Preventing and Addressing Frozen Pipes: How SERVPRO® Can Help

12/4/2024 (Permalink)

"Protect your pipes this winter! Proper insulation can prevent freezing and costly water damage. SERVPRO is here to help you prepare and respond."

As temperatures drop, the risk of frozen pipes becomes a real concern for homeowners and businesses. Frozen pipes can lead to bursts, flooding, and costly water damage. Fortunately, with proactive measures and expert assistance, you can prevent these winter woes. Here’s how SERVPRO can help and some tips to safeguard your property.

Why Do Pipes Freeze?

When water inside pipes freezes, it expands, putting pressure on the pipe walls. This can cause cracks or bursts, especially in uninsulated or exposed pipes. Common areas at risk include basements, attics, and exterior walls.

Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes:

1. Insulate Pipes: Wrap exposed pipes in foam insulation or heat tape, especially in unheated areas.
2. Let Faucets Drip: A slow drip keeps water moving and reduces the chance of freezing.
3. Seal Drafts: Close gaps around windows, doors, and walls near pipes.
4. Maintain Heating: Keep your thermostat at a consistent temperature, even when away.
5. Open Cabinet Doors: Allow warm air to circulate around pipes under sinks.

SERVPRO to the Rescue

If a pipe freezes or bursts despite precautions, SERVPRO is ready to assist. Our experienced team provides:

• 24/7 Emergency Response: Quick action minimizes water damage and mold growth.
• Water Removal & Drying: Advanced equipment extracts water and thoroughly dries affected areas.
• Restoration Services: We repair and restore your property to pre-damage condition.

SERVPRO also offers winterization services, helping you prepare for extreme weather. Our goal is to prevent issues before they arise and provide peace of mind during the colder months.

Stay Ahead of Winter Damage

Frozen pipes are stressful, but with preparation and SERVPRO’s expertise, you can protect your home or business. For more tips or immediate assistance, contact SERVPRO today.

When disaster strikes, we’re here to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Need help now? Call SERVPRO today!

The Importance of Addressing Mold Concerns in Your Home or Business

10/28/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage and mold buildup under a radiator—SERVPRO can restore and prevent further issues.

Mold isn’t just an unsightly problem; it can have serious implications for health, property integrity, and indoor air quality. Acting quickly to address mold concerns can save you from costly repairs and potential risks. Here’s why immediate action is essential:

1. Health Effects: Mold can cause health effects, impacting the well-being of anyone in the building. A mold-free environment is essential to ensure a safe and comfortable space.

2. Structural Integrity: Mold can break down the materials it grows on, gradually weakening the structure of your property. Addressing mold early can help prevent costly repairs and preserve building safety.

3. Air Quality: Airborne mold spores can compromise indoor air quality, which may lead to a less comfortable environment. Tackling mold helps ensure a clean, breathable indoor atmosphere.

4. Property Value: Mold can decrease property value significantly. Potential buyers or tenants may be deterred by visible mold, making it difficult to sell or lease at an ideal price.

Don’t wait until mold becomes a larger issue. SERVPRO’s certified (IICRC) professionals are here to provide comprehensive mold remediation, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for your home or business.

- Lily Oliver

The Importance of Cleaning Your Home’s HVAC Ducts for Fall and Winter

10/28/2024 (Permalink)

Professional air duct cleaning in action! SERVPRO ensures your vents are clean and your indoor air quality is fresh.

The Importance of Cleaning Your Home’s HVAC Ducts for Fall and Winter

As the cooler months approach, it’s time to prepare your home’s HVAC system for increased use. One often-overlooked but essential step is cleaning your HVAC ducts. Here’s why this simple maintenance task is so valuable:

1. Improved Air Quality: Dust, pollen, and pet dander build up in HVAC ducts over time. When the system is in use, these contaminants circulate throughout your home, impacting air quality. Clean ducts help ensure a healthier indoor environment.

2. Enhanced System Efficiency: Clean ducts allow your HVAC system to run more efficiently. Fewer obstructions improve airflow, reducing strain on the system, potentially lowering energy bills, and extending the equipment's lifespan.

3. Odor Control: Mold, mildew, and accumulated debris in your ducts can create unpleasant odors. Cleaning your ducts helps eliminate these smells, making your home fresher and more inviting.

4. Reduced Fire Hazard: Dust and debris in ducts can pose a fire risk, especially when heating systems are active. Regular duct cleaning significantly reduces this hazard, keeping your home safer.

Get a head start on winter by scheduling professional duct cleaning from SERVPRO of Roanoke, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties. With National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) certification, SERVPRO® ensures your home is ready for the season. 

Call us today at 540-389-5818 or 540-731-3080.

- Lily Oliver

Recovering from Fire Damage: SERVPRO Can Help

10/28/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO: When Fire Strikes, We Restore Your Kitchen from Devastation to Home Again

Experiencing a fire in your home or business can be a traumatic event that leaves behind significant damage and emotional distress. The aftermath can be overwhelming, with structural damage, smoke residue, and lingering odors that make it difficult to return to normalcy. SERVPRO of Roanoke, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties understands the complexities of fire damage restoration and is here to assist every step of the way.

Comprehensive Fire Damage Restoration Services

1. Emergency Response: Time is critical after a fire. SERVPRO is available 24/7 to respond to emergencies promptly. The team assesses the damage, provides immediate board-up and tarping services, and secures the property to prevent further issues.

2. Damage Assessment: Certified professionals conduct a thorough inspection to evaluate the extent of the damage. This includes assessing structural integrity and identifying hidden risks that could affect safety.

3. Debris Removal: After a fire, debris can pose a hazard to property and health. SERVPRO safely removes charred materials, debris, and any items that cannot be salvaged, clearing the way for restoration.

4. Smoke and Soot Removal: Smoke and soot can penetrate various surfaces and linger long after the flames are extinguished. Specialized techniques and equipment are used to remove smoke damage from walls, ceilings, and belongings, restoring indoor air quality.

5. Odor Removal: Lingering odors from smoke can be persistent. SERVPRO utilizes advanced deodorization techniques to eliminate smoke odors, ensuring spaces smell fresh and clean.

6. Reconstruction and Repairs: Depending on the extent of the damage, reconstruction services are available to restore properties to their preloss condition. From drywall replacement to full reconstruction, SERVPRO is equipped to handle all aspects of the repair process.

7. Contents Restoration: Recognizing that belongings hold significant value—both emotionally and financially—SERVPRO specializes in restoring furniture, electronics, and personal items damaged by fire, smoke, or water used during firefighting efforts.

Why Choose SERVPRO?

SERVPRO is committed to excellence and customer satisfaction. Trained and certified professionals use industry-leading techniques and equipment to ensure efficient and thorough restoration. The team works closely with clients throughout the entire process, providing guidance and support to help navigate this challenging time.

For those facing fire damage, trust SERVPRO to help restore properties and reclaim peace of mind. Contact SERVPRO of Roanoke, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties today for a free assessment and let the team help get you back on your feet.

Satisfaction and Innovation in the Workplace

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

Keeping a happy and functional workspace is not only important for visiting members of the community, but also ensures that those team members that spend every day there are happy and your place of business is running to the best of its ability. Check out these ideas to make sure there is a positive environment that everyone can thrive in, no matter their walk of life.

1. Energy Efficiency

In addition to making your work environment more comfortable, paying attention to the energy efficiency of your appliances, such air the HVAC system, can also keep it safe by reducing the risk of allergens and microbes in the air. You will also save money on your overhead by increasing the functionality, without having to use additional systems or using higher power levels.

2. Floorplans and Work Stations

Creative floorplans and workspaces can benefit your employees by giving them a varied work environment to “mix it up” and can lead to increased productivity. In addition to this, when your storefront has a unique layout, it can lead to patrons engaging more, and will likely end up in increased purchases- think IKEA, have you ever gone in a big store like that without leaving with a full cart?

3. Using Outside Inspiration to Your Advantage

We as humans definitely do not know it all, so build new ideas by using outside inspiration. Utilize industry titans, social media discovery, or even something you come across day-to-day to build your own individuality in the workplace.

4. Address Concerns Head-On

Sometimes when a small issue bubbles up, our first line of thought is to put it on a list for later. However, often this can lead to bigger problems down the road (especially when it comes to the integrity of your building), so it is better to tackle them as they come. This will also help your employees feel secure, as they know that you will deal with anything that comes up.

5. Recognize Individual Successes

Everyone wants to feel appreciated, so by recognizing successes by employees or teams, it can really help with morale in the workplace. This can lead to more pride in the work being done and overall job satisfaction. Your team members are the bread and butter of your business, so it is always important to recognize the achievements they have helped you reach.

6. Never Stop Learning

One of the worst things you can do for your business is to become stagnant, and the quickest way to do that is to think you know everything and stop in the pursuit of learning. Keep up-to-date on trends, learn from colleagues and community leaders, and try to have an open mind when it comes to helping your business grow.

7. Maintain the Standard of Cleanliness

Sometimes if you have a large commercial space, keeping it immaculately clean can be difficult. SERVPRO can ensure that your place of business is safe from lingering germs by using our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, which is our defensive pathogen cleaning program. Have Questions? Call us today at (540) 389-5818 to see what we can do for you.

Air Quality Addressed the SERVPRO Way

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

Keeping your business space clean can be tough alone, especially when you can’t even see one of your biggest concerns. Air quality can be hard to maintain if you aren’t undergoing routine maintenance to tackle each issue. Thankfully, SERVPRO has a system that not only improves air quality by eliminating odor, but it also tackles those microbes that are not visible to the naked eye.

Patented roto-scrapers remove visible debris from air ducts, which is then vacuumed out and collected in containers to make sure no remnants are left, and finished off with a HEPA Filtration system to remove 99.7% of particles that were trapped in the air. Sealants can also be applied to tackle and prevent larger concerns, such as microbes that can cause illness. 

Our trained team of professionals can steer you in the right direction to ensure you are receiving the service that your commercial or residential location needs, without tacking on extras. For more information on HVAC and air duct cleaning, call us today, (540) 389-5818.

Why SERVPRO for Restoration

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

Have you ever had a personal item that had been damaged and you thought it was beyond repair? SERVPRO can tackle the big problems, like damage from storms or fires, but we also make sure to take the time to restore those items that may seem insignificant to some, but have big meaning to the people they belong to.

Thanks to our tried-and-true techniques, we are able to clean even the hardest to revive items. This means that even if you have damage to items like clothing, paperwork, electronics, and much more, SERVPRO has a team assembled that have the knowledge to handle your personal effects and restore them, if at all possible. We offer a range of options to cater to the needs of different levels of care, and make sure you are not only saving where you need to, cost-wise, but preventing further damage from taking place over time.

Don’t believe us? Check out this restoration job where one of our employees realized a much beloved leather jacket was damaged beyond what he thought was fixable, and was completely restored to its original condition. This item measured an unbelievable “7,718” on the contamination scale (“30” is considered hazardous), and came out an impeccable “0” after running it through our ESPORTA Wash System.

See how we can help you revive the items that you cherish and help make your house a home by calling SERVPRO at +1 (540) 389-5818.

Fourth of July Fire Safety Tips

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

The Fourth of July is a wonderful time of year to celebrate our freedom in the United States, as well as providing a chance to get together with friends and family, and enjoy some outdoor activities like having a barbeque, swimming, and watching fireworks. However, it can also be quite dangerous if the necessary precautions aren’t taken to provide a safe and fire-free environment. Check out these tips on a few common activities that are traditionally seen around this time of year.

1. Barbeque and Grills

Always have someone monitoring the grill to prevent children approaching and to watch for potential fires. One minute away from the grill could potentially mean a potential disaster.

Always make a point to read the owner’s manual to make sure you are operating it correctly, check for gas leaks, and keep on a level surface away from home and other potentially flammable fixtures. It is also good practice to have fire extinguishers at the ready and never use a grill indoors.

2. Fire Pits

Someone should always be assigned to monitor the fire to ensure it stays under control.

Use hard wood meant for burning on a fire and never use gas to get it going will help prevent unmanageable flames.

You should also keep the pit away away from trees, in an open area, have an extinguisher on hand, and make sure chairs and people are distanced from the fire itself. It is also good practice to keep yourself up-to-date on local fire pit laws to make sure your festivities comply with safety protocol set by the place you live in.  

3. Fireworks

When using fireworks, always point away from yourself and any other spectators in the area, use them one at a time, and keep buckets of water on hand. The operator should also be sober to prevent reckless or careless usage.

Another great option to see fireworks is to go to a professional show for a better experience, in the sky and safety wise! Many local organizations hold shows for the community to view, which is a great chance to have some fun without the risk.

4. Children

Always monitor children outside while they are in close proximity to fires or flammable materials. A trusted adult should be assigned to watch the kids to prevent potential fire related injuries.

5. Lightning

With local area predictions of rain and storms on the forecast, it is also good to protect the inside of your home from storm related fires. Use surge protectors on all electronics to avoid electricity related fires, refrain from using large appliances like washers and dryers, and unplug minor ones such as chargers.

Your family at SERVPRO of Roanoke, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties wishes you a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Seven Summer Home Maintenance Tips for 2022

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

The summer months are finally here and with that comes seasonal maintenance to keep you and yours safe within your home. Check out these seven tips that can help you prevent issues that may lead to more serious and expensive problems down the road.

1. Control and monitor the temperature and humidity in your home to prevent mold growth. To keep air circulating you can also change the direction of your fan to turn counterclockwise, so it creates a down breeze, which helps to keep the air cool in those hot summer months.
2. Check and replace smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries to protect you and your family from potential emergencies. Also, take the time to clean and service grills and fire pits to prevent potential fires.
3. Trim trees on your property and ensure large structures are up to code to prevent damage due to falling objects during summer thunderstorms.
4. Keep your home comfortable and cool by doing routine HVAC maintenance, that not only increases efficiency, but also eliminates odors, reduces potential mold growth, and improves the overall quality of the air in your home.
5. Prevent potential disasters by getting your air ducts and dryer vents cleaned, to remove dust and debris.
6. Have your carpets and upholstery cleaned to reduce allergens in your environment that are brought in daily. Particles and debris from A/C, open windows, and traffic can settle deep within the fabrics in your home and may require deep cleaning to prevent breakdown and damage at a deeper level.
7. Help prevent flooding in your home by cleaning out your gutters and downspouts, checking for potential issues in the foundation of your house that could lead to leaks, and make sure your roof is in good condition in case of summer rainstorms.

Owning a home is no small feat, and just with anything else of importance, there are things you must do periodically to take care of what you have worked so hard for. SERVPRO of Roanoke County and Montgomery and Pulaski Counties is proud to provide services that can help keep your home safe and clean during every season of the year. If you need assistance in anything from duct cleaning to storm or water damage, give us a call to see how we take the stress off of your shoulders: (540) 389-5818.

A storm damaged my house, wow what?!

7/16/2021 (Permalink)

The damage a storm causes to a home can leave your life suddenly upended. In the first days after a storm, you might be overwhelmed with the damage, with everything you have to do and with concerns about getting your life back together. But careful planning can help you return to normalcy as quickly as possible

Take these steps to make life a little easier to get back to normal as soon as possible.

1. Safety First: Avoid power lines, mold, and open areas of murky water. You may need to leave your house until professionals can check it 
2. Document Damage: Take pictures before an impending storm of your home, protect important documents, and when it is safe to enter your home take pics of the damage.
3. Have a plan: If you know a large storm is coming to your area have a plan in place on where you will go, expense plan, and a plan to get back on track.

For assistance you can always call SERVPRO for help! 540-389-5818