Sneaky Signs That Mold Has Become an Issue in Your Home

8/29/2024 (Permalink)

Mold may be something that you typically associate with produce that is past its prime or decaying plant matter in your compost bin, but mold in your home is a different and far more insidious issue. Mold within the home is persistent and pervasive, and once it sets up a colony, getting rid of it becomes more difficult with each passing day.

There are some clear signs that mold is present in the home: A persistently musty odor, black spots on the walls or a thin film on your ceiling are all tell-tale signs. However, there are some sneakier signs of mold as well, and these can often go unnoticed while the problem is allowed to pervade.

Here’s a look at some of these sneaky indicators so you can be vigilant in keeping an eye out around your own home for a mold problem:

Peeling paint or wallpaper- Mold loves moisture, and one common sign that you have a moisture issue in your home is wallpaper or paint that has begun to bubble or peel. This may indicate that the humidity in an area is high or that there is water damage behind the impacted wall—and if this is the case, that can also be a sign that mold has set up shop somewhere nearby, too.

Discoloration on the walls or ceiling- Any time you notice discoloration within your home, it is important to take note. Discoloration is almost always due to a water stain—this may mean that there is a leak impacting the discolored area, or something else is allowing water to pool behind the surface. Either way, this is something you will want to address as soon as possible in order to address any mold that has been allowed to arise.

An odd smell from your air conditioning unit- Because of the condensation they produce, air conditioning units can be prime spots for mold to begin growing—especially standalone or window units. If you notice yours is putting off an odd odor when it is switched on, that may be an indicator that something is amiss.

If you think you may have a mold issue on your hands, we are here to help®. You can get in touch with us 24/7 to learn more about our mold remediation process.

Keeping the Fire Pit Safe

8/29/2024 (Permalink)

Have you felt the cool breeze in the air lately? After a particularly hot summer, it might be hard to believe, but a break in the heat and humidity is growing ever nearer as fall finally starts to approach. It’s time to get the pumpkin decorations out and play in the leaves.

As the season changes, many of us also start spending more time outdoors around the campfire. While you gather your friends and family around the fire pit, make sure you are taking action to keep everything safe.

Tips for Starting the Fire

Once you have your evening around the fire scheduled, there are few things you want to do to keep it safe:

Do find a spot that will be safe for placing your fire pit or campfire ring. Make sure there are no overhangs, structures or debris nearby.

Do keep water close by in case something does get out of hand. A bucket full or a hose you can turn on in a hurry can put any stray flames out before a disaster starts. Dirt or sand can also help to smother out any rogue sparks, as well as help put out the embers when all the marshmallows are gone.

Do check the weather. Look at the forecast and take note of what is happening outside the day of your fire. Even a little bit of wind can lead to a dangerous situation fast. Take a look at any burn bans that have been issued as well. These can change daily, so make sure you check the day you are planning to have your fire.

Tips for While the Fire Is Hot

As you get the fire going, keep in mind some things you want to make sure you don’t do:

Don’t try and stoke the fire with gas or lighter fluid. Tossing trash in is also a bad idea, and can result in hot and tall flames. Only use treated and approved firewood to keep things going.

Don’t let anyone play near the fire. Create a zone around the fire pit or campfire where no one plays, runs or walks in order to avoid potential accidents.

Don’t make a big fire. You can get caught up in building the fire and be tempted to make it big enough that it won’t need any added wood for a while. Keep it small, though; it only takes a single ember landing in the wrong place to result in an out of control situation.

Don’t leave the fire until it is no longer glowing red. Red embers can still create flames. Pour water over the fire when you are done for the night, and stick around until everything is completely out.

Wildfire Prevention

It is an unfortunate fact that most wildfires are started by humans. If you are going to enjoy an evening around the fire with the family, do everything you can to prevent a disaster. Use the right materials, keep it small and stick around as long as it takes for the fire to go out.

Fire can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Contact us day or night for immediate assistance 703-229-0260.

SERVPRO Works Hard to Mitigate Storm Damage to Your Place of Business

8/1/2024 (Permalink)

If your office complex in South Arlington has multiple floors, problems like pipes breaking in other parts of the building could cause damage to your business as well. When water flows into your office from the ceiling, many problems can result. Moisture can cause ceiling tiles or drywall to become weak and fall onto the floor.

 
Water coming from the ceiling starts there and then spreads down the walls. Many commercial water damage projects involve removing moisture from ceilings, walls, contents, and flooring. Any time moisture stays inside a building more things get ruined, and foul odors develop as time passes.
 
The goal when SERVPRO works on any restoration project is to get all of the moisture out of the structure most quickly and efficiently. When working with businesses measures are taken not to hinder your routines. Depending on what happened, procedures can get changed so that you maintain your standard flow of revenue or activity.
 
In the cases where water invades your office from a floor above any water that is found on furniture or carpeting is removed with extraction equipment, a simple mop, and bucket or maybe just cloths and sponges. Our restoration technicians may be able to complete water extraction around your employee's cubicles and desks while they keep working and maintaining ordinary business procedures. After the extraction stage, the next step is to dry out moisture that cannot necessarily be seen.
 
Our technicians, beyond visual inspections, use monitoring devices to determine which materials in the office got wet. Once the location of the damaged areas is determined, air- moving and dehumidification systems get placed around the affected area. Our crew can position the drying tools around work areas inside your company's office, so disruptions are kept to the minimum.
 
The correct placement of this equipment is vital to speedy drying. Air movers are set up so that they blow air in a counterclockwise motion hitting all of the walls at a 45-degree angle. Air movers get placed against walls pointed upwards to dry out ceiling tiles. When moisture levels are higher than usual in the wall materials, the baseboard gets removed, and holes are drilled into the wall so that air can flow into the wall cavity and dry out the studs, any present insulation, and drywall cardboard backing.
 
Drying out moisture damaged materials inside an office complex can be more difficult than other buildings. Calling SERVPRO of South Arlington (703)229-0260 can save your business time and money.

Do's & Don't | South Arlington

8/1/2024 (Permalink)

DO:

• Shut off the water or contact a qualified party to stop the water source. 
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building, when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock. 
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting. 
• After removing lamps and tabletop items, wipe excess water from wood furniture. 
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Remove any paintings, art objects, computers, documents, and other sensitive items to a safe, dry place. 
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting and draperies off damp floors.

DON'T:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist. 
• Leave colored rugs/items on wet carpets or floors which mat cause staining. 
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water. 
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially wet concrete floors. 
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water. 

If services are needed please don't hesitate to contact us! 703-229-0260

Why Choose SERVPRO?

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides many of the services you may need after a storm blows through your area. We provide emergency roof tarping and board-up services to help prevent additional damage from the elements and provide security to your property.

What to Do After a Storm Damages Your Home: 5 Steps to Take

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

If a storm damages your home, it can feel like your life is suddenly flipped upside down. You may feel overwhelmed with the destruction the storm has caused, and it can be difficult to know what to do first. But careful planning before a storm hits can help you navigate the challenging waters afterward, so you can return to normalcy as quickly as possible. So what should you do after a natural disaster? Here are 5 steps to take so you can be prepared if a storm damages your home.

1) Be careful and stay alert

The destruction and aftermath of a storm of any kind can pose serious injuries. Once you’re certain you and your household members are safe and unharmed, take the necessary precautions to avoid injuries. It’s common to come across hazards from storm damage like broken glass, exposed nails, or displaced screws, so keep an eye out. Be alert of unsecured piles of debris like caved-in roofing materials, standing water, and collapsed walls.

It’s important to always assume that downed power lines are still energized and dangerous. Stay as far away from the power lines if possible and alert the police if you find downed power lines in your neighborhood. Additionally, if you smell gas, immediately shut off any gas valves to prevent further danger.

2) Assess the damage and take photos of the storm damage

After the storm has passed and before contacting your insurance company, assess the storm damage to your home. To ensure you’re fully compensated, take pictures of any interior and exterior damage to your home. Your house could have structural damage, so always be cautious as you’re moving about your home. When you’re inspecting the interior and exterior, record any of the following:

• Roof lifting and lost shingles. Be alert of any holes or leaks in the roof, split seams, dents on vents and gutters, missing, broken, or dented shingles. You can work with an experienced roofer to find a local, reputable insurance agency.
• Missing or damaged exterior siding. Rain can cause damage to siding and strong winds can tear it right off.
• Broken windows and destroyed doors. The wind itself as well as the debris it carries can easily break windows and blow open doors.
• Damaged or broken appliances, including your air conditioner. This is commonly due to water damage.
• Basement flooding. When the soil surrounding your home becomes too saturated with water, your basement or crawl space can flood, causing damage to your belongings and the foundation of your home.
• Moisture damage. Rain and water can seep into your home and cause mold to develop in insulation, wood, furniture, and carpeting.
• Fire damage. Electrical shorts caused by downed power lines or water entering outlets and electrical equipment can cause fires.

Don’t forget to record the loss or destruction to your personal items too. Most homeowner’s insurance policies include personal property coverage up to a scheduled limit.

3) Call your insurance agent right away

After you’ve taken photos of the storm damage, call your agent as soon as possible and stay in contact until your claim is resolved. They’ll be able to explain what kinds of damage your insurance policy covers. Make sure to discuss the damage caused to your home and provide the photos you took along with proper documentation. Following this, your insurance company will send out an adjuster to determine the extent of the damage.

4) Stop further damage

Now is the time to do what you can and stop any further damage from occurring. If storm damage is allowing wind and water to get into your home, start by covering broken windows or a leaking roof with a tarp or plywood. Do what you can first to minimize further damage, then consider contacting a local restoration service provider to help you out. They can help you tackle storm damage and get your property back to normal. If you don’t know of a trusted contractor in your area, oftentimes your insurance company can help you get in contact with a reputable contractor to avoid any scams.

During this time, if your home is in poor condition, consider booking a hotel room or staying with friends and family for the time being. If your home requires extensive repair, make sure you return only when it’s safe to do so.

5) Stay organized and keep receipts

Keep good documentation for any claim to your homeowner’s insurance. For example, save all receipts for materials and labor to ensure you receive fair reimbursement.

Familiarize yourself with what your homeowner’s insurance policy covers. For example, a typical homeowners insurance policy will cover tree damage from a storm, but the biggest exception to most coverages is flood damage. Regardless of carrier, flood damage is not covered as part of a standard policy. Therefore, you’ll need flood insurance in the event that your home is damaged by a flood.

A homeowner’s insurance policy will typically cover three scenarios:

• Weather damage: This typically includes damage due to hail, wind, fire, snow, and more.
• Non-weather events: Common non-weather events are actions like theft and vandalism.
• Sudden/accidental events: This includes situations like a water pipe breaking or a water leak.

If you live in an extreme-weather area with high storm risk, speak with your agent to find out if it’s in your best interest to protect your home and belongings with storm damage or flood insurance. It’s an additional coverage you can opt for in your homeowner’s policy, but can help you after a storm damages your home

Water Damage

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage describes various possible losses caused by water intruding where it will enable attack of a material or system by destructive processes such as rotting of wood, mold growth, bacteria growth, rusting of steel, swelling of composite woods, de-laminating of materials such as plywood, etc.

Window Damage

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Perhaps surprisingly, window damage claims make the list of top commercial property damage claims. This type of damage can occur due to storms, high winds, or hail and doesn't necessarily involve shattered glass. Structural or seal damage to window and fenestration systems are often overlooked since they're not readily apparent. Speak with an experienced attorney to make sure you're not omitting window damage in your claim.

Roof Damage

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Storms are the most common cause of roof damage, as strong winds, down-pouring elements, flying debris, and falling trees can impact the structure of a building's roof. It's not uncommon for insurance providers to deny roof damage claims by arguing that the roof was old, that the damage was a result of normal wear and tear, that it was built from known risky materials, or that the business owner in some way caused the damage.

Storm Emergency Kit

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Spring is the time of year when many things change—including the weather. Temperatures can swing back and forth between balmy and frigid. Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather. Sometimes extreme weather changes can occur even within the same day. Thunderstorms cause most of the severe spring weather. They can bring lightning, tornadoes, and flooding. Whenever warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air, thunderstorms can occur. Because spring weather is so unpredictable, you may be unprepared when severe weather hits—particularly if you live in a region that does not often experience thunderstorms, tornadoes, or flooding. And when severe weather hits unexpectedly, the risk of injury and death increases. So planning ahead makes sense; prepare for storms, floods, and tornadoes as if you know in advance they are coming, because in the spring, they very likely will. Advance planning for thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, and floods requires specific safety precautions. Keep an emergency kit on hand. Some items to include are: A battery-operated flashlight, a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio, and extra batteries for bothAn emergency evacuation or shelter plan, including a map of your home and, for every type of severe weather emergency, routes to safety from each roomA list of important personal information, including:telephone numbers of neighbors, family, and friendsinsurance and property informationtelephone numbers of utility companiesmedical informationAccording to the American Red Cross a first aid kit may include:non-latex glovesassortment of adhesive bandagesantibiotic ointmentsterile gauze pads in assorted sizesabsorbent compress dressingstweezersscissorsadhesive cloth tapeaspirin packets (81 mg each)First aid instruction booklet (NOTE: Customize your first aid kit to meet your individual and family needs.)A 3–5 day supply of bottled water and nonperishable foodPersonal hygiene itemsBlankets or sleeping bagsAn emergency kit in your car