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Who To Call When Needing HVAC Cleaning

5/18/2023 (Permalink)

Inside of an HVAC unit Call SERVPRO of Rome for a free eatimate on how to get your HVAC clean!

We all have tasks around the house that don’t make it to the top of our priority list. Properly maintaining your home’s air ducts should not be one of them. Regular duct cleaning can increase your home’s heating and cooling efficiency and improve the quality of the air you and your family breathe.

Ventilation systems are often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality. Make it a priority to inspect the ductwork of your home or business.

If your HVAC has been operating for some time without attention, it could be circulating one or more of the following:

  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Odors
  • Dirt and debris
  • Other contaminants

SERVPRO of Rome professionals routinely inspect the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC).  Keeping them clean can extend the life of the equipment. This can in turn save you money and give you cleaner air to breathe.

However, duct cleaning is not always necessary. We will make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This can save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your system.

The benefits of servicing your HVAC unit include:

  • Helps to restore peak energy efficiency.
  • May help to eliminate offensive odors.
  • Helps reduce the potential for mold growth.

Microbial Growth

5/18/2023 (Permalink)

Microbial Growth picture with wording Give us a call if Mold invades your Home or Business!

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 to Do:

  • Stay out of affected areas.
  • Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
  • Contact SERVPRO of Floyd County for mold remediation services.

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 Floyd County 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 – 706-802-1085

Know Where to Go and What to Bring: Preparing for the Storm | SERVPRO® of ROME

4/28/2023 (Permalink)

a dark circular cloud in the dark sky if your home is damaged in a storm, call SERVPRO of Rome. We are available 24/7.

While there are certainly times of the year where the weather tends to be more volatile, it seems that the idea of a “storm season” isn’t really the case anymore.

The threat of severe weather in our corner of Alabama can be year-round, when even a cold winter day can be punctuated with claps of thunder and flashes of lightning.

Floods, thunderstorms, tornadoes and even ice and snow are not unusual throughout the year, so the more we understand what to stock up on and how to stay safe, the easier we can ride out any storm.

Stock Up to Ride It Out

Do you have an emergency kit, or know what an emergency kit is? An emergency kit is a stock of basic supplies that can help you ride out a storm safely and get you through a few days of sheltering in place if necessary.

Your kit should contain basic emergency supplies like batteries, flashlights and a weather radio. You will also want to keep a first-aid kit handy, as well as plenty of water. These basic supplies can live in your emergency kit year-round, but when you know a round of severe weather is approaching, add a three-day supply of food, extra water and any prescription medications you or a family member may need.

Consider including some comfort items in your kit as well. For small children, stuffed animals or a fuzzy blanket can ease the anxiety of an approaching storm.

A deck of cards or other games can also take everyone’s mind off of disaster and aid in keeping everyone still and together. Store your emergency supplies somewhere near your safe space in your home so it is quickly accessible when a warning is issued.

Know Where to Go

One of the key pieces of creating an emergency plan should be finding a safe space in your home. Ideally this would be in a basement and away from windows, but there are plenty of other options to consider as well.

Interior closets or bathrooms are generally considered safe spaces during severe weather, as is the space underneath a stairwell. You can also shelter in an interior hallway if your home doesn’t have other suitable options. Close as many doors as you can no matter where you are sheltering in order to have as many barriers between yourself and openings to the outside.

Take steps before a storm moves in to protect your home. Weather alerts are often issued several hours ahead of a threat, allowing you time to beef up your emergency supplies, gather important contact information and bring in any loose objects that could become airborne during the storm.

If you have storm shutters, closing them at the earliest alert can prevent damages from wind, tornadoes and heavy rains.

The more you understand how to respond when severe weather rolls in, the safer you can keep yourself and your home safe. And if your home is damaged in a storm, call us. We are available 247 to start your restoration faster and get you back home. Contact us to start recovery fast. 

SERVPRO Should Be on Your Emergency Contact List | SERVPRO® of Rome

4/28/2023 (Permalink)

residential homes that sustained flooding Have you or someone you know experienced water damage to your home? Call SERVPRO of Rome to get the restoration process started right away!

It may not be our favorite subject to think about, but it is something that we have to plan for: disasters. Natural disasters and manmade disasters can leave a property owner with a hefty recovery bill and a life derailed.

When you have taken steps to protect your property before a disaster can strike, and when you have a plan in place in the event that one does, you can keep your business or home running and lower your overall risks.

Here in Georgia, weather brings a variety of dangers throughout each season. In the spring, as the weather warms, strong thunderstorms and tornadoes are not unusual, while in the winter, we can see deep freezes and the occasional snowstorm.

With each kind of weather that Mother Nature brings, your home is at risk for impact, water and wind damages.

Internal threats from manmade disasters can cause just as much damage to your property as natural disasters. Failed plumbing and leaky faucets can lead to flooded spaces that not only will be at risk from water damage, but can also lead to mold buildup that could affect the structure of your home.

Fire is also a serious threat to properties, whether it be a wildfire or a fire that begins somewhere in the house. While weather threats certainly cannot be stopped, there is plenty that you can do about it. 

Have you experienced damages from a disaster, or are you ready to get a plan in place to be ready before one can strike? We are here to help 24/7/365! Contact us today if your experience a water loss. 

Why Fast Restoration Matters After a Fire | SERVPRO® of Rome

4/28/2023 (Permalink)

 large fire burning near a house If you have a fire and are dealing with damage to your home, call SERVPRO of Rome.

Home fires are unfortunately becoming more common, with an average of 350,000 each year. While just about anything can start a damaging fire, cooking, faulty wiring and wildfires are three of the top causes.

Prevention and safety should always be top of your list in order to ensure that your home does not see damage from fire. Smoke detectors, regular inspections of your electrical systems and constant monitoring of a hot stove or grill are great ways that you can protect your home and loved ones.

If you do experience a fire, the faster you are able to respond and start the cleanup, the more of your property you can save. At SERVPRO, it is our goal to restore rather than replace as much of your belongings as possible.

<h3to-do-during-after-a-fire">What to Do During & After a Fire

If a fire starts in your home, the most important thing to do is get out and stay out. Find the quickest exit route by checking handles and doors for heat, and if an exit is blocked go another way quickly. Once you are out, call 911 and wait for emergency responders.

Check with your family members to ensure all are safe, and establish a meeting place or emergency shelter. Stay in communication with your loved ones, and seek medical help if anyone has sustained an injury.

Once the flames have been put out and your home has been declared safe to re-enter, call SERVPRO. We will work with you and your insurance company to establish a plan that gets you back home fastest.

Fire damage goes deep, and even a small flame in one room can leave the rest of your house with smoke and soot damage. This kind of damage requires special tools and intensive knowledge in order to remove it completely.

<h3fire-damage-restoration-works">How Fire Damage Restoration Works

No two fires are alike, so an inspection of floors, walls and the roof will be necessary to ensure the structure of your home can be repaired. This is where our 247 availability comes in handy: We can respond faster so that a plan can be laid out and work can begin. We will even tarp your roof if it is needed.

With fire damage comes water damage, so drying out your home and your goods will likely be the first step once the restoration process starts. As your home is drying out, we will remove items that cannot be salvaged while we work to restore those that can.

We are going to do everything we can to save you the pain and cost of having to replace items in your home.

SERVPRO is equipped to handle odor removal and clean your upholstery and fabric items, so you don’t have to rely on more than one company to get your home back as it should be.

Once water and smoke damage are removed, any minor or major repairs that are required will be tackled by our professionals. This may include carpet removal in one room or a complete rebuild of another. We will also work with you to ensure that your newly restored home has every safety measure in place so your family is better protected from future disasters.

A fire in the home, regardless of the size or the aftermath, is a traumatic experience. As your neighbors, we want to take care of you and not just restore your home, but recover your life. 

Experienced fire damage in your home? Contact us day or night and get restoration started faster.

Smoke Alarms: Fire Safety

4/15/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms save lives when properly installed and maintained, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

In homes, smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and on every level, including the basement. In office and commercial environments, check your state requirements or contact your local Fire Marshall to help ensure all codes are met.

Test smoke alarms monthly using the test button. Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries need the entire smoke alarm unit replaced every ten years. Other alarms need batteries replaced every year and the unit replaced every ten years. If the alarm chirps signaling low battery, take the proper steps to replace the unit or the batteries immediately. Never disable or remove the battery from an alarm. Almost half of fires where smoke alarms were present but did not activate had missing or disconnected batteries (NFPA).

In larger commercial facilities, hard wired or wireless smoke alarms offer benefits such as not needing to be tested as often and activating throughout the entire building if smoke is detected in just one area (NFPA).

If you need help installing, testing or changing batteries in your smoke alarms, contact your local fire department, an electrician or the American Red Cross.

Be sure your home or workplace has a fire emergency plan in place and conduct regular fire drills. For more information on Emergency Preparedness, contact SERVPRO® of Floyd County.

*Courtesy of Restoration Newsline Vol 30, Iss 2

Smoke Damage Cleaning

4/6/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke damage cleaning is, perhaps, the most complicated form of treatment for a homeowner to accomplish themselves. Not only does it take a thorough approach and deep remediation of nearly every surface in the building, it can only be done effectively if the areas behind the building’s walls receive treatment as well. This is a massive challenge to anyone but certified professionals, as these experts have the know-how, manpower and equipment to complete the task properly. SERVPRO of Floyd County is your local expert in smoke damage cleaning and restoration.

Once the fire dies out, the problem is only beginning. Soot and smoke have a tendency to get everywhere, and these particles are so small that they can pass through walls effortlessly. They will also cake onto furniture, countertops, floors and walls if not dealt with right away, causing discoloration and overpowering odors. Smoke damage cleaning has to address both issues to be completely effective.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Floyd County are certified through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and have the expertise and materials needed to do the job right. With powerful treatment solutions, the soot and smoke can be removed during a deep scrubbing of the building. Professionals have access to thermal fogging technology to take care of the odors emanating from behind walls. The thermal fogging produces a cloud of odor neutralizing particles that can go where the smoke does.

*Information courtesy of https://www.IICRC.org/blog/tag/smoke-damage-restoration

Do You Have Dirty Ducts?

4/6/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know your ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality? Inspecting the ductwork in your facility or home 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.

A routine part of SERVPRO® of Floyd County's service is inspecting the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping the HVAC and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life-span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which may help save you money. Duct cleaning may not always be necessary. SERVPRO® of Floyd County will inspect your HVAC system and ductwork and make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This inspection can help save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your HVAC system and ductwork.

In some circumstances, such as after a fire, smoke or suspected mold growth, duct cleaning becomes an essential part of the cleanup process. In these cases, SERVPRO® of Floyd County can often restore the HVAC system and ductwork to pre-damage condition.

If you have a fuel-burning furnace, stove or fireplace, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends they be inspected for proper functioning and be serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.

The SERVPRO® Duct Cleaning System is proven and cost-efficient. Unlike the majority of duct cleaning services, SERVPRO® of Floyd County uses a portable ventilation and air duct cleaning system to examine ductwork and make a clean sweep, removing years of dust and grime.

  • The process begins by using patented equipment, including a roto-scraper, which automatically adapts to the duct’s shape and diameter while traveling through the duct, removing debris and filth before vacuuming begins.
  • Next, a powerful push-pull air delivery and collection system transfers the debris from the ducting to a 16-gallon container.
  • Air is filtered through a HEPA filtration system, removing 99.97 percent of the particles in the airstream. HEPA filters capture debris and keep the indoor environment clean.
  • As an optional process, a sealant or coating product may be sprayed to address odor or microbial concerns.
  • Filters will either be cleaned or replaced to remove odor and dirt.

For more information on duct cleaning, or to schedule an appointment, contact SERVPRO® of Floyd County today. 

*Courtesy of Restoration Newsline Vol 30, Iss 4

Emergency Fire Damage Tips

4/2/2020 (Permalink)

These emergency tips will assist you in taking proper action until SERVPRO® of Floyd County professionals arrive. Follow these DOs and DON’Ts to help reduce damage and increase the chances of a successful restoration.

DO: 

  • Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into carpet and avoid tracking.
  • Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
  • If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor.
  • Wipe soot from metal kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances.
  • If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.
  • Remove soot particles from plants with a damp cloth.
  • Change HVAC filter, but leave system off until a trained professional can check the system.
  • Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.

DON’T:

  • Don’t attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting SERVPRO® of Floyd County.
  • Don’t attempt to shampoo carpet, rugs or upholstered furniture without first consulting SERVPRO® of Floyd County.
  • Don’t attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV sets, radios, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.
  • Don’t consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water. (They may be contaminated.)
  • Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock and air movement may create secondary damage.
  • Don’t send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.

When fire and water damage take control of your life, SERVPRO® of Floyd County will help you take it back.

*Courtesy of Restoration Newsline Vol 30, Iss 2

Winter Weather Worries

4/2/2020 (Permalink)

Winter weather can bring about more issues than just slippery roads and a sidewalk to shovel. If you live where temperatures sink below freezing level, you are also at risk for frozen pipes and ice dams, which can create a major disaster at your home or property.

FROZEN PIPES

Frozen pipes are often those exposed to the cold weather, such as those outside your house, or in cold areas such as basements, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.

A frozen pipe can burst at the point where the ice blockage inside the pipe is located, but typically the rupture is caused by the backflow pressure between the water source and the blockage. A burst pipe can cause considerable damage to your property if not addressed quickly.

To prevent pipes from freezing, here are a few steps you can take, according to The American Red Cross:

  • Be sure to completely drain water from swimming pool and sprinkler lines, as well as outside hoses.
  • Open kitchen cabinets to let warm air circulate near the plumbing.
  • When the weather is extremely cold, let water drip from faucets that may come from exposed pipes.
  • Keep your heat set to the same temperature both day and night.

ICE DAMS

Ice dams can be a little-known, but major problem during the snowy season. They form when heated air melts roof snow downward into water dammed behind still-frozen ice. When the trapped water cannot safely flow or run into the gutter system, it can backflow under the roof ’s shingles and into the structure’s interior areas, as well as causing gutters and shingles to move or fall.

Icicles can be an initial sign of an ice dam, according to Travelers.com. To spot ice dams inside, “check for water stains or moisture in your attic or along the ceiling of exterior walls of your house. Water stains or moisture may be an indication that an ice dam has formed and water has penetrated the roof membrane.”

Removing an ice dam as soon as it is found is vital to helping prevent damage to your property and can be done using heated cables, a roof shovel, or calcium chloride ice melter.

If winter weather causes water damage to you or your insured’s property, the professionals at SERVPRO® of Floyd County are only a call away, 24/7, ready to restore to preloss condition.

Source: redcross.orgTravelers.com

Courtesy of Restoration Newsline Vol 30, Iss 1