Avoid Common Water Damage Mistakes

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Let our fast response team eliminate further mold growth due to water damage on your property.

When Your Washington Home Suffers Water Intrusion, Rely on SERVPRO to Mitigate Damages

Water damage usually is more than what comes to your mind when you read the phrase. While we only expect to deal with water, more destruction results whenever such incidents hit our property. Mold and electrical hazards are part of the expensive damage that your Hampton structure may experience during those stressful moments.

You might make a mistake if you look at the surface and imagine it is the only water damage challenge to address in your Washington home. The work of SERVPRO IICRC certified technicians is to look beyond the obvious and trace the water which might be under the carpets and walls. Specialized tools such as moisture meters and sensors make that possible. We can conduct a thorough inspection that allows us to identify the content of moisture on your property and specific locations with these devices.

Another mistake that most homeowners make is attempting to pump the water from a flooded basement. While it appears to be a straightforward job, hidden dangers need professional intervention. For instance, wet foundation walls and ceilings might collapse as a result of water damage. We inspect all that before we can start the restoration process, and if necessary, we perform necessary demolitions to prevent any possible hazards during the process.

After pumping out all the standing water, it is time to begin the drying process. At that stage, we set up dehumidifiers and air movers. It is important to call our SERVPRO team as soon as you can to increase the chances of salvaging as much of your content as possible. For instance, if you delay and find out that the drywall and flooring have 25 - 50 % moisture, retrieving them might not be possible. Once drying is complete, we clean the surfaces and sanitize them using antimicrobial agents to decrease the chances of mold growth.

SERVPRO of Bath responds to all sizes of disasters, whether reported on commercial or residential premises. Call us at (252)-923-0213 and be served by a proven industry leader.

Eliminate Areas of Excess Moisture

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

Always keep an eye out for areas with excess moisture.

Are you concerned that you may have mold in your commercial business? Mold tends to grow especially well in damp areas, meaning any existing moisture issues should be a top priority. Condensation, a small leak, improper ventilation—all should be handled as soon as possible to help prevent damage.

There are many different places mold can hide and grow without you even noticing that it is there:

• In a property’s basement or crawlspace 
• In the walls of bathrooms and kitchens
• Underneath carpeting, especially if it is in an area with moisture problems such as a bathroom or kitchen
• Ventilation ducts because they provide a dark, damp place for mold to grow

Mold can grow in your business without you even knowing it is there. This is what makes treating mold quickly essential - it may grow, spread, and damage your property far before the signs of mold show up.

The best way to get rid of mold is to tackle it at the source. Contact the mold remediation professionals at SERVPRO today to learn more about mold removal and mitigation services.

Fire Safety Tips for Washington, NC

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

Always be careful with combustibles in the home.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Each year in the United States, more than 3,000 people die in fires and more than 16,000 are injured. It's crucial to be aware of the dangers of fire and what you can do to prevent one from happening in your home.

Here are some tips to help keep you and your family safe from fire.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside of sleeping areas. Check them monthly to make sure they're working properly.
• Create and practice a home fire escape plan so everyone knows what to do if a fire starts.
• Keep flammable items like lighters and matches out of reach of children.
• Don't leave candles burning unattended.
• Don't smoke inside your home.
• Be mindful of device energy usage--don't overload electrical outlets.
• Keep your stove and oven clean and free of grease build-up.
• Don't leave pots and pans unattended on the stove.

If a fire does occur in your home, try to stay calm and get everyone out quickly. Use your practiced escape plan to get to safety. If you can't get out, go to a room with an outside window and wave a white cloth or flashlight to signal for help. Never go back inside a burning building.

After a fire occurs, be sure to call professionals like those at SERVPRO of Bath to handle all of your restoration and remediation needs. 

Let Professionals Handle Your Water Damage Needs

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

Water leaks can come on suddenly. Have a plan and call professional remediation services as quickly as possible to limit any damage.

Water damage can come from a variety of sources, the most common being from plumbing issues. Damage to an average-sized house from water can run a homeowner thousands of dollars. Antique furniture, electronics, hardwood floor and carpeting only add to the cost if they are affected.

At SERVPRO of Bath, we are trained to respond quickly to calls for a burst pipe or leaking water heater so we can remove water as fast as possible. Once we’ve removed all the water, we immediately begin the drying process to both personal property and the structure. One of the things we do during the drying process is to set up dehumidifiers. Dehumidifiers draw water from the air and nearby materials like upholstery and curtains. This creates a drier environment which allows evaporation to happen, thereby helping save building materials such as drywall.

As the dehumidifiers work, SERVPRO technicians use extraction devices to dry any carpeting. In most cases, that means we use extraction wands. For heavier carpets, our team can also use a riding extractor. On this piece of equipment, a driver rides on top of the device and uses his or her weight to press down the carpet and pad, removing even more water. 

If you need help with any type of water damage, let us be your first line of action to reduce and eliminate the effects of water damage in your home or business.

Helping Your Business After an Emergency

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let a storm or other emergency put your company under water. Call SEERVPRO of Bath today!

When disaster strikes your business, there are so many things to worry about. How will you be able to serve your customers? What do you do with employees who are not able to be at work? Will you have enough revenue to keep the doors open without being able to do business for who-knows-how-long? We at SERVPRO® of Bath have years of experience serving companies of all different sizes and industries. We strive to provide the best service possible, working to allow businesses to stay open or get back open as quickly as possible. Our experts know that less downtime means minimized loss of revenue for you and your company. If disaster should ever strike your business, make sure to call SERVPRO® of Bath at (252) 923-0213. We are Here to Help® you get back in business as expediently and professionally as possible.

SERVPRO® of Bath has Large Loss teams and equipment on-site, and access to an extensive network and access to over 2,000 franchises across the Nation for jobs of any size. We are dedicated to helping our customers when disaster strikes and helping to make it “Like it never even happened.” We are ready 24/7, 365 at (252) 923-0213 to help you with all your restoration and remediation needs. We are committed to serving our community when disasters such as pipe bursts, natural disasters, and fires occur.  

Why Choose SERVPRO For Your Emergency Restoration Needs?

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

Understanding how vital response time is to an emergency water damage can be the difference between a minor repair and a full-blown restoration.

Fast Response Time is Everything

At SERVPRO® of Bath, we know that our fast response time is critical, as every minute counts when we are responding to a property damage emergency. In many cases, we arrive and work alongside the firefighters and other first responders as they are completing their jobs and leaving the scene.

This is when our job starts. We know that in many situations, immediate action is required to minimize the potential for further loss. For instance, water is especially invasive and will spread quickly and absorb into floors, walls, and furniture. Water damage will also be present in the aftermath of a fire emergency and will require immediate cleanup to prevent additional damage.

Faster Response Time

Property damage emergencies can happen at any time of the day or night. Our emergency response teams have the advanced training, specialized equipment, and experience to mitigate and restore any property damage emergency you may have. In most cases, we can arrive within four hours of your call. We will also help you with the insurance paperwork and process.

Call Us Today!

When your home or business experiences a property damage emergency, SERVPRO of Bath is Here to Help. ® Call us today at (252) 923-0213. We’ll restore your property damage in Washington, “Like it never even happened.”

5 Reasons To Hire Professionals Faster to Any Size Disaster

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

We Arrive Faster to Any Size Disaster. For more information, just Contact Us.

Disasters occur every day at inconvenient times and in unexpected ways. Fires ignite in wastebaskets. Water damage builds up when condensation builds up on pipes behind walls. Fire in a neighboring building causes smoke damage in your building. When a disaster affects your property in Bath, NC, SERVPRO professionals arrive Faster to Any Size Disaster and work with you from their first emergency response to the completion of repairs and reconstruction.

Benefits of hiring our professionals.

1. SERVPRO professionals arrive Faster to Any Size Disaster

An immediate response is crucial to avoiding secondary damage, conducting accurate assessments, and creating a recovery plan. You can't afford to wait when it comes to addressing damage to your property. Even when other responsibilities demand your attention, water, fire, smoke, and mold continue with their destructive work.

2. Disasters disrupt your daily routine

Many of the disasters that cause property damage quickly make it impossible for you to continue with your typical daily routines. When you turn the recovery efforts over to professionals, the work progresses quickly and smoothly, allowing you to turn your attention to your areas of expertise. Dealing with waste from your sewer system, the acidic soot from a fire, mold growth after high humidity, and structural weaknesses from disasters aren't tasks for property owners.

The response from a trained professional is the best way to feel comfortable that the cleanup and repairs are completed appropriately.

3. Cleanup professionals are equipped to tackle the disaster.

Professionals, such as those at a SERVPRO near you, have the training, experience, and equipment necessary to get the work done well. Reputable cleanup and repair professionals are generally required to complete ongoing education courses, including training sessions on specific types of disasters and damage.

Technicians also build up a certain number of hours under supervision. Professional equipment may include industrial-strength fans, specialized cleansers, and personal protective equipment. The average property owner may not have the time or money to obtain the expertise and supplies necessary for the full recovery from a disaster. When professionals arrive Faster to Any Size Disaster, they are fully equipped and ready to work.

4. Professional cleanup companies inspect and assess for secondary damage.

Property damage is rarely a straightforward, isolated situation. For example, firefighters use powerful water hoses to put out fires, and this results in water damage in addition to fire damage. When a pipe bursts open, water damage quickly occurs, and if water is allowed to sit, mold damage may also occur. If water damage affects wiring, there's a potential for electrical concerns. In general, a professional response is necessary for assessing risk and preventing more complicated issues.

5. Your insurance policy may cover a professional response.

In many cases, property damage cleanup and repair professionals work closely with insurance companies. This is true for the reasons already mentioned, as well as because a professional recovery may be less expensive than a DIY recovery. Check with your insurance provider before filing your insurance claim to determine whether and what is covered by your policy. Highly trained SERVPRO professionals arrive Faster to Any Size Disaster and are prepared to deal with any type of disaster efficiently and completely.

When disaster comes your way, don't give in to DIY temptations; hire a professional to ensure a full recovery.

What You Should Know About a Security Fence for Your Building

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Avoid Damage and Protect Your Building with a Security Fence.

In the aftermath of a commercial fire, there will be several issues that require your immediate attention. There will be damage from the blaze itself as well as the effects of smoke and soot. There will likely be damage due to the water used to extinguish the fire.

Not only do you need to assess the full extent of the destruction, but you’ll also need to consider the condition of your building, cleanup efforts, and filing an insurance claim. The good news is that you can hire a professional to conduct fire damage assessment and restoration for your property in Bath, NC. As you’re figuring things out, you should consider installing a security fence around your building.

Considerations for Damage Security With Fencing

Fire damage may leave your building exposed to outdoor elements and unsecured. A security fence helps guard against looting and vandalism during the repair and reconstruction process. Here’s what you should know about installing a fence.

Fence Features:

You need a fence that is difficult to scale and cannot be easily bypassed. It also should not be easy for a burglar or vandal to hide.

Type:

What material is the fence composed of and how does it serve your security needs? A chain-link fence provides great visibility, but it may be easier to climb than a wooden fence.

Height:

Your fence’s height should be effective for security. Depending on the extent of the destruction, the fence may conceal the fact that your building’s security is compromised.

Access:

Consider access points that facilitate access for professional cleaning, repair, reconstruction, and other work as necessary.

Aesthetics:

This may be at the bottom list of your concerns, especially if the fence is a temporary measure until your property is restored to pre-damage conditions.

Other Fencing Considerations

If the source of the fire was external, you may need to consider a fence that offers security but is also fire-resistant. Wildfires and proximity to other buildings require you to factor in the following for your solution:

Location:

Because a fire-resistant fence is also a defense against external combustion, it should be located close enough to your building to be effective. This could impact access.

Material:

Fence materials should be non-combustible.

Maintenance:

The accumulation of flammable materials such as deadfalls, small twigs, pine needles etc. near the base of your fence may increase the chance of flames spreading to your property.

A fencing solution should factor in your immediate security needs as well as the source of the fire and the potential for another blaze.

DIY or Professional

When it comes to fence installation, you have choices; however, when the security of your property is the main goal, it’s better to hire a professional. Experienced installers should complete the work properly, avoiding mistakes that compromise the fence’s purpose or leads to costly repairs. These pros also know how to build your fence without damaging underground utilities.

While you never hope to experience any fire damage to your property, it’s a good idea to think comprehensively about the potential aftermath in advance. This includes knowing who to call for cleanup, understanding what your insurance covers, and installing a security fence either on a temporary or permanent basis.

How To Identify and Locate Shower Leaks in Your Home

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

Follow these steps, Identify and Locate Shower Leaks, and Avoid Water Damage in your property.

A shower or bathtub leak can cause extensive damage to your Bath, NC, home in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, such leaks are not always obvious. The longer you allow a shower leak to linger, the more problems it will cause.

Conversely, if you identify a bathroom leak right away, you can quickly contact a disaster restoration company. Professionals can then address the issue before it causes extensive damage.

Knowing how to detect a bathtub or shower leak is thus an important skill. Here are four signs of a potential bathroom leak in your home.

4 Signs of a Shower or Bathtub Leak

1. Floor Damage

Most bathroom floors are designed to withstand a bit of water. After all, some liquid probably spills onto the floor each time you shower or bathe. However, if you notice cracks or stains on the floor, there is probably excess water leaking in the bathroom.

2. Wall Warping

Bathroom walls are similarly able to hand a basic amount of water. If they start to bow or stain, they are likely being exposed to liquid from a leak. You should regularly check the wallpaper and paint for blisters, as well. That is because water leaks can affect the bond between the wall and its covering.

3. Ceiling Stains

Water in the bathroom may seep through the floors and stain the ceiling of the room below. Blistered paint or a sagging ceiling is another potential warning sign.

4. Mold Sights and Smells

Since mold thrives in moist areas, it is a telltale sign of excess water. Mold in grout or caulk could be evidence of a hidden leak. Even if you do not see mold, a musty odor could be evidence of the fungus.

Possible Locations of a Bathtub or Shower Leak

Once you suspect that there is a leak in your bathroom, you need to discover the source of the problem. You could have a drain, tile, floor, shower head or shower pan leak.

There are different tests you can perform to identify the location and cause of the leak. Start by checking the shower head for clogs.

Water could also seep behind walls if you have cracked tiles in the shower. Try soaking each shower wall individually to see if any leaks become apparent.

The shower floor is another common leak location. Test for floor problems by emptying several buckets of water into the tub or shower. You may have to wait several hours before any signs of a leak develop.

Once you have definitively concluded that you have a bathtub or shower leak, it is time to call in the professionals. The water from a leak can rot various wooden support fixtures, causing roaches and other bugs to enter the premises. Mildew and mold could also grow in damp areas of the home. The restoration process is thus often complex and should only be attempted by experts.

A shower or bathtub leak can cause great harm to your home. Recognizing the signs of a leak and understanding how to identify the leak's location should help you address the issue promptly.

A Layperson's Guide to Types of Mold Growth Found in Homes

3/24/2022 (Permalink)

Learn More about the different Types of Mold Growth by Considering These Tips.

Discovering mold growth in your home is a disturbing situation. Besides its funky smell and appearance, mold can cause costly damage that needs repair. If you're lucky, you will never have to deal with any of the following types of spores known to infest residential quarters. If one of them does, a mold remediation specialist can help you get rid of it.

What Are Reasons You Should Hire a Professional To Get Rid of Mold Growth?

Hiring a professional provides you with:

• Rapid response
• Safety assurance
• Easier insurance claims

Have a specialist complete the cleanup process for superior results.

What Is Stachybotyrus Chartarum?

More commonly known as black mold, this fungal invader is notorious. It creates toxic compounds known as mycotoxins. Because of this, homeowners must act quickly to eliminate it and preserve their family's safety. You can find it haunting locales such as ducts and air conditioning pipes. Its distinct, musty odor is a solid giveaway.

What Is Penicillium?

Particular variants of this mold species play a vital role in creating antibiotics and cheese. The kind that's inside your insulation and furniture is less helpful. Its ability to spread rapidly makes it especially pernicious.

What Is Alternaria?

This type of mold spawns both inside and outside. Because it often appears in damp areas, you may find it lurking in the shower or sink. The difficulty of repairing water damage gets compounded when this fungal variant appears.

What Is Aureobasidium?

Be on the lookout for spotty black and pink growths. If you spy any, you probably have aureobasidium. It often attaches to wooden furniture, but it can also be found on walls, whether painted or wallpapered.

What Is Fusarium?

Cold, wet areas are ideal breeding grounds for this type of mold. Keep your eyes peeled for it when colder conditions take hold in Bath, NC. You can find it living within carpets and other types of fabrics.

What Is Cladosporium?

High humidity can contribute to this form of mold, which loves to spread in warm areas as much as cold ones. Look for it inside wooden cabinets, within rugs, and underneath floorboards.

What Is Aspergillus?

Here's another class of indoor mold that requires caution. Anyone within its vicinity should wear a respirator to prevent the possibility of inhaling spores.

What Is Serpula Lacrymans?

Does the mold in your home have a yellow hue? If so, you may have this type. Most commonly, it flourishes outside. That said, it also attaches to wooden surfaces indoors. As it progresses, so does dry rot, which often requires extensive renovations.

What Is Ulocladium?

Homes that have experienced flooding are especially susceptible to this category of mold. Ulocladium grows both on the insides and outsides of buildings. It has a nasty way of attacking floors and walls that makes cleansing efforts particularly cumbersome.

No matter what class of fungal assailant presents itself within your home, destroy it posthaste. Failure to handle the issue with urgency allows it to spread, subsequently compounding the matter and increasing clean-up costs. Start by figuring out what classification of mold growth has taken over your abode. This chunk of information will help cleaners approach the sterilization process with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

How To Prevent and Put Out a Grease Fire

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

Learn More about How To Prevent and Put Out a Grease Fire in your Bath, NC home.

When it comes to home fires, cooking fires top the list of culprits. Many statistics indicate that there are more than 5,000,000 a year, though many are small ones. If a grease fire happens in your Bath, NC home, it can quickly escalate and requires a professional fire cleanup company to return your kitchen to normal.

Knowing how to prevent them and safely extinguish are essential to minimizing the damage.

Prevention Tips

While cooking, different oils and greases have different flashpoints. Simply setting the burner too high or letting grease buildup in the oven are sure ways to enhance the chances of a fire happening. Below are key ways to prevent that from happening.

Never leave cooking unattended. While it may not seem like a big deal to leave the room to quickly check on something, a fire may start in seconds. When using oils and grease, it’s especially important to diligently watch the stove. Boiling oil or smoke are indicators that a fire may start.

Understand what oils you are cooking with and know their flashpoints. Regardless of the oil, heat it slowly to minimize potential risk.

Ensure any combustible materials are safely stored away from cooking areas. Any spills or residue from boiling over should be properly cleaned to avoid buildup.

Keep a lid nearby. Even if you don’t need it for the dish you are cooking, keep it within arm’s reach just in case.

Have a fire extinguisher stored in the kitchen and know how it works. It is recommended to keep a Class K or B in the kitchen.

Safely Extinguishing the Flames

While cooking safety may help prevent a grease fire, one may still happen. When that does, take the following steps to properly extinguish it.

Never use water or move the pot or pan. Water or excess movement will only cause the flaming grease to splash, increasing the chances of the fire worsening. Baking soda or salt should be used to smother the fire instead, though it often requires using a lot of them. At the first signs of trouble, turn the heat source off. If it happens in the oven, don’t open the door. This helps ensure the fire doesn’t get the oxygen it needs to spread.

If you followed the preventive tips above, you will have a lid nearby that you can put over the flames. It is recommended to use a metal lid or baking sheet instead of glass or ceramic, which may shatter. Never use anything that is flammable, such as an oven mitt or towel.

If the fire persists, grab the fire extinguisher. Ensure it is not a Class A, which is water-based. Extinguishers that are classified as ABC are also safe to use. After the fire is out, remember that additional cleaning will be needed to clean up the residue left behind.

Ideally, it is best to avoid a grease fire altogether. Even when taking preventive steps, accidents may still happen. If that occurs, know the proper way to extinguish this type of fire to avoid it spreading and causing more damage.

10 Things To Stock in Your First Aid Kit

3/10/2022 (Permalink)

Follow These Tips and have Everything you Need in your First Aid Kit.

When you go to work, you're thinking about the tasks you have to do for the day, a question you need to ask your supervisor, or even who you'll spend your lunch hour talking to. Unless your job is "Safety Manager" you're unlikely to spend much time thinking about what you would do if an emergency occurred at work.

Do you know where your office's first aid kit is or what's in it? From a cut finger to a heart attack, it's not only important but required by law for there to be a well-stocked kit in every office in Bath, NC.

Here are 10 important items that you should be able to find in your kit.

1. Latex Gloves

Gloves are an obvious item because they prevent the transfer of germs. Make sure there are multiple pairs in a large size so that anyone can wear them.

2. Bandages

Cuts are the most frequent injuries at businesses so it's important to have bandages in a variety of sizes and shapes on hand. Check your emergency kit stock regularly. It's easy to quickly run out and forget to replace them.

3. Wound Cleaner

All wounds from big to small need to be cleaned out to prevent infection. Moist towelettes with or without alcohol are convenient but a sealed bottle of water can do the trick for an injury with a lot of debris.

4. Gauze

Gauze is the workhorse of any wound care kit. Gauze can stop bleeding, stabilize a broken finger, or cover a burn.

5. Adhesive Tape

If you run out of bandages, some gauze and adhesive tape can accomplish the same goal. Tape and gauze are best for wounds like a long scratch that is difficult to cover with a bandage.

6. Resuscitation Equipment

A pocket mask or other barrier is important for preventing the spread of germs or diseases in the event that you need to give someone mouth to mouth resuscitation. Hopefully this is a rarely used item so make sure to check the quality and replace it every so often.

7. A Blanket

Every first aid kit needs a blanket but if you live in an area that is prone to tornadoes, hurricanes, or earthquakes, it might be wise to keep a larger stash if floods or high winds are regular occurrences and the staff needs to shelter in place at the office.

8. Scissors

To properly dress a wound, it's important to be able to cut gauze and tape to correct lengths.

9. Tweezers

It's more sterile to try and get a splinter out of your finger using tweezers than trying to use your fingertips. Tweezers might also be used to clean debris out of other injuries, like if someone were to fall and scrape their knee in the gravel parking lot.

10. Splint

Stabilizing a broken bone is necessary to prevent further damage to nerves and muscles. It can also help to reduce someone's pain.

A first aid kit is important for the well-being of everyone in your office. Where you would call an emergency restoration service if your building gets damaged, a well-stocked safety kit provides immediate care until medical help can be reached.

Faster to your Water Damage Event

3/8/2022 (Permalink)

Our Quick Service can avoid a lot of Water Damage in your property. For more questions, just contact us.

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Bath, NC provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more. However, we arrive quickly and start the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of Bath, NC

Our professionals 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 staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property

What Is Content Cleaning?

2/24/2022 (Permalink)

Follow These Important Tips about Content Cleaning and be prepared if Fire Damage occurs in your Bath, NC Home.

Content cleaning includes the practices and techniques used by restoration services in Bath, NC. The cleaning services can consist of dry-cleaning and other methods. The specialty cleaning is typically only required in disaster situations, including:

• Fires
• Floods
• Storms

While many people might assume objects are lost to disasters, many specialty cleaners can work apparent miracles to restore some items to like-new condition. Even if complete restoration is not possible, these professionals might be able to make significant improvements so that sentimental items can still remain with families as heirlooms.

Using Dry-Cleaning and Other Techniques for Salvaging Content

Before content can be salvaged, it must be freed from the disaster site. If the items were in a flood, then water must be excavated so restoration companies can assess the damage. If a fire occurred, remediation efforts could include water removal and smoke removal.

Any item will need to be put into content storage to ensure it remains safe until an expert restorer can work on it. Some things will require more delicate operations. For instance, paper is one of the most vulnerable items to attempt to salvage. Both water and fire can do significant damage to documents. When trying to recover paper documents from a flood, a restoration service will often seal them in a freezer or temperature-controlled storage unit until they can be officially processed.

All materials and items require unique cleaning techniques; for example, porous items, like clothes can often undergo dry-cleaning to salvage the materials. However, ultrasonic cleaning options are most useful for non-porous items and surfaces.

Experts Will Determine the Best Cleaning Options

As a homeowner, you will have enough to worry about with the claims and restoration process. Remediation services do not expect homeowners to know how to salvage or repair items.

These services want homeowners to relax as much as possible, so they will take them through the damage to discuss the salvageability of items. They will also want to know which items are most important to you and your family because they will do anything in their power to save sentimental items.

Leave the salvaging to the experts, however. You do not need to do additional research. Put down your phone and step away from Google search. The professionals will let you know what items they can save and which they cannot. It is best to trust their opinions.

Safety Is Paramount

The experts want to ensure that anything that remains in your home is safe and not a health threat. People often want to keep everything will sentimental value, even if it is not safe.

Porous items exposed to black water should be discarded. There is relatively little that can be done to salvage the objects. Experts will explain this and encourage homeowners to listen.

Cleaning contents after a disaster involves several specialty techniques, including dry-cleaning. The purpose of hiring professional restoration services is so they can help clean and repair the property and advise you on what is salvageable and what should be discarded. If you experience a fire, do not hesitate to hire a restoration service that can help you make the tough choices.

What Is Black Water?

2/22/2022 (Permalink)

Knowing more about Black Water can help you be ready if you experience Water Damage in your Bath, NC, property.

Many people think a flood is a flood; the water damage itself can be enough. However, a flood can be more or less severe based on the type of water present. The most contaminated water is known as category 3 or black water. It originates from water sources that are likely infested with bacteria and diseases, and/or hazardous chemicals. It could come from many different places such as heavy rains, water from overflowing lakes and rivers, seawater, sewage water and clogged drains.

How To Safely Clean Up Black Water

Cleaning up a flood of highly contaminated water requires much more than merely a mop and bucket. Although the water can cause significant damage and spread fast, you must prioritize your safety and the safety of others. Hiring flood damage restoration experts will always ensure a thorough cleanup because they have the experience and professional equipment to properly accomplish the job. Here are six steps to follow if category 3 water infiltrates your Bath, NC home.

1. Wear Personal Protective Equipment

Wearing PPE is essential for anyone in a flooded area. Everyone who is not working on the cleanup should be kept out of the affected area, particularly children and pets. This PPE can include hair covers, safety glasses, masks or respirators, latex gloves, coveralls and shoe covers. All of these items can protect the wearer from hazards in the water and air and protect the home from cross-contamination to unaffected areas.

2. Extract Excess Water

If you own a wet/dry vacuum, you already have an edge in the water removal process. Otherwise, you will need a mop or towels to remove the water. This type of vacuum will make cleanup much easier, as it quickly removes standing water and floating debris.

3. Remove Contents from Affected Area

Next, it's essential to remove as many contents as possible. Taking this action will give you more space to work. Removing all the contents will also enable you to more easily sort the unsalvageable items from the salvageable ones and clean the ones you're keeping.

4. Discard Ruined Items

The water will cause enough damage to completely ruin some things, particularly porous items like upholstered furniture and carpet. Most likely, you will find contents that have too much water damage to be saved. Others, you will not be able to clean and sanitize properly. You may even have to tear out some drywall and flooring and replace it.

5. Clean and Sanitize All Surfaces

Everything must be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Remember to clean all cracks and crevices, as water and bacteria can get into the smallest spaces.

6. Dry Everything Thoroughly

A mold problem can add a whole new level to the water disaster and can spread into other areas of your home. One of the most critical jobs you can do is dry the site and contents as quickly as possible. Mold can begin growing within 24 hours. Hopefully, you will never experience a flood in your home, but if you do, it's good to be prepared with the knowledge of how to mitigate the water damage by removing the black water.

Tips for Salvaging Electronics After a Flood

2/19/2022 (Permalink)

If you have Flooded Electronics After a Flood, follow these Tips. If you have more doubts, just contact us.

A flood in your commercial building in Bath, NC can cause a lot of problems in a short amount of time. Whether the excess water comes from a busted pipe, fire sprinklers or storm floodwaters, it has the potential to affect every item in its path. The more damage it does, the higher your insurance claim is likely to be. If you discover flooded electronics in your building, there are a few things you need to do right away if you hope to salvage them.

Call Restoration Experts

It's easy to assume that any waterlogged device is a goner, but you never know what can be salvaged. Water damage restoration experts can inspect your items to determine the extent of the electronic damage. They may be able to salvage a variety of devices:

• Computers
• Printers
• Copiers
• Manufacturing equipment
• Telephones

The technicians clean the exterior of the devices to stop further damage from occurring. Then they use the appropriate technique for drying out the item and removing as much corrosion as they can. If the item can be saved, they are your best shot at doing so.

Unplug Devices

Before the cleanup crew arrives, you can minimize the damage to your devices by disconnecting them from their power sources. Power down any device that's still running after the flood. After donning the appropriate personal protective equipment, unplug all devices. Remove batteries or power packs so that they aren't accidentally turned on while damaged. The further you can separate items affected by the flood from electricity, the better.

Move Flooded Electronics to a Dry Area

Many devices have components that are particularly sensitive to excess moisture. It just makes good sense, therefore, to move flooded electronics to a dry area in the building so that the water and the humidity don't cause additional damage. Wipe down the exterior of the devices, and remove covers to release any water trapped between the exterior and interior.

If you can safely open the equipment to air it out, that may be useful, too. Make sure the area has adequate air flow to dry out your devices more quickly.

Examine Parts for Damage

A preliminary look at the interior of your devices can save time during remediation. Remove the SIM card from laptops and other items that use similar technology. If you can dry it out, you may be able to save the information stored on it even if the device itself is unsalvageable. Check out the liquid damage indicator if a device has one. A solid color typically indicates water damage. While you may not be able to do anything about corroded components, this small step of detection can give technicians valuable information once they arrive at your building.

Flooded electronics are not immediately lost causes. If you remove them from the danger of water damage quickly enough and start the drying process early, you may be able to salvage them. Before you turn them back on, make sure that a certified water restoration expert has given you the approval to do so.

A quick, smart response can save you a lot of waste and lower your insurance claim.

Investment Property Owners and Flood Damage Responsibility

2/9/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding can cause severe damage to your building.

There is a significant draw to real estate for investors. Rental properties often provide a high reward, but profit is not without its fair share of risks as with any investment. However, tenants share the risk, so renter's insurance is often a crucial part of any move.

As the owner of the property, you have responsibility for the environment and structure of your facility. You do not, however, carry the burden for the personal property of tenants in most instances. A property owner must maintain several aspects of the building and facade.

• Ensure working utilities
• Maintain a livable environment
• Provide a clean living or working space

Keeping Up With Responsibilities

The responsibility of a property owner varies from state to state, but in general, Washington, NC, abides by federal housing regulations, protecting tenants from slum lords.

While you may keep up with standard maintenance around your building, you need to remember that prompt intervention after a disaster or other property damage is also your job. If you wait several days to fix a leak, you risk mold and flood damage. Depending on the speed of your actions, a judge may find you negligent, which is a costly judgment.

If you expect your insurance coverage to help reduce overall repair costs, you need to stay on top of issues. Any sign of delay can appear like negligence, and most insurers will not cover damage that results from ignoring a problem.

Knowing the Difference Between Responsibility and Fault

You may be responsible for repairing a building after a flood, but that does not mean that damage to a renter's property is your fault. If an external flood damages your building's structure, then contact your insurer to assess the damage, but if the same flood ruins a tenant's property, tell them to their renter's insurance provider.

Investing in real estate can lead to significant gains. Still, you need to know when a commercial insurance policy is necessary, and when a tenant's renter's insurance should foot the bill.

How To Prevent Your Basement From Flooding and What To Do if It Does

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

Consider these tips to better handle a Basement Flood in your Bath, NC house. If any doubt arises, please contact us.

Discovering standing water in your Bath, NC basement can be quite a shock, especially if you had no clue that there was a risk. Several things can cause a basement flood, including heavy rainfall, a burst water pipe, an overflowing toilet, or a leaking water heater. It's helpful to have the right equipment on hand and know how to resolve the situation before a disaster happens.

This can save a lot of valuable time, and time means everything when it comes to water damage; every minute counts.

There are ways to lower the risk of a flooded basement, such as installing a sump pump and/or trash pump, making sure your plumbing is in good working order and landscaping your yard to avoid water pooling around the house.

Unfortunately, there are no guaranteed prevention strategies.

How Should I Handle a Basement Flood?

1. Shut Off the Electricity

Before you step foot into the area, shut off the electricity. Electric currents can travel through standing water, making it hazardous to step into. If you can't safely navigate to the breaker box, call the power company or an electrician to turn it off.

2. Let Fresh Air In

If the outdoor air is less humid than the indoor air, open the windows and doors and let the fresh air in to begin the drying process.

3. Extract Standing Water

Then, you'll need to extract the standing water as soon as safely possible. Using a wet/dry vacuum is the best way to safely and effectively do this. Hiring a water damage restoration company could be the best option depending on the amount of water. These companies have industrial-grade pumps and other professional equipment to deal with the water and debris.

4. Remove Everything

Next, it's essential to remove Everything from the affected area. Unfortunately, if you have carpet, you'll need to remove it and throw it out, along with padding; it won't be salvageable. You will probably also have to tear out and replace some parts of your drywall. All the contents will need to be removed to begin drying. This removal will also make room for a thorough cleanup.

5. Circulate the Air

Now, you can begin the drying process. Running fans and dehumidifiers can be a good start. You can also run portable heaters (just don't leave these unattended).

6. Clean, Sanitize and Dry Everything

Before moving everything back indoors, it's essential to thoroughly clean and sanitize the area and all salvageable contents. Then, you must make sure Everything is dry. Mold can begin growing within 24 hours if dampness remains. A mold infestation can increase the problem significantly.

Hopefully, you can avoid a significant water intrusion for as long as you remain in your home. However, now you know the risks, prevention tactics, and restoration techniques to be prepared for anything.

Knowing about home flooding and having the proper cleanup equipment ahead of time can help keep your home and family safe and potentially save you a lot of money required to return your home to its previous condition. Take these tips today to gain more peace of mind that your home and family will remain secure.

Stop a Constantly Flushing Toilet

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

Avoid Flooded Toilets by following these important advices for your Commerce in Bath, NC.

Many commercial facilities use a flushometer to flush toilets. These devices come in manual and automatic models. Because of germs, most current businesses use automatic options. Unfortunately, no matter which models your company has, a toilet overflow is possible, especially when the devices begin to malfunction, leading to a constant flow of water and continual or repetitive flushing.

While you can call a restoration service in Bath, NC, for assistance, a flushometer is designed for easy access and correction. However, there are several occasions when it is best to contact a professional for help, including:

• Persistent problem
• Reoccurrence of the situation after resolution
• No resolution after troubleshooting

Stop a Toilet and Prevent Toilet Overflow

Repetitive flushing is problematic for several reasons, including water usage and the potential for a toilet flood. The last thing any business needs is interruption resulting from overflows or backups.

Thankfully, a solution to your toilet flushing problem can be as simple as replacing a washer or flange. However, it can also be complicated, requiring professional assistance and a more thorough inspection of the company's plumbing system.

The only way to know the severity of your problem is to call a specialist or attempt one of two DIY corrections. As flushometers come in both manual and automatic designs, you have two possible quick fixes.

Manual Flushometer

The first step to fixing your manual flushometer is to shut off the water. You do this by finding the slot nearest the handle. The screwdriver slot might be under a cover, so you may need to remove that first. Once exposed, use a screwdriver and turn the valve to shut off the water supply.

Then, you will need to remove the top lid and the flange cover. The top cap will require a wrench to remove. Once removed, the flange cover is exposed, and you can remove that by hand.

With the cover removed, you will expose the gasket. Remove the gasket and clean it, including the weeping hole.

Finally, put everything back as it was and test the toilet. If the toilet still doesn't work, contact a plumber.

Automatic Flushometer

You will start the process for the automatic flushometer the same as you did with the manual version: turn off the water supply. With the water off, press and hold the chrome button. If you hear two clicks that are two seconds apart, you likely need to replace the diaphragm kit.

The problem might also stem from a solenoid issue. If the solenoid has been serviced in the past, check it for any missing parts. See if it is double-stacked or missing bowl rings.

Once everything is corrected, replaced, or checked, put everything back together. Turn on the water supply and test the toilet. If the problem persists, contact a plumber.

While a constantly flushing toilet does not mean your company will experience a toilet overflow, it does increase the odds. It is crucial you figure out what the issue is. If you are not sure or are not comfortable with any of the DIY methods discussed above, contact a local professional.

The longer you wait for repairs, the greater your chances of a disaster and the more money you cost your business.

Returning to Your Home After a Flood

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding can cause severe damage to your home.

After your home in Bath, NC has been impacted by flood water, there are a variety of potential hazards that need to be considered prior to you coming back into the house.

Consider the Following Potential Hazards 

Gas Leaks

• Open doors and windows to ventilate and help remove foul odors or leaking gas
• Don’t turn on any lighting, use flashlights instead
• Exit immediately if a leak is discovered and contact your service company

Electrical Hazards

• Don’t turn on lights or electrical appliances
• Turn the electricity off at the main panel before checking circuits or equipment
• Flooded basement – utility company needs to disconnect power from your house
• Have to work on live circuits (not recommended) – don’t rely on basic rubber gloves or rubber-soled footwear, only properly rated equipment is sufficient

Structural Damage

• Watch for falling debris and check for damage to floors and walls
• Knockdown any hanging plaster or drywall
• Unsure of structural damage dangers – call city building inspector or engineer
• Be aware, as water is removed, changes in pressure can cause foundation walls to cave
• Water pressure needs a chance to equalize, pump about a third of the water out each day

Drinking-Water/Food Safety

Supplies affected by flood conditions may be treated by one of the following:

• Mix teaspoonful of commercial laundry bleach with 2 gallons water, let stand five minutes before drinking
• Boil water for 10 minutes in a clean container, eliminate flat taste by shaking in a bottle, pouring from one container to another, or adding a pinch of salt
• Add five drops tincture of iodine solution to one-quart water, mix thoroughly, let stand 30 minutes before drinking
• Use water purifying tablets, available in drug stores or camping equipment outlets
• Don’t use fresh food that’s come into contact with floodwaters

Although we can't prevent floods from happening, we can certainly help with the cleanup and restoration after the waters have receded. Contact SERVPRO of Bath, we're always here to help!

Keep Your Home and Family Safe From a Grease Fire

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to prevent Grease Fire in your Bath, NC house. If any doubt arises, please contact us.

A lot of house fires happen in the kitchen, and a large percentage of these happen because of the grease, fat, or oil used during cooking. It doesn't take long for a grease fire to spread from the kitchen to the rest of the home, so a fast reaction is important. However, you can't treat a grease-based fire the same way you'd respond to other fires.

How To Prevent and Respond to a Grease Fire

If you pour water onto a grease fire, the liquid splashes and spreads, carrying the flames with it. Before you break out your deep fryer, make sure you understand how to prevent fire damage in your Bath, NC kitchen:

Keep Your Work Area Clean

Store combustible materials, such as flour containers and dishcloths, away from your cooking space. Wipe up spills when pots boil over and remove grease buildup from the stovetop and oven. Recipe books, pieces of paper, and other items that tend to gather on the countertops should be cleared away before you start cooking.

Never Leave Cooking Unattended

A pan of vegetables warming in butter can become a fire hazard if the temperature reaches just 300 degrees Fahrenheit and you aren't on hand to turn the heat down. The various fats, oils, and greases you use in cooking all have different flashpoints, so watch for smoking, spitting, and boiling to determine when you should reduce the heat.

Prepare for Grease-Based Fires

Fires require oxygen, so the fastest way to put out a grease-based fire is to cover the entire thing with a metal lid or a baking sheet. Depending on the size of the flames, you may need to use some metal tongs to hold the lid in place. Glass or ceramic lids could shatter.

Store a container of baking soda or salt next to your cooking area. You'll need a lot to put out the fire; a #10 can is about the right size. Do not use flour, baking powder, or other powders because these are often combustible and could cause further damage.

Keep a Class K fire extinguisher in the kitchen. This extinguisher is designed specifically for cooking fires. You cannot substitute other extinguishers because some of those are water-based. Reach out to your local fire department for more information on fire extinguishers, such as how to use them and how often to arrange maintenance for your extinguisher.

Practice Safety Habits

Remember to never use water for grease-based fires; don't put your burning pan into the sink. If you can't put the fire out with a pan lid, baking soda, or extinguisher, contact 911. For the best results, teach your family members how to respond to grease-based fires and how to use the fire extinguisher.

Kitchen fires, and the grease fire specifically, can be very scary. Make sure you and everyone in your family know how to prevent fires, how to respond in case of a fire, and how to use the fire extinguisher. If you do experience a fire in your home, fire cleanup and restoration professionals can help you recover.

6 Benefits of an Electronic Claims Service

11/29/2021 (Permalink)

If your Washington, NC, home suffers from any disaster, contact SERVPRO to get help.

No matter what type of harm your Washington, NC, home might sustain, the SERVPRO electronic insurance claims service can be a great benefit. You will probably want to file an insurance claim for any loss, including everything from a flood resulting from a pipe burst to a mold infestation to a house fire. These are terrible situations, but fortunately, the electronic claims service can make it a much easier process. This ease can help you receive your settlement money sooner.

SERVPRO's Electronic Claims Service Can Help

1. It Improves Efficiency

The electronic claims service is much more efficient than traditional paper methods. Paper documents must pass through multiple hands, often in different locations. It can take days to receive them by mail, and only then can the process continue. Everyone who is authorized can access all of the information as it is updated. They can view it or even submit changes as they occur. For example, the insurance adjuster can upload photos and estimates of the damage online so others can view them in real-time and continue working. This efficiency can make for a seamless process amongst multiple parties.

2. It Increases Accessibility for Everyone

All claim information is saved in one location in an electronic format, even the most recent data. This method enables everyone involved to access documents, photos, and other important information nearly immediately and efficiently. They can also access it from anywhere with an internet connection, which means they can view the information pertaining to the damage from their office, on-site, or anywhere else.

3. It Enhances Security

The electronic file system is much more secure than traditional paper files. Essential forms, damage photos, and other insurance data are saved, encrypted, and backed up digitally and often automatically. This system reduces the chance of lost or misplaced insurance claim documents and other records.

4. It Heightens Convenience

Accessibility is convenient and straightforward from desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Not only can the various professionals, such as fire damage restoration experts, obtain the information from any location, but they can access it from virtually any device. This accessibility by multiple professionals at the same time also means easier interaction and collaboration amongst everyone.

5. It Boosts Accuracy

The data is stored in a virtual file in a digital format. Therefore, the accuracy of the information is typically much better than paper files or a mixture of different media. The computer software can identify errors that the insurance agent and other professionals may easily miss.

6. It Is Eco-Friendly

When everything is handled electronically, it can significantly reduce paper use. This digital process is very eco-friendly.

The insurance claim process is never pleasant. However, SERVPRO makes it easier for you and all professionals involved to keep it running smoothly from beginning to end. If you experience a flood, fire, or mold problem, or any other loss at your home, call your insurance agent as soon as possible. After all, the earlier you contact your insurance company, the quicker you'll receive the check. Then, you can finally start the restoration process to return your home to its previous condition.

Taking Care of Your Home After Water Damage

11/26/2021 (Permalink)

Call a professional team if your Bath, NC home suffers a water disaster.

A water disaster is often unexpected and overwhelming for homeowners. The immediate shock of the event leaves families reeling, trying to salvage what they can after a broken pipe or other water issues lead to flooding in the home. While shocking, it is crucial to excavate water in the home before it turns into a more extensive problem, like mold infestations. It is best to contact a remediation specialist in Bath, NC, for assistance when you need to recover after a water disaster. These professionals perform several services to help you through the recovery process:

• Property assessment
• Water excavation
• Cleaning and disinfecting
• Property restoration
  

Why You Should Call a Professional To Help With a Broken Pipe Repair

With the rising popularity of DIY methods and the self-sufficient homeowner, most people would rather fix a plumbing problem themselves than hire a competent professional. However, while being self-sufficient is an admirable trait, it is best to hire an experienced professional to ensure any issues are resolved correctly when it comes to your home's essential systems.

Pipe Breaks Can Lead To Extensive Cleanup

While some plumbing issues do not require much effort to clean up and repair, breaks often come with extensive problems, including flooding. The significant cleanup can often be too much for a homeowner to deal with alone, especially when time is of the essence.

Many homeowners know that mold can stem from water problems, but many fail to acknowledge that mold can begin to form in as little as 24 to 48 hours after water exposure. Therefore, an immediate and thorough response is necessary to prevent future concerns when dealing with a break.

Remediation companies come prepared to water disasters with pumps, shop vacs, and pump trucks. They also arrive with fans and air movers. With their equipment, professionals are capable of removing water from a property quicker than most homeowners can alone.

Cleanup Is Just As Crucial As Water Removal

It is not enough to remove excess water from the home; you will also need to clean and sanitize the space. Even when water comes from a clean source, the water will not remain clean for long. Too many property owners think that just mopping up excess water is good enough. Still, if the water sits on the floor and is combined with other chemicals, organisms, or materials, it is not a clean water source, meaning disinfection is necessary.

A professional mitigation company can help assess the water to determine its category and contamination level. Once they understand the potential risks of water exposure, they can clean and clear the area. The methods a professional uses to remove water will depend on the level of contamination, which is another reason the average homeowner should not attempt water cleanup alone.

A broken pipe often results in a flood from a clean water source. While some homeowners might feel confident in attempting a repair alone, the contamination and repair difficulty should be enough to discourage DIY methods. Do not let ego or cost affect your decision to have a professional repair your property.

Steps To Take for Mold Mitigation

11/18/2021 (Permalink)

Black mold can become a big problem if not treated on time in your Bath, NC commercial.

There's never a good time to discover a black mold problem in your commercial building in Bath, NC. The steps you take immediately after finding it, however, can make a big difference in how much time it takes to eradicate the problem. Quick detection and response are the keys to making sure any mold issue you have doesn't turn into an utter disaster.

4 Steps to Deal Mold

Contact Professionals

The first thing you need to do when you notice a fungus problem is called mold damage mitigation specialists to address it. Within hours of contact, they can be on-site to start the mold cleanup process:

• Assess the damage
• Tear out ruined materials
• Disinfect surfaces
• Dry the affected area
• Rebuild the structure
  

This team can also address any water damage that caused the mold problem, thus preventing any more secondary issues. It is in your best interest to get remediation started as soon as possible. The earlier the experts can get rid of the existing mold growth, the less chance it has to spread.

Cut Off Water Supply

The most common cause of mold in a building is a moisture problem. Water rushing to an unfixed leak is just going to keep feeding the mold. If you have a hidden leak, you need to cut off its source until it can be repaired. Shut down the water main to the building until your plumber can fix the problem. Call for repairs immediately, and don't turn the water back on until they're complete. You may not have been able to prevent the leak, but you can keep it from causing more damage once it's discovered.

Shut Down HVAC System

Black mold spores are often airborne. It doesn't do the mitigation team any good to seal off the affected area if your HVAC system is still delivering spores throughout the building. To isolate the problem so that it can be dealt with effectively, you must turn off the air conditioning system until the cleanup process is finished. Keep windows closed to minimize airflow until you receive confirmation that the final mold test after mitigation is negative.

Call Your Insurance Provider

The standard commercial property policy doesn't necessarily cover mold damage. To find out what your options are, call your agent to review whether the cleanup can be paid for by your existing coverage. A good reason to act quickly when you discover fungus is that if you allow the problem to get out of hand, even a mold policy won't cover it because the insurance company is likely to consider your behavior negligent. However, if you can show that you responded in a timely manner, your standard policy may cover mitigation if it was the result of a covered peril.

No business owner likes to find black mold in his or her building. If you do discover it, however, don't ignore it. Quick repair and mitigation are crucial for getting rid of mold growth and ensuring that it doesn't come back. The faster and more thorough your response, the better chance you have of getting your business back to normal as soon as possible.

Protection Against Damage When High Winds Threaten

10/26/2021 (Permalink)

Use hurricane shutters to protect your Washington, NC, home from high winds.

The time to purchase hurricane shutters is long before high winds lead to a hurricane warning. Once the warning arrives, you may have less than 36 hours to prepare, and it may be difficult to find storm shutters when everyone else is also scrambling to get them to protect their Washington, NC, homes.

Protect Your Home From High Winds

Of course, hurricanes aren't the only type of storm that brings powerful winds, and these storms often mean flooding, thunder, lightning, extreme temperatures, and even wildfire. Every step you take to protect your home is a vital part of surviving and recovering from storm-related damage. Here's a closer look at preparing for strong winds:

1. Check Your Exterior Property

Look around your yard and take stock of your belongings. Do you have furniture, toys, and tools that could be thrown around by the wind? Those items can cause a lot of damage when they are flung against your home, your car, or your neighbors' properties. Avoid this trouble by providing a secure storage location where you can quickly secure your outside possessions.

2. Storm-proof Your Landscape

Weak branches and landscape rocks become projectiles during high winds. Consistently clear out rocks, loose debris, and fallen branches from your yard. Check trees and shrubs for evidence of weakness and have them pruned regularly to keep them healthy. You may even want to talk to neighbors if there are potential hazards in their yards.

3. Protect Your Roof

The large, exposed surface of your roof is easily damaged during storms. One of the best ways to prevent serious harm is to schedule yearly inspections, maintenance, and repairs. If there are loose tiles or shingles, gaps between materials, or weakened areas, your roof may expose the rest of your home to damage. Consider the addition of roof strappings for added protection against wind.

4. Protect Windows and Glass Doors

Storm shutters are one of the best types of protection. There are several varieties, including aluminum accordion, roll-up, roll-down, and Bahama shutters. Each option has pros and cons, including pricing and installation considerations. It's best to talk through your options with experienced professionals in Washington, NC. You can also decrease potential damage by adding shatter-resistant film.

5. Reinforce Doors and Garage Doors

Many garage doors, in particular, are susceptible to powerful bursts of wind. Use girts to reinforce the door itself and then strengthen wheel tracks. Other doors throughout your home can be secured with heavy-duty deadbolts, using slide bolts and long hinge attachments for increased security.

6. Maintain Your Home

Routine maintenance solves a lot of problems and regularly prevents expenses for storm and water damage cleanup. As part of your routine care, make sure that all cracks and gaps are sealed to keep wind, water, and debris away from vulnerable areas of the home. Use a waterproof sealant and make sure that all holes, especially around wiring and pipes, are tightly sealed.

There are many steps you can take to mitigate storm damage. Get more information about preventing property damage from high winds by talking to your insurance company, property damage experts, and your local planning and zoning department.

Fire Cleanup and Your Electronics

10/21/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke particles in your electronics can cause an electric fire in your Washington, NC home.

Many people don't realize it, but even flames from controlled fires such as a candle or cigarette can harm electronics simply by the smoke that fills the air. Smoke is a mixture of gases, solids, and liquid particles that can damage delicate electrical components. The damage is much worse when you have a Washington, NC, house fire, given the large, uncontrolled flames. Smoke and soot can cover every inch of the affected area. Fire cleanup professionals will tell you that smoke gradually builds up layer upon layer on and in electronic devices. This buildup attracts dust and other air particles, which accumulate, eventually causing the machine to overheat. This overheating can lead to an electrical fire. Smoke particles can cause circuit boards to behave erratically. This random behavior happens as a result of electrical currents flowing to unintended areas. To make matters worse, smoke also has an acidic property that will corrode materials that typically comprise electronics, such as metal, plastic, and glass. When soot is combined with moisture, it has similar corrosive effects.

How To Clean Electronics With Smoke Damage

1. Remove the Memory

First and foremost, it's vital to save the memory from the equipment. The memory could be more important than the device itself, and you can move it to a different piece of equipment if needed. Even if the equipment can't be restored, at least you can rescue what is saved on your removable memory. If you're not currently saving files to the cloud, it could be a game-changer for you. By doing this, you have access to your files wherever you are as long as you have an internet connection, and they are safe from disasters, so you'll always have an off-premises backup.

2. Power Off and Unplug

Next, you need to unplug the devices and keep the power off. Even being kept plugged in without being powered on can risk an electrical fire and avoid more potential damage. Leave them unplugged for at least 24 hours.

3. Look for Paperwork

Fire cleanup won't be needed for a device that's covered under warranty. Check any warranty information to see if it covers smoke damage.

4. Wipe Down the Device

Next, you'll need to begin the cleaning process. Remove the outer casing to assess the internal damage. Wipe down non-electronic parts with a damp cloth. You can use compressed air to spray all of the dust, debris, and soot off the delicate electrical components.

5. Let the Device Air Out

Finally, it's time to let everything air out so it can dry thoroughly. If you can leave it to air out for several days, it'll also remove some of the smoke odor.

Fire, smoke, and soot can do a lot of damage to electronics. Fire cleanup may not be successful on all of your smoke-damaged devices. However, if you can do it safely, it's worth trying before spending money on new ones. It's helpful to know beforehand the basics of how to care for electronics that have smoke damage. It could mean the difference between several hundred dollars if you're successful.

Is It Necessary To Call a Restoration Company for a Pipe Burst Cleanup?

10/7/2021 (Permalink)

We are always ready for a pipe burst cleanup in your Bath, NC building.

Not every pipe burst cleanup will require the skilled and qualified hands of a professional mitigation company in Bath, NC. Sometimes, a pipe burst might occur under a facility sink with PVC connectors, which are easy enough to reconnect and seal. However, some situations will require a professional, and knowing when to call them in is not always obvious.

3 Reasons To Call an Expert for a Pipe Burst Cleanup

A broken pipe, a split in the supply line; each problem is a potential cause for alarm and need for a professional plumber or technician. However, who you call and how you respond often have to do with the severity of the problem and your personal skills.

Knowing when to call a professional is not always easy, but there are ways to assess whether you need a skilled tradesperson or you can resolve the issues on your own. For commercial facilities, there are three ways to determine the need for a professional technician.

1. Water Category

The primary factor determining the need for a sewer cleanup company or in-house cleanup is the water category. Water disasters occur at three category levels. Category one is clean water, and depending on the severity of the damage, you can ask your maintenance to resolve the issue.

Category two is gray water, meaning it is slightly contaminated. With category two, it is best to hire a professional. If you choose to clean gray water, make sure you wear appropriate protective clothing.

Category three is black water. It is the most contaminated and dangerous of all flood categories. Category three floods typically stem from sewage backups. You should never handle category three water. Always hire a professional.

2. Insurance Claim

If the water damage is extensive enough that you will file an insurance claim, you will probably want to hire a professional for the cleanup. In fact, your commercial insurance provider will typically insist on a professional cleanup and restoration.

Before an insurance company will payout on a claim, it ensures the work is guaranteed and performed by a professional. The company does not want to get a claim request later for issues that should have been resolved with an initial plumbing repair.

3. Restoration

While minor leaks are easy enough to repair without concern over significant restoration efforts, major disasters, like a burst pipe, can damage other building elements, from walls to flooring. A professional restoration company is more capable of repairing structural and cosmetic damage. In fact, some companies pride themselves on restoring your property to pre-disaster conditions, "Like it never even happened."

A pipe burst cleanup does not always require a professional restoration company, but it depends on the size and amount of damage. Minor issues, like a cracked pipe under the sink, can typically be resolved by in-house maintenance. However, significant issues, like a burst supply line, will often require a more seasoned and professional approach. Additionally, anytime water is contaminated, insurance is involved, or significant restoration is needed, it is best to consult and work with an experienced water restoration company in Bath, NC.

How To Prevent a Flooded Basement

9/23/2021 (Permalink)

Avoid water damage to prevent a flooded basement in your Washington, NC, home.

Depending on the area of the country your Washington, NC, home is in, it may be more or less prone to a basement flood or excess moisture. The majority of basements will naturally be more humid than the rest of the house because of their location in the ground. Your homeowners insurance coverage probably covers some flood situations, but not all. There are steps you can take to ensure as much as possible that your basement won't endure flood or any other type of water damage.

How Can I Keep My Basement from Flooding?

1. Maintain Gutters and Downspouts

Regularly inspect and maintain your roof's gutters and downspouts. Make sure they're clear of leaves and other debris. The water should drain at least six feet, ideally 12 feet, from the house and downhill and away from the house. Purchase metal add-on extensions; they're higher quality than plastic and are less likely to leak. You can also install underground PVC pipes to drain water and direct it to another yard area. These pipes are a good option if you don't have enough room for downspout extensions.

2. Install and Maintain a Sump Pump

Having a sump pump can save your potentially flooded basement from a lot of water damage. It should have a 120 volt UPS backup power supply. These UPS power supplies will continue running during a power failure. It should also be equipped with a check valve to drain outside but won't be able to flow back in.

3. Inspect the Drywall

Drywall works like a sponge in a basement flood, wicking moisture from the floor into the walls. Since concrete slabs are prone to seeping water, the drywall should be installed at least 1 inch above the floor to avoid contact with water. You can also get fiberglass-faced drywall that won't wick moisture and isn't mold-friendly.

4. Check for Wall Cracks

Inspect your basement's foundation walls for small, vertical cracks. All houses settle, which causes small cracks. A professional foundation contractor can repair them.

5. Install a Dehumidifier

Install a dehumidifier to eliminate excess moisture that is almost sure to build in your basement. Water damage restoration professionals will advise you to get a dehumidifier with an optional drain hose. This hose will drain the water automatically instead of you having to remember to empty the water receptacle. It's humid much of the year in many areas, especially in basements, so it's best to keep the dehumidifier running 24/7. Having drier air will also keep your air conditioning bill down.

6. Protect Your Flooring

If you have flooring in your partially finished or full basement, it must have a 10 mil plastic vapor barrier between the padding and concrete slab. The padding will soak up any seeping water from the concrete slab, then soak into your carpet or wooden flooring without this barrier. If your basement is carpeted, make sure it's made of synthetic materials. These materials dry quicker and are less prone to mold than other types of carpet.

A basement flood is one thing homeowners hope never to have to encounter. Follow these tips for keeping your basement comfortable and dry.

Your HVAC System Needs Professional Duct Cleaning Services

9/23/2021 (Permalink)

Clean the ducts in your Washington, NC home to avoid further damage.

The ventilation system running through your home has a direct effect on the quality of your indoor air. With this in mind, duct cleaning and maintenance should be a top priority. Commercial cleaning professionals can provide attention to all the components of your ventilation system, so you're confident that the motor, filters, coils, and all other parts are running efficiently.

Six Reasons for Duct Cleaning

When it comes to having your dirty ducts serviced, all companies are not the same. SERVPRO technicians are Here to Help and have the training and commercial equipment necessary to provide the professional results you deserve and expect.

1. Improved Air Quality

Many ventilation systems pull in a wide variety of contaminants, such as dust, microbes, mold spores, and pollutants. Once these contaminants make their way inside your home, there's usually not enough airflow to circulate them back outside. Dirt and dust can build up throughout your ventilation system, causing wear and tear that results in inefficient operation and unnecessary damage.

2. Mold Prevention

Heating and cooling ducts are common breeding grounds for mold growth. When you schedule routine professional maintenance, excess moisture and the organic materials that create a welcoming environment for mold spores are cleared away. Duct cleaning and disinfection steps may also prevent unpleasant musty and mildewy odors, as well as future mold growth.

3. Reduced Heating and Cooling Bills

When your ventilation system is kept clean and well-maintained, the airflow remains consistent, components don't have to work as hard, and the system has an easier time maintaining the desired temperature. When the machinery runs smoothly and doesn't have to work harder than necessary, operation costs are lower, and you save money on your utility bills.

4. Longer Equipment Life Span

Any type of debris in the heating and cooling system can affect the motors, fans, and other moving parts. This causes grinding and wear that damages those parts. In addition to this direct damage, the entire system will wear down more quickly because of the increased workload as the airflow is impacted. Routine repair and maintenance prevent early parts and system replacement.

5. Pest Prevention

Adequate ventilation requires openings that allow for plenty of airflows, and unfortunately, this may also mean that pests have easy access to the ducts. Screening meant to prevent pests becomes damaged and worn as it's exposed to natural elements and different temperatures. Avoid inviting insects and rodents into your home with routine inspections and cleaning services.

6. Increased Comfort

As you work to provide a comfortable living space, your family members and friends are more likely to hang around and enjoy the ambiance of your home. Additionally, clean, fresh-smelling home with comfortable, reliable temperature control is a nice place for you to spend your time.

SERVPRO of Washington, NC, has the specialized equipment and advanced technology necessary to thoroughly clean and repair your heating and cooling system. Team members have been trained in cutting-edge duct cleaning techniques to ensure your satisfaction. When you want to ensure a clean, fresh living environment, reach out to commercial cleaning and maintenance professionals.

Using an Indoor Environmental Specialist To Determine the Presence of Mold

9/20/2021 (Permalink)

Perform a mold test will determine which type of mold is and the process of cleaning.

When you walk into your building, do you smell something musky or damp? That smell could be mold, but it is challenging to know for certain if you cannot find the source. An indoor environmental specialist, like those employed at mold remediations companies in Washington, NC, can help you find the source of the smell and identify whether the problem is mold. These professionals do these in one of a few ways, including:

• Taking a physical sample of the growth
• Performing an air reading for mold spores
• Taking a sample of the area
  

Each method will provide varying results, especially of any level of certainty. However, the most effective method to test for mold is taking a sample of the growth and sending it to an off-site lab. Off-site testing is unnecessary for every situation, but if the mold looks suspicious or toxic, an involved mold test will provide the best analysis.

Why Perform a Test?

A test to determine the species of mold is sometimes necessary to determine the correct cleaning methods. There is little need for additional testing or protection for typical mold growth because it is relatively safe and will not harm a person when inhaled.

However, as any indoor environmental specialist will explain, some mold infestations require safety precautions to protect the workers and the property. Toxic black mold, for instance, is a substance with several state regulations regarding proper collection, removal, and disposal.

Testing the substance is just a way to ensure safety and maintain state and health department regulations. Beyond keeping everyone safe, a test can help determine the size and spread of the infestation. For widespread growth, a remediation specialist will want to seal off the main area.

Additionally, the primary reason for performing a mold test is when there are no visible signs of mold. An air quality test can help a remediation professional determine if there is mold in the area. It is best to go with a professional for such a test rather than purchasing a test kit at a store because commercially available kits are not the most accurate and can be challenging to interpret.

Mold spores are always present. Therefore, it is possible for purchased mold kits to provide a false positive for an infestation. An indoor environmental professional can help you determine when the mold levels require remediation.

Mold Remediation

If your building requires mold remediation, do not do it yourself. Hire a remediation service. These companies are aware of all the safety and removal protocols for mold, meaning you do not risk any fines from environmental agencies. Additionally, your insurance provider might require professional remediation to ensure the problem is resolved; failing to comply could result in the elimination of your policy.

Any time you believe you have a mold problem but cannot find any visible clues, you should contact an indoor environmental specialist to test the property's air quality. If mold is found, consider hiring a professional for removal to protect your building and business. DIY methods are usually never adequate for effective mold removal.

6 Ways To Reduce the Risk of a Space Heater Fire

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

A space heater can provoke a fire in your Washington, NC, home. Knowing how to use it will reduce the risk.

Space heaters are convenient, portable, and easy to use, making them excellent for warming up a chilly indoor area. There are many different kinds from which to choose from small ones you can put under your desk to large ones that will help keep a room toasty on those cold winter days. The kind you want to avoid at all costs is a burned space heater, which means knowing how to safely use these units. If you know what to do and not do with them and maintain them, they can be safe.

Here are some tips for reducing fire risk when using a space heater.

1. Inspect the Power Cord

Before plugging in your space heater each time, inspect the electrical socket in which you'll plug it. If you see any discoloration, avoid using that socket. Also, look at the power cord to make sure there are no signs of fraying or exposed wires. Also, always plug the space heater directly into the wall, not an extension strip. A space heater can overload the strip, causing a short circuit or fire.

2. Choose a No-Tip Model

Purchase a space heater with a low center of gravity, especially if you have children or pets. A tower heater or other slim designs can easily tip over. Make sure you get one made to shut off if it is tipped over, a common and essential safety feature on these units.

3. Opt for Auto Shut-Off

Most modern space heaters have an auto shut-off feature, but make sure the one you purchase has this feature. These heaters will automatically shut off if the unit overheats or malfunctions. Then, even a burned space heater shouldn't result in a burned home or contents.

4. Leave Space

One of the main precautions you need to take when using a space heater is to give it at least three feet clear of any objects on all sides. This means it also needs to be at least three feet from people or pet traffic. Also, keep it away from bed sheets, curtains, and other flowy materials that could catch fire. Keep the heater out of reach of children and pets, as they are naturally curious and don't know the dangers or risks of burns. They could also knock it over while running or playing.

5. Keep It Level

Fire damage restoration professionals who handle fire and smoke cleanup daily will tell you that one of the most common ways space heaters start fires is by tipping over onto flammable objects. Even if it has a low center of gravity, there's still a possibility that it could be tipped over or knocked off a surface. Make sure it's placed on a level, non-flammable surface. Also, make sure it's nowhere near water sources.

6. Turn It Off

It's tempting to leave a space heater running when it's cold. However, it's critical to turn it off and unplug it before leaving the house, leaving the room, or going to bed.

When your Washington, NC, home has a chill, a space heater can be a great option to make it warm and inviting. A burned space heater is a different story, though, so be sure to take these precautions when using this appliance.

Minimize the Damage Caused by Flooding

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

Take some fundamental steps to reduce the flooding damage in your Washington, NC, home.

If your Washington, NC, home is situated in a part of town where flooding is a threat, it's important that you know the steps to take to minimize flood damage. After all, these situations are some of the most common and most expensive disasters to face homeowners, especially when caused by flash floods.

• An emergency flood plan should include:
• An evacuation route
• A meeting place
• Contact information for each family member
• A well-stocked emergency kit

It's also a good idea to have community resources available. The numbers of your local authorities or a flood cleanup and repair agency can be helpful.

Understand Your Flood Risk

Some communities offer information online where you can check for floodplain boundaries. You may find flood hazard maps on the FEMA website, or you can reach out to your insurance provider to learn more about the flood level in your neighborhood. Make sure you know the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning.

A Flood Watch means that you have time to prepare to evacuate, but you may not need to leave.

A Flood Warning, on the other hand, means that water is already on its way, and you need to act immediately.

Floodproof the Basement

Before there's any hint of a storm and potential flooding, take steps to prevent flood damage. The basement is one of the areas in your home that's most likely to be affected. You can prevent a lot of damage by using a concrete sealant on the floors and walls to protect the structural stability of your home. The sealant also protects against mold, mildew, and other effects of high humidity. Depending on the risk, adding a sump pump can be beneficial.

Raise Belongings Above the Flood Level

Use concrete blocks to raise air conditioning units and other outside equipment above flood levels. If your area is under a flood watch, move as much furniture into the upper levels of your home as possible. Waterlogged electrical outlets and other sources of electricity can pose many dangers. Move all electrical units at least twelve inches above the flood level. You can reduce the expense of replacing furniture and belongings and avoid hiring water damage cleanup and repair professionals by keeping your valuables above the estimated water level.

Use Maintenance and Landscaping

Even a relatively small event can lead to storm damage. For example, if your gutters and storm drains are clogged with leaves and debris, heavy rainfall can lead to interior and exterior damage. Completing routine maintenance around your property can save you from a lot of trouble:

• Keep gutters clean and flowing away from the foundation of your home.
• Prevent trash from clogging your storm drains.
• Introduce native plants to your landscape to hold the soil during flooding.
• Add a rain garden, French drains, or additional features to provide a way for water to flow away from the house.

Flooding doesn't always provide much warning before it hits. Make sure that you're ready for this type of disaster before there's any sign of rain. Use these tips to protect your Washington, NC, home.

Dealing With Category 3 Water Damage

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

The bathrooms in your commercial building in Washington, NC, need the labor of licensed and insured professionals.

Bathrooms in commercial facilities often experience more use than a traditional bathroom in a house. The increased activity can result in several common problems, including toilet overflow and category three flood water.

The removal process for such damage is risky, requiring the skilled labor of licensed and insured professionals. The team you hire will likely take a three-step approach to flood recovery:

• Remove excess water
• Disinfect the area and discard items
• Restore the facility

Dealing With the Immediate Problem

The primary concern is the removal of wastewater. However, if the flooding has not stopped, the team of removal specialists will need to find the source.

Once the primary issue is resolved, the crew can begin removing the black water from the facility. This is a job best left to professionals, and in many areas, the state requires it.

The team of professionals understands the risks of working with contaminated water. They will take every precaution to protect themselves and the people in the immediate vicinity, including those living in surrounding areas. You cannot simply dump wastewater outside or into a nearby sewer. There are protocols every mitigation professional must follow.

Disinfect, Discard, and Dry

After all excess flood water is removed, the company you hire can start the cleanup. Any items that touched the water will be discarded. It is doubtful that anything within the flood zone can or should be salvaged.

The team of mitigation experts will also start cleaning the space using disinfectants and deodorizers. Do not be alarmed when your facility begins to look worse. The mitigation company will likely remove portions of the wall and other building materials to eliminate the risk of spreading contamination.

The company you hire will also focus on drying the space. It will likely use fans, dehumidifiers, and air movers to help speed up the drying time.
Restoration

Once the facility is dry and sanitized, the restoration company will focus on rebuilding the property. The initial core focus will be on any structural repairs. Once the structure is sound, the company will replace drywall and flooring and make any other cosmetic repairs.

The goal of restoration is to make the facility appear as before. By using a reputable company, you will not be able to tell the difference between the building's pre-disaster and the repaired structure. The results should be seamless, allowing business owners to return to operations with total confidence.

Category three flood water is nothing to play around with. It is destructive and highly contaminated, and it presents a significant risk to people. While many business owners often prefer DIY approaches, such approaches are not possible and are ill-advised when dealing with black water. It is better to work with a restoration specialist with the appropriate knowledge and skills to handle the situation safely.

Cooler weather may cause fires

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

Even though the fire did not occur in this room, the smoke and soot traveled to the second floor.

As we approach the cooler weather, fires increase inside the homes in Washington, NC. SERVPRO of Bath recently helped a homeowner who left a bulbed Christmas candle in the window which caught a curtain on fire. Almost the entire house was damaged as a result of this fire.

How to prevent fires at home:

Most people know the basics of fire safety at home, such as not leaving burning candles unattended and keeping a fire extinguisher on hand. Here are a few more things you can do to prevent fires at home.

• Have your heating system serviced regularly by a professional, including chimneys from wood-burning fireplaces. Clean around heat sources and keep dust and other flammable items away from ignition sources.
• Remove the lint from your dryer filter after every use. A clogged filter and lint trap makes your dryer less efficient, reduces the airflow needed to keep heat from building up in the vents, and forces lint onto the heating coils. Also, never let your dryer run when you are out of the house or when you’re asleep.
• Keep firewood, piles of leaves, and trash away from the home. If a grass fire starts nearby, these items next to your home could easily become kindling. Never dump hot ashes inside or near your home; keep them in a metal container well away from your house and garage.
• Avoid using outlet extenders or plug-in power bars: they can quickly overload an electrical circuit. Replace old, damaged, or frayed appliance cords, and never force a three-pronged plug into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
• Store containers of cooking oil well away from the stove. When cooking with oil, never leave the stove unattended. To stop a grease fire, turn off the burner and place a lid on the pan to suffocate the flames, or pour on lots of baking soda. Never pour water on a grease fire or try to carry the pan outside; water splatters the grease and makes the fire bigger, and the pan will be much too hot to carry.
• Consider using borrowed heat to keep outdoor pets warm. During winter months, avoid using heat lamps, solar lamps, trouble lights, heated watering bowls, or other such heated devices, which could lead to a potential fire. Borrowed heat involves providing warmth from a heating system located in a separate building. If this isn’t possible, consider bringing your pets inside.
• Be sure to properly extinguish smoking materials. Smoking materials that are not properly extinguished can smolder undetected for days before igniting a fire. Never discard smoking materials on the ground or in plant pots.

4 Steps To Take When the Toilet Floods

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

An overflowed toilet can be an emergency. Contact a professional team to solve the problem.

When sewer damage affects your Washington, NC, commercial property, the situation can be classified as an emergency. The potential for exposure to bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants in the water is high. SERVPRO cleanup and restoration professionals have the training, personal protective gear, and cleaning equipment to handle the issue safely.

Take Quick Action

The flooded toilet is one of the most common causes of sewer damage. You may have experienced the dread that comes from watching the water rise too much after a flush. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take right away to prevent further trouble:

1. Shut Off the Water

Look for a shut-off knob or valve right behind the toilet and turn it counterclockwise. If the water continues to rise, take off the lid to the tank and pull the float.

2. Dry Up Overflowing Water

If the water doesn't contain sewage, use old towels to clean up the overflow. Even when dealing with clean water, it's best to protect yourself with rubber gloves and boots with good traction, so you don't slip. If the water isn't clean, it's best to contact a sewage company or other trained professionals.

3. Gather Your Equipment

A plunger may do the trick. Make sure you get a tight seal at the drain inside the toilet bowl. The goal is to force air or water into the drain, applying enough pressure to move clogged items out of the way. After the water moves down the drain, flush once more to be sure you don't need to repeat this step.

4. Sanitize Appropriately

In many cases, it's okay to sanitize the overflow. Be careful when using bleach-based products; these could cause damage to porous surfaces. However, in a commercial property or if there's evidence of sewer damage, your best option is to hire a professional.

If there's any question that sewage may be involved, contact water damage restoration professionals, such as SERVPRO professionals who are Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Preparing Your Home for Vacation To Avoid Water Damage

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

A leaking pipe can lead to a flood in your Washington, NC, home.

Are you going on a vacation? If so, make sure you take care of that water pipe repair you’ve been putting off. There is nothing worse than coming home after a couple of weeks away and finding your basement flooded or worse. While you can talk to a water remediation specialist in Washington, NC, to discuss preventative measures, there are at least four things you can do to protect your home right now.

1. Inspect for Leaks

Before you go on a vacation, be sure to walk through your property and inspect for leaks or a broken pipe. You’ll want to check all visible pipes for any signs of leaking. You will also want to pull out appliances and check that hoses are secure. Do not leave any suspect pipe or hose unattended. Contact a plumber to fix the problems.

2. Clean Gutters

While a failed water pipe repair is one cause of water damage while a homeowner is away on vacation, clogged gutters are another. If leaves and other debris make it impossible for a gutter system to drain correctly, the excess water will pour out over the sides and down toward the foundation of your house.

3. Request a House Sitter

Even when you assess your home and find nothing wrong, there is still the possibility of the home becoming flooded. Asking a friend or family member to watch your house while you are away can ensure that if water issues arise, someone is there to address them quickly.

4. Shut Off Water at the Main

If you cannot find anyone to watch your home while you are away, it is best to shut off your water supply. Make sure to turn it off at the main, so there is no water coming into your home. It doesn’t hurt to notify the water department because they might be able to turn your water supply off at the street.

Before going on a vacation, make sure any water pipe repair or maintenance is complete. Also, try to find someone to watch your property. If not possible, turn off your water for good measure.

3 Tips for Cleaning After a Flood

7/22/2021 (Permalink)

Cleaning after a flood it's necessary to avoid other serious damages.

If your property has been damaged by a home flood, prompt cleanup is essential for preventing additional damage, such as mold, mildew, or rot. These three tips can help you get started.

1. Stay Safe

Floodwater often contains contaminants and can pose an electrocution or drowning hazard. Always check with local authorities before attempting to enter a flooded home. Have the power and gas service to your home shut off and avoid entering if there are any power lines down in the area. Wear protective clothing or contact a professional restoration company in Washington, NC, to ensure safety during the cleaning and drying process.

2. Remove Wet Materials

Drying out your home as quickly as possible is essential for avoiding mold growth. Remove wet carpet, furniture, and bedding within 24 hours of a home flood, if possible. Keep the damaged contents on site until your insurance adjuster has had a chance to look at them. Carpets, rugs, carpet pads, upholstered furniture, and mattresses will usually need to be replaced. Discard food items, other than commercially canned products that may be salvaged if the labels are removed and the cans are cleaned and sanitized.

3. Prepare the Site for Cleaning

When floodwater from storm damage recedes, it often leaves silt and mud behind. Remove this with a shovel and then wash hard surfaces with a water hose. Wood floors and subfloors exposed to water will likely need to be removed. Flooded walls should be opened to prevent mold growth, decay, and odors in the wall studs. Pump water out of your basement gradually. Use fans and dehumidifiers and open windows and doors to help with the drying process.

While it is important to wait until it is safe to attempt to enter a structure after a home flood, quick action is necessary to reduce additional damage. Contact your local authorities and insurance professional for additional guidance on the cleanup and restoration process.

How To Save Paper Items With Water Damage

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

A flood may cause severe water damage.

A flood in your home in Washington, NC, can leave your important papers drenched and unreadable. Fortunately, that doesn't automatically mean they're lost forever. Whether the damage is caused by a busted pipe or a leak from the attic after a heavy rain, water damage mitigation experts have many different document restoration procedures they can use to save the papers that are important to you.

Document Restoration Procedures

Damaged Items

Professional document drying techniques have a wide variety of uses. You may be surprised how many different items can be saved:

• Paper documents
  
• Photographs
  
• Files
  
• Books
  
• Magazines
  
• Parchment
  

Even film, x-rays, blueprints and microfiche records can be revitalized through the techniques used by certified technicians. Before you throw them away, it's worth seeing if they can be salvaged first.

Disinfection Process

Sometimes your items need more than just drying. If your home is flooded by contaminated water, document restoration procedures must also include a disinfection step. To clean delicate items such as paper documents or photographs, technicians use gamma irradiation. The gamma rays break down the bacteria at the DNA level, sterilizing the item and leaving no contamination behind.

Streamlined Service

A benefit of using SERVPRO to conduct your flood mitigation is that document digitization and cleaning are part of the overall service that the team provides. Certified technicians can back up your data securely so that you never have to worry about water damage threatening its safety again. When the same team handles the cleanup of both the documents and the house itself, the whole process runs much more smoothly and efficiently.

Even if your important papers, photos and book collection get soaked in a flood, document restoration experts may be able to save them. Even if the flood water is dirty, there is still hope.Technicians employ various drying and cleaning techniques to ensure that as little precious data and as few fond memories are lost as possible.

Understanding the Resurgence of a Mold Infestation

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth on residential home.

As a homeowner, there are two words you never want to hear: black mold. Unfortunately, the fear of toxic mold can often lead to homeowners attempting DIY removal techniques that do not work.
Mold is not mildew, and that is essential to know. Mildew is a surface growth, meaning you can typically eliminate it with surface cleaners. Mold, however, establishes deep within porous materials. If you attempted a DIY removal without the help of a licensed mold remediation service in Washington, NC, there could be several reasons the problem keeps resurfacing.

3 Reasons of a Mold Infestation Resurgence

1. You Did Not Resolve an Underlying Water Issue

Mold cleanup is about more than removing the problem fungus. You must get to the root cause. Why did mold spores settle where they did? In most situations, mold is the result of a water leak. If you do not resolve the underlying water issue, mold will return. Sometimes, a homeowner fixes a minor water problem, not realizing there is a more significant issue somewhere else.

2. You Did Not Remove the Entire Infestation

Black mold, or any mold, accumulates inside porous materials. When you are trying to remove the growth, you need to excise it in its entirety. If you leave even a small portion of mold in the area, the cluster will repopulate, re-establishing the infestation. If you are not confident in removing the problem, contact a licensed professional, which is the preferred method and approach to mold removal.

3. You Did Not Contain Mold Spread

When professionals remove mold, they do their best to control the spread and release of mold spores that can repopulate an infestation site. These technicians will spray down the affected area, weighing down spores, and they will seal contaminated spaces to ensure spores have nowhere to go.

Black mold or mold, in general, is not something homeowners like to think about. However, if you suspect you have a mold problem, it is crucial to take accurate precautions and eliminate the growth the first time around.

5 Steps of Flood Damage Restoration

6/22/2021 (Permalink)

You may been flood damage restoration after a storm.

Preparing for or enduring a flood at your Washington, NC, commercial property can bring extreme feelings of vulnerability and helplessness. A flood could not only cause costly damage requiring tear out and other major work but could also halt your business. There are ways to prepare if you know heavy rainfall is on its way, but there's probably no avoiding some water damage. After the disaster, the key to minimizing loss is to begin the restoration process immediately.

Steps of the Storm Restoration Process

Here are the typical steps of the storm restoration process:

1. Turn Off Electricity

First, you need to make sure the building's electricity is turned off. If you can safely navigate to the circuit breaker, you can turn it off. Otherwise, call the power company to have it shut off before you do anything else.

2. Extract Standing Water

All standing water must be extracted as quickly as possible. The more time the water is left to linger, the more damage will be done. Every minute counts when it comes to water damage. A wet/dry vacuum is ideal for safely and efficiently removing water and smaller floating debris.

3. Dispose of Unsalvageable Materials

Remove and dispose of anything that's deemed unsalvageable. This includes removing contents and tear out of building materials (e.g., drywall, flooring).

4. Clean and Sanitize Building and Contents

Floodwater can leave harmful contaminants (e.g., biological, environmental, chemical) in its wake, so cleaning and decontaminating are essential. The safest method for this part is calling storm damage restoration professionals to use their expertise and industrial equipment.

5. Thoroughly Dry Everything

The property and contents must be thoroughly dried. If residual moisture remains, mold could begin to grow, causing more problems. You can run fans, dehumidifiers and heat to dry the area.

There are several essential steps to storm restoration to prevent or mitigate the water damage, such as tear out. When you know a flood is likely, do what you can to prepare. Part of your preparation includes knowing how to safely and efficiently clean to minimize loss.

Does Your Home Have a Mold Problem

6/21/2021 (Permalink)

Mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours. Finding the source is critical to stop continued growth.

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – SERVPRO of Bath 252-923-0213.

Fire Safety when Burning Candles

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

Use candles safely.

A lot of people enjoy burning candles for many different reasons. For some, it’s the tranquility and beauty of having a tad bit of light in a dim room. For others, it’s the smell the candle gives off, filling your house with a delightful scent.  Whatever your reason may be, a candle is still an open flame that is a fire hazard. There are an estimated 8,700 house fires each year from burning candles.

Here are some safety tips to safely burn a candle inside your home. 

Safety Tips To Use Candles 

Before lighting your Candle 

• Before you burn your candle, always trim your wick to 1/4 inch. Crooked or long wicks could cause uneven burning, flaring, or dripping. If you don’t have a wick trimmer, don’t worry, you can use nail clippers or scissors as well.
• Always use a candle holder. Candle holders are sturdy, heat resistant, and will catch any dripping. 
• Burn candles in a well-ventilated room. Avoid air currents, vents, and drafts. This will help prevent excessive dripping, sooting, or uneven burning.
• Do not burn candle longer than 4 hours and give the candle 2 hours to cool before relighting.
• Use long matches or long-reach lighter when lighting your candle. Make sure you keep loose clothing and hair away from the flame. 

  While Candle is Burning 

• Stop burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains, never burn your candle all the way down. 
• Never put a candle someplace where your child or pet could get a hold of it or knock it over.
• While your candle is burning keep it away from anything flammable. Curtains, books, bedding, furniture and paper.
• Never move a candle while it’s burning or while the wax is liquified.
• Never leave the room while a candle is burning, always put it out.
• Never use your candle as a night light. 

When Putting out your Candle 

• Never extinguish your candles flame with water. Water may cause the hot wax to splatter everywhere, causing the glass container to break. 
• The safest way to put out your candle is with a candle snuffer.
• Before exiting the room, make sure your candle is completely out. 

Enjoying the comfort of candles in your home can be nice and relaxing. Using these candle fire safety tips can help prevent a fire from starting.

SERVPRO of Bath Smoke and Soot Cleanup

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

This picture is the aftermath of a kitchen fire at one of our customers homes. Smoke and soot damage can cause a strong odor in your home.

Smoke and soot is very aggressive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke travels to cooler areas and upper levels of a home or building.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may significantly affect your plan of action.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Bath will need to test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Please see below for some additional information regarding smoke and residue:

• Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber- Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
• Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood- Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
• Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire. Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

As you now know each fire and smoke damage disaster is unique. Each requires a unique solution to your situation. Here at SERVPRO of Bath we have the equipment, experience, and knowledge to restore your home or building. We will always treat your family with empathy and respect.  Your property is treated with care and stored at our facility while repairs are being made.

Top Reasons You Should Call an IICRC Company

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

Hire an IICRC company when dealing with mitigation and restoration.

The main reason you should call an IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification)  company when dealing with mitigation and restoration is because the unseen, such as smoke, soot and water, can cause extensive damage to your property. Even the smallest amount of unseen water or residue from a fire has the potential to cause serious indoor air quality and structural damage to your property over time.

The key to preventing costly restoration expenses is to reach out to a team of professionals immediately. An IICRC company is trained to use the proper equipment and technologies, which can make a big difference in reducing damages and expenses associated with fire and water damage loss.

SERVPRO is an IICRC Company

SERVPRO of Bath is an IICRC company, and they have the training, technology and equipment needed to help mitigate loss from fire, storm or water damage.

We use moisture sensors to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls. Moisture meters are used to determine the moisture content in those materials and to also accurately monitor the drying process. Our thermo hygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. This helps calculate and create an environment that is most beneficial for drying.

Once moisture is removed, the ultra-low-volume (ULV) foggers can be used to dispense liquid deodorizing agents. This produces a very fine mist that can easily penetrates where odor-causing residues have accumulated. They can also be used to inject disinfectants and fungicides into walls and other hard-to-reach areas. Finally, thermal foggers, which dispense solvent-based products, create a dense fog of particles which can attach and neutralize odor causing particles.

One thing that you should remember when handling a contaminated loss, is that it’s important to not only dry a structure, but to disinfect and deodorize it which is something an IICRC Company is trained to handle. So, remember this, if you have damage don’t be afraid to call a certified, professional team like SERVPRO of Bath. We can help restore your property so you can move on with life.

Choosing SERVPRO of Bath for All Types of Water Damage

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage caused from a pipe that burst.

When you think of water damage, most people will immediately think of flooding due to heavy rain or a hurricane. We know that hurricanes cause damage to your home and property, but most often, the water damage we find is due to plumbing issues. Damage to an average-sized house can run a homeowner thousands of dollars. And, antique furniture, electronics, hardwood floor and carpeting, along with many other items only add to the cost if they are affected.

SERVPRO is Ready to Respond Quickly

When SERVPRO of Bath receives a call for a burst pipe or water heater, our team is trained to respond quickly so they can remove water as fast as possible. Once we’ve removed all the water, we immediately begin the drying process to both personal property and the structure. One of the things we do during the drying process is to set up dehumidifiers. Dehumidifiers draw water from the air and property nearby, like upholstery and curtains. By removing moisture, we lower humidity levels in the home creating a drier environment which allows evaporation to happen and that helps save building materials such as drywall.

As the dehumidifiers work, SERVPRO technicians use extraction devices to dry any carpeting. In most cases, that means we use extraction wands. For heavier carpets, our team can also use a riding extractor. On this piece of equipment, a driver rides on top of the device and uses his or her weight to press down the carpet and pad. This allows them to remove more water. Unlike carpet, most carpet pads are inexpensive, so we usually recommend replacing verses attempting to dry them. 

If you need our help for any type of water damage, let us be your first line of action to reduce and eliminate the effects of water damage in your home or business.

4 Times When You Should Call a Restoration Company

5/28/2021 (Permalink)

You may need to call a restoration company after a heavy storm.

Many property owners believe they only need to call a restoration company after a major storm or fire; however, seemingly minor restorations, such as pipe burst cleanup, can often benefit from professional restoration. These are four times to consider calling a restoration company.

Consider Calling a Restoration Company 

1. When You Notice a Problem in a New Building

Business owners usually have inspections done before purchasing or leasing new buildings; however, sometimes damage, such as water damage from a broken pipe, can be missed. If you are noticing musty smells, discolored tiles, or standing water around your property, you may benefit from having a restoration company in Washington, NC, check for mold, water and other damage.

2. After Water Damage Occurs

Whether you have flooding from a major storm, or pipe burst cleanup to contend with, it can often be beneficial to utilize a professional restoration service. Properly removing water and drying out property often requires specialized equipment and training that most business owners do not have access to. Attempting a do-it-yourself solution can lead to future problems such as structural damage or mold growth.

3. After a Sewage Backup

Dealing with water that is contaminated by sewage is a job best left to professionals. It requires the use of specific safety gear and safety protocols. A sewer cleanup company can safely remove any contaminated water from your property. They will also know which property can be safely cleaned and disinfected and which items will need to be discarded.

4. When a Fire Has Occurred

Even small fires can cause extensive smoke and soot damage that is difficult for property owners to remove on their own. Additionally, sprinkler systems may cause water damage that requires restoration.

Improper pipe burst cleanup or other do-it-yourself restoration attempts can result in unnecessary additional property damage. Utilizing a professional restoration service may cost more money upfront, but save you money overall.

Content Cleaning: A Vital Home Fire Recovery Step

5/28/2021 (Permalink)

A home fire can be devastating

A home fire can be particularly destructive and disheartening; the cleanup and recovery efforts often continue for weeks after the flames have been put out. This is because, in addition to structures and belongings being burned, they may also be water-logged or affected by smoke. Multiple methods of content cleaning, such as dry-cleaning, are used by professionals to return your home to its original condition as quickly as possible:

• Dry and wet cleaning
  
• Spray and wipe services for sensitive belongings
  
• Foam cleaning for upholsteries
  
• Abrasive cleaning for stained and tough-to-clean belongings
  
• Immersion cleaning for specialized purposes
  

It's normal to want to understand what the content cleaning process entails.

Content Cleaning process

Storage for Fragile or Sensitive Belongings

Sometimes, fire damage cleanup crews will move your belongings into content storage for protection. For example, if you have valuable books or documents, they may be placed in frozen storage to preserve their quality until restoration experts can work on them. Some of the techniques used to save documents and photographs include dehumidification and vacuum thermal drying. Computers and other electronics may also be stored safely, so they aren't exposed to further damage while affected by acidic soot and humidity.

Specialized Cleaning for Fabrics and Textiles

Dry-cleaning is a valuable service that helps you avoid replacing clothing, linens, and other materials that were exposed to chemicals, smoke, and soot. It's important to note that the methods used by fire cleanup and restoration professionals are often more complex than those used by your local Washington, NC, cleaners:

• Controlled inventory and documentation
  
• Specialized smoke treatment for a variety of textiles
  
• Thorough cleansing for removal of smoke odors
  

Home fires cause enough concern without worry about where your clothes and bedding are and how they are being handled.

Recovery With Help From Professionals

A fire in your Washington, NC, home may be one of the most traumatic emergencies you can experience. The help of experienced professionals who can restore your home and clean your belongings with specialized methods, such as dry-cleaning, is an important part of fully recovering.

The Flood Restoration Process

5/28/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding after a storm can lead to severe damage if not treated quickly.

Severe storms can often lead to flooding, which can become significant depending on the duration of the adverse weather. Interior flooding of a residence can result in significant damage and property loss. However, with a quick response from an appropriate water restoration service in Washington, NC, the damage can be reduced and reversed. These companies specialize in a four-step restoration process that ends with you, the homeowner, getting to return to your property.

4-Step Restoration Process

1. Water Removal and Tear Out

Before the restoration team can begin any cleaning or repairs, they must first remove the excess water. Depending on the category of the water, precautions might need to be taken. However, despite any extra safety measures, the crew will still likely use pumps and shop vacs to remove the water.
With the water removed, the team can begin the tear out part of the process, including a flood cut. The flood cut is a cut made about 12 to 18 inches above the flood line. By opening up the walls this way, the crew can remove water-damaged materials, like insulation.

2. Drying Out the Affected Areas

With the walls open, the restoration team can begin drying the house from all the flooding. They will use fans, air movers, and dehumidifiers to help expedite the drying process. It is crucial to dry the house as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of mold development.

3. Cleaning the Property

To rid the house of any contamination from bacteria or other elements in the floodwater, the crew will get to work disinfecting and cleaning the property. They will use commercial cleaners and disinfectants, and might even reclean the house to ensure everything is safe to touch.

4. Restoring To Pre-Disaster Condition

With the cleaning out of the way, the crew can begin repairing any structural damage. Once the structural issues are corrected, they can restore the property cosmetically, ensuring the house looks like the home you remember.

Flooding is devastating, and the recovery process can be too much for most homeowners. Just know that the right professionals can restore even the most damaged property.

What You Should Know About Sewer Cleanup

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

Sewer backup can cause severe damage.

A sewer backup is one of the nastiest things that can happen. Not only does it smell bad, but it can also be extremely dangerous. It usually involves grey or black water and can cause you to be very ill if you come into contact with raw sewage.

Black water is the most dangerous and consists of completely contaminated water.
Grey water is moderately dangerous and consists of floodwater that does not contain feces or other serious contaminants. This requires a sewer cleanup company to repair.

Both of these can result in illness if you do not have them cleaned up properly.

What To Do About Sewer Cleanup

What You Can Do

The first thing that you need to know about major sewer damage is don't attempt it yourself. Although there are a few things that you can do on your own, you should always use a remediation company in Washington, NC, to clean any major flooding.
You can open windows, throw out disposable items and move items outside. You can also clean up small spills and minor things like a flooded toilet.

What Professionals Will Do

Professional sewer cleanup companies have the knowledge, equipment and experience to deal with broken sewer pipes or a large backup.
The first thing they will do is to extract or clean any large areas that have been contaminated. They vacuum and remove large debris and floodwater.
Then they dry every surface using fans and air dryers. After things are dried out, the company sanitizes nonporous surfaces. This includes floors, carpets, walls and anything else that needs it.
Not even a proper sewer cleanup can decontaminate every surface. Surfaces that cannot be sanitized are removed for disposal.
Once this is finished, they decontaminate what items are left and deoterize your home. Once this process is complete, the company collects up the debris into the proper recepticals for disposal according to city, state and federal guidelines.

A major sewer backup can be both problematic and dangerous. If you are having sewer troubles, always be sure that you clean properly to avoid contamination and illness.

How To Safely Clean Up After a Water Intrusion

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding can cause severe water damage.

If you discover floodwaters penetrating your home in Washington, NC, you will have to take immediate action. First, it's important to know the proper cleanup method for each of the three levels of contaminated water. Cleaning up water from an overflowing river would probably necessitate many more safety precautions than cleaning water from a bursting supply line in your home.

1. "Clean" Water

Clean water (aka Category 1 or white water) comes from a relatively sanitary source. This means it's safe to touch without protective gear. Just because the water is clean doesn't mean you can ignore it, though. Within 48 hours, white water can develop into gray water. Mold is also likely to begin growing during this time.

2. Somewhat Contaminated Water

Gray water (aka Category 2) is not thought of as highly contaminated water. However, it does come from an unsanitary source. Water from a clothes washing machine or an aquarium could be considered gray water. This water is known to have bacterial and/or chemical contaminants. You should wear rubber gloves throughout the cleaning process. It's critical to clean and sanitize the area thoroughly before it has time to develop into something more toxic (i.e., within the next 48 hours).

3. Highly Contaminated Water

Black water (aka Category 3) is heavily polluted. It's likely to be highly unsanitary due to biohazards like fecal matter or blood. It could also contain dangerous chemicals or an unknown array of contaminants. You'll definitely want to hire water damage restoration professionals to ensure that the proper cleanup techniques are used for the well-being of your family and home.

Even the cleanest water can cause severe damage to most household materials, as well as the structure itself. Knowing that it is contaminated water adds another important factor to the restoration process. Before you begin the remediation process, it's essential to determine the level of contamination.

Storm Tips for Renters

4/15/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding damage

Strong storms often flood apartment buildings, particularly if there is foundation or roof damage. Before the next storm arrives in Washington, NC, it's important to know your responsibilities as a renter. They start with having a good renter's insurance policy.

Storm Tips

Make Sure You're Covered

The best thing you can do to protect yourself against a flooding event is get good coverage. While the building's owner is responsible for flood damage restoration to the building itself, there are several expenses that your rental policy may cover:

• Repair or replacement of belongings
  
• Cost of temporary relocation
  
• Medical expenses for injuries sustained during flood
  
  

It's important to know exactly what the terms of your insurance coverage are before you need it. Talk to your agent about the policy that is best for you and ask questions for the clarification you need to make the right decision.

Protect Important Documents

When you share a wall, ceiling or floor with another tenant, you don't have a lot of control over what happens in your building overall. One thing you can control, however, is how well you protect your own belongings. Most items are replaceable, and your renter's insurance should cover the cost of doing so. You may need your important documents such as your insurance paperwork, birth certificates and your rental agreement before mitigation is complete, though. Store them in a waterproof container, and save electronic copies with secure cloud backup.

Communicate With Your Landlord

Restoration of your apartment is a joint effort. You are responsible for your belongings, but your landlord is going to be the one who is in touch with the owner and the technicians in charge of the building restoration. Make sure the office manager has a way to contact you so you can stay informed about the progress of the cleanup.

If your apartment floods during a storm, you'll quickly learn how important it is to be prepared. With a good renter's insurance policy and reliable backups of all your vital information, you can do your part to make restoration go smoothly.

What Is Secondary Damage?

3/29/2021 (Permalink)

Water from a flood can cause substantial damage.

Water from a flood or leak in a home can cause substantial damage to the structure and contents. The damage directly caused by the initial water event is called primary damage. However, water can also cause other types of damage, such as black mold. These are referred to as secondary damage.

What Secondary Damage Is

This damage is any damage done to your property as a result of a water event after that event has stopped occurring. For example, if your home floods and standing water remains in your home for several days after the flood, the damage caused by that standing water would be considered secondary. There are several common examples of secondary water damage:

• Mold growth
  
• Corrosion
  
• Electrical damage
  
• Material damage
  
• Wood rot
  

Mold Growth

Black mold and other types of fungus thrive in wet environments and areas with high humidity, such as homes with standing water from a flood event. Mold can begin growing in a flooded home in as little as 24 hours, which makes it particularly important to dry out your home as quickly as possible. Once mold has begun to spread, you may need the assistance of a mold remediation company in Washington, NC, to remove it.

Other Secondary Damage

Water that seeps into electrical sockets can cause severe damage to the electrical systems of your home. Metal pipes, vents and other fixtures may corrode when exposed to flood water for extended periods of time. Additionally, materials such as wood, drywall, flooring and structural components may crack, sag, buckle or rot. The longer standing water remains in the home, the more likely these problems are to occur.

Standing water and high levels of moisture in your home can lead to black mold and other issues that can further damage your property. Drying out your home quickly can reduce the amount of damage that occurs.

3 Reasons You Might Find Mold in Your House

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Mold thrives in places with excess moisture.

If you have black mold or other fungus growing in your house, you may be wondering why. The short answer is that mold tends to grow in environments that are most conducive to it. Identifying the conditions in your home that make it a good place for mold to thrive and eliminating them is the key to preventing future fungus problems.

3 Conditions That Make Mold Thrive

1. Excess Moisture

Mold grows best in damp conditions. This is why it is commonly found in places that normally have a lot of moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and crawl spaces. A moisture problem from a leaking pipe, roof leak, flood or storm damage can create ideal conditions for mold growth in your home. If you have mold, one of the first steps to take is to look for water damage and repair the issue that caused it.

2. Food Sources

In addition to water, black mold and other fungi need a food source to survive. Indoors, mold tends to feed off of organic materials such as the wood in your moldings, wallboards and ceiling and dust and dirt on surfaces. Because it is nearly impossible to eliminate all the food sources, it is usually more productive to focus on reducing moisture.

3. Lack of Sunlight

Direct sunlight can kill the mold; however, indoor lighting does not have the same effect. Despite that, mold still prefers to grow in dark places, so it is particularly important to avoid damp conditions in the parts of your home that are also dimly lit. A mold cleanup specialist in Washington, NC, can help you identify the areas of your home where mold is most likely to be a problem.

Black mold and other fungi grow in places where the conditions are most conducive. Because moisture is the element most under your control, eliminating excess moisture in your home is one of the best ways to combat mold.

How Fire Restoration Damage Is Estimated

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration estimate.

Whenever a business is damaged by fire, the process of fully restoring that business to preloss condition involves multiple steps. One of the first steps in that process is to estimate the cost of restoring the property.

Factors To Consider

The total cost of restoration depends on several factors. When assessing the cost of restoring property after fire damage, restoration professionals consider all of these factors:

• Temporary repairs
  
• Security
  
• Roof damage
  
• Water damage
  
• Smoke damage
  
• Debris removal
  
• Contents cleaning
  
• Fire Cleanup
  

Estimating Fire Damage Restoration Costs

Buildings that have been damaged by a commercial fire often need to be boarded up and protected from unauthorized entry and theft. Additionally, your estimate may include costs for removing odors and stains caused by smoke damage. In addition to the cost to restore the structures, amounts will be estimated for the cost to remove debris, clean and restore contents, clean up the property and move the undamaged property into storage during the restoration process.

Estimating Water Damage Restoration Costs

Temporary repairs to mitigate ongoing damage are particularly important for water damage claims. A restoration professional in Washington, NC, will include the cost to dry out your property, place tarps over openings in your roof, board up broken windows, clean and deodorize damaged contents, remove debris, and reconstruct your property. If there is evidence of mold damage caused by the water damage, your estimater may also include the cost of mold remediation services.

Whether your property has been damaged by fire, water or some other cause of loss, it is important to have a professional provide an estimate of the cost of restoration that includes all of your expenses, rather than just the cost to repair your buildings. Accurate cost estimation reduces overall restoration costs and speeds up the process of restoring your business to preloss condition. A restoration professional in Washington, NC, can work with your insurance company to assist you with this process.

4 Benefits of Hiring a Professional

3/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bath uses state of the art equipment to completely dry areas damaged by water.

Commercial or residential water damage can a very challenging and costly problem faced by property owners. From general plumbing issues to running toilets, there are many things that can cause flooding.  Even though it they could seem easy to clean and repair on your own, there are some benefits to hiring a profession restoration business to handle the repairs.

4 Benefits to Hiring a Restoration Professional

1. To Prevent Mold Spores from Spreading

A water damage restoration business is trained to properly clean areas where water moves, in between the walls, under your floorboards, and creeping into places that are not seen or may be hard to reach. These professionals can help you salvage areas that could have to be replaced if proper cleaning doesn’t take place. And, in locations where mold has developed, a professional can clean it properly to prevent the mold spores from spreading.

2. To Avoid More Damage

If someone is inexperienced with how to clean and restore areas where water damage has occurred, it is possible for someone to make a mistake and make the problem worse or allow it to escalate if it’s not handled correctly immediately. Professionals in this line of business are able to visit the business right after the mold damage has occurred to prevent further damage or problems from developing.

3. To Identify Signs of Moisture Which are Hidden

A professional will be able to use stage of the art moisture tools to identify hidden signs of moisture that are more often than not undetectable to home and property owners. They can also take more steps to prevent future water damage from occurring.

4. For Top-Notch Restoration Services

A water damage professional will be able to replace and restore flooring, insulation and dry wall for a finished product that looks wonderful using the highest quality materials available to them.

Encapsulation: Your Solution to Crawlspace Humidity

2/24/2021 (Permalink)

Crawlspace humidity is a common problem.

Is there a crawlspace under your home? Whether it's full of random storage items or left empty during the year, it's also part of your home that plays an important role in supporting the structure of your home. Sadly, crawlspace humidity is a common problem that exposes the foundation to mold and rot unless you take preventative measures.

Encapsulation

What Benefits To Expect

Encapsulation is an effective method of protecting the open area below your home. Crawlspace humidity creates an inviting environment for mold but sealing the space or installing a vapor barrier of polyethylene keeps moisture out. While many Washington, NC, homeowners still haven't heard of this protective step, there are several benefits:

• This airtight barrier is also resistant to insect infestations and other pest-related problems.
  
• Encapsulation may reduce the amount of energy by almost 20 percent.
  
• The sealed space improves your ability to maintain temperatures in your home, effectively reducing your utility bills.
  
• Your property value may increase.
  
• Combine this step with a dehumidifier and the right amount of ventilation to avoid expensive repairs related to moisture and mildew.
  

With the heavy-duty barrier in place, you can feel confident that your home is protected against expensive water damage.

How To Tell You Need Services

How do you know if your Washington, NC, home needs this type of protection? There are several signs that the empty space below your home is causing trouble:

• Musty smells from the empty space
  
• Floors that feel squishy underfoot
  
• Constant pest problems you can't control
  
• High utility costs in spite of home improvements
  
• Visible evidence of moisture around windows or on ductwork
  

As humidity builds up below your home, the effects are easily recognized. It's best to take action before you need to call in water damage repair experts.

When To Get Started

Crawlspace humidity is a significant cause of home damage. Adding a polyethylene barrier prevents damage to the foundation and the rest of the home. If you haven't considered this solution, now is the time to give it some thought.

Tips for Cleaning Dryer Lint

2/23/2021 (Permalink)

Cleaning the dryer lint on a frequent basis is the best way to prevent a lint fire.

Having a washer and dryer in your home is convenient, but improper maintenance can pose a unique fire threat. To prevent a lint fire in your home in Washington, NC, you need to keep the combustible material away from heating elements. The best way to do this is to clean the lint out of the dryer on a frequent basis.

When to Clean the Dryer Lint

After Each Use

Every time you use your dryer, lint builds up on the removable screen. To prevent fire damage, you need to remove the lint at the end of every dry cycle. There are several ways to do this:

• Gather lint by hand
  
• Brush lint off screen with cleaning brush
  
• Vacuum lint off screen with hose attachment
  

If you are already using the vacuum hose to remove lint from the screen, go ahead and vacuum the inside area where the screen belongs before replacing it. This removes any lint that fell away when you were pulling the screen out. It's also a good idea to wash the screen with warm water occasionally, especially if you use fabric softener, as it can build up and clog the spaces that allow air to flow through.

Every Six Months

Even if you are diligent to clean the screen after every use, a lint fire could still happen if too much builds up in the exhaust hose or the machine itself. Fire restoration specialists recommend that you clean your dryer thoroughly every six months. After unplugging the machine, detach the exhaust hose from the wall and vacuum it out. Then remove the back panel of the machine and vacuum the accumulated lint out of its interior. Not only does this help prevent a dryer fire, it also helps your machine perform better.

Clothes create lint as they dry, and it's important to keep it away from the heating elements in the dryer. Regular maintenance can help prevent a lint fire and keep your dryer running well.

Troubleshooting a Commercial Irrigation System

2/22/2021 (Permalink)

Inspect your commercial irrigation system routinely.

Outdoor irrigation system problems can cause flooding. If the problems are allowed to continue, that flooding can eventually reach your business. It can get bad enough to push water under and into your building, causing you to have to call a water damage repair company in Washington, NC. It is best to focus on troubleshooting your sprinkler system before it causes a major problem.

3 Ways to Troubleshoot a Commercial Irrigation System

1. Broken Sprinkler Heads

Broken sprinkler heads are a common problem with sprinklers. A broken head may:

• Not turn on
  
• Gush water
  
• Dribble water
  
• Spray erratically
  

If your sprinklers are doing any of these things, have them replaced as soon as you see any damage. A malfunctioning head can cause water to flood your grounds and building. A visual inspection of your system may be necessary to find this particular problem.

2. Low Water Pressure

Gauging just the right amount of water pressure may be difficult, but extremely low water pressure is indicative of a serious problem with your system. In some cases, reduced water pressure is caused by a leak between the mainline and the sprinkler heads. To find out if you have a leak, check for spongey ground between the site of low pressure and the main irrigation system valve.

3. Stem Leakage

Another major indicator of irrigation problems is leaking around the valve stems. Not only can this flood your business, but it can also be surprisingly hard to detect. Most valve stems start by dripping. This can go unnoticed for months if you don't inspect them regularly. Unfortunately, these leaks are often only discovered when they get bad enough to flood your business and cause damage.

Most irrigation system problems can be easy to diagnose by visual inspection. You should inspect your system routinely to make sure that it is not going to cause a flood. It is easier to find and fix the problem early instead of waiting until your property is flooded.

How To Respond to Roof Damage

1/27/2021 (Permalink)

Severe storms can lead to roof damage.

If your Washington, NC, home has suffered roof damage because of a severe storm, you may wonder what the next step is. Once you take steps to repair damage, how can you prevent further damage from happening? Before you prop a ladder against your home, it's best to contact roof repair and mitigation professionals to ensure you're on the right track.

Do you need mitigation services?

Mitigation steps are some of the most important you can take. This is because the goal of mitigation is to prevent existing damage from becoming worse as well as avoiding future damage if possible. How do you know if you need mitigation services?

• Shingles are missing
  
• Roofing materials are cracked
  
• There are holes in the roof
  

When you first notice damage, you can use tarps and boards to provide a temporary solution. However, climbing onto a wet or damaged roof can be dangerous. Be sure to think logically before putting your health at risk.

What can you expect during roof repair services?

When roof repair professionals arrive to address roof damage, they'll probably take a few steps right away:

• Conduct a thorough inspection of water and wind damage.
  
• Put up temporary tarps and boards to keep more water and debris out of your home.
  
• Conduct an inspection of damage from within your home.
  
• Prepare a plan for completing cleanup, restoration, and mitigation.
  

Although professionals may be ready to complete the bulk of the work, there may be tasks you can do as well. Technicians may provide suggestions for the work you can do as well as steps you can take to avoid damage in the future. Your insurance provider may be another good source of clean up and prevention advice.

A quick response is the best way to prevent further damage and to keep costs as low as possible. When your home has suffered from roof damage, act immediately to get mitigation and repairs moving.

Mold Coverage for Your Home

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

Mold damage

Your homeowners insurance is designed to protect you from having to pay out of pocket for sudden disasters that occur in your home in Washington, NC. The busted pipe and subsequent water damage from a few weeks ago may have been resolved, but the telltale odor and the positive mold test indicate that you haven't reached the end of that story yet. Does your policy cover the cleanup?

Residential Mold  Coverage

Typical Coverage

Most basic policies only cover the services of mold mitigation experts if the growth was the direct result of a covered peril. There are many examples of circumstances in which this can occur:

• Roof leak that causes growth before it can be fixed
  
• Sink that leaks into the cabinet below where mold can thrive
  
• Supply line rupture behind refrigerator that causes mold damage to the wall behind it
  
  

Some policies even have clauses that detail partial mold coverage. For example, they may pay for the cleanup services but not for the mold test or restoration. The policy you've chosen may cover mold but only up to a certain dollar amount. Your agent can clarify exactly what your policy covers if you discover a mold problem in your home.

Additional Coverage

Some homeowners find it prudent to purchase additional mold insurance. This is a particularly smart move if you live in a very humid area where mold issues are more prevalent. If you own an older home, it may have been built with materials that are naturally more prone to fungus growth. In this case, extra coverage or a mold endorsement may be worth considering. Getting this additional protection may cost several hundred dollars more a year, but if you end up needing to file a claim, it can save you a lot of money, too.

If a mold test reveals that you need remediation, your insurance policy may not cover the whole cost. It's important to know how well your current policy covers the repairs you need.

Difference between Blackwater and Greywater

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

Lear about the difference between black and greywater.

Every single day we use water, it is the most important thing for man and all living things to survive. Most water is collected as wastewater. Our daily activities and chores that involve using water, produce wastewater which is collected in tanks. Wastewater has two categories, blackwater and greywater. These two different kinds of wastewater must be kept in separate tanks because they each have different levels of contamination and are treated differently.

2 Different Categories of Wastewater

Blackwater

Blackwater is wastewater from toilets and bathrooms that include fecal matter and urine. Also known as sewage or brown water, it can carry disease causing bacteria that are harmful to anyone who encounters it. Blackwater can also be referred to as floodwater that generally comes from overflowing bodies of water as a result of heavy rain, hurricanes, tsunamis or typhoons that combine with sewage water that can be overloaded with bacteria. Recycled blackwater is only used as fertilizer, it must be processed and decomposed accurately to destroy the bacteria.

Greywater

Greywater is wastewater that comes from sinks, washing machines, and bathtubs. It doesn’t have as many contaminants as blackwater and is easier to treat. Recycled greywater can ne used for irrigation and in constructed wetlands. If the greywater is from the sink, food particles from it can help nourish plants. Recycled greywater is very useful when it comes to times of drought when water is scarce.

Never drink grey water or blackwater, if you have an issue with either one, you need to address it and fix it, right away. If greywater goes untreated, it can turn to black water within 48 to 72 hours.

How To Check Your Business After a Fire

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial Fire Damage

After a fire, but before fire restoration can begin, you will need to check your business and assess the damage. Getting a clear assessment is vital before you can begin to rebuild.

4 Steps to Check and Assess Your Business After a Fire

1. Check the Exterior and Interior

Checking the inside and outside of the building is an important first step. Fire can damage key support structures making it extremely dangerous to enter. After the fire department is finished, make sure you check for:

• Foundation and wall cracks
• Damaged power, gas and water lines
• Critters such as snakes, spiders and rodents
• Roof or foundation sag
• Damage to chimneys or stairs

If you see any of these things, call your fire insurance company immediately. They might be able to help.

2. Check Major Systems

You also need to make sure that major systems inside your business are working. The first thing you need to check is whether the power is on or can be turned on. If you are unsure or see sparks, call a qualified electrician.
Then you should check your plumbing. If there are no obvious leaks, you will still need to do a pressure test to make sure that nothing in the walls is leaking. Your pipes are can be damaged by both firefighters and fire restoration.
You should also check out major machinery for water damage and malfunctions. Make sure that you do this safely, as water from the fire department can cause major damage.

3. Begin Cleaning

This is a long and difficult process, and most often requires a professional. Although you can attempt to clean things yourself, many business insurance companies prefer that you hire a professional fire remediation company in your Washington, NC to handle the restoration.

4. Make a List

Keeping a running list can help you file your claim faster. Many people make the mistake of not making a complete list of inventory, equipment and damage. This not only will help you file your claim, but it can also help you make decisions on smoke cleaning and fire remediation.

Recovering after a fire may seem impossible, but it will go much more smoothly with the proper fire restoration procedure. Remember to consult with your insurance company and contact professionals when necessary.

Be Prepared for Freezing Temperatures & Frozen Precipitation

1/20/2021 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes can cause severe water damage

Although the weather has been warm, we still have a lot of cold weather ahead of us. Eastern North Carolina still has several months where the temperatures will most definitely go below freezing. Water is definitely a necessity, but frozen water can cause severe damage to homes and businesses. Water is unique in that it expands as it freezes, thus causing plastic and metal to break.

Common issues with pipes that are prone to freeze are:

• Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas such as crawl spaces, basements, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
• Pipes that run against exterior walls and have little or no insulation
• Pipes exposed to severe cold, such as outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.

Several Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes

• Try keeping your thermostat at the same temperature day and night.
• Consider setting your temperature at 55* if you are going to be away from your home during a cold snap.
• If you have supply lines in your garage, keep the doors closed.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around your plumbing if they are prone to freeze
• Let cold water drip from faucets which have exposed pipes.

We hope these tips will help you avoid frozen pipes. However, if you notice damage from frozen temperatures as things begin to thaw out – react quickly and call SERVPRO of Bath. Remember, frozen pipes can quickly cause a lot of damage to your property. If and when this happens, give us a call, we’re here 24/7 and can make it, "Like it never even happened."®

How to Spot Water Damage in your Home

1/20/2021 (Permalink)

Check your floors for water damage.

One thing most homeowners hate is water damage. If left untreated, water damage can impact your home's structure and even create other complications, such as mold that can cause health effects, to you and your young children.

4 Ways to Detect Water Damage

Here is a list of how to detect water damage in your home:

1. Check your floors. For tile and wood flooring check for cracked or warped flooring. For carpet be on the lookout for damp and soft spots, gradual rises, and the smell of mold.
2. Inspect the Outside. When checking the exterior of your home look for pools of standing water which indicate poor yard drainage. Leaky rain gutters or gutters that don't transport water far enough away from the house. Roof water damage usually consists of cracked, curled, or missing shingles and pools of water.
3. Mold. You can't solely depend on actually seeing mold to know you have it. Oftentimes, you can smell it as well. When water stagnates, mold and bacteria can grow, which produces an unpleasant, musty smell.
4. Look for Stains. Water stains on the ceiling, walls, or in your bathroom around the bathtub and sink are the most common signs of water damage. When paint starts peeling off the walls it could be a sign of loose water within your wall spaces. Also, areas in the wall and ceiling that seem swollen and soft to the touch are another sign of water trouble.

If you read this and realize you have any of the signs for water damage, SERVPRO of Bath can help. It's better to get the problem taken care of sooner than later, before damage potentially becomes worse.

3 Fire Cleanup Tips

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damaged property.

With proper cleaning, some property that has suffered smoke damage can be restored rather than replaced. These three fire cleanup tips can help you save some of your fire damaged property.

3 Tips For Fire Cleanup

1. Check the Labels on Your Clothing

Soot damage and odors can sometimes be removed from clothing by using products containing tri-sodium phosphate or bleach. However, these chemicals can damage some fabrics, so always read the labels on your clothing before using them. If the manufacturer's instructions indicate the clothing can be bleached, add four to six tablespoons of tri-sodium phosphate and one cup of bleach to every one gallon of warm water to be used for washing. As an alternative, you can add a tablespoon of pure vanilla extract to your regular laundry detergent.

2. Wash Your Walls To Remove Soot and Smoke

Mild soap or detergent or a mix of tri-sodium phosphate and bleach can be used to remove smoke damage from walls. Wear rubber gloves while working with these cleaners and clean one small area at a time. Start at the floor and work up to the ceiling to reduce streaking. Rinse surfaces with clear, warm water. Dry the walls thoroughly after smoke cleaning. Do not paint until the walls are completely dry. This technique can also be used to clean furniture and floors.

3. Replace Damaged Drywall and Insulation

Drywall and insulation that has become wet due to water used to put out a fire will not maintain structural integrity when dried out. You will need to have these materials removed and replaced to avoid potential mold problems. A fire mitigation team in Washington, NC, can assist you with drying out your property and removing any lingering odors, stains and other issues.

A fire in your home can leave behind smoke damage, soot and water. These tips can help you restore property that may otherwise need to be replaced.

Call SERVPRO for Emergency Service Any Time, Day or Night

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has 24 hour availability.

An emergency can happen at any time of the day or night. SERVPRO's more than 1,700 locally-owned franchises provide 24 hour service, seven days a week.

Why Speed Matters

A fast response is critical for minimizing ongoing damage in many emergencies. This is particularly true of water damage. Flooding and other water emergencies that are not mitigated promptly can create numerous problems:

• Spread of water throughout the property
  
• Absorption of water into furniture, walls, floors and other items
  
• Promotion of mold growth
  
  

Water Damage Progression

• Within the first few minutes of a water emergency, water can spread throughout your property. It will also begin to be absorbed into floors, walls, upholstery and contents. Books, photographs, and other paper items will begin to swell and warp. Furniture finishes may bleed, damaging carpets.
  
• In the first 24 hour period, furniture may swell and crack. Drywall will begin to swell and break down. A musty smell may develop. Metal surfaces may tarnish. Ink and dye from clothing and paper goods may cause stains.
  
• Two weeks to 48 hours after a water emergency, mold and mildew growth may become a problem. Metal items may rust and corrode. Paint will begin to blister. Doors, studs, wood flooring, furniture and windows may swell and warp. Biohazard contamination may occur.
  
• After the one week mark, structural safety and contaminants become a concern. The time and expense required to restore property may increase significantly. More property may need to be replaced, rather than restored.
  

SERVPRO Is Faster to Any Size Disaster

When you contact a SERVPRO franchise in Washington, NC, you will receive a response within one hour. A team can be on-site within four hours and provide a verbal briefing within eight hours.
The 24 hour availability of SERVPRO professionals makes it possible to rapidly mitigate your damages, saving you time and money on your restoration. SERVPRO franchises are always open and ready to assist you.

Dealing With the Aftermath of Water Damage

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage can lead to further damage

The worst nightmare for a commercial property or business owner is finding their establishment underwater, literally. Water damage can ruin inventory, cause structural damage, and results in plenty of safety issues; in other words, it’s a liability nightmare. There are at least four steps you might want to take immediately for those dealing with a current water crisis.

4 Steps To Deal With Water Damage

1. Shut Off Water Supply

If the damage stems from broken pipes, and it is safe to do so, you should shut off the main water supply to the area. If you do not know where to find the specific area's supply shutoff, consider shutting off the main to the building. However, beware of any active electricity. If outlets are beneath the water level, do not do anything. Call a professional.

2. Contact Insurance Provider

Water damage coverage depends on your specific insurer and the circumstances of the problem. Most insurance companies will cover sudden breaks, but you are likely on your own if the issues result from neglected maintenance issues. However, to know what you can expect, you will need to notify the insurance company of the damage.

3. Call a Restoration and Mitigation Service

Following your chat with the insurance company, you will probably want to contact a water cleanup specialist, like a restoration and mitigation service in Washington, NC. Your insurer may suggest a couple to talk to, but it is ultimately your decision who you choose for water cleanup.

4. Document Damages

Documenting any damage and loss is a crucial step in the recovery process. The insurance adjuster will need to know the extent of your claim, including a statement of loss. Water problems often do not limit damage to flooring, ceilings, and walls, so make a thorough and accurate inventory.

No property owner wants to experience water damage. Unfortunately, commercial properties often deal with their fair share of problems.

Always Have a Plan when the Storm Hits

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

Prepare your building before big storms hit.

When your business is in danger from a storm you can’t afford to risk your investment to water damage from a flooded building. Prepare your commercial property for an oncoming storm and minimize the damage as much as possible.

5 Steps to Prepare Your Commercial Property For Oncoming Storms 

1. Have a Plan

Your first priority should be to have a plan set for when a disaster hit. This plan needs to have clear steps to outline what to do in an emergency. The plan should include how to protect your building’s structure which may include boarding up windows or cutting back trees, how to safeguard your equipment by placing everything off the floor, and the first steps of how to recover by pumping out water and removing wet materials.

2. Protect Your Investment

Be ready to minimize damage with weatherproofing. This can include sandbagging the exterior of your building, installing weather stripping, moving your equipment and inventory to higher ground, and sealing any leaks. Minimize as much damage as possible by preventing stormwater from intruding on the building.

3. Make Backups

One of the most important things you can do is back up your business data. You always want to have a few different ways to back up your office information.

4. Know Your Evacuation Routes

When the storm comes, your first instinct may be to stay as long as possible to ensure your building is appropriately protected. Instead, you should be focusing on safety. Lost inventory, equipment, and data can be recovered.

5. Have your insurance information at hand and know the process to file your claim. 

Every insurance policy is unique.  Check to see if you have a flood policy. Even if you are not in a mandatory flood insurance area, consider getting the insurance since we do live in a flood prone area.  Do you have adequate content coverage?  Loss of business income coverage?  Work with your insurance professional, be sure you have all your bases covered well in advance of a storm.

Here at SERVPRO of Bath, we have cleaned up after many storms in our area.  We also are unlimited licensed builders with over 40 years experience to repair your building. You focus on safety, and we will take care of the rest. 

Common Causes of Workplace Fires

11/27/2020 (Permalink)

Prevent fire damage in your workplace.

Recently, we talked to you about common causes of household fires and how to prevent that. Given that in 2018 there was an estimated 111,000 fires in non-residential buildings, i.e. the workplace, we wanted to flip the scene around and talk to you about common causes of the work place fires. Below are some of the most common causes of workplace fires, and some tips on how to prevent them.

4 Common Causes of Workplace Fires

Electronics and Equipment

Damaged, faulty, or misused electronics and equipment are one of the most common causes of workplace fires. This can be avoided by conducting regular tests, maintenance, and check-ups on all building electronics. You’ll need to be on the lookout for loose cables, damaged electronics, and overheating appliances that occurred during improper or over usage.

Clutter and Combustibles

When was the last time your office space was thoroughly cleaned? A lack of consistent cleaning and proper removal of combustibles such as paper, wood, or cardboard can often lead to workplace fires.

Prevention begins with regular worksite inspections. Check all rooms and open ventilation to see if you have any blockages or buildup of combustible material. You can take it a step further by cleaning electronics and equipment of dust and other particles so their vents can run properly. 

Arson

While not the most common, Arson still carries a large percentile of fires that occur in the workplace. You can reduce the risk of this happening to your business by installing intelligent video fire detection systems as well as up to date security systems for your workplace, like motion-sensor lighting and CCTV. Good security measures will deter potential arsonists.

Human Error

Where there are people there will be human error. From improper use of equipment and failing to follow health and safety guidelines, to simply errors in judgment, there will be accidents on the job that lead to workplace fires. To combat this, have all employees take part in regular fire safety programs. Use the program to reinforce protective policies that the company already has in place.

On top of that, roughly 36% of fires (commercial and non-commercial) are caused by smokers’ materials. It’s important to have dedicated smoking areas on your property at least 10 meters from your building.

With these tools in place you’ll be able to greatly reduce the chances of workplace fire. However, if tragedy were to strike, know that SERVPRO of Bath is here to help you get back to business.

The 4 Main Causes of Commercial Water Damage

11/27/2020 (Permalink)

Broken pipes can lead to severe water damage.

When business owners visualize water damage, they often picture a massive storm wiping out power lines, flooding offices, and shutting down businesses for days at a time. It is true that commercial water damage is often the result of water that stems from weather events and storms such as floods. However, many entrepreneurs and commercial renters forget that storms and severe weather aren’t the only causes of water damage.  Here are some of the typical causes of water damage to commercial buildings:

4 Common Causes of Commercial Water Damage

1. Malfunctioning sprinkler systems

Some older office and retail buildings still have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems.  While such sprinklers can come in handy during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement.  This could easily damage inventory and business assets.

2. Damaged appliances and equipment

This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water.  If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency.

3. Broken pipes and plumbing

Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails, water damage could be the result.

4. Backed up sewer lines

This is another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, you could potentially have Black Water. The potential dangers of contaminated Blackwater are serious health risks and can ruin products and office furnishings.

What to do in the first 24 hours?

11/26/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bath is here to help in any disaster no matter how small.

A fire in your business in Washington, NC is devastating.  Even the smallest fires can destroy your favorite memories and belongings. 

When we receive the call we will respond quickly, and we can help you restore your belongings. 

The first 24 hours can make a major difference in restoring your home.  Below are some things we believe you should and should not do. 

Tips On What To Do and What To Avoid After a Fire

THINGS TO NOT DO:

1. Wash any walls or painted surfaces. 

2. Clean or wash carpets and furniture. 

3. Clean or wipe down any electrical equipment. 

4. Send your clothes to a dry cleaner.  We do not want your clothes to be clean improperly and have permeant smoke odor.

THINGS TO DO:

1. Place aluminum foil or wood between furniture legs and wet carpet.
2. Place a small layer of oil on chrome appliances or trim.  

3. Try your best to limit the amount of movement in the home. When you do this it will prevent soot particles from spreading even more.

4. Place old and clean linens on areas that are high traffic areas in the home. 
5. Do not disturb area where fire started to help determine cause of loss.
6. Leave the building to prevent smoke inhalation causing damage to your body.  

SERVPRO of Bath has many years experience cleaning up after a fire and getting your business back up and running as soon as possible, or back into your home.  Most cases require extensive remodeling of which we are unlimited licensed builders having building over 100 homes from ground up.

Why you want an IICRC Certified Restoration Company

11/26/2020 (Permalink)

IICRC

When water damages your commercial property in Washington, NC, you want professionals to restore your business who understand the effects of water on wet materials and its long term effects especially in our humid climate.  

SERVPRO of Bath works closely with insurance companies to get you back on your feet as fast as possible.

As business owners know, contacting a professional restoration company is usually the first step to restoring your building. With so many other restoration companies out there, be sure to look for one that is professionally certified.  SERVPRO invented the science of drying and requires their technicians to be IICRC certified, the industry standard.

It is important to know that hiring an IICRC-certified company will have advantages  Before is more information about being an IICRC company.

Advantages Of Hiring an IICRC-Certified Company

• What does IICRC stand for and what is it?

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a professional certification organization within the restoration, cleaning, and inspection industries.

• How does a company receive an IICRC certification?

To receive an IICRC certification, restoration companies have to follow specific criteria. Some of the criteria include:

1. Provide consumers with accurate data
2. Conduct business processes with integrity and honesty
3. Ensure that a trained technician is present for all work assignments
4. Ensure that a continuing education program is in place
5. Maintain policies for written complaints
6. Hold liability insurance

• Why it is important to choose an IICRC-Certified company?

There is a wide variety of forms water damage can take. Some of them include flooding, a burst pipe, and sewage backup. No matter the cause, water can leave a lot of damage to your building. In fact, standing water can lead to severe property damage as well as mold issues.

SERVPRO of Bath Handles the Entire Remediation Process

11/26/2020 (Permalink)

Don't let water damage ruin your home, call SERVPRO of Bath for your entire remediation process.

Water damage can come from many different sources, with varying intensities, danger levels, and reach of damage. Ultimately, many different objects, surfaces, and materials in a home can suffer water damage from the same event, and many homeowners question how a company such as SERVPRO of Bath handles a comprehensive water damage cleanup job. In this blog post, you'll learn about some of the techniques our technicians use to control and repair water damage in local residences.

The Water Damage Remediation Process

Identifying the Source and Water Type

Before any restoration, the water damage must be correctly defined by water type and we must find the source. Did it come from a storm, flood, or even a pipe burst? There are several different types of water which will affect the safety and cleanup protocols we use. The water categories are either clean, gray, or black. If necessary, our team of specialists will work to stop the water flow as efficiently as possible, to avert further damage to your home.

Surveying Damage and Mold

After we understand what type of damage we’re dealing with, our technicians will search the home to find any objects that have been affected and what needs to be done. We do this two different ways, visually and with moisture detection equipment. Additionally, we look for signs of mold growth, which often takes priority in a cleanup operation.

Furniture and Water Removal

The next step is to remove all furniture from affected areas, and then pump out any additional water. We use industrial-grade machinery to pump water from the interior to the exterior of the home, with either a portable or a truck-mounted pump.

Drying and Odor Treatments

At this point in the remediation process, we bring out additional heavy-duty machinery to begin drying and deodorizing the affected area(s).  We do this to make sure no more damage or mold growth occurs, and to remove any bad odors.  

Carpet Removal and Final Cleaning

In many cases, some or all of the carpeting in a room will need replacing. We make sure to evaluate carpeting carefully for moisture so we do not incur extra expenses. Sometimes, a cleaning may only be necessary, particularly when water damage is contained early on. After that is completed, we clean up and sanitize all of the walls and objects, and bring back any furniture that had to be taken out during this process.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive water damage cleanup company in Washington, NC, call SERVPRO of Bath today! Don’t wait! The earlier water damage is contained, the less damage that occurs.

4 Things That Cause Leaking Toilets

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

It's important to repair a leaking toilet to avoid further damage.

A leaking toilet can cause a lot of damage if you don't correct the issue early on. Just one leaky toilet can waste hundreds of gallons each year, increasing your water bill and causing a lot of damage to your home. Before you end up investing in expensive water restoration and cleanup work, take steps to determine the cause of the problem:

4 Steps to Determine The Cause of a Leaking Toilet

1. Faulty Flapper and/or Valve

If your toilet runs continuously after you flush it, the most likely problem is a flapper that isn't lifting or closing properly. When you flush, a chain connected to the toilet handle lifts up the flapper and then releases the flapper to close, prompting the refill cycle. If the flapper doesn't close securely, the toilet may continue to run until you fix it.

2. Toilet Fill Valve Problems

There are several things that can cause problems with the toilet fill valve. For example, debris may get into the valve, valves could get broken, and cheap valves often wear out quickly. A damaged or malfunctioning valve could cause the toilet to run or stop the toilet from flushing. It's important to understand that even if you don't hear the water running, you could still have a bathroom leak.

3. Worn or Damaged Wax Seal

At the base of the toilet, there's a wax seal that keeps water inside the plumbing system. When the ring ages, you may notice a small pool of water around the leaking toilet. Although you need to remove the toilet to complete this repair, it's a pretty straightforward process, and many homeowners tackle this repair on their own.

4. Expert Only Problems

There are some issues that you should leave to the professionals. Some examples of these problems include a broken tank flange or an improperly installed toilet. You certainly don't want to leave a repair only partially completed or improperly completed, especially when new leaks won't be visible because they're inside the toilet.

Reach out to plumbers and other professionals in Washington, NC, for more information about the most common toilet issues and the repairs that you can complete on your own. You'll be glad to keep your plumbing system running smoothly.

Features of Good Air Purifiers

11/19/2020 (Permalink)

Air purifiers can be effective in avoiding future problems.

There are many things you can do to prevent mold growth in your home in Washington, NC, such as controlling moisture and maintaining steady air flow. Another tactic you can try is using an air filtration system to remove some mold spores from the air before they have a chance to settle and multiply. Not all devices are the same, though, so it's vital to know the features you need to seek to find one that is effective against mold.

2 Features of Air Purifiers

HEPA Filter

The main job of an air purifier is to remove impurities from the space around it, leaving behind fresher, cleaner air. A HEPA filter is designed to remove very small particles:

• Dust
  
• Pollen
  
• Mold spores
  

To be classified a True HEPA filter according to Department of Energy standards, it must trap 99.97% of the particles that are 0.3 microns. When shopping for an air filtration device, don't settle for a HEPA-like filter. A HEPA filter may cost more, but its performance will likely make it worth the extra money.

Activated Carbon Filter

Another problem that often comes with mold is the musty odor. Once you have a growth in your home, it may take a while for the smell to dissipate even after mold mitigation specialists have finished the cleanup process. Even the best HEPA filter you can buy doesn't get rid of musty smells. The gases that cause the lingering stench in your home are too small for it to capture. A purifier with an activated carbon filter, however, traps odors from the area around it by absorbing the gases into the filter itself. If you want to remove not only the particles causing the odor but the gases they leave behind, you need a purifier with this feature.

When it comes to mold prevention, cleaning up existing growth is only half the battle. An air filtration system that lowers the concentration of spores in your home can be effective in avoiding future problems.

The Importance Of Keeping Doors Closed.

8/19/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know nearly 60% of people sleep with their door open at night? That simple decision could mean life or death in the occurrence of a house fire. A closed door can slow the spread of flames, decrease toxic smoke, enhance oxygen levels, and reduce temperatures. The average time to escape a house fire as gone from 17 minutes to 3 minutes, due to the increased use of synthetics in furniture and home construction, flammable materials and contemporary open floor plans.  

In addition to keeping your doors closed at night, it is important to keep your bedroom doors closed during the day while you’re away as well. If a fire starts in your home, the closed doors offer better protection to the personal items inside your bedroom. Also, it is important to get your children in the habit of closing their bedroom doors as well. Teach fire safety to your family and the importance of keeping doors closed.  

Mold Remediation Process explained.

8/7/2020 (Permalink)

1: Contact SERVPRO of Bath (252) 923-0213 

The mold cleanup and restoration process will begin when you call our office. Our office will ask a series of different questions to help us decide the right equipment, resources, and personnel best fit for you.  

2: Inspection  

SERVPRO of Bath will carefully inspect your residence or commercial business for visible signs of mold.  

3: Mold Containment 

SERVPRO professionals use diverse containment methods to prevent the spread of mold. They may use modern containment procedures such as, negative air chambers to separate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup operation. All fans and heating and cooling systems will need to be turned off to stop the spread of mold. 

4: Air Filtration 

Our unique filtration equipment allows our technicians to catch microscopic mold spores out of the air. We use powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process. 

5: Removing Mold  

The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Our techs use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to remove mold colonies and to help put a stop to new colonies from reestablishing. Removing and discarding of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, may be necessary to remediate hefty mold growth. 

6: Cleaning Contents  

SERVPRO will clean all your belongings that have been affected by mold. We use a variation of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your possessions. We are also trained to remove odors using fogging equipment. 

7: Restoration 

Depending on the level of mold damage, building materials may be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, for instance, replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a business or home.  

Tips for Mold Damage

8/7/2020 (Permalink)

48 hours. That’s how quickly mold can become a problem in your business or home when there’s an invasion of water, like a broken/leaky water line, or a roof leak. Mold can cause damage not only to your property but to your health as well. SERVPRO of Bath has the specialized equipment necessary and expert training to handle your mold problem. 

If you have a mold problem in your home or business, review the facts listed below: 

• Children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory problems are at greater risk with mold and health problems.  
• A strong, musty odor could possibly mean there is hidden mold under carpet or behind drywall.  
• Outstanding mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours. 

What you should do:  

• Contact SERVPRO of Bath for mold estimates and remediation services. 
• Stay away from mold affected areas. 
• Turn off all HVAC system and fans. 

Have a Mold Problem? 
Call SERVPRO of Bath- (252) 923-0213

Top Ten Things That Cause Home Fires

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

Kitchen Fires

Every home faces the potential for an assortment of risks with the most dangerous being a house fire. An accidental fire can occur from many items and can decimate a house in minutes if it is not handles properly and quickly. While proper insurance can help your financial loss, it is better to understand and try to prevent the situations that lead to house fires. Most homes have many combustible items.

This list is meant to help you not only identify potential issues but also lower the risk of having a house fire. Whether it’s a candle accidentally burning throughout the night, faulty cooking equipment or another scenario, homeowners should be aware of the most common causes of house fires and work to minimize and prevent accidents before they occur.

10. Your Grill

During the outdoor cooking season, grills left unattended on a wooden deck or next to the wall of a home can cause a fire. A heated grill next to a wooden fence can easily cause fire, and grills can also ignite the exterior walls of a home or garage if they are placed too close.

9.Christmas Trees

Christmas trees are everyone’s holiday favorite and a staple of the holiday season, but they come with risks. Especially when the trees begin to dry out.  A quick spark can set the whole tree on fire, so make sure to keep your tree’s water reservoir full and to unplug the tree when you are not at home.

8. Faulty Wiring in Your Home

These fires erupt from overheating. To reduce this risk, make sure systems are installed properly with protective features.

7. Kids Playing with Fire

Children are curious and sometimes get access to flammable objects which puts your property at risk. This includes matches, stove tops, candles and more. Make sure to keep lighters, candles, and matches away from the reach of small children.

6. Candles

The lighters and matches utilized to light candles are just as dangerous as the candle themselves. Fires can start from unsupervised candles and children getting a hold of them.

5. Electrical Equipment

These normally happen from short circuiting which causes sparks and ignites materials in your home. These are difficult to locate, because they are often hidden and a fire can begin burning before the homeowners know they have a problem

4. Careless Smoking

Cigarette butts are a large perpetrator for house fires. They can be left unattended or dropped.

3. Flammable liquids

Chemical fires occur from spontaneous combustion: a reaction of chemicals combining with oxygen producing enough heat to ignite. Be sure to store fuels and chemicals in proper containers that are protected from the heat.

2. Heating Equipment

When in the presence of fabrics, space heaters and baseboard heaters can create a household fire. It’s recommended to never leave the house with any type of space heater running.

1. Cooking Equipment

The most common of household fires come from cooking – this makes up almost half of all house fires. This can occur from grease and oil being overheated on the stove. For grease and oil to combust without needing direct flame contact, the open flames and ovens are left unattended and aren't attended until it is too late. Another source are portable cooking appliances such as toasters and electric griddles. These appliances must be cool to the touch before being stored away. Practice safety by making sure to clean pans to eliminate grease along with removing crumbs and scraps from toasters and electric griddles.

Contact SERVPRO of Bath if you need help after any type of household fire.

SERVPRO of Bath can handle commercial fires

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can help with the restoration after a commercial fire

When your commercial property has been severely compromised by fire damage, you need to rely on the expert assistance of a locally owned and operated restoration service. The damage caused by fire doesn't end when the flames are out. On the contrary, even after the fire has been extinguished, a host of other problems can develop.

When it comes to professionally controlling the commercial fire damage in your workplace, your best bet is to contact a restoration service that has experience in dealing with them, SERVPRO of Bath. While the fire itself may have caused considerable damage to your property, other things like debris, smoke, and mold growth, can threaten and try to keep your doors closed. When you call SERVPRO of Bath, we immediately begin the cleanup process to help you get your business back open.

A professional commercial fire damage restoration company like us offers an all-in-one solution. We will send a team of trainer and knowledgeable professionals to begin the immediate inspection of the property. Next, we will provide you with a comprehensive diagnosis of the problem along with an estimate for our services. You are under no obligation until you agree to have our team begin the restoration work to your property.

Once the initial assessment and inspection have been completed, SERVPRO Bath will conduct a cleanup and restoration program. We safely discard remaining debris, remediate any mold or bacterial growth, and clean any stains or blemishes the fire may have caused. We are also able to remove stubborn odors that could still be lingering by utilizing ozone machines and foggers.

When it comes to cleaning up after a commercial fire, our service is to focus on any efforts to restore rather than replace property. Restoration will speed up the process to get your business up and running again. This will minimize loss of profits that would be increased if you had to wait for a new property to be built. We also focus on restoration of damaged documents, stock, and furnishings to expedite your opening. "Like it never even happened."

When it comes to dealing with the effects of a commercial fire damage, we are your locally owned and operated restoration and cleanup authority. When fire damage threatens your property in we will be there to assist you. Call SERVPRO of Bath.

Even the smallest amount of water can lead to mold growth

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

A small leak in your Bath, NC home can lead to mold

You had a small water leak, no big deal, you cleaned it up yourself.  Everything looks dried out and the problem is solved.  But now, a little time later, you see mold.  If you see visible mold, your best move is to leave it alone and call professionals. When you disturb mold by trying to remove it, you can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. Mold spores are microscopic and when you try to clean them, the mold can release tiny spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home. Call the professionally trained technicians at SERVPRO of Bath, we’re here to help with your mold mitigation.

What should you do?

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO Bath for mold remediation service immediately, we’re IICRC professionals.

What should you Not to Do:

• Do not touch or disturb any mold you find.
• Do not blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Do not attempt to dry or mitigate the area yourself.
• Do not spray bleach or other disinfectants onto the mold.

About the Mold Remediation Services at SERVPRO of Bath

SERVPRO of Bath specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it is one of the cornerstones of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely. We are locally owned and operated.  Contact us for services when you first find mold in your home or business.

DIY after a fire is never a good idea, call the professionals at SERVPRO to help

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO of Bath help with your fire damage

Once your home Beaufort County, NC is affected by a fire, your main priority is getting your home cleaned and repaired. In many cases, this desire leads people to try and do the projects themselves. If this were your plan, you should reconsider. If the fire damage is of any significance, many concerns need to be addressed. Can you do all of things you need to do yourself?

Standing water left behind after fire extinguishing efforts of the local fire department have several important consequences. The resulting water damage can be furniture, electronics, clothing, drywall, ceilings, flooring, and more. Water removal must be done quickly. SERVPRO utilizes water pumps, wet-vacs, high-velocity fans and dehumidifiers to extract the water and moisture quickly, thereby mitigating the damage. Unfortunately, fire damage also comes with water damage.

The smoke damage that results from a fire can quite dangerous. Actually, the smoke left behind can become embedded in your furniture, flooring, carpets, and walls. If left unhandled, the smoke damage can remain in your property for years. Soot, another by-product of specific fires, needs special attention for proper clean up to avoid staining of walls and furniture. Effectively removing smoke requires the use of professional procedures and products that fire restoration specialists from SERVPRO of Bath have in their arsenal.

In many cases, homeowners who seek to complete the remediation process on their own will throw away items that can be saved. Instead, allow SERVPRO to assist you with this aspect of the restoration process. We will assess, inspect and inventory your property. These inventories affected household items and classifies them into non-salvageable, salvageable or questionable lists. Items can be containerized and cleaned at our facility by our IICRC-trained technicians.

If you attempt to complete the fire restoration process without professional assistance, the project will take a lot of time and probably lack positive results. However, hiring us to put your home back in a repaired, healthy condition enables you to feel confident of the restoration. Consider the effort, equipment, and training involved in successfully restoring your home to its pre-fire condition.

As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Bath is close by and ready to respond to your smoke or fire damage emergency in Washington, Bath and other surrounding areas. We are proud to be an active member of our community. Call us to help.

Leave mold remediation to the trained experts

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

Removal of mold should be left to the experts at SERVPRO of Bath

Mold is a type of fungus that is made up of micro-organisms that help decompose dead organic material such as plants, leaves, and wood. These collections resemble hair-like bodies and are too small to be seen individually with the naked eye. If they are thriving in your home or business, mold remediation is a must. As seen on the surface of an object, mold will appear to be black, blue or green.

Mold occurs naturally in both outdoor and indoor environments. Outdoors, it is one of nature’s ways of helping to break down dead organic matter. However, mold growth indoors can cause health effects so removal and clean-up of the mold is needed. SERVPRO of Bath recommends that you call us at the first hint of a possible mold infestation.

Indoors, mold can be found growing on any damp surface. A professional mold remediation service is the safe and most effective approach. The professionals from SERVPRO of Bath understand industry procedures and have the appropriate equipment and training to do the job. Moisture meters, hydrometers, "air scrubbers," HEPA vacuums, and antifungal and antimicrobial products are all utilized by our team of professionals.

SERVPRO technicians are trained to know where to search for harmful, hidden molds and complete the mold remediation protocols. We can also advise you how best to protect your home in Beaufort County.

Locally Owned with National Resources Available to us

We live and work in Bath and the surrounding areas, we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Bath is close by and ready to respond to your mold damage emergency. Call us today.

Eliminating moisture in your commercial property can prevent the development of mold

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bath uses technologically advanced equipment to dry and prevent damage to your property

If you own commercial property in and around Washington and Bath, NC and it’s exposed to water damage, you need to get rid of the moisture quickly. Water damage can cause the development and spread of molds which were started by mold spores. The spores can occur naturally but they key is to not let standing water cultivate their growth. When you contract a water restoration company like SERVPRO of Bath, we’ll can make sure you won't have to contend with the aftereffects of water damage, such as mold.

When you call our Bath office, you’ll talk to our trained professionals and they will arrive at your place of business quickly. Before beginning water removal, our technicians will identify the source of the water damage, assess your needs and put together a plan of action. We’ll start with powerful pumps and wet vacs to remove large quantities of water to help prevent any possible secondary water damage that could occur. Our water remediation specialists will use sanitizer to disinfect your property which is the key to preventing bacteria and mold from growing and spreading. After we removed any damaged flooring, insulation and/or drywall, the dehumidifiers and air-movers will be set up around your place of business to dry affected areas.

Water damage can be difficult to deal with but having the right professionals on your side who can take the right course of action will alleviate your stress and preserve your property’s structural integrity. It's important to call in a team of restoration professionals who handle remediation and restoration processes quickly and with skill. This ensures your result of water damage will be reduced. The team you can trust is SERVPRO of Bath. Our goal is to restore your property and structure to its preloss condition in the most efficient time

As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Bath is strategically located in eastern North Carolina to respond quickly to water damage quickly. Call us today.

After water damage from a storm, it’s time to dry out!

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

When you think of water damage, you think about the aftermath of a heavy rain storm or a severe storm such as a hurricane. Water damage from a failed plumbing issue occurs often, however water damage from a heavy rain or storm is typically more severe. Storm damage to even the most moderately sized home can run into thousands of dollars of damage. Furniture, carpets, and other high-end household items in your home only add to the cost of the damage when they are affected. 

When SERVPRO of Bath receives a call to a property with water damage from a storm, our professionally trained technicians are ready to quickly respond quickly and remove water from the home as quickly as possible. Immediately beginning the drying process of both personal and structural property is key. One of the pieces of drying equipment our team begins with is the set-up of dehumidifiers. They actually draw water from the air and other property such as curtains and upholstered furniture. Removing the moisture and lowering the humidity levels in your home will create a drier environment which will allow evaporation to happen quicker and this will help save building materials like drywall and moldings.

As the dehumidifiers do their job, SERVPRO of Bath technicians will begin using extraction devices to dry carpets. For most carpets, that means using extraction wands to effectively remove water from both the carpets and the pads. For thicker carpets, we will also use a riding extractor. This is a large device and  someone typically rides on top and uses their weight to press down on the wet carpeting which allows the machine to remove more water. Most carpet pads are cheap and we usually advise replacing the padding rather than attempting to dry them, whether we replace the carpeting or not.

SERVPRO of Bath takes these types of actions first, to reduce and eliminate the effects of water damage in your home. If you need us to help return your home to a safe, dry condition, give us a call today.

How to Prevent a Fire from Space Heaters

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

A sure sign of possible fire hazards is when temperatures drop and the days get shorter. While we’re all tempted to use electric blankets and space heaters to stay toasty and warm – however it’s important to remember to use caution when you use these - specifically don’t plug them into extension cords, even multiple extension cords. Space heaters generate a lot of energy and their heating elements can reach up to 600 degrees, which is why they should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. When hooked up to an extension cord the outlet can overheat and potentially catch fire.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires are associated with the use of space heaters, causing 300 deaths every year

When buying and installing a small space heater, follow these guidelines:

• Purchase newer model space heaters which will have all of the current safety features. Make sure the heater carries the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) label.
• Choose a heater that is controlled by a thermostat because they avoid the energy waste of overheating a room.
• Pick a proper size heater for the size of the room you are trying to heat. Most space heaters come with a general sizing table.
• Put the space heater on a level surface away from heavy foot traffic, and be especially careful to keep children and pets away from the heater at all times.
• And finally, plug directly into the wall outlet

As always during this time of need, make SERVPRO of Bath your first call if you need help and call your  local insurance agent to assess any damages. We will work for you to restore your property and your life to make it "Like it never even happened."

Things that can cause a commercial fire

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

Every business faces the potential for an assortment of risks with the most dangerous of them being a business fire. An accidental fire can occur from many items and can easily decimate a business in minutes if it is not properly and quickly handled.

While proper insurance can help mitigate financial loss, it’s better to understand and work to prevent these situations that lead to commercial fires of any kind. Most businesses have many combustible items.

This list is meant to help business owners not only identify potential issues but also lower the risk of someone having a fire. Whether it’s a faulty equipment or any other scenario, business owners should be aware of these common causes of fires and work to minimize and prevent accidents before they occur.

Inadequate Wiring in The Business

These fires erupt from overheating.  To minimize this from occurring, make sure systems are installed properly with protective features.

Electrical Equipment

These fires normally erupt from short circuiting which, causes sparking to ignite materials in the business. These are difficult to locate, because they can be hidden in locations and a fire can build before anyone knows about the situation.

Flammable liquids

Chemical fires occur from spontaneous combustion: this is a reaction of chemicals combining with oxygen to produce enough heat to ignite. Be sure to store fuels and other chemicals in proper containers that are protected from heat.

Heating Equipment

When in the presence of fabrics or other combustibles, personal space heaters and baseboard heaters can create a commercial fire. It is recommended to never leave with a space heater running.

Contact SERVPRO of Bath if you have any questions of if we can help you after a commercial fire.

Hurricane Preparedness 2020

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

Every household should have an emergency plan in place to make sure they are ready when disaster strikes. Although they don’t happen every day, you need to be prepared when they do.

The best way to be ready for a disaster is to make an emergency preparedness kit. This kit is full of essential items that you would need to survive for a minimum of 72 hours if disaster strikes. Some items you need to consider adding to your emergency kit include the following:

Water: Water is the key to survival! You will want to have 1 gallon of water per person, per day for at least 3 days.

Food: Along with water, in order to survive you need food. When packing food be sure to pack non-perishable items in your kit, such as canned foods. You should have at least enough food for 3 days, but more is always better.

Can opener: As noted above, canned food is non-perishable – so packing a can opener may not be as random as it seems.

Flashlight & Batteries: When the powers goes out, you don’ have lights. Having a flashlight and extra batteries will help brighten up the dark nights.

Battery Powered or Hand Crank Radio: Having one of these on hand will help keep you informed and updated during a storm or disaster situation.

A First-Aid Kit : Having one of these will help you be prepared if someone gets injured. Common items such as band aids, Neosporin, and gauze could really come in handy.

Matches or a lighter: Packing matches or a lighter along with an emergency slow-burning candles can be a good alternative to a flashlight. Having a candle gives you an additional light source during a storm.

Whistle: This is meant to be a signal for help; three blasts from a whistle is an international distress signal. The best place to keep this is on your keychain or taped under a table in your home for quick easy access.

Cell Phone with Chargers and a Backup Battery: In today’s age of technology, we rely heavily on our cell phones to communicate with friends or our family. Having a backup battery reassures you that even if the power goes out, you can still use your phone to communicate.

All of these items are essential to your survival during a storm or disaster. Every household should have an emergency preparedness kit ready before we ever have to worry about a storm. Make sure these items are placed in an easy-to-carry container and are labeled. Place your kit in a convenient location, one that is easy to reach when you need it.

In addition to these items, it’s also important to think about where you live and what other items you may need, such as medications, infant formula, diapers, wipes, bottles, and pet food/water.

Don’t forget, it’s never too soon to buy emergency supplies and prepare for a disaster. Natural disasters can happen at any time and affect people all around the world. You should prepare your home just like you are preparing your emergency kit. At SERVPRO of Bath, we have over 40 years of experience repairing damage if you need us. When disaster strikes, your focus should be on safety. We’ll take care of the rest.

Why Do You Need Renters Insurance?

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

As we move into storm season, there are several reasons to consider a policy today.

It’s a fact that over 90% of homeowners have an insurance policy on their home however, believe it or not, less than 40% of renters have renters insurance. When a landlord owns the building or home you are living in, the home owner will most likely ONLY have insurance for the structure but not what is inside. Unfortunately, your landlord’s property insurance will not help you if a disaster were to strike.

During storm season it is particularly important for you to talk to your landlord and find out what type of insurance they have on the property and what that covers. If their insurance does not include coverage for your belongings, you may need to speak with an insurance agent.

Here are a few reasons you should have your own renters insurance:

• If you have personal belonging that have been damaged or stolen, a basic renters insurance plan will reimburse you for those items.
• Damage caused by a fire or flood will be covered by a renter’s policy.
• If the home or apartment you are living in is severely damaged, and is not livable, an insurance plan will pay or help you pay for other living arrangements.

You may not be a homeowner, but renters insurance provides you with many of the same protections that may be beneficial in the event of an emergency such as a fire or storm damage from a tropical storm, hurricane or associated flood waters. You should talk to your insurance agent, there are plans available that can sometimes be as low are $12 a month.  

If the home or apartment you live in is damaged due to a storm or fire, the professionals at SERVPRO of Bath will work with your insurance company so you can get the relief you need. We hope you never need us, but if you do we can be reached at 252.923.0213.

SERVPRO of Bath Provides Storage and Pack-Outs After A Fire

6/5/2020 (Permalink)

Most property owners can agree that a fire can be one of the most harmful things that can happen to your home or business. The damage caused by a commercial fire could force a business to close permanently. And, sites that have storage units which are often outside of the main building, the chances of an accidental fire are greatly increased, specifically because a fire starting in a structure like this could go unnoticed longer, causing greater damage.

Businesses like these are prime candidates for commercial restoration needs after a fire causes damage to your property. Along with expert technicians, a restoration company can also offer temporary storage for your business's content while the building restoration is underway. SERVPRO of Bath has an excellent reputation in our community for fire and smoke damage restoration, from a quality standpoint, but also for being on time and on budget. If you need us, you can call us 24/7 for emergency services for both your business or home.

Pack out procedures can often be complicated, but SERVPRO of Bath provides reassurance to commercial business owners. We record the condition of your property and enter it into inventory. We create inventories and then we wrap and prepare each item for removal. SERVPRO’s specialty is restoration, but we’re also experts at organizing so we can move your contents to one of our climate-controlled storage areas. Commercial business owners can benefit from this because they only have to deal with one company, and one point of contact during a time that is already very stressful and challenging is helpful.

Once the removal of contents is complete, our trained and experienced team of technicians will begin work on the structure of your property. If your business requires a temporary closure, we can deodorize and clean your indoor air by using Ozone generators. These generators release unstable O3 particles into the air and those particles break down the odor-causing particles. By using these machines, we can eliminate odors from your property which will allow your staff to return to work quickly and under normal conditions.

Using a professional restoration company like SERVPRO of Bath can help your business and employees return to work sooner rather than later. Contact us today at 252-943-0213!

Commercial Fire Damage? Call SERVPRO!

6/5/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the experience and equipment to restore a fire damaged business quickly. Call us today!

There are different cleaning methods that can help restore commercial fire damage. When a business is affected by a fire, there are losses that go beyond the items damaged by the flames. Extended closure of your place of business leads to loss of revenue and could possibly lead to lost customers. The main aspect of restoring commercial fire damage is cleaning. And choosing the right company to help complete the cleaning process faster will help you save time, money, and more property. As a trained professional in the fire restoration industry, SERVPRO of Bath utilizes many cleaning techniques, which include:

• Abrasive Cleaning
• Immersion Cleaning
• Foam Cleaning
• Spray and Wipe
• Dry Cleaning

Cleaning a commercial fire could require more than one of the methods noted above. It could also require us to start with one type of approach and then progress to another, so it helps for both the professional and the business owner to keep an open mind. An example of this is when a fire leaves fine dry residue, it is smart to start with a dry-cleaning method before moving toward a wet cleaning method. Our trained technicians can use feather dusters, dry cleaning sponges, and dusting cloths to remove light dry debris.

Smoke and soot residue adhere to surfaces such as ceilings and walls, and these require extra effort to remove. Wet cleaning can provide better results compared to dry cleaning specifically because the saturation process helps loosen soils. Our team of technicians can use plain water during wet cleaning, but for even better results, they can also add cleaning agents to help break down soils. By using this approach, we can possibly eliminate the need to repaint the walls and ceiling of your business.

There may be a need to clean surfaces without saturating them. If there’s soot on an upholstered chair or couch, wetting the entire item will lengthen the cleaning process and could cause complications like  shrinking or runny dyes. Our technicians try to avoid such complications by using the “spray and wipe” approach. This approach will regulate the amount of cleaning devices used. We can also utilize foam cleaning, which applies minimal cleaning solution to items.

A balanced cleaning approach is best for your business if it has suffered from fire damage. Call SERVPRO of Bath, we would be happy to help with your fire damage restoration process.

Did you know that SERVPRO makes most of their own cleaning products and antimicrobial?

6/5/2020 (Permalink)

Most people do not, so let us tell you about it. 

SERVPRO's EPA registered antimicrobial is a great product! SERVPROXIDE™ is as safe and effective as it gets for an antimicrobial out there.

SERVPROXIDE™ is an EPA registered, stabilized chlorine dioxide-based antimicrobial that carries the EPA’s lowest toxicity rating and it doesn’t require you to wear PPE (personal protective equipment.) Plus, it is safe for everyday and general-purpose use. It is designed to kill harmful mold, mildew, and bacteria on hard surfaces, and it also keeps mold, mildew, and bacteria from growing back for up to four weeks. SERVPROXIDE™ is fragrance-free with a mild odor that quickly disperses.

SERVPROXIDE™ is also an excellent deodorizer once an odor is removed. And, since it is an oxidizer, it does not mask odors such as tobacco and fire smoke, pet and musty odors, and even stale cooking odors just to name a few, it removes them.

This antimicrobial product can also be used to deodorize your internal HVAC system, and it can also be applied by wet fogging or dispersed through a ULV type mister for deodorization and application purposes.

It can also be used in electrostatic sprayers for a full and even application and is also NSF listed (no rinse required food contact surfaces), so it is clean to use.

For the best antimicrobial products around, applied by a team of trained technicians you can trust, call SERVPRO of Bath today!

SERVPRO of Bath: We are Cleaning Experts

6/5/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bath is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus (COVID-19), we’d like to reminder our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we are IICRC certified and adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

We have specialized training and we are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention if it has been exposed to the coronavirus. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go above and beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as tabletops, countertops, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include, but are not limited to:

• 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

We use 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 SERVPRO of Bath today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today at 252-923-0213!

Get the Scoop on Water Damage Remediation Before It’s Too Late!

4/24/2020 (Permalink)

Many homeowners recognize the role dehumidifiers play in drying out homes or businesses damaged by storms, but there are few who really appreciate why dehumidification devices are necessary in water loss recovery. Our trained SERVPRO team can implement containment barriers isolating damp areas of your home to create a space where we can monitor airflow, drying, and structural integrity of the affected areas of your home.

We have machines of different size and types therefore it makes sense that there are different ways that those machines can help in removing water damage. Depending on the type of moisture present, our technicians can decide which equipment would be best used and necessary for each project.

Containment

Containment is key to helping moisture removal practices be more productive and it can also intensify the production of running dehumidifiers. In an enclosed space, units are recirculating the same air, which allows it to dry quicker than if we were to use open-air.

Evaporation

Air movers are used by our team to vaporize moisture in materials throughout a home, this vapor suspends as cool air just above the surface of the wall or flooring. These cooler temperatures can slow the drying and restoration process, which makes the abilities of dehumidifiers valuable.

Drying Balance

Establishing the correct balance of air movers and dehumidifiers is just one of the many things the SERVPRO of Bath team faces with water mitigation projects. If there’s too much evaporation, the dehumidifiers can’t keep up. This is also true about the position and placement of the two to help maintain a balanced drying system. At no point should the amount of moisture drop below the moist air created through evaporation.

No matter how severe the water damage to your home or business is after a storm, we can help. We have dehumidifiers in many sizes and strength to tackle the hardest jobs. Give us a call today at 252-923-0213 if we can help.

How to Clean Fire Damaged Fabrics

2/21/2020 (Permalink)

Cleaning Fabrics After a Fire Often Requires the Professionals at SERVPRO Bath

Fire creates smoke, and smoke can spread throughout an entire building or home. Because smoke rises with the heat and attaches to cooler surfaces, this can cause extensive damage to your property. Soot and soil residue are left behind from gases as the fire burns and touch surfaces throughout your home. Every room in your home and business can be affected because smoke travels. Many fire damage restoration projects in and around the Bath area often require a lot of soot removal and cleaning during the process. Different types of fires emit different kinds of smoke, based on the way it burns. SERVPRO Bath technicians employ a wide variety of cleaning techniques to clean different surfaces inside different spaces. 

When technicians first arrive, their top priority is to test and clean your materials and belongings that were affected. To do this and begin the restoration process, the SERVPRO Bath team determines what can be salvaged and what soot removal process will be work best for each item.

Often times, items inside the home, like carpets and furniture are affected by soil and soot residues. Our trained team has the experience to know what types of methods to use when cleaning residues from fabrics based on the types of soot present. For example, because heat rises, many times carpet can be restored through a cleaning process. However, in some cases carpet collects the fallout of burnt smoke particles.

To clean carpets, SERVPRO technicians start by dry vacuuming the entire affected area. Our vacuums are equipped with high-efficiency filters that can be useful when removing light soot residues from fabrics. However, when soot residues are soaked deeper into carpets, we clean them with detergents and deodorizers.

If any of your upholstered items, such as furniture and draperies, get damaged, we can often remove the residue with dry cleaning methods. If the soot is only on the surface, vacuuming or dry sponges are usually able to get soils from upholstered furniture. In some cases, soot residues can cause furniture to stain. If this occurs, we can clean them with a one percent chlorine bleach cleaning solution to remove any stains.

If you have soot or soil residue following a fire, call SERVPRO of Bath at 252-923-0213.

How to Protect Your Home in Bath, NC from Breached Pipes

2/20/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bath would like to offer homeowners what we think are some helpful household tips.

Did you know, that according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), an average cost associated with a breach in your pipes can be up $5,000, and even more if there are water damage expenses? Did you also know that pipe insulation, which you can easily install yourself around exposed piping, costs as little as fifty cents per linear foot?

Here are some places in your home that we suggest you inspect for possible water:

• All your pipes along your exterior walls.
• Under sinks – kitchen and bathroom,
• Your attic, and
• The creepy crawl spaces under the house.

Here are some simple signs of breached pipe you should be searching for:

• Wet spots under sinks, counters and cabinets,
• Slow drains,
• Clogs throughout your home,
• Wet spots in yard, and
• Sewer odors coming from your yard.

In case of an emergency, every homeowner should know where their home’s main water shut off valve is located. This shut off is usually located outside the house, but if you can’t locate it, ask someone who might be able to help you.

If you do experience any water damage due to a pipe burst call SERVPRO of Bath immediately. The safest way to prevent extended water damage is to call in our team so our professionals get begin the restoration process.

It's The Water You Don't See that Causes the Most Damage

2/14/2020 (Permalink)

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

The key to preventing expensive future restoration costs is to handle every water problem immediately and as a real threat to your property. And, using the proper equipment makes a huge difference in reducing the expenses caused during a water damage loss. When time matters most, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform as it should.

Here are a few tools used by the trained professional at SERVPRO of Bath to properly mitigate a loss;

• Moisture Sensors – these are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.
• Moisture Meters – these are used to determine the moisture content of various materials. The meter provides readings to accurately monitor the drying process.
• Thermo Hygrometers – this measures temperature and relative humidity which calculates and creates an environment that is most conducive to drying. When handling a contaminated loss, you need to not only dry the structure, but disinfect and deodorize it.
• Ultra-Low-Volume (ULV) Foggers are used to atomize liquid deodorizing agents. These produce a fine mist that easily penetrates the site where odor-causing residues can accumulate. It can also be used to inject disinfectants and fungicides into walls and other hard-to-reach areas.
• Thermal Foggers – they dispense solvent-based products and create a dense fog consisting of tiny particles of a deodorant solution that will attach to and neutralize odor causing particles.

So, the bottom line is this,  ALWAYS treat water damage seriously. Call in a professional team like SERVPRO of Bath. We will work for you to restore your property and so you can move on with life.

Type of Water Damage and Classifications That Can Happen to your Property

2/14/2020 (Permalink)

In this blog, we will be explaining some of the basics of water damage and how they can affect your home and your health. Water damage is the leading offender when it comes to property damage and water restoration needs.

Believe it or not, this actually surprises most people, because when they hear water damage they usually imagine a flood from a nearby river, storm surge from the ocean, or a natural disaster. And, while events as such as those do occur, there are more common ways for water damage to affect your home, and these include:

• Toilet overflows
• Appliance leaks from your refrigerator, washing machine, ice machine, etc.
• Baths, shower and sink overflows or left running without attendance
• Broken/leaky water pipes behind the walls and ceilings
• Drainage issues around the property
• Roof leaks and compromised exterior
• Damage from rain, wind and storms

As you can see, water damage can originate from either external or internal sources and once it gets into your home it is important to know what kind of water you are dealing with. What do we mean by, what kind of water?

At SERVPRO, we recognize water in THREE different categories:

CATEGORY 1 –  We also refer to this as “Clean Water,” means the water originated from a sanitary source and generally will not pose a risk to our health.

CATEGORY 2  – We also refer to this as “Grey Water,” means the water contains some contamination and is not sanitary enough for human consumption and that poses a health risk if ingested.

CATEGORY 3 – Also referred to us in the industry as “Black Water,” is the type of water that is completely contaminated and could contain disease-causing organisms, and other harmful materials.

Now you know the three categories of water and how it can enter into your home. Each are different categories of water damage, and each comes with their own do's and don'ts on how to handle them. Restoration professionals like SERVPRO Bath have advanced training and expertise, and a large amount of hands-on experience to handle any water damage emergency.

So if you need help, call us today!

Strategic Placement of Air Movers to Dry Flood Damage throughout your home.

2/9/2020 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO help limit the losses in your home after a flood damage.

Large residences can suffer without explanation from flooding situations. As weather alerts reach their peak, this period of winter poses a threat of flash flooding. Flash floods can travel up to nine feet per second, picking up gravel, rocks and mud. The sheer force of rushing water can break through windows and doors, quickly flooding lower levels of homes leaving homeowners powerless. You may not be able to stop floodwaters, but you can limit the losses caused by them by bringing in professionals.

Emergency services for flood damage are available the Washington and Bath areas all year round. The emergency aspect of water restoration depends on removing water quickly so as to mitigate losses. The role of a restorer does not stop at removing standing water. Wet property is just as likely to suffer damages as flooded properties. SERVPRO’s qualified technicians ensure the drying procedure is as effective at mitigating losses as the removal procedure is at stopping immediate concerns.

When floors are wet, it raises the humidity levels as the moisture evaporates. As water evaporates, it can create a boundary layer of air that inhibits further evaporation. To combat this, SERVPRO of Bath technicians use air movers to keep air circulating and replace humid boundary layers with dryer sheets. This plays a significant role in the length of time it takes to restore your property to preloss condition.

SERVPRO technicians may use as many as twenty air-movers to promote constant airflow. Air movers use centrifugal motion to move large volumes of air and use a daisy chain fitting to ensure multiple units can be set up in a room with just one power cord. This type of placement of air movers ensures that it’s possible to circulate air from one or two open points of outdoor air. If security is a concern, air movers are positioned in a closed-circuit system which uses dehumidifiers to provide dry air.

Drying flooded property can reduce claims and secondary losses. Contact SERVPRO of Bath if you’ve suffered flood damage today.

Winter Storm Help - Be Prepared

2/9/2020 (Permalink)

Winter weather in North Carolina can be very unpredictable. Although snow has not been in the forecast yet this year, it can prove to be beneficial to make sure your home, car and any other surrounding areas are ready for any impending storm. Here are a few helpful tips for homeowners;

Salt the pavement around your house: although the city is pretty good with clearing the roads around your home, the sidewalks and pathways are left up to you to clear them. To make things easier on a homeowner, once you know that a storm is headed your way, you can spread salt on your driveway and walkway. If you place salt down prior to a snowstorm, you can reduce the ice that forms underneath any piles of snow.

Keep a steady drip in your pipes.  With snow comes freezing temperatures and this leaves your pipes vulnerable. And, if they freeze, they can definitely burst. If you have a subtle but steady drip of warm water running through the pipes, it will help keep your pipes from freezing during these conditions.

Don’t forget to create a winter ready emergency kit. If you have a storm, you never know the strength of it so you need to make sure you keep you and your family safe. You can do this by creating and keeping a winter ready emergency kit on hand. Just a couple things to keep in the kit are bottled water, batteries, a functioning radio, different types and layers of clothing, blankets and nonperishable food items.

SERVPRO of Bath has a 24/7 emergency response team that is well-versed to handle all storm damage in Beaufort County. We’re here for your emergency for both residential and commercial properties in the area.

Storm Damage or Flood Damage, which do you have?

1/31/2020 (Permalink)

Over the last couple years eastern North Carolina has experience both, but how do you know which applies to your property?

The greatest distinction between flood and storm damage is that flood waters generally over spills a natural body or water and covers at least two acres of land that would typically be dry land and storm waters come from above.

In order for water damage to be considered flood damage, it must cover two acres but also has affect at least two properties. Flooding occurs when water overflows a body of water such as:

• Creeks or Rivers
• Dams
• Storm-water channels
• Ponds and Lakes

Damage caused by either flooding or storms can cause severe problems for home and property owners. You should try to plan for, prevent and handle these as soon as they occur. Damage to your property due to storm damage typically originates from causes such as:

• Heavy rain
• High winds
• Hurricanes
• Heavy snow and blizzards
• Tornadoes

Most insurance policies do provide protection from storm damage. However, you will need additional insurance to cover the expenses of flood damage. If own property located in a flood plain, you need to make sure you carry the necessary insurance policy to ensure you have protected your investment.

Remember this, regardless of the source of moisture, the risk of mold damage and any secondary damage caused within your home, that comes from not taking action quickly, can be just as severe.

SERVPRO of Bath is here to help. Give us a call 24/7 at 252-537-3473

Let a Disaster Remediation Company Improve the Mitigation Process

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

When customers have flood, fire or storm damage their personal or commercial property in eastern North Carolina, they often turn to us as a knowledgeable and reliable restoration company. They know we’re always here when they need us. Our service team is available 24/7 because we know that is important when managing the restoration process and saving your personal or business items.

Here are three ways a professional disaster remediation company can improve the mitigation procedure with a quick response.

1. Timing Is Essential to Minimal Damage and Loss

When the initial call is made, the disaster team must be able to move quickly because decisions about the scene, water removal, and area restoration often require quick and comprehensive decisions. You will want a restoration service that responds to your call as soon as possible. You don’t want to try and handle the job on your own and make matters worse. By calling a restoration company that offers immediate on-site response with certified technicians, you’ll know you’ll receive up-to-date reports on the status of the job soon after the process begins.

2. Quick Mitigation is Imperative

A quick response is important, but so is mitigating the standing water at disaster scene. Experienced restoration and remediation service personnel understand that they have a 24-hour window before mold and mildew often begin growing in the wet environment. Immediate mitigation at the scene can help prevent the growth of mold which causes more damage.

3. Restoration is Vital

Once the water has been removed, the restoration process can begin. Repairing an area can be less expensive than removing and rebuilding, so it is important to dry the area out quickly and begin the initial site assessment to look for further damage. We know our clients depends on us as a quick, reliable restoration team.

Hiring a knowledgeable team with 24/7 availability allows home and business owners to prevent further damage and get back to work as quickly as possible. Call SERVPRO of Bath and let us help.

How to Handle a Sprinkler Flood at Your Office

12/23/2019 (Permalink)

We’re pretty sure the typical business owner doesn’t spend time thinking about the effects of flooding on their property due to their fire sprinklers being activated. However, it is an issue that could quickly get out of control and cost them tens of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The obvious solution to ensuring this doesn’t happen is prevention, but you’ll first need to know what could cause this.

Four Reasons for Accidental Activation

Believe it or not, the modern sprinkler system is not activated by fire alarms or even smoke caused by burnt food in your employee breakroom. They actually have to be subjected to extreme heat that either bursts the red liquid bulb or melts the metal sensor on the device. There are some things that can cause them to accidently activate, and here are some of the more common reasons this could happen:

• Improper installation of the system
• Vandalization of the sprinkler system
• A Factory accident
• The sprinkler heads being used inappropriately.

Immediate Steps to take to Prevent Loss

The very first step to take in an emergency flooding situation is to turn off the water. It’s important to have multiple people within your organization who are capable of doing this. Once you have the water shut off then the cleanup can begin. It’s possible that hundreds of gallons of water have been released in a very short period of time, so water damage to machinery, walls and floors can happen quickly. The best plan of attack is to contact an experienced and reputable water restoration company. They will be able to quickly and correctly dry each surface and reduce the risk of mold.

Your Long Term Approach

Now that you have the initial cleanup underway, your next step should be to contact your insurance company and prevent the problem from occurring again. Your employees must be trained to never hang anything from a sprinkler head or touch it. The ideal placement for sprinkler heads is in a location which is difficult for a person or even a machine to accidentally contact it.

A flood in your business may seem inconceivable, however there are some steps you can take to prevent and minimize damage. But in the case of an emergency, an experienced water restoration company such as SERVPRO of Bath can leave your facility looking “Like it never even happened.”

What Do You Do When Mold is Discovered In Your Apartment?

12/23/2019 (Permalink)

Your landlord has the responsibility to provide you and your family with a clean place to live. While mold is not necessarily dangerous, it is unsettling to look at and, for some people, it can definitely trigger allergy symptoms. There is also the point that mold can cause damage to a building's structure and a person’s belongings that have come in contact with mold. For these reasons and some others, if you discover mold in your apartment you should immediately contact your landlord or property management company. And, then you should contact a reputable company who specializes in mold cleanup. Here are some steps you should take as you discover mold contamination in your apartment:

• As we just noted, contact your landlord.
• Take pictures of the mold infestation and provide them to your landlord or property management company.
• Make yourself available when the mold mitigation company arrives.
• Make sure an air quality test is performed at your apartment to ensure mold spores aren't in other areas of the space.
• Once the tests are performed, the mold remediation company can begin the mold remediation process.

It’s unfortunate, but some landlords may not be as cooperative as they should. If your landlord ignores you or refuses to take responsibility for the mold remediation process, there is a specific way you should handle the situation. Here are some things you can do if your landlord or property management company won’t take action:

• The first thing you need to do is contact an attorney. An attorney can tell you the best way to proceed as well as let you know what your legal rights may be.
• After you contact an attorney, make copies of everything. Make sure you’ve made copies of written notices, photos and any receipts for costs you’ve incurred trying to resolve the mold issue on your own.
• Next, call a company and schedule an indoor air-quality test. You will need these results to prove that the conditions in your apartment or home are a threat to you and your families’ health.
• Lastly, if necessary, file a lawsuit. If you do this and win, you may receive some type of settlement for your damages which could include reimbursement for your attorney fees and any tests or remediation services you’ve paid for, a reduction in rent and possibly other costs determined by the court.

If you have signs of mold in your apartment or rental property, your landlord is the responsible party for mold cleanup. He or she should contact a professional mold remediation company such as SERVPRO of Bath.

Steps You Should Take After A Workplace Fire

12/20/2019 (Permalink)

We’re sure you have a lot on your mind with your daily tasks at work. You probably don’t think about what you’d do in case of a fire. It would be terrible if it were to happen, but would you know what processes to follow to ensure recovery and safety? You should develop a fire restoration plan so an untimely fire wouldn’t stop your business in its tracks.

What Are Your Initial Considerations?

Of course, the first response to a fire should be the safety and well-being of your employees. Then, you need to reach out to the appropriate team of people to help you put out the fire and take care of the damage in the aftermath.

You Should Contact 911

You need to implement your emergency plan which means you need to get everyone out of the building. You need to call your insurance company and report the damage. Then you need to contact a restoration company who handles fire damage to get your office back in working condition.

You Need to Stay Away

As much as you might like to be there, you should never re-enter your business during or after a fire. There is nothing in the business that’s more important than your own life. Fire crews can salvage many items, and you can replace office equipment, but you are not replaceable. Also, touching damaged materials could make things worse or cause you harm or cause injury.

Work With Your Fire Insurance Company

Your business probably has reliable insurance to cover the damages from the fire. This coverage should take care of the damage, even if the fire had started in a neighboring space. Your contact at the insurance company should walk through the area and make notes of the damage and what losses the business incurred.

Get Experts to the Office

A professional, experienced restoration company can ensure you can safely return to work. The team will use state of the art equipment to do smoke cleaning and sanitize affected areas. Stay in touch with them so you know what the timeline to completion is.

Fire restoration is a thorough process, so make sure you work with a reputable group of professionals. Call SERVPRO of Bath, we’ve got the training and knowledge to handle your fire restoration.

Secondary Water Damage at Your Business

12/19/2019 (Permalink)

When water gets loose in your business, whether from a toilet overflowing, the water cooler spilling or a hot water heater overflowing, it can be invasive and event harmful. It needs to be cleaned up, but what people don’t know is that there’s more to the cleanup than just removing the water and restoration of any visible damage. If your business isn’t cleaned properly by a professional, you could end up with secondary water damage which can result in even more hazardous conditions.

Primary water damage is normally fairly obvious. It’s the damage that is easy to detect and is normally seen. This type of damage could include moisture in the drywall or the structural framing of the space.  It can also be warped hardwood flooring, wet carpet and padding, and damaged furniture and the content of your business.

Not so obvious is the secondary damage, this is damage that you don’t see right away, and it usually comes from the result of a water damage which hasn’t been taken care of quickly. This type of damage could cause swollen floors, warped wood floors and door casings or baseboards that have swollen. You could even see cracking in walls. Quickly evaporated water can lead to secondary water damage. High humidity allows moisture to penetrate porous materials. Secondary damage can be harmful to your home. It can cause structural damage and could lead to problems with mold growth

If your office has experienced water damage, or you come to work and find water damage, call SERVPRO of Bath quickly. Our professional team can come evaluate your businesses damage and put a plan in place to stop water damage and prevent secondary damage.

Commercial Hazards in Old Spaces

12/19/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial buildings and warehouses can be filled with all types of hazards, specifically when they are old which is the case throughout many towns in eastern North Carolina. They can have miles of plumbing throughout the building and water pipes in commercial buildings burst all the time – just like your home! The difference with your home and a commercial business is that in your home your possessions are affected, but with a business, a burst pip can bring business to a complete stop.

In recent years many old buildings and warehouses are being renovated and when they are inspected it’s typically a mystery as to what lies behind the walls. Generally, there are pipes behind the walls, and water along with those is just one thing that can potentially cause many other problems. Water within a sprinkler system could have leaked and come in contact with different surfaces of the building. This could have caused contamination. Water from leaking or broken pipes could have flow between the walls and collected unsanitary pollutants along the way.  Maintenance workers can try and turn off the water, but the water has to be turned back on, so it is imperative that the leak be found and fixed before that happens.

If you own a commercial building and have experienced a flood or other type of water damage, should contact SERVPRO of Bath and speak with our professionals. Our trained team of technicians will assess the damage and create a plan to manage the water damage. SERVPRO of Bath can work also with your property manager, maintenance manager or facility manager to get your building and business up and running as quickly as possible.  Call us today, we’re happy to help.

SERVPRO of Bath – We’re Locally Owned & Operated

12/5/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bath is locally owned and operated. John and Cindy Baldwin live and work in the community. They are proud to be a part of Beaufort County. They are part of SERVPRO’s national network of over 1,700 franchises with special Disaster Recovery Teams capable of providing additional resources to them during catastrophic storms, such as Hurricane Florence , Tropical Storm Michael and, most recently, Hurricane Dorian.

SERVPRO’s franchise system has over forty years of experience in disaster cleanup and restoration. Nationwide there are over 10,000 qualified professionals, available 24/7, 365, to help customers who have suffered a disaster get their lives back. SERVPRO has a track record of proven results and they’ve earned the trust of homeowners, property managers, and business owners throughout the US.

SERVPRO of Bath is proud to also serve these counties:

• Bertie
• Hyde
• Martin
• Tyrrell
• Washington
• Halifax
• Herford
• Northampton
• Warren

If you’re located in any of these counties, call SERVPRO of Bath for your Fire Damage, Water Damage and Mold Remediation needs. Call today, we’re prepared for any disaster.

Why Choose SERVPRO of Bath

12/4/2019 (Permalink)

With the evolution of the internet comes customer research. The way a consumer decides which company to call when they have water or fire damage is through an online search. Sure, they may ask a friend, but then they are sure to search the recommended company online. If you’re searching for water or fire damage in eastern North Carolina, you’re likely to see SERVPRO of Bath included. But why choose us over another restoration company, here’s our answer:

It’s easy, SERVPRO of Bath is faster to any disaster. Our goal is that within an hour of a call , you will have received a call back with a time our technicians will be to your location. Within four hours we will be on our way and onsite. And within eight hours the cleaning will be underway.

Another reason you should choose us, we have the ability to handle any size of loss. SERVPRO of Bath has a trained team of technicians and staff and we have the capabilities to send an army of trained workers to your home or office. PLUS, we own the latest equipment to ensure the job is done right. With dehumidifiers, extractors, air scrubbers and movers we have the right tools to get the job done!

Call SERVPRO of Bath when a disaster strikes your home or business.

Let Us Handle Your Crawlspace

12/4/2019 (Permalink)

Just one the many reasons people call SERVPRO of Bath is because we’re not afraid to get dirty. We do the things that most people don’t want to do. Homeowners definitely don’t want mold in their home, but when it’s discovered they think they can tackle the job and remove it themselves. Bu, when it shows up under their house, in the crawlspace, they often change their mind. Tight spaces filled with spiders, other crawling insects and reptiles tend to make people feel claustrophobic. Then, add to that you should wear a hot Tyvek suit and the job is going to be exhausting – picking up the phone and calling us is easier than doing this type of work for yourself.

Lucky for our customers, SERVPRO of Bath is ready to take your call! For our technicians, working in tight spaces is just another day in the life of a professional tech. We move effortlessly through spaces that others wouldn’t consider entering. We’re looking for mold and we’re ready to find it and destroy it, and when we’re done, we’ve added another happy customer to our list.

When you have a tough job like this, call SERVPRO of Bath, that’s why our professionals are here and that’s what we’re trained to do.

How Can Your Business Prepare for a Flood?

12/2/2019 (Permalink)

With the hurricane season behind us it’s likely you won’t have to worry about flooding issues for the remainder of the year. And, even if your office was safe in the past, you should note that new construction of buildings, roads or bridges can alter the flow of water, so you should always be prepared for the potential of flooding. Doing business in a high-risk zone can increase the chances you’ll experience a flood; but being outside of the area doesn’t mean flooding isn’t possible.

We’re giving you some tips on how you can minimize or prevent water damage to your commercial property. These tips can help you prepare and recover from possible flood damage.

Before the Flood:

• Move important equipment above expected flood levels
• Inspect drains and sump pumps to ensure they are operating properly
• Make sure emergency building materials are ready if your business is in a flood-prone area, these include, but are not limited to, plywood, plastic sheeting, shovels and sandbags.

During the Flood:

• Listen for alerts for the latest storm information.
• Keep your smartphone charged in case you lose power; this will ensure you are still able to receive alerts or can place an emergency call.
• If you are asked to evacuate, shut of all utilities and leave immediately
• Move to high ground and avoid rising water.
• Stay clear of downed electrical wires and power lines

After the Flood:

• Do not return to your business until you’ve been told it is safe to do so.
• Throw away any food that have been in contact with flood water.
• Inspect your office for damage, and if your business has been damaged, immediately report the loss.
• Call SERVPRO of Bath to assist with your restoration efforts at 252-923-0213.

When a Storm Hits, SERVPRO of Bath is Ready to Help You!

12/1/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bath specializes in storm damage restoration. We utilize the latest techniques and cutting-edge equipment to get your home back in preloss condition as soon as possible after a flood or storm.

Locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quickly and efficiently. A fast response lessens the current damage, limits further damage and reduces the overall restoration cost. Storms don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. Our technicians will respond day or night to help local business owners and residents.

When disaster strikes, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding. SERVPRO of Bath has access to equipment and personnel from a network of 1,700 franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have storm or flood damage? Call SERVPRO of Bath today at 252-923-0213.

Avoid These Common Mistakes Following a Flood

12/1/2019 (Permalink)

While severe flooding from a storm can destroy your house, even minor house floods can cause widespread damage – if you’ve experienced a flood, it’s crucial to take steps right away to deal with the aftermath. The wrong course of action could lead to further damage and costs. Here are some helpful hints to avoid common mistakes people make following a flood:

1) Wear Proper Protective Clothing

•  knee-high rubber boots
•  latex gloves
•  disposable N-95 face mask

2) Stay out of the water, it will likely contain bacteria, microbes and other harmful material.

3) Don’t let the water touch exposed skin, you could become seriously ill; and worse, if ingested, it could be fatal. 

4) Don’t delay cleanup, contact your insurance company then restoration professional SERVPRO of Bath, 252-923-0213, immediately.

A Brief Overview of Flood Restoration Services

12/1/2019 (Permalink)

Water is a basic need for humans; however, it can be a destructive force that presents serious threats to your property. It’s important that homeowners affected by storm flooding obtain professional flood restoration services.

A major side effect of flooding is the growth of mold, which thrives in humid, damp conditions. Flood restoration specialist SERVPRO of Bath can eliminate mold issues by offering detail-oriented, drying services.

We can also help prevent damage to your home's electrical systems, when exposed to water they can begin to malfunction. It’s critical that homes impacted by flood waters be dried out as quickly as possible to prevent fire or electrocution.

If flooding has damaged your property, professional flood restoration services are a must. Contact the experts at SERVPRO of Bath, we utilize the latest techniques and cutting-edge equipment to get your home back in preloss condition.

Call today to learn how SERVPRO of Bath can help restore your home after a storm and flooding, 252-923-0213.

Possible Water and Mold in Schools

11/27/2019 (Permalink)

Mold damage caused by one of eastern North Carolina's recent storms

With the recent hurricanes in eastern North Carolina, area schools may have experienced water and mold in their buildings.

Throughout a child’s life many things are done to keep them out of harms’ way. Plug covers are used to keep them away from electrical outlets. Training wheels are put on their bikes to prevent falling, and helmets are worn just in case they do. We use car seats until our child reaches a certain height and weight. These and many more things are done to keep our precious cargo safe and sound.

As parents and educators, it’s our jobs to keep our children safe. So, it only makes sense that we’d be concerned if mold was discovered in one of our schools. We’d want to make sure it was removed and handled properly. Well, that’s where SERVOPRO of Bath comes in.

When you call SERVPRO of Bath, you’re calling a local business that’s part of the community, someone that understands a mold-free school is necessary for a healthy learning environment. We’ll locate the problem and our certified technicians will make sure the job is done properly. We’ll ensure that the mold is remediated, and, if needed, we can even bring in a third-party to test air quality and certify our work meets any city, county and state regulations and standards.

For more information about SERVPRO of Baths services and how we can help schools and businesses after a storm, call us at (252) 923-0213.

Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving is the first Holiday of the season where family you haven’t seen in a while, gather, celebrate, and eat. Although it’s a joyous and happy time, Thanksgiving is one of the worst days of the year for home fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association (USFA), the number of cooking fires on Thanksgiving is three times as high than any other day of the year.

Stovetops and Ovens

Sometimes cooks can be distracted by their guests, cooking fires can easily be prevented by following a few simple precautions:

• Remove food and grease buildup from burners, stovetop, and oven. Always start cooking with a clean stove and oven.
• Always stay in the kitchen while you’re cooking, don’t get distracted by trying to entertain your guests.
• Stay inside while cooking a turkey, set a timer, and check on it often.
• Keep a flame-resistant oven mitt, potholder, or lid nearby to smother any flames.
• Keep children away from the stove. It is recommended to use the back burners.
• If an oven fire occurs, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

Turkey Fryers

Never use a turkey fryer on a covered patio, garage, or indoors because it’s a fire hazard risk. Fryers can easily tip over, spilling scalding, hot oil onto anyone nearby, leading to fires, burns, or other serious injuries. Never overfill the oil in a fryer, many turkey fires happen while the oil is being heated. Here are some safety tips for using a turkey fryer:

• Always read and follow the manufacturers guidelines.
• Completely thaw the turkey.
• Neve leave the fryer unattended.
• The oil will remain dangerously hot for hours, so keep children and pets away from the fryer.
• Only use the oil that is recommended. Different types of oil have different ignition temperatures.
• Allow two feet of space between the liquid propane tank and the fryer burner.
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts, wear safety goggles to protect eyes from oil splatter.
• If oil starts smoking, immediately turn off the gas supply.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Never use water to extinguish a fire.

Enjoy spending time with family this Thanksgiving and remember to be thankful. Also remember these safety tips so you and your family can have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.

Nontoxic Ways to Kill Mold

11/22/2019 (Permalink)

Mold is common and grows rapidly in places that are dark and damp. Sometimes you might not even know you have mold in your home for a long time. The most common places you’ll find mold are in your basement, kitchen, and bathroom, or any other room that encounters water. It can take anywhere from 24 hours to 2 days for mold to grow. You should always watch out for mold and eliminate all mold at first sight. To remove the mold all you need are some common household supplies. Here are 3 easy and effective solutions for killing mold in your home.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can be used for many different things. It is a chemical used to prevent infections on the skin from cuts and burns. It can fight fungi, help treat viral and bacterial infections on the skin, and it can kill mold on kitchen appliances, floors, and walls. To use this method to kill mold, first, pour a solution of hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 3% into a spray bottle. Then, spray whatever the mold has infested until it is completely saturated. You need to leave the solution on for about 10 minutes. Once the 10 minutes are up, use a brush or a scraper to remove the mold and surrounding moldy stains. Finally, use a rag to wipe off any leftover mold on the surface.

Vinegar

Vinegar is a common household item, and besides its health benefits, it is also a great mold killer. Vinegar has the strength to kill 82% of mold species. Likewise, baking soda in a combination with vinegar is good for terminating other mold species. For mold treatment, pour white distilled vinegar into a spray bottle. Don’t pour water into the spray bottle because the vinegar doesn’t need to be diluted. In order to kill the mold, spray the vinegar onto the moldy surface, then wait for 1 hour. After the hour is up, wipe down the treated surface and let it dry. It will take a few hours for the smell of vinegar to go away.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is obviously most commonly used for baking. However, it does have other household uses and health advantages. It can treat heartburn and it can even be used as a toothpaste for whiter teeth. Also, it can kill household mold and absorb moisture to avoid future mold build up. To abolish mold with this method, you will need a spray bottle, water and ¼ tablespoon of baking soda. First, pour water and then the baking soda into a spray bottle. Then, shake the bottle until the baking soda disperses into the water. Spray the mold with the baking soda solution. Use a scrub brush to scrape the mold off the infested surface. Once you’ve done that, clean the surface with water to remove any more mold excess. To ensure the mold doesn’t grow back, spay the area again with the mixture and don’t wipe it down. Leaving the mixture on the moldy surface will prevent it from coming back in the future.

These methods will help rid mold in your home without the toxic chemicals. These nontoxic substitutes don’t cause any health side effects and are safe for you, your family and the environment.

How to Prepare for Freezing Cold Temperatures

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bath wants to help you take all the precautions needed this Winter as temperatures are starting to plummet. When you notice that temperatures will be 30 degrees or below you want to be ready. Here is a list of some precautions you can take before or while temperatures are below freezing.

 - Bring outside pets inside, especially at night, if you are cold outside, your pet is too.

 - Keep a trickle of water running from faucets to help pipes from freezing. Also, insulate your pipes and keep cabinet doors open so that warm air can help keep pipes warm.

 - Have a certified professional check your heating system.

 - Avoid using flammable liquids to start fireplaces and do not leave a fireplace unattended.

 - Make sure your smoke detector is working properly.

 - Disconnect any outside water hoses from outside faucets. If water gets trapped inside, it can freeze and crack the faucet

 - Never leave children, elderly and pets in a car alone.

 Stay safe this winter and remember these tips when temperatures start to drop. It's always a good idea to be prepared for freezing temperatures.

Prevent Frozen Pipes this Winter

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

It’s the time of year we go from Fall to Winter with what feels like a matter of days. North Carolina weather knows how to go from 50 degrees, one day to 20 degrees the next. Weather like this sometimes leaves us waking up to frozen pipes which are a headache to deal with, especially if they bust causes water damage. Here are some helpful tips to prevent your pipes from freezing or busting:

- Open your kitchen and bathroom cabinets. You want the warm air in your house to circulate around the plumbing. This helps keep your pipes a tad bit warmer. If you have children, put away all the harmful cleaners or chemicals that you store in these cabinets.

- Let the water drip from a faucet. You may think it will make your water bill super high, but just a trickle won’t sky rocket the bill and the constant flowing of the water will help prevent frozen pipes.

- Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both day and night. Trying to set it back in hopes to save a little money on heating could potentially let your pipes get cold enough they freeze.

- Insulate your pipes! Most Hardware stores sell pipe insulation for as little as 50 cents per linear foot.

We all want to avoid frozen pipes this winter, but Incase your pipes do freeze, NEVER use an open flame device to thaw them out. Instead, use an electric heating pad or towels soaked in hot water and wrap them around the frozen pipe! If by chance your pipes do burst, causing water damage, call SERVPRO of Bath, we would be more than happy to help fix whatever the water damaged has caused.

Timeline of Water Damage

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

Within the first hour:

• If water is moving at a quick pace it will spread throughout the dwelling, finding the path of least resistance, saturating everything in its path.
• Paper goods such as artwork, books, and magazines may become unsalvageable due to saturation.
• Stains/finish released from furniture could cause permanent staining on flooring and carpets.
• Finishers on moisture sensitive furniture may begin to turn white.

One to Twenty-Four Hours:

• Normal household odors will begin to intensify.
• Drywall swells and begins to breakdown.
• Laminated furniture begins to swell and split, and finish can begin to crack.
• Musty/sour odors become apparent.
• Metal surfaces that are unprotected begin to sully.
• Dyes/ink from textiles and paper goods begin to seep and spread causing staining.

Forty-Eight Hours to One Week:

• Unprotected metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Mold, mildew, and other contaminants have begun to grow and spread.
• Windows, doors, casings, and studs begin to swell and warp.
• Furniture warps and begins to show signs of mold.
• Adhesives begin to breakdown and release.
• Wood flooring begins to swell, warp, or buckle.
• Persons with respiratory concerns or compromised immune systems could experience distress or heightened sensitivity to allergens from microbial growth.  

    More than One Week:                               

• Structural safety and health concerns may pose serious hazards to residents, other living arrangements may be needed until reconstruction is complete.
• Claim cost and renovation increases due to vast restoration

Space Heater Safety Tips

11/15/2019 (Permalink)

Although it is still Fall, it feels like Winter is already here, with temperatures reaching mid to low 30s. Keeping your house warm can be a struggle and many people turn to space heaters to help get the job done. If you use space heaters to help with warmth, check out these safety tips to ensure they don’t pose a hazard to you, your family and your home.

- Always follow the 3 feet rule. Ensure you keep heater 3 feet away from beds, curtains, papers, sofas, or anything that could cause a fire due to too much heat.

- Make sure the heaters plug is securely plugged into the power outlet, so that it doesn’t come loose and fall out.

- Make sure your heater is on level surface. This helps ensure it doesn’t pose a risk of getting knocked over.

- Turn the heater off whenever you are unable to keep an eye on it.

 - Before you start to use your heater, make sure you smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

 - Plug your heater directly into the wall, if you must use an extension cord use a 14-gauge wire or larger.

 - NEVER use heater near water or in damp like conditions.

 Share these tips with your family and friends to ensure they’re using their heaters properly.

Refrigerators and Water Damage

11/15/2019 (Permalink)

Most of the time when we have water damage, we don’t know until long after damage has already been done, especially when it comes to a leaky refrigerator. Since the fridge blocks our vision of the wall and floor behind it, we don’t notice it has a leak unless it creates a puddle visible to us. Refrigerator damage doesn’t always happen abruptly, it usually happens over time due to a crack in the plastic water line, ice maker leaks, and condensation. If you notice water by your fridge and the water has only recently been there, then moping it up and letting it dry, should avert any real damage. Make sure that the walls are dry as well, this will help with mold growth. If your fridge has caused water damage over a long period of time, you’ll more than likely need your flooring and wall replaced. This is where SERVPRO of Bath can help! If you want to prevent any possibilities of this happening to you, you should regularly check and maintain your fridge. You’ll want to clear away the debris and dust from behind, then check for hard water build up in the water line. It is also suggested purchasing a battery-operated water alarm. If the alarm contacts water, it will set it off, letting you know you have a leak of some sort. This helps with permanent damage due to water sitting for too long.

Take time for Fire prevention this Fall

11/15/2019 (Permalink)

For those ready to warm up their homes, the National Fire Safety Protection Association offers the following tips to help minimize fire risks in your home:

- Have your furnace inspected and serviced by a professional.

- Have chimneys and vents cleaned and inspected by a professional. Make sure they are checked for creosote buildup, which is the leading cause of chimney fires.

- Make sure wood burned in the fireplace is dry and seasoned.

-Remind children to stay at least three feet away from fireplaces, oil stoves, and space heaters.

- Make sure your space heaters have an automatic shut off and those shutoffs are functioning.

- Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are functional.

-Review your family's fire escape plan and what to do in case of a fire.

- Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters.

Common Causes of Household Fires

8/30/2019 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO restore your home to pre-fire condition.

A house can easily catch fire from the misuse of appliances to smoking in bedrooms. You can take measures to avoid a fire in your home and ensure the safety of your family. Below are some of the most common causes of household fires, and some tips to take precautions.

Cooking Equipment

Pots and pans can overheat and cause a fire very easily if the person cooking gets distracted and leaves cooking unattended. Always stay in the room, or ask someone to watch your food, when cooking on hotplates.

Heating

Keep portable heaters at least 5’ away from anything that could easily catch fire such as furniture, curtains, laundry, clothes and even you. If you have a furnace, get it inspected once a year to make sure it is working to safety standards.

Smoking in bedrooms

Bedrooms are best to be kept off-limits for smoking. A cigarette that is not put out properly can cause a flame, as the butt may stay alit for a few hours. It could burst into flames if it came into contact with flammable materials, such as furniture. Did you know that fires started in the bedroom or lounge, make up 73% of all house fire fatalities?

Electrical Equipment 

An electrical appliance, such as a toaster can start a fire if it is faulty or has a frayed cord. A power point that is overloaded with double adapter plugs can cause a fire from overuse of electricity. A power point extension cord can also be a fire hazard if not used appropriately. Double-check the appliances and power points in your home.

Candles

Candles look and smell pretty, but if left unattended they can cause a room to easily burst into flames. Keep candles away from any flammable items such as books and tissue boxes. Always blow a candle out before leaving a room. Did you know that in Perth last year 34 house fires started as a result of candles?

Curious Children

Kids can cause a fire out of curiosity, to see what would happen if they set fire to an object. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach of children, to avoid any curiosity turned disaster. Install a smoke alarm in your child’s room and practice a home escape plan with your children and family in case there was a fire. Inform your kids about the importance of knowing their address and if they needed to, call 911.

Faulty Wiring

Homes with inadequate wiring can cause fires from electrical hazards. Some signs to see if you’ve bad wiring are: 1) Lights dim if you use another appliance; 2) For an appliance to work, you have to disconnect another; 3) Fuses blow or trip the circuit frequently. Have a licensed electrician come and inspect your house, or contact your landlord if you have any of the above occurrences.

Barbecues 

Barbecues are great for an outdoor meal, but should always be used away from the home, tablecloths or any plants and tree branches. Keep BBQs regularly maintained and cleaned with soapy water and clean any removable parts. Check the gas bottle for any leaks before you use it each time.

Flammable Liquids

If you have any flammable liquids in the home or garage such as petrol, kerosene or ethylated spirits, keep them away from heat sources and check the label before storing. Be careful when pouring these liquids.

Lighting

Lampshades and light fittings can build up the heat if they are very close to light globes. Check around the house to make sure. Lamp bases can become a hazard if they can be knocked over easily, and so should be removed if they are. Check that downlights is insulated from wood paneling or ceiling timbers.

The above tips are a good guide to avoiding a fire in your home. If you do have a fire and need assistance with the cleanup, please call SERVPRO of Bath!

Signs You Might Have Carpet Mold

8/23/2019 (Permalink)

Don't let carpet mold take control of your home or office, call SERVPRO.

Mold is extremely invasive and can cause health effects for those living or working in an environment that contains mold.  Make sure when liquids are spilled, no matter how small, you clean up properly, and check over time to see if mold has grown within the area. Mold thrives in dark, damp places and underneath your carpet is no exception. Not sure if you have mold in your home? Read the list below to learn the main signs of mold growth!

Do you have musty odors that are smelling throughout your home or business?

This a sure-fire way to know if you have mold in your home! However, if you spend a lot of time in your home it can be hard to detect a musty odor. Pay close attention to how your visitors react when they step into your home and take note if they mention a musty smell.

Does your space have a damp carpet?

Any floor that remains damp for more than 24 hours could begin to grow mold. If you notice that your carpet has become damp, the most common cause is a leak from underneath typically in your basement. If your basement has leaking pipes, there is a high chance that your nearby carpet has mold growth.

Have you looked under your carpet for mold?

Stay on top of mold growth by continually checking underneath your carpet for mold growth. Once you lift your carpet, thoroughly look for discolored flooring/patches, and any musty odors.

Do you see white, green, or black spots that have appeared that were not there before?

If you see these spots on your carpet, then your mold growth has reached an advanced stage. These color patches are caused by the mold growth multiplying onto your carpet.

Have you tested your carpet for mold with a mold test?

There are mold-testing kits available for you to test the airflow across your carpet. If there is mold in your home then the mold spores will land on your testing kit and begin to multiply. SERVPRO of Bath offers an exclusive guarantee with our mold testing services. Reach out to us today to learn more!

These are MAIN signs that you have mold growing under your carpet! Mold can be extremely difficult to eliminate once it begins to grow. Contact us today for mold testing in your home!

Mold Prevention Tips

8/8/2019 (Permalink)

This ceiling has been affected by mold.

Mold is a common household problem, developing in warm, damp environments. Mold can be colored green, purple, white, and orange. While mold plays an important role outside in the environment, breaking down dead plants, mold is unwelcome in homes.

Showers and bathrooms are a common location for mold to grow, but mold can grow anywhere in a home. Mold can come inside a home from an outside growth through inadequately sealed windows or doors. Mold spores cannot be eliminated, but they will not grow if the environment is dry and well ventilated. Mold growth can be prevented by ensuring if water damage occurs, clean up occurs quickly. Using air conditioners during humid seasons and exhaust fans in the kitchen can help prevent mold from growing.

Other areas to monitor moisture to prevent mold growth: exterior walls and surfaces in need of insulation where condensation can build, air conditioner drip pans, check for leaks around the refrigerator, ensure crawl spaces are well ventilated and check for leaks around a tub.

These are a few simple tips for making sure mold is not growing in your home. If you do discover mold growth, SERVPRO of Bath provides mold remediation services for all types of residential and commercial properties. Are you worried there might be too much mold in your home? Contact us today for our new mold testing!

Top 6 Fire Damage Restoration Tips

7/19/2019 (Permalink)

We’re not going to kid you.  Fire damage restoration is tough work.  People call SERVPRO of Bath frequently to ask for advice on how to clean up after a fire. Most people can put these six tips into practice.  But remember that fire damage restoration takes time, work, and skill.  Realistically consider whether you want to try these ideas on your own or whether you’d be better off hiring highly trained restoration specialists who will guarantee their work.

Here are six of the best tips we give people who ask about fire damage restoration:

Remove Smoke Damage

With any fire, you’ll have a degree of smoke damage to your walls, wall paper, and paint.  If the smoke damage is not too serious, you should be able to scrub it clean with detergents and bleach.  Soot from smoke damage is greasy stuff, so always try to dust as much of it off from a surface before trying to scrub the surface clean.  Often, you’ll want to repaint it, but make sure all surfaces are clean and dry before you paint.

Limit Activity & Other Simple Fire Damage Restoration Steps

Until your house is restored, limit your activity and movement in the house.  This helps prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.  Keep people’s hands clean so you don’t further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.  Protect your things by placing clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.  Before you clean know the best cleaning method for that particular cleaning job (one example:  Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.)  Wash both sides of the leaves on your houseplants.  Change your HVAC filter, and tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Get Rid of Mold & Mildew

Firefighters are great.  They save many lives and many homes.  But they do introduce mold and mildew into houses when they must use water to extinguish the fire.  SERVPRO of Bath highly recommends you hire fire damage restoration professionals to deal with mold and mildew.  Mold and mildew can cause serious health problems.  It’s difficult for a nonprofessional to know for certain if he’s cleaned up all the areas affected by the mold and mildew.  And mold and mildew can contaminate your furniture, carpets, clothing, mattresses, walls, and vents.  The best thing you can do immediately is to air out every room and clean out all vents and filters.

Replace Carpets.  Clean and Dry Your Floors.

Your floors and carpets end up absorbing the worst of the damage from all the water used to put out a fire.  In almost every case, SERVPRO of Bath recommends that you pull up any carpets that have water damage and replace them.  Water can also seep underneath vinyl flooring and into the cracks in hardwood.  You must address this.   If you have experience with flooring, you can lift it up and clean under it.  But you may want to call a professional fire damage restoration company to assist you.

Avoid Smearing Soot Into Clothing

Cleaning smoke damage from clothing is one of the biggest jobs you’ll have after a fire.  Make sure you don’t smear greasy soot into the clothing or just throw the smoky clothes in the wash.  Often times dry cleaning is the best bet, and you should ask around local dry cleaners if any have experience with post-fire laundry.

Scrub, Soak, and Cleaning Dishes

Dishes are also important items to clean thoroughly after a fire because they will be in contact with your food.  Scrub all dishes well, let them soak in a solution of bleach and water (2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon) for at least 20 minutes and scrub some more for safety.  When in doubt, if a dish, pot, or pan won’t come clean, cut your losses and throw it out – especially rubber or wooden dishes that absorb smoke.

Help is Here

Call SERVPRO of Bath @ 252-923-0213

Top 6 Fire Restoration Tips

7/19/2019 (Permalink)

We’re not going to kid you.  Fire damage restoration is tough work.  People call SERVPRO of Bath frequently to ask for advice on how to clean up after a fire. Most people can put these six tips into practice.  But remember that fire damage restoration takes time, work, and skill.  Realistically consider whether you want to try these ideas on your own or whether you’d be better off hiring highly trained restoration specialists who will guarantee their work.

Here are six of the best tips we give people who ask about fire damage restoration:

Remove Smoke Damage

With any fire, you’ll have a degree of smoke damage to your walls, wall paper, and paint.  If the smoke damage is not too serious, you should be able to scrub it clean with detergents and bleach.  Soot from smoke damage is greasy stuff, so always try to dust as much of it off from a surface before trying to scrub the surface clean.  Often, you’ll want to repaint it, but make sure all surfaces are clean and dry before you paint.

Limit Activity & Other Simple Fire Damage Restoration Steps

Until your house is restored, limit your activity and movement in the house.  This helps prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.  Keep people’s hands clean so you don’t further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.  Protect your things by placing clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.  Before you clean know the best cleaning method for that particular cleaning job (one example:  Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.)  Wash both sides of the leaves on your houseplants.  Change your HVAC filter, and tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Get Rid of Mold & Mildew

Firefighters are great.  They save many lives and many homes.  But they do introduce mold and mildew into houses when they must use water to extinguish the fire.  SERVPRO of Bath highly recommends you hire fire damage restoration professionals to deal with mold and mildew.  Mold and mildew can cause serious health problems.  It’s difficult for a nonprofessional to know for certain if he’s cleaned up all the areas affected by the mold and mildew.  And mold and mildew can contaminate your furniture, carpets, clothing, mattresses, walls, and vents.  The best thing you can do immediately is to air out every room and clean out all vents and filters.

Replace Carpets.  Clean and Dry Your Floors.

Your floors and carpets end up absorbing the worst of the damage from all the water used to put out a fire.  In almost every case, SERVPRO of Bath recommends that you pull up any carpets that have water damage and replace them.  Water can also seep underneath vinyl flooring and into the cracks in hardwood.  You must address this.   If you have experience with flooring, you can lift it up and clean under it.  But you may want to call a professional fire damage restoration company to assist you.

Avoid Smearing Soot Into Clothing

Cleaning smoke damage from clothing is one of the biggest jobs you’ll have after a fire.  Make sure you don’t smear greasy soot into the clothing or just throw the smoky clothes in the wash.  Often times dry cleaning is the best bet, and you should ask around local dry cleaners if any have experience with post-fire laundry.

Scrub, Soak, and Cleaning Dishes

Dishes are also important items to clean thoroughly after a fire because they will be in contact with your food.  Scrub all dishes well, let them soak in a solution of bleach and water (2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon) for at least 20 minutes and scrub some more for safety.  When in doubt, if a dish, pot, or pan won’t come clean, cut your losses and throw it out – especially rubber or wooden dishes that absorb smoke.

Help is Here

Call SERVPRO of Roanoke Rapids @ 252-537-3473

Fire Damage? Lower Your Fire Clean-Up Costs!

7/19/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage is terrible as it is. Let’s not make things worse by spending more money than necessary to restore your fire damaged home. Many times, you can save money and keep property damage to a minimum through something called emergency mitigation services.

Saving Fire Damaged Possessions

Fire damaged property that may look like it needs to be replaced may actually be recoverable.  A fire restoration company can save many an heirloom-  But act quickly.  Prompt fire cleanup and restoration is important because the items found in your home – furniture, carpet, walls, drapes, and even ceilings – can absorb smoke.  If too much time elapses between when the fire damage occurs and when fire cleanup occurs, the effects of smoke damage can last for months.

Time Can Cost You Many Possessions

The more time between the fire and restoration, the more costs you incur and the fewer items you can restore.  Depending on the extent of the fire damage, you may be able to save clothing, leather, books, photographs, kitchen items, furniture, and more.

Restored to Pre-Loss Condition

SERVPRO of Bath cleans and deodorizes restorable items, sometimes to preloss condition.  So, don’t throw anything out until you’re certain it must be replaced.  Save your property and save money.  Now that’s a win-win!

Call SERVPRO of Roanoke Rapids at 252-537-3473 to discuss.  We’re the fire restoration and clean up company that has saved property and money for the owners of fire damaged homes. 

Do You Know These Cleanup, Restoration, & Safety Questions?

7/19/2019 (Permalink)

Take the quiz to learn more about cleanup, restoration, & safety issues in your home or business.

Get smarter on preventing damage to your home or business. Take the Cleanup, Restoration, & Safety quiz.

Are you prepared for damage to your home or business? Do you know the early warning signs and indicators of future property damage? Try answering the questions below to see how much you know about cleanup, restoration, and safety! If you get some wrong you might want to learn more about that question’s topic. Here’s hoping you get an A+ on these questions!

Check your answers at the end! For more information explore the links we’ve provided. Some of them lead you to blog posts at our sister/brother franchises, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield and SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield. You can also read our other SERVPRO of Bath blog posts to get more details. Good luck with the questions!

If you need help with any of these questions call SERVPRO of Bath at 252-923-0213.

1. According to the latest research, what percentage of businesses may never recover if they experience a natural disaster?
2. If you have a toilet, washing machine, or other appliance overflow and the experts say you have gray water on your floor, what does that mean?
3. Are there smokers in your house? To help prevent home fires, what type of ashtrays should you use and when should you put cigarette and cigar butts in the trash?
4. Be sure any wood-burning stove you buy is made of sturdy, suitable material, such as cast iron or steel. And look for what label?
5. Emergency preparation experts recommend you keep a set of pictures of your commercial building in safe and easy to access place. Why?
6. To protect your home or business’s foundation from cracking due to water damage, the downspouts from your roof should lead water how far away from the foundation?
7. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, how often should your home’s roof be inspected?
8. What’s the most common danger from a home heating oil furnace?
9. Which of these descriptions does NOT mean your commercial property may be at higher risk for water damage: 20+ years old, High-rise with multiple tenants or units, or uses older construction materials?
10. Which is likely to be more dangerous – a solid chemical spill or a liquid chemical spill?

Answers:

1. 50%
2. Gray water is contaminated water that can cause discomfort or illness and quickly degrade into black water if not treated.
3. Use deep, sturdy ashtrays. Don’t put butts in the trash until they’re cold.
4. The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label.
5. If a storm strikes the pictures can serve as “before” pictures. Take a set after the storm to show the full extent of the storm damage.
6. At least 10 feet.
7. Twice a year.
8. Carbon monoxide.
9. Uses older construction materials.
10. Liquid.

Looking to learn more about cleanup, restoration, & Safety? Call SERVPRO of Bath at 252-923-0213.

How to Build an Emergency Preparedness Kit

7/17/2019 (Permalink)

Essentials for your emergency preparedness kit.

Disasters don’t happen every day, but when they do, you need to be prepared. Every household should have an emergency plan in place to make sure they are ready when disaster strikes.

The best way to be ready for a disaster is to make an emergency preparedness kit. This kit is full of essential items that are needed for you to survive for at least 72 hours. Some important items to consider adding to your kit include the following:

Water

Hydration is key to survival! Ideally, you want 1 gallon of water per person, per day for at least 3 days.

Food

Along with water, you need food to survive! When packing your food be sure to pack non-perishable items in your kit. You should have at least enough food for 3 days, but more is ideal.

Can opener

Packing a can opener might seem random, but with all of the non-perishables you’re packing, you’ll be happy you packed one!

Flashlight & Batteries

If the powers out, the lights are out. Having a flashlight and extra batteries will help brighten up those dark nights.

Hand Crank Radio or Battery Powered Radio

Having one of these on deck will help keep you informed and updated during the disaster.

First-Aid Kit

Having this in your kit will help you be prepared if someone gets injured. Items such as Neosporin, ban-aids, and gauze will be incredibly helpful.

Whistle

This is intended to be a signal for help; 3 blasts from a whistle is an international distress signal. The best place to keep it is on your keychain or taped under a table in your home for easy access.

Matches

Packing matches and emergency slow-burning candles are a great alternative to flashlights. Having a candle burning gives you an additional light source during the disaster.

Dust Mask

Whether you’re dealing with smoke, pollution, or viruses, having a dust mask on hand and decrease your risk of inhaling contaminated air.

Cell Phone with Chargers and a Backup Battery

In this day and age, we heavily rely on our cell phones to communicate with our family and friends. Having a backup battery reassures you that even if the power goes out, you can still use your phone. 

All of these items are essential to your survival during a disaster. Every household should have their emergency preparedness kit ready to go. Make sure that these items are placed in easy-to-carry containers and are labeled, so they are easily identified. Place your kit in a convenient and easy to reach location in your home.

In addition to these items, it’s also important to think about the area in which you live and other items specifically for your needs. For example: prescription medications, infant formula, diapers, wipes, bottles, and pet food/water.

Remember, it’s never too early to buy emergency supplies and prepare for disaster. Natural disasters can happen at any time and affect people all around the world. With this in mind, you should prepare your home just like you are preparing your emergency kit. Here at SERVPRO of Bath, we have unlimited licensed builders with over 40 years of experience repairing damage to buildings just like yours. When disaster strikes, your focus should be on safety. We’ll take care of the repair.

Top 6 Fire Damage Restoration Tips

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

We’re not going to kid you.  Fire damage restoration is tough work.  People call SERVPRO of Bath frequently to ask for advice on how to clean up after a fire. Most people can put these six tips into practice.  But remember that fire damage restoration takes time, work, and skill.  Realistically consider whether you want to try these ideas on your own or whether you’d be better off hiring highly trained restoration specialists who will guarantee their work.

Here are six of the best tips we give people who ask about fire damage restoration:

Remove Smoke Damage

With any fire, you’ll have a degree of smoke damage to your walls, wall paper, and paint.  If the smoke damage is not too serious, you should be able to scrub it clean with detergents and bleach.  Soot from smoke damage is greasy stuff, so always try to dust as much of it off from a surface before trying to scrub the surface clean.  Often, you’ll want to repaint it, but make sure all surfaces are clean and dry before you paint.

Limit Activity & Other Simple Fire Damage Restoration Steps

Until your house is restored, limit your activity and movement in the house.  This helps prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.  Keep people’s hands clean so you don’t further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.  Protect your things by placing clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.  Before you clean know the best cleaning method for that particular cleaning job (one example:  Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.)  Wash both sides of the leaves on your houseplants.  Change your HVAC filter, and tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Get Rid of Mold & Mildew

Firefighters are great.  They save many lives and many homes.  But they do introduce mold and mildew into houses when they must use water to extinguish the fire.  SERVPRO of Bath highly recommends you hire fire damage restoration professionals to deal with mold and mildew.  Mold and mildew can cause serious health problems.  It’s difficult for a nonprofessional to know for certain if he’s cleaned up all the areas affected by the mold and mildew.  And mold and mildew can contaminate your furniture, carpets, clothing, mattresses, walls, and vents.  The best thing you can do immediately is to air out every room and clean out all vents and filters.

Replace Carpets.  Clean and Dry Your Floors.

Your floors and carpets end up absorbing the worst of the damage from all the water used to put out a fire.  In almost every case, SERVPRO of Bath recommends that you pull up any carpets that have water damage and replace them.  Water can also seep underneath vinyl flooring and into the cracks in hardwood.  You must address this.   If you have experience with flooring, you can lift it up and clean under it.  But you may want to call a professional fire damage restoration company to assist you.

Avoid Smearing Soot Into Clothing

Cleaning smoke damage from clothing is one of the biggest jobs you’ll have after a fire.  Make sure you don’t smear greasy soot into the clothing or just throw the smoky clothes in the wash.  Often times dry cleaning is the best bet, and you should ask around local dry cleaners if any have experience with post-fire laundry.

Scrub, Soak, and Cleaning Dishes

Dishes are also important items to clean thoroughly after a fire because they will be in contact with your food.  Scrub all dishes well, let them soak in a solution of bleach and water (2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon) for at least 20 minutes and scrub some more for safety.  When in doubt, if a dish, pot, or pan won’t come clean, cut your losses and throw it out – especially rubber or wooden dishes that absorb smoke.

Help is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bath also has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup.  Call SERVPRO of Bath at (252) 923-0213 anytime.

Fire Damage? Lower Your Fire Clean-Up Costs!

6/24/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage is terrible as it is. Let’s not make things worse by spending more money than necessary to restore your fire damaged home. Many times, you can save money and keep property damage to a minimum through something called emergency mitigation services.

Saving Fire Damaged Possessions

Fire damaged property that may look like it needs to be replaced may actually be recoverable.  A fire restoration company can save many an heirloom-  But act quickly.  Prompt fire cleanup and restoration is important because the items found in your home – furniture, carpet, walls, drapes, and even ceilings – can absorb smoke.  If too much time elapses between when the fire damage occurs and when fire cleanup occurs, the effects of smoke damage can last for months.

Time Can Cost You Many Possessions

The more time between the fire and restoration, the more costs you incur and the fewer items you can restore.  Depending on the extent of the fire damage, you may be able to save clothing, leather, books, photographs, kitchen items, furniture, and more.

Restored to Pre-Loss Condition

SERVPRO of Bath cleans and deodorizes restorable items, sometimes to preloss condition.  So, don’t throw anything out until you’re certain it must be replaced.  Save your property and save money.  Now that’s a win-win!

Call SERVPRO of Bath at 252-923-0213 to discuss.  We’re the fire restoration and clean up company that has saved property and money for the owners of fire damaged homes.  Whether you’re in Washington, Williamston, Columbia, Windsor or Swan Quarter; or anywhere in between, we can help.

MOLD – Just follow your Nose!

2/5/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bath recently held a Continuing Education Class for Realtors on Mold.  SERVPRO offers these Continuing Ed classes to both Insurance and Realtor Professionals Free of Charge.  Realtors from Roanoke Rapids, Lake Gaston, Virginia and surrounding areas gained knowledge on the contributing factors, dangers and remedies for mold and fungus.  SERVPRO Franchise owner and class instructor, Cindy Baldwin emphasized that first it is important to remove the moisture source, make sure the area is completely dry and afterwards a thorough cleaning is in order.  She also warned of the importance of wearing a mask that can filter both fine particles and gas as well as other proper protective equipment.  She explained the biggest indicator of mold is your nose since mold can grow anywhere there is moisture and leaves a musty, bad smell.  Cindy explained there are thousands of kinds of molds and those molds are a part of every environment.

Cindy, along with her husband John Baldwin, also part owner of the Franchise, gave suggestions homeowners can do to prevent mold from getting out of hand included keeping crawlspace vents open year-round and making sure attics have proper ventilation. Since airflow is extremely important, Cindy also said to make sure dryer vents are properly attached and that the air flows to the outside of the house, not under it.

As the class concluded, John and Cindy both demonstrated and discussed the process, equipment and treatments SERVPRO uses for mold remediation.  Feedback from class participants was very positive and indicating they look forward to future classes.

Community Volunteering

1/17/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bath employee Mason Clement volunteering at the Special Olympics Fall Game

SERVPRO of Bath enjoys supporting and sponsoring communities' events. Our latest one was the Martin County Special Olympics Fall Games at South Creek Elementary School in Robersonville NC. There were over 20 volunteers including some from SERVPRO of Bath helping with registration, scoring, staffing events, coaching and cooking. Everyone had a great time in the Basketball and Volleyball games with a special visit from Santa! All the Special Needs Athletes received a holiday gift from Santa followed by a hot dog cookout for lunch, music and dancing. An awards ceremony wrapped up a fun day for everyone. 

Special Olympics is a global organization serving athletics with intellectual disabilities working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. North Carolina has one of the largest Special Olympic programs in the world with nearly 40,000 registered athletes who train and compete in year-round programs in 19 different sports. SERVPRO of Bath is proud to be a part of an organization that promotes physical fitness, courage, sharing skills and friendship.

Freezing Temperatures in Eastern NC

1/3/2019 (Permalink)

A single pipe busting can cause a great mess

Weather forecast for Eastern North Carolina predicts freezing temperatures in January-February 2019! Water is one of life's necessities, but frozen water can cause major damage. Water's unique property to expand as it freezes can cause metal or plastic pipes to break.

Pipes that Freeze Most Frequently

• Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
• Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
• Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insultation.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
• Let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes.
• Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night.
• Set the temperature at 55* if you are going to be away during cold weather.

Hopefully all your efforts to avoid frozen pipes will be successful. BUT is not, you will know it when the pipes begin to thaw! Frozen pipes can quickly cause a lot of damage to your property. When and if this happens, call SERVPRO of Bath 24/7. We can make it, "Like it never even happened®."

Emergency Kits for Natural Disasters

6/24/2018 (Permalink)

Be Prepared!

First aid kits, or emergency kits, are too important to put them together when a disaster strikes.  Natural disasters usually happen suddenly, and kits need to be ready to go at a location near the door so you can focus on the safety of your family or personnel first. 

Below are examples of what to include in your emergency kit.

What to Include in a kit for a group of 2 to 3 people -- Medical items to keep in a first aid kit include the following:

• Gloves
• Adhesive bandages
• Gauze pads
• Equipment for resuscitation
• Splints
• Towelettes to clean wounds
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Emergency blankets
• Adhesive Tape
• Rope
• water bottles or packets
• three days of food/snacks (MREs)
• Change of clothing
• Radio
• games to pass time
• Paper/Pen
• Important papers

Place kits in a location that are easily accessible.  Contact your local Red Cross for more information on how to be ready for a natural disaster.

Emergency Readiness Program for Commercial Business

6/24/2018 (Permalink)

Emergency planning at your fingertips

An Emergency Readiness Program, also known as an ERP, helps your business to be ready at a moments notice when disaster strikes.  This program is a perfect compliment to your current safety plans.

An ERP allows you to minimize business interruptions and reduce damage with an action plan ready to go. 

SERVPRO of Bath will assist you in documenting on your phone, computer or hard copy locations of water valve shut offs, gas line shut offs, electrical panels and emergency exits for each location in your business. All emergency contact information such as plant facilities manager, plumber, electrician are at your fingertips. 

This service is free to you with the hope that you will consider SERVPRO when disaster strikes.  Call us at SERVPRO of Bath, your partner in emergency services,  today at 252.923.0213

Frozen Pipe Burst? Here’s How SERVPRO will help!

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

Aftermath of a pipe burst leaves this chapel in 2 inches of water! Luckily SERVPRO was on the job and restored this chapel to its former glory!

A water pipe burst leaves an entire church flooded in over 2 inches of water! From the entry door to the chapel to the kitchen and every spare room, the church was covered in standing water. SERVPRO of Bath was ready to act when we got the call! Our team arrived quickly and fully equipped to take on the job. Click on the link below to view this remarkable restoration project.

 http://www.SERVPRObath.com/before-after-photos

Flooding and water damage emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Bath provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - including all holidays.

When flooding or water damage strikes, act fast!

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.

What you need to know about Storm Damage

5/24/2018 (Permalink)

Living in Eastern NC, storms are a a way of life.  Flood damage, wind damage and wind driven rain can permanently damage your home if not restored properly.

Wind Damage- When a storm hits your home and/or commercial building most likely wind will be involved. Winds can cause roof damage, fallen trees, wind-driven and broken windows. A professional should be in a place to offer solutions to any wind damages sustained to your home.

Ground Water- During a storm the ground looses its ability to drain all the water.  When this happens dirt and soil become soft and start to float along with the water. When storm water sits, it starts to carry debris and become a health concern due to the diseases it can carry. For faster drainage, call a SERVPRO. Mold starts forming in 48-72 hours, so time is of the essence to drain water, remove wet materials and dry out the building to reduce damage and lower costs of repair.

Hail Damage-   Hail can cause severe damage to roofs, siding, stucco, windows, and doors. Water can then penetrate your home which allows moisture and mold to cause further damage. 

When it comes to any storm damage keep SERVPRO of Bath in your mind.  Our crew and office staff our here to help you walk through your damages and it will be “Like it never even happened".

When the storm hit Windsor, NC, unfortunately they were hit with flood waters back to back in two weeks.  SERVPRO of Bath was there as soon as the waters receded both times to quickly remove the wet materials and begin the drying process.

Hurricane Irene in 2011 caused a tremendous amount of damage in our area.  Here at SERVPRO of Bath, we do our best to let you know when we can arrive at your home any time day or night.

SERVPRO of Bath understand Eastern, North Carolina because we are locally owned but have national support in case of emergencies. We hope you will call us at 252-923-0213.

When Storms or Floods hit, SERVPRO is ready!

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bath has help personal and commercial owners after storms.

SERVPRO of Bath specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Eastern North Carolina, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 252.923.0213

Conditions In Our Area Are Prone to Mold

5/8/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bath knows what to do if mold grows in your home

More than a million types of mold exist, yet less than 10 percent have actually been named. This means mold is very common in both indoor and outdoor environments. While mold and humans can sometimes co-exist without issue, there are certain species of mold that can cause health effects for some people.

If the right conditions exist, mold will grow.  Those conditions include:

• Water - Different mold types require varying amounts of liquid before growth begins.  
• Temperature - Normal indoor temperatures will promote mold growth.
• Time - Initial mold colonizers can take hold within one day after being exposed to an adequate water supply.

Since mold growth can occur in any home, watch for situations that promote mold activity.

Roof/chimney leaks, wet basements, or condensation from ducts that dampen surrounding insulation are just a few examples.  Wind driven rain is a common source of mold growth around your window.  A dark circle appearing on your ceiling especially when a bathroom is above is a cause of concern  Check your caulking around all sinks and tubs. 

If you suspect mold in your home, call SERVPRO of Bath to assess the situation. We have the knowledge, tools and track record to effectively remediate mold in your home or business.

If you suspect mold, call us today at 252.923.4357

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans in that area if possible.
• Contact SERVPRO of Bath for mold remediation services.  252-923-0213

Quick Tips on Mold

5/8/2018 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Bath for a mold problem in your home.

When spring arrives so will the  rainy season.  Rain can bring the opportunity for mold growth to present itself in your home. Call SERVPRO of Bath at the first sight of any moisture or growth. If you discover mold in your home or office, we are here to help.

Mold and fungal spores occur naturally outdoors, where fungi are the earth’s natural recyclers.  Indoor, mold needs moisture to grow.  Problems occur when trapped moisture, humidity, and dampness are present.

Common ways for excessive moisture that can lead to mold can include:

• Damp crawl spaces
• Flooding from surface water (storms, flooded streets, etc.)
• Roof leaks
• Leaking pipes
• Poor caulking around windows, bathtubs, sinks
• Lack of air flow when air conditioning or fans are shut off
• Sewer back ups

How to prevent mold growth:

• Control excessive moisture and condensation
• Keeping susceptible areas in your home clean and dryIn the case of leaking pipes or a flood, standing water needs to be taken care of immediately. When materials are wet they should be clean, removed, replaced or dried out.  Items that are wet for longer than 48 hours or more may grow mold.  If properly remediated, damage will less and costs will be lower. 

SERVPRO of Bath will first isolate the area that has mold preventing further contamination within your home or business.  Then proper vacuuming will occur with HEPA vacuums and then areas will most likely be removed and apply negative air flow to remove particles from the area.

Call SERVPRO of Bath at

252-923-0213 to help you.

Follow Mold Safety Tips If you Suspect Mold

5/7/2018 (Permalink)

Be careful! Without proper training, you could be spreading mold throughout your home.

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans in the affected areas if possible.
• Contact SERVPRO of Bath for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

• Do nottouch or disturb the mold.
• Do not blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Do not attempt to dry the area yourself without containing the spread of mold.
• Do not spray bleach or other disinfectants that are not approved for the elimination of mold as they usually do not kill the roots or stop the spores from spreading.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Bath specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 252.923.0213

Does Your Bath Home Have A Mold Problem?

5/1/2018 (Permalink)

One of our clients had a mold problem and called us right away. Call SERVPRO of Bath today if you believe you have a mold problem in your home.

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a false statement. Think about the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our training, equipment, and knowledge to remediate your mold issue.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today –(252) 923-0213

Reasons to use a Professional

4/30/2018 (Permalink)

Recent flooding to our area causes havoc. Call SERVPRO of Bath to help with the clean up.

After a water disaster strikes your home, it can be hard to imagine your home repaired back to its original condition.

Here at SERVPRO of Bath we want to let you know that there is hope! We understand that water damage can wreak havoc on a home or business. Whether the damage is due to flooding, a pipe bursting or an appliance running incorrectly, the result is remediation. 

Proper and prompt remediation is needed before the water causes damage and mold begins to form.

Wood floors and cabinets may have to be removed if they water has penetrated and caused cupping or deterioration.

Once the damage has occurred, the fastest way to remove excess water is to rely upon the services of a local restoration company like SERVPRO.  Our goal is to be on site in 4 hours to prompt remediation can occur. 

The faster you call to have your emergency handled, the better the outcome will be.  Every minute/hour that goes by is more time in which your home is potentially “out of commission”. When SERVPRO is there is quickly we can help mitigate the loses and get you back into a safe home environment.

Once you contact us, we can begin a full program of restoration.

First, an immediate inspection and assessment of the damage and adjacent areas and then an estimate of the costs involved recovery are given to you. If you agree to the service, the professionals will then extract all of the remaining water in the building, checking especially for voids where water can go without being detected in most cleanup efforts. Our trained staff can make sure the building is completely dry.  The use of moisture meters, infrared cameras and hygrometers enhance our ability to guarantee dryness. When all of the excess water and any mold growth has been taken care of our professionals will clean and restore any furniture or other implements that water has damaged. A full check will be performed to make sure your building has not sustained any structural damage.

When you need prompt and efficient service for water damage, SERVPRO of Bath is here for you.

Call us at 252-923-0213

Water Damage in your home, what to do next?

4/27/2018 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Bath when you have Water Damage to your home or business.

Water damage is the #1 reason homeowners file a file a claim with their insurance company.  Damage from water can happen very quickly.  Water follows the path of least resistance, saturating everything in its path.  It is important to know what you as a homeowner can do to help to prevent further damage from occurring.

Many times water damage in a home is the result of an accident within the home and not weather related.  Whether it is a burst water line connected to an appliance, a bathtub overflowing, water heater overflow, or a washing machine that is malfunctioning, the most important thing to remember is to call a professional.   Let us be your advocate with your insurance company. 

Many times insurance adjusters have a backlog, and they may not be able to get to your home for a few days. We can be eyes and ears for your adjuster to let him know the extent of your loss, and we can proceed with drying out your home until he or she can arrive.  With our experience with many insurance companies, we will know most times what will be a covered loss by your insurance company.

If you do not have insurance, we will also be there to help to dry out your home and help find ways to reconstruct as affordably as possible. 

At SERVPRO of Bath it is always our goal to put our customers worries at ease.  When you make contact with our office, you will always speak to someone local that knows this business inside and out.  We will ask a variety of questions including: what type of flooring you have in your home, what the square footage is, and what areas are affected.  This allows our team to arrive promptly and ready to handle whatever disaster you are facing.  If you are planning on filing a claim with your homeowners insurance, we can help guide you through the process and deal with your insurance adjuster directly.  At SERVPRO of Bath we are a preferred vendor for many local and national insurance companies.

After calling us at SERVPRO of Bath use the guide below to minimize the damage to your home and belongings.

DO-

• Shut off the source of water if at all possible or contact a qualified person to stop the water.(city water department, plumber)
• If water has affected anything electrical, turn off the power to the affected area at the breaker box if it is safe to do so.
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water off of wood furniture after removing table top items.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and flooring.
• Remove any paintings, documents, computers or any other materials that are valuable or sensitive and store them in an unaffected, dry area of the house.
• Hang curtains and/or draperies off of the floor.
• Take and furs and/or leather items to a separate dry space at room temperature.

DON’T-

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist.
• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches or any other electrical equipment has been exposed to water.
• Leave books, magazines, newspapers or any other colored items on wet flooring and/or furniture to prevent staining.
• Leave wet Oriental rugs or any rug, on a carpeted surface to prevent staining.
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water.
• Use TVs or any other appliance while sitting in wet material.
• Enter rooms or turn on light fixtures in a room where the ceiling is wet or sagging from retained water.
• Wait to call our team. The longer you wait to call, the more secondary damage is occurring. 

24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

4/16/2018 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Bath with any water damage. We are here to help!

SERVPRO of Bath is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today -

252-923-0213

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. SERVPRO of Bath has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

Our goal is to be on site within 4 hours of your emergency day or night and have a preliminary estimate to your adjuster in 8 hours.  

We hope you will consider SERVPRO of Bath as we are unlimited licensed builders with over 60 years combined experience.  We are very familiar with the challenges of weather in Eastern NC whether it be a storm, flood, or mold.  Give us a call at 

252-923-0213

Smoke Damage

4/10/2018 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Bath today. We are here to help!

SERVPRO of Bath has many years experience withcommercial buildings and personal homes when it comes to fire damage.

Typically a fire has damage from water when putting out the fire. Even though areas were not physically on fire, the smoke damage usually penetrates throughout the building.  

Getting the smell of smoke out of any building regardless of the cause (for example grease fire) can be extremely challenging.  Walls must be washed down with special solutions to remove odor and/or paint that traps the smoke odor. Sometimes a fire can cause smoke damage in the ducting of the building.

Knowing the difference between what can be cleaned and what cannot be cleaned comes with training and experience and will save our clients thousands of dollars.  SERVPRO invests a lot of time and money to ensure you have the best of both.  If you had smoke damage to your commercial building or personal home, SERVPRO of Bath is here to help.

After the fire, then reconstruction must begin.  Many times this may be the ideal time to some remodeling such as removing a wall completely to open your floor plan, or adding a room.  One of our retail clients was able to increase the height of their second floor since a new roof had to added.  A tragedy can sometimes turn into a blessing.

With over 60 years combined experience as unlimited licensed builders, we can HELP!

Call SERVPRO of Bath at

252-923-0213.

Did You Know There Are Different Types Of Smoke?

2/13/2018 (Permalink)

Room with extensive smoke damage from house fire.

the first step in a fire is to determine what caused the fire we can start to decide on what equipment and cleaning materials to use in the effective areas. The different types of smoke are below:

Wet Smoke happens when rubber and/or plastic burn.  These types of fires burn at a lower temperature than other types of fires. Since the plastic/rubber burned it will leave behind an overpowering odor and will leave behind a pasty residue.

Dry Smoke occurs when papers and wood are burning. Paper and wood burn very quickly and at a high temperature. These types of fire will cause a lot of damage to the ceilings and even into attics.

Soot smoke this type is when there is a malfunction with the furnace and HVAC system. When this happens, it will put smoke throughout the home through vents. Before cleaning and repairs can happen, the furnace will need to be replaced or repaired.  Then the vents in your home can be cleaned so that left over smoke does not continue to go through your home.  

When you have fire and/or smoke damage in your home, call SERVPRO of Bath to help you assess the damage, be your advocate with your insurance company and remediate and repair the damages.

SERVPRO OF BATH 

252-923-0213 

Covering Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrell and Washington Counties.  Our second franchise SERVPRO of Roanoke Rapids covers an additional 5 counties in Eastern North Carolina.

Pros Of Having Renters Insurance

2/5/2018 (Permalink)

Over 90% of homeowners have an insurance policy on their home however, less than 40% of renters have renters insurance. When a landlord owns the building or home you are living in, they most likely will only have insurance just for the structure but not what is inside.

Unfortunately, your landlord’s property insurance will not help you if a disaster were to strike. Below are a few pros to having renters insurance:

• If your personal belonging have been damaged or stolen, a basic insurance plan will reimburse you for those items.
• Damage caused by a fire or flood will be covered by a renter’s policy. Also, if your apartment or home was severely damaged and was not livable, insurance will pay or help you pay for other living arrangements.

Although you may not be a homeowner, renters insurance provides you with many protections that may be beneficial in the future or in the event of an emergency.  Plans can sometimes be as low as $12 a month.  Here at SERVPRO of Bath, we work with your insurance and here to help!  Call us today – 252.923.0213

Fire Safety

1/30/2018 (Permalink)

One of our clients homes caught on fire a few months ago. Here we are replacing one of the roof trusses.

Many of us know fire 101 in our homes. We know not to leave an open flame such as, a candle or gas stove stop unattended. Even though we may feel comfortable with our knowledge of fire safety here are a few tips and reminders:

• Have a fire extinguisher on in your home. Fire extinguishers play a crucial role in protecting your home during the very early stages of fire.
• Avoid overloading your outlets or outlet extenders. They can easily over heat if they are being over used.  Check on your outlets as often as you can.  Make sure to replace any that may be getting worn out or old.
• When doing laundry, remember to empty link tray from dryer on every use. When the lint is not cleaned it can cause the dryer to heat to a higher temperature. Therefore, the machine will have to work harder and also work at a lower efficiently.
• Make sure space heaters are at least 2-3 feet away from furniture, window treatments, bedding, clothing, rugs, and other combustibles. These items can cause a risk of fire if they come in contact with the unit.
• Check to see if smoke alarms are working every month and replace batteries twice a year. 

When is mold really mold?

1/24/2018 (Permalink)

Mold on a picture frame,

We often get calls from folks that think they have mold in their homes, asking us for an estimate to remediate or clean the area. In some cases, it may not necessary, because, what the home owner is actually seeing is either, remains of insects from getting in your home or wear and tear stains.

It looks just like mold but it's not. How can you tell?

Try rubbing the surface with your finger to determine if the spot is hard or soft and dusty. If it's hard, it's probably not mold.... If you are still not certain, give us call for some advice on what to do.

There's no sense spending money if you do not have to...Call us today with any mold questions!

Heating the Garage

1/17/2018 (Permalink)

With a winter that has been colder than normal, no one likes to walk out of the comfort of their warm home and into a very cold garage. A few months ago, one of our friends installed a mounted gas heater in his personal home (many other home owners and/or business owners have used space heaters as another option).  The heather has made the space much more enjoyable to be in while working or just simply getting into your car. Even though heaters have many pros, there are a few cons; At times you can become anxious thinking the heater could catch fire. Here are a few tips when having a space heater in your space:

• Do not leave space heaters unattended. If you are not going to be home or going to bed turn off the heater.
• Make sure the heater is in a proper area. One that is staple and no chance of falling over.
• Be sure to check it surrounding areas, check for water or other close items that could cause a problem.

Be wary of frozen pipes

1/10/2018 (Permalink)

The winter weather has been different this time around for North Carolina residents.  With it comes a few joys of children playing in the snow and having days off school.  However, there are still plenty of dangers to look out for. Among these dangers are frozen pipes. Running water in your home can easily be taken for granted.  When the water doesn’t seem to want to run through your faucets, it can leave a bigger impact on your personal home and place of business.

Pipes that are most likely to freeze are those that are the outdoor lines.  These lines can be for something as simple as your sprinkler system.  To avoid pipes from freezing or bursting here are a few tips:

• Drain water from outdoor pipes before the cold weather arrives in your area
• Monitor your pipes in your kitchen and bathrooms by leaving cabinet doors open to let warmer air circulate.
• Add additional insulation around pipes
• Keeping your home at a consistent warm temperature 24/7

ODOR EATERS

11/13/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bath has 2 sizes of Ozone Generators to fix your odor problem.

Are you dealing with smoke odors, pet odors, state-musty odors, tobacco odors, or food and cooking odors? Commercial deodorizers may help fight some airborne pungent odors, but to eliminate other foul odors, it may be necessary to do an ozone treatment. Ozone is used to destroy undesirable smells just about anywhere, in full-time and vacation homes, apartments, basements, nursing homes, cars, trucks, buses, boats, classrooms, locker rooms, and gymnasiums. Ozone is also approved by the FDA to be used in food processing plants to scrub yeast and mold spores from the air because of its great deodorizing and disinfecting abilities.

SERVPRO'S ozone generators are extremely effective because they produces O3 which attacks odors at their source, even if they are clinging to walls, fabrics and ductwork. SERVPRO ozone generators intentionally produce the toxic gas, ozone, that is used for commercial and residential applications. When contaminates such as odors, bacteria or viruses contact ozone, their chemical structure is changed to a less odorous compounds. As more ozone attacks the remaining compounds, they are eventually destroyed. This process is called oxidation. Ozone essentially reverts to harmless oxygen after it is used.

If you or someone you know is living with unwanted odors, call SERVPRO of Bath! We are on call to help at 252-923-0213

Devastated over your water damaged Family Bible or important papers?

10/25/2017 (Permalink)

Books damaged by water can be restored

SERVPRO of Bath can help when water damages your important papers! We can vacuum freeze-dry your special documents. You may want your damaged documents restored for sentimental or legal reasons. Often these documents are one-of-a-kind or are irreplaceable. These important papers include family bibles, personal/medical documents, government/business records, personnel files and blue prints.

SERVPRO Document Restoration Service uses the process of sublimation. This process takes frozen documents through temperatures and pressures that turn moisture into vapor. The result is a dry document that can be restored or reused.

Water damage may occur when a basement floods, water damage from about or water from extinguishing a fire. SERVPRO will help you decide which documents to save and which ones to discard. We will box up, freeze and ship your damages papers with  the care and security they deserve.

If you have questions about water damaged documents and how we can help, call SERVPRO of Bath at 252-923-0213.

Hurricane Irma now a Category 5

9/5/2017 (Permalink)

Current Path of Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma continued to strengthen Tuesday as an "extremely dangerous" Category 5 storm, prompting states of emergency in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida, sending residents to stores to prepare for the worst.

At this point, we do not know if the storm is going to turn northward.  Even though Eastern North Carolina is very familiar with hurricanes, we need to take this storm seriously.  Many of the homes in our area are built to withstand winds at 130 mph however Irma's maximum sustained winds had increased to near 175 mph.

Be sure your yard is clear of debis and/or furniture.  Time to purchase tarps and check on the maintenance of your generators.  Have emergency power blocks all charged for your cell phones.  

"Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two, but Irma is forecast to remain a powerful category 4 or 5 hurricane during the next couple of days," the NHC said. 

Irma's center was expected to move near or over the northern Leeward Islands late Tuesday and early Wednesday before affecting Puerto Rico by Wednesday, the hurricane center said.

"Irma is now one of the strongest hurricanes we have witnessed in the last decade as a Cat 5 storm with winds of 175 mph," Fox News Senior Meteorologist Janice Dean said Tuesday.

When Hurricane Matthew hit Bertie County, SERVPRO of Bath was ready!

9/1/2017 (Permalink)

Our highly trained crews are ready to respond 24/7 to storm or flood damage in Eastern NC.

SERVPRO of Bath specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today at 252-923-0213 SERVPRO of Bath

What to do if you find mold

8/21/2015 (Permalink)

Recently we worked with a homeowner who lost the sale of his home when the inspector found a large amount of mold in his crawl space.  This was caused by the excessive moisture due to improper ventilation.

SERVPRO of Bath was able to remove the mold and correct the rotting wood all within 72 hours from first call.  A previous contractor informed him he would have to rip out his floor in the sunken living room space.  All that was necessary was to increase ventilation in the crawlspace after clean up and replacement of a joist.  

Now our customer can put his house back on the market while we are still in the height of the selling season.

Call SERVPRO of Bath at 252-923-0213 anytime day or night.  We are always here to help.

Emergency Services

8/21/2015 (Permalink)

Welcome from SERVPRO of Bath.

As always our 24/7 service line is available should a storm come our way.  We are in hurricane season, and storms are starting to pick up.  We wish the best for those in Houston.  SERVPRO teams from across the United States are there and more are on the way to handle the large amount of devastation.  With over 1,700 franchises, we support one another should a large catastrophe like this happens.

We are here to help should you incur damage from a hurricane here in our area.  

If you come home to a flood and find ankle deep water, we are always here to help.

Call SERVPRO OF BATH 252-923-0213 anytime day or night.