, you can’t pinpoint which one is going off.  Well, instead of pulling out the batteries from all of them in frustration, use this time to refresh and replace the batteries for each.  This will make sure that all of your smoke detectors are good to go.

This is so important because the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Fire Academy state that “Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms.”*

Additionally, they recommend the following steps:

1. Choose interconnected alarms, so when one sounds off, they all do.
2. Put smoke alarms outside of each sleeping area and every level of your home.
3. Test them and make sure they work.
4. Replace the batteries at least annually
5. Replace smoke detectors every 10 years
6. If you hear the alarm, you may have less than 2 minutes to get out
7. Practice fire drills with your family

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer and as always, We are Here to Help!

Storm Variety

7/4/2021 (Permalink)

Understanding Common Types of Storm Scenarios

Storms can be sometimes, really frightening and dangerous. Once the disaster is passed, call the professionals from SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ to assess your property and start the repair and restoration process. Here are some common storm scenarios that you should be aware of:

Hail Damage: Dents and bents are common during a hailstorm, but deeper damage may not be visible. In this case, take an expert opinion as hailstorm damage can lead to serious roof leaks causing structural issues.

Lightning and Thunderstorm Damage: Electrical Damage can be a life-threatening during lightning and thunderstorms. Stay indoors till the storm is over and once it has passed, give us a call at SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌.

Storm-related flood Damage: Flooding can have a serious impact on your property. River floods, flash floods, coastal floods and storm surges can destroy your home. It is recommended to keep a track of weather reports and stay alert in certain situations.

Please call us at SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ by calling (301)‌ ‌753-8313 for storm damage repair and restoration service.‌ We are Here to Help!

Storm Tips

5/29/2021 (Permalink)

We are Here to Help!

Did you know that in the United States alone, an estimated 100,000 thunderstorms occur each year? Not only do thunderstorms produce rain, thunder, and lightning, they can also produce high winds, heavy rain, and flooding. The safest place to be during a thunderstorm is inside.

That is why it is so important to properly prepare your home for all the unexpected things that can happen when a storm comes your way. We at SERVPRO are here to help you prepare you and your home and help you after a storm has come through. Here are some helpful tips to prepare your home before a storm comes:

• Trim the trees in your surrounding area
• Buy a backup generator
• Install storm shutters
• Check your insurance to ensure flood coverage is available
• Flood-proof your home
• Have an expert check your home for any weak areas
• Protect your belongings – elevate all critical items in your home to ensure they do not get damaged due to flooding.

If your home sustains damage as a result of a storm, contact SERVPRO at 301-753-8313 because we are here to help!

SERVPRO Helping Friends and Neighbors

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

We are here to help!

No one can prepare for the stress that fire, smoke, water, or mold damage in your home or place of business can cause. Feeling confused, violated, upset, and unsure of how to move forward and fix the situation can be very daunting.

Here at SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill, we have trained IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) experts who receive continued training throughout their employment and provide 24-hour services. We know how hard this can be for you; we know how frustrating and confusing this situation is for you. That is why we at SERVPRO believe in treating all our customers like family. There is no better feeling than knowing we are helping our friends and neighbors get back on their feet, restore their homes and businesses. What is better than having those that genuinely care help you restore your home or business? Contact SERVPRO at 301-753-8313.

SERVPRO Supports All Businesses

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

We support all types of businesses!

Owning a business is a huge investment. The saying “it takes a village” could not be more accurate. That is why it is so essential to hire someone you can trust, who provides excellent service and can perform daily tasks without interfering with the business itself. Just like every person is different, every business is different and has different needs. We will cater to each of your needs to ensure all services requested are done not only in a timely manner but in a way that works for you and your business.

Especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is so important that work areas are sanitized regularly. Our crew at SERVPRO are trained to provide the day-to-day tasks at your business as well as assist when the unexpected occurs. Whether it is cleaning/maintaining, fire or water damage restoration, sanitization, etc. you need someone you can trust and SERVPRO is here to help!

No Matter the Size

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage from anywhere... we can help!!

When people think of water damage, they usually imagine flooding due to a storm. But what a lot of people do not realize is that flooding in your home can come from something as simple as leaving the faucet or bathtub running, your dishwasher flooding, or your washer or toilet overflowing.

Water damage is not only a hassle, but it can also cause a domino effect and create even more problems within your home. These include but are not limited to:

• Hazardous health conditions
• Mold
• Roof damage
• Foundation damage
• Electric and plumbing issues
• Home value

When it comes to water damage, time is of the essence. If you currently have damage to your home, no matter the size, please contact us and one of our highly trained experts will come to your house and assist. We at SERVPRO provide 24-hour service. Please contact us at 301-753-8313.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

Enjoy the flowers and leave the showers to the professionals!

April showers may also result in a variety of different types of water damages. Freezing and thawing pipes as the weather tries to make up its mind, torrential spring storms, clogged gutters, or overflowing downspouts may cause various types of water damage.  Flood and water damage are quite common in the U.S., with more than 83 percent of water hazards resulting from flash floods. We all fear water disaster as it creates havoc and gives rise to several other problems such as mold or structural damage.

SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill understand the importance of keeping your business's doors open! We respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration process with experienced, trained, and certified technicians.  No matter the size of your emergency, SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ are here to help! We can be reached by calling on (301)‌ ‌753-8313 for water damage repair and restoration service.‌

Dirty Duct Cleaning!

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

The spring is a time to refresh, reinvigorate and renew.   Is your home ready for the spring season? Now is the perfect time of year for air duct cleaning.  Spring is when we tend to focus on a clean house, but what if it is not as clean as you imagine.  Air ducts can collect a lot of dust, dirt, and allergens that are not visible.  As air conditioners draw in outside air, they may also pull contaminants.  Duct cleaning is a complicated job and SERVPRO has professional technicians with specific knowledge to do a thorough job. Some indicators that you should have your ducts cleaned include:

• In an annual service of your air conditioning system, if mold is detected, then you should have your ducts cleaned.
• If your home has been newly renovated home, then your ducts should be cleaned from the dust and dirt that may have resulted from the construction
• If your home is still dusty despite cleaning, take a look at the supply and return vents and if they look dirty, it may be time to schedule a duct cleaning.
• Every year your heating and cooling costs should be predictable and similar to the previous year. However, if those costs have increased then you should schedule a duct cleaning.

At SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill, our professionals will be able to help you with keeping your air ducts clean. Feel free to contact us for more information about our services today!

Should You Worry About Kitchen Fires?

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Unattended Kitchen Fire

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking accidents resulting in fires are the #1 reason for house fires in the US. It is estimated that around 189,300 home structure fires started each year due to cooking between 2016 and 2018.  The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.

It is more than clear by the above mentioned that Kitchen Fires are not to be taken lightly. Safety tips recommended to prevent a Kitchen fire are:

• Don’t leave your pan. If you have to leave the kitchen, turn the burner off.
• Pay attention. Fires start when heat is too high. If you see smoke, turn the burner off.
• Pot handles should be turned toward the back of the stove so that no one can bump them or pull them over.
• Make sure flammables are away from cooktop. Keep oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains away.
• Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby because you can use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire which will put out the fire.

In the event of a kitchen fire:

• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 after you leave.
• If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.

Lastly, if you need help because of fire damage, SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ are here to help 24 x 7 at (301)‌ ‌753-8313. 

Thunderstorms 101

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Raging Storms

A rain shower in which you hear thunder is a thunderstorm. All thunderstorms have lightning since thunder comes from lightning.  A “severe” thunderstorm is one which contains one or more of the following: hail one inch or greater, winds gusting in excess of 57.5 mph, or a tornado. Spring and summer months are when thunderstorms are most likely to occur during the afternoon and evening hours.

Many hazardous weather events are associated with thunderstorms. Under certain conditions, thunderstorm rainfall may cause flash flooding, killing more people each year than hurricanes, tornadoes or lightning. Fires started from lightning cause fatalities. These storms may produce hail up to the size of softballs which can do a lot of damage. Strong winds associated with thunderstorms can knock down trees, power lines and mobile homes. 

A Severe Thunderstorm WATCH is issued by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center meteorologists who are watching the weather 24/7 across the entire U.S. for weather conditions that are favorable for severe thunderstorms. In the case of a Watch, be prepared for more severe weather.

A Severe Thunderstorm WARNING is issued by your local NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office meteorologists who watch a designated area 24/7 for severe weather that has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings mean there is a serious threat to life and property to those in the path of the storm. In the case of a warning, act immediately to find safe shelter!  

If your home or business is damaged by a storm, our professionals at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are here to help 24 x 7 at (301) 753-8313. 

Top Causes of Water Damage

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Water Damage

Water damage can substantially affect buildings wherein water creeps into the areas of a property discoloring walls and adding moisture. This moisture can lead to the formation of mold causing excessive damage. Without water damage repair and restoration, all this can weaken the structure of the building. Below are some common causes that can cause water damage in the property:

Plumbing Issues: Plumbing issues are quite common in every property; therefore, it is essential to inspect the plumbing systems once a year to fix hoses, pipe joints and drain pipes.

Severe Weather/Natural Di: Natural disasters such as thunderstorms, hurricanes and snowstorms can cause excessive damage to your property. Strong winds and heavy downpour can damage your roof letting rainwater enter your home.  

Clogged Drains:  Clogged drains are quite common in the residential and corporate areas. Bathroom or sink drains can get clogged with dirt, hair or other substances. This can case pipe damage as well as structural damage. If left untreated, this can damage to other places in the home.  

Structural Damage: Moisture creeping in the walls of your home can cause mold formation and rotting.

SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ are here to help! We can be reached by calling on (301)‌ ‌753-8313 for water damage repair and restoration service.‌

Help... Mold!

3/24/2021 (Permalink)

Expert Mold Remediation

Mold is one such thing that can grow unnoticed; sometimes it is visible and sometimes, hidden inside the walls/tiles, and can devastate your property without warning. Besides affecting your property, it can have effects on your health as well. With the winter thaw and the start of spring, it is important to be on the lookout for any signs of water intrusion or water leakage which can result in mold.  Mold is tiny and everywhere, thrives on moisture and often smells. Mold spreads quickly and can impact your property and personal belongings, and thus, mold remediation becomes essential.  

Why SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill?

• We are faster to any size disaster and we start the remediation process immediately after you contact us.
• We are highly trained and certified and have invested in the proper equipment and tools to restore your home quickly and efficiently.
• We are experts in repairing the contaminated space.

These professional services are available for commercial mold remediation as well. SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ are here to help 24 x 7 at (301)‌ ‌753-8313. ‌Our experts ‌inspect, ‌ ‌assess‌ and remediate the mold ‌with‌ ‌specialized‌ ‌equipment ‌and‌ many years of ‌expertise and knowledge‌.

Spring has Sprung!

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Happy Spring Cleaning!

Birds are chirping and flowers are blooming!  Spring cleaning is a tradition that allows us to revitalize and spruce up our living and working spaces, although with this year of COVID, the two have in many cases become one and the same.  We are looking forward to the excitement of spring and summer and the chance to make wonderful new, positive, healthy and happy memories.

A healthy environment is as critical in your office workspace as it is in your home.  It is important to keep your office space clean and well-maintained. Currently, sanitization and professional cleaning have become a primary necessity for all office spaces. We at SERVPRO are here to help you keep your customers and employees safe, and let everyone know you've chosen a higher standard of clean. 

As a professional office cleaning Service, we have the right tools, equipment and expertise in cleaning offices. We can save a lot of time and effort, allowing you to focus on the necessities of your business.

Good spring cleaning keeps everyone happy with their working conditions, and makes your work environment professional and inviting.  SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill can be relied on to make your workspace look its very best, just give us a call at 301-753-8313.

We Got Your Back!

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

Proud to Serve our Community

After storm damage, it is necessary to begin the restoration process as soon as possible. Analyzing the damage on your own may result in many unnoticed areas that can cause havoc later or lead to more extensive damage to your property. Therefore, hire a professional storm damage restoration company like SERVPRO® of Charles County or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill, and we will take care of everything, from analyzing, to repair and restoration, leaving your home "Like it never even happened."

So here is why you should opt for our professional storm damage restoration company:

1. Locally Grown Company: You know us. We have been servicing Charles County and Oxon Hill for over 30 years.  We have grown exponentially and continue to do so year after year. Here at SERVPRO® we are a family, and we attempt to make every customer that we meet feel that they are part of ours. We understand the stress and disruption that happens with fire or water damage and we do our best to provide comfort and peace of mind during those times.
2. Services on Time: The sooner you connect with us, the less loss you will bear. We are available for emergency services around the clock and are at your service as soon as you reach out to us for help.
3. High-Quality Process and Highly Trained Staff: Hiring a trained professional company for storm damage restoration will help you reduce the restoration cost. We begin with an assessment, provide the restoration and clean-up. The restoration process will be thorough, timely, and to your complete satisfaction.
4. Insurance Claim Handling: We are experts in handling insurance matters. If you have no experience in filing insurance claims, then we can help you. Proper filing ensures maximum benefit as we provide you with adequate and comprehensive proof of damage.

You may not often need us, but we are here and happy to help when you do! There is no greater satisfaction than knowing you are helping your community not only with their homes but with their schools and businesses.

How to choose a commercial cleaning service?

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can make it like it NEVER happened!

Choosing a professional as well as commercial cleaning service is not such a daunting task as we think of it. You just need to choose the right one for you. A cleaning service provider that is highly reputable and protects your assets can be a perfect choice.  You need to narrow down your search as per the following parameters:

• A Professional Commercial Cleaning Services Company will inform you about the process of hiring, products they use and the formal training process that their employees have gone through.
• Check for the proof of insurance of the company. It is quite necessary for today’s scenario so that any loss can be recovered.
• While searching for a cleaning services company, you should consider the experience of a company. With years of experience, companies develop a system for cleaning and know the art of handling cleaning equipment.
• Check if the company has any references and positive feedback. A quality company will be able to provide you with positive feedback from its clients. You can also choose to contact the references and ask about their experience. This will help you choose a better commercial cleaning service.

SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill is available 24 hours a day to restore your property and get you back to business.

What happens if your Sump Pump fails?

2/26/2021 (Permalink)

These days, sump pumps have almost become a must for houses constructed below the basement's main surface. In the event of a serious storm, a sump pump sends accumulated water out of your basement, thus, preventing flood and water damage.  Once the water begins to accumulate, it may cause wood to warp, rot and allow mold to grow.

It should be clear to everyone that sump pumps can also fail at times, or become overwhelmed in a severe storm.  As such, it is always advised to check your sump pump's functionality regularly. They can fail due to age, lack of water while still running, debris or a serious clog or the loss of power. 

If your sump pump fails,

• Immediately check whether the sump pump is defective or functioning.
• In case the pump has failed, remove any debris if it's clogged.
• Do not step into the water without ensuring the electricity is turned off. 

If you experience flood or water related issue call SERVPRO® of Charles County or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill and let us walk you through the process. We provide free visual inspections, and we will guide you through the claim, cleanup and reconstruction processes as necessary. We are always Here to Help!

SERVPRO® of Charles County

(301) 753-8313

Serving Our Community-Children's Aid Society

1/12/2021 (Permalink)

Toys for the Children purchased from community partner Five Below

During this horrible pandemic and its associated restrictions, SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill remembers that it is vitally important that we do not stop helping each other in this time of need.  We can make a difference as individuals, families and communities.  We are fortunate enough to work, live and SERV our communities, so we give back as well.  In mid-December, we were able to provide a plethora of toys to the Charles County Children’s Aid Society, Inc.

The Charles County Children’s Aid Society was founded in 1934 by a group of compassionate women who recognized that some of their neighbors were having difficulty feeding and clothing their children.  The “society’s” initial goal was to ensure that the basic life necessities of local families were met.  However, as time progressed the group realized that they were unable to provide independently for the less fortunate, and in 1957, the Children’s Aid Society became a 501(c)(3) non-profit human service agency.  CCCAS has continually evolved to address the needs of the current community.

Here at SERVPRO®, we find it very important to be involved in our communities beyond doing business, and we are proud to be able to support them in their mission.

The COVID Effect

11/27/2020 (Permalink)

The Novel Coronavirus pandemic has changed society more than we could have ever imagined. The COVID-19 pandemic changed our communities, workplaces, families and even our simple daily routines. The term "social distancing" has become a normal part of our vocabulary and face masks have become a fashion accessory. Businesses and social interactions have changed dramatically and even the interactions between family members have changed. Before COVID-19 I would check on my grandparents at least every other day making sure they were ok and had everything they needed. Now I call and make sure they are ok and if they need anything, I will leave it on their porch. Now I get to interact with my grandparents once a week if I am lucky. With my grandfather's weakened immune system I cannot be too careful when being around him.

Now with flu season 2020 here and historically peaking between December and February there will be even more cause for extreme caution and concern. As communities have begun to reopen and face this pandemic head on there are so many questions that we have as a community. Is it safe? When will we have treatment for this virus? Will the treatments be safe? Will there be adverse reactions? Will we get back to normal as we know it?

These questions have no real answer, but we want you to know SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are STILL Here to Help!

We are being called on by many businesses and community leaders to perform the necessary bioremediation services to clean, disinfect and sanitize their facilities. SERVPRO® uses EPA approved products and follows CDC guidelines for all cleanup practices. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

Many things have changed during these unprecedented times, but one thing remains the same. We are here to support our community and help get us back to normal as best we can.

Call today for your free Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned evaluation today, (301) 753-8313 or (301) 292-4447 and as always you can email me directly, HERE.

Stay Safe from Hurricanes!

11/19/2020 (Permalink)

This has been an unusual Hurricane season for Maryland and it is not over yet.  While Hurricanes may not be as common as other disasters, it is still essential for you to learn how to act against this disaster.

A Hurricane holds the potential to expand its reach to hundreds of kilometers in a few minutes! During a Hurricane, consider doing the following:

• Keep your emergency kit close with you.
• Keep listening to the radio for further updates.
• Unplug appliances and turn off the electricity.
• Watch for water entering the home.
• Follow guidance of any emergency personnel.

Do not go outside of the house in case of a Hurricane. Stay inside the house with your family. If possible, shift your whole family to the most substantial part of the house.

After the Storm, SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are here to support you!  Call SERVPRO® of Charles County, 301.753.8313 or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill, 301.292.4447. We provide free visual inspections, and we will guide you through the claim, cleanup and reconstruction processes as necessary.

Stay Safe!

Signs there could be a water damage in your home

11/12/2020 (Permalink)

People often assume that the term “Water Damage” is going to mean gallons of water running through their home or several inches of standing water. That is not always the case. Sometimes it can be as common as an overflowed toilet or as simple as the kids splashing too much water out of the bathtub while playing. Water is a very sneaky thing, and you could have a water damage occur and not realize it until there is bigger issue!

Here are 5 signs that could mean you have a water damage.

• Dark or Wet Spots

If you see dark or wet spots on your ceiling, walls or exterior, INVESTIGATE. This could mean there is or has been water damage.

• Ceiling, Walls, and Floor structure

If water has reached these surfaces from inside you will notice the structure of these areas change. Your ceiling and drywall could begin to bubble, crack or flake. Your flooring can become soft and even begin to buckle. These are normally signs of water damage.

• Hearing water

Have you noticed the sound of running water that is outside of the normal? This could be a sign of water damage. If you hear dripping, running water or even notice a new floor creak it is important to investigate.

• Increased Bills

Have you noticed a spike in your water bill? This spike could be caused by a hidden water leak. Investigate this issue with a plumber or your local water company.

• Smelling something off

It is quite easy to smell when something is wet and has been sitting. Have you ever forgot about the clothes in the washer? Yes, that smell. If you smell dampness, investigate! This could surely be a sign of water damage.

If you discover or even think there is a possibility you have a water damage, no matter how small you think it may be, call SERVPRO® of Charles County, 301.753.8313 or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill, 301.292.4447 today! We provide free visual inspections, and we will guide you through the claim, cleanup and reconstruction processes as necessary.

Fire Safety in Fall 2020

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Safety in Fall 2020

2020 has been a year for the books. In one sense it seems like this has been the NEVERENDING story and on the other hand I cannot believe we are in Fall 2020! Where did the time go? Normally right about now we are winding down from Halloween, preparing for Thanksgiving, and just now getting into the rhythm of the new school year. This year, well it looks a little different.

This year we are figuring out online schooling for our children and wondering if they will ever return to a “normal” school day. We are still actively taking measures to protect our families from the global pandemic, COVID-19 and some of us have returned to work and attempting to find a balance. Crazy right?!?

With all the changes going on around us SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill feel like it is so important to remind our community to perform their fall safety checks. Here are some reminders to ensure your safety and efficiency this fall!

• Change the batteries and inspect your smoke detectors.

Get in the habit of changing them when the time changes. Spring forward and Fall back will ensure that you never have an inactive smoke detector.

• Have your heating system inspected.

Central Heating systems should be inspected and serviced.

• If you have gas, make sure you have your tank filled and inspect your carbon monoxide detectors.
• If you use space heaters, please make sure to use them responsibly and inspect them for any damage that could pose a risk.
• If you have a chimney have your chimney inspected, repaired, and cleaned each fall if necessary.

With all these tips you are taking an additional step to ensure the safety of your home and loved ones. Fall is also a great time to revisit your family’s evacuation plan and ensure everyone is reminded of what they should do in an emergency.

If you are faced with an emergency and need assistance call 911. Once your emergency has been controlled please do not hesitate to reach out to SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill as we are always Here to Help! We will walk you through the cleanup, restoration and reconstruction process and get you back to living life.

We are available 24/7/365 @ 301.753.8313 or 301.292.4447.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips 2020

10/20/2020 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving Safety Tips 2020

I know we all have heard the saying, “The kitchen is the heart of the home”, well believe me when I tell you this is true for my family. We all enjoy cooking for our family and others and this time of year offers multiple opportunities to do just that with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s right around the corner. This time of year also provides a time to reflect on the year and be joyful for the things you have accomplished as well as set goals for the coming year. During this season we tend to spend a lot more time in the kitchen preparing food and we do not realize the dangers that are associated with this activity.

Did you know that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires? Then followed by Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and the day before Thanksgiving. WOW! Unattended cooking was the leading factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.

Here are the Top 10 Safety Tips to keep in mind this holiday season.

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot, and kids should stay three feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

This holiday season enjoy the time with family and friends while also remembering safety. SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill is Always Here to Help if you need us, but we hope that you don’t and you can enjoy each moment with family and friends.

Flood and Water damage, aren’t they the same?

10/9/2020 (Permalink)

Flood and Water damage, aren’t they the same?

Most people believe that flood and water damage are the same and this is not the case in many scenarios. Though they both cause damage to your home and headaches, they can be quite different when dealing with an insurance company.

Flood insurance is a separate policy from your traditional homeowners’ insurance. If your home is in a flood zone you may be required to obtain flood insurance but if you are not, well then you may not have to. The scary thing about it is you may not even be offered the additional coverage or know that you may need it.  Flood insurance will cover flood damage to your foundation, plumbing, flooring, walls, and electrical components. Flood insurance DOES NOT normally cover anything outside of the main property such as detached garages or swimming pools. Flood insurance will usually deny coverage for damage caused by moisture, mold or mildew if an adjuster states that the damage could have been prevented. You often can add coverage to your personal belongings under this policy as well.

Water damage is usually covered under your standard homeowners’ policy. You should examine your policy to see what your specific coverages are. Water damage is normally defined as damage occurring BEFORE water touches the ground. This could be damage caused by rainstorms, burst pipes, overflowing bathtub, washing machine malfunction etc. This list could go on. Things not considered water damage would be your flooded yard backs up into your home, foundation leaks causing inside damage due to heavy rain etc. Sump pumps are also another thing a homeowner should verify are covered in their policy because that’s a separate add on as well.

Making sure you understand your policy, coverages and individual needs is especially important when protecting your largest investment. Consult with your insurance agent yearly to ensure proper coverages.

If you experience a water related issue call SERVPRO® of Charles County or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill and let us walk you through the process. We are always Here to Help!

SERVPRO® of Charles County

(301) 753-8313

SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill

(301) 292-4447

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

10/8/2020 (Permalink)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As we all know 2020 has been an extreme year for all of us fighting the global pandemic, COVID-19. Our lives have changed drastically in our day to day activities from putting the kids on the bus and heading to the office to wearing a mask, hunting for Lysol™ and hand sanitizer and becoming full time teacher's aids to help educate our children from home. It is easy to get caught up and bogged down by the drastic changes in the world around us, BELIEVE ME I KNOW, but it is so important to not let this year pass us by without stopping to reflect, remember and rejoice.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this is something that I hold extremely near and dear to my heart. I have lost loved ones to this disease; I have watched people I love fight this disease and win as well as I am watching someone currently fight this disease head-on. Through all the changes and obstacles we face in life it is imperative that we remember self-care. The National Breast Cancer Foundation website offers so much information and many wonderful tips for you to review. They offer education, tips and step by step instructions that are easy to read and understand. They also provide a way for you to get involved if you want to help support the cause and if you need help they offer the ability to receive it as well. I highly recommend you check it out.

All in all, I want you to know that SERVPRO® is not just your premier cleanup and restoration company--we are a part of the community. We live, work, shop and support our community in many ways and consider our community family. There is nothing more important to us than the success, health and overall well-being of our community!

Take care of yourselves family, and remember, we are always Here to Help!

Generator Safety from SERVPRO®

10/8/2020 (Permalink)

Generator Safety from SERVPRO®

Here in Southern Maryland we know all too well that having a generator is important. When we decide to purchase generators, we are thinking about the good it will bring and what protection it offers. A generator can allow us to keep the lights on, fan or heaters going and as a mom I think of the refrigerator, we must preserve our food!

What we often forget are the safety concerns that come along with using a generator. Here are some generator safety tips to consider.

• Never use a generator inside the home or even in partially enclosed spaces, like the garage! Opening windows, doors and using fans will not prevent carbon dioxide buildup.
• Install carbon dioxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home.
• Do not use a generator in wet conditions. Make sure the generator is outside but not in the rain or snow as this could cause electrocution.

With Southern Maryland’s crazy weather patterns, we need to be prepared with knowledge and equipment to protect our families in a storm.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are available 24 hours a day – 7 days a week and YES even during the storm, so call us today: 301.753.8313 or 301.292.4447.

Fire Safety Month- Is your business prepared?

10/7/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Safety Month- Is your business prepared?

Often when you hear the phrase “Fire Safety” you automatically think of your home not necessarily your business. Well here at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill we realize that Fire Safety is critical, and we want to help you prepare and protect your business and employees. Making sure that your entire staff is prepared in case of an emergency could be the difference between a quick reopening or losing everything and even scarier it could be the difference between life and death.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill offers a FREE service to all businesses within our service areas, that will ensure employees and business are prepared in case of an emergency. SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Plan, ERP. This is an online document that is meant to accompany any contingency plan you may already have in place. What makes this so unique? Well our ERP is outlined to provide you instant access to all pertinent information on your businesses no matter where you are. What if your business located in Waldorf, MD but you are on vacation in Paris and something goes awry? Or maybe your business is located at the National Harbor and you happen to be in a meeting in Arlington, VA and cannot get to the office immediately. Well our ERP app is available for download on both IOS and Android platforms and will allow you to not only access information, but you can make calls within the application and have all account information handy or you can email a copy of all pertinent information to someone who is onsite. Having all this information readily available in an instant allows you or your designated employee to act swiftly and reduce business interruptions.

Often, we see businesses that are faced with catastrophe and they are unable to access their buildings and 90% of the time all the information business owners or managers would need remains inside of the office. I have personally seen business owners scramble for hours just to determine who they use for certain utilities and coverages. It took a local business owner two days to get in touch with the right insurance carrier to report his loss and then another 3 days for an adjuster to arrive on site. At that point, this business had been closed for 5 business days and had thousands of dollars in lost business, not including the severe monetary loss caused by secondary damage because the building sat untreated.

Had this business owner had SERVPRO® complete an Emergency Ready Plan evaluation and setup his ERP application he would have had all necessary information accessible the minute he needed it. This simple 30-minute process could have potentially saved him thousands and provided peace of mind.

If you are interested in learning more about the SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Plan please do not hesitate to reach out to Lauren – Marketing@SERVPRO5407.com.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are always Here to help!

ERPs provided by SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are available in Waldorf, White Plains, La Plata, Bel Alton, St. Charles, Bryans Road, Indian Head, Port Tobacco, Cobb Island, Newburg, Welcome, Nanjemoy, Bryantown, Hughesville, Brandywine, Clinton, Temple Hills, Oxon Hill, Camp Springs, National Harbor, Fort Washington and Accokeek. Some other areas may be available by request.

Fire Safety Month- 2020

10/7/2020 (Permalink)

October is Fire Safety month and let’s face it, 2020 has caused us all to focus a lot more on safety than ever before. SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are always Here to Help if you have an emergency, but we would like to HELP before an emergency occurs.

Maryland public schools are currently operating on a virtual learning platform due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, which gives us a little more time at home with our children. This would be the perfect time to discuss Fire Safety and possibly even create some cool activities to make sure everyone knows what to do in the case of an emergency.

Here are some ideas to get the creative mind working!

• Fire Drills-

I know you remember when you were in school and the fire drill would sound and everyone would STOP, GASP and MOVE! (For me it always seemed to occur right when I was really getting into something good in class!) We can recreate those in our homes. If you know your kid has a break from on screen learning between 11:30 and 12:30 plan a fire drill. Set an alarm and BOOM! Everyone to their places. This will ensure that everyone knows what to do and where to go in case of a real emergency.

• Escape Room-

No, I am not talking about those really cool new places that are popping up in a town near you! I am talking about a real escape plan for each room in your home. The entire family should be involved in the creation of your family's escape plan. They should know exactly what to do, where to go and honestly, they should know what NOT to do. Example: I tell my daughter that in the case of an emergency we will meet at the mailbox. I also explain to her that if I do not show up to the mailbox that she is to stay there until help arrives. DO NOT COME BACK TO THE HOUSE. I explain this because I could have to go out the back door and walk all the way around the property to get to her and if she doesn’t stay there she is causing more danger for our entire family.

• Coloring pages-

If you have smaller children some of these discussions can be overwhelming, scary and just plain hard to understand for them. Try printing out coloring pages and talking about the pictures. One thing that worked when my daughter was little is, I drew our escape plan and let her color it. As she colored each room, the yard etc. we discussed what the different paths looked like. This also prompted us to go around the house and spot all the fire extinguishers. This was an easy way for her to understand and comprehend our safety plan.

These are just some ideas on how to make sure that our community and your family are prepared in the case of an emergency. Here at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill we find it most important to try and educate our community and be a wealth of knowledge. If 2020 has taught us one thing it is that safety, health, family and community are especially important in times of crisis, and we want to be a vital part of each one!

If you need help, have questions or have experienced damage to your home, please do not hesitate to contact us immediately. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year! Someone from our office is always Here to Help!

SERVPRO® of Charles County

(301) 753-8313 

                                                                        SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill

(301) 292-4447

Tropical Storm Isaias expected to affect Southern Maryland this week!

8/3/2020 (Permalink)

Maryland is not normally known for hurricane related disasters, but it seems that within the last few years it has become increasingly common.  With Topical Storm Isaias approaching the coastline SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill find it important to prepare.

Hurricane Isaias has caused The National Weather Service to issue a Tropical Storm Watch and Flash Flood Watch for Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening for much of Maryland. In Southern Maryland tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to cause winds from 40-70 MPH with about 3-4 inches of rain. The Eastern Shore could possibly see 7 plus inches of rain by Tuesday evening. Flash Flood warnings are issued for Southern Maryland from Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening.

During this time, it is important to take necessary measures to protect your family and your home.

• MEMA is reminding Maryland residents to make sure emergency kits include at least 2 face masks for each person as well as Hand Sanitizer, disinfectants, and other COVID-19 related supplies.
• Tie down any loose furniture or grills that are outside and subject to substantial winds and could be blown about causing secondary damage.
• Keep devices charges in case of power outages.
• If the roadway is flooded, TURN AROUND, do not attempt to drive through the standing water.
• Only use generators outdoors! Generators should be at least 20 feet away from home, doors, windows, and vents.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill will be on standby if we are needed. In the time of an emergency we are still Here to Help! Do not hesitate to call us right away, 301.753.8313 or 301.292.4447.

Summer Water Damage Tips

8/3/2020 (Permalink)

Unfortunately, we know all too well that water damages can happen at anytime in Southern Maryland. Water damages can happen at any time, any place and under any circumstance but there are some things to keep in mind that could help prevent water damage to your home this summer. 

Southern Maryland Severe Storms

Severe storms are common in the summer months for southern Maryland because of the heat and a lot of our areas are bordered by water. During our hot, humid months severe storms can abruptly dump several inches of rain in a very short period of time. This could cause water damage to your home if you are not prepared.

• Check your gutters! Make sure your gutters are clear of any blockage. Blocked gutters coupled with substantial rain fall could result in foundation leaks, basement floods and water damage to exterior walls.
• Check your roof for damage frequently. Roof damage is something no one wants to face but you especially do not want it to begin raining inside your home. With a substantial amount of rain and roof damage you could see not only roof leaks and attic saturation you could see a complete flood. In some cases we have seen ceiling collapse causing additional damage.

Air Conditioner causing water damage?

As we all know it gets hot and humid in the summer months here in Southern Maryland and we have our air conditioners set accordingly! What we don’t realize is the potential risk that a central AC unit poses to our homes. These units are designed to extract gallons of water vapor from the air inside our homes. This water is collected in a condensate drip pan and then sent down the drain line. Well what if the condensate drip pan overflows or the drain line is clogged? Would you notice right away? Probably not! Check your AC unit to make sure that everything is running correctly, especially when the temperature rises outside. Checking your system on a regular basis could mean preventing a water damage incident in your home.

If you experience a water damage in your home this summer call SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill immediately! We are OPEN and Here to Help! 301.753.8313.

Commercial- Insurance Check up

7/31/2020 (Permalink)

As we approach Hurricane Season 2020 on top of the worldly events already in full swing, it is easy to get lost in day to day activities. SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill want to remind you to do an Insurance Checkup.

What is that you ask?

Every so often as a business you and your agent should be performing an Insurance Checkup which will review your coverage and coverage limits. As we know things change rapidly and you should always have the appropriate coverage and limits to protect your business.

Years ago, we would have never imagined tornadoes and hurricanes in Southern Maryland and now they have become more normal for our area.

During your checkup make sure you have enough coverage to repair, sustain and even replace your business. Have you recently made upgrades to your facilities? Have you upgraded equipment? Hired or Fired an employee? Making sure that all of your information is up to date is preparing you for success in the wake of a disaster.

Do you have an Emergency Ready Plan? If not reach out to us directly and we can provide you one for FREE. We will make sure that you always have paper copies as well as electronic copies available to you. Being prepared could be the difference between losing everything and coming back strong if your business suffers a loss.

Here at SERVPRO® we are not only in the business of helping AFTER a loss but more importantly we are Here to Help BEFORE a loss! Call us today for your Free Emergency Ready Plan- 301.753.8313 or email me directly. LAUREN LANCASTER

FIRE- Smoke and its behavior in your home!

7/31/2020 (Permalink)

The flames of a fire are the thing that we are most worried about during an active fire because they are scary, for a lack of better term. We know the flames are damaging our property and threatening our safety but smoke damage is the sneaky partner to flames. Smoke inhalation is just as dangerous as actual flames. Smoke is what makes the cleanup process complicated due to the different types of smoke and soot residue.

When SERVPRO® arrives on the scene of a fire we are going to first asses the situation to determine our plan of action. We will need to determine the type of smoke so that we can clean accordingly. There are different types of smoke and SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are trained to handle them all.

WET SMOKE: (Plastic and Rubber) Low heat, smoldering, high odor and smears. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

DRY SMOKE: (Paper and Wood) Fast burning, high temperature- heat rises so the smoke will as well.

PROTEIN FIRE: Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes and has extreme odor.

FUEL SOOT: Often caused from puff backs and can seem overwhelming, but SERVPRO® has you covered.

OTHER: Special losses need special care. Some things in this category would be fire extinguisher residue, fingerprint powder and tear gas.

No matter what your situation is SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are Here to Help!

Summer 2020 Fire Tips

6/29/2020 (Permalink)

With the presence of the global pandemic, COVID-19, we are seeing more and more families opting for outdoor vacations. Camping can be a fun way to still enjoy summer while reducing exposure to COVID-19. Personally, I am not the camping (in a tent) type but I am even considering this for my family as we NEED a summer getaway!

Here are some summer campfire safety tips!

Most campgrounds have posted rules in place. These rules can vary from campground to campground because of the risk associated to the specific areas. It is important to take the time to review them with your family and ensure that they understand the rules.

Make sure that your family is aware of the generational lesson, STOP DROP and ROLL! This phrase has been heard for years and it is important to make sure that your family understands this phrase! Practice what this looks like.

If grilling or starting a campfire, assess your surroundings. Make sure you are in a safe spot away from fire hazards. Check the wind direction and make sure there is enough room between trees and camping materials.

If starting a campfire, make sure you always have supplies nearby to extinguish the fire if things take a turn for the worse. Water, fire extinguisher, sand, shovel etc. could be the difference between a scare and a catastrophe.  

COVID-19 has caused us to be aware of our surroundings and we should continue this practice when it comes to Summer Safety as well!

Summer Heat Storm!

6/29/2020 (Permalink)

Summer is approaching fast! In Southern Maryland it seems we have gone from Winter to Summer again this year. Over the last few years, we have skipped spring and this year was no different. With that in mind it is important to remember extreme heat precautions, especially with COVID-19 causing us to do more outdoor activities because a lot of businesses are still closed.

Heat affects everyone but especially young, sick, elderly, and overweight people. There are several things you can do to prepare for extreme heat. 

• Stay inside if possible
• Check on your pets if they are outside
• Stay hydrated! Limit alcohol or caffeine if outdoors.
• Wear loose, light colored clothing if outside.
• Apply sunscreen!

If you must be outside during extreme heat please be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion, such as heavy sweating, weakness, cold, clammy skin, nausea or vomiting and fainting. Heat exhaustion can lead to a heat stroke which is life threatening. Signs of heat strokes are body temperatures of 103 degrees +, rapid pulse and possible unconsciousness.  If you think someone is having a heat stroke CALL 911, DO NOT give them fluids, try to reduce body temp with cool wet rags.

We want you to enjoy the outdoors this summer, especially because we have spent so much time indoors this year due to COVID, but we want you to be safe!  Our community is our family and your safety is important to us!

Maryland’s 2020 hurricane season is predicted to be a rough one

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

As if the coronavirus was not enough, we are coming up on hurricane season 2020, June 1- November 30, and it is potentially going to be a tough one for the East coast. The 2020 hurricane season could produce 16 named storms for the Atlantic Coast, which is four more named storms than the average.

Colorado State University meteorologists are predicting that the 2020 hurricane season will be 140% of the average hurricane season. The team is predicting eight of the 16 storms will become hurricanes and four of the storms could become Category 3-5 storms and produce winds of 111 miles per hour.

The April forecast for hurricane season 2020 may seem a bit early but basing their predictions on over 50 years of data, has proven them well. The team from Colorado State will provide updates to their predictions as the season moves along and let us hope that there is a change for the better. I think I can speak for everyone in Southern Maryland, and across the Atlantic seaboard for that matter, when I say we would like a nice, calm, and uneventful remainder of 2020. The updates will be published on June 4, July 7 and August 6… keeping our fingers crossed.

As you know, no matter the time or situation SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are ALWAYS available and Here to Help! You can call us, 301.753.8313- Email us, Marketing@SERVPRO5407.com or find us on social media if you need our assistance.

Southern Maryland Emergency Water Damage Tips

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

Here in Southern Maryland we have experienced many weather-related events that have caused water damages for many over the last few years. One thing SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill wants our community to know is what to do when you have a water damage. The first 24 hours of a water damage is critical in reducing the damage to your home or business. Here are some tips to help you if you experience a water damage…

• Shut off the water source if possible.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas.
• Remove as much excess water as possible
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet
• Move any valuable items to a dry place
• Do not enter affected areas if electrical outlets are exposed to water
• Do not use vacuum to remove water
• Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet

If you have experienced a water damage and need a professional to walk you through call us today @ 301.753.8313.

COVID Support for our community.

5/15/2020 (Permalink)

It is easy as a SERVPRO® employee to tell people that you are always “Here to Help” and honestly, we are. But when it really counts, and your community needs you that is when you stand behind those words and show up.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill will always show up for our community. We will always be here to lend a helping hand when our community calls on us. We have partnered with multiple organizations within our community and it is part of what makes my job so rewarding.

With the COVID19 pandemic we have been called on to utilize our expertise to protect the community we serve. With our expertise in bioremediation SERVPRO® is the Nations #1 choice for cleanup and restoration and we are proud to have earned that title.

Recently we had the opportunity to clean and disinfect the Emergency Service Vehicles at Benedict Volunteer Fire Department and it was an honor. Benedict VFD has been proudly serving Charles County since 1950 and it was amazing to be able to give back.

Thank you to all our Firefighters, Paramedics and Police Officers! You all are appreciated every day! If there is anything we can ever do please do not hesitate to let me know.

Sincerely,

Lauren C. Lancaster

Email ME

301-753-8313

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
• Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
• Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned,but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Charles County at 301-753-8313 or SERVPRO of Oxon Hill at 301-292-4447 today for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

SEVERE Weather

4/6/2020 (Permalink)

Severe weather can happen at anytime in America, but we definitely know it can happen at anytime in Southern Maryland. Each year as a country we deal with natural disasters more than you would imagine.

STORM Averages for the USA

10,000 severe thunderstorms

5,000 floods or flash floods

1.300 tornadoes

2 landfalling deadly tornadoes

That is a lot of storms every year causing nearly $15 billion in damage and 650 deaths. This was an eye-opening fact for me when I read it, noaa.gov. The only thing we can do is to be prepared.  You should always educate yourself on the weather risk you could face in the places that you live and work. Sign up for wireless emergency alerts and listen to the radio. Create a communication plan for work and home. Put together and Emergency Kit and make sure everyone knows what it includes and where it is. Be prepared so you can be safe!

Even during Storm conditions SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill is Here to Help! You can always reach someone from our office @ 301.753.8313.

Flooding in Charles County, MD and Oxon Hill, MD

4/6/2020 (Permalink)

Floods are one of the most common disasters in the United States. No matter where you are located there is always potential for flooding. In the last five years FEMA reported that all 50 states had experience floods or flash floods. Floods cause more damage than any other natural disaster every year. Here are some flood safety tips…

• Stay away from flood waters. As little as six inches of flowing water can sweep you off your feet, and not in a good way!
• DO NOT drive over a flooded road. If you get stuck on a flooded road and the water is rising get out of the vehicle and move. Two feet of moving water can easily sweep your car away.
• Keep children out of the water. The water could be contaminated.

If your home is affected by flood water, please call SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill. Minor floods can cause MAJOR damage when not treated appropriately. We are always Here to Help! Call us today @ 301.753.8313

Spring Cleaning and Maintenance to keep your business thriving

4/3/2020 (Permalink)

Spring Cleaning and Maintenance to keep your business thriving

As we exit the dreadful cold and enter the glorious days of extended sunshine, beautiful flowers and sensational warmth, we tend to find a little more energy here in the DMV! When this happens, EVERYONE starts to think Spring Cleaning! Well this should go for your business as well.

As working adults, most of us spend more time at work then we do in our homes, so we should take great care of our offices. Besides the fact that we want our customers, clients and employees to be in a clean comfortable space, we want to reduce the probability of damage to our business because this is how we provide for our families. Everyday that our offices are closed could mean lost revenue and that is not something we want to lose. Being proactive in your maintenance and preparation can save you thousands of dollars in the long run and SERVPRO® is Here to Help!

There are a few things SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill recommends all our businesses complete to ensure they are proactive and prepared!

• Carpeted Areas

If you have carpeted areas in your office, examine the condition of the carpet.

• Professional carpet cleaning of high trafficked areas will prevent bacteria, allergens, and dirt from building up which could prolong the life of your commercial grade carpet. (P.S. Carpet isn’t cheap!)
• Hard Floors

If you have hard floors in your office please examine them carefully.

• A buckle in your flooring could be a trip hazard for employees and customers but it could also mean there is/was water intrusion. Water intrusions that are not dried properly run the risk of mold problems in the future. Sanitizing/Disinfecting hard floors is something that SERVPRO® specializes in to ensure that there is no additional moisture left behind to create other problems.
• Upholstery

Do you see stains on your waiting room chairs?

• Unfortunately, dust mites and other organisms tend to stick themselves to fabric. (We all have heard of a bed bug issue! EW!) If you have waiting room chairs or other fabric pieces call SERVPRO® today for a free estimate on cleaning. The last thing we want is one of your customers to have an issue that traces back to your chair.
• Ceilings

Have you noticed a stain on your office ceiling?

• Call SERVPRO® and we will come out to provide a free moisture check in that area. Often we don’t realize that there is water intrusion or a moisture issue until its too late and we see a stain. When you first notice that stain investigate it right away! If it happened this time it will happen again, and improperly dried materials run the risk of developing mold and that is the last thing we want or need!
• GET PREPARED

Do you have an emergency plan in place that is mobile?

• You guessed it! SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill will come out and provide you will a FREE Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) that comes with an APP! (Available on Android and Apple devices) The ERP can contain all your information that you will need to be able to get your business back up and running in the care of an emergency.

Here at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill we know how difficult it can be to run a business and that’s why we want you to know that we are ALWAYS available… 24/7/365! You can call us @ 301-753-8313 and someone from our office is always available!

Fire Extinguisher Safety and Information

4/3/2020 (Permalink)

A fire extinguisher is a lifeline in an emergency fire situation when used correctly. NFPA recommends remembering the phrase PASS!

P Pull the pin. Hold the nozzle away from you.

A Aim low towards the base of the fire.

S Squeeze the trigger evenly and slowly to control the release.

S Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

You should always read the instructions on a fire extinguisher before an emergency happens. Being comfortable with the use of this device could save your family, your property and your life!

It is also important to know that there are different classes of fire extinguishers specifically designed for certain types of fires.

CLASS A: This is the most common type of fire extinguisher as it used to put out normal items such as cloth, wood, rubber, paper and many plastics.

CLASS B: This should be used on fires involving flammable liquids such as grease, gas and oil.

CLASS C: This is designed for fires involving appliances, tools and other products that are plugged in.

CLASS D: Class D is normally found in factories and warehouses as they combat fires involving metals.

CLASS K: This type is seen in commercial kitchens as it fights fires involving vegetable oils, animal oils or fats in cooking appliances.

Please take the time to educate yourself, your family and your staff about Fire Extinguisher Safety! Please know that SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill is always Here to Help! You can call us 24/7/365 @ 301-753-8313.

A COVID-19 Update to our Community

3/25/2020 (Permalink)

A COVID-19 Update to our Community

Here at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill we would like you to know that we are open and working. The safety of our staff and community are MOST important during these difficult times.

SERVPRO® offers cleaning services including the removal of biohazard contaminants. We have specialized training and products to get your property back to business. SERVPRO® is actively performing proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfecting where the customer states there is no active known threat of COVID-19 contamination or exposure.

It is important that you know, we are also still providing our standard Fire, Water, Mold and Crime Scene mitigation services if needed. Making sure that we are here for our community is our #1 priority at this time.

If you can stay home, please do so and protect yourselves and others. Coming together as community is how we will persevere through this pandemic and in the end we will be stronger.

Thank you and stay safe,

SERVPRO® Of Charles County

(301) 753-8313

SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill

(301) 292-4447

Soda Blasting is HERE for 2020!

3/20/2020 (Permalink)

Soda Blasting is HERE for 2020!

Soda blasters can be used to remove paint, grease and dirt build up from practically any surface including Steel, aluminum, sheet metal, brick, concrete, granite, glass and fiberglass. Soda blasting can also kill mold spores and remove mold growth from almost any surface. Soda blasting is also very helpful in Smoke removal because the soda absorbs the odor during the cleaning process, leaving you with a clean and fresh smelling area.

Sodium bicarbonate is used in these processes because it has a much milder abrasive factor than sandblasting. Therefore, we can clean so many different surfaces without the worry of damaging the base material.

SERVPRO® Of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill has heard your request and invested in the IBIX 25 system to meet your needs. We can now handle any and all your soda blasting needs from Soot, Mold and graffiti removal on any surface. Call us today to schedule your FREE Inspection @ 301.753.8313.

We are Cleaning Experts

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Charles County (301) 753-8313 or SERVPRO of Oxon Hill (301) 292-4447.

Healthy Building + Healthy Employees= Healthy Business

3/12/2020 (Permalink)

Most business owners realize the struggle of an employee being out sick and having to find coverage. But it’s even harder when that employee is dedicated and still comes to work sick to make sure that the operation runs smoothly. But what you often notice is that when one employee gets sick, another gets sick and another gets sick. Soon enough they are passing around the sickness from person to person and there is the potential for major gaps in your operation. Now let’s add in the scenario of customers coming in and out of your business. You never know what germs are being left behind.

With all the stuff going on in the world today, NOW is the time for complete office sanitization or disinfection! The last thing we want is an interruption to your business.

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to post a sign stating, “This facility has been sanitized/disinfected by SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill.”

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill offers a wide variety of options to accommodate your needs. SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill has over 30 years of experience dealing with Commercial buildings both large and small. We cover all of Charles County including Charles County Government and Charles County Board of Education as well as the National Harbor and MGM Hotel and Casino.

SERVPRO® will provide you with a FREE inspection with verbal ballpark for your office/building. Call today to schedule your Free inspection, 301.753.8313 or email Lauren Lancaster.

2020- BE READY - BE PREPARED

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

2020- BE READY - BE PREPARED

Every New Year people make resolutions to be better than they were the year before. People want to lose weight, be healthier, quit smoking, etc. Well this year SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill urges your to BE READY- BE PREPARED! No one ever plans for a disaster to strike their home or business, but you can prepare for it.

The SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) will help ensure your home or business is “Ready for whatever happens” in 2020.

In the event of an emergency the ERP can help minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action in place for your home or facility. The ERP is a comprehensive document containing critical information about your home or facility including emergency contacts, shut off valve locations and priority areas. Preparation is key to making it through and size disaster. Having a plan in place will get you back to normal faster.

The ERP is a NO COST assessment and all it requires is a little of your time and voila, you are prepared! 

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill urges you to schedule your ERP appointment today! You can call us @ 301.753.8313 or email Lauren Lancaster – marketing@SERVPRO5407.com.

Ice Queen and I’m not talking about Elsa!

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

Ice Queen and I’m not talking about Elsa!

Winter weather in Southern Maryland has a tendency to be fickle lately, but what we do know is our temperatures can dip below freezing in an instant. With this being the case, we are at a risk of freezing pipes which can create major disaster to your home.

Frozen pipes occur when pipes are exposed to cold weather outside or even inside your home in areas such as your basement or attic. When a frozen pipe burst the pipe typically rupture causing a back flow of pressurized water to expel into your home. Depending on where the pipe is located this could cause damage to a certain area or your entire home from top to bottom. The pressure can be so significant that it can flood your entire home in minutes.

If frozen pipes damage your home call SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill immediately! We are available 24 hours a day/7 days week @ 301.753.8313. 

Serving our community when they need it most!

2/7/2020 (Permalink)

Serving our community when they need it most!

Here at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill you will repeatedly hear us say that we “Support the community we serve” and this is something we take pride in. Our community has supported us for over 33 years in this area and we have always given back.

This year is no exception. Thus far in 2020 we have seen a tremendous amount of fires in Southern Maryland and it has been heartbreaking. We have seen reports of families displaced from their homes almost every week it seems.

When families are faced with this tragedy the last thing they are thinking about is grabbing basic necessities such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste etc. So SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill met with Mr. William Smith, the PIO for Charles County, and dropped off some of the care packages we put together containing necessities. Mr. Smith is an asset to our community as he is on the scene of basically every fire and when a family is displaced, he will have these packages on hand to personally deliver them.

When the community comes together that is when greatness is achieved. We are so excited about the continuation of that relationship and the continuous opportunity to SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE!

The Article posted by Mr. Smith on the Charles County Volunteer Fire & EMS page can be found HERE

RSV is here!

1/17/2020 (Permalink)

RSV is here!

RSV is running rampant in the USA and in Maryland this year. There have been significant increases in RSV cases right here in our schools, homes, daycares and community.

What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus also known as RSV is a common, and very contagious virus that infects the respiratory tract of children. This virus is spread through the air by cough or sneeze as well as by direct contact like touching.

RSV is a virus so there is no medication to directly treat RSV but you can try to treat symptoms of RSV. The best plan of action during this increased RSV season is to wash your hands often, keep your children home if they are sick and make sure that your facilities are disinfected thoroughly.  

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill can disinfect your facility with an all natural, botanical cleaning agent that is so safe I have personally consumed it! Call us today for 15% off all disinfectant treatments through 2/29/2020- 301.753.8313.

Loretta and Mary’s Pantry @ Sacred Heart

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

Loretta and Mary’s Pantry @ Sacred Heart Church- 2019

This year was a little different for SERVPRO® of Charles County when it came to Loretta and Mary’s Pantry. When asked what items were needed for distribution the answer was “Soup and Crackers.” WOW, not what we expected to hear from them, but we are “Here to Help.” Travis and I set out to the store on a mission for Soup and Crackers! I think people in the store thought we were crazy with carts full of Soup and crackers. Of course, we had to grab some other items just to be on the safe side but we definitely made sure we had Soup and Crackers. While unloading the items and stocking the shelves of the pantry we realized the need for hot Chocolate, Tea and Coffee. So off to the store we go again.

The point of explaining this to you is that the smallest things we take for granted can be major blessings to those in need. Imagine if you purchased 4 cans of soup and a box of crackers each month and donated it. It doesn’t seem like a whole lot correct. Well imagine if 25 people bought 4 cans of soup and a box of crackers each month and donated. Now does it seem like a lot.

Once again this goes back to what we believe here at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill… “If everyone did a little, we would have a lot.”

The Arnold House- Thanksgiving 2019

12/4/2019 (Permalink)

Donations made to The Arnold House in Waldorf, MD

The Arnold House- Thanksgiving 2019

So as the holidays approach again I find myself being thankful for what I have. Of course we all strive for better and sometimes even more, but at the end of the day, I am blessed.

The Arnold House, located in Waldorf, MD, does a phenomenal job year-round feeding our community. Not until my work with The Arnold House did I realize how many families in our area struggle to provide a meal each night. This realization just made it easier to make The Arnold House one of the organizations we assist with on a regular basis. Here at SERVPRO® of Charles County, we feel as if no one should ever have to worry about where their next meal is going to come from. Though we cannot end world hunger, we wish we could, we can make a difference in our community by partnering with organizations like The Arnold House.

The Arnold House organization is a blessing to our community, and we are proud and honored to be able to assist them with their important mission. Our belief here at SERVPRO® is “If everyone did a little, we would have a lot.” 

Thank you to everyone at The Arnold House for all that you do!

The United State Fire Administration: Carbon Monoxide

12/2/2019 (Permalink)

The United State Fire Administration: Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide is very dangerous as you cannot see or smell it but it can kill you in minutes. Often referred to as the silent killer, Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless and colorless. The United States Fire Administration has offered some tips to protect yourself from Carbon Monoxide.

• Have fuel burning appliances inspected by trained professionals every year.
• Open the damper before using fireplace.
• Never use oven or stove top to heat your home.
• Make sure all fuel burning appliances are vented outside.
• If you need to warm up your vehicle remove it from the garage.
• Only use grills outside away from vents, windows and doors.
• Only use portable generators outside away from vents, windows and doors.

It is estimated that more than 400 Americans die, 20,000 visit the hospital and 4,000 are admitted to the hospital due to CO poisoning. Symptoms of CO poising include dull headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision and loss of consciousness.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill ask you to please be aware and safe when it comes to the potential of CO poisoning and your home!

WINTER is HERE!!

11/19/2019 (Permalink)

WINTER is HERE!!! YIKES!

The temperature is dropping and Winter is coming in with a roar. As a Multi-Unit Property manager here are some tips to help winterize your units.

• Have boilers and furnaces checked immediately.
• Clear leaves out of your gutters
• Check for pooling on the roof after rainfall
• Have your trees trimmed
• Setup service contracts for snow removal in advance
• Install insulated windows or wrap current windows in plastic.
• Repair outdoor wall cracks
• Clear out storm drains
• Stock up on de-icer products
• Inspect fire alarms and smoke detectors
• Have chimneys professionally cleaned and serviced

As a commercial property manager in a Multi-Unit setting you are not alone. SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill recommends sending out notices to all of your tenants educating them on what to look for. When you tenants see an issue, they can let you know immediately and this will provide you the opportunity to reduce or prevent damage.

If you find yourself in a situation where the damage is done, please do not hesitate to call us at 301.753.8313.

Space Heater Safety

11/18/2019 (Permalink)

Space Heater Safety

Home fires, deaths and injuries are frequent during the winter months. Heating is the second leading cause of winter home fires and space heaters are often the cause or involved in 40% these fires. Space heaters come in handy during the winter months, especially in my home with a basement and hardwood floors! BRRRR.

Safety is a main concern when using space heaters this winter. Below you will find some space heater safety tips to keep you and your family protected this winter.

• Make sure your space heater has been tested by a recognized laboratory
• Read instructions and warning labels before using
• Inspect all visible wires for damage
• NEVER leave heater unattended
• Proper placement of space heaters is critical. They should be 3 ft away from anything.
• Plug heaters directly into wall outlet- never use extension cord
• Always place heaters flat and level. NEVER place on tables or cabinets.

Please protect your family and property this winter. If you need our services you can call us 24 hours a day- 7 days a week at 301.753.8313.

SERVPRO® : Helping with Hygiene

11/18/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® : Helping with Hygiene.

The Charles County Children’s Aid Society located in Waldorf, MD and has been assisting families for the past 85 years. On October 24^th I was lucky enough to have been in attendance to their celebration. As most of you already know we have a phenomenal relationship with The Charles County Children’s Aid Society but even I was astonished at the additional things I saw and learned that evening.

Normally I am running through the door to pick up a delivery or rushing to drop of things off that they need, but not that evening. That evening I was able to step back and observe the facility, the working members, volunteers and board members. I noticed things that normally get lost in the hustle and bustle of service. I was able to tour the facility, see work areas, storage for Christmas connection and I even noticed bare shelves. When I asked a board member what should be in that area she informed me that they get so much help from the community but people often forget about personal hygiene. PERSONAL HYGIENE? That’s what should have lined those bare shelves!!! I sat there thinking of how I could help with this as she explained in detail how those items are overlooked. She spoke with such a grateful heart but I knew something needed to be done. This is when the “Helping with Hygiene” campaign was born.  

The next day when I returned to work I immediately sprung into action and got approvals for us to do this on behalf of The Charles County Children’s Aid Society. I sent out mass emails and began making boxes. I had a great response from the community and we are currently running this campaign until December 1, 2019.

If you are interested in helping please contact Lauren Lancaster @ 301.753.8313.

Water- Frozen Pipes and what to look for!

11/13/2019 (Permalink)

Water- Frozen Pipes and what to look for!

With the extreme drop in temperature, in the Southern Maryland area, we are seeing burst pipes already this year. When the air surrounding pipes drops below freezing it causes ice in the pipes. With ice in the pipes it causes a pressure back up which can cause the pipes to burst. Burst pipe are not only a hassle but can cause severe damage to your property. There are warning signs that your pipes may be beginning to freeze.

• Strange smells from faucet or drain
• No or very little water coming out of pipes
• Frost on the pipes
• Not at the right temperature

Please be aware of the warning signs as our temperatures drop. Protect your homes from any unnecessary water damage this winter.

If you need help with your water damage please do not hesitate to reach out to SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill @ 301.753.8313.

Winter Storm- Southern Maryland Solar Minimum

11/13/2019 (Permalink)

Winter Storm- Southern Maryland Solar Minimum

Here in Southern Maryland we are currently in a Solar Minimum. What is a Solar Minimum? Well a Solar Minimum is when a Solar Activity is really low. Obviously right? What does this mean? When Solar activity is really low it has a direct impact on our atmosphere and weather. During a Solar Minimum the earth tends to cool. When the earth cools even slightly it could cause extreme drops in temperature which in turn could produce SNOW! With the Solar Minimum occurring please be aware of precipitation and below freezing temperatures. With all of the leaves falling in Southern Maryland be sure to check your drainage pipes for blockages and check your pipes for signs of freezing.

If you are in need of service we are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at 301.753.8313.

What is Winter 2019-2020 going to look like?

10/10/2019 (Permalink)

What is Winter 2019-2020 going to look like?

Anyone who knows me knowssss that I despise Winter. I think Winter is so awful that I don’t like my birthday because it’s during the frigid cold of Winter. Every Fall I find myself looking for predictions on what is just around the corner, yes you guessed it, WINTER!

Over the years I have grown to find the Farmers Almanac reliable so naturally, that’s where I started.

WOW! To my surprise I was pleased, for the most part, with what the Farmers Almanac had to say for our Southern Maryland Region.

Winter temperatures will be much above normal, on average, with the coldest periods in mid- and late January and early and late February. Precipitation will be above normal, with below-normal snowfall.

But of course, it couldn’t all be sunshine in rainbows…

The snowiest periods will occur in mid- and late January and early February.

GREAT! Just what I wanted for my birthday! SNOW! (Complete sarcasm here)

Most people look forward to Snow because of school closings, hot chocolate, sledding, snowman and the beautiful scenery, yes sometimes it is beautiful, but not I. When I hear of snow coming to town, I think about packed grocery stores, wet clothes, dangerous roads and most of all, water damages.

Water damages are frequently paired with snowstorms due to sump pump failure, power outages and burst pipes. I know the damage it can cause a family and that is why I am proud to be a part of the SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill family.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are always “Here to Help” and genuinely care about taking care of your family and home!

When is need please do not hesitate to call us 24/7 @ 301.753.8313.

Water in your crawlspace!?!

10/10/2019 (Permalink)

Water in your crawlspace!?!

When a home is built there are different options for your foundation. You can have an actual basement, a concrete slab on grade or a crawlspace.

Crawlspaces are normally chosen because of cost and accessibility. Crawlspaces allow air to circulate beneath your home, you can easily fix a sloping yard and it also allows you to run piping throughout your home with easy access for maintenance and repairs.

So far crawlspaces are sounding like a no brainer if you are not building out a basement, right? Well, not so fast. Those are all the perks to opting for a crawlspace but let’s talk about what happens when you get water in your crawlspace. Moisture in your crawlspace if not handled correctly or in a timely manner could cause significant issues.

Water in a crawlspace could pose issues to include wood rot, termite damage, hardwood floor cupping, and mold growth. Moisture in the crawlspace will eventually evaporate and could cause damage inside your home.

If you notice water in your crawlspace call SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill today @ 301.753.8313

Fire- Fire escape Plans are a MUST!

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

Fire- Fire escape Plans are a MUST!

When a fire occurs your ability to get out is significantly greater with advanced warning from smoke alarms and with a fire escape plan in place. Seven, 7, people die everyday from a home fire and the thought of that is scary in itself.

Fire is so unpredictable and can spread so rapidly that you are often left with, on average, 2 minutes to exit safely. Having an escape plan and practicing with your family could be a lifesaver! Design an escape plan for each room in the home and discuss regularly. Have fire drills at home to make sure that everyone is aware and remembers how to respond and where they should be going.

Children in the home should have visual aids and have at least two exit plans. There should be a meeting point for the entire family in a safe place away from the home.

Placing a working flashlight in each room is a great way for anyone who would be trapped to signal to firefighter in an emergency. This will allow the firefighters to locate them in a timely manner even through the smoke.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill offer free emergency ready plans in case of a disaster, 301.753.8313.

Winter Storm season and your business!

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

Winter is approaching here in Southern MD. Even though we are still in the high 80’s and Low 90’s right now, winter will be here before we know it. A winter storm can interrupt and even stop business operations completely. Preparing for winter storms is crucial to your business and your employees’ safety. 

 50% of business that suffer a loss may never recover. Could you imagine suffering a loss and then not being able to resume business? Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to disasters. Unlike large companies, small businesses have less capital and fewer personnel available to resume operations and recover losses. It is vital to the continuity of a small business to have a disaster plan in place and be prepared, as it can make the difference between staying open or shutting down.

The most important asset to any business is its people. Businesses cannot recover from a disaster without their people, and people cannot recover without a job to return to. In order for employees to be able to focus on their work after a disaster, they need to be personally prepared for emergencies.

Encourage your employees to:

1. Sign up for local text alerts and warnings and download weather apps to their smartphone.
2. Gather important documents and keep them in a safe place.
3. Create an emergency supply kit.
4. Develop a family emergency communication plan.
5. Know the facts on how to prepare for a winter storm.

Working with SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill we can provide you a FREE Emergency Ready Profile for your business. Our ERP provides a plan that is accessible from anywhere you are and can be the difference between your business reopening or remaining closed.

Call us today to schedule your FREE Emergency Ready Profile- 301.753.8313!

Shocking facts about lightning

9/17/2019 (Permalink)

Shocking facts about lightning

Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather related deaths even though the odds of being struck in a years’ time is 1 in 500,000. There are multiple factors that put you at a greater risk for being struck. Here are a few safety tips to help you out:

• Check the forecast before participating in outdoor activities- If you decide to go still please make sure there are shelter options nearby.
• When thunder roars go indoors. – This catch phrase is something to remember at all times. Safe shelters include homes, offices, stores and hard top vehicles with windows rolled up.
• Avoid windows, doors, porches and concrete as lightening can travel through these things.
• Avoid water- Do not bathe, shower, do dishes or anything with water as lightning can travel through plumbing.

The Science of Drying

9/17/2019 (Permalink)

The Science of Drying

Did you know that there is an actual science behind the process of drying your property? The knowledge of Psychrometrics is vital to restoring a water damaged structure. Therefore SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill puts a tremendous focus on making sure our technicians are Certified through IICRC standards in the Water Restoration Technician (WRT) program.

When a water damage occurs on your property SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill will

• Inspect the building to detect every area that is wet in an effort to reduce secondary damage.
• Measure the amount of moisture in an area and monitor the proper drying is taking place.
• We will speed up the drying process by using professional drying equipment to regulate the temperature and humidity in affected areas.

Here at SERVPRO® we use state of the art drying equipment and technology to ensure that your property is dried appropriately and in a timely manner. Reducing secondary damage is a main priority for us and we live by the restore vs replace method.

If you have experienced a water damage in your home please give us a call today @ 301.753.8313.

Commercial Water Disaster

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Disaster

There is no such thing as a small disaster when it comes to water damage and your business. Water damage can cause mold, rot and other unseen damages. Water damage can affect the value of your property.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill knows how disruptive water damages can be to your business. We are trained and certified to manage the drying process from start to finish. We use the proper equipment and moisture reading equipment so that your commercial building will be quickly dried to industry standards, which will prevent secondary damages. With our rapid response we can help you regain control of your facility and get back to business.

Don’t risk secondary damage by trying to clean up yourself, give us a call today at 301.753.8313.

Summer Grilling Safety Tips

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

Summer Grilling Safety Tips

Summer as we all know is our favorite time to break out the grill and enjoy the wonderful food with friends. Grilling is fun when hanging with friends or just cooking for your family, but it can be dangerous. Here are some grill safety tips that can be overlooked easily but can save you a catastrophe.

• Only use your grill outside and keep it at least 3 feet away from siding, deck rails and eaves.
• Always keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from your grill.
• Open your gas grill before lighting.
• Keep an eye on your grill and never walk away from it.
• Clean your grill after each use. This will remove grease that can start a fire.
• Place the coals from your grill in a metal can with a lid once they have cooled.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill wants you to enjoy a safe and fun summer!

National Day of Service and Remembrance

9/2/2019 (Permalink)

National Day of Service and Remembrance

In honor and memory of those who died on September 11, 2001, as well as the survivors and First Responders, National Day of Service and Remembrance was established in 2009 as a day of reflection. Led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, this is a day to come together as Americans did following the events of 9/11 to help neighbors in need, and to honor veterans and First Responders in your community. On this day and every day, SERVPRO® salutes those heroes who arrive in the greatest times of need and stand strong in the face of disaster. These heroes are the First Responders who keep our communities safe in trying times. Give back and make a difference in your community this year.

To find a volunteer opportunity near you, or to register your National Day of Service and Remembrance event, visit nationalservice.gov/911day.

Water Damage Steps

8/31/2019 (Permalink)

Do you have a Water Damage in your home and don’t know what to expect? Well let SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill walk you through it!

• Inspection: Let SERVPRO® asses the water damage in your home. During this inspections SERVPRO® will determine the severity, class of water and outline the next steps!
• Water Removal: SERVPRO® uses the latest technology to extract water from your property, rather it is 2 feet of standing water or just enough to soak your carpet and pad, SERVPRO® can take care of it for you.
• Drying: After the water is extracted drying is begun with air movers and dehumidifiers. This step may seem fairly easy but it is completely scientific in nature. The appropriate amount of fans, dehumidifiers, room temperature and air humidity is needed to dry out the remaining moisture in your property.
• Cleaning: Your things in this area need to be determined as salvageable and unsalvageable depending on the class of water damage you have. SERVPRO® believes in a Restore VS. Replace system so we will try to save the items that can be safely restored. The area will also be cleaned with anti-microbial if necessary! BENEFECT™ is an amazing all natural product that disinfects.
• Restoration- This is the final step in getting your home back to normal. SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill now offers reconstruction so we can repair anything that needed to be replaced.

If you experience a water damage in Southern Maryland give SERVPRO® a call today @ 301.753.8313.

Dryers can be dangerous

8/30/2019 (Permalink)

Fire- Dryers can be dangerous.

Doing laundry seems like one of the safest tasks you would complete in your home, right? Unfortunately, that may not be the case. Clothes dryers are the cause of over 20,000 house fires each year! Regular maintenance and cleaning could protect your family and your home.  Here are some dryer safety tips from SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill.

• Clean your lint trap before each use

Did you know that lint build up is combustible? Lint causes fires! Cleaning the lint trap is one of the easiest things you can do, simply remove the screen and wipe lint from the screen and surrounding edges. There is also a dryer lint brush that will allow you to reach areas you cannot reach by hand.

• Clean Dryer Vents

At least once a year it is recommended to have your dryer vents cleaned. Cleaning your dryer vent includes cleaning the exhaust vents and all hoses. If you still have a white or silver vinyl duct hose replace it immediately as they are flammable. SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill does provide dryer vent cleanings along with duct cleanings. 

• Understand how to safely use your dryer

If your clothing has gasoline, oil or any other dangerous materials make sure to wash clothing well before putting in the dryer. Dangerous materials are combustible even with the slightest heat. Be aware of the materials you are storing near the dryer. Never leave dryer running when no one is home.

• Make sure your dryer is installed correctly

When installing or having your dryer installed you should always make sure that the dryer vent runs OUTSIDE. Dryer vents should never vent inside your home or attic. A dryers exhaust duct should not exceed 25 feet from the dryer location. The electrical outlet used to power your dryer should be a 220v grounded electrical outlet. A professional should be completing the install for gas dryers.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are always Here to Help! You can call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week @ 301.753.8313 or 301.292.4447.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings

8/30/2019 (Permalink)

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings

During the summer months we often hear of Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in our area. They rend to become common occurrences, just like this summer. When they are issued frequently we tend to pass over them as if they are not extremely dangerous and even deadly.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings come with the possibility of destructive winds, hail, the possibility of tornadoes and frequent lightning.

The destructive winds during a Severe Thunderstorm Warning may be strong enough to knock down trees and powerlines which pose a great threat to your property. Hail during this time can put dents in your car and ruin the shingles on your roof at the smallest size. As the hail gets bigger you run the risk of broken windows and actual holes in your roof. During this warning in a span of minutes with low-level rotation could form a tornado. As we all know if you can hear thunder you are close enough to get struck by lightning so during a Severe Thunderstorm Warning you should take the proper precautions.

If you experience a loss in your home, please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill immediately. 301.753.8313.

Lightening Safety

8/2/2019 (Permalink)

Storm: Lightening Safety

Lightening Strikes the United States over 25 million times a year. That is a crazy big number! Mostly we see lightening in the summer months due to the heat but you can see lightening at any time.  Did you know that thunder is created by lightening so even if you don’t see lightening but you hear thunder it is there! If you hear thunder or see lightening you should go inside. Most lightening strikes involving people are due to people enjoying themselves outside and not seeking shelter.

Have you ever heard of the 30/30 rule when it comes to lightening? “If it takes less than 30 seconds to hear thunder after seeing the lightening flash, lightening is close enough to pose a threat! After a storm wait 30 minutes before going back outside”

The best way to protect you and your loved ones from lightening is to avoid the threat. Stay indoors!

The water damage process

8/2/2019 (Permalink)

Do you have a Water Damage in your home and don’t know what to expect? Well let SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill walk you through it!

• Inspection: Let SERVPRO® assess the water damage in your home. During this inspection SERVPRO® will determine the severity, class of water and outline the next steps!
• Water Removal: SERVPRO® uses the latest technology to extract water from your property, rather it is 2 feet of standing water or just enough to soak your carpet and pad, SERVPRO® can take care of it for you.
• Drying: After the water is extracted drying is begun with air movers and dehumidifiers. This step may seem fairly easy but it is completely scientific in nature. The appropriate amount of fans, dehumidifiers, room temperature and air humidity is needed to dry out the remaining moisture in your property.
• Cleaning: Your things in this area need to be determined as salvageable and unsalvageable depending on the class of water damage you have. SERVPRO® believes in a Restore VS. Replace system so we will try to save the items that can be safely restored. The area will also be cleaned with anti-microbial if necessary! BENEFECT™ is an amazing all natural product that disinfects.
• Restoration- This is the final step in getting your home back to normal. SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill now offers reconstruction so we can repair anything that needed to be replaced.

If you experience a water damage in Southern Maryland give SERVPRO® a call today @ 301.753.8313.

Commercial Restoration in Southern Maryland

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

Most people in Southern Maryland think of SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill as the Premier Residential Fire & Water Cleanup & Restoration company, but did you know that we also handle Commercial Restoration as well?

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill handles commercial losses from major hotel chains, popular restaurants, major shopping malls and even medical facilities. We make sure that our team of professionals are highly trained and certified to handle any loss large or small, residential or commercial.

Here at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill we know that the most important thing in a commercial loss is reducing the down time. The quicker we can stabilize your loss, the quicker we can get you back to business and making money.

If you have a commercial loss give us a call @ 301-753-8313 today!   

Heating Safety Tips

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

HEATING SAFETY TIPS FROM SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill

Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or a portable space heater. Have a three foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.

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

Test smoke alarms monthly.

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

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

If your property does suffer fire damage, contact SERVPRO® of Charles County, 301.753.8313 or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill, 301.292.4447 today!

How many gallons of water per person per day do you need for an emergency?

7/15/2019 (Permalink)

How many gallons of water per person per day do you need for an emergency?

When the weather around us gets crazy it has the tendency to disrupt our day to day lives. Natural disasters, water main breaks and contaminated water is not so uncommon in today’s world. If this occurs in your life you and your family could be without water for 48 hours or more. In this situation would you be able to continue your day to day?

The rule of thumb is to have one gallon of water per person per day. The Center for Disease Control and prevention suggest drinking a half gallon of water a day and using the other half gallon for hygiene. You should always be prepared for at least three days of water per person or pet.

In my household we have Three humans and a fur baby. This would mean that we should stock 56 gallons of water for two weeks of disruption. That sounds like an abundance of water right? Where would I keep this much?

Did you know that in a 24 pack of bottled water there is slightly over 3 gallons of water? With this said it would require for my family 18 cases of water to meet our water needs for two weeks. The great thing about cases of water is they can be easily stored in a closet, garage, under the beds and of course in the pantry. I believe this is worth it to make sure your family prepared in the face of disaster.  

If you find yourself in an emergency situation and need water assistance call SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill @ 301.753.8313, as most of the time is we have cases of water on hand.

Electrical Safety Tips

7/15/2019 (Permalink)

Electrical Safety Tips

Electrical cords, receptacles and light bulbs can be very dangerous. Every year these things cause 41,000 residential fires, 350 deaths, 1,400 injuries and $620 Million in property damages. Here are SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill we would like to offer you some electrical safety tips.

Extension Cord Safety Tips

• Never run a cord under a rug
• Only use them for temporary situations
• Damaged cords should be replaced immediately as they can cause shock or fires.
• Only buy approved safety cords
• Never overload the extension cord based on rating label

Receptacle Safety Tips

• Replace broken receptacles right away
• Never alter the plug
• If you must use a grounding adapter first verify the plug is grounded
• Do not use multi plug adapters for extended periods
• Never install 3 slot receptacles where a ground is not available
• Use child safety plugs when children are present

Most Common Causes of Commercial Fires

7/14/2019 (Permalink)

If you own or manage a business or building in the Southern Maryland area, fire protection should be among your primary concerns. There are many cases of commercial fires, so it is best to understand fire safety. One of your best defenses against commercial fires is to understand and mitigate your risks.

Most Common Causes of Commercial Fires

Commercial fires are more common than you may think. It is always better to know the common causes of most commercial fires.

Cooking Equipment

Because of high cooking temperatures, flammable oils and grease, and the hectic nature of commercial kitchens, this is the single most common cause of commercial fires.

Cooking equipment is responsible for these shocking numbers;

• 65% of fires in healthcare facilities
• 61% of fires in restaurants
• 38% of fires in educational institutions
• 29% of fires in office properties
• 13% of fires in stores and mercantile properties

Heating Equipment

Commercial buildings require heat to stay comfortable for several months of the year in Southern Maryland. As with other mechanical equipment, furnaces, boilers, and radiators are at risk of overheating. This, in turn, can lead to a fire.

Heating equipment is responsible for:

• 14% of fires in industrial or manufacturing properties
• 11% of fires in office properties
• 9% of fires in restaurants
• 5% of fires in healthcare facilities

Electrical & Lighting Equipment

All of todays buildings feature electrical wiring behind the wall for light and power. Electricity carries inherent fire risk. Old or defective wiring, overloaded circuits, loose connections, faulty fuses, imbalanced electrical loads, and many other electrical or lighting problems can develop that lead to overheating or sparks that ignite a fire.

Electrical problems are responsible for:

• 12% of fires in office properties
• 10% of fires in stores and mercantile properties
• 9% of fires in restaurants
• 5% of fires in healthcare facilities

Smoking Materials

Cigars, cigarettes, and other smoking materials can start fires if disposed of improperly after smoking. Smoking materials remain one of the top five most common causes of commercial fires.

Smoking materials are responsible for:

• 9% of fires in office properties
• 7% of fires in restaurants
• 5% of fires in healthcare facilities

Intentional

An intentional fire is one that occurs as the result of the deliberate misuse of a heat source. Arson fits into this category, though to be considered arson, the fire starter must have malicious, criminal intent.

Intentional fire-starting is responsible for:

• 36% of fires in educational institutions
• 10% of fires in office properties
• 6% of fires in healthcare facilities
• 4% of fires in restaurants

Fires are definitely scary and overwhelming so if you find yourself dealing with this please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO® of Charles County or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill @ 301.753.8313.

The three types of floods… and yes they can all occur in Southern Maryland!

7/14/2019 (Permalink)

The three types of floods… and yes they can all occur in Southern Maryland!

A flood is an overflow of large amounts of water in what is normally pretty dry areas. There are three main types of floods that can occur depending on your geographical area. The scary thing about floods is that each kind is different and requires different actions to prepare and to recover. The three main types of floods are Fluvial (river), Pluvial (surface) and Coastal Floods.

Fluvial floods (river floods)

A Fluvial flood happens when the water level in a river overflows the surrounding areas due to excessive rain or snow melting. The damage from river floods can be widespread depending on the river, lake or stream size and the area around it.

Pluvial floods (flash floods and surface water)

Flash Floods and overwhelmed drainage systems make up the Pluvial flood family. Pluvial floods occur when extreme sudden rainfall hits an area and causes a flood that is not caused by an overflowing body of water.  An Overwhelmed drainage system water flows out into the surrounding areas and could potentially flood surrounding areas. Flash floods occur with torrential rain in a short amount of time. Flash floods are extremely dangerous not just because of the abundance of water but because of the potential debris associated with the area.

Coastal flood (storm surge)

Coastal flooding is conducive of areas along the coast. Coastal floods are normally caused by windstorms occurring at the same time as high tide- called storm surge. This is when the high wind forces the water to land and causes coastal floods.

Floods are very unpredictable and can happen in a moment, so it is very important that you listen to your local weather and emergency services personnel. Be prepared and be careful. If you experience flooding in Southern Maryland please do not hesitate to give us a call @ 301.753.8313.

Seven signs that you may have a water damage in your home

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

Seven signs that you may have a water damage in your home

Knowing the signs of water damage in your home could potentially save you hundreds even thousands of dollars.  Most people overlook everyday things that should raise red flags and alert you to a problem. Here at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill we want you to be aware of these signs.

• Sudden unusual dampness or humidity
• An unexplained increase in your water bill
• Hearing running water when all faucets are turned off
• Damp, musty, moldy or even sewage smell
• Puddles or west spots around plumbing
• Cracked or flakey drywall
• Dark or wet spots on the walls or ceiling

Seeing any of these things in your h9ome should alert you to the possibility of a problem. The faster you respond to this potential problem the less risk for secondary damage. Reducing the amount of damage to your home will greatly reduce the amount of money spent to fix the issue.

If you notice any of these 7 things please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO® of Charles County, 301.753.8313, or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill, 301.292.4447, TODAY!  

Hurricane Season Ready

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

Hurricane Season is upon us and while most commercial facilities along the coasts have been built to withstand hurricane-force winds, building managers can take several additional steps to reduce the damage that can occur during major storms.

These actions can help protect your facility and help the Utilities when and if they need to restore service in your area.

Understand Your Risks 
The four key trademarks of a hurricane are high wind speeds, storm surges, torrential rains, and tornadoes – any one of them can put your business at risk during a storm.

Know Your Disaster Response
Although most major commercial and industrial organizations have well-established disaster response plans in place, conducting an audit of your emergency strategy is never a bad idea. Before a storm hits, be sure to:

• Review the company’s property insurance policy to ensure the business is adequately covered against major storm damage.
• Remind staff of all hurricane-related policies and procedures and inform essential employees of their specific roles and responsibilities in the event of an emergency.
• Make sure all emergency supplies are adequately stocked.
• Revisit plans for protecting computer files to make certain critical data is secured through a backup system.
• Have your SERVPRO® ERP handy so that you can have and give direct access to the information needed.

As a Storm Approaches
As soon as a warning is issued for a hurricane or tropical storm, property managers should check the facility’s interior and exterior surroundings and take appropriate safety measures.

• Bring in exterior displays and remove any outdoor signs or other items that could become airborne in high winds. Board up glass doors and windows or tape an “X” over them to prevent shattering.
• Disconnect all electrical devices except for refrigerators. Experts also recommend turning off electricity (except for those circuits running refrigeration) at the power supply box.
• Clear all desk or work surfaces of small items and take down all loosely secured items hung on the walls.
• Move equipment and furniture away from windows.
• Make sure key employees know the processes and procedures that will need to take place before allowing people back in the building once the storm has passed.
• Shut down non-critical building systems when all employees are evacuated.

After a Storm Passes 
Employees should wait to return to the building until authorities indicate it is safe to do so. A designated emergency response team should then conduct an assessment of the property before allowing people back onto the premises.

Tiger Lily Charities and SERVPRO

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

This year SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill had the opportunity to Join forces with Tiger Lily Charities and support their 10^th annual Golf Tournament!

Who is Tiger Lily Charities?

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a life-changing occurrence that often comes with a great financial burden for the family of those affected. Tiger Lily Charities, works to ease this burden by providing financial support to patients and their families. The charity was founded by Tiffany Kuhn, a leukemia survivor, in 2010.

Tiger Lily Charities is an organization that is dedicated to leukemia patients. They provide financial support to their clients who are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of their diagnosis. They are able to provide grants for transportation costs, household bills, medical co-pays, etc. Tiger Lily Charities can also provide referrals for additional support services. They have hopes that in the future they will be able to provide free transportation services for cancer patients who do not have reliable means of transport to and from cancer-related services.

Continuity in care is extremely important during cancer treatment, and their research shows that transportation can be a barrier to care for many cancer patients.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill looks forward to this continued partnership with Tiger Lily Charities and hopes you will consider this organization in the future.

Tiger Lily Charities

5 Most common commercial fires

7/1/2019 (Permalink)

With the abundance of industrial areas in Charles County and Oxon Hill we feel it is important to address the five most common causes of commercial fires are…

1. Combustible Dust Fires

A combustible dust is any dust or fine material that has the potential to catch fire and explode when it is mixed in the air.  Many times, materials that are normally considered non-flammable can act as a combustible when fine particles are mixed with air in a particular concentration.  Combustible dust happens in two waves.   A primary explosion causes particles to become airborne, and then the dust cloud can ignite and cause a secondary explosion, much more severe than the first. Combustible dust can bring down entire facilities.

How do I Prevent Combustible Dust Fires?

• Implement a hazardous dust inspection, testing, housekeeping, and control program.
• Regularly inspect for dust residues in open and hidden areas.
• Use proper dust collection systems.
• If ignition sources are present, use cleaning methods that do not generate dust clouds.
• Control smoking, open flames, and sparks (mechanical and friction).

2. Hot Work Fires

Hot work is any activity that involves open flames or generates sparks or heat.  This includes welding, heat treating, grinding, thawing pipes, torch cutting, brazing, soldering, etc.  Hot work becomes a fire hazard when sparks and molten material travel…often as far as 35 feet, sometimes igniting combustible dust in other areas.

How do I Prevent Hot Work Fires?

• Train personnel on the hazards associated with hot work and make sure they are using proper safety equipment.
• Clear area of flammable materials including dust, gases, and liquids.
• Make sure a safety professional is on site to provide supervision of the work.
• Avoid hot work if possible.

3. Flammable Liquid and Gas Fires

These are most common in chemical plants.  Flammable liquids and gases can ignite off sparks from the previous hazards or add fuel to an already burning fire.

 How Do I Prevent A Flammable Gas Fire?

• Know the hazards of each flammable liquid and gas on-site. Read and follow the safety information for storage and follow the material safety data sheet included with the product.
• Properly store hazardous materials according to OSHA.
• Keep ignition sources away from flammable gases and liquids.
• Provide personal protective equipment, like gloves, bodysuits, vests, goggles, shoes etc.

4. Equipment and Machinery Fires

Equipment not properly installed, maintained, or operated correctly is a major cause of industrial fires. This is especially true for equipment associated with hot work and heating.  Even machinery not seen as a fire hazard can become a risk with lack of proper maintenance.

 How Do I Prevent Equipment and Machinery Fires?

• Training can help employers and employees identify possible risks and what to do if they find one.
• Keep the machines, equipment, and areas surrounding them, clean.
• Prevent machine overheating by following the manufacturer’s guidelines for recommended maintenance procedures.

5. Electrical Hazard Fires

Electrical fires are most common in manufacturing plants and include wiring that is exposed or not up to code, overloaded outlets, extension cords, overloaded circuits, static discharge, etc. A spark from electrical hazards can cause ignition of combustible dust and flammable liquids and gases.

 How Do I Prevent Electrical Hazard Fires?

• Don’t overload electrical equipment or circuits.
• Unplug temporary equipment not in use.
• Avoid using extension cords.
• Use antistatic equipment as advised by OSHA and NFPA.
• Follow a regular cleaning schedule to ensure combustible dust and other hazardous materials are removed from areas that house equipment and machinery.

Hurricane Season 2019

7/1/2019 (Permalink)

While the 2018 hurricane season was a lively one with storms that slammed the Carolinas and the Florida Panhandle, two early forecasts for this year call for fewer storms — good news for Maryland residents and beachgoers. The 2018 hurricane season's activity was about 120 percent of an average season with Hurricane Florence slamming into coastal Virginia and the Carolinas, and Hurricane Michael inundating portions of the Florida Panhandle.

The two early looks at the season — from the weather researchers at Colorado State University and the forecasters at AccuWeather — disagree in part. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

AccuWeather predicts a near- to slightly above-normal hurricane season with 12 to 14 storms in 2019. Five to seven of those storms could become hurricanes and two to four are predicted to become major hurricanes.

"This year, we think that there will be a few less tropical storms and lower numbers in hurricanes, but again, the old saying is 'it only takes one'," AccuWeather Atlantic Hurricane expert Dan Kottlowski said.

Meanwhile, weather researchers at Colorado State University predict a slightly below-average 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. The university's Tropical Meteorology Project team said the 2019 season will be about 75 percent of an average season. The researchers are predicting 13 named storms this year.

"Of those, researchers expect five to become hurricanes and two to reach major hurricane strength ... with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater," researchers said, adding that they are referring to storms that would be a category 3, 4 or 5 storms.

Other years with similar conditions saw hurricanes with impacts along the East Coast from Brownsville, Texas, to the Florida panhandle and up the mid-Atlantic coast, AccuWeather said. "This year, just about all coastal areas look like they have equal chances," Kottlowski said.

Colorado State researchers use models built on roughly 40 years of historical data and evaluate conditions that include Atlantic sea surface temperatures, sea level pressures, vertical wind shear levels, El Niño and other factors.

"It takes only one storm near you to make this an active season," said Michael Bell, associate professor in the CSU Department of Atmospheric Science.

The 2019 forecast is set to be updated on June 4, July 2 and Aug 6.

Summer Emergency Preparedness

6/15/2019 (Permalink)

Summer Emergency Preparedness

During the summer Mother Nature can wreak havoc on your business and home. Substantial rain and high winds are very common during summer storms. These factors can cause damage to your roof, siding, windows and in return allow water into your property.  Being proactive is the key to avoiding and or reducing the loss to your property.

When summer weather rolls around it is imperative to stay informed of local storms and upcoming weather. Here at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill we stay tuned to Weather.com for overview and The Southern Maryland Chronicle  as well as The Southern Maryland Chronicle Facebook, for all of our local weather updates.  Being aware of any upcoming threats in advance will allow you to prepare your employees and your property as necessary.

If you do experience a loss please do not hesitate to call us immediately. SERVPRO® of Charles County 301.753.8313 and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill 301.292.4447 are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

6 Signs to call a professional!

6/15/2019 (Permalink)

Often times we find ourselves trying to fix things around the house to save a little money. There are definitely some task that we can handle ourselves but when it comes to plumbing we should rely on the professionals. These are the top 6 situations in which you SHOULD call a plumber!

• Your water isn’t running!

If your water isn’t running, you need to call a professional immediately. There are a multitude of reasons that your water is not flowing, and this would require professional attention. 

• Do you have hot water?

If you don’t have hot water first check your hot water heater. If there is no signs of trouble there, call the professionals. There are many possibilities as to why you do not have hot water but you should let the professionals determine the cause as it can get costly.

• Are you pipes draining slowly?

If you have a pipe that’s draining slowly you can by all means try your home remedies! But let’s say this doesn’t work… Call a professional. If your home remedy doesn’t correct the issue this could mean you have a bigger issue somewhere in your drainage system. You do not want to wait because this could cause the water to come back up your pipes and into your home!

• Is your water off but you still hear it running?

I know this sound like a bad joke but it is not. If you can hear water running when its not this is a possible sign of a leak somewhere. Inspect your home for visible signs of a leak immediately. Call the professionals and give them any information you can.

• Are your pipes frozen?

If you have frozen pipes, STOP! Call the professionals. End of story!

• Do your drains smell?

If your drains smell you can attempt a home remedy solution. If the problem persists please call a professional immediately.

All of these things if caught early can be corrected before suffering a major water damage in your home. If you happen to not get to it in time and you do suffer a loss, do not hesitate to call SERVPRO® of Charles County, 301.753.8313 or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill®, 301.292.4447.

SERVPRO® does commercial cleaning!

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know that SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill does commercial cleaning in Charles County and Southern Prince Georges County, Maryland?

Most people don’t!

Here at SERVPRO® we take pride in our ability to handle all commercial jobs from a general sanitization to major water or fire losses.

Most people are not aware of what commercial cleaning consists of. Commercial cleaning consist of Waste cleanup, Hazardous cleanup and heavy cleaning of commercial areas.  SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill can also handle vandalism and biohazard cleanup in commercial spaces.

Why is it important for business owners to have SERVPRO® handle these things?

One simple answer! It reduces the businesses owner’s liability if it is not cleaned up correctly. The last thing you want to do as a business owner is have an incident occur on your property in the first place but then to add to the stress, the incident is not cleaned up properly and your business is now contaminated.

Here at SERVPRO® we adhere to all IICRC standards when it comes to cleaning which ensures that your facility is restored back to safety!

If you are looking for commercial cleaning you can call SERVPRO® of Charles County, 301.753.8313 or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill, 301.292.4447.

The importance of cleaning dryer vents!

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

The importance of cleaning dryer vents!

According to FEMA, failure to clean home dryers causes 34% of home dryer fires each year. Home dryer fires cause $35 million in property loss and can even cause injury or death. To reduce the risk of these fires happening in your home, SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill can help clean dryer vents and air ducts that may have lint buildup or other blockages.  

Other tips for keeping your dryer vents clean from the National Fire Protection Agency include cleaning the lint filter before and after each load, making sure the outdoor vent flap will open and is not restricted by snow, a bird’s nest or other potential obstacles on a regular basis.  

Don’t risk the safety of your family and home! For more information on cleaning dryer vents and air ducts, contact SERVPRO® of Charles County, 301.753.8313 or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill, 301.292.4447 today!

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill can be your one stop shop.

6/13/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill can be your one stop shop.

We are excited to announce that we can now be your one stop shop! SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill now has a reconstruction division by the name of Code 1 Contracting, Inc. SERVPRO® of Charles County, SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill and Code 1 Contracting, Inc are all owned by Jonathan Stroup. This year Jon decided that it was time to join forces to make for a better customer service experience and offer Code 1 services to our SERVPRO® customers. The ability for us to provide this service to our customers makes for a more comfortable and seamless transition into getting your home back to normal.

When a homeowner experiences a loss, it is a very emotional event as there has been damage to possibly your largest investment. When SERVPRO® arrives, we look to provide a sense of relief because we are Here to Help. We show up ready to work and begin explaining the cleanup process. At this point the homeowner begins to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

What we have realized is that once cleanup has begun there are times that we have to perform demolition in order to fully remediate the problem. When this occurs homeowners in the past have had to reach out to a separate company and deal with them on getting the demolition repaired. This is no longer the case. Now SERVPRO® and our reconstruction team, Code 1 Contracting, Inc, can come in and take care of the issue from start to finish, thus reducing the amount of stress and work on the homeowner’s plate.

If you need any reconstruction services please do not hesitate to reach out to SERVPRO® of Charles County, SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill or Code 1 Contracting, Inc today!

SERVPRO® of Charles County 301.753.8313

SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill 301.292.4447

Code 1 Contracting, Inc 240.435.0534

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Leave the Hassle of Board-Ups to the Professionals, SERVPRO®!

6/1/2019 (Permalink)

Leave the Hassle of Board-Ups to the Professionals, SERVPRO®!

Why take the risk? Call SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill. Working to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Whether after a fire, storm, or other structural disaster, boarding up damaged property is a burden that no one should ever have to go through—especially if it is your property that has been damaged.

Boarding up damaged property incorrectly could cause secondary damages such as moisture or animal intrusion, making the situation even worse. The process of boarding up after an unexpected damage can also be as dangerous as the damage itself.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill Professionals can board up the damaged property and mitigate and remediate the original damage, providing you with peace of mind while helping make it “Like it never even happened.”

Call us today @ 301.753.8313!

Do You Have Dirty Ducts?

6/1/2019 (Permalink)

Do You Have Dirty Ducts?

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 Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill can often restore the HVAC system and duct work to pre-damage condition.

If you have a fuel-burning furnace, stove, or fireplace, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends they be inspected for proper functioning and be serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.

The SERVPRO® Duct Cleaning System is proven and cost-efficient. Unlike the majority of duct cleaning services, your SERVPRO® uses a portable ventilation and air duct cleaning system to examine ductwork and make a clean sweep, removing years of dust and grime.

• The process begins by using patented equipment, including 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 the particles in the airstream. HEPA filters capture debris and keep the indoor environment clean.
• As an optional process, a sealant or coating product may be sprayed to address odor or microbial concerns. Filters will either be cleaned or replaced to remove odor and dirt.

For more information on duct cleaning, or the schedule an appointment, contact SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill @ 301.753.8313!

What Would Happen to Your Business if Disaster Struck?

6/1/2019 (Permalink)

Being the owner and/or responsible for a commercial building can carry a lot of stress. Not only are you worried about day to day operations, but also what you would do if a disaster such as a fire, water damage, or mold should occur.

Does your staff know what actions should they take if any of those things happen? Do they know where the main building shut offs are? These are very important questions that any owner should be asking. Being unprepared could mean not only the possibility of secondary damage, but also a larger loss of income.

Do not worry though! SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill offer a free service to lift the stress off your shoulders. It is called an Emergency Response Plan (ERP). An ERP not only labels important contacts, but also important shut off sources. ERP’s are available in paper copy as well as a living online document, and the owner or manager can easily make sure that even if they are not at the property, they can get an ERP into the right hands via email.

The ERP has pictures of important shut offs for a business, but also detailed notes of how one would access it. This makes the ERP valuable for even firefighters and plumbers. Quick action, a contingency plan, and Emergency Response Plan (ERP) are very valuable for any commercial buildings success of getting back to business.  

Please make sure that you are prepared for any disaster that may occur. Call SERVPRO® of Charles County or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill now to schedule your free Emergency Response Plan today at (301) 753-8313!

SERVPRO® and our community!

6/1/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill has been in business for over 32 years serving the Southern Maryland area. Jon Stroup has not only built a company that cares about their community, but he has also created a company that cares about their employees and employees that care about their customers. 

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill enjoy being involved in things that help the community be a better place. From sponsoring soup kitchens, donating food and participating in golf tournaments to fight cancer, Jon is all about supporting the community he serves.

There are a lot of events coming up that you will see SERVPRO® in attendance and we would love for you to stop us and take pictures. We look forward to this year’s events and many more to come.

Water Backup Coverage?

6/1/2019 (Permalink)

Water Backup Coverage?

Water Backup Coverage is an option that you can add on to your insurance policy that protects you from the potentially costly repairs of water damage due to sump pump failure or drain backups.

Sump pumps are designed to remove water that accumulates around your home’s foundation. If the system fails or power goes out, overflow may occur. Most insurance policies do not have this as a covered loss without the added protection of Water Backup Coverage. Water backup coverage will help cover the cost of the water damages from an unexpected backup and it may also help cover the cost in replacing furniture and other belongings lost.

Your home or businesses is the largest purchase you will make in a lifetime for most people. Are you covered properly in case of a disaster? Over the last year we have seen an influx in water damages due to Sump Pump failures and we want to make sure our customers are educated when it comes to this topic.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill recommends talking with your insurance company today to make sure that you and your home or business is protected today!

Spring Safety Tips from SERVPRO®

5/15/2019 (Permalink)

Spring Safety Tips from SERVPRO®

Spring is here and with that comes the possibility of storms! Wind, hail and of course floods can happen anytime. It is important to make sure you and your home are protected in the event of a severe storm.

• Look at your home and property. Make sure you check your gutters, roof and property for damage or potential hazards. If you have a chimney be sure to inspect that as well as heavy rain and a damaged chimney are not a good combination.
• Check your trees. I know it is time consuming to prune trees and inspect the branches, but this could prevent major damage to your home and cars in the event of heavy rain and winds. Trees and limbs should be at least 10feet way from your home.
• Check your sump pump. Here at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill this is the most common cause of home damage during a storm. If you do not have a battery back up it would be advised to think about investing in one.
• Secure loose items. Making sure that your grill, patio furniture, trash cans etc. are secured could prevent major damage to your home and items themselves. Securing these items could also prevent your items from damaging a neighbor’s property and that comes with a whole new set of issues.
• KNOW YOUR COVERAGE! Please review your insurance policy yearly so that you can be clear on what is covered and not covered! You would be shocked at the varying values of homes and contents from year to year. Make sure that your policy is COMPLETELY covering you and your property.

Class Types of Fires

5/1/2019 (Permalink)

Not all fires are the same. Per NFPA 10, burning may be classified into one or more of the following fire classes and your fire protection specialist will select the right fire extinguisher size and agent for the hazard.

Class A

Class A fires are fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and many plastics.

Class B

Class B fires are fires in flammable liquids such as gasoline, petroleum greases, tars, oils, oil-based paints, solvents, alcohols. Class B fires also include flammable gases such as propane and butane. Class B fires do not include fires involving cooking oils and grease.

Class C

Class C fires are fires involving energized electrical equipment such as computers, servers, motors, transformers, and appliances. Remove the power and the Class C fire becomes one of the other classes of fire.

Class D

Class D fires are fires in combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.

Class K

Class K fires are fires in cooking oils and greases such as animal and vegetable fats.

Some types of fire extinguishing agents can be used on more than one class of fire. Others have warnings where it would be dangerous for the operator to use on a particular fire. Please read all warning labels and attempt to educate yourself in case of an emergency. Being prepared in these situations can reduce the risk of injury as well as reduce the amount of damage. In the event of a fire call SERVPRO® of Charles County- 301.753.8313 or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill- 301.292.4447 today!  

National Building Safety Month

5/1/2019 (Permalink)

MAY IS NATIONAL BUILDING SAFETY MONTH

Building Safety Month- in its 37^th year- is an initiative of the International Code Council (ICC) and their 57,000 members across the world, as well as their partners in building construction and design, and the safety community. Building Safety Month is an opportunity to educate insurance and commercial property professionals, as well as the general public, on “what it takes to create safe, resilient, affordable, and energy-efficient homes and buildings,” according to the ICC website.

The theme for 2017 is Code Officials- Partners in Community Safety and Economic Growth and highlights managing disasters, specifically natural disasters, in week three of this year’s campaign.

Some of the topics and tips shared throughout the month include Disaster Safety and Mitigation, as well as Fire Safety and Awareness.

The general public may not be aware how codes and code officials “improve and protect the places where we live, learn, work, worship, and play,” and this month can certainly improve that awareness!

IMPORTANT TIPS FROM THE ICC

DISASTER SAFETY & MITIGATION

• If you live in a high wind or hurricane prone area and do not have tested and code-approved shutters for protection from windborne debris, consider temporarily protecting your doors and windows by mounting exterior grade, 7/16” minimum thickness plywood and fastening it into place. Visit flash.org for detailed instructions on how to use plywood for emergency board-up.
• Consider building or retrofitting to create a tornado-safe room in your home. Follow ICC/NSSA 500 Standard for detailed construction information and to ensure you achieve the highest level of protection for your family.
• In wildfire prone areas, remove fine (dead grass, leaves, etc.) and coarse fuels (dead twigs, branches, etc.) within 30 feet of a building to create a survivable space in case of wildfire. Be sure to remove dry leaf and pine litter from roofs, rain gutters, decks, and walkways. Follow ICC’s International Wildland-Urban Interface Code® for detailed requirements.
• Flooded roads could have significant damage hidden by floodwaters. Never drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream. It takes only six inches of fast flowing water to sweep you off your feet and two feet of water to move an SUV-sized vehicle.

Source: iccsafe.org

Not another tag line!

5/1/2019 (Permalink)

Faster to any size disaster.

This is not just another tag line for SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill —it is a commitment from each of us to be there when you need us most.

Whether you are a small business or home owner facing minor fire or water damage, or a property manager dealing with a widespread disaster, the SERVPRO® System has the resources needed to respond quickly and efficiently. The sooner help arrives, the sooner restoration begins and the sooner you can resume business as usual.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are just the tip of the iceberg. Should a major disaster such as a flood or wildfire occur, SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team® is always poised and ready to go where they are needed.

If a fire, water or mold damage strikes, no matter the size, call SERVPRO® of Charles County- 301.753.8313 or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill- 301.292.4447. Backed by a system of more than 1,700 Franchises strong, we’ll help make your property disaster “Like it never even happened.”

Do you have a water damage?

5/1/2019 (Permalink)

Do you have a water damage?

Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. Protecting that investment is a top priority and you should be aware of things to look for. Catching an issue before it worsens will save you a lot of time, money and headache.

A Water damage left unattended can impact the structure of your home and could cause other issues such as organic growth. Here are some tips from SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill to help catch water intrusion early!

Pay attention OUTISDE!

Yes I said it, OUTSIDE! Look for standing water outside of your home. This could indicate poor drainage in you yard or gutters that aren’t properly moving water away from the house. These things could threaten the foundation of your home. Also look above to your roof for missing or damaged shingles and water puddles.

Watch your flooring

Your floors will be sure to show signs of water damage. Tile and wood floors will have cracks or warping. Carpet is obvious as it will be wet and begin to smell!

Stains and Damage

Looking for water stains on drywall or cabinets is the easiest way to see a water damage. Peeling paint is another indicator that there could be a water intrusion behind the drywall. There could also be water stains on the floor in the kitchen or bathroom. Keep your eyes open!

Mold

Mold growth is caused by moisture and humidity. Now this does not always indicate that there is a water damage but it is imperative that you investigate where the moisture is coming from.

BIOHAZARD, CRIME SCENE, AND VANDALISM CLEANUP- SERVPRO® has you covered!

4/25/2019 (Permalink)

BIOHAZARD, CRIME SCENE, AND VANDALISM CLEANUP- SERVPRO® has you covered!

Recognized as a leading fire and water cleanup and restoration provider by hundreds of insurance companies, SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill also offer fast, reliable biohazard and crime scene cleanup* and restoration services to residential and commercial property owners.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences for building occupants, employees, customers, and owners. A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazardous substances can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are trained to safely and effectively remove biohazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA, and state and local health regulations.

Equipped with the necessary safety equipment and cleaning products, SERVPRO® helps turn unsafe environments into clean, safe homes and offices.

SERVPRO® can help with the following issues:

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Methamphetamine Labs
• Crime Scene Residues
• Arson n Vandalism
• Sewage Backups
• Black Water Intrusions
• Mold Mitigation and Remediation

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

SERVPRO® removes and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue, and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accident, trauma, crime, or death. Trained SERVPRO® Franchise Technicians thoroughly clean, disinfect, and deodorize the structure.

METHAMPHETAMINE LABS

Many of the chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine are volatile and can leave harmful residues throughout a structure. SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals follow federal and state guidelines to properly clean all surfaces.

CRIME SCENE RESIDUES

From fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals to tear gas and pepper spray residues, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals can clean and restore your property and contents.

ARSON AND VANDALISM

SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals are recognized as leaders at helping property owners recover quickly from fire and water damage. Your local Franchise Professional also provides general cleaning and deodorization services for situations resulting from vandalism including graffiti, egg, spoiled foods, and human or animal waste.

Contact SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill today for 24-hour Emergency Service.

*State and local regulations vary.

Commercial Fears

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

A big fear of many business owners is a disaster striking their building. Not only is it a headache to deal with the situation, but the loss of revenue is another big concern. With everything happening, one can feel overwhelmed and loss. This is where SERVPRO® of Charles County strives in helping these owners. We follow the 1-4-8 Service Response Guidelines. Within one hour from notice of a loss, SERVPRO® of Charles County will contact you to arrange scheduling. Within four hours of the loss notification, a SERVPRO® professional will be on-site to begin mitigation services. With eight business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope is communicated to the appropriate person. With the 1-4-8 Service Guidelines, any owner can take a sigh of relief knowing that SERVPRO® will make the remediation process easy and pain free. Additionally, SERVPRO® of Charles County offers business owners a free service called Emergency Response Plan (ERP). With an ERP, a SERVPRO® representative would have gone to the place of business and compiled information from important phone numbers, pictures and locations of shut offs, and have a point of contact in the event of a disaster. An ERP makes it easy for the business to respond to a disaster because all the information anyone would need to respond is in the packet that even employees can use. So, no matter the size of your commercial business, rest assured that SERVPRO® of Charles County will help make it "Like it never even happened."

Why SERVPRO

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

When an unexpected disaster hits your home, it is an emotional and tragic event. Many are left confused and upset, not knowing the next steps to take. Do not fret though, your Service Professionals at SERVPRO® of Charles County are here to help guide you through the remediation process making it as least worrisome as possible! With our crews who have the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certifications, you know you are in good hands. With the highest standard of care, our crews are trained to not only take care of your property, but also you. With constant communication, you will always understand the steps in remediation process of your house. Any questions are answered with a detailed explanation to ensure that there is not any confusion. Whether you occupy the affected home or not, you can rest easy knowing you are being taken care of in the best matter of care provided. SERVPRO® of Charles County also deals directly with your insurance provider to make it easier for you. This limits the time needed to get approvals and helps the remediation process move along swiftly. We know that during this tragic time, the most important thing to you is getting your house back to its previous condition and to move along in your life from the disaster that has occurred to you. With SERVPRO® of Charles County, our goal is to not only remediate your home but also to make it "Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill Fire and EMS Service

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill Fire and EMS Service

Charles County Maryland is in the Southern Central part of Maryland with 643 Square miles of land and 185 square miles of water. The estimated population is 159,700 as of 2017. Charles County 12 all-volunteer fire departments and 14 all-volunteer Emergency Medical Service organizations. There is also an all-volunteer Dire-Rescue team within the county. There is also a 911 Communications Headquarters Center in La Plata, MD.

In 2018 there were 9,674 fires in Charles County Maryland with the highest month being April 2018 with 1266. This is an alarming number in general but especially when you think about the damage and stress caused by these fires.

SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill helps Accokeek, Brandywine, Clinton, Fort Washington, National Harbor, Oxon Hill and Temple Hills as well.  In our territory we have five (5) Volunteer Fire Departments that we are able to assist with fire damage.

With the new construction at the National Harbor and MGM at National Harbor our volunteer Fire Fighters and EMS personnel stay busy.

This is where SERVPRO® of Charles County comes in to provide an excellent level of customer service and make this process as seamless as possible. Our Technicians are properly trained in Fire & Smoke Restoration through IICRC. We take pride in making sure that we can handle each scenario and provide a sense of comfort knowing your home or business is in good hands.

If you have experienced a fire or smoke damage give us a call today! 301.753.8313.

Rainfall YTD

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

Rainfall YTD

So I can’t be the only one who feels like a soggy mess! It seems like rain has been the only thing constant so far in 2019. As of March 1^st 2019 the SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill territory has accumulated over 10 inches of rain and that does not include SNOW! YIKES!

In 2018 we accumulated approximately 60-70 inches of rain and in some spots over 80 inches of rain. Rain can be a great thing for our ecosystem but can be very damaging to our homes and businesses. It is so important to understand and pay attention to the Weather warnings in our area.

Failed sump pumps, burst pipes and ground water intrusion are some of the common things in our area when we have storm conditions. These things should be understood and watched for by everyone.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill have seen businesses lose revenue because of water damages and 50% of small business that have to close due to damage NEVER reopen! That is a scary but true statistic. We have also seen people’s homes and belongings be destroyed due to water damages. One Property completely shifted from the foundation due to a water damage that was not caught in time.

Water is a tricky, dangerous thing and should be left for the professionals. If you have experienced a water damage and you need a professional, give us a call today! 301.753.8313!

Three Categories of Water Damage

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

When a home is flooded, water is the only thing that comes to your mind. Many people do not realize that there are actually classifications when is comes to the water that floods their homes and businesses. Water damages fall into three main categories according to the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification).

The first category is Clean Water. The classification of clean water means that the source of the water is from a sanitary place. This could be drinking fountains, faucets, or water lines. Even though the source is sanitary, it must not be taken lightly. Without proper remediation, clean water can become unsanitary and poses the possibility of causing health issues to anyone who lives in the affected home.

The second category is Grey Water. The classification of grey water is water that can cause illness or discomfort if ingested. The source of the water could come from “used” water, overflowing toilets with urine (not feces), dishwashers, and washing machines.

Lastly, the third category is Unsanitary. The classification of Unsanitary water in a water damage means that the water contains contaminants that are not only unsanitary but dangerous. If ingested, it may lead to serious illness or death if ingested. The sources could be sewer back up, flooding from rivers or streams, or stagnant water that has become a habitat for bacteria.

Therefore, it is important to contact a Service Professional such as SERVPRO® of Charles County or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill to assist with your water damage. In the time of need, you want to make sure you have experienced professionals to help you through hard times and safely remediate your home.

Fire preparedness

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

As children, we have been told repeatedly what to do in case there is a fire in our homes. These lessons stay with us and help keep everyone safe. Between having working fire alarms to an emergency escape plan, ourselves as individuals have made it very important to not only prevent fires, but safely live through one if it happens. Something that is not brought up in school lessons a lot is fire safety for the elderly or individuals with access or functional needs. For those individuals, it may be hard or physically impossible for them to follow emergency escape plans that have been set up due to having different needs. Luckily, there are ways to accommodate so that they themselves are safe in the event of a fire.

Smoke Alarms are very loud and are a clear indicator that there is a fire present somewhere in the house but what would you do if you were hearing impaired? In that case, a smoke alarm with a flashing strobe light or vibrations are available. For visually impaired individuals, they have a smoke alarm that has paused in between each cycle so you would be able to hear any verbal instructions someone else in your home could tell you. Additionally, there are smoke alarms that can be connected to a strobe light outside the home to alert neighbors that there may be a fire and you need assistance.

Fire escape plans are very important, even more important that they are planned out and tested. If you have a wheelchair or a walker, you want to be sure that you can get through the doorways safely in the case of evacuation. Another thing the consider if is there are accessible ramps by the exit doors to assist your evacuation. If you live in an apartment building or a multi-leveled home, it may be best for you to live on the ground floor. Not only does it decrease your escape time, but if you are physically impaired if may safe your life. In the event of a fire, elevators are shut off leaving a stairway as the only means of transportation to the ground floor level. Make sure that you let your family, neighbors, and property manager know of your special needs and fire plan, so they know how to assist you if the time ever comes. Additionally, always keep a phone on you or near your bed just in case. Safety is something to be considered for everyone and is something that needs to be taken very seriously. Your life is too valuable to be lost to a fire.

Commercial Emergency Ready Plan

2/28/2019 (Permalink)

Being the owner and responsible for a commercial building can carry a lot of stress. Not only are you worried about day to day operations, but also what you would do if a disaster such as a fire, pipe burst, or mold should occur. Does your staff know what actions should they take if any of those things happen? Do they know where the main building shut offs are? These are very important questions that any owner should be asking. Being unprepared could mean not only the possibility of secondary damage, but also a larger loss of income. Do not worry though! SERVPRO® of Charles County offers a free service to lift the stress off your shoulders. It is called an Emergency Response Plan (ERP). And ERP not only labels important contacts, but also important shut off sources. Coming in a paper copy as well as a living online document, and owner can easily make sure that even if they are not on the property, they can get an ERP into the right hands. The ERP has not only pictures of important shut offs for a business, but also detailed notes of how one would access it. This makes the ERP valuable for even firefighters and plumbers. With quick action and a contingency plan, and Emergency Response Plan is a very valuable tool for any commercial building. Please take actions to make sure that you are prepared for any disaster that may occur. Call SERVPRO® of Charles County now to schedule your free Emergency Response Plan today at (301) 753-8313!

What you should know

2/11/2019 (Permalink)

What You Should Know about Mold

1. Potential health effects 
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
   • Venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
   • Using air conditioners and de-humidifiers
   • Increasing ventilation
   • Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
10. Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

Charles County Water Damage

1/1/2019 (Permalink)

Charles County Water Damage

Water damage to a residential or commercial location can be very devastating to those involved. The problem is that water damage is one of the leading causes behind building damage that is irreversible. Damage to a building that is not taken care of properly might lead to further loss and damage to the building or location. SERVPRO® of Charles County is a professional water damage company that takes pride in providing high quality service to all their clients in a very timely manner.

Home owners and business owners first step is to seek the services of a professional water damage team like SERVPRO® who are involved with complete water damage restoration, complete cleanups, debris removal, water extraction, drying out the building, cleaning carpets, odor control, sanitizing the building, and more.

Home owners and commercial building owners require a reliable service that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to handle the situation which could easily get out of hand. Our company hires only the best people to work with clients who are in a very stressful situation. Our team understands how to work quickly with removal and cleanup of the property. The team of specialists will work to bring the property back to normal and livable. Today, water damage is a very prevalent problem for home owners and business owners. It pays to hire the best qualified specialists who guarantee satisfaction.

It is important for our customers to understand that they should follow a few basic guidelines before the specialist arrives for the cleanup. Wait for the cleanup and damage control team to arrive. Never attempt to cleanup with a wet vacuum or electrical cleaning device while the carpets are soggy or there is a lot of water in the room. If possible, shut off the water to the building at the source. Here at SERVPRO® your safety is always a priority.

For water damage cleanup and restoration call us today @ 301.753.8313.

Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings Guide

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings Guide

Concern about indoor exposure to mold has been increasing as the public becomes aware that exposure to mold can cause a variety of health effects and symptoms, including allergic reactions. This document presents guidelines for the remediation/cleanup of mold and moisture problems in schools and commercial buildings; these guidelines include measures designed to protect the health of building occupants and remediators. It has been designed primarily for:

• Building managers
• Custodians
• Others who are responsible for commercial building and school maintenance

It should serve as a reference for potential mold and moisture remediators. Using this document, individuals with little or no experience with mold remediation should be able to make a reasonable judgment as to whether the situation can be handled in-house. It will help those in charge of maintenance to evaluate an in-house remediation plan or a remediation plan submitted by an outside contractor¹. Contractors and other professionals who respond to mold and moisture situations in commercial buildings and schools may also want to refer to these guidelines.

Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors.

Molds reproduce by making spores that usually cannot be seen without magnification. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on.

Many types of molds exist. 

All molds have the potential to cause health effects. Molds can produce allergens that can trigger allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in people allergic to mold. Others are known to produce potent toxins and/or irritants. Potential health concerns are an important reason to prevent mold growth and to remediate/clean up any existing indoor mold growth.

Since mold requires water to grow, it is important to prevent moisture problems in buildings. Moisture problems can have many causes, including uncontrolled humidity. Some moisture problems in buildings have been linked to changes in building construction practices during the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Some of these changes have resulted in buildings that are tightly sealed, but may lack adequate ventilation, potentially leading to moisture buildup. Building materials, such as drywall, may not allow moisture to escape easily. Moisture problems may include:

• Roof leaks
• Landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under the building
• Unvented combustion appliances
• Delayed maintenance or insufficient maintenance are also associated with moisture problems in schools and large buildings

Moisture problems in portable classrooms and other temporary structures have frequently been associated with mold problems.

When mold growth occurs in buildings, adverse health problems may be reported by some building occupants, particularly those with allergies or respiratory problems. Remediators should avoid exposing themselves and others to mold-laden dusts as they conduct their cleanup activities. Caution should be used to prevent mold and mold spores from being dispersed throughout the air where they can be inhaled by building occupants

CELEBRATE SAFELY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

CELEBRATE SAFELY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Pretty lights, candles and decorations are just a few of the items bringing charm and cheer to the holiday season— however, if they are not used carefully your holidays may go from festive to frightening. The American Red Cross offers the following safety tips to help greatly reduce the fire risk in your home or business this holiday season.

• Place Christmas trees, candles and other holiday decorations at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents and candles.
• Make sure light strings and other holiday decorations are in good condition. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving the property or going to bed. n Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
• Use only sturdy tree stands designed not to tip over. Keep curious pets and children away from Christmas trees.
• Keep anything that can catch fire—pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging and towels or curtains—away from your stove top.
• Designate one person to walk around your property to ensure all candles and smoking materials are properly extinguished after guests leave.

 Your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

DID YOU KNOW? The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Christmas Eve.

Helping the Children’s Aid Society

12/7/2018 (Permalink)

Helping the Children’s Aid Society

Located in Charles County since 1934, the Children’s Aid Society has been a beacon for local families who need help improving their quality of life. This non-profit holds many events to give to their community and SERVPRO® of Charles County proudly supports them. Every year, SERVPRO® of Charles County helps with the Children’s Aid Society’s Back to School event, and their Christmas Toy Connection.

The Back to School event provides school supplies for families who would not be able to normally afford it. With the proper school supplies, the children can succeed in their academic year! SERVPRO® of Charles County provides a numerous number of items to ensure the Back to School event goes smoothly. Some of those items are backpacks and lunch boxes, packs of paper, pencils and pens, etc.

The Christmas Toy Connection is one of the biggest programs of the year for Children’s Aid Society. Working with the Charles County Department of Social Services, the program assists over 2,000 children by providing them with Christmas toys and gifts. SERVPRO® of Charles County helps aid this program in two ways. One way is by dropping off the Children’s Aid Society’s toy collection boxes to local business and retrieving them at a later date. The second way is by SERVPRO® of Charles County’s toy donation. This donation is one of the largest campaigns we donate to by buying a large number of toys and gift to be given out.

SERVPRO® of Charles County is proud to help serve an amazing organization as the Children’s Aid Society!

Why SERVPRO® of Charles County

12/5/2018 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO® of Charles County

There is no disaster that hits home quite like a disaster to your property, home, or business. When you have suffered a fire, water, or mold damage, you don’t have time to waste searching for a company to fix your property.

When disaster strikes, depend on SERVPRO® and our network of over 1,700 Franchises in North America. Whether the job is big or small, SERVPRO® of Charles County Professionals will be there to help make it “Like it never even happened” so you can get back to your home or business and on with your life.

On our website, you will find information on the mold mitigation and remediation process and what may take place if you are dealing with a mold loss. There’s also information on services you may never think you’ll need: biohazard, crime scene, and vandalism cleanup.

It’s good to know SERVPRO® of Charles County is here if you ever need us. If you’re in need of cleanup and restoration services, call SERVPRO® of Charles County today @ 301-753-8313.

2019 Winter Storm Predictions are in!

11/28/2018 (Permalink)

2019 Winter Storm predictions are in!

Farmers' Almanac is predicting that this winter is going to suck.

In its prediction for the 2019 winter season, Farmers' Almanac is expecting “teeth-chattering” cold across the country. And not only will the cold be colder than usual, according to the forecast, it’s going to last longer.

“Our time-tested, long-range formula is pointing toward a very long, cold, and snow-filled winter,” editor Peter Geiger said in a statement. “We stand by our forecast and formula, which accurately predicted the many storms last winter, as well as this summer’s steamy, hot conditions.”

“From the Continental Divide east through the Appalachians,” Americans should invest in a good winter coat for this winter season, according to Farmers ‘Almanac.

The Great Lakes, Midwest and central and northern New England are expected to experience heavier-than-normal snowfall. Skiers in those areas should plan to hit the slopes in January and February, when the heaviest snowfall is expected.

Those who are looking to escape the cold should plan their warm-weather vacations for the middle of February, when Farmers' Almanac predicts temperatures will be their most brutal. The cold is expected to last through the end of March. But winter could linger until April.

However, Farmers' Almanac's predictions are directly in opposition to those from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released last month. The NOAA predicted a warmer-than-average winter across the country, but did concede that heavy precipitation (either snow or rain) was likely to fall in the later half of the season.

No matter which prediction you believe, winter weather is always a great excuse to book a trip somewhere nice.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/weather/farmers-almanac-predicts-long-cold-winter

Helping Those Who Help Others

11/28/2018 (Permalink)

Helping Those Who Help Others

“We are not put on this earth for ourselves but are placed here for each other. If you are always there for others, then in time of need, someone will always be there for you.” This is a quote by Jeff Warner that fully captures one of our beliefs. When SERVPRO® of Charles County sees an organization that is doing all they can to help the community, we love to help them in any way.

The Arnold House is a nonprofit organization that aids families in the Southern Maryland area providing them with food and items that they need to help them daily. One of the many ways SERVPRO® of Charles County helps the community is by donating to The Arnold House. Every year we help with their three major events; Back to School, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

With Back to School, numerous school supplies are given ranging from backpacks to pencils. Additionally, we donate items that can be used for school lunches. The Arnold House is ONE of the various locations throughout the area that does the summer lunch program. This is where children can come and get a free lunch during the summer. No child should be worried about their next meal but unfortunately that is not always the case, so we gladly step up and help!

For Thanksgiving and Christmas, holiday food is donated to make sure the families in Southern Maryland can have bountiful meals. Here at SERVPRO® we have even helped with making and distributing the packages the families in need and it was the best day ever!

Our owner and our staff are overjoyed to be able to partner with such a wonderful organization such as The Arnold House!

Why IICRC is so important to SERVPRO® of Charles County

11/28/2018 (Permalink)

Why IICRC is so important to SERVPRO® of Charles County

Most people are unaware of what IICRC is, and that is normal. I didn’t know what IICRC was until I took my first class.

IICRC, Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, is a certification and standard setting non-profit for the cleaning and restoration industry. IICRC was founded in 1972 and have evolved to a global organization. IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the industry standards and reference guide for professional cleaning and restoration. Every five years the standards are reviewed and updated. This industry changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science so the standards must also evolve.

IICRC Certified firms are held to a higher standard ensure their certifications are in good standing. IICRC firms must present accurate information to consumer and conduct business with honest and integrity. They also require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained, and passed, all required testing. Certified firms are required to participate in continuing education programs to keep technicians up to date on the latest changes. We must maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident. We must also maintain a written complaint policy and agree to BBB or similar arbitration to resolve disputes and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

Here at SERVPRO® of Charles County we take pride in our team being certified through IICRC. We even certify office staff because the knowledge gained through IICRC certifications is extremely useful in day to day operations. We believe that investing in our team is how we produce the best levels of customer service.

Water Damage and Your Policyholder or Property Owner

11/15/2018 (Permalink)

Water Damage and Your Policyholder or Property Owner

When they have water damage, your policyholder or property owner looks to you to handle the situation. You collect information and provide reassurance everything will be returned to normal. SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals understand your priority is helping restore the property and the insured’s or owner’s peace of mind, while minimizing the loss on a claim.

The first 24 hours following a water incident are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage. Within four hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO® Franchise Professional will be on-site to help ensure a water damage is handled properly by completing the following steps.

INSPECTION

SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals will inspect affected areas of the property to determine the extent of damage. They will also review the inspection with you, your insured, or property manager and answer any questions before beginning work.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Next, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals will take immediate steps to protect the home or property and personal belongings from further damage by extracting the excess water and preparing for drying. They will explain in detail the needed emergency services step-by-step.

MONITORING

To help ensure your insured’s or owners home and personal belongings, or property are dried to appropriate industry standards, a SERVPRO® Franchise Professional will monitor the drying process. The results will be consistently communicated to you throughout the monitoring process.

RESTORATION SERVICES

SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals will replace structural materials such as drywall and baseboards, reinstall carpets, and clean affected areas of the property and belongings. A final walk-through of the jobsite will be conducted with you, your insured, or owner to help ensure their property was returned to preloss condition when possible.

Don’t Let A Kitchen Fire Invite Itself to Your Holiday Party

11/14/2018 (Permalink)

Did you know that cooking fires are the number 1 cause of house fires in the United States? During the Holiday season, many things can go astray during the excitement and flurry of commotion. The last thing you want, is a kitchen fire to erupt. Are you prepared on how to prevent or stop a kitchen fire in case it happens? If not, do not worry! Here are some tips to keep you safe during the holiday season.

Don’t Overload the Electrical Outlets

Electrical fires are twice as deadly as other home fires. Preventing overcrowding in the circuits are the way to go! If you don’t have enough outlets to avoid plugging in two crockpots full of holiday goodness into the same outlet, then a surge protector is one of the best holiday gifts you can give yourself!

Additionally, never use any electrical device where there is a potential for the device to get wet. If there is an electrical issue, AVOID WATER.  Unplug the device if it is safe enough to do so with a towel, turn the circuit breaker off, and tend to the fire if it is possible. You never want to put your family at risk, so if the fire is too out of control, evacuate the household quickly and contact your local fire department.

Decorations, Decorations, Decorations

Who doesn’t go full out when decorating for holidays? Candles, decorative towels, bows, and so much more dress our entire house. Why could that be an issue if the decorations are not placed safely? The issue is that in November and December, 20 percent of house fires are due to decorations being too close to an open flame or heat. Decorations are fun for holidays when you can take them down at the end of the year, not when you have to rebuild and decoration an entire kitchen after a fire!

Gas Leak

When temperatures drop, and kitchens are busy cooking holiday feasts, a household gas consumption increases. This is when you need to be aware of the smells in your home or any hissing noises. The smell of rotten eggs is a sign of a dangerous gas leak and needs to be taken seriously. Hissing noises could mean that your stove could have a breach in its connection but DO NOT pull the stove away to check. You could further the disconnection and create a larger leak. Do not turn on lights of use your phone due to the potential of a fire to spark. Instead, evacuate, turn off the gas to your home, and call 911.

Don’t Let Fun Time Take Away From Safety

Grease fires can start in a second, don’t let old family stories cause you to leave the kitchen unattended with food cooking. When a fire starts, especially from grease, you want to put that fire out before it damages your home or your family.

Water is not your friend when grease fires are involved. Pouring water on a grease fire will cause the flame to intensify and become a larger fire. Baking soda and salt are the best things to put out that kind of flame!

In Conclusion

Holidays are very fun, yet very dangerous if you are not taking safety into consideration. Make sure to have functioning smoke detectors and a fire hydrant easily accessible in your home and take a moment to learn and prepare how to handle a kitchen fire if it happens. The only fire you want in your home, is the one in your fireplace when you are roasting chestnuts. Happy Holidays!

Commercial Indoor Air Quality

11/1/2018 (Permalink)

Why the indoor air quality of dialysis centers and hospitals can’t be neglected.

Indoor air quality is a major concern for dialysis centers and hospitals around the country. Dialysis and medical centers are especially vulnerable to mold, which compromises the integrity of air quality. But what makes dialysis centers and hospitals so prone to mold growth, and what does that mean for indoor air quality?

If you help operate a dialysis center or a hospital, you can’t afford to overlook the threat that mold poses for your air quality. Here are some of the reasons why your center is vulnerable to mold and why it matters:

• Vulnerability:There are quite a few reasons why dialysis centers and hospitals are prone to mold infestations…
  • Dialysis centers: Dialysis centerscan harbor multiple mold infestations if they are not properly maintained. Since dialysis centers use reverse osmosis water therapy, moisture is an integral part of the daily practice of dialysis centers. And, since mold only needs moisture in order to thrive, improperly maintained dialysis centers can be breeding grounds for mold.
  • Hospitals and medical centers:There is plenty of moisture to go around in hospitals and medical centers, as well. Combine the prevalence of moisture with the combination of all sorts of bacteria and chemicals, and you have a recipe for mold infestation and, as a result, poor indoor air quality.

• Health:Poor indoor air quality can be detrimental to health, especially for those going through the volatile process of recovery. Airborne mold can cause allergic reactions, such as sneezing, coughing, and bodily irritation. When people are trying to overcome an illness or recover from surgery, the air must be as clean as possible.

• More mold:Indoor air quality problems can lead to serious mold infestations. If the air quality is not properly regulated, then mold can infest countless surfaces in the building. This unfortunate fact was recently highlighted in Pittsburgh, where two University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals have experienced serious and dangerous mold infestations. A review by the CDC indicates that the mold infestation was a result of poor air quality since dust and mold spores most likely entered the medical centers through the ventilation.

If you need our assistance, please call us @ (301) 753-8313.

Be Disaster Aware in Charles County

10/1/2018 (Permalink)

Be Disaster Aware- Take Action to Prepare

The regular occurrence of natural disasters demonstrates the importance of being prepared for any emergency or disaster. While each situation is unique, your family can be better prepared if you plan carefully, put emergency procedures in place, and practice for all kinds of emergencies. The following are measures you and your family can take to start getting ready. A commitment to begin planning today will help support your family, home, and the community. Review the following questions to learn if your family and home is prepared.

Be Informed

Do you know what kind of emergencies might affect your home or daily life? Do you know what you and your family will do in an emergency situation?

Prepare Your Emergency Plan

Do you have an evacuation and shelter-in-place plan? Do you have a plan to communicate with your family before, during, and after an incident? Do you have an emergency supply kit?

Practice the Emergency Plan

Have you practiced your plan recently? Does your family know where to go in the event of a natural disaster? Have you reviewed your plans in the last 12 months?

Review Insurance Coverage

Have you reviewed your insurance coverage recently to see if you’re covered in a disaster?

Secure Your Home

Have you conducted a room-by room walk-through to determine what safety measures can be taken?

Improve Cyber Security

Have you installed a firewall on your computer? Do you regularly update your antivirus software? If you answered “No” to any of these questions, visit ready.gov and learn how to better prepare your family and home for an emergency or natural disaster.

Call SERVPRO® of Charles County today for your FREE Emergency Plan! 301.753.8313

Let SERVPRO® of Charles County Destroy Odors with Deodorization

10/1/2018 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO® of Charles County Destroy Odors with Deodorization

Even a small fire can cause odors for years to come if the affected areas are not properly cleaned and deodorized. Fire, smoke, and soot damage in your home or business can create unpleasant and potentially permanent problems.

As various material burn, the smoke produced travels throughout the structure, leaving odorous residues and deposits on surfaces and in hard to reach places. Unless fast, professional action is taken, these residues and deposits can cause permanent damage to contents and may result in resurfacing odors.

With technicians certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC), SERVPRO® of Charles County provides specialized services that can rid your home or business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. SERVPRO® professionals do not cover up lingering odors with fragrance; we seek out and remove the sources of the odor.

If you suffer a fire damage or some other accident and require deodorization services, contact SERVPRO® of Charles County at 301.753.8313. Whether it’s fire, water, or Mold damage, or just a stubborn odor that refuses to go away, we’ll help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Managing Mold in Charles County

10/1/2018 (Permalink)

Managing Mold in Charles County

When there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, SERVPRO® of Charles County has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a “typical” mold removal process.

Call the Team in Green

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call SERVPRO® of Charles County.  A representative will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.

Inspection and Damage Assessment

Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view. Mold Containment Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and 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® technicians utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.

Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.

Cleaning Contents and Belongings

SERVPRO® of Charles County will clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. They are also trained to remove odors and deodorize using fogging equipment.

Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. 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 Charles County understands mold and mold growth and have the training and equipment to remediate mold in your home or business.

                Call Us today 301.753.8313

Commercial Crime Scene, Biohazard and Vandalism Cleanup

9/1/2018 (Permalink)

BIOHAZARD, CRIME SCENE, AND VANDALISM CLEANUP

Recognized as a leading fire and water cleanup and restoration provider by hundreds of insurance companies, SERVPRO of Charles County also offers fast, reliable biohazard and crime scene cleanup* and restoration services to residential and commercial property owners.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminates can pose serious health consequences. Employees, customers, and owners. A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazardous substances can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

SERVPRO of Charles County is trained to safely and efficiently remove biohazardous substances, and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA, and state and local health regulations. Equipped with the necessary safety equipment and cleaning products, SERVPRO of Charles County can help turn unsafe environments into clean, safe homes and offices.

SERVPRO of Charles County can help with the following issues:

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Methamphetamine Labs
• Crime Scene Residues
• Arson
• Vandalism
• Sewage Backups
• Black Water Intrusions
• Mold Mitigation and Remediation

State and local regulations vary.

Contact SERVPRO of Charles County today for 24-hour emergency service. 301.753.8313

Summer Ready

9/1/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Charles County IS “Ready for whatever happens.”

YOU CAN BE TOO THIS SUMMER

Each year, families and friends across the country enjoy the summer months with barbecues, camping trips, or by cooling off in a pool or lake. To enjoy these occasions, it is important to keep safety top of mind to ensure you have fun in the sun.

According to a recent study by U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 11,900 Americans were injured by fireworks in 2015, with the majority happening in the month surrounding the Fourth of July. Another 8,700 are injured by charcoal/wood-burning and propane grill fires. A grill should always be supervised when in use. Keep children and pets a safe distance from the grilling area to prevent accidental burns or tipping of the grill.

Grills also cause an average of 8,900 home structure or outdoor fires. “These fires cause an annual average of 50 civilian injuries and $2 million in direct property damage,” according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

If you enjoy lounging by the pool or going for a boat ride to cool off from the summer sun, make sure you exercise caution, especially when children are present. Only swim in approved areas and supervise children at all times when near the water.

The summer season should be a time to make memories and enjoy the great outdoors. Don’t become a statistic. Take precautions to prevent these events from putting a damper on your summer months!

DEFENSE AGAINST MOLD GROWTH in CHARLES COUNTY

9/1/2018 (Permalink)

DEFENSE AGAINST MOLD GROWTH in CHARLES COUNTY

Prompt and proper mitigation is vital to avoid mold growth, which can be visible in as little as 24 to 48 hours under certain conditions. Below we have included some tips to help defend your home or office against mold!

• Keep the humidity between 30 to 60 percent.
• Provide for proper drainage away from building foundations.
• Regularly inspect plumbing and appliances for leaks.
• Keep gutters and drains clear of debris.
• Respond to all water intrusions immediately.
• Inspect the roof, windows and other areas where water might enter the building and perform necessary maintenance.
• Contact SERVPRO® of Charles County Professionals for assistance after a water damage or if you discover mold.

Why take the risk? Call a SERVPRO® of Charles County 301.753.8313!

Working to make it “Like it never even happened.”

HURRICANE SEASON

9/1/2018 (Permalink)

HURRICANE SEASON

Hurricane season is currently underway. For the Atlantic, the season begins June 1 and runs through November 30. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season began in mid-May and also ends November 30.

Hurricane can be life-threatening as well as cause serious property-threatening hazards such as flooding, storm surge, high winds, and tornadoes. While the primary threat is in coastal areas, many inland areas can also be affected by these hazards, as well as by secondary events such as power outages as a result of high winds and landsides due to rainfall.

Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a hurricane. Plan an evacuation route and your emergency plan, take inventory of your property, and take steps to protect your home or business.

For more information and preparation tips, visit the Ready campaign website at www.ready.goc/hurricanes.

DID YOU KNOW?

• About 40% of hurricanes hit Florida.
• 2004’s Hurricane Ivan produced 127 tornadoes in nine different states over a five-day period.
• To identify these storms, the World Meteorological Organization maintains a six-year rotating list of names.

Source: noaa.gov

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES

When a storm or disaster strikes, SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team® is poised and “Ready for whatever happens.” With a network of more than 1,700 Franchises, the SERVPRO® System strives to be faster to any size disaster. Strategically located throughout the United States, SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team® is trained and equipped to handle the largest storms and highest flood waters. Providing experience, manpower, equipment, and other resources, the Disaster Recovery Team® assists your local SERVPRO Franchise Professionals. SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team® has responded to hundreds if disaster events. In the aftermath of a disaster, there is only one objective: to help you make it “Like it never even happened.”

2016 East Tennessee Wildfires:

One of the largest in history of Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains wildfires burned more than 17,000 acres and about 2,500 structures in November 2016. The 12 crews that were dispatched worked a total of 78 jobs, where they mitigated over $1 million in damages.

2016 Hurricane Matthew:

Following the East Coast from Florida up to North Carolina, this hurricane caused major

flooding, primarily as rivers rose in Eastern North Carolina. SERVPRO® had 169 crews dispatched. These crews took on more than 1,050 jobs and over $7.5 million in damages.

2016 Louisiana Flooding:

Catastrophic flooding occurred in Southern Louisiana where rainfall measured 20 inches or more total, falling at a rate of more than 2-3 inches per hour in some places. This caused rivers and inland waterways to rise to record levels. The Disaster Recovery Team® responded to over 830 jobs with 185 crews.

2016 Houston, TX Flooding:

In April, a nearly stationary mesoscale convective system developed over Houston, resulting in widespread rainfall rates of 2-4 inches per hour. This was a historic flooding event for Harris County, which saw a total of nearly 18 inches of accumulated rainfall. The Storm Team dispatched 81 crews to over 360 jobs, mitigating over $3 million in damages.

2015 Siberian Express:

Record subzero temperatures caused major problems for a large portion of the country stretching from Florida to Maine. The Midwest also experienced record breaking low temperatures, resulting in frozen pipes and ice dams causing major problems for residents. The Storm Team dispatched a total of 257 crews from 108 Franchises to assist local SERVPRO® Franchises completing nearly 2,000 jobs.

2014 Mid-Atlantic Flooding:

Rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour caused major flash flooding stretching from Northeast Ohio all the way to Portland, Maine. Eastern Michigan and Baltimore, Maryland, were also impacted, creating over 1,381 jobs for the Storm Team to produce. A total of 82 SERVPRO® Franchises and 173 crews mitigated over $4.3 million in damages while assisting the local Franchises.

2014 Polar Vortex:

Record low temperatures caused by a break in the North Pole’s polar vortex resulted in an unprecedented freezing event, spanning from east of the Rocky Mountains to as far south as central Florida, affecting all or part of 39 states and 70% of the SERVPRO® Franchise System.

2013 Colorado Floods:

Heavy rainfall, with amounts up to 17 inches in some areas, resulted in widespread flooding in Fort Collins, Boulder, and surrounding Colorado mountain communities. The Disaster Recovery Team® responded with 109 crews from 48 Franchises to assist the local SERVPRO® Franchises in the emergency response.

2012 Hurricane Sandy:

Affecting more than 20 states, Sandy left widespread damage and flooding from Florida stretching the entire eastern seaboard to Maine. The Disaster Recovery Team® placed nearly 1,000 crews in affected areas, representing over 300 SERVPRO® Franchises from across the country. Teams traveled from as far as Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington

IT’S THE WATER YOU DON’T SEE

9/1/2018 (Permalink)

IT’S THE WATER YOU DON’T SEE

Even small water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time.

The key to avoiding costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property. SERVPRO® of Charles County has the equipment, training and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. The proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the damage expense during a fire or water loss.

When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. SERVPRO® of Charles County will answer your call with fast action and a full arsenal of drying equipment. Here are a few of the tools used by SERVPRO® of Charles County.

Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.

Moisture Meters are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate readings, allowing SERVPRO® of Charles County to monitor the drying process.

Thermohygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals can calculate and create an environment most condusive to drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure must also be disinfected and often deodorized.

Ultra Low-Volume (ULV) Foggers (pictured below) will atomize liquid deodoraizing agents, producing a fine mist that can easily penetrate the site where odor-causing residues may accumulate. This device can also be used to inject fungicides and disinfectants into wall cavities and other hard-to-reach areas.

Thermal Foggers dispense solvent based products by creating a dense fog. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that attach to and neutralize odor causing particles to deodorize structures, garments, automobiles and other places where cleaning cannot reach.

The bottom line? SERVPRO® of Charles County has the training and equipment to make it “Like it never even happened.”

When Water Strikes Charles County

8/15/2018 (Permalink)

When Water Strikes Charles County

The first 24 hours following a water incident are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage. Within four hours of loss notification SERVPRO® of Charles County will be on-site to help ensure a water damage is handled properly by completing the following steps.

INSPECTION

SERVPRO® of Charles County will inspect affected areas of the property to determine the extent of damage. They will also review the inspection with you and answer any questions before beginning work. 

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Next, SERVPRO® of Charles County will take immediate steps to protect the home or property and any personal belongings from additional or secondary damage by extracting the excess water and preparing for drying. They will explain in detail the needed emergency services step-by-step.

MONITORING

To help ensure your home and personal belongings, or property are dried to appropriate standards, SERVPRO® of Charles County will monitor the drying process. The results will be consistently communicated to you throughout the monitoring process.

RESTORATION SERVICES

SERVPRO® of Charles County will replace structural materials such as drywall and baseboards, reinstall carpets, and clean affected areas of the property and belongings. A Final walk-through of the job site will be conducted with you to help ensure the property was returned to preloss condition when possible.

Call us today 301.753.8313!

Smoke Alarms: Life Savers

7/30/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke Alarms: Life Savers

Smoke alarms save lives when properly installed and maintained, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

In homes, smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and on every level, including the basement. In office and commercial environments, check your state requirements or contact your local Fire Marshall to help ensure all codes are met. 

Test smoke alarms monthly using the test button. Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries need the entire smoke alarm unit replaced every ten years. Other alarms need batteries replaced every year, and the unit replaced every ten years. If the alarm chirps signaling low battery, take the proper steps to replace the unit or the batteries immediately. Never disable or remove the batteries from an alarm. Almost half of fires where smoke alarms were present but did not activate had missing or disconnected batteries (NFPA).

In larger commercial facilities, hard wired or wireless smoke alarms offer benefits such as not needing to be tested as often and activating throughout the entire building if smoke is detected in just one area (NFPA).

If you need help installing, testing or changing batteries in your smoke alarms contact your local fire department, an electrician or the American Red Cross.

Be sure your home or workplace has a fire emergency plan in place and conduct regular fire drills. For more information on Emergency Preparedness, contact SERVPRO® of Charles County at 301.753.8313.

Flooding can happen anywhere

7/30/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding can happen anywhere

According to the National Weather Service (NOAA), “Approximately seventy-five percent of all Presidential disaster declarations are associated with flooding.” NOAA list the most common flood hazards in the United States as:

• Flash Flooding
• River Flooding
• Storm Surge and Coastal Inundation from Tropical and Non-Tropical Systems
• Burn Scars/Debris flows caused by wildfires
• Ice/Debri jams
• Snowmelt
• Dry Wash caused by heavy rain in dry areas
• Dam Breaks/ Levee Failures

Just because you haven’t experienced a flood doesn’t mean you wont in the future. In fact, 20% of all claims paid by the National Flood insurance program (NFIP) were for policies in low-risk communities. On average, floods cost $3.5 billion in annual losses in the United States, and commercial claims more than $75,000 (NFIP).

When catastrophic water damage happens to you, SERVPRO® of Charles County can help. We can prepare you ahead of time with an Emergency Ready Profile®(ERP) or respond to any size disaster to begin cleanup and restoration to get you back in business as soon as possible.

SERVPRO® of Charles County is ready to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

EMERGENCY FIRE DAMAGE TIPS for Charles County, MD

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

EMERGENCY FIRE DAMAGE TIPS for Charles County, MD

These emergency tips will assist you in taking proper action until SERVPRO® of Charles County arrives. Follow these DO’s and DON’Ts to help reduce damage and increase the chances of successful restoration.

DO:

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded not the carpet and avoid tracking.
• Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open to prevent odor.
• Wipe soot from metal kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances.
• If heat is off during the winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks, and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.
• Remove soot particles from plants with damp cloth.
• Change HVAC filter, but leave system OFF until a trained professional can check the system.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.

DON’Ts:

• Don’t attempt to wash any walls or panted surfaces without first contacting SERVPRO® of Charles County.
• Don’t attempt to shampoo carpet, rugs, or upholstered furniture without first consulting SERVPRO® of Charles County.
• Don’t attempt to clean and electrical appliances such as TV, radios etc., that may have been close to fire, heat, or water. Consult an authorized repair service.
• Don’t consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat, or water. They may be contaminated.
• Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may cause secondary damage.
• Don’t send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.

When fire and water damage take control of your life, SERVPRO® of Charles County will help you take it back.

Preparing for a Flood with SERVPRO® of Charles County

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

Preparing for a Flood with SERVPRO® of Charles County

Flooding can happen fast in many environments. The American Red Cross recommends having the following list of items packed and ready to go in the event of an evacuation due to flooding.

• Water- 3+ day supply; one gallon per person
• Food- 3+ day supply of non-perishable, easy to prepare food.
• Flashlight
• Battery powered or hand crank radio
• Extra batteries
• First Aid Kit
• Medications- 7 day supply and medical items such as glasses, hearing aids, contact etc.
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents such as medication list, ID, lease or deed etc.
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra Cash
• Emergency Blanket
• Maps of the area
• Baby supplies
• Pet supplies
• Tools/Supplies for securing your home
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
• Rain gear
• Insect repellent
• Camera for photos of damage

Understanding Water Types

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

Understanding Water Types

When your home or business suffers a water damage, understanding what type of water you are dealing with is critical to ensuring proper cleanup.

There are three types of water. Clean water is water from a broken pipe, or other water source; rain water is also considered clean. The term gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water. Clean water becomes gray water when it is left untreated allowing bacteria and other contaminants to begin growing, making the water hazardous. Black water is highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, chemical and more. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster. Black water should always be handled by trained professionals.

Consider taking the following precautions to help minimize damage or prevent further damage while waiting for help to arrive.

DAMAGE FROM CLEAN WATER

• Shut off water source if possible or contact a qualified professional.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building id access to the panel is safe
• DO NOT enter rooms with standing water as electrical shock hazards may exist.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions to allow more even drying
• Move any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other valuable items that may be sensitive to moisture to a safe place
• Do not leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets as they may cause staining.
• Do not use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water as there is potential for electric shock.
• Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet.

DAMAGE FROM CONTAMINATED WATER

• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage. Wash your hands thoroughly if you do come in contact with contaminated items.
• Do not walk through contaminated areas, as you could spread damage to unaffected areas.
• Do not turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air.
• Do not use household fans to dry the structure; air flow could spread contaminants.
• Discard any food and/or products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to contaminated areas.

When you have a water damage, don’t leave you property to chance. Call SERVPRO® of Charles County at 301.753.8313.

SERVPRO® of Charles County’s Mold Mitigation & Remediation Process

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Charles County’s Mold Mitigation & Remediation Process

When there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. Mold can affect your health and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, SERVPRO® of Charles County have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different, requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a “typical” mold removal process.

Call your local SERVPRO® of Charles County

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call SERVPRO® of Charles County. A representative will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.

Inspection & Damage Assessment

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

Mold Containment

Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and 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® technicians utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.

Removing Mold & Mold-Infested Materials

The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.

Cleaning Contents & Belongings

SERVPRO® of Charles County clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. They are also trained to remove odors and deodorize using fogging equipment.

Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. 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 Charles County understands mold and mold growth and have the training and equipment to remediate mold in your home or business.

YOU CAN BE RUINED, OR YOU CAN BE READY with the Help of Technology

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

YOU CAN BE RUINED, OR YOU CAN BE READY with the Help of Technology

Technology can now be a vital tool in preparing for emergencies or disasters, as well as during or after to stay informed of the situation and in communication with others. From common technology you already use on a day-to-day basis to taking a few extra steps to prepare, the following will help you be ready in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Store Information Online

There are many places to store important information securely online. Services like Google Drive and Dropbox offer free way to store different types of files, from a Word document to images of important documents. Ready.gov suggests saving an electronic version of insurance policies, identification documents, medical records, and information on your pets, if necessary.

Follow the News

Stay informed by following agencies such as FEMA, local news channels, and local government on Twitter for the most up-to-date information in a disaster situation. You can also alert first responders if a rescue is needed through Twitter.

Mark Yourself Safe

The American Red Cross offers a Safe & Well check-in site to list yourself as safe or find family and friends in situations where communication is difficult to establish. Facebook also has a feature called Safety Check that is activated after natural disasters or a crisis. You will receive a notification from Facebook if you’re located in the affected area at that time.

Get in Touch

Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in your phone and e-mail for communication with family, friends, business contacts, and others whom you may need to get in contact with before, during, or after a disaster.

Charge Up

Keep a portable charger in your car and home in case of an emergency. You may need to recharge this from time to time, but you can also buy solar-powered chargers as well.

Get an Emergency READY Profile®

SERVPRO® is proud to offer Emergency READY Profiles® (ERP) for free at ready.SERVPRO.com to help prepare you, your property, or your business for an emergency. By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile® for your property or 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 property or business. Put help in the palm of your hand with the Ready Plan App. Get in touch with your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional today for more information on developing an ERP for your property or business, and SERVPRO® will be there to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

SUMMER TIPS TO PREVENT MOLD

6/28/2018 (Permalink)

SUMMER TIPS TO PREVENT
MOLD 

SERVPRO® would like to offer you some summer tips to prevent mold in your home. During the warm summer months, mold thrives because mold needs warm temperatures in order to grow. Preventing mold takes preventative maintenance, but it’s a lot less work and a lot cheaper than cleaning up a household mold problem later.

Tips to Prevent Mold in Summer

Some simple things you can do to prevent mold in summer include:

• Use your air conditioner on hot days. Mold grows best at temperatures above 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so keep the indoor temperature lower than that if you can.
• Watch for any condensation or moisture in your air ducts. Sometimes using the air conditioner can cause condensation and that moisture provides a place for mold to grow.
• Mold thrives in moist environments, so it’s best to keep the relative humidity below 50 percent. If any areas of your home have relative humidity higher than that, purchase a dehumidifier to reduce the amount of moisture in the air. Mold doesn’t grow well in dry environments.
• Close windows when it rains. If windows are open when it rains, dry windowsills, floors or any other surfaces as soon as possible. If carpet gets wet, use a fan to dry it faster.
• If it’s a rainy summer, watch for signs of a leak in your roof. A discolored spot on the ceiling generally means a leak, even if you don’t see water coming through the ceiling. Have any leaks repaired as soon as possible to keep mold from developing.

In addition to the above summer tips to prevent mold, you should do some basic things all year around, including:

• Repair any leaky pipes or appliances as soon as possible.
• Make sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outdoors, not into your attic or crawlspace.
• Turn on the exhaust fan or open a bathroom window a couple inches when showering. The steam that fills the bathroom when you shower provides ample moisture for mold.
• Don’t use carpet in bathrooms. It’s hard to dry out carpet thoroughly. It’s much easier to dry linoleum or tile floors if they get wet. You can use throw rugs in bathrooms, which can be machine washed and hung to dry, which prevents them from getting moldy.
• Clean up any spills of water or other liquids immediately.
• Address any mold problems that do occur promptly to prevent the mold from growing and spreading to other areas of the home.
• If you notice a musty smell in the home, you probably have mold somewhere. Mold often grows in hard-to-see places, like under carpet and inside walls. If you smell something musty but can’t find any mold, call SERVPRO® of Charles County @ 301.753.8313.

If Mold Develops Despite Your Best Efforts at Prevention

If mold does develop despite your best efforts at prevention, we recommend scheduling a free consultation. SERVPRO® will visit your home, inspect the premises for mold, provide recommendations and advice for cleaning up the mold, and also provide recommendations for preventing mold from recurring in the future.

Summer Fire Safety Tips From FEMA

6/21/2018 (Permalink)

Summer Fire Safety

Summer Fire Safety Tips From FEMA