Improve Your Air Quality!

2/26/2020 (Permalink)

Duct cleaning can help!
The ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality, but you can help change that! Inspecting the ductwork in your home should be a high priority. In most cases, the HVAC system has been operating for some time without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminates such as mold and irritating dust throughout your home. 

Keeping the HVAC and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life-span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which may help save you money. Duct cleaning may not always be necessary. SERVPRO of Crofton/Odenton/Severn professionals will inspect your HVAC system and ductwork and make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This inspection can help save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your HVAC system and ductwork. 

Over time, different contaminants or foreign objects can enter and collect in your air ducts that may diminish your indoor air quality; such as Rodents, Insects or pest, Dust, Dirt, Debris, Bacteria, Mold and Pollen. 

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

To schedule an appointment contact SERVPRO of Crofton/Odenton/Severn today. 

Generator Safety

1/28/2020 (Permalink)

Generator

If you have a generator on hand for power outages during severe weather, follow the safety tips below provided by the American Red Cross. 

• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal burning device inside a home, garage, basement, crawl space, or any partially enclosed area. 
• To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use it in wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy like structure, such as under a tarp help up by poles. Do not touch the generator with wet hands. 
• Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide build up in the home. Although CO can't be seen or smelled, it can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death. Even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get fresh air immediately. 
• Install CO alarms in central locations on every level of your home or property and outside sleeping areas to provide early warnings. 

CARBON MONOXIDE: A Silent Killer

7/29/2019 (Permalink)

You can't see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels, it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon Monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels, like gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, and propane burn incompletely. 

An excess of CO, leading to CO poisoning, can result from faulty furnaces or other heating appliances, portable generators, water heaters, clothes dryers or idling cars left running in garages.  Take some basic, precautionary steps can help eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

• Have fuel burning appliances, like oil and gas furnaces, gas or kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves inspected by a trained professional every year. 
• Open the damper for proper ventilation before using a fireplace. Never use your oven or stovetop to heat your home. 
• Make sure all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside to avoid CO poisoning. 
• If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Never run a vehicle indoors. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not blocked with snow, ice, or other material. 
• Make sure vents for dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow and other debris. 
• Only use barbecue grills outside, away from all doors, windows, vents, and other building openings. Some grills can produce CO gas. 

FASTER TO ANY SIZE DISASTER

6/4/2019 (Permalink)

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 of Crofton/Odenton/Severn. 

Keep updated with our blogs to get some great tips and tricks for home & business owners as well as fun facts that is good to know. 

SHOCKING FACTS ABOUT LIGHTNING 

• Be aware. Check the forecast before participating in outdoor activities. If it calls for thunderstorms, postpone your trip or activity. 
• Go indoors. Remember the phrase, " When thunder roars, go indoors. " Find a safe enclosed shelter when you hear thunder. Shelter includes homes, offices, shopping centers, and hard top vehicles. 
• Avoid windows, doors, porches, and concrete. Do not lie on concrete floors and avoid leaning on concrete walls. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring. 
• Avoid water. Do not bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a buildings plumbing. 

Are You Winter Weather Ready?

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

Are you prepared for the cold weather coming?

Cold weather can have a huge impact on your home and business if you are not ready for it. 

From heavy rain and freezing temperatures to damaging winds, sleet or snow. 

To help prevent costly damages due to weather, consider taking the following precautions to protect your property. 

• Check your business property for downed tree limbs & branches. Wind, heavy rain, ice and snow can cause branches to fall, which could cause damage to the property and potentially cause personal injuries. 
• Roofs, water pipes, and gutters should all be inspected to help ensure they are in proper order. 
• Inspect property, especially walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate a potential flood hazard
• Protect water pipes from freezing by simply allowing water to drip when temperatures dip below freezing. If pipes are under a cabinet, leave the cabinet doors open, allowing warm inside air to circulate around the pipes. 

When winter weather strikes, call SERVPRO of Crofton/Odenton/Severn to strike back!  

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Crofton Home

4/8/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Crofton/Odenton/Severn is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Crofton/Odenton/Severn

SERVPRO of Crofton/Odenton/Severn specializes 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 and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Overloaded Outlets Can Lead to Fires

12/22/2017 (Permalink)

EFSI has great tips for Crofton residents about outlet safety this holiday season.

December is the season of lights, candles and food.  Driving around Crofton, Odenton, and Severn neighborhoods; looking at all the holiday lights and seeing all the extension cords gave us pause.  Are those cords rated for outside use, are they all hooked to the same outlet?

There are some safety tips to follow when using lights outside:

1. Purchase certified and lab tested cords
2. Make sure they are rated for outdoor use
3. Do not use multiple plug outlets chained together

Inside the home you may add some lights, your tree and maybe even some cooking appliances.  Using certified and lab tested cords inside is important as well.  Overloading outlets is the biggest issues that can lead to a fire.  Checking connections for fraying wires, limiting the number of units per outlet and unplugging items when not in use are best practices we should all follow.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) has other great safety tips that will help limit your holiday fire risk.  SERVPRO of Crofton/Odenton/Severn will have crews working throughout the holiday if you find yourself in need of smoke, soot or fire damage repair.

10 Ways You Can Be PREPARED

9/12/2016 (Permalink)

If a Disaster strikes, will you be ready? It is important to prepare before a disaster occurs. Consider the following steps to help you better prepare for an emergency situation. 

• Sign up for local alerts and warnings, download apps, and/or check access for wireless emergency alerts
• Develop and test emergency communication plans
• Assemble or update emergency supplies
• Learn about local hazards and conduct a drill to practice emergency response actions
• Participate in a preparedness discussion, training, or class
• Collect and safeguard critical documents
• Plan with neighbors to help each other and share resources
• Document property and obtain appropriate insurance for relevant hazards
• Make property improvements to reduce potential injury and property damage
• Hold a scenario-based continuity of operations tabletop exercise for your organization 

Emergencies can happen to anytime to anyone. 

Take action now to protect yourself and your property.

SERVPRO Ready Plan Mobile App

8/22/2016 (Permalink)

When Fire and Water cleanup is needed, getting help is now quicker and easier using the SERVPRO Ready Plan App. The Ready Plan is an emergency preparedness tool for home and business owners, property managers, risk managers and facility management. It allows for the creation of an Emergency Ready Profile containing critical facility information to help speed up response time. 

Download the App today on your smartphone!

Help is at your fingertips. 

SERVPRO encourages property owners to take advantage of free download to create an Emergency Ready Profile

Through the application, the user can quickly call SERVPRO or submit an electronic "First Notice of Loss" (FNOL)

Rapid response from a disaster cleanup and restoration specialist can help the property owner evaluate options, start the insurance process and take the right steps from the beginning to bring their property back to normal, "Like it never even happened."

IICRC Certifications

8/22/2016 (Permalink)

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries. Our Professionals study IICRC standards and best practices in water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and other cleaning and restoration courses. 

IICRC Certifications

• Applied Microbial Remediation Technician 
• Applied Structural Drying Technician 
• Carpet Cleaning Technician 
• Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery and Fabric Cleaning Technician 
• Water Damage Restoration Technician 

When you see a IICRC logo, you can be confident that an IICRC-certified experienced, qualified professional is caring for your valuable property. IICRC Certified Firms employ technicians who, after study, field experience and passing comprehensive exams, have received IICRC certifications in specific cleaning, restoration and inspection categories such as upholstery, wood flooring, stone and tile flooring, carpet cleaning, odor removal, mold remediation, water damage, fire damage restoration and more.