Why You Should Trust SERVPRO!

4/23/2024 (Permalink)

In case of any mishaps at your home or business, you don't want to stress about finding the right remediation company. That's where we come in! Trust the local presence of a national brand: SERVPRO® of Reisterstown.  Our awesome team has all the certifications needed to tackle any problem and make it "Like it never even happened."

Check out our certifications:

- ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician - CMR - IAQC Certified Mold Remediator - ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program - FSRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician - HST - Health and Safety Technician - IICRC Certified Firm - OCT - Odor Control Technician - OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program - RP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation - WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician

We at SERVPRO of Reisterstown are your go-to local professionals. Give us a call for all your WATER, FIRE, or STORM DAMAGE restoration needs, ongoing maintenance and cleaning of CARPETS, FLOORS, or AIR DUCTS, or REBUILD projects at 410-242-7371.

We're Here to Help®! Specializing in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial properties after fire, smoke, water, or storm damage, our highly trained staff is here for you. We're also proud to be an IICRC Certified Firm and actively involved in the Reisterstown community.

Do you have water damage?

3/27/2024 (Permalink)

When you find yourself in a water damage crisis, no one can handle the damage better than professionals here at SERVPRO. During such a stressful time, you will need someone to help you see there is a light at the end of the tunnel; dealing with water damage can put a lot of strain on you.

A true professional will exhibit both experience and empathy while seamlessly guiding you through the process. They should explain every step and detail to you so that you’re fully aware of what will be happening in your home or business. Here is a brief summary of some of the steps our professionals take:

Step 1 – Technicians remove standing water with state-of-the-art extractors and pumps
Step 2 – Carpets are pulled up, and floors are dried completely
Step 3 – All electronics and appliances that are damaged will be brought back to their

pre-damaged conditions where possible
Step 4 – The damaged site is disinfected in order to kill bacteria or mold growth

Fortunately, in most instances, your insurance will cover all damage sustained to your home. Most professionals will be able to help you start the claims process to quickly handle the situation. With the right preventative information and a good expert at your side, any water damage issues you face should hopefully be minimal and resolved before you know it.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Reisterstown are here to help. Contact us 24/7 at (410) 242-7370.

Why have your carpets professionally cleaned?

3/1/2024 (Permalink)

Carpet cleaning can improve the appearance of your home and extend the life of your carpet, but perhaps the most valuable benefit from the process is improving your family’s health. 

     According to the American Lung Association, if members of your household suffer from conditions that can affect their breathing, such as snoring or asthma, it’s crucial that you vacuum your carpets at least three times a week. Beyond vacuuming regularly, you may also benefit from having your carpets professionally cleaned at minimum once a year.

     Here are a few ways the process leads to a healthier home:

Carpet cleaning eliminates trapped pollutants.According to the Environmental Protection Agency, dirty carpet can retain several sources of indoor air pollutants, including but not limited to, pet dander, cockroach allergens, lead, particle pollution, and everyday dirt and dust. Toxic airborne gases can adhere to these particles and get trapped within the carpet. These toxic gases can be released through everyday activities such as vacuuming and walking across the carpet, which can cause them to contaminate the air in your home. Professional carpet cleaning services kills these bacteria through special shampooing formulas and can remove deeply trapped pollutants with high-powered vacuums.

Carpet cleaning can clear out dust mite infestations.Many homes have dust mite infestations, but most homeowners aren’t aware of the infestation due to the creatures being microscopic. Dust mites themselves aren’t allergens, but they often leave behind feces and body fragments which are. Because of the microscopic size of these particles, they can easily be inhaled when the area is disturbed, which can exacerbate allergies. Many professional carpet cleaning companies utilize a technique known as steam cleaning when performing carpet maintenance work, which exposes your carpet to high temperatures that dust mites can’t survive.

Carpet cleaning can help prevent mold growth.In areas with high humidity levels, dirty carpets are at a high risk of developing mold growth when exposed to moisture. In precipitous weather, moisture can get tracked into the home and can sink deep in the carpet fibers if not dried and vacuumed immediately. Having your carpet cleaned regularly can prevent mold and mildew growth, because professional carpet cleaners have high-powered drying tools that annihilate moisture. By eliminating moisture, you can prevent mold growth that can cause health effects if ignored for too long.

Call SERVPRO of Reisterstown for your next carpet cleaning: 410-242-7371

Minimize Secondary Damage

12/22/2023 (Permalink)

A flood or burst pipe can cause major water damage inside your business. Excessive water exposure can be problematic because moisture is a key ingredient for black mold growth. To help prevent secondary damage and the need for mold remediation services, the professional restoration crew you hire must perform a thorough cleanup. 

Removing Saturated Materials:

SERVPRO professionals should promptly remove all wet items from the water-damaged area.  It is important to discard saturated building materials such as drywall, carpet, and insulation.  Replacing these materials helps to eliminate potential undetected moisture zones behind walls and under flooring where mold can grow.

Drying the Affected Space:

High humidity and condensation can also result in black mold growth. To help prevent this, it’s important to maintain adequate air circulation during the cleanup process.  SERVPRO professionals can utilize fans and dehumidifiers to help remove excessive moisture. They can also employ moisture meters to verify the site is dry before installing new insulation, drywall and carpet.

SERVPRO specializes in fire, water, storm, and mold cleanup and restoration.  Our crews are highly trained in property damage cleanup and restoration.

Mold and Protecting Your Health

10/17/2023 (Permalink)

Mold and Your Health. Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects.  Mold may cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation.

Signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused by mold allergy can include:

• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Cough and postnasal drip.
• Itchy eyes, nose and throat.
• Watery eyes.
• Dry, scaly skin.

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 Not to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services:

SERVPRO of Reisterstown 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 – 410-242-7371

Commercial Property & Water Damage

9/15/2023 (Permalink)

Thousands of commercial buildings experience water damage every day.  In some cases, the damage is from storms or flash floods.  In others, it is simply from a leak.  Often the damage is from a fire being extinguished -- in fact, counter-intuitively, most fires result in more water damage than fire damage. Water is the most common type of damage that commercial buildings experience. When it is not dealt with promptly and effectively, the problem can rapidly grow from a minor issue to something costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. SERVPRO of Reisterstown can help.

Here are a few suggestions for how to best protect your business from water damage and minimize the fall-out when something does happen:

Prepare an Emergency Plan:  Given how integral water is to all life and most industries, it is almost guaranteed that a commercial building will have to deal with water damage at some point. Thus, one of the best things a business owner can do is prepare for that inevitability ahead of time to keep losses to a minimum. Because water damage in Reisterstown can grow exponentially if not addressed immediately, time is of the essence.  Be prepared by having a company like SERVPRO of Reisterstown on your speed dial.

Your emergency plan should include:  A blueprint is showing where the shut-off points are for water, electricity and gas plus a set of instructions on how to shut them down fast.
 A conveniently located toolbox.  A list of emergency phone numbers, such as the fire department, plumbers, SERVPRO of Reisterstown, emergency personnel, and police.

After you have an emergency plan in place for your commercial building, you should focus on prevention. Inspecting vulnerable areas is a good practice.

Inspect Your Roof Regularly:  Check all rooftop penetrations, both interior and exterior.
Look for water stains.  Check all flashing, drains and seals.

Inspect Your Walls Regularly:  Check wall joints around doors and windows.  Check flashing and sealant integrity.

Inspect Your Windows Regularly:  Check for air seal integrity.  Test all locks and other mechanical parts.  Check flashing and joints.  Look for water stains or mold growth on window sills and interior walls.

Emergency plans and inspections are both measures to lessen any disruption to your commercial building.

We are just a phone call away to help.  Call us 24/7 at (410) 242-7370

Protect your Business

8/10/2023 (Permalink)

No one ever plans for a disaster, but you can always prepare for it. Did you know 50% of businesses never reopen following a disaster? Preparation is key to making it through any size disaster whether it is a small water leak, a large fire or an area flood. Having a plan in place can help minimize the amount of time your Reisterstown business is inactive and get you back in the building following a disaster. 

Advantages of the SERVPRO emergency Ready Profile are:

• A no cost assessment of your facility
• a concise profile document containing only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency
• a guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster
• establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider
• identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin
• provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information

This App is of no cost to you. It is a complimentary service that SERVPRO of Reisterstown will provide to you. We hope that you use our services in the event of a disaster.

Preparing Your Property for Summer Storms

6/14/2023 (Permalink)

The first day of summer is June 21st. While there is a lot to look forward to during summertime, we must also prepare ourselves and our properties for summer storms. Is your property prepared for summer storms? Let’s first dive into some of the effects summer storms can have on our homes and businesses.  

Heavy rains, strong winds, thunder, lightning and even hail are produced by violent, summer weather which can turn into summer storms. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms can all be considered summer storms. 

Heavy rains can cause severe flooding, excess moisture that can eventually turn into mold, and create leaks. Strong winds are known to break tree branches or can even result in the entire tree collapsing, which unfortunately can break windows, damage exteriors, etc. When this happens, debris can enter in your home. Lightning can start fires and damage electrical components while hail can damage roofing, siding, windows and more (as can lightning).  

Here are some ways you can better protect your home or business: 

     - Review your insurance policy and consider adding flood insurance 

     - Seal doors and windows – this will help    prevent water and wind from entering in your home 

     - Clean clogged gutters 

     - Have your roof inspected to ensure it is in good condition to withstand bad weather 

     - Remove dead branches from trees surrounding your property. If the entire tree is dead, it is worth having it removed – although it can be costly, it will prevent future damage and danger 

     - Consider installing storm windows and door(s) 

Don’t forget - Protect yourself and your pets! Always keep an emergency kit on hand, take storm warnings seriously, keep pets indoors during bad weather, and shelter in place (cellar or basement preferably) during storms! We wish you a safe and enjoyable summer! 

In the case of any unforeseen event, we are your local water and fire loss restoration company. We offer a variety of cleaning services, from gutter to carpet cleanings, as well. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have at (410) 242-7370.