Recent Posts
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!
Spring is a Good Time to Plan for Summer Storms!
3/12/2024 (Permalink)
Spring is near and a great time to prepare for those unpredictable summer storms!
Spring is just a week away in the DMV with warmer weather and cherry blossoms in full glory, but here at SERVPRO® of Laurel and Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we want you to be ready for summer storms.
While we hope that summer consists only of vacations and sunny days, unfortunately that is not always the case. A summer storm happens quite often in Maryland. There are many possibilities of damage from summer storms, whether that is wind, heavy rain, thunder or lightning. Wind causes constructional damage to your home, while heavy rain can lead to flooding and if lightning strikes on your home or business, it is at risk of a fire.
If you know a storm is coming, think ahead & 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 are caught off-guard to a dangerous storm during the night, don’t stress. We are a 24-Hour Emergency Service and we will make your storm-damaged home look “Like it never even happened.” Our team is specially-trained to deal with the mess of a storm. Let us be the experts that you need in your time of crisis.
Call SERVPRO® Team Gutierrez 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884. We are here to help!
SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt-Beltsville stand ready to help!
3/7/2024 (Permalink)
Count on the experts, SERVPRO Team Gutierrez, for cleanup & restoration needs!
Thank goodness the Covid pandemic is behind us although there are still small cases going around, safety precautions are always a good idea to help keep everyone safe.
SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE & Beltsville E want our customers to remember that we are certified specialists in cleaning services and continue to stand ready 24/7 to respond to any cleanup and restoration situation.
Our Crews Are Specially Trained
Our crew members are specially trained and certified to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have more than 40 years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work regularly performed by janitorial companies.
The CDC encourages cleaning of frequently-touched surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:
- 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
Call Us Today to Make a Plan
For deep cleaning and sanitization, and restoration, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE & Beltsville E, (301) 323-8862. We are here for you 24/7!
Disasters call for swift response & efficient service!
3/7/2024 (Permalink)
SERVPRO Team Gutierrez members go over the day's jobs.
It was this time in 2021 when Texas and surrounding southern states experienced an unprecedented disaster when the Polar Vortex brought freezing weather and historic damage such as pipe bursts and other water-related disasters to the local homes & businesses there.
But unprecedented disasters call for unprecedented response. Which is exactly what SERVPRO® of Laurel & Greenbelt NE-Beltsville E, and our parent franchises SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney did! Our crews from the Maryland franchises swiftly prepared, packed up and departed for Dallas, Texas to lend a hand to the massive cleanup and restoration efforts in the wake of the historic snow storms that devastated hundreds of lives and damaged thousands and thousands of homes and businesses throughout numerous southern U.S. states. Our local teams left for Plano, a suburb of Dallas, on in mid-February morning and arrived well over the estimated 24-hour trip due to treacherous road conditions in many stretches of highways.
Extreme cold weather, especially in states that aren't usually prepared for such conditions, commonly cause frozen pipes that result in water damage. In Texas, for example, the temperatures in many cities dipped below 20 degrees F the weekend of Feb. 13, 2021 when many celebrated Lunar New Year and Valentine's Day. Both indoor & outdoor pipes in thousands of homes froze due to improper insulation. The water damage can be extensive, as most homes in the south have attics and not basements, causing water to trickle down from the top and wreak havoc to ceilings and walls in addition to floorings, furniture and other household items.
Other areas in the homes where pipes are unheated or partially heated that are also at risk of freezing include crawl spaces and garages. State of emergency has been declared in the affected southern states, making it easier for residents to apply for federal aid to help pay for losses, repairs and other areas including salary loss due to inability to get to work. Insurance companies also are making it easier for policy holders to file claims, and restoration companies like SERVPRO also are doing what they can to make it easier for customers to file insurance claims, by making electronic claim forms easily available as part of their response process.
Another potential hazard to consider as the snow/ice begins to melt is damage to your roof and ice dams. An ice dam is formed when snow melts unevenly on a roof and refreezes into a dam at the edge of the roof, near the eaves. This dam prevents any further snowmelt from draining off of the roof. This standing water can back up under shingles, leak into a home, and cause significant water damage to ceilings, walls, and other areas. Ice dams can also tear off gutters and loosen shingles.
Snow and ice can cause significant damage to your gutters and roof. The additional weight of snow and ice can even cause a roof to collapse. When there’s a cold snap, water can get into cracks and small spaces and expand when it freezes, causing larger cracks and more damage. The repetition of freezing and thawing cycles can cause small cracks to get larger.
Natural disasters can strike at any time. Best to be prepared, and be sure to keep our SERVPRO Team Gutierrez's number handy for quick response. 301-323-8862.
Flames or Soot: Restoring a home after a fire can be stressful
3/7/2024 (Permalink)
Restoring a home after fire damage is a difficult, emotional process. We can help with cleanup & restoration, and can provide other resources.
SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E responded to a couple of fire-damaged homes in recent weeks. Restoring a home after fire damage is a difficult and emotional process. Not only are we here to help with the cleanup and restoration of your property, but for your family as well.
Flames can cause the most visible damage to your property but the most damage comes from the smoke and soot. Soot is a coating of fine, black dust created when substances are burned. Inhaling soot can cause health effects. It is important to our team that we get rid of all the after-effects of the fire - not only the damage but also the odor. Our expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.
Before restoration begins, our SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E expert will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will be based on which type of smoke damage there is. Below are the different types of smoke:
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.
Call SERVPRO® of Laurel or SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E when you are in need of cleaning after fire strikes. We know it is hard seeing your home in flames and we are here to restore it the best we can. A friendly member of our team is waiting at the phone lines to answer any questions you might have or to schedule a visit at (301) 323-8862.
Why IICRC-certified?
3/7/2024 (Permalink)
Rest assured our crews including technicians are certified in our industry, so we can provide service that meets or exceeds standards.
All of our crew members – project managers, restoration experts and technicians included – at SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, as well as our sister franchises of Rockville-Olney and Silver Spring North, are IICRC-certified.
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification is recognized internationally as a knowledgeable industry voice and resource. It serves as an independent, nonprofit standard-setting and certification body, to set and promote high standards of ethics; and to advance communication and technical proficiency within the inspection, cleaning and restoration service industries.
The IICRC offers certifications in several categories of Cleaning, Inspection and Restoration. Additionally, there are Journeyman certifications available to those with advanced levels of recognition, which can be achieved by having several certifications in select categories and a minimum of three to five years of experience in the cleaning/restoration industry.
Here at SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, our technicians are IICRC-certified and continue their education and certification throughout their employment. As new certifications become available through the IICRC, steps are taken to ensure that our technicians are certified in the latest techniques and services. You can rest assure knowing that only the most qualified technicians will be sent into your business or home to restore and repair damage when you use our company!
Give us a call at 301-323-8862 with any questions or to schedule a free consultation. We are here 24/7 to help!
Keeping schools, daycares & other buildings SERVPRO-clean is good for public safety
2/16/2024 (Permalink)
When a structure is sanitized & disinfected as part of the CSC program, a window decal shield will be left at the structure.
Thank goodness we have moved forward since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020!
While Covid is still around and most of us are protected with multiple vaccines, those unprecedented times have made us realize the importance of keeping public facilities such as schools, daycares, hospitals, government buildings cleaned and sanitized. It's for everyone's safety.
SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E continue to provide the SERVPRO certified cleaning program designed to provide communities with a way to know that a structure has been cleaned, sanitized and disinfected to minimize harmful pathogens.
When businesses choose SERVPRO, their employees, customers and community can rest assured they’ve selected a higher standard of clean – Certified SERVPRO Cleaned (CSC).
At SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, as well as our sister franchises SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North, we continue with our disinfecting service as businesses small & large are in keeping their workplaces safe for employees and customers. Our crews use special equipment to provide this Covid cleaning; equipment such as the Electrostatic Disinfectant Spray, for example, and fogging devices are effective in covering even those harder-to-reach spots around offices and work environments. Our goal: to help keep our communities safe and protected.
How would you know if a business has had a SERVPRO-certified cleaning? If a structure is sanitized and disinfected as part of the CSC program, a window decal shield will be left at the structure, as well as a separate window decal that is dated by our crews to let everyone know when it was last sanitized and disinfected.
Our CSC program gives patrons and employees peace of mind that the space has been protected by SERVPRO, an authority on what it means to be clean.
Contact us today at 301-323-8862 if we can help. We are locally-owned and operating for 44+ years, and always open & ready to help!
Clean dryer vents often to prevent a fire
2/13/2024 (Permalink)
Clean your dryer vent after each load for optimal performance and to prevent a fire.
It can take minutes, but can prevent a fire that may cost a life or more.
Some 34% of home fires are caused by failure to clean the vent in a clothes dryer. A lint fire is a dangerous possibility. To avoid the hazard on lint buildup, occasionally pull out the vent and clean. Thoroughly dry the lint screen with a clean towel. You can also use a vacuum to clean the lint trap filter. SERVPRO® of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E can help clean dryer vents and ducts that may have lint buildup.
The National Fire Protection Agency gives us advice on how to keep your vents clean. Clean the lint filter before and after each load. It is vital to clean your dryer vents every so often to ensure your safety.
Here are some signs that your dryer vent may need to be cleaned:
- Drying times are taking longer.
- Your dryer is getting hot when you’re using it and your clothes are being damaged.
- You can’t see any steam or head any noise outside your house at the wall vent when you run the dryer.
At SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we want to make sure you are taking the right precautions to avoid a house fire. If you do experience a fire caused by your dyer or any other appliances in your home call us today! 301-323-8862.
Routine duct cleaning keeps indoor air safe & extends HVAC system's life span
2/13/2024 (Permalink)
Routine duct cleaning is recommended to keep your indoor air safe, and your HVAC system running efficiently.
Dust, pet dander and other containments from everyday living are circulated through your ducts and can decrease the efficiency of your HVAC heating & 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 you 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. This buildup can cause problems for people with asthma and other respiratory health conditions, auto immune disorders, and environmental allergies.
The EPA’s website states: “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. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors.”
Cleaning your ducts can sweep away years of dust and dirt, helping to reduce potential for damage and health risks.
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 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 a cleaning! 301-323-8862.
Spring is near... but stay prepared for late winter storm!
2/13/2024 (Permalink)
Blue sky and balmy weather are nice, but stay prepared for late-winter surprises!
Our DMV region has enjoyed some balmy weather most of February... until the next cold snap next week when temps are to drop to the 20s overnight!
But that's weather in DC & Maryland! Balmy weather one day; frigid to near-freeze temperature overnight. To wear a sweater or not. To bring in the plants or not…
The weather can be unpredictable, as many of us here in the Washington, D.C.-Maryland 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?
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 Greenbelt NE Beltsville E 24/7 at 301-323-8862.
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.