Steps To Take After Storm Damage

3/25/2024 (Permalink)

A storm can be quite scary and having to deal with its after-effects is challenging. It can leave behind a lot of damage that you will have to take care of. For this reason, you need to have all the right steps in front of you so that you can restore your home as quickly as possible. Here are 5 steps that you will have to follow after suffering from storm weather damage. 

Check How Much Damage Is Done

Before you go on to figuring out the solution for the damage, you will have to assess how much damage took place. It is best to take a look at every nook and corner of your home to know where all the damage is. 

Don’t miss out on anything as you want to ensure that every bit of damage is repaired properly. Observe every inch of the exterior so that you can know exactly what went wrong. Also, if there is seepage or any other time of damage as well, then make sure to take note of this as well. 

Keep Yourself Safe And Avoid Injury

As you go about assessing your home of damage, you want to make sure that you avoid injury throughout. To do this, you will have to keep away from all sorts of electrical equipment and risky areas around your home. 

If you see cracks on the roofs, then it is best that you avoid standing under or close to that particular area. The best thing to do is to make sure that your electricity is shut off to avoid getting damage from wires running through your home. 

Get Your Insurance Company On Board

Throughout the process, you want to make sure that you are collecting adequate proof to show your insurance company. They will probably also send someone for a physical examination to verify your case. Keep them in the loop so that you can claim insurance for the damages that you face from the storm damage. 

Limit Further Damage To Home

Sometimes, if you do not act quickly, there is a possibility of more damage happening to your home. You want to avoid this as much as possible. If there is an excessive wind blowing or water coming in, you might want to board your windows. 

If you’re not sure how to do this, then you must reach out to a professional service for help. And, that is our final step that will help with the damage. 

Get The Right Professional Cleaning Service 

You want to ensure that your home is not damaged beyond repair. This is when you need to get the right people on board to help you clean up the mess after the storm weather damage. You do not want to put the entire work on yourself as you might not have the right equipment to get this done properly. 

You should reach out to professionals who can help you clean your home and minimize the damage done to your home. Connect to https://www.SERVPROwoodburydeptford.com/ and get your home cleaned up in no time. 

Tips To Prevent Basement Flooding

3/25/2024 (Permalink)

Flooding damage is expensive to repair. To save yourself from this cost you must take preventative measures so you don’t end up putting a dent in your pocket.

The main causes of flooding are overflowing gutters, cracks in the foundation, leaky windows, and water seeping into the walls. To make sure that all of this doesn't happen to your home, here are a few measures you can take.

Clean Your Gutters

An inefficient drainage system is the biggest cause of flooding. This is why you must clean your gutters and drainage system and get rid of any debris that may cause a blockage.

This will ensure the water to flow freely and drain efficiently without causing any damage to your home.

Maintain Proper Landscaping

You may be wondering what landscaping has got to do with basement flooding. However, if your hard grades towards your house then you are at a higher risk of basement flooding.

Your home grade needs to be directed away from the house. This is why your lawn should be properly sloped. To fix this problem you can opt for many landscaping solutions that can direct the water away if need be.

Inspect And Repair Any Cracks In Foundation

A small crack in the foundation or a window can cause the entire basement to flood. This is why you must have a routine foundation inspection so that such cracks can be filled and taken care of.

You can inspect it yourself and fill the crack with epoxy. However, if there is still leaking from somewhere then you should call a professional as soon as possible.

Get Window Well Covers Installed

If your basement has windows and they are protected by a well cover then they should be. This is a great way of letting some light into your basement while protecting it from water.

You can get a clear acrylic window well cover to get the most out of them. They will keep any water and pests out from your basement ensuring cleanliness.

Maintain Your Sump Pump 

Failure of sump pump maintenance is also one of the major causes of flooding. This is because a sump pump defends your home against many things such as flooding, mold, other water damage, etc.

However, for it to fulfill all these functions you need to maintain it too. Before any harsh weather conditions or storms, you should always get your sump pump checked.

If there are any problems then they should be quickly fixed so that your home can be prevented from flooding damage.

Final Words

Your home is your investment and your safe place. This is why maintaining it should be your topmost priority. However, if for any reason there is basement flooding or other water damage then you should immediately call a professional.

We offer all kinds of cleaning services and our expertise in this industry is unparalleled. For more information on what we offer, feel free to get in touch with us now!

5 Immediate Steps to Handle a Water Damage Emergency

3/1/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage can be infuriating. It is classified as one of the most serious emergencies that your property could suffer from – one that could possibly have long-term implications as well.

There are many ways that your property could get damaged by water, such as a heavy storm, flash floods, extreme rainfall, damaged pipes, overflowing water appliances, or even a leaking roof. Regardless of where your water damage stems from, it is mandatory to address the problem immediately to prevent further damage and to allow for repair strategies to be helpful.

When you face a water damage emergency at home, you should already have a plan in place that tells you exactly how to handle the situation. Here are a few steps that should ideally be part of your contingency plan:

1. Protecting Yourself

The reason why water damage is considered extremely serious is because not only will there be floating water around your home, but the water can also further create more emergencies around the house. If the water is contaminated, there can be serious health implications if you come into contact with it. If you let the water reach electrical appliances, there can be a short circuit in the house or lead to electrocuted water.

To protect yourself, the first step in a water damage emergency should be shut off all electricity in your home. In case the water damage is caused by flooding, it is important to evacuate the home and reach a safe destination ASAP. Remember to wear protective clothing such as gloves and boots when you come in contact with the water to avoid the risk of contaminated or electrocuted water. You should also protect important possessions first – including important documents and electronic devices.

2. Stop the Damage

In order to prevent further damage to your property, it is important to identify the source of the water damage and stop it immediately. If you have a burst pipe, you can shut off the water supply. If there is a flood in the area, you can use sandbags to lessen the impact. If you are suffering a ceiling leak, you should identify the exact point of leakage and reach out to a roofing expert.

3. Call the Insurance Company

Since most houses in the US are insured, it is important to call the insurance company as soon as you identify water damage on your property. They are likely to guide you regarding what to do next, including getting a claims adjuster and taking photographs of the property damaged. This step is important to save money on damage repair in the future since your insurance company is likely to have it covered.

4. Dry Everything

If it is possible, you should begin drying your wet furniture and flooring as soon as possible. Leave your rugs out in the sun to dry and turn on the fans to help dry out the entire house. This step is essential to eliminate the possibility of mold growth on your property due to still water and moisture in the home.

Health Care for Your Home

3/20/2023 (Permalink)

As a home owner; I realize how important it is to have a plan protect my largest investment just as I use my health insurance to protect my and my family’s personal health.  In an effort to offer affordable, reliable and hassle free maintenance for your home – SERVPRO of Sussex County is happy to announce the Healthy Home Service Plans. These plans allow the homeowner to make appointments for check-ups for their home on an ongoing basis and with each service you keep saving more money!

  We offer a two tiered service plan that tackles the two most important areas of your home as far as you and your family’s health – the general cleaning of your home and the cleaning of the air duct and ventilation systems.  With each service; once you set your first appointment for service you are offered the option to schedule future cleanings and you can save as much as 25% per service! The general cleaning plan will keep your floors and carpets clean all year round when scheduling a cleaning every 6 months and you save 25% on each cleaning!  We also offer an affordable yearly plan that will set a future date one year out so you don’t have to worry about when it’s time to schedule your next cleaning – we will email to remind you of the time for the next service…hassle free! If you have pets in your home – we recommend the bi-annual cleanings.

  Typically, NADCA (North American Duct Cleaning Accreditation) recommends cleaning your ducts and ventilation system every 2 years.  Our Healthy Home Plan will afford you a savings of 25% off of each cleaning when you schedule 2 cleanings over a two year period and again – no scheduling hassle – we will make your appointment for you well in advance just like when you go to your doctor or your dentist!  It’ time to get your home on a healthy regimen of care and save big in the process – call SERVPRO of Sussex County today and schedule your first cleaning!   

Once upon a time...Success through TRUST!

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

 In 1967, SERVPRO^® began as a painting business owned by Ted and Doris Isaacson in Sacramento, California. Within a short time, they leveraged their background in cleaning and restoration to grow their company by offering franchises in the cleanup and restoration industry. They sold their first franchise in 1969, and SERVPRO grew steadily. Ten years later, they were able to acquire the Bristol-Myers Domesticare division and its 175 franchises. By 1988, the Isaacsons had built SERVPRO into a thriving company with 647 locations. They decided it was time for further expansion and relocated the company from Sacramento to the Metro Nashville area. This strategic move put SERVPRO in a more centrally located area within 600 miles of 50 percent of the U.S. population. It wasn’t long before SERVPRO proved itself to be a major asset to its new community, and it was named the “Small Business of the Year” by the Nashville Business Journal in 1991. SERVPRO continued to grow into the new century, and in 2005 moved to a 140,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Gallatin, Tennessee, to provide more room for expansion. Today, SERVPRO has more than 2,000 locations in the United States and Canada and has become the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration. SERVPRO offers a solid business model to entrepreneurs looking for a recession-proof opportunity. In March 2019, the investment firm Blackstone acquired a majority stake in SERVPRO. True to its beginnings, it remains a family-owned business. The Isaacson family will continue to be significant shareholders into the future. According to Rick Isaacson, Chief Executive Officer of SERVPRO Industries, LLC, “SERVPRO was founded over 50 years ago with the vision of becoming the premier cleaning and restoration company, and we believe this partnership with Blackstone is a vital next step toward this goal.”

Stay Calm and Call SERVPRO of Sussex County!

2/27/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Sussex County offers an array of professional services to help you maintain your home, business and property.  Restoring a home or an office after a water intrusion demonstrates how we can take something damaged and make it like new.  Our national advertisements show such drama as a jet engine blowing a home apart – or a huge water balloon exploding over a home…resulting of course in a horrendous flood.  However, there are some services that SERVPRO does not advertise – simply because they are not your typical services that show a tedious beginning and a glamorous ending – they apply to the health of others.  Our bio-hazard team tackles all types of jobs that no one else typically will want to be bothered with.  Most involve the things we all find to be offensive; whether it be sewage, bodily waste, blood or even death. 

  We have ongoing contracts with state and local law enforcement groups that take care of cleaning police vehicles and cells after a bio hazardous mishap. These range from intoxications with vomiting to injuries that cause blood and bodily fluid loss.  We clean them all.  Perhaps the most psychologically challenging incidents involve death.  Suicides and natural deaths occur every day in our society and think about the magnitude of such events…especially if no one cared to offer the family assistance with the clean-up.  I am reminded of that well known credo that first responders live by – “We move toward the problem - not away from it!”  Death and injury can be very tough on any family and just knowing that a group stands ready to step in a take some of the tragedy out of such an event is priceless!

2022 Hurricane Summary

2/21/2023 (Permalink)

2022 Hurricane Summary

According to NOAA; the 2022 season saw three hurricane landfalls along the coast of the U.S. mainland. Hurricane Ian made landfall first as a Category 4 storm in Cayo Costa, Florida, and again as a Category 1 in Georgetown, South Carolina. As a Category 4 with 150 mph maximum sustained winds, Hurricane Ian tied for the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to make landfall in the U.S. Hurricane Nicole made landfall as a Category 1 in north Hutchinson Island, Florida. 

Hurricane Fiona made landfall outside of the mainland U.S. as a Category 1 near Punta Tocon, Puerto Rico.  

“I commend NOAA’s dedicated scientists, hurricane hunter pilots and forecasters who worked diligently to help American communities become hurricane resilient and Climate-Ready for the impacts of this hurricane season and the years to come,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. 

This unique season was defined by a rare mid-season pause in storms that scientists preliminarily believe was caused by increased wind shear and suppressed atmospheric moisture high over the Atlantic Ocean. After a quiet period in August, activity ramped up in September with seven named storms, including the two major hurricanes — Fiona and Ian — seen this season. The season also included a rare late-season storm with Hurricane Nicole making landfall on November 10 along the east coast of Florida.

Sussex County was fortunate again as we did not suffer any close or direct impacts; however we all know that Mother Nature is in charge.  If you have any storm damage; please call SERVPRO of Sussex County at 302-856-9768.  

CDC Guidelines for Safe Surface Cleansing

2/6/2023 (Permalink)

The following guidance is for buildings in community settings and is not intended for healthcare settings where specific regulations or practices for cleaning and disinfection may apply. Additionally, this guidance only applies to cleaning and disinfection to prevent the spread of most harmful germs, such as viruses or bacteria. This guidance does not cover cleaning of other materials (such as chemicals) from surfaces. Regularly cleaning surfaces in your facility helps prevent the spread of germs that make people sick.

Cleaning with commercial cleaners that contain soap or detergent decreases the number of germs on surfaces and reduces risk of infection from surfaces in your facility. Cleaning alone removes most types of harmful germs (like viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi) from surfaces.

Sanitizing reduces the remaining germs on surfaces after cleaning.

Disinfecting can kill harmful germs that remain on surfaces after cleaning. By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, disinfecting can further lower the risk of spreading disease.

If you do sanitize or disinfect, clean surfaces first because impurities like dirt may make it harder for sanitizing or disinfecting chemicals to get to and kill germs.

Consider the type of surface and how often the surface is touched. Generally, high touch surfaces are more likely to spread germs. If the space is a high traffic area, you may choose to clean more frequently or disinfect in addition to cleaning.

When to Clean Surfaces

• Clean high-touch surfaces regularly (for example, pens, counters, shopping carts, door handles, stair rails, elevator buttons, touchpads, restroom fixtures, and desks).
• Clean other surfaces when they are visibly dirty.

How to Safely Clean Various Surfaces

In most situations, cleaning regularly is enough to prevent the spread of germs. Always wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after cleaning. Follow these tips to safely clean different surfaces in your facility:

For hard surfaces:

• Clean surfaces with soap and water or with cleaning products appropriate for use on the surface.

For soft surfaces:

• Clean the surface using a product containing soap, detergent, or other type of cleaner appropriate for use on these surfaces.
• Launder items if possible, according to the label’s instructions. Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.
• Vacuum surfaces such as carpets and rugs and dispose of the dirt safely.

A Cleaner Community is a Better Community.

2/3/2023 (Permalink)

A local public restroom shows how SERVPRO makes dirt "Like it never even happened."

When you travel to a new place and are drawn by the appeal of photos or ads; you experience firsthand either the satisfaction or the disappointment of the reality.  For example; you and your family have heard great things about a beach town in another state and make a visit.  The first encounter with the community may be at a local business or a local public service area – such as a town restroom.  If you travel; you understand fully that your first impression can be lasting.  A filthy, unmaintained public restroom in any town, let alone a tourist area is a real turn off and forces most to seek facilities elsewhere.  Elsewhere can be described as – away from the local businesses. 

On the other hand; you stop into a quaint Delaware beach town and decide to walk or bike and enjoy nature as well as the town itself and the facilities provided are well above standard. You feel welcome and safer. The photos offered demonstrate a higher level of clean than most of us have experienced in any public restroom.  Yet they were selected randomly from our daily cleaning log so as to demonstrate just how serious we are about our janitorial services. We also clean the town offices and take pride in helping our community make a great impression. 

Recently; a local newspaper gave us some free publicity for which we are very appreciative.  Although it may not have been offered from a complimentary perspective; it was nonetheless a positive story about SERVPRO of Sussex County.  You may remember the headline stating that our company was number one at number two (reference to our partnership with the town and our cleaning detail).  Yes, we agree. The great thing about some of the services that SERVPRO of Sussex County provides is that they are not glamorous but essential to the community.  Fulfilling that essential promise to our local friends and our visitors is our vocation.

Curb Appeal - Reimagined!

2/2/2023 (Permalink)

Keeping your business clean and inviting can be the key to obtaining new customers as well as keeping old ones. Studies show that customers have more trust in a product or service offered from a well maintained and clean source than those who are less than tidy. The curb appeal of your business does matter and we can help you maintain the best image possible! With more than 1800 franchises nationally – SERVPRO is the nation’s leader in clean–up and restoration. We proudly serve the commercial and residential sectors with the best cleaning options for our community.

Sometimes things just happen: spills on the carpet, pet accidents, and the general wear and tear of everyday life. These things take their toll on your carpets, upholstery and other items. Sometimes you need a deeper clean for your home or business than you can do yourself. You need a professional cleaning company that can provide heavy duty cleaning services. That’s when you can call the certified professionals at SERVPRO. Our experienced professionals are trained in a variety of cleaning methods for carpets, drapery, blinds, upholstery, and hardwood floors. We also offer professional duct and vent cleaning services as well as bio-hazard clean – up. Our products are tested and safe for people and pets. We’re backed by more than 30 years of local experience in the cleaning and restoration industry. Call us today at 302-856-9768 or visit SERVPROsussexcounty.com for details.

SERVPRO – we can handle the dirt and make it “Like it never even happened!”