Be Prepared for Those Unpredictable Spring & Summer Storms

5/3/2024 (Permalink)

Spring & Summer storms can occur anytime. Be prepared!

SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E want you to be ready for summer storms. While we hope that summer just consists of vacations and sunny days, that is not always the case.

Spring or summer storms happen quite often in Maryland including Prince George's County. There are many possibilities of damage from storms, whether from wind, heavy rain, or lightning. Wind can cause structural damage to your home, heavy rain can lead to flooding and if lightning strikes on your property, it is at risk of a fire.  

If you know a storm is coming, take these initiatives to ensure safety:

• Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
• Shutter windows and secure outside doors.
• Unplug any electronic equipment.

During the storm, remain calm and be aware.

• Use your battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials.
• Avoid contact with cords.
• Stay away from windows and doors.

After the Storm, BE SAFE! It may not be storming anymore but the damage can still affect you.

• Never drive through a flooded roadway.
• Stay away from storm-damaged areas to keep from putting yourself at risk.
• Stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately to 911.

If you're caught off-guard to a dangerous storm that causes property damage, don’t stress, we have Emergency Response Teams 24/7 who are specially-trained to deal with the mess of a storm. Let us be the experts you need in your time of crisis. Give SERVPRO Team Gutierrez a call at 301-323-8862.

Do your health a favor by keeping your duct system clean!

5/3/2024 (Permalink)

Keeping your duct system clean not only keeps a healthy home, but saves money!

Dust, pet dander & other containments from everyday living are circulated through your ducts and can decrease the efficiency of your HVAC heating and cooling system, causing it to work much harder.

Keeping the ductwork clean can extend the life span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which saves money.

Duct Cleaning can:

• Remediate Bacteria, Fungi and Mold
• Reduce Potential for Mold Growth
• Restore Peak Energy Efficiency
• Eliminate Offensive Odors

Since the ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality, keeping your ductwork clean should be a high priority. In most cases, the HVAC system has been operating for some time without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminants such as mold and irritating dust throughout your building or home.

These contaminants from day to day living are sucked into your HVAC system and recirculated throughout your home over and over. This causes a buildup over time inside the ductwork. 

“In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities," according to the EPA website.

Cleaning your ducts can sweep away years of dust and dirt, helping to keep our allergies at bay.

In some circumstances, such as after a fire, smoke or suspected mold growth, duct cleaning becomes an essential part of the cleanup process. This includes certain odors as well. In these cases, a SERVPRO® Duct Cleaning Professional can often restore the ductwork to pre-damage condition. It is also recommended that you have the ductwork cleaned after buying a home or after a renovation. Just like carpet cleaning, having your ductwork cleaned should be part of your home maintenance routine. 

Call SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E today to schedule your duct cleaning! 301-323-8862.

Let's keep our school campuses mold-free!

4/12/2024 (Permalink)

To keep our students safe, we must ensure their campus is mold-free!

Schools that have experienced water damage from incidents such as plumbing leaks, water overflows from toilets, or poor drainage of rainwater, are at risk of mold growth, which can take place within the first 48 hours of the accident.

If you can see its visible growth or can smell it (usually similar to that of something rotting), it’s an obvious indicator. After water damage, you can expect mold and in a school especially, it’s imperative to call professionals to come take a look as students’ and faculties’ health alike are at risk.

Yet there are other instances where mold isn’t caused immediately by a plumping issue, for example. Mold can grow behind paint, walls, under tiles, etc. and can grow there for years. Mold can be growing behind paint and begin appearing over it, but simply scrubbing the mold off the paint won’t solve the problem as only part of the problem was removed, and it will just grow back.

In these cases, remediation is necessary. Give SERVPRO of Laurel/Greenbelt-Beltsville a call today at (301) 323-8862. 

We serve public and private schools throughout the Maryland, Virginia & DC region. Mold can pose serious health risks including fatigue, nausea, headaches and respiratory irritation, to name a few.

Our technicians are well-trained and seasoned in mold remediation and will have your classrooms and other school facilities mold-free and safe in no time!

Got MOLD? Leave it to your friends at SERVPRO Laurel & Greenbelt!

4/11/2024 (Permalink)

Mold exposure can be hazardous to our health. Leave it to our certified technicians for safe cleanup & mitigation.

We’ve all heard of black mold, but what exactly is it? And if your business or company headquarters have sightly signs of mold, they may discourage your customers and visitors.

One of the most obvious signs happens to be scent. Have you smelled something earthy or musty? Think of a late fall’s odor of rotting leaves or the smell of dirt on a rainy spring day.

Next, consider the environment in which you suspect the mold is inhabiting, and ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the area damp?
• Has the area previously been flooded?
• Does it get little to no exposure to light?

Black mold feeds off water-saturated materials such as cotton, drywall, cardboard and wood. It even thrives off of damp dust and lint.

If the scent of the mold leads you straight to where it is festering, examine the color but don’t get too close. In color, black mold is typically greenish-black and a bit slimy. However, it can also appear grayish and powdery.

Note other molds may appear similar in color, so it is impossible to determine which breed of mold is growing in your property unless it is examined under a microscope.

At the end of the day, this examination is expensive and unnecessary because whether it is black mold or not, mold must be removed for health and sanitary purposes.

If you detect mold, regardless of its color or texture, call the professionals to have it removed.

SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are the area’s water & storm damage, and mold & mildew remediation experts. Large or small, we will restore your mold- and water-damaged property, residential or commercial, with efficiency and detail.

Call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884.

Spring is nice, but be prepared for those unexpected storms!

4/11/2024 (Permalink)

Get the home and yard ready for those unexpected storms!

Ahhh! Spring… Balmy weather one day; frigid to near-freeze temperature overnight. To wear a sweater or not. To bring in the plants or not…

Spring weather can be unpredictable, as many of us here in the Washington, D.C. region have experienced a time or two. Remember the heavy April snowfall over a decade ago? And the wind gusts of 20-30+ mph every now and then, like the one our DMV experienced just over the weekend in late March.

While we can’t predict when severe weather hits, we can always plan for those unexpected storms to minimize injury to ourselves and damages to our properties. A viable plan of action for storms, floods, tornadoes, even fires, can save lives and costly repairs in the aftermath of severe weather that can occur, even within the same day.

Mark Twain said it best: “In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.”

Preparing an emergency kit to keep on hand is a great start to advance planning for storms. Some items to include, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are:

• A battery-operated flashlight, a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio, and extra batteries for both
• An emergency evacuation or shelter plan, including a map of your home and routes to safety from each room
• A list of important personal information, including:
  • telephone numbers of neighbors, family and friends
  • insurance and property information
  • telephone numbers of utility companies
  • medical information
• A 3–5 day supply of bottled water and nonperishable food
• Personal hygiene items
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• A first-aid kit, which may include:
  • non-latex gloves
  • assortment of adhesive bandages
  • antibiotic ointment
  • sterile gauze pads in assorted sizes
  • absorbent compress dressings
  • tweezers
  • scissors
  • adhesive cloth tape
  • aspirin packets

Being prepared & proactive for storms and severe weather can save lives and minimize costly repairs to damaged property. Oftentimes we have little if any time to prepare for an approaching storm. For families with young children, a mock emergency drill may be a fun yet helpful activity. Show them where to go; where emergency supplies are stored; and make sure everyone in the family knows where & how to turn off the water, gas and electricity in your home.

Preparedness and swift response may save a life or two!

When all’s settled and you find your damaged properties needing cleanup & restoration, call us – SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E – 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884.

We are the area’s water & storm damage experts and are always “Faster to any size disaster.” Large or small, we will restore your water-damaged property, residential or commercial, with efficiency and detail. 

Let SERVPRO Laurel/Greenbelt take your facilities to the next level of Clean!

4/9/2024 (Permalink)

It's always important to keep commercial facilities such as businesses, hospitals & schools clean to protect everyone's health.

What the recent pandemic has taught the world is that clean and disinfected spaces, especially in public, continues to be key to keeping everyone safe and healthy.

With the country back to nearly 100 percent normal and most businesses and workplaces operating in person as usual, we want to remind our clients that it's still important to have buildings and facilities thoroughly cleaned to keep everyone safe from germs and other health hazards.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, SERVPRO® franchises throughout the country – including SERVPRO® of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E and SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North – are here to help keep your customers and employees safe with our commercial cleaning services.

We use a proactive viral pathogen cleaning program backed by our more than 50 years of experience in cleanup and restoration. 

Our commercial clients include daycares, schools, government entities such as police & fire stations, hospitals, and condo & apartment buildings.

Give us a call today at 301-323-8862 and let our crews take your facilities to the next level of CLEAN!

We're about more than Fire & Water restoration: We provide Business Cleaning Needs

3/13/2024 (Permalink)

We do more than fire & water restoration: We provide business cleaning needs for commercial property owners and managers.

Accidents and disasters don't pick a date & time to occur; they can strike anytime, anywhere. 

SERVPRO® of Laurel & SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E can help during those accidents with specialty cleaning for your commercial property (we do residential homes, too!).

Whether it’s duct cleaning, odor removal, graffiti removal, biohazard cleaning services… Let SERVPRO Team Gutierrez certified technicians handle these specialty cleaning projects for your business and commercial properties.  

Providing Your Business Cleaning Needs

We have the equipment and experience to get the job done, whether you have a routine need, like air duct and HVAC system cleaning, or face a major emergency, such as biohazard and crime scene cleanup. Our professionals are skilled and work with the most advanced cleaning products and techniques to clean & restore your commercial property, so you can focus on work and growing your business.

Team Gutierrez can create a custom cleaning plan for the business or property owner, followed by our best-in-class cleaning and disinfecting services, and finishing with a certification they can share with their patrons and staff. Rest assured all our crew members and products adhere to Centers for Disease Control and local cleaning guidelines.

Call SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E today at 301-323-8862. We are locally-owned and operating for 44+ years, and always open & ready to help! 

Large or Small, We Can Tackle Any Size Disaster

3/13/2024 (Permalink)

Large or small, here in PGC or out of state, our local SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt-Beltsville franchises can handle any size disaster.

Spring 2024 is well under way as residents in the Maryland, Virginia and DC region are enjoying the longer days and warmer weather.

And if you live in the area long enough, you know well the unexpected change in weather in any season. Yes, we're alluding to storms, those unpredictable springtime and summertime storms that usually bring with them high winds and heavy rains.

Large or small, here in Prince George's County or beyond, our local SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E franchises are equipped with resources and manpower to tackle any size disaster. It's one of the reasons our storm and emergency response teams are regularly trained and certified to be ready for such disasters, because time is of the essence when disasters strike, and it’s especially so for the people affected as well as other responders such as insurance companies.

Quick restoration means home & business owners can reclaim their properties and start to pick up the pieces sooner; for insurance adjusters, it means less claim payout since longer restoration time can mean insurance companies have to put their insureds into temporary housing and such. It’s a win for all involved!

But storm response also means that our crews perform their jobs with the care and compassion our customers need, especially at times of distress and uncertainty. The nature of our business as fire & water cleanup and restoration companies is such that we may be imposing on personal properties and belongings that are of great monetary & sentimental value to our customers. 

SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, along with our parent franchises SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North, is a full-service restoration company that specializes in the cleanup, restoration & reconstruction of residential and commercial properties after a fire, smoke or water damage. We also mitigate mold and mildew, and biohazards from your home or business, as well as thorough cleaning with CDC-certified products.

For a free consultation, call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-340-1313. We are always here to help!

Safety tips to avoid kitchen fire

3/13/2024 (Permalink)

Follow the tips above to help prevent a kitchen fire

A majority of fires that take place in homes begin in the kitchen.

Who doesn’t like cookies, brownies & other yummy baked treats? Spending time baking and cooking in the kitchen, especially with family, is also a cherished pastime for many. This also means that, with every pie and each batch of cookies or brownies you make, there is a greater risk of a fire emergency.

Aside from calling 9-1-1, which should be one of your first moves, here are some quick tips for dealing with a fire emergency in your kitchen:

* Always watch your cooking; don't leave anything unattended

* Set a timer so that you don't accidentally burn something or forget that an appliance is being used

* If something on the stove catches on fire and it is small, cover it with a lid and turn off the burner

* Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen near your cooking area where it is easily accessible

* Add baking soda to a grease fire, not water

* Clean your appliances regularly so that grease does not accumulate and start a fire

* Clean and dust around and behind appliances, as dust accumulation can cause fires if it is close to electrical wiring

* Keep flammable objects away from cooking appliances, especially those things like tea towels and potholders

* Install a smoke alarm in your kitchen

* Test your smoke alarms and make sure they will work when you most need them!

* Keep these quick tips in mind and prevent a major fire damage emergency from taking place in your home!

For other tips or for fire and water cleanup & restoration, SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are here to help. Call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez 24/7 at 301-323-8862.

What To Do When Dealing With Fire Damage in Your Home

3/12/2024 (Permalink)

Restoring a home after fire damage is a difficult, emotional process. We can help with cleanup & restoration, and can provide other resources.

Life has enough interruptions and bumps along the way without the unwanted disaster of a house fire. The aftermath is almost as bad, but much longer-lasting. Even small fires can merit the use of a professional restoration company. Cooking fires that spread beyond the stove, barbecue grills that go haywire, and even small appliances that catch fire can cause damage to surrounding areas. 

Small Fires Can Pose High Risks 

While you should never pour water on a grease fire, nor on an electrical one, many times that is a person's first reaction. This can cause even more damage. Cooking fires and electrical shorts are common causes of Montgomery County fire damages. It can also create physical risks to people standing nearby.

With grease fires, baking soda should be poured into the skillet and any grease or oil that has caught fire outside of the cooking pan or skillet instead of water. 

With electrical fires, the appliance should be unplugged if it can be safely done, but not by pulling on the cord. This can cause the cord to snap, leaving the plug without the cord still in the outlet. The power to the area where this is happening should be shut off at the fuse box as quickly as possible to eliminate the hazard. 

After the Fire is Out, It's Time to Repair the Damage 

When there has been a localized fire, you should have someone assess the damages for you. This can often help with insurance documentation. Landlords, if you are renting, will also appreciate the heads-up, and they can see the damage for themselves. It is every landlord's worst nightmare to have a fire or flood damage their properties. If they can see the amount of damage, they can rest easier knowing the extent of the repairs required. Fires do happen, through nobody's fault, and your landlord will know this. 

Damage can range from blackened walls and countertops to heavily burned surfaces, electrical wires being damaged and requiring replacement, to floors suffering damage so severe they must be replaced to be safe again. Having experts assess and conduct the repairs needed can greatly facilitate insurance claims being resolved, as well. 

Hopefully you will never have to experience a fire in your home, business or building, but if you have recently dealt with this catastrophe and need professional restoration to your residential or commercial property, give us a call today at 301-323-8862.

SERVPRO® of Laurel, as well as SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E and our parent franchise, SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney, is a full-service restoration company that specializes in the cleanup, restoration & reconstruction of residential and commercial properties after a fire, smoke or water damage. We also mitigate mold and mildew, and biohazards from your home or business, as well as thorough cleaning with CDC-certified products. 

We are “Faster to any size disaster.” No job is too large or too small!