Spring Means Clean

5/5/2023 (Permalink)

Before and After Carpet

Spring is finally here and although Mother Nature has been making other plans for everyone with all seasons in one week – we can only hope warmer temperatures will be here to stay soon! When Spring arrives, you think it’s time to clean and everyone has their own way of cleaning. Whatever method works for you – so here are some tips to get your home in top condition and as clean as Spring!

• Make a schedule of the rooms or areas you want to start.
• Declutter your work or home space. Find a local donation location in your area to donate items you no longer use.
• When working with cleaning products always make sure your area is well ventilated or use Green Products
• Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures first
• Clean walls and baseboards and always start at the top and work your way down.
• Save the floors for last.

Spring cleaning is a task – one that goes above your general weekly cleaning.  If you’ve decided you just don’t have the time or energy to do a deep clean, give us a call – we’ve got you covered!

The Silent Secrets of Mold

5/5/2023 (Permalink)

Homeowner found their subfloor in this condition after removing old vinyl flooring.

We have had a some wild winter weather here in the south for the past several weeks – one day its summer temperatures and then winter will run around the corner and come out of nowhere.  These temperatures are pretty standard in early Spring  but we have had a very mild winter. Mold can grow at any time of the year – but it can multiply in changing temperatures in and outside your home. Mold grows from moisture – almost anywhere. Controlling mold growth requires maintaining proper humidity levels in your home or business.

It looks like mold but is it really mold? This homeowner was prepping their laundry room floors for new tile. When the homeowner pulled up the vinyl flooring they were shocked and very concerned at what looked like life mold covering their sub floor.  They immediately called SERVPRO and the technicians came out and tested the flooring.  There was no live mold , this was an old water damage that happened prior to the homeowner purchasing the home.  The sub floor was cleaned and prepped for the new tile to be installed.  If you are unsure if you have a problem with mold or not, let SERVPRO ease your mind and check your home prior to any home renovations.

Excessive Rain and your Septic System

5/5/2023 (Permalink)

A sure sign you need your septic pumped

The spring season has definitely not been pleasant to us this year. The rainfall we have experienced in our region has been above the normal and taken its toll on those who have a septic system. The normal schedule for a septic system to be pumped is on average every 3-4 years but if you have been experiencing problems – you may need to call the professional for service earlier.

Common signs that your septic tank is full:

• Standing water over your septic system
• Smelling sewage when you in your yard
• Drains in your household are not draining properly.
• Your pipes are making unusual sounds (gurgle) when you flush the toilet
• You find sewage backup in your tubs and sinks
• You smell sewage when running your washing machine

If you have had your septic pumped and begin to have issues you may have a clogged or broken drainage pipe or your stack pipes on the roof of your home may be clogged. Having this inspected early can help you from having sewer back up into your home.

The SERVPRO Way

5/5/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready to answer the call 24/7/365.

Serving others is at the heart of SERVPRO's vision to be the premier cleaning and restoration company in the world. Whether it's a home or business, SERVPRO knows that the most important job is helping each customer put their life back together.

Our number one goal is returning damaged property and items to preloss condition, doing all we can to help you regain control following a disaster. SERVPRO is dedicated to restoring both the property and the lives of the customers we help...

• Like it was never dirty
• Like it never overflowed
• Like it never caught fire
• Like it never spilled
• Like it never smoldered

Whatever the case, with SERVPRO of Spartanburg County, our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened." 

With every flood comes a flood of emotions. It is not uncommon that we meet our customers on their worst day. We know that you had the choice to choose anyone you wanted to help you with your situation, and we take extreme pride in knowing that you chose us! If your home or business experiences a loss, big or small - call us today at 864-229-6610

Space Heater Safety

12/16/2022 (Permalink)

Space Heater Safety

With the colder temperatures moving into our area over the next few days, some people may be preparing to pull out the space heaters to help keep their homes warm. When the temperature drops well below freezing our main heat sources (heat pumps) cannot keep up -  leaving larger rooms and drafty areas in your home harder to keep warm.

Always keep safety your top priority – and follow these tips to keep you home safe during these cold temperatures!

• Plug your space heater directly into an electrical outlet – never use an extension cord or power strip
• If your heater is an older model, consider purchasing a newer one as they have the most current safety features
• Choose a heater that allows you to adjust the temperature and has an auto timer and shutoff feature
• Place your heaters on a hard surface – clear of any drapes or flammable furniture

Winter is here – following these safety precautions can and will prevent a house fire!

Decorating Safety

12/16/2022 (Permalink)

Decorating your tree

Our houses are beginning to look a lot like Christmas – Decorations are going up and families are getting geared up to decorate for the Christmas Holiday Season. Safety is key – review the below points to keep you and your family safe and festive this holiday season.

• Before you string up a single strand of lights, carefully check them for cracked cords frayed ends or loose connections.
• The combination of shorts in electrical lights and a tinder-dry tree can be deadly. Keep your tree well-watered. Not only will it stay fresh and green, but it will also prevent a house fire
• Ditch old stands of lights – purchase lights with fused plugs
• Remember the 3 light connection strand
• Check your extension plugs – if its hot unplug and replace the cord
• Turn off your lights when you go to bed or leave your home

Following these tips will you and your family safe from a house fire

Candle Fire Safety

12/16/2022 (Permalink)

Facts

Candles bring the perfect holiday scent to any home and make great gifts to give to any person. Although they bring great joy to people everywhere during the holiday season, it is important to note how to properly and safely use candles. According to the NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) "Candle fires peak in December and January with 11 percent of house fires in each of these months." 

SERVPRO of Greenwood, Abbeville & McCormick Counties is 'Faster to Any Disaster' and trained to handle any size fire remediation job, but the first step you can take is to take proper precaution when using candles. Here are some tips from the NFPA.

• Use candle holders that are sturdy, and won’t tip over easily.
• Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
• Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.
• Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
• Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.
• Have flashlights and battery-powered lighting ready to use during a power outage. Never use candles.

While all of these tips can help prevent a house fire this holiday season, we understand that disaster can strike at any time. Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Greenwood, Abbeville & McCormick Counties at (864)229-6610 for services 24/7.

Containment Importance

12/16/2022 (Permalink)

There are two different definitions of containment, one being "the action of keeping something harmful under control" and the other being "the action or policy of preventing the expansion of a hostile influence." 

At SERVPRO of Greenwood, Abbeville & McCormick Counties, we set up containment during any mitigation or remediation job for both of these reasons, depending on the cause of loss. Sometimes, containment is set in order to protect the contents from the work taking place around it. Other times, containment is set in order to protect the rest of the home or business from either the work being done or the cause of loss. 

Either way, our production crew know how important it is to keep the structure and its contents safe from any potential toxins, pollution, or debris done from the mitigation and remediation process. 

Our number one goal on any job, is to leave the home or business in as close to pre loss condition as possible. 

No Job To Small

5/17/2022 (Permalink)

Cleaning and restoring commercial properties require a unique blend of training, experience, and equipment. Our team at SERVPRO of Greenwood has the resources and more than 20 years of expertise to give you excellent results while minimizing disruption to your clients. We can help make it “Like it never even happened.”

• Small Office Buildings
• Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Senior Facilities
• Restaurants
• Hotel/Motels
• Small Retail Stores
• Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
• High-Rise Residential
• Manufacturing & Industrial
• Government/Military

Why SERVPRO?

• FASTER: With more than 1,900 U.S. and Canadian Franchise locations, SERVPRO is strategically positioned throughout the nation to be faster to any-sized disaster.
• READY: SERVPRO is always ready to help when disaster strikes but also knows the importance of ensuring home and business owners are “Ready for whatever happens.”
• PROOF: The science of Drying was developed out of the need to further validate the drying process and use more precise documentation on defining when a structure is dry.
• HERE TO HELP: Communication is the most important part of the process to keep everyone informed during cleanup and restoration.  We accomplish this through the Here to Help Connection process.

Our team responds quickly to your Greenwood, SC area fire, water, or mold damage emergency, 24 hours a day. Whether the damage occurs in a small business building, a senior facility, an apartment complex, or a big box store, we have the training, experience, and equipment to handle the situation. Our network of 1,900+ Franchises gives us access to trained restoration technicians and resources to respond to any size restoration emergency.

Why Do You Need a Water Mitigation Company?

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Why Do You Need a Water Mitigation Company?

If you’re like most homeowners in the Greenwood, Abbeville & McCormick County areas, you want to take care of home maintenance on your own. After all, who wants to pay for a repair service when you can just do it yourself? In some cases, that might be the best thing to do, but it’s also important to consult a professional restoration company when the need arises.

As a water mitigation company in Greenwood, SC potential customers can sometimes call back and decide to do the clean up themselves but many have called back with new problems. Lost time, costly do-it-yourself products, and frustration can be avoided by using a professional.

Why use a Water Damage  Restoration and Repair Company?

• Uncover hidden moisture problems. When it comes to water damage, there’s often more than meets the eyes. Materials like hardwoods and drywall, are porous, so they absorb water. Moisture can cause the materials to expand, or possibly trap moisture, allowing it to foster mold growth. A water mitigation company has the equipment to both detect and dry these materials.
  
  
• Prevent future mold growth. Mold spores are everywhere, but they don’t pose much of a threat until they are exposed to moisture. When water damage isn’t adequately addressed, it can increase the chances of mold growth. Our team can extract and dry the water, plus we apply an antimicrobial to deter mold.
  
  
• Equipment and Expertise to remove contaminated water. Not all water damage is equal. Water can occasionally be extremely contaminated (such as floodwater or sewage) and may pose health risks. In these cases, protective gear and specific processes are required for cleaning up the damage to reduce exposure. Our experienced technicians are equipped and certified to handle these situations.
  
  

Water damage can come in many different forms and it’s also important to know when things are beyond your control. No matter the situation, SERVPRO of Greenwood, Abbeville & McCormick Counties here to help.

Contact us at 864-229-6610 for 24/7 Water Damage Mitigation, Repair, and Post Damage Reconstruction.