Scoping and Water Mitigation for Frederick Homes

4/25/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO understands how important your property is. Let us help you out.

Detailed Water Mitigation with SERVPRO Gets Results

You may get away with a minor water spill in your home with a few towels or a mop and bucket. But how can you be sure that no moisture ends up under your flooring and cabinets or behind baseboards? SERVPRO wants Frederick property owners to know that there is always a risk of water migrating into tight spaces, which can lead to material degradation or mold growth issues. However, by calling us and having our water restoration technicians (WRT) begin water mitigation, we can halt migration in its tracks and get a jump on the restoration efforts. 

Part of the mitigation process in Frederick involves scoping out your property to determine the best equipment and methods to use. We aim to ensure all customers feel at ease, so we always explain each step and how we work on drying contents and building materials. Some common mitigation efforts used with our water removal services include:

• Acknowledging all potential safety hazards
• Installing containment barriers to keep water from moving into unaffected areas
• Determining the level of contamination of the water, i.e., what category
• Begin pulling up water with powerful extractors and pumps
• Carefully placing dehumidifiers and drying equipment to reduce relative humidity (RH)
• Utilizing moisture detectors, sensors, and meters to ensure no moisture gets left behind

Why Do I Need Water Mitigation Services?

Before restoration, proper mitigation must get done to harness the damage. Mitigation focuses on extraction and containment to keep the problem from worsening. Our technicians also address leftover moisture that leaves the chance of mold growth or costly material damage. We are your one-stop for inspection, mitigation, water removal, drying, and restoration. Each project gets tailored to match the needs of your property so we can achieve the best results. 

Call SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747, and we can send our Green Fleet to begin water mitigation. We will provide prompt, reliable service so your home or business returns to normal fast.

The First Step When Dealing with Water Damage in Frederick

3/31/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Frederick County is prepared to respond swiftly to water damage.

Extraction is the First Stage of Frederick Water Restoration

Many things can cause water damage in Frederick homes, including a burst pipe, a leaking faucet or bathtub, or moisture seeping in from the exterior. When water damage strikes, the most important thing is to extract excess water quickly from your home.

SERVPRO has access to industry-standard tools for swift water damage remediation in Frederick. As a homeowner, your best first step when you need help is to call SERVPRO. We are here for you 24 hours a day, including holidays. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, so give us a call no matter the size of the spill.

Every Remediation Project Starts with Extraction

Before drying your home, we need to remove as much excess water from the floors as possible. The longer damp materials sit in your home, the greater the risk of damage spreading or getting worse. Extraction equipment is highly efficient, quite literally hundreds of times more effective than dehumidification. We use a range of equipment to perform the extraction.

• Carpet wands
• Portable extractors
• Truck-mounted extractors

Carpet wands are ideal for a first pass and to stop liquid migrating further across the floor. Wands are also suitable for glue-down carpet, where more aggressive extraction could cause delamination (when the secondary backing on the carpet separates from the primary backing.) Because they are small, wands are good for getting into tight corners.

Portable extractors help us get into more hard-to-reach places and make extracting moisture from multiple floors easier. We measure pump strength in both tank size and water lift. Portable extractors have tanks of up to twelve gallons and provide 140 inches of water lift.

Trunk-mounted extractors are powerful machines with up to 100 gallons or more tanks and provide 198.8 inches of water lift. Because truck-mounted units have their own power supply, they are the best solution when there is no power in your home or large volumes of water require extraction.

What Happens After Water Extraction?

Our teams adhere to Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards when dealing with water issues. We follow a series of steps designed for maximum efficiency.

• We set up air movers and axial fans to increase moisture evaporation from damp surfaces.
• We use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels in the air.
• We use moisture meters, moisture probes, and thermo-hygrometers to monitor moisture levels throughout the drying process.
• We tackle leftover damp smells using tools such as wet fogging and odor-fighting beads.

Our technicians select the best equipment for the job. For example, axial fans are more powerful than standard air movers and can move more significant volumes of air. Such fans are the best choice when we need to evaporate a lot of liquid quickly. Axial fans are also helpful for deodorizing, which is an integral part of remediation.

Careful calculation of the placement of drying equipment is key to a job well done. SERVPRO does not leave anything to chance. We calculate and monitor at every step for the best results.

Your satisfaction is our aim. You can rely on our technicians to finish the job professionally. We always carry out a walk-through and check everything is in order at the end of the project, and we take a final set of moisture readings to ensure everything is dry. We will also walk you through your home and answer any questions or concerns.

We are here for you if you need help drying out your home. Call SERVPRO of Frederick County today at (301) 662-1747 for fast and efficient service.

Homeowners and Fire Damaged Items in Frederick

3/31/2023 (Permalink)

Homeowners with fire damage can rely on SERVPRO for cleanup and restoration. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Professional Help is a Better Choice for Fire Restoration in Frederick

A house fire can burn and damage almost any item in your home. A blaze can burn some things entirely, while other items may be warped or smoke-damaged. We understand the need to get your stuff clean as quickly as possible. However, it is much better to call for professional help.

DIY attempts to clean up after fire damage in Frederick can worsen the problem. You might end up with streaky walls or soot smeared across surfaces. It is safer and more effective to let SERVPRO take care of the fire cleanup for you.

SERVPRO is available around the clock, every day. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can reach you and begin the fire restoration process.

Which Items are Salvageable After a House Fire?

When you see smoke-blackened furniture or soft furnishings, you might think that all your belongings are lost. However, with professional cleaning and restoration from SERVPRO, it is possible to restore many household items to their preloss condition.

Our technicians assess the severity and extent of smoke and fire damage in your home. We let you know which items we can salvage and cannot. We have the equipment to clean a wide range of household items, including:

• Wooden and metal furniture
• Floors, rugs, and drapes
• Ornaments and children’s toys
• Documents, artwork, and photographs

Please note it is advisable to dispose of all food items within the vicinity of the fire. We always give you a realistic estimate of what we can do and the results you can expect to see.

What Cleaning Method is Best for Fire Damaged Items?

Efficient cleaning is more cost-effective than refinishing or replacing items. Cleaning also means you get to keep the article, which is good news. We train our technicians in a range of cleaning methods, including:

• Dry cleaning
• Wet cleaning
• Spray and wipe
• Foam cleaning
• Abrasive cleaning

We match the method to the type of fire damage. For example, dry cleaning is suitable for light to medium soiling when the soot is not greasy. Dry cleaning includes using feather dusters and sponges to wipe away dry residue. We can also use powerful HEPA vacuum cleaners to remove debris.

Wet cleaning means saturating the items using either water or approved cleaning agents and is often used for heavier soiling. Sometimes we need to dry clean first to lessen the amount of soot before wet cleaning.

How Does SERVPRO Take Care of More Delicate Items?

What happens when neither wet nor dry cleaning is an option? We can use gentler methods. Spray and wipe cleaning means using a spray bottle to apply a cleaning agent, which gives our technicians more control over how wet the material gets. Spray and wipe means we can target smaller areas, too. Foam cleaning is ideal for fire-damaged upholstery that might be at risk of shrinking or dye running if saturated. Our technicians agitate shampoo to whip up a good head of foam, then apply carefully to the affected upholstery using an upholstery brush.

The key to effective fire restoration cleaning is a thorough understanding of each cleaning technique. We train all our technicians to Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards. 

IICRC certification covers the whole fire damage process, not just the cleaning part. You can rest assured that our technicians practice industry standards in every aspect, from assessing your home, cleaning items, and deodorizing to documenting the process.

If you need help with fire damage cleaning, call SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747. We are proud to say we always aim to leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

Call SERVPRO for Mold Damage Help in Frederick

3/31/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO uses the latest technology and equipment for every size mold remediation job. Call now for fast and immediate service.

Call for Mold Remediation Help in Frederick at the First Signs of Fungus

Mold often does not seem too bad at first. You might notice a small patch of black, gray, or green fungus. A slight odor might be your first clue that there is a potential problem. The best time to call in professional help is as soon as you notice these signs.

If you are concerned about mold damage in Frederick, SERVPRO is Here to Help. Microscopic mold particles are present everywhere. However, under certain conditions, these particles form colonies. The tiny hyphae can eat organic materials such as paper, cotton, linen, or wood. If you do not tackle fungus quickly, it can easily spread throughout your home and cause further damage.

Can You Fix Mold Damage Yourself?

We do not recommend tackling fungal growth on your own. Many commercially advertised cleaners create more moisture and can worsen the damage. Our teams know which techniques and tools to use for your specific situation.

Mold easily spreads through the air or on clothes and shoes. The spores can also cling to pet fur. One of the critical parts of remediation is setting up containment to prevent further spreading.

• Thick polypropylene sheets create a physical barrier around the affected area.
• Negative air machines draw in particles and safely exhaust them.
• Sealing doors, windows, and HVAC ducts make spores harder to escape.

We also use containment principles to set up clean rooms where technicians can change and remove personal protective equipment (PPE) before re-entering your home. We store equipment and clothing in cleanrooms to prevent spores from spreading.

Dealing with Visible Contamination

We train our technicians to tackle infestations using a variety of methods.

• Scraping is often effective when removing mold from hard surfaces.
• HEPA vacuums draw in loose particles.
• Damp wiping with disinfectant when there is heavier soiling.
• Soda blasting helps clean larger wood or stone surfaces.

Non-porous surfaces like metal, glass, plastic, and varnished wood, are easier to clean. We usually need to discard more porous materials such as drywall or carpet. 

We may need to carry out controlled demolition on fungus-infected materials in some cases. Rest assured that we will oversee reconstruction and repainting where required to leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

What Can be Done About the Smell?

A moldy smell is often one of the first clues of a fungus problem. And those odors can linger, leaving your home smelling less than fresh. Deodorization is a vital part of any remediation project. We have several deodorizing tools we can use.

Wet fogging (also known as Ultra Low Volume fogging) is effective against mold smells. Our technicians use the fogging machine nozzle to distribute antimicrobial products into the atmosphere. The products kill off spores and restore freshness.

We might also use a portable ozone machine. These machines generate ozone, which then causes a chemical reaction with odor-causing molecules. The ozone reverts into normal oxygen molecules when the process is complete, leaving no traces or residues behind. However, all people, pets, and plants must be removed from the premises before using an ozone machine. We will tell you when it is safe to come back inside.

Mold-retardant paint can also suppress odors. We clean and prepare all surfaces for repainting when necessary to ensure a professional finish.

If you notice the signs or smells of mold in your home, do not try to tackle it yourself. Instead, call SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 straight away so we can help you.

Professional Water Mitigation for Frederick Shops

3/30/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO utilizes submersible pumps during commercial water mitigation in Frederick shops. Our business keeps you in business.

Immediate Water Cleanup Action Reopens Shops Faster 

A water disaster can close up your doors and make it difficult for production to return to normal. Unfortunately, many businesses that close due to damage never reopen, and as leading restoration specialists, SERVPRO is here to help ensure that’s not your shop with effective remediation.

Debris Cleanup and Removal

To start water mitigation for Frederick shops and stores, we must first identify the severity of the situation with an inspection. Then, to thoroughly conduct the assessment necessary, professionals must remove bulk materials and debris created by the loss event. Finally, vacuums, hand tools, and personnel work together to eliminate the buildup that slows mitigation.

Addressing the Surface Water

The earliest water removal objectives target surface pooling throughout your shop. Standing water can overwhelm your inventory and continually damage exposed building materials, making extraction a vital component in returning your business to its original condition. A combination of wet vacuums and submersible pumps has the most significant impact on water removal needs. 

Removing water entirely goes beyond the standing water concerns into what materials have become wet by this moisture presence. We use air movers and dehumidifiers together to regulate evaporative drying and humidity. In addition, our team continually monitors using sensors and thermal imagery to remove all water threats successfully. 

Are All Materials Salvageable?

It is important to note that our professionals can only salvage some water-damaged materials in some scenarios. Sometimes moisture exposure is too lengthy, deteriorating the impacted elements and requiring controlled demolition, discarding, and later reconstruction. Some of the common materials that become irreparably damaged include:

• Drywall
• Carpeting
• Trim
• Furniture 

When shops and storefronts are damaged by water, the mitigation stage will ultimately significantly impact when doors can reopen to your customers. Our fast-responding SERVPRO of Frederick County professionals are available 24/7 to help at (301) 662-1747.

Fire Damage Restoration Makes Your Home in Frederick Safe Again

2/22/2023 (Permalink)

If you find yourself in need of assistance with fire damage remediation, call SERVPRO.

Your Burnt Home Needs Fire Damage Restoration

A house fire can spread very quickly inside a Frederick house. The swiftness with which flames can travel from one location to another also causes more damage to a home. SERVPRO carries out fire damage restoration for the entire house, scaled to the intensity of destruction in each location. 

We rely on our construction skills during controlled demolition, removal of materials, and the detailed rebuilding of your house. In Frederick, fire damage restoration services can transform a gutted house into a beautiful home. Our attention to detail includes its aesthetics and the safety and stability of your residence. 

Changes to your home make it uninhabitable. Restoring different parts of your home takes time, but they add to the entire restoration of your dwelling. Here are some areas we clean, rebuild, and restore:

• Your roof
• The hallways
• Ceilings

It is common for firefighters to punch openings in the roof to help control the fire's size. These openings are also used to direct water coming from the hoses directly into hot spots. Initially, we tarp these openings to prevent anything from entering your attic and creating additional havoc. 

Hallways and small open spaces often become electrically charged from heated electrons, leaving these areas highly prone to collecting particles of soot in string-like patterns (soot tags). Cleaning the surfaces with specially formulated agents reduces this attraction significantly. 

Any ceiling inside your home can retain large amounts of water from firefighting. Once trapped in a ceiling, its weight can leave the structure rounded downward. We drain this water from the underside, starting at the outer perimeter and slowly making additional holes closer to the center. After draining, we slowly dry the materials and then, if possible, reattach everything to the wooden studs above. Restoring a ceiling this way keeps debris and tools out of the way below, allowing other tasks to occur and keeping the entire restoration project on schedule. 

SERVPRO of Frederick County is always available to answer your questions. Call us at (301) 662-1747 to speak with an experienced technician.

Dealing with a Frederick Storm and Water Damage

1/23/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO says a sump pump failure can lead to a partial demolition of your Frederic house. When a "storm comes a calling" Call us.

SERVPRO Water Damage Cleanup in Frederick

As a Frederick homeowner, one of the situations you dread most is water damage and flooding after a storm that leaves your interior in disarray. Home floods are always challenging to tackle, especially if this is your first time experiencing one. Storm flooding brings damage and potential hazards that can leave your living situation in chaos, uproot your life, and lead to immense costs. SERVPRO is here 24/7 to handle your water restoration needs – We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

You may wonder what can get done after stormwater damage develops in your Frederick home. SERVPRO specializes in flood and water damage repair and restoration, so we can give you some insight into what may be happening.

Possible storm and water damage causes

Flooding can occur at any time during or after an area storm, often stemming from one or more of the following:

• Leaking roof from storm damage – Wind and debris damage can cause a breach in your roof. Depending on the severity, you could have slight water damage to your ceiling and walls or a hole that causes significant damage and leaves standing water and debris.
• Sump pump failure – A sizable flood sending water into your basement or first floor can always happen. However, some people with a properly working sump pump can avoid issues with slight water infiltration. Should your pump fail, it can expel the gathered water into your basement or crawlspace and lead to flooding.
• Foundation cracks – During heavy rainstorms, your foundation could spring a leak and allow water to rush in. Such a hydrostatic event is tricky and calls for prompt attention before the problem worsens.

Once you notice flooding or storm damage, calling our skilled water damage technicians at SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 900-4364 is the best course of action. We can mobilize our Green Fleet to your door within hours to begin water mitigation, extraction, and drying measures to get you the desired results.

Effective Surface Cleaning Helps Frederick Mold Remediation

12/27/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Frederick County today if you need help with professional mold damage restoration.

Mold Remediation Begins with Surface Cleaning

When our professionals first arrive to assess the condition of your home after mold exposure, we inspect all impacted materials and areas for the kind of remediation approaches necessary. It is often best to utilize our surface cleaning products when possible to limit intrusive and destructive removal tactics.

Mold Damage Surface Cleaning 

One of the keys to mold remediation for Frederick homes is addressing these conditions quickly enough for surface cleaning to be effective. It is prioritized to utilize this less aggressive approach to limit any needed controlled demolition or repairs. Surface cleaning can introduce several sporicidal and antimicrobial agents from our inventory. 

Mechanical Action Can Help

Sporicidal products in our inventory can be effective on contact but do not always reach the full hyphae of the organism. Combining mechanical action with these products can have a positive effect, such as:

• Hand Sanding – Sanding can be important to remove a developing colony from elements like wood framing. 

• Steel Wool – Another abrasive tool that can work sporicidal agents deeper into the affected surface without requiring more aggressive and direct measures.

• Brushing – Hard-bristled brushes combined with antimicrobial products can help to eliminate surface mold without destroying the entire material in the process. 

Additional Remediation Solutions

When surface cleaning is insufficient or the damage is too severe to attempt, more aggressive methods might be required. We can work with solutions like sanding and media blasting to have a more direct and abrasive impact on the conditions of a mold-infested surface. In the worst conditions, we can employ controlled demolition tactics to help. 

It is always a preference to use surface cleaning strategies for mold remediation in Frederick homes than to employ controlled demolition or other aggressive removal methods. SERVPRO of Frederick County professionals can work fast to protect your home after mold exposure using our effective antimicrobial products. Call us today at (301) 662-1747.

Water Damage Restoration in Frederick Kitchens

11/21/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO says--remove throw rugs and designer mats from wet carpets to prevent water damage. We help protect your Frederick home.

Parts of Kitchen Water Damage Restoration

The kitchen is one of the most common areas for water damage recovery with water-fed appliances and the convergence of the plumbing system. It is crucial to safeguard your residence with a fast response by experienced professionals when disasters arise like:

• Broken fixtures
• Appliance malfunctions
• Plumbing leaks
• Pipe bursts

Drying Base Cabinets

The cabinetry can often be one of the first things addressed with water damage restoration in Frederick homes because it hides some plumbing or has a directly shared wall with these pipes. Base units, especially with common materials like fiberboard or laminates, can be rapidly overwhelmed by migrating moisture and require immediate attention with centrifugal air movers and other drying tools.

Removing Standing Water

Before much of the house cleaning can begin, we must remove standing water from the kitchen. While many flooring materials installed in this room are resistant to water, pooling still provides pressure against these materials that could allow them to be damaged when these defenses ultimately fail. The extraction must happen swiftly with submersible pumps, vacuums, and light wands.

Should Building Materials Get Removed?

Choosing to remove materials after water emergencies is only done with careful consideration. Some factors play an essential role:

• Degradation – The greatest concern with water damage to the building materials and cabinetry of the kitchen is the weakening of these elements. Loss of structural integrity leaves little choice but to replace the impacted assembly fully.
• Staining/Discoloration – Staining can be a concern with the minerals in water like iron, calcium, and manganese. Materials like drywall can show these stains most readily during evaporation, where the minerals are left behind as the water dries out. Staining could require material replacement. Always try to keep carpets dry to prevent staining.
• Mold Development – Another concern from prolonged moisture damage is mold development. When mold is discovered and thought to have spread, this can significantly impact the salvageability of materials. 

Water damage restoration for Frederick homes might start with a compromised kitchen. Having skilled professionals like our SERVPRO of Frederick County team to help makes a difference in getting life back to normal quickly. Call us at (301) 686-5217. 

What Should I Do When My Auto Mechanic's Shop Has Standing Water on the Floor?

10/12/2022 (Permalink)

No matter the scope of the water damage, call SERVPRO! We are equipped to handle any water loss situation.

For Commercial Water Mitigation at Your Mechanic Shop in Frederick, Call SERVPRO

Any building that has running water has a chance of a pipe breaking and leaking water into the building. A small quarter-inch crack in one of your pipes can cause hundreds of gallons of H2O to pour out into the structure of your Fredrick auto shop.

How do you remove standing water on the floor in my shop?

During any commercial water mitigation project in Frederick, our SERVPRO technicians first work towards removing moisture. At the same time, it is still a liquid before it evaporates into the air and soaks into your contents and building materials. If there are more than two inches of standing water present, then we can use a submersible pump to suck the liquids and put them into one of your sewage drains. If there is water left on the concrete floor of your shop, we can clean it up with a mop, squeegee, or wet and dry vacuum.

What can you do if moisture is soaked into my concrete floors?

Create Air Circulation: We can set up large box fans or air movers to create air circulation in a counterclockwise motion. We can arrange the fans and air movers to push the wet air away from your concrete floors so that moisture can evaporate from the materials faster.

Set Up Dehumidifiers: Dehumidifiers can be placed in the affected area to keep humidity down during the drying process. The machines remove moisture from the air and dispense it in liquid form while exhausting warm, dry air circulation created by the fans.

Desiccant Dehumidifiers: We utilize desiccant dehumidifiers for drying concrete because they use silica gel instead of refrigerated coils. These dehumidifiers can pull out more moisture in a shorter period. We do not use desiccant systems to dry out wooden items because they can cause them to crack.

If you ever notice standing water inside your mechanic shop in Brunswick or Thurmont, call SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 24/7.

How Can I Restore My Frederick Business After a Leak Without Disrupting my Operations?

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let time and water damage take your office down, call SERVPRO today.

Call a Professional Water Restoration Service to Protect the Operations of your Business in Frederick and Eliminate Water Damage Quickly

If you own a beauty salon or a commercial warehouse in Frederick, you must pay attention to your establishment's general upkeep. Water damage can occur from a leaking pipe or other plumbing concerns, leaving some telltale signs along the way. Bubbling of vinyl flooring, discoloration on your walls, and even a musty smell should alert you to a leak. Rather than taking a wait-and-see approach, call a professional water service restoration company to inspect the incident.

In Frederick, your water restoration team is accessible 24/7 by placing a call to our SERVPRO office. Our crew of experts habitually assists business owners in the area with their needs. We do that within parameters established by your commercial building and in coordination, with any insurance guidelines you need to follow. We recognize the importance of disrupting your operations as little as possible to protect your assets and revenue. We focus on mitigating your loss while restoring and repairing your place.

Can I Wait a Few Days Before Calling a Water Restoration Technician?

Many underestimate the impact of water on their business and fail to make a call to the experts. Any delay in water extraction opens the possibility of more severe damage, further disrupting your life. Ideally, you would reach out to our SERVPRO team within the first 24 hours of the incident to avoid issues such as:

• Laminate flooring separating into layers
• Hardwood floors and wood materials buckling due to excessive humidity
• Dry-wall weakening and damaged insulation
• Increasing probability of a mold infestation
• Moist and stained ceiling tiles

As you can see, excess moisture's impact is tangible and can pose a real threat to your business. Let our SERVPRO of Frederick County help you protect what you've built. Call us at (301) 662-1747 and let us leave your business "Like it never even happened."

Where to Find Local Fire Damage Remediation Services In Brunswick?

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

If your home needs fire damage remediation, call us now.

SERVPRO of Brunswick Can Bring Expert Fire Damage Remediation Services to You!

Many instances of fire damage inside local Brunswick homes are not catastrophic. When it comes to fires inside any home, the most common causes range from cooking accidents to candles being left unattended. Fortunately, many of these fires can be extinguished before the damage becomes catastrophic.

Imagine a situation where your Brunswick home suffered a slight fire damage loss. In your kitchen, a faulty crockpot was left unattended and caught fire. Smelling smoke, you return to the room to find a minor fire burning and causing plumes of unpleasant smoke. By the time you extinguish the fire, soot stains, melted plastic, and molten food stains have spread across the back wall of your kitchen.

If the Fire is Small, Do I Need Professional Help?

Even small fire losses can leave behind an unpleasant mess to clean up. If you were to clean up the damage by yourself, you would need to:

• Discard any ruined plastics, foods, and the faulty crockpot
• Scrub soot and smoke stains on the wall with less potent chemical cleaners
• Try to air out your home to rid yourself of the malodor

When you leave the job to SERVPRO, our expert technicians can do the hard work for you.

What Equipment Can You Use to Remediate My Home?

While the average civilian can access general cleaning agents and equipment, professionals can use advanced technology. Our SERVPRO techs can use the following devices to remediate the fire damage in your home:

• Housemade cleaning agents designed to break down soot at a chemical level and lift it from various surfaces
• Thermal foggers, which can trap and neutralize the very particles causing the malodor left from the fire
• Priming paints to lock in any stubborn smells

Our technicians have access to advanced technological devices designed to remediate fire damage and have the training to use them expertly. Trust us to take the load off your shoulders.

If your home needs fire damage remediation, call us now. Communicate with SERVPRO of Frederick County by dialing (301) 662-1747. We're open 24/7 and are always ready to assist you!

How Can I Prepare for Flood Damage Before it Happens?

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has a large arsenal of drying equipment to mitigate storm damage in your Mt Airy home

Restoration Technicians Aid Mt. Airy Residents with Flood Damage Mitigation and Rebuilding Services

Flooding is a disaster so prevalent that no region, not even Mt Airy, in the United States is free of flood risks. Fortunately, the number of people covered by flood insurance is increasing: rates increased from 12% in 2016 to 15% in 2018.

If flood damage has affected your Mt. Airy home, SERVPRO technicians have the tools and know-how necessary to return your property to a pre-damaged condition. SERVPRO technicians are available 24/7 to provide mitigation and restoration services and can respond to emergencies within 24 hours of your call. However, respondents are typically able to visit your property for an initial inspection and consultation within four hours of your contact.

Preparing Your Property for Flooding

There are a variety of steps you can take to protect your Mt. Airy property from flooding, including the following:

• Inside the home, use sandbags and high-quality weather-stripping to minimize the amount of water penetrating vulnerable openings around doors and windows.
• Outside the house, implement trench drains, landscaping, and rain gardens to redirect water away from your property. Rain gardens absorb excess water while the rest makes way onto the street.
• Consider installing or updating your basement sump pump to ensure that it can handle a potential home flood.

SERVPRO technicians coordinate with you and your insurance adjuster to ensure that you have the documentation necessary to get your claim filed and compensated as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Another step to take into account for flood preparedness is ensuring that your homeowner’s insurance policy has flood coverage added. Most plans do not come with flooding coverage.

Here are some tips for checking or updating your homeowners’ insurance:

• Take inventory of the items in your home to determine the amount of coverage you need.
• Evaluate your location’s propensity for floods on FEMA’s digital flood map or a local flood map.
• Coordinate with an insurance adjuster to evaluate your policy on an annual basis.

How Does Flood Damage Affect Homes?

Standing water carries sanitary concerns with it. On top of that, 90% of all-natural disaster damage is caused by flooding. The prevalence of this type of disaster generates billions of dollars in damages each year.

Floodwaters can also increase your home’s fire risk with the following:

• Generator overuse or improper maintenance
• Using alternative heating or cooking devices near flammable materials.
• Gas line, tank, and container leaks
• Waterlogged electrical appliances and electrically-charged water

To reduce the risk posed by flooding in your home:

• Make careful use of generators and other alternative power sources. Avoid using faulty equipment.
• Remove potential fire hazards from your surroundings when using heat sources.
• Contact your utility providers about shutting off gas and electrical systems to prevent fire and shock risks.
• File a claim as soon as possible after flooding to streamline the compensation process.

SERVPRO can assist Mt. Airy residents with the claims filing process with additional documentation of structural and contents losses. Photos, videos, and written records alike from an accredited firm are a helpful supplement to any proof of loss claim.

SERVPRO’s Disaster Restoration Services Salvage Flood-Damaged Homes

SERVPRO technicians focus on extraction and sanitation before structural drying can begin. Safety is key to preventing the spread of microbes throughout your home.

A variety of EPA-registered proprietary cleaning agents exist that aid in removing odors and returning your home and its contents to a pre-damaged state.

• Antimicrobials are designed to inhibit the growth, development, and spread of microbes.
• Disinfectants are a class of antimicrobials that can kill as much as 99% of germs on contact. Quaternary, phenols, chlorines, and alcohols are common disinfectants used in both residential and commercial capacities.
• Sporicides are designed to remediate bacterial growth and fungus, including mold.
• Biocides, fungicides are composed of chemical agents designed to mitigate living organisms.
• Sanitizers are cleaning agents designed to reduce microbial levels

Sanitizing solutions can be implemented with a variety of tools, including pumps, sprays, injection systems, manual cleaning, and fogging devices. This process not only eliminates microbial growth but can also lessen the impact of flood damage odors before drying and deodorization begin.

SERVPRO of Frederick County provides comprehensive service to the community that is Faster for Any Size Disaster. Call (301) 662-1747 to begin the mitigation process for your property.

Expert Fire Restoration in Frederick

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

Don’t let your property be a victim of fire damage, SERVPRO of Frederick County is only a call away.

Pre-cleaning Can Mitigate Fire Damage in your Home

Fires can leave behind different types of smoke residues in your home. Some smoke particles can bond with surfaces of a structure, especially in high-temperature and high-pressure property fires. Other particles adhere to surfaces and come loose quickly. Using pre-cleaning procedures effectively can help to enhance the efficiency of a dry sponge or chemical action by removing non-bonded soots first. 

The process of fire restoration in your Frederick home is multi-faceted. SERVPRO uses a similarly diverse approach toward cleaning damages in the house. Pre-testing, pre-conditioning, and pre-cleaning are just three examples of our mixed approach. Walls and surfaces exposed to hot smoke gather dust, soot, and ash. By removing these particles first, we can improve the efficiency of our cleaning method. Porous surfaces in the home generally absorb moisture and smoke, which can make them difficult to clean. We clean porous materials during:

• Fire Damage Restoration
• Fire Cleanup
• Smoke Removal

A homeowner can sometimes perform dry pre-cleaning techniques in the immediate aftermath of a fire. For example, vacuuming helps remove loose soot from the surface layers of materials. By eliminating loose soots, we can apply a dry cleaning solvent or sponge directly onto the surface material without contaminating chemicals or equipment. Other methods that our technicians use include compressed air, which is pointed directly at a surface. We lay down protective sheeting on floors before using compressed air or other agitated cleaning methods like brushing to prevent dislodged or airborne particles from affecting other home surfaces. 

• Precleaning heavily soiled surfaces with a dry sponge before applying a detergent or rinse agent can increase the effectiveness of wet cleaning.
• If humidity is particularly low, it can increase static electricity in the home. Vacuuming charged soot and dust is useful before following the cleaning procedure.
• Dry cleaning is often insufficient to restore a surface properly but can be useful in prepping for water or solvent-based cleaning solution. 

If your home has significant smoke residues, contact SERVPRO of Frederick County for fire restoration at (301) 662-1747.

Where Can I Find Emergency Services for Residential Flooding in Mt. Airy?

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding in your property can be full of safety hazards and require emergency services or abatement experts.

SERVPRO Water Crews Can Inspect, Mitigate, and Restore Residential Properties with Flood Damage in Mt. Airy.

How many people do I need to fix a flooded property?

After receiving an emergency notification of loss for your Mt. Airy property, SERVPRO can dispatch a water crew. Water crews usually consist of a crew chief and a production technician. Both crew members have extensive training in water restoration and emergency mitigation with qualifications from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration certifications (IICRC) body. Your point of contact throughout the restoration service is the crew chief. If you have questions regarding the restoration or special drying requests, such as document drying, you can direct it to the crew chief. In severe flooding situations, a water crew may include more production technicians to ensure that mitigation is put on time.

Can restoration services help with a flood insurance claim?

Documenting information can be beneficial to homeowners with flood damage in Mt. Airy. SERVPRO technicians use digital software to record injuries, upload photos, and dry plans during the planning stage of flood recovery. This software is called a dry book. We can revisit and update the contents of a dry book throughout the service. However, we can ensure that our services are justifiable, transparent, and accountable by recording information digitally. These qualities are vital for homeowners who are undergoing the trauma of flooded property.

What information is needed to start a flood restoration?

• Appointment details arranged with a customer service member
• Personal information like the address of the loss site (also known as first notification of loss)
• Loss details may include the size of the property, the extent of harm, and the length of water exposure

What equipment is needed for flood loss recovery?

Flood losses can vary significantly from property to property. While some constants like the need for submersible pumps and extraction equipment, many variables depend on the information provided during the initial inspection and notification of loss. It is essential to provide as much information as possible during the notice of loss. Standing water may require specific pumping equipment; a household's lack of power may need a portable generator to run the pumps. These details can significantly influence restoration. In the early phases of a flood, emergency time is a critical factor in mitigation. Stocking our trucks with the correct amount of air-movers, dehumidifiers, pumps, and extractors helps reduce damage to your property.

How much is drying equipment needed for flooding on average?

• Two dehumidifiers per story of the home
• Five rapid air-movers for each room affected
• One pump or water extractor per area

How Does Flood Loss Recovery Typically Start?

There are many details of your Mt. Airy home's condition is that SERVPRO can gather before arrival, but the critical information is gleaned from an initial inspection. A flooded property may have any number of damages or potential damage areas. Our water crew brings a water inspection kit that can help us get a clear picture of the extent of harm to the property. If there is continuous water intrusion, the water crew can stop it at the source. Where there is standing water, we can perform early mitigation of the affected area by blocking furniture or removing it from the affected area to a clean spot. Usually, the initial inspection is carried out with many photographs uploaded to the digital dry book. A dry book assists both you and your insurance adjuster when you are processing your claim.

What should I do with potential flood hazards in the home?

• Recognize the type of hazard, for example, loose wiring, sagging ceiling, or structural warping
• Communicate and document the danger with those in the area
• Figure out control measures and implement them in the home

Can Hazard Scoping Affect The Timespan Of Flood Restoration?

In some situations, the initial inspection of a flooded property may reveal complicating hazards. Restoration of a flooded property typically takes between two and five days. However, there can be time delays if our water crews discover hazardous materials or mold on the property. A time delay can occur when crew chiefs need to use third-party experts for specific restoration projects. Bringing in specific abatement experts is essential to returning your home to its pre-damaged condition.

Flooding in your property can be full of safety hazards and require emergency services or abatement experts. For one point of contact throughout flood recovery, contact SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747.

How Does a Homeowner Choose the Best Company to Help Them with Mold Problems?

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is always dressed "To Kill" mold in Frederick area homes and commercial buildings.

SERVPRO Can Offer Quality Mold Removal Services When You Need It Inside Your Frederick Home

Since fungal spores (microscopic seed-like structures) naturally exist everywhere, a fungus can form inside your Frederick residence quite quickly. All fungi need to develop are an organic food source like wood or paper, water, the ideal temperature, and time. Several occurrences like a slow roof leak, elevated humidity levels, or a small pipe break can cause mold to grow.

What Can You Do If There Is Mold In My Home?

• Find the Source of the Problem: The first step our SERVPRO team takes when handling mold removal in your Frederick house is to figure out where moisture is entering and causing the fungal growth.

• Fix the Initial Issue: Before we begin any remediation efforts, we prevent H2O from entering by fixing the slow leak.
• Remove All Visible Fungal Structures: We can eliminate the mold by sanding or soda blasting your affected surfaces.
• Clean Contaminated Air: We can also use air scrubbers to cleanse your atmosphere and ensure very few airborne spores are present that can spread fungi to other sectors of your home.
• Apply Antimicrobial Chemicals: During and after the remediation process, we can spray a product that can kill fungi and the spores it releases.

Why Should I Choose SERVPRO For Issues Related To Mold?

• Highly Experienced Team: Our crew members have received training by the International Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) program. We have years of experience preventing and remediating fungi from residential structures.
• Advanced Technology: Our management team is continuously researching and procuring the industry's best equipment to make our technicians' jobs much more manageable.
• Fast Service 24/7: Our crew lives in the area, and we have someone that answers the phone every day. During all hours of the day, we can provide you with professional assistance whenever you need it.

Once a fungus has developed inside your dwelling, for quality restoration services, call SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 at any time.

Experiencing Flood Damage at Your Frederick Home-SERVPRO Can Help

6/30/2022 (Permalink)

With advanced equipment, SERVPRO restores property to pre-damaged conditions, "Like it never even happened."

How Flood Damages Your Frederick Home

When your home suffers flooding caused by a violent storm, you may experience water damage. Once floodwaters make their way into your Frederick property, getting your residence back to normal can require a rather complex and lengthy procedure. It helps if you did not risk handling the cleaning and restoration on your own when a professional can take the stressful process off your hands.

Calling a specialized flood damage restoration company in Frederick allows you to get back to your regular schedule and your home back to normal sooner. SERVPRO has the experience and equipment necessary to minimize and restore damages to your residence in an efficient manner. We care about you and are ready to handle your flood repairs professionally and with integrity.

Ways floodwaters affect a house:

• Loose or buckling floorboards, contaminated carpets
• Damaged drywall
• Appliance damage, including the HVAC system or refrigerators
• Compromise electrical wires

The Effects of Flooding

A flood can damage your home, leaving loose buckling floorboards and wet drywall. Also, silt, mud, and other contaminants in the water get everything dirty. Before SERVPRO crews enter the house to survey the damage, we walk around to visually inspect your property for any structural damage and check for downed power lines or gas leaks. The appliances in your home, such as the fridge, might be compromised by floodwater; hence you should refrain from using them until professionally inspected.

Other precautions

• Clothing and linen
• Furniture
• Food
• Kitchen items

Upholstered furniture and carpets soak up contaminants from floodwaters hence should be cleaned by a professional. Unless the pieces are very valuable, they should probably be thrown out. When cleaning linen soiled by flooding, some precautions are necessary. For example, browning is likely if linen is left soaked in alkaline solutions for too long, so appropriate timing is essential.

SERVPRO of Frederick County can help repair your home's structural contents, flooring, and even furniture that otherwise you might have thrown out after flood damage, "Like it never even happened." Call us at (301) 662-1747.

The Ultimate Guide to Water Damage Remediation in Frederick

6/30/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage can leave remnants if not dealt with properly. Contact the professionals at SERVPRO today for help.

Professional Help Addresses Several Issues after Water Damage in Frederick

Whether a plumbing line fails or any other incident happens, spilling water in unwanted areas of your Frederick home, you have to take several steps to restore the property to a pre-damaged state. The apparent steps are extracting standing water and cleaning soiled areas. However, the process may require additional steps, and seeking assistance from a professional restorer can help you tackle them with ease.

The level of water damage in Frederick homes may extend beyond what the eye can see, depending on the amount of water spilled and the period it sits before removal starts. The point of origin also matters because spills on upper floors can spread damage to lower floors. If left unaddressed, such damage can lead to mold infestation or even structural issues because moisture leads to rot and other forms of deterioration. Our SERVPRO technicians use moisture detection equipment such as us moisture meters to inspect affected areas. We also have FLIR thermal cameras to check for wetness below the surface.

Apart from affecting the structure, the water that spills can soil contents within the house. The most affected are usually upholstery items and fabrics such as drapes. Such contents may require specialized cleaning approaches to remove the soils and prevent other problems such as dyes running and water spots. Our SERVPRO teams receive training and IICRC, Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, certification in various fields equipping them with the necessary cleaning skills. We also have specialized cleaning equipment such as upholstery cleaning machines wash and rinse, which simplify cleaning heavily soiled items.

Proper extraction of water remnants and drying of excess moisture from the affected areas should help complete restore the property to its pre-damaged state. The process requires a combination of skills and advanced equipment to run smoothly. Our SERVPRO technicians use dry-wet vacs and other portable water extractors to remove water from different surfaces. We might also create drying chambers using plastic sheets or drill vent holes for better control of the drying process.

If facing water loss in Mt Airy, Brunswick, or Middletown, call SERVPRO of Frederick County to help you mitigate the damages. You can reach us at (301) 662-1747 at any time. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

When Mold Growth Threatens Exhibits and Documents What Can Museum Management Do?

6/30/2022 (Permalink)

When mold damage happens, contact SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 no matter how big or small the problem.

SERVPRO Saves the Rich History of Frederick with Professional Commercial Mold Damage Remediation  

Our city has a deep commitment to cultural preservation and community enrichment. Part of the authentic charm and accurate feel in our historic homes and museums in the age of the venerable structures protecting the tales and artifacts. Leaking ancient plumbing or other long-hidden water damage reveals a vulnerability that microbes exploit. Available moisture activates mold infestations that put both structures and contents at risk of severe damage.

How Can Museum Management Arrange to Eliminate the Mold?

The fastest way to identify unscrupulous mold damage predators in Frederick is to be very wary of a company that promises mold elimination. Because mold spores are ubiquitous in commercial buildings, the achievable goal is the remediation of damage. When skilled remediation pairs with the elimination of the water source and moisture control, mold damage recurrence are rare to non-existent.

What Is Mold Remediation?

SERVPRO’s mold remediation crews follow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protocols for schools and commercial buildings. Preventing the drift of moldy debris or spores and avoiding worsening the outbreak through the use of ineffective cleaning agents make it essential to follow the following steps:

• Locate the mold -- usually by seeking staining, observing multiplying colonies, and smelling the characteristic musty odor. Testing is expensive and rarely needed if other signs are apparent.
• Contain the mold -- wrapping the mold-affected surfaces and spaces with 1.6 mil polyethylene and using a negative pressure air scrubber to seal the area and force the contaminated atmosphere through HEPA filters to capture mold particles and exhaust to the outside.
• Remove the mold and clean up debris -- mechanical methods include brushing, scraping, and blasting with gentler abrasives like soda, dry ice, or corn cobs. Debris is vacuumed and wet-wiped, then bagged for hazardous waste disposal per local regulations.

The trust put in SERVPRO of Frederick County’s managers, and technicians is repaid with successful mold remediation and a moisture management plan that inhibits future damage. Call us at (301) 662-1747 when your historic building and business are plagued by microbial proliferation.

SERVPRO Helps Keep Open the Opportunity for Higher Learning in Frederick with Rapid Water Extraction and Cleanup

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

Frederick Commercial Structures when Plumbing Fails, Management Calls SERVPRO for Water Damage Cleanup

Commercial Water Cleanup in a Frederick College after an Old Water Pipe Bursts

A water spill can disrupt normal business operations because it leaves materials wet and surfaces slippery. A severe water spill necessitates thorough cleanup to restore normal conditions. SERVPRO was called to help deal with one major spill in a Frederick area college.

Before taking any restoration steps during a commercial water damage cleanup in Frederick, scoping the loss site is crucial to determine issues such as what caused the loss, the source point, and the extent of affected areas. The water loss at the college occurred when a pipe burst due to what we later determined as the effects of old age. In many places, lines installed before the 1980s are made with brittle materials such as cast iron. The constant changes in temperate and pressure can lead to cracking. Because replacing the pipes required extensive processes, including excavation, our SERVPRO technicians had to wait for plumbers to finish the replacement before we could clean the area next to the leak source.

The spilled water had spread from the source point to other areas, pooling mainly on the floors. Our SERVPRO technicians started extracting the water to stop moisture migration and the possibility of microbial growth, which would complicate the cleanup process. We have sufficient resources to handle this extraction since we have different pumps, including high-speed, truck-mounted, and portable extractors.

The spilled water had dissolved different soils spreading them across the property, necessitating cleanup. However, the soiling mostly affected hard surfaces such as tiles and concrete. By applying professional cleaning products and agitating with rotating brushes and water pressure, our SERVPRO technicians removed all the soils, leaving surfaces clean. We also removed the debris that accumulated from the replacement of the burst pipe.  

The soiling and other damages from a water spill can have a negative spiraling effect, especially in a learning institution. Call SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 to help manage any incident “Like it never even happened.”

Why Professional Restoration Services Are Needed for Your Frederick County Home

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage remediation can be devastating when you witness the loss to your home. Call the professionals at SERVPRO today for help.

Soda Blasting for Soot Damaged Countertops in Frederick

Cleaning up your Frederick home after a fire can feel overwhelming. While some homeowners are up to the massive undertaking of removing soot and smoke residues from their properties with meticulous and intricate approaches, many have found it much easier to seek out the experienced restoration professionals of our SERVPRO fire recovery team. Our prompt response and experience can address even widespread concerns like soot on your countertops and other pricey surfaces with efficient and advanced approaches. 

Addressing fire damage in Frederick homes often must come in stages, beginning with widespread mitigation and cleaning to prevent further damage and degradation of the property. Accomplishing this task gets left in the hands of our competent accredited professionals endorsed through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) as Fire & Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT), Odor Control Technicians (OCT), and multiple facets of cleaning and other niches. 

Many countertops have a semi-porous composition, making them susceptible to soot staining without careful removal and cleaning. While many surfaces can often get addressed with the combination of high-powered vacuums and chemical sponges, our SERVPRO team also has other approaches that can help to eliminate the soot and protect the surface underneath. 

Soda blasting is a premier option for our mold remediation team as it can eliminate the entire hyphae of the organism without compromising the substrate hosting the colony. This premise is also true for surfaces housing soot and smoke residues, and soda or media blasting is an abrasive yet gentler approach that can make your counters look “Like it never even happened.” There are added benefits of cleaning up without introducing more water to the structure, and that sodium bicarbonate is a deodorizing agent.

It can be overwhelming to see the devastation that widespread fire loss events can do to your home, especially without knowing how to get your property back to pre-damaged condition. Because We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, you can count on our SERVPRO of Frederick County team to arrive quickly with the equipment and expertise to help. Give us a call anytime that you need us at (301) 662-1747.

Water Cleanup Services After Burst Piping in Frederick

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Frederick County today if you need help with professional water damage restoration.

SERVPRO Arrives Fast for Water Cleanup and Restoration for Frederick Residents

There could be several reasons why a pipe bursts within your Frederick home. Whether there was corrosion, a drop in temperatures during the winter, or an accident that caused the joint to shift, you need to clean up the water as quickly as possible. SERVPRO understands time is of the essence with all water-related restoration jobs, so we are available 24/7 for emergency response. Once you get in touch with our customer care team, we can have a crew at your door to assess the standing water and damage within four hours.

We stand by our motto – We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster. When you call us for water clean-up in Frederick, we arrive promptly, begin the assessment, and select all the right equipment and processes for the job. Our Green Fleet comes stocked with everything we need to handle water mitigation and removal as quickly as possible. 

Why Can’t I Handle Water Removal On My Own?

Some homeowners reach for a mop and bucket or wet/dry vacuum whenever there is a significant water spill. However, failing to remove all moisture could lead to black mold growth or costly secondary damage. Hiring our skilled technicians for water removal services is best because:

• Our water restoration technicians (WRT) have been through extensive IICRC-certification to handle your project as quickly and efficiently as possible. 
• We follow the water’s migration path and use moisture detection tools like sensors and meters to locate hidden pockets of moisture. 
• Our drying and dehumidification equipment help us to restore relative humidity to thwart mold and mildew growth.
• If necessary, we perform controlled demolition to pull up unsalvageable carpeting, remove drywall, and replace everything with all-new materials – “Like it never even happened.”

Get in touch with our team whenever you require a rapid response to handle water clean-up. SERVPRO of Frederick County can be reached by dialing (301) 662-1747.

Our Flood Damage Specialists Can Save Your Frederick Home

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

We have technicians available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, year-round to assist you through even the worst situations.

Highly Trained Flood Damage Specialists in Frederick

Having a flood in your home can be a traumatic experience; it is hardly something you should deal with alone. Everything you work so hard to obtain through the years can be affected, leaving you wondering what to do next. However, homeowners in Frederick have access to highly trained professionals that can help return their property to normal.

As a homeowner, you can protect yourself from flood damage in the Frederick area by contacting our local office. We have technicians who have received the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), Specialization Training, and our Employee Certification Training Program (ECTP). Our technicians train thoroughly to provide you with the quality restoration services you expect.

We learn lessons about the principles of flood damage restoration, flood damage safety, and how to address specific problems that often arise on the job. SERVPRO technicians learn about humidity, condensation, evaporation, and permeance. Our ECTP teaches us the effects water has on various surfaces, how airflow and temperature can drastically affect drying time, and which methods work best given a variety of situations.

You want to know if SERVPRO technicians are qualified to perform flood damage restoration in your home, and we want to answer any questions you may have. We live, eat, and sleep water and storm damage restoration! Our entire restoration staff is here to ensure that you have help during emergency environmental situations. You can rely on us to provide cleaning and restoration services when you need us the most.

At SERVPRO, we teach our technicians why it is vital to treat water and flood damage incidents with such urgency and care, not just how to perform a service. People like you are at the core of what we do, and we make sure that you know what needs to happen to make informed decisions about your property.

Call our staff at SERVPRO of Frederick County for additional information about our services or schedule your home's initial inspection today. We have technicians available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, year-round, to assist you through even the worst situations. Call us at (301) 662-1747.

Water Restoration in Frederick Demands Professional Services

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage is one of the most commonplace challenges for homeowners. Bur no worries! SERVPRO is on the job!

SERVPRO Can Perform Water Restoration in Your Frederick Home

Water damage is one of the most commonplace challenges for homeowners. Even for the insured, it can cause stress and extensive damage if left unchecked for some time. To avoid hiccups, you should contact a restoration service provider as soon as possible.

The process of water restoration in Frederick homes is unique to every situation. However, at SERVPRO, we assure our customers that our technicians are well trained and equipped to take care of water damage of any size or scope. Our restoration process is as outlined below:

• Inspection and damage assessment
• Water extraction
• Drying and dehumidification
• Cleaning and sanitization
  

Inspection and Damage Assessment

Upon arrival, SERVPRO can conduct an inspection of your house, followed by a thorough assessment of the level of damage. We can use thermal hygrometers to get a more in-depth look at the humidity in the affected areas. These tools display the dew point, moisture ratio (GPP), and vapor pressure. Thermal hygrometers also reveal if suitable dehumidification conditions exist or if they have been finally achieved. Inspection and damage assessment is essential in drawing up the strategy to be followed in the restoration process.

Water Extraction

The longer the water stays in a house, the more damage it causes. Our team can use wet/dry vacuums or portable pumps to extract as much water as possible.

Drying and Dehumidification

It is necessary to dry the affected structures and contents thoroughly to restore your home. Our SERVPRO technicians can use centrifugal air movers to get dry air into the affected area. After this, we can dehumidify the house to bring the water vapor levels back to normal for a better internal environment.

Cleaning and Sanitization

Our SERVPRO crew can use industrial cleaners to clean all the affected items before sanitizing the building and all materials affected to prevent mold infestation or the growth of other microorganisms.

SERVPRO of Frederick County has the expertise required to perform water damage restoration on your property. Contact us at any time at (301) 662-1747. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Hire SERVPRO to Remove Mold and Reduce the Threat of Future Infestations

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Mold spores can grow throughout your home and you should get professional help finding all the mold and eliminating it. Contact SERVPRO for help.

It Does Not Look That Bad; why is SERVPRO or Another Restoration Service Necessary?

Thorough mold removal in Frederick neighborhoods requires much more than scraping stains off surfaces and spraying bleach everywhere. SERVPRO technicians take four primary actions to eliminate mold and reduce the odds of dealing with a recurring problem.

• Remove visible mold – Our technicians don protective gear and use commercial-grade vacuums with HEPA filters to remove most mold spores.
• Dry and remove water sources – Mold remains inert without moisture, so our technicians eliminate pools and drips on walls to cut off the ability of mold to grow. 
• Spray antifungal cleaners on affected surfaces – After removal, technicians use a spray wand to apply cleaners designed to neutralize any missed spores and eliminate the support structure as a ready food source.
• Repair damage that allows water into the home – Our construction experts can repair roofs, redirect rain gutters, and even replace mortar in brick walls to eliminate entry into your home’s attic. 

It Looks Like the Mold Already Got into Some of the Support Structures. Can You Dig It Out?

Yes. Our IICRC trained technicians can use hand scrapers to eliminate small spots of mold. If the damage is extensive, they soda-blasting to dig out the mold spores without further harming the wood. After, they quickly remove the powder and spores with the same vacuums and HEPA filters before applying cleaners.

Does All This Restore My Home to A Safe Place to Live?

Yes. After these actions, SERVPRO team leaders perform a final check of the affected areas and then return your home to you with a complete list of steps taken and the cleaning agents and devices used by our technicians. 

If you have any amount of mold in your home here or in Mt Airy, call SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 immediately. We will put you back into your home as quickly as possible. 

SERVPRO Provides Frederick Property Owners with Premier Fire Loss Mitigation

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

Frederick Fire Damaged Homeowners Often Rely on SERVPRO for Cleanup and Restoration; We're Faster To Any Size Disaster

Carpet Cleaning After a Fire in Your Frederick Home

Even without a disaster, the carpets of your Frederick home can be magnets for dust, dirt, debris, dander, and other potential contaminants. While you work to keep up with these threats and hazards with regular vacuuming and cleaning of trafficked areas of your property, when situations like fires occur, this magnetism for soil can severely compromise the look and feel of your carpeted floors. Effects like soot and smoke residue can directly affect these areas of your home.

With a growing roster of IICRC-Certified cleaning technicians capable of handling the often traumatic and widespread effects of fire damage in your Frederick residence, we can approach every disaster with experience and confidence. We understand the risks of improperly cleaning soot and smoke residues, so our rapid response team arrives with the specialized equipment capable of carefully extracting this sediment and the high-strength cleaning agents, some specially formulated, to restore the look and function of your carpeting.

As soot removal is one of the priorities to restore damaged carpets after a fire, our SERVPRO team arrives with our premier carpet cleaning equipment to implement both dry cleaning and hot water extraction approaches depending on the severity of the situation. Not only can this practice help to remove soot/smoke particulates that could lead to staining of the fibers, but it can also help to thoroughly deep clean the carpets as well from another potential soiling, sediment, and buildup that could exist at the base of the fibers. We may be able to turn a bad situation into a much better one with cleaner carpets than before the fire.

Another concern for restoring damaged carpets after a fire is the smoke smell and foul odors that can get trapped through the material. Our SERVPRO team can utilize UV and thermal fogging machines to neutralize these foul odors on contact. These same machines can also address foul scents from the fire present in open environments, fabrics, and other materials throughout the house.

We attempt to offer the most efficient and thorough solutions to address every fire consequence that could threaten your property. With our expertise in the restoration industry and our growing inventory of recovery and mitigation equipment, our SERVPRO of Frederick County can make fire loss incidents “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (301) 662-1747.

Removing Flood Damage from a Frederick Basement

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

All you need is SERVPRO for all your Storm damage needs. Call (301) 662-1747.

Flood Damage Like Standing Water Is Addressed Fast in Frederick Homes 

There are several concerns for flooded basements. When our experienced restorers first arrive, we must find solutions for:

• Standing water
• Contaminants
• Debris and muck-out cleaning
• Content management

How Deep Is the Standing Water? 

Choosing the suitable extractor to overcome flood damage in Frederick basements is often decided on the depth of the damaged areas. Standing water can be a concern, but if shallow enough, many extractors in our inventory are inefficient. The choice between submersible pumps and wet vacuums is a matter of inches.

Are There Solids? 

The extraction process is often complicated by solids and debris in the standing water. This makes the choices in available extractors limited to those with large enough intake and discharge hoses to manage this debris without damaging the pumps. Our truck-mount extractors and submersible trash pumps are often ideal for removing standing floodwater.

Are Contaminants a Concern?

After a flood, contamination can often be a concern. Natural floodwater is often considered a blackwater loss event, which carries the same connotations as biohazardous sewer backup and other threatening conditions. We must utilize strong disinfection products within our inventory on non-porous building materials like concrete floors to ensure bacteria and contaminants do not amplify.

What Tools Are Needed to Dry the Basement? 

There are hundreds of drying tools available to our experienced professionals. Often, the drying process hinges on the placement and frequencies of devices like air movers and dehumidifiers. We must also implement portable heaters to increase the temperature of drying surface materials to promote faster evaporation. 

Many questions require answers after a flood loss event in your basement. With the pace of water pooling in this lower level of the house, it is critical to begin extraction and clean up as soon as possible. Our SERVPRO of Frederick County team is ready to help when you need it – call today at (301) 662-1747.

How Our Technicians Will Save Your Brunswick Home After A Water Damage Incident

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Frederick County is prepared to respond swiftly.

What To Expect From Brunswick Professional Water Cleanup

When an appliance fails or the kids let a sink overflow, an astonishing amount of water can spread throughout your Brunswick home. A cracked residential water heater held up to 50 gallons, and if the rupture goes unnoticed, the supply line keeps flowing. The standard flow of a bathroom sink is 2.2 gallons per minute, meaning a 10-minute distracting phone call might spill more than 20 gallons out the door and down the hall.

Professional help is required for Brunswick residential water cleanup. The sheer bulk of water collecting in the lowest parts of the affected space is beyond the capacity of a household wet/dry vacuum to manage. Another consideration is that the visible standing water is only part of the problem. Water migrates away from its origin, flooding downstairs and through cracks into building cavities. It also seeps under and into porous structural components.

SERVPRO has the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained managers and technicians to approach water cleanup efficiently, following industry best practices. We also stock a complete inventory of state-of-the-art water removal and structural drying equipment on our service vehicles.

We arrive, assess, and plan your water cleanup project as soon as possible after your first call, answered 24/7. Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRT) immediately position submersible pumps in water deeper than two inches, also using wanded extractors to mitigate the spread of moisture on carpets and bare floors. Thermal imaging devices help us locate water trapped behind structures, which we access by employing controlled demolition strategies like weep holes and flood cuts.

Our technicians use sensitive moisture meters to detect the level of water absorbed by structural components. This data forms the basis for an applied structural drying goal. Once the standing and trapped waters evacuate, SERVPRO positions air movers and heaters to accelerate the transfer of water from the structures into the air as vapor. Desiccant and evaporative dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air, containing it for disposal outside your home.

Call (301) 662-1747 when a water emergency requires prompt cleanup. SERVPRO of Frederick County is prepared to respond swiftly. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Why Frederick Commercial Water Restoration Companies Are Best

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with water damage in your commercial space can certainly be trying. Contact SERVPRO for certified technicians and effective restoration.

Frederick Businesses Trust SERVPRO for Water Restoration Companies

When it comes to any fire and water emergencies, Frederick commercial properties need help fast to keep daily operations going. If you have a situation within your restaurant, laboratory, office building, or retail space where a water emergency strikes, you can count on SERVPRO. We act quickly to give our commercial and residential customers peace of mind. By working to restore versus replace, we also help cut costs on your project overall. You can count on our trained team to get the job done right the first time – We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

Only trust your Frederick commercial property to the best out of the area water restoration companies. SERVPRO has the equipment, facilities, and authorized staff to provide you with your needed results. Even when carried out by your in-house custodial crew, DIY projects can lead to compounded issues. Failing to remove all moisture not only means possible materials degradation, but you also run the risk of potentially harmful black mold infestation.

What Sets SERVPRO Apart from Other Water Restoration Services?

• Restore vs. Replace – We can save you money by cleaning and restoring items impacted by your water incident.
• Advanced Structural Drying (ASD) – We know that your commercial property may pose a challenge, but we use the elements of psychometrics meshed with the latest equipment and technology to get the job done.
• IICRC-Certification – All of our water restoration technicians (WRT) have been through and keep up with certifications and training from the IICRC. 
• Insurance Liaison – Dealing with an insurance claim is just one more thing to add to your plate. When you have a water damage event, we ensure all paperwork, and fine details get recorded and act as a go-between with your insurance company.

SERVPRO of Frederick County is your answer when searching water restoration companies for your commercial property. We get in quick and start working as soon as possible to generate the best possible results. Reach us 24/7 by calling (301) 662-1747.

Mt. Airy Residents Must Never Attempt DIY Fire Restoration

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

When residues remain after a fire, the situation can quickly escalate. Contact SERVPRO to handle the fire restoration after an event at your home.

Unskilled Fire Restoration Can Be Dangerous – Call SERVPRO in Mt. Airy!

After a fire in your Mt. Airy homes, the dangers do not stop once the blaze gets extinguished. There are countless hazards to worry about, from unsafe structural elements, potential problems with your electrical system and soot. The best thing is to have fully trained, and certified fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) take care of all your restoration and house fire clean up needs. This is where we shine at SERVPRO, and We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

What Homeowners Should Know About Soot and Smoke Residue

A significant component of any fire restoration in Mt. Airy is handling all of the soot and smoke residue left throughout the building. Soot is composed of minuscule carbon particles caused by incomplete combustion of various materials, such as coal, wood, oil, and more. Because soot contains various acids, dust, soils, and chemicals, it leaves behind stubborn residue and foul smells.

Did You Know?

• Soot exposure can cause health effects.
• Soot particles can enter the body via ingestion, inhalation, or the eyes and skin.
• Soot risks can be limited or eliminated by hiring a restoration team that knows best practices for removal and cleaning. 

SERVPRO features IICRC-certified technicians to assess the soot particles and residue left behind on your property. Not only will we carefully remove it with little disruption by way of air scrubber technology, vacuums, and more, but we also have powerful cleaning agents and deodorizers to break through the pungent odors. Our team always wears respiratory gear and PPE for safety but also works to ensure soils get contained within the fire-treatment zones in your home. 

There is nothing like the results you will see after hiring SERVPRO of Frederick County for fire restoration. Call us at (301) 662-1747 to begin the cleanup, and we can leave your home Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned!

Water Damage in Your Frederick Property Must Get Mitigated Fast

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

Pipes can break quietly behind walls and leave large telltale stains. Contact SERVPRO to investigate and remediate the water damage in your home.

SERVPRO Mitigates Water Damage to Cut Your Loss and Costs in Frederick

Water emergencies happen without warning and can cause issues throughout your Frederick home or business. Depending on the situation, there could be soaked documents, wrecked furniture, ruined building materials, and the potential for black mold growth. Whether the water infiltration comes from a broken bathroom pipe or violent storms that cause flooding, dealing with the aftermath is never a time to go the DIY route. Instead, SERVPRO is there for water removal services to help mitigate the damage before it has a chance to fester.

Commonly, a homeowner without restoration experience may not know what to do with water damage. Mitigate it within your Frederick home with the help of SERVPRO and our skilled water restoration technicians (WRT). We can get you on the path for water emergency recovery, so let’s go over what you may expect once we arrive:

• Once our Green Fleet arrives, our crew inspects the area to determine severity, what category the water is, and all items and materials impacted. 
• The first steps for mitigation and remediation are removing water with the help of industrial-strength pumps, truck-mounted extractors, and a variety of tools.
• Should the water get deemed contaminated, our IICRC-certified technicians might utilize specialized equipment and water treatment methods to ensure safety.
• Items get evaluated to determine salvageability, but many porous items may be disposed of and replaced. 
• Drying and dehumidification help us restore relative humidity (RH), while moisture detection tools allow our crew to ensure nothing is left behind.
• All surfaces get treated with EPA-registered cleaning agents and deodorants to leave everything “Like it never even happened.”

Mitigate it with a team you can trust when you have water damage. Here at SERVPRO of Frederick County, we work diligently to help you get back on your feet after a water-related emergency. Reach us by calling (301) 662-1747!

SERVPRO Provides Mold Damage Remediation Services in Mt Airy

1/15/2022 (Permalink)

Mold damage remediation can be very serious. SERVPRO techs have PPE and equipment for their safety so they can handle all the work needed for you.

Have Mold Damage and a Strong Musty Odor in My Mt Airy Home – Call SERVPRO

Many consumers are unaware they have a mold infestation in their Mt Airy home until they notice a strong, musty odor. An active mold colony produces the odor by taking advantage of moisture, warmth, and a food source. Mold spores are everywhere, waiting to find the right conditions to begin thriving. They need high humidity or moisture from condensation, and the colony can start growing.

SERVPRO provides mold damage cleanup and removal for consumers in Mt Airy. One of the first actions our mold remediation technicians undertake is a full mold inspection of your home. We identify the source of the moisture and provide suggestions to control and eliminate the source. We assess the mold infestation and the area affected, and we contain the area to avoid distributing spores to other areas of the home during removal and cleanup.

Mold can cause health effects. In addition to containing the area, we follow mold removal guidelines to protect the homeowner and their family. We may apply the following during the mold cleanup and removal phase:

• Negative air pressure exhausting to the exterior of the home
• Cleaning and brushing of mold from top to bottom
• Non-porous materials are cleaned and dried, then stored until they can be returned
• Porous materials are cleaned whenever possible
• Badly contaminated contents and structures are removed
• Drying and humidity reduction
• Restoration and mold damage repairs

Our mold remediation technicians can help you with mold remediation and repairs, returning your house to the home's original condition, "Like it never even happened."

Call SERVPRO of Frederick County in Mt Airy and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (301) 662-1747.

Need Emergency Fire and Smoke Cleanup in Frederik – Call SERVPRO

1/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO techs have the experience and training for every phase of commercial damage restoration. Call now for fast and immediate service.

SERVPRO Can help Return Your Commercial Business to Normal Operations After a Fire

There are many issues to consider after a fire in Frederick's commercial buildings. There is damage from the fire and the fire department's efforts in quelling the fire. There is also the lingering odor from smoke residues. But one of the largest concerns many commercial managers have is, how soon can I resume normal operations? When can my employees and suppliers return to work? Most important, when can customers and clients return? What temporary changes need to be made to keep my business solvent until regular operations resume?

SERVPRO expedites fire and smoke cleanup for all of our customers, especially commercial customers in Frederick. Our response is less than four hours from your call. We assess the situation and devise a plan that addresses these questions. We also offer solutions that, although temporary, can assist in meeting the needs of your clients and employees.

For example, if the fire was in one area, we can establish containment systems to reduce the further spread of smoke residues and odors as the cleanup begins. Your contents can be cleaned, especially the non-porous items, and moved to a staging area either for safekeeping or as part of a temporary solution until the damaged area is restored. We also deploy ozone machines to neutralize odor-causing molecules to remove the odor from your building.

SERVPRO services for commercial buildings after a fire include:

• Water and fire damage restoration
• Smoke remediation
• Deodorization of contents caused by smoke residues
• Recovery solutions to help your business recover as quickly as possible

Call SERVPRO of Frederick County in Frederick and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (301) 662-1747.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes During Cold Weather – SERVPRO

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

Storm and flood damage restoration is no easy task. SERVPRO techs have the training and experience for every phase needed for your property.

Frozen Pipes and Ice Damming Damage in Frederick – Call SERVPRO

Winter storms often bring snow and ice in Frederick and sometimes frozen pipes when the temperature drops well below normal. Water lines inside exterior walls, unheated rooms, and external water taps are at risk of freezing and creating leaks as the pipes split. Water expands as it freezes, and it does not matter whether plastic or copper pipes are used in your home. They all are in danger when the outside temperature falls below freezing.

SERVPRO can assist with the cleanup after a water leak caused by frozen pipes and ice damming in Frederick. A frozen pipe inside an exterior wall can distribute a great deal of water. It may not be noticed until the water begins to come through cracks in the wall to spread over the floor. Or there is no water flowing when you turn on a tap somewhere in your home. Our team can extract the water from floor materials, complete water cleanup, and expose the leak's location to dry the wall and make repairs.

Residents can prevent many instances of pipes freezing when freezing temperatures are in the forecast. Although preventing frozen pipes may cost homeowners, the extra cost is worth it compared to the damage a frozen pipe can cause. There are several steps homeowners can consider to help prevent pipes freezing:

• Turn up the interior temperature of your home during cold weather
• Heat unheated rooms with electric heaters
• Leave doors open to all interior spaces, especially laundry areas
• Turn on water taps to allow a slow drip to maintain water flow inside pipes
• Drain exterior facing lines, turn off internal taps for these exterior facing pipes
• If your home is susceptible to frozen pipes during cold weather, consider improving the insulation in these areas

Call SERVPRO of Frederick County in Frederick and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (301) 662-1747.

What Fire Restoration Services Get Frederick Offices Back Up and Running?

12/17/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage restoration is a job for SERVPRO. No size of disaster is too big for us. We have the manpower for every situation.

Our urgent mitigation focuses on roadblocks to getting Frederick businesses functioning again.

When fires affect office buildings, there are many obstacles to restoring the damage and returning the property to preloss condition. Our fast response makes us a top choice for mitigating these problematic situations, and we can get your doors back open quickly.

Environmental Hazards

Fire damage restoration in Frederick commercial properties like offices must happen quickly, as multiple environmental hazards can prevent the regular operation of the building even with limited damaged areas. Circulating carcinogenic particles and structural concerns are among the top threats that must be resolved before employees can return to their normal work routines.

Clearing Soot and Smoke Damage

Soot can be a hazardous situation for the property, which often involves a combination of dry and wet cleaning solutions to overcome. We must evaluate the effect these residues have on the underlying substrates and work quickly to eliminate loose soils and dissolve all or emulsify the remaining deposit.

Harsh Odors Overwhelm Work Areas

Another overwhelming concern for office buildings and commercial properties is the smell that combustion can leave behind. From the burning of carpets and wood to plastics and more toxic chemicals, the scent left behind can be impossible to manage without direct deodorization practices by our experienced team. We have several tools to help in this regard, including:

• Foggers
• Hydroxyl machines
• Ozone generators
• HEPA air scrubbers

As you can see, several obstacles might keep a fire-damaged office from resuming its normal operations. Our fast response to these emergencies can help mitigate loss and offer emergency services designed to get your doors back open as soon as possible. Our commitment to our customers gets you back in business. Give our SERVPRO of Frederick County team a call today at (301) 662-1747.

Mitigating Water Damage in Mt. Airy Homes with Extraction Devices

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

Standing water from water damage may become contaminated. SERVPRO techs have the experience and training for every water damage mitigation project.

Mitigation often hinges on water removal services in Mt. Airy properties.

Mitigating loss is an important element of our fast response to area homes after water damage. With a finite timeline to restore homes after exposure, we prioritize the most efficient solutions to remove standing water and protect the property as much as possible.

Assessing the Damage that Exists

Understanding the scope of the damage helps to make water mitigation in Mt Airy homes faster and focused. In most situations, this mitigation involves water removal services. We have several tools that can be efficient in this regard, depending on the nature of the damage.

The Use of Powerful Pumps

Pumps are also heavily used in our extraction inventory, especially when substantial standing water is a concern. After flooding or situations like burst pipes, several inches or feet of standing water could exist within the house. Submersible pumps, both electric and gas-powered, can move hundreds of gallons of water a minute. These are the most efficient extraction options available to our team.

The Case for Vacuuming

Wet vacuums are among the most versatile water removal tools in our inventory. Not only can these devices be easily moved from one area to another, but they also provide a unique ability to be several extraction devices in one. Wet vacuums can be used in conjunction with several attachments and extensions, including:

• Carpet Wands
• Light Wands
• Squeegee Wands
• Weighted Extractors
• Drying Mats

Traditional Water Removal Efforts

Extreme water removal needs are not always common. In some situations, it is possible that traditional drying and water removal efforts such as toweling and mopping might be as effective as the use of wet vacuums or pumps. This determination often comes after a thorough inspection of the property during the mitigation phase.

Water mitigation often hinges most directly on our ability to move standing water from the premises. We have multiple extraction and water removal devices in our recovery inventory to overcome threats. Our fast response to damaged properties makes SERVPRO of Frederick County a trusted name for the area. We are ready to help 24/7 at (301) 662-1747.

How Does Airflow Impact Effective Drying of Water-Damaged Frederick Homes?

11/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO techs use the latest technology and equipment for every size water damage restoration project. Call now for the help you need.

We can utilize air movement to maximize evaporation in Frederick properties.

The manipulation of airflow and other drying principles can make for fast and thorough drying of the property. We understand how these individual components work together towards efficient results, and we can begin utilizing tools in our inventory as soon as we arrive.

The Placement of Air Movers

Water damage restoration in Frederick homes relies heavily on the placement and frequency of air movers. There are multiple types of these units, each with its ability to assist the efficient and thorough drying of the property and its contents. Some of these units include:

• Centrifugal Air Movers – these high-velocity air movers direct a focused blast of air at a target surface.
• Axial Air Movers – Unlike a designated target, axial units are best at moisture removal of a general area and environment.
• Low-Profile Air Movers – Like traditional centrifugal air movers, low-profile units can reach less accessible areas more easily.

Eliminating a Boundary Layer

Direct airflow into moist surface materials can overcome barriers of vapor that prevent efficient drying of the underlying material. As a surface dries, cool air forms as a shield directly above the surface, which can be challenging to penetrate for further drying without focused blasts of air from high-velocity air movers in our inventory.

Circulating the Dry Air Produced

Another advantage of air movers is the ability to circulate dry air throughout the designated zone. Dehumidification through desiccants and low grain refrigerant units produces dry air exhaust, which can help promote further evaporation of surface moisture when circulated by air movers.

Harnessing specific drying sciences to efficiently restore homes after water loss effects is critical to efficiently recovering costly damage. Our experienced SERVPRO of Frederick County team is ready to help 24/7 with hundreds of air movers and drying tools. Give us a call today at (301) 662-1747.

How Contents Play a Role in Fire Restoration Efficiency for Frederick Homes

11/14/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO IICRC certified technicians use the latest technology and equipment for every fire damage restoration project.

The Needed Actions for Impacted Contents Can Influence The Time and Costs of Fire Restoration for Frederick Properties.

Considering how destructive fire damage can be, contents often bear the worst of these post-fire effects. The management of your valuables and treasures can be as important to homeowners as repairing and restoring the house itself.

Prepare the First Room to Get Cleared

Fire damage restoration for Frederick homes might focus on the steps we can take with your personal belongings and furniture, but to reach this point, we must clear the first room of our restoration plan. Contents cannot be gathered, assessed, or cleaned without first managing physical threats and hazards present in the workspace. Initial actions we must provide include:

• Fire debris removal
• Water removal
• Air filtration

Setting Up a Packing Area

An inventory station provides a clean and stable space, often created with a foldable table brought in by our SERVPRO team to evaluate and categorize all contents within one room. Items can be tagged based on their needs and organized accordingly to continue the restoration of the room.

Pack-Out Contents to Our SERVPRO Facility

Once the contents and items have been individually evaluated and categorized based on their restorability and need for cleaning, smaller items can be boxed up in clean boxes we provide at the job site. As these possessions get boxed up, they are loaded into our Green Fleet production vehicles for relocation to our SERVPRO facility for cleaning and safe storage.

The treatment of your valuables and personal belongings can be one of the advantages of choosing our SERVPRO of Frederick County team. We follow a specific pattern to assess damages and to protect these items whenever possible. You can reach our experienced remediation and fire restoration team anytime at (301) 662-1747.

How SERVPRO Manages Mold in Confined Spaces of Mt. Airy Homes

11/7/2021 (Permalink)

Mold remediation for your property is no DIY project. SERVPRO techs are ready at a moment's notice for the help you need.

Mold Damage is a Threat to Mt. Airy Structures, But Our Team has Effective Remediation Solutions to Help.

Moist conditions can see mold developing within days, making the need for remediation pressing when possible microbial threats are not discovered for weeks in confined and generally unused areas like the attic. When mold colonization is found, several hosting materials might already exist and require attention.

Moist Attics Can Become Mold-Damaged

Before mold cleanup can begin in Mt Airy homes, we must determine the extent of the damage in exposed areas. With storms being a substantial threat to Frederick County, many vulnerabilities in roofs can exist that allow for moisture penetration. Mold developing in the attic space can be a challenge to access and eliminate, but we have several approaches to accomplish this.

Mold Removal Approaches for Smaller Spaces

Confined spaces can provide a remediation challenge for our technicians. Ultimately, the choice in mold removal tactics is based on data collected during the inspection phase. We can choose among multiple options, including:

• Sanding
• Media blasting
• Antimicrobial sprays
• Mold inhibitors
• Controlled demolition

Containment Limits the Work Area

One of the actions that our professionals can take to protect area homes after mold exposure is to begin containment. With physical polypropylene sheeting and barriers made with air scrubbers and negative pressure chambers, we can limit the movement of active spores that might find suitable hosts in other areas of the house.

Mold can substantially threaten area homes and businesses, especially when these organisms thrive in confined spaces. Our SERVPRO of Frederick County team provides fast and efficient remediation solutions to overcome these harmful organisms and the damage they can cause area residences. Our experienced remediation team is available 24/7 at (301) 662-1747.

Preventing Irreparable Damage to Carpets in Frederick Offices After Water Damage

10/26/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage restoration by SERVPRO is second to none. Call now for fast and immediate service.

Fast Action Prevents Carpeting From Becoming Unsalvageable After Frederick Water Damage.

Carpeting is one of the most readily installed flooring materials for office spaces because of its long life and ease of cleaning. However, it is highly permeable and porous for water absorption. When disasters strike, water can quickly damage this flooring without swift, professional action.

Clearing Standing Water

With water damage mitigation for Frederick offices, short pile carpeting can be a direct target of moisture damage and pooling. One of the initial objectives of our fast response is to clean surface water with extraction devices and water removal tools.

The Effect of Moisture on Materials

Knowing how moisture exposure can impact materials in your office building can showcase how valuable a fast response from our SERVPRO professionals can be. Depending on the material affected, especially sensitive flooring elements like carpeting, the timeline for restoration can be narrow. Some of the factors to consider include:

• Permeance – Our professionals must evaluate how sensitive materials are to absorption and subsequent damage. With the high permeance of carpets, delamination can begin quickly where these materials become oversaturated. 
• Exposure Time – How long these materials and building elements remain directly exposed to the standing water also plays a role in the salvageability of the flooring. The longer moisture exposure, the more damage that the water causes. 
• Cost – The costs of clearing water and cleaning the carpet must be considered against the expected money involved in pulling up the flooring and replacing it altogether. Often the most cost-efficient choice is preferred. 

Carpets are among the most directly impacted materials when water damages exist. Our SERVPRO of Frederick County team works fast to determine the best possible scenario to help protect these installed elements without the need for excessive reconstruction and reinstallation of flooring. Our business is to get you back in business – so call us today at (301) 662-1747.

What Does a Mt Airy Hardwood Floor With Flood Damage Look Like?

10/12/2021 (Permalink)

Quick response time is necessary when your wood flooring is affected by flooding. Contact SERVPRO for efficient remediation services.

SERVPRO Techs Have Specialized Equipment for Handling Water Damaged Flooring

The signs of a hardwood floor with water damage in a Mt Airy home may be subtle. In particular, after heavy rains that leaked through a roof or window, signs that floorboards have issues are:

• Staining and discoloration
• Cupping or buckling
• Nails lifted out of the boards due to warping

SERVPRO technicians have extensive training in handling flood damage to the flooring in Mt Airy properties. The techs look for visible signs of water migration and map out the worksite using their moisture detection equipment such as infrared cameras and probes. These two devices assist in confirming what the visual signs show the techs.

Most homeowners consider their wood flooring an investment in their home. There are different types of flooring, and only some of them have the potential for restoration after meeting floodwater.Older flooring may consist of double pine boards or wider oak Engineered wood is less prone to warp after exposure to moisture, while laminate wood floors generally do not fair well after water damage due to the internal core material that deteriorates rapidly after water exposure.

SERVPRO IICRC-certified technicians do not lower the moisture content down to zero in floorboards. After they extract the water and dry the boards, they look for a range from six to twelve percent moisture content. Hardwood floorboards can reach forty percent so getting the internal moisture content readings down to an acceptable level needs to happen quickly, so specialized drying equipment such as drying mats may get used. Hardwood flooring should never be allowed to dry on its own.

SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 is ready to assist Mt Airy homeowners with all types of flood damage cleanup and restoration services.

What Type of Fire Damage Restoration is Needed Post-Dryer Fire in Frederick?

10/5/2021 (Permalink)

Fires leave smoke and soot damage throughout the area where they occurred. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 to remediate the fire damage in your home.

SERVPRO Technicians are Experts in Handling Fire and Smoke Damage Cleanup in Frederick Properties

Fire and smoke damage in a Frederick property can look daunting, and it may look like nothing has the potential for reuse. However, SERVPRO techs view job sites differently.

With their trained eyes, SERVPRO techs deliver fire damage restoration to Frederick properties from the angle of saving the homeowners from replacing as much as possible. The techs do this through their deep cleaning methods and the use of some specialized equipment.

Smoke Damage

When a fire burns both at lower and higher temperatures, different types of residues get created. The soot settles on surfaces, and most countertops and furnishings will have a coating of black post-fire. The soot can get divided into two basic types, and each kind needs to be handled differently as far as the removal process such as:

• Wet smoke can be damaging to surfaces and often requires a solvent-based cleaner to break the adherence 
• Using liquid cleaners on powdery dry smoke should be avoided 
• It may take several passes using the chosen method to remove smoke residues

Fire Damaged Building Materials

SERVPRO IICRC-certified technicians look to determine if structural elements have charring. This level of fire damage cannot get turned around through cleaning. The charred portion of a wall or ceiling should be removed. If parts of the property have fire damage, such as a roof, SERVPRO technicians can set up a temporary tarp or other repairs until the mitigation actions are complete.

Fire Damaged Home Contents

The techs inspect each article in the home and determine if it has cleaning potential for reuse. No items are tossed without the express approval of the homeowner or insurance agent. SERVPRO techs communicate one-on-one to ensure that the homeowner understands what is happening with each step of the restoration service. 

SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 stands ready to assist Frederick property owners with all types and sizes of fire damage restoration needed.

Can SERVPRO Save Electrical Equipment During Commercial Water Mitigation in Frederick Properties?

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

Your server room is critical to business operations. Contact SERVPRO immediately to assess any water damage or high humidity levels near you.

SERVPRO Techs Work Hard for Frederick Business Owners with Water Damage

The days of manual typewriters and filing cabinets are long over for running the day-to-day functions of a business. Many businesses rely on complex data center setups, and water damage in and around these building areas can halt operations.

SERVPRO technicians do an initial inspection on Frederick properties during water mitigation jobs. This scoping performs a two-fold action of determining where the water damage is within the structure and what items require removal due to exposure to elevated moisture. For safety reasons, SERVPRO technicians recommend the following tips regarding electrical equipment potentially affected by water:

• Do not test devices
• SERVPRO can arrange for an inspection by an industry professional
• Technicians can remove equipment to a safe area

Elevated interior humidity levels can damage sensitive servers, data centers, and switches. For many businesses, the network is the hub of their productivity. SERVPRO technicians can remove the equipment to a safe area on-site or off-site to a secure location until the water cleanup tasks get completed.

The drying equipment utilized by SERVPRO during water damage cleanup can rapidly bring down the air moisture levels. This occurs because the techs set up multiple units and more than one industrial dehumidifier as needed to ensure the excess moisture gets captured and ported off-site as rapidly as possible. The outcome is a low interior humidity worksite that is safe for normal day-to-day computer equipment.

SERVPRO technicians practice the highest safety protocols during the water mitigation service. This includes wearing protective clothing and ensuring that there is no danger of shock from electrical devices where there is standing water. When needed, the techs can turn off the main power to the building and use generators to power their water cleanup equipment. 

SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 helps local business property owners with water mitigation services in Frederick commercial structures.

Can Mold Removal Companies in Frederick Stop Mold Coming Back?

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals are trained to handle every level of mold damage, Including the odors that come with it. Call us today, we are always available.

Mold Remediation Companies like SERVPRO Offer Frederick Residents Excellent Remediation Knowledge and Skills

Mold can come from a variety of external environmental sources. Tiny mold spores can be transported into your home on clothing, on materials, and from something as simple as opening windows to let in the fresh air. Given that mold is a natural part of our environment, completely sanitizing a home is not possible. However, using remediation techniques, we can reduce the impact of mold by preventing the growth of colonies and reproduction of other mold spores. Use a professional IICRC certified AMRT applied microbial remediation company if you suspect:

• A slow leak in the home
• Dampness or musty odors
• Visible mold colonies

Residents can use mold cleanup companies in Frederick to deal with existing mold issues, provide preventative measures and give advice or guidance. It is risky to scrub mold colonies away yourself as there is a high chance of the spores becoming airborne and spreading through the home. If your mold issues are seasonal rather than chronic, it may be worth inspecting heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems to block mold spores from entering the home. 

• HVAC system cleaning can be vital in the fight against mold growth. SERVPRO can clean and dismantle infested parts of your HVAC system. 
• Return and supply-side vents can be replaced with HEPA filters to reduce other mold spores entering the system. 
• Where necessary, we can arrange for reliable subcontractors to perform repairs to a malfunctioning HVAC which could be causing the mold growth in your home. 

To join the fight against mold growth, contact SERVPRO of Frederick County for mold removal companies at (301) 662-1747.

Does Flood Damage Have Lasting Consequences for Homes in Frederick?

9/10/2021 (Permalink)

You need expert assistance for any level of flood damage in your Frederick home. Call SERVPRO today for help.

SERVPRO Technicians Work Hard to Mitigate the Secondary Effects of Flood Damage in Your Frederick Home

The impact of flooding in your home can be widespread and long-lasting. In some ways, the immediate response to flooding is straightforward. Remove excess water, individual belongings, and structure, then allow the property to dry through ventilation. In practice, returning a property to preloss condition through restoration is a complex and nuanced task. Professional restoration technicians can help you with: 

• Assessing the flooded property for structural damage
• Itemizing and inventorying wet contents 
• Performing flood restoration

What complicates flood damage in your Frederick home is the potential for further damages. Water carries with it microbes. These microscopic organisms can have adverse effects on an indoor environment which is usually referred to by restoration services as secondary damages. Secondary damage could include microbial infestations, persistent odors, slow rotting, and weakening of the home's structure. To counteract these painful secondary damages, dehumidification is crucial. Dehumidifiers generally work in two broad categories. The first is refrigerant dehumidifiers which cool air to a dew point and then collect the condensation. Desiccant dehumidifiers use a water-absorbent gel to remove moisture from the passing air.

• Refrigerant dehumidifiers work best when combined with a heating strategy. The ideal temperatures for refrigerants are 71 degrees.
• Heating can often be supplied via the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC) system, or portable heaters. 
• Desiccant dehumidifiers can operate efficiently at all temperatures but are most useful for walls, furnishings, masonry, and other solid materials. 

Secondary damages are common in flooded properties. Contact SERVPRO of Frederick County quoting flood damage restoration at (301) 662-1747.

Fire Damaged Belongings in Your Mount Airy, Maryland Home May Need Replacing

8/24/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the experienced technicians with the equipment and expertise your home needs after a fire mishap. Give us a call right away.

SERVPRO Fire Damage Restoration Professionals Near Mount Airy, Maryland Can Restore Items Rather than Replace Them

Homes are investments. As homeowners, we invest in our belongings, furniture, and the structure of a home over decades. When an unattended stove or appliance malfunction results in a fire, it can be emotionally devastating to even think about replacing some or all of the belongings that make up your home. Replacing items wholesale may also run up the costs of a home restoration service and take time to source or procure new furniture, electronics, or textile. However, choosing the right restoration service makes it possible to return many parts of the home to a preloss condition. Qualified technicians can help with:

• Furniture restoration
• Removing Soot or Ash
• Odor control and removal

Tackling fire damage restoration in your Mount Airy home can be overwhelming without the guidance of professionally qualified technicians. At SERVPRO, we work hard to communicate with homeowners and understand their needs. In some situations, advanced cleaning methods can help to restore sentimental or precious items in the home. These cleaning methods could include ultrasonic or immersion cleaning. 

• Immersion cleaning relies on the heat and pressure created by running ultrasonic waves through a cleaning solution. 
• For dense materials like metal, immersion cleaning is vital for the deep cleaning of chandeliers, rods, or other ornaments. 
• Some immersion tanks are portable and allow technicians to treat valuable items onsite, returning them to a preloss condition. 

Contact SERVPRO of Frederick County for fire damage restoration for assistance with restoring your home at (301) 662-1747.

What Makes SERVPRO Superior to Other Frederick Fire Damage Restoration Services?

8/14/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO uses the latest technology and equipment for every size of a fire restoration job. Call now for fast and immediate service.

Extensive Training and Experience Make Us One of the Best Remediators in Frederick. 

When a fire damages your Frederick home, you want to clean up the mess and return it to its pre-fire state as soon as possible. Therefore, it is essential to enlist the help of a fire damage restoration firm with some of the most extensive training and experience in the industry.

Fortunately, one of the best fire damage restoration companies in Frederick is your neighborhood SERVPRO. Our technicians are among the most highly trained house fire clean-up, smoke remediation, and fire damage restoration professionals in the area. Moreover, our company and employees have years and years of experience in successfully cleaning up and restoring fire-damaged homes.

Some specific reasons to contact SERVPRO for fire restoration services are:

• Our experts are individually trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) in, among other things, fire & smoke restoration, upholstery & fabric cleaning, carpet cleaning, and odor control.
• SERVPRO has been proudly serving Frederick County for over fifty years
• Company workers have a wealth of hands-on fire damage remediation experience.
• We are located nearby and are equipped with all the latest high-tech industrial equipment.

Since recovering from a house fire often requires the help of fire damage restoration professionals, enlisting the services of a firm like SERVPRO of Frederick County is usually essential. With this in mind, feel free to call us at (301) 662-1747 whenever you need fire-related assistance.

How Does SERVPRO Perform Water Removal Services in Frederick?

8/5/2021 (Permalink)

Any type or size water damage you have, SERVPRO will work magic and have your home back to preloss condition. Call now!

SERVPRO Experts Employ All Their Resources to Remove Water from Frederick Homes. 

At any time, your Frederick residence could be impacted by a water leak. These leaks may arise from storm damage, pipe network problems, corroded containers, or appliance malfunctions. Regardless of how they start, the effects of these water issues must be dealt with swiftly to mitigate their impact effectively. 

SERVPRO, an emergency water damage services provider, has been helping Frederick homeowners with water removal for more than fifty years. Over this time, our skilled technicians have successfully cleaned up local homes in the aftermath of ceiling leaks, burst pipes, and basement flooding resulting from leaking water tanks, malfunctioning appliances, and other problems.

A few of the cutting edge tools we use to remove water from your home are:

• Powerful wet vacs and extractors that rapidly pull gallons of standing water from the impacted rooms of your residence
• Strategically-placed air movers and dehumidifiers that extract excess moisture from interior areas
• Innovative Injectidry systems that dry difficult-to-access parts of your home
• A wide array of sophisticated diagnostic tools like moisture sensors, moisture meters, and Thermo hygrometers to effectively locate, gauge, and monitor interior moisture issues. 

As you can see, your neighbors at SERVPRO of Frederick County are well-prepared to complete almost any water removal job you need to have done. So, if you ever need us, call (301) 662-1747.

What Kind of Flood Damage Can I Expect If My Mt. Airy Home Is Ever Flooded?

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

Severe rainstorms may cause a lot of damage to your home. If so SERVPRO is here to help with all the storm damage restoration needed for your home.

Storm-Related Flooding Can Do All Kinds of Damage to Your Mt. Airy Residence. 

On average, Mt. Airy tends to be rainier than other places in the U.S. Storms regularly pass through the area and sometimes overwhelm local creeks, ponds, rivers, and drainage networks. When this happens, your home could suffer any of several severe flood-related issues.

SERVPRO, a respected flood damage remediator in Mt. Airy, has routinely dealt with all the disastrous effects of flooding. These problems have ranged from the seemingly benign but insidious to the more immediately catastrophic. A brief listing of the more often encountered types of flood damage we have dealt with is:

• Severe basement flooding involving feet of standing that requires expert water removal services
• Sewage and other hazardous deposits throughout residences necessitating extensive biohazard remediation
• Flood-weakened structural elements, like ceilings, walls, and floors, need emergency water damage services immediately.
• Pervasive mold growths and related damage that requires professional water damage repairs 
• Irreparably damaged household contents that have to be properly disposed of by a qualified biohazard cleaning company.
• Persistent flood-related odors that must be neutralized with commercial-grade deodorants

Fortunately, SERVPRO has always been well-equipped to handle these common, destructive effects of flooding.

It is therefore comforting to know that SERVPRO of Frederick County is located nearby and is just a quick phone call away. Call us at (301) 662-1747 if you ever need help remediating flood damage.

Don’t Put Off Mold Damage Restoration Within Your Frederick Business.

7/16/2021 (Permalink)

When mold disrupts your commercial building, SERVPRO is the team to call for immediate service. We will be onsite within four hours of the first call.

SERVPRO Will Come to Your Frederick Commercial Space to Fully Assess and Address Your Mold Damage

Homeowners and business owners alike need to know that black mold is something that you cannot escape. Even if you have a janitorial team handling routine cleaning and maintenance at your Frederick business, there is always the potential of mold colonization, given the right atmosphere. There are trace amounts of mold within every building that can start to thrive when there is an organic food source and moisture accumulates. SERVPRO features mold specialists ready to get started with inspection, assessment, cleaning, and sanitizing to ensure your business never misses a beat. 

When looking at mold damage in Frederick, there are a few things that we want all business owners and operations managers to know:

• There are countless mold types, most of which bring the potential for health effects
• Microscopic mold spores are present on carpets, behind walls, on clothing, and throughout the air that we breathe
• Many mold types tend to thrive at temperatures between 64-90° F
• Mold requires moisture as well as organic food sources like drywall and other building materials to thrive
• Controlled demolition is often necessary for areas where building materials get deemed unsalvageable due to mold infestation

SERVPRO understands that commercial mold remediation and black mold damage repairs call for careful planning and execution. We pinpoint the cause of the mold growth and take steps to remove it while cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces. With the Applied Microbial Remediation Specialists and Applied Structural Drying Technicians on our team, you can ensure your commercial space gets left “Like it never even happened.”

Call (301) 662-1747 to get in touch with SERVPRO of Frederick County to have our mold damage team dispatched to your place of business.

Limit Fire Damage Restoration Costs by Hiring Skilled Help in Mt. Airy

7/8/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration is not a DIY project. Call SERVPRO now for fast and immediate service.

Airy Residents Can Count on SERVPRO For Efficient, Affordable Fire Damage Restoration

Fire and smoke damage left behind at your Mt. Airy property after an emergency may leave you feeling overwhelmed and lost. But, after the blaze, you will find that contacting an IICRC-certified team like SERVPRO will get you the results you need – and fast. In addition, because we work on a restore versus replace mentality, we can cut down on overall costs when handling fire-damaged homes. 

When you contact SERVPRO for fire damage restoration in Mt. Airy, we arrive quickly to start the paperwork and assess the damage. We know that you want to get your home and life back to normal so that you can look to us for skilled fire and smoke remediation with stellar results. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, and it is our priority to ensure your property is back to pre-fire condition. 

For fire and smoke damage restoration and cleanup, we will:

• Limit Overall Costs – To lower expenditures, our proven methods help cut time and salvage belongings and materials wherever possible.
• Lessen Fire Restoration Time – While using our skills, training, and advanced equipment and technology, and we restore your home in a fraction of the time of other companies or DIY methods alone.
• Perform Detailed Safety Assessments – Indoor air quality (IAQ) and your interior and structure safety are paramount with our team at SERVPRO. Our fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) inspect even the most minor details to ensure quality and safety. 

House fire clean-up with SERVPRO of Frederick County is the smart way to go. Call us at (301) 662-1747 to dispatch a crew to your location.

Can Hardwood Floor in Frederick Get Saved with Rapid Water Cleanup?

6/23/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration should be handled by a professional outfit. SERVPRO has you covered from start to finish in any water damage situation.

SERVPRO is Available in Frederick with 24/7 Response to Handle Your Water Cleanup Needs!

Faulty appliances, burst pipes, and accidental spills can spell trouble for your hardwood flooring. You want to have professional emergency services water damage assistance right away so that you can get it cleaned up and dried as quickly as possible. Should you have any water-related emergency in your Frederick home, SERVPRO has skilled water restoration technicians (WRT) that will provide you with excellent results. We are only a phone call away and arrive at your door ready to start water damage remediation within hours of initial contact. 

Water cleanup in Frederick must begin quickly to address your hardwood flooring. This type of flooring can expand when saturated with water, leading to a broad range of damages. Handling water removal and managing moisture must happen fast, or you could see issues such as:

• Cupping
• Buckling
• Warping
• Crowning

Regardless of the project's scope, SERVPRO's IICRC-certified water restoration team starts in on water removal services to help eliminate the onset of secondary damage. For each water damage restoration job, we have the following equipment and tools at our disposal:

• Submersible pumps and powerful extractors
• Industrial-strength fans and air movers
• Dehumidifiers
• Drying mats
• Injectidy technology

Our team also takes extra measures to check relative humidity and use moisture detection tools to ensure nothing gets left behind. If portions of your flooring must be repaired or replaced, we offer controlled demolition services. Your hardwood flooring will be in excellent hands, and everything is thoroughly sanitized and deodorized to ensure no musty odors develop. 

SERVPRO of Frederick County is the team to call at (301) 662-1747 when you need fast, reliable water cleanup to save your hardwood floors.

What Everyone Must Know About Flood Damage in Frederick

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO today for assistance with storm flood damage in your Frederick home. We have the tools and skilled technicians you need.

SERVPRO is Ready with a Comprehensive Solution for Flash Flood Damage in Frederick

When heavy rains fall in Northern Maryland, anticipate flash flooding in Frederick. The storms might be predicted, but the level of damage your home eventually experiences is difficult to anticipate. Be ready for all aspects of torrential rainstorms and the flooding that follows by partnering with our dynamic team of experienced managers and highly qualified technicians.

You cannot miss a beat when your residence in Frederick suffers from flood damage. The force of the water pouring in and its destructive properties all contribute to the risk of severe and permanent damage to the lower levels of your house. Engaging our services as soon as the unfortunate path of the water into your basement, foundation, or crawl space is clear is one way to ensure a successful outcome.

Expect the SERVPRO team to arrive ready to assess the scenario rapidly, confident that we can devise a plan covering everything from water removal and drying to controlled demolition and rebuilding of structures as needed. We are proud to offer a one-stop-shop of comprehensive services to streamline your flood damage recovery journey.

Our crews prepare to do their best on your job with training from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). We bring the restoration industry’s best practices and successful strategies to every worksite. We manage water removal after the fluid is categorized. Typically, flooding is considered black, or category three water, highly contaminated and needs containment and appropriate disposal according to local rules. The SERVPRO team takes care of this as a matter of course.

To release all the water infiltrating your lower levels, we might choose to make flood cuts. Several inches above floor level and the flooding marks, we cut out the wall to allow access to trapped moisture and permit better airflow during the structural drying that follows. SERVPRO’s commercial-grade air movers and heaters accelerate the natural drying process, causing the moisture absorbed into structures to vaporize in the drier air. Dehumidifiers condense or absorb the airborne moisture for removal.

Our rebuilding crew addresses the flood cuts and other structural damage as soon as we reach the drying goals established by baseline moisture metering. SERVPRO truly makes it “Like it never even happened.” with the addition of these project completion services.

SERVPRO of Frederick County has you covered from assessment up to the last touch-ups on your newly rebuilt walls, ceilings, and more. Call (301) 662-1747 when the rains overstep their bounds.

Why SERVPRO Is the Choice for Mt Airy Fire Damage

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Don't choose conventional services for your fire damage in Mt Airy. Contact SERVPRO.

The anticipation of all the tasks and best practices needed following fire damage in your Mt Airy home is impossible for most residents. The harm done by the heat and residues can range from profound or barely noticeable to an untrained eye. Our employees' training and experience in fire mitigation and remediation are why we offer efficient services and deliver reliable results.

Smoke Damage

Fire damage to your Mt Airy dwelling cannot wait for attention. The residues from burned materials spread far and wide inside your home, even in spaces that never felt the heat. HVAC systems operating during a fire can transport soot throughout a house. Also, normal air currents or the breeze flowing when you open a window to dissipate the heat and smell can drift. Our employees understand the ways fire residues infiltrate indoor spaces, why we need to be on the scene, helping as soon as possible.

Water & Fire Damage Restorations

Fire damage scenes almost always require water mitigation and remediation. Firefighters saved your home, but hundreds of gallons of contaminated water remain. Our technicians hold multiple certifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), which is why SERVPRO can cover the water damage as well. Our vehicles hold pumps, extractors, air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to get water abatement out of the way fast.

House Fire Clean Up

Other Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) on the site match soot damage with appropriate cleaning products and techniques as the water recedes. Rigorous scientifically-based coursework completed for soot removal is why SERVPRO brings only the industry's best practices to your fire damage crisis. Conventional cleaning methods fail because of the unique problems presented by fire residues, but our crew members are educated and up to the task.

Odor removal is perhaps the last item on our list, but skipping this step is unacceptable. We move through a multi-step process to eliminate odors. If deep cleaning still leaves a stench, we move on to other techniques. Recreating the fire conditions and altering the odor-bearing particles' ability to transmit the smell is the purpose of thermal fogging. We also use hydroxyl generators to modify the scent of fire residues at a molecular level. Reliance on research and evolving technology is why SERVPRO rids your home of malodors rather than covering them with distracting perfumes. 

Preparation and a commitment to training are why SERVPRO of Frederick County is ready to help remediate fire damage at your home. Call (301) 662-1747 as soon as possible after the fire is out, and we are on our way to assist.

Rapid Water Removal is Best to Ensure Results in Frederick

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

Water catastrophes in your home can lead to major water damages. Call the experts at SERVPRO right away for help.

SERVPRO’s Water Removal Services Help Limit Cost and Damage to Your Frederick Property

Something to remember about any water emergency in your home is that moisture has immense survivability if not addressed accordingly. The length of time your structural materials and belongings are in contact with water or excessive humidity will play a significant role in your recovery and overall costs. SERVPRO works to handle water clean up quickly to lessen the costs for your water damage restoration. 

Water removal in Frederick means calling in skilled water restoration technicians (WRT) to get the job done in a fraction of the time. SERVPRO’s technicians understand how to assess and monitor each unique project so that we can adjust our plan as we go along to achieve the best results. However, the longer the water sits and festers, the more you run the risk of costly secondary damage settling in. 

Materials that struggle most when subjected to water emergencies like burst pipes or basement flooding include:

• Ceiling tiles
• Plaster walls or drywall
• Particleboard or plywood
• Vinyl tiles or laminate flooring
• Insulation of all kinds

SERVPRO brings the latest equipment and industry-approved tools to each job to achieve our water damage remediation goals. Our Green Fleet comes loaded with everything that we need to restore your interior “Like it never even happened.” Some of the tools you may see us using during our water removal efforts include:

• Truck-mounted extractors
• Submersible pumps
• Wet/dry vacuums
• Light wand (carpet wand) tools
• Dehumidifiers
• Injectidry equipment
• Moisture sensor technology
• Air movers, fans, and more

Water removal and damage repair are what we do best here at SERVPRO of Frederick County. When you need skilled and experienced technicians on the job, give us a call at (301) 662-1747.

Frederick Homeowners Have Access to Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Services

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

Fire and smoke damage doesn't need to destroy your home. SERVPRO has the equipment and manpower for any size fire restoration job.

Fire Damaged Homes in Frederick can Rely on SERVPRO’s Certified Fire Restoration Technicians.

Emergency services to Frederick homes are essential when water and fire damage restoration is in play. The SERVPRO staff is certified and recognized for our expertise, and we are ready to apply it to your home as soon as we receive your call at our 24/7 hotline. Repairs and house fire clean-up services are among our differentiators in the field.

When Frederick homeowners face fire damage, they often require smoke remediation services and deodorizing. At SERVPRO, we work diligently to eliminate the soot and residue left behind by the flames, as well as to deodorize your belongings and the home itself, so the offending smell of smoke becomes irrelevant. To attain the best results, we rely on advanced technology available to our industry, including some of the following-

• Ozone generators and air scrubbers help neutralize the odor particles and purify the air, along with ventilation fans to exchange the air and clean it.
• Masking agents which can help disguise the smell with a pleasant odor to replace it. These include beads, gels, and other vapor-releasing agents.
• Enzyme cleaners help break down the odor and make it easily absorbed by filtration agents such as carbon.

Fire and smoke damage does not need to define how you view your home. Call SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 for top-notch fire and smoke damage restoration services and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

Water Damage Restoration of a Frederick Home Involves Many Steps

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage removal is an easy job for SERVPRO. We will have your property back to preloss condition A.S.A.P.

SERVPRO Provides Water Removal, Mold Remediation, and Water Damage Repairs to Affected Homes in Frederick

Water damage to a Frederick home can occur whenever a ceiling leaks or pipe bursts in the property. Although water clean up efforts may appear easy, it requires specialized equipment and staff. As soon as our SERVPRO professional water restoration technicians arrive at the affected home, property owners can place their trust in our team and expect comprehensive water damage remediation.

In Frederick, water damage restoration requires our expert knowledge and equipment, which goes far beyond what the average homeowner can access in a home improvement store. As our SERVPRO crew surveys the damage, we focus on keeping a safe environment and being thorough in providing emergency services and restoration of water damage. The three main steps to our tailored action plan revolve around the following-

• Inspection of the property and assessing the potential danger, including a weakened structure due to water saturation.
• Removal of water and extraction from home using pumps, wand extractors, air movers, dehumidifiers, and other specialized equipment designed to eliminate excess humidity and restore normal levels.
• Sanitizing and deodorizing the home by using industry-grade solutions to kill bacteria and smells lingering in the air. Any debris and residue left behind by the water are also removed at this stage as we strive to return the home to its original condition.

SERVPRO of Frederick County counts with the best water damage remediation technicians in the field. From water clean-up to basement flooding, we are ready to tackle it all. Call us at (301) 662-1747 and let us show you why we are leaders in our field.

Flood Damage in Frederick is as Old as its History

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

Storm and flood damage repairs are a job for a professional outfit. SERVPRO has all the corners covered for the job.

For Flood Restoration in Frederick, Call SERVPRO

Founded before the American Revolutionary War, Frederick is an important intersection in the state of Maryland and one of its largest cities. Even when wagons transited the area, flooding was an issue thanks to its proximity to the Monocacy River. Today, ponds, lakes, and artificial bodies of water continue to exist in this important city.

Despite the risk of flood damage in Frederick, the city continued to grow, and today it shows a robust economy. Its location, close to Washington D.C. and Fort Detrick's existence, continues to make it a growing community. Federal government investment and the Riverside Research Park attract a particular set of skills, allowing for the city's gentrification.

Emergency Services and Flood Restoration

As Frederick grows and weather patterns change, the region is frequently susceptible to water damage. Sea-level rise and copious rains leave homeowners with various degrees of damage and in need of water removal services. SERVPRO is ready to provide emergency services when water damage is present in the Frederick community, and all you need to do is call our 24/7 hotline. Our staff is certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and ready to tackle the toughest jobs, including sewage cleanup and basement flooding.

Water removal services are not enough to complete a full restoration project. Returning a home to pre-flood condition, water extraction, drying, and disinfecting is essential, including specialty drying solutions for priceless items such as documents and photographs. To help you sort through the debris, our SERVPRO staff is available with the latest best practices in the water damage restoration industry, including-

• Application of anti-microbial solutions to thwart the growth of bacteria such as mold.
• Deodorization of your home, including the use of odor counteractant pellets, air purifiers, and ozone generators.
• Water extraction and removal entails pumps and extractors and discarding of items holding polluted water and posing a danger to your home.

It is not uncommon for some areas of the home to be undisturbed while others are exposed to floodwater. Whenever possible, we stage an alternate are or provide move-out services to protect your belongings and make the restoration process more efficient. Throughout the course of our job, we coordinate with repairmen and insurance adjusters as needed, all while documenting our own actions. We utilize the CCIS Content Claims Inventory System to catalog all items we deem salvageable, non-salvageable, and questionable. The final determination is made by the homeowner and the carrier.

SERVPRO of Frederick County is at your service around the clock. When storm damage and flood restoration appears overwhelming just call us at (301) 662-1747 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

Commercial Mold Removal Services Keep Frederick Businesses Clean and Healthy.

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

Mold will spread like wild fire within 24 to 48 hours. IICRC certified techs at SERVPRO have you covered from top to bottom on mold remediation.

Mold can cause stains, odors, and health effects. 

Excessive humidity comes from various sources, from a leaky drain or constant condensation inside a drinking fountain. SERVPRO’s thoroughly trained teams provide businesses in Frederick with mold removal services. Protecting inventory, employees, and much more is crucial for every business. 

Removing mold in Frederick from surfaces is often not enough to ensure a thorough job. Our technicians use the latest, most current methods to eliminate excess microbes and restore normal population levels.  

Our mold removal services in Frederick include:

• Mold Inspection
• Attic Mold Removal
• Black Mold Damage Repairs

Our mold inspection services often locate hidden mold, allowing us to consult with our customers regarding the best approach for their building’s layout and type of mold colonies encountered. This can help prevent excess disruptions to business operations. We always work around your schedule.

 Our goal is to provide excellent services as efficiently and inexpensively as possible. Call SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 whenever your business needs mold removal and restoration services.                  

House Fires can Leave Your Frederick Residence Full of Soot.

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Soot damage is no easy task to handle. SERVPRO uses IICRC certified techniques for fire damage restoration for your home.

Fire restoration services remove soot deposits from your Frederick home. 

Many things inside your Frederick home create toxic gases and fine particles when they burn. Even after the fire department puts the fire out, these gases remain in the air. The particles add to the soot, turning it into another hazard. We implement air cleaning machines to handle these hazards.

Removing the soot often requires skilled fire restoration professionals in Frederick. Dry soot accumulates after a rapidly burning fire, but wet soot from a slowly burning fire often happens at the beginning of a house fire. Wet soot smears easily, making cleanup difficult and very messy. Your HVAC system can also become a depository of soot. If this is the case, each time you run your system, soot can once again enter the air. We can clean your system for you, making it safe to use again.

SERVPRO can help Frederick homeowners deal with the mess. We provide these and other services:

• Smoke Damage
• Fire Restoration
• House Fire Clean Up

SERVPRO of Frederick County uses the most efficient and economical fire restoration methods available. Contact us by dialing (301) 662-1747 to restore your home and protect your family.

What Are Water Damage Repairs Needed in Frederick Homes and Businesses.

3/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO uses the latest technology and equipment when it comes to water restoration services for your property.

Frederick Homes Need The Help of SERVPRO When It Comes To Water Restoration Services.

Water damage situations like broken plumbing and appliances can quickly overwhelm a Frederick home. While there are multiple measures taken to resolve the immediate concerns present on the property, such as pooling water and moisture concerns, there are inevitable water damage repairs necessary to return the home to its original state. These repairs and restoration processes are designed to help with:

• Basement flooding
• Flood restoration
• Ceiling leaks
• Burst pipes
• Water damage remediation
• Emergency services water damage

Ceiling Leaks in Frederick Properties 

Because much of the plumbing running through two-story homes in Frederick County have pipes stowed between these floors, leaks in these pipes can become considerable structural threats. Continuous spraying or dripping from connections can weaken exposed building materials like drywall and joists. Oversaturated insulation can become heavier than these fragile materials can support, which can lead to collapsing. Controlled demolition removes affected materials and provides a stable base for reconstruction when insulation and ceiling materials ultimately get replaced. 

A Leaking Roof from Storms

Severe weather is nothing new to our slice of Maryland, which can put many homes and businesses contending with structural concerns after the storm passes. Heavy winds and rainfall can cripple roof materials, creating vulnerabilities for water penetration. Water damage repairs of these areas first fixate on tarping and board up to permit the restoration process to get started. Once cleaning completes, our SERVPRO team can remove damaged elements and fully reconstruct compromised portions of your roof. The water damage repairs needed are identified during the job scoping phase.

Burst Pipes in Frederick Houses 

The house's basement level and poorly insulated walls within the home can be susceptible to environmental conditions that can cause burst pipes. Emergency services water damage can clear surface water concerns, but water damage repairs can help with replacing damaged pipes and plumbing. From reconstructing building materials like drywall and framing to repairing the plumbing, burst pipes always require some water damage repair. 

Other Water Damage Repairs for Area Homes and Businesses 

Because water damage repairs can encompass multiple needs for a home, we are a one-stop-shop for restoration and recovery after situations like basement flooding. Vulnerabilities in the home's exterior can become exploited by intruding water, which only worsens the longer that masonry and other building materials go unrepaired. The basement can also be a hub for the plumbing and air conditioning for your property, both of which can also be causes for water damage remediation and water damage repairs. Our team can help with reconstruction as well as:

• Ceiling leaks
• Water damage remediation
• Emergency services water damage
• Flood restoration
• Basement flooding
• Burst pipes

We offer a broad spectrum of water damage repairs for homes and businesses after disasters and emergencies. With highly trained restoration technicians and a general contractor license, we can provide a full-service recovery approach after water damage. Call our SERVPRO of Frederick County team today at (301) 662-1747.

Are there Approaches That Simplify the Cleanup of Valuables after Fire Damage?

3/8/2021 (Permalink)

Fires produce enormous amounts of smoke and soot damage when a fire occurs. SERVPRO techs are trained and ready for the job.

SERVPRO Capitalizes on the Four Elements of Cleaning to Simplify Restoration of Mt Airy Properties

Fires produce considerable amounts of residues, which are deposited on surfaces all over your home. Therefore, you have a substantial cleanup task after the fire is put out. Cleaning all the items can take considerable effort and time, especially if you do not know how to deal with different residues.

Although residue deposit is one of the better outcomes you have to deal with after fire damage at your Mt Airy property, using the wrong cleaning approaches can increase the challenge or lead to permanent damages. When SERVPRO technicians handle the cleanup of fire-damaged contents or structural materials, we manipulate four elements to simplify the process:

• Temperature
• Agitation
• Time
• Chemical action

Agitation is any physical action that removes residues from surfaces. Unless we determine residues can be easily wiped off, we combine physical agitation with another factor like chemical action by incorporating a professional cleaning product. We can also boost the cleaning agent's effectiveness by giving it more dwell time or heating the cleaning solution to promote the chemical action that removes residues. When correctly balanced, the four aspects simplify cleaning.

SERVPRO of Frederick County seeks the most convenient ways to manage fire damage for better outcomes. Call us at (301) 662-1747 to assist you.

Are Odors Avoidable After Water Cleanup In Brunswick Business Premises?

3/1/2021 (Permalink)

Moisture in your commercial building may cause odors. SERVPRO has the means and experience to eliminate the odors.

SERVPRO Uses Odor Free Cleaning Agents and Deodorizers in Brunswick Properties

After extracting water and cleaning up your business premises when there is a water intrusion incident, you may still experience some bad odor discomfort. Such odors can develop for various reasons, including cleaning products with heavy fragrances, microbial growth, or ineffective cleaning.

When handling water cleanup in Brunswick business premises, one of SERVPRO’s objectives is to guarantee a comfortable environment for your customers and staff members. Our technicians use various approaches to help eliminate or control bad odor, including:

• Use of non-fragrant cleaning products
• Drying all wet materials thoroughly
• Applying antimicrobial products on surfaces

Since moisture fuels microbial development, drying wet materials within the first 72 hours and applying antimicrobial products helps stop microbial growth and the musty odor it is associated with. Since some cleaning products can leave a sharp smell, our SERVPRO teams use specially formulated cleaning products with no fragrance, dyes and have neutral pH. The products also biodegrade quickly, removing any traces from your property.

SERVPRO of Frederick County ensures water cleanup is effective and creates a comfortable environment. Call us at (301) 662-1747.    

Has Flood Damage Affected Your Home’s Basement?

2/24/2021 (Permalink)

Storms may damage with flooding to your home. SERVPRO technicians are ready for the water restoration process you need.

SERVPRO Helps Remove Floodwater and Cleanup Frederick Properties

The city of Frederick, Maryland, has an interesting formative history. For example, even though it was laid out as a town in 1745, it is not very clear whom it was named after between Frederick Calvert and Frederick Louis. Calvert was the sixth Baron of Baltimore while Louis was the Prince of Wales. During the civil war, the city had to pay a $200,000 ransom after the Battle of Monocacy to confederate general Jubal Anderson Early to avoid destruction. 

Fredrick was also the origin of some individual actions that had significant national implications. For instance, on September 14, 1814, local amateur poet and lawyer Francis Scott Key decided to write new lyrics for an old drinking song of the Anacreontic Society of London, inadvertently creating the first version of the United States National Anthem. It was adopted as the official national anthem in March 1931. Chief justice Roger Brooke Taney who lived in Frederick in the early 19th century is known for delivering the Dred Scott Decision, which made slavery legal in all United States territories.

The Flood Control Project that Created a Scenic Park

The city has always been affected by periodic floods. However, two major flooding incidents in the 1970s prompted officials to seek a long-term solution for the perennial flooding woos. The flooding incidents were aggravated by the extensive growth of the western side of the city, especially along the Golden Mile area. The development meant paving of previously open areas, thus reducing water seepage into the ground. Most of the surface runoff ended up in the Monocacy River that lies east of the central city. 

Engineers and city officials figured that a flood control project along Carol Creek with underground concrete water conduits would help convey water safely through downtown Frederick, eliminating the usual destruction. Apart from controlling flooding, the system also created an opportunity to building one of the most beautiful linear parks stretching one and a half miles. The park has several beautiful features, including:

• Brick pedestrian paths
• Uniquely designed pedestrian bridges
• Shade trees and benches
• A 350 seat amphitheater that hosts outdoor events 

Most people recognize Carroll Creek Linear Park for its beautiful sculptures, landscaping, and waterways, making it a perfect place to relax. However, it still plays its original role of protecting the downtown properties from severe flooding.

How Does SERVPRO Help Manage Flood Damage in Frederick?

Even with elaborate flood control systems, some issues such as flooded basements still affect Frederick properties sometimes. Immediate action is necessary in such cases to minimize the chances of adverse outcomes. Removing the intruding water and cleaning up the soiled surfaces are the two vital actions. 

Since basements are rarely empty, the cleanup and water extraction processes may not be that easy. SERVPRO helps ease the removal by providing the necessary resources, including equipment and human resources. 

• Our technicians help pack and move out the contents you have in your basement
• We combine mechanical and chemical processes to ensure clean up of the entire basement 
• After extracting water, we set up air movers and dehumidifiers in the basement to dry it

SERVPRO of Frederick County helps restore properties affected by flood damage. Call us (301) 662-1747 when you need assistance.

Removing Water from Brunswick Businesses After a Flood

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding causes substantial risk to your business. SERVPRO technicians are trained and ready any time of the day or night 365 days a year.

Warehouses can become devastated by standing floodwater without direct mitigation assistance.

For so many warehouses and manufacturing facilities throughout Brunswick and nearby Frederick, flooding threats can become devastating loss incidents for these commercial properties. As a large loss recovery team, we have the equipment and personnel to handle significant water disasters and flooding that impact these structures and become overwhelming to property managers.

Removing Standing Water Quickly 

One of the most threatening aspects of flood damage in Brunswick businesses is standing water that impacts stored wares and inventory in the facility. Assessing this damage allows our team to determine the best extraction approaches to remove this surface water threat and protect the contents when possible. We have multiple extraction units capable of pulling several inches of standing water quickly from the grounds, including:

• Truck-mount extractors
• High-pressure pumps
• Self-priming trash pumps

With flooding being such a substantial risk to your investment and wares in the storage facility, you can count on our SERVPRO of Frederick County team for efficient extraction solutions. Give us a call today at (301) 662-1747.

Controlled Demolition in Frederick After Water Damage

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage to a home or business can put a damper on things. SERVPROs IICRC certified trained technicians are ready for any size disaster.

Our contractors can work to protect the property through careful material removal procedures.

Because water loss disasters can occur so rapidly in Frederick homes or businesses, restoration can vary depending on many different conditions. The more widespread and overwhelming water disasters can become, the more structural elements and sensitive materials exposed might require more attention than drying can allow. 

When is Controlled Demolition Necessary? 

While it is not always required or necessary, controlled demolition does play a role in water restoration for Frederick homes. Our competent project manager can determine whether this type of mitigative strategy is needed during the job scoping process. There are multiple advantages for controlled demolition and material removal when water exposure occurs, including: 

• Access to water-damaged areas of the property
• Removal of structurally unsound materials 
• Elimination of deteriorated building materials 
• Access to plumbing and other utilities in need of repair

Water restoration requires multiple technicians and approaches, but our SERVPRO of Frederick County team can help however your home needs. Give our professionals a call today at (301) 662-1747. 

Protecting Frederick's Charm and Attractions from Fire Losses

1/25/2021 (Permalink)

Fire restoration is no easy task. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for the help you need.

As a community of the Greater DC area, Frederick is alive with culture and history. 

As both a town and a county, Frederick has been an influential part of the country since before winning our independence from Britain. As such, there are multiple historic properties and landmarks that can tell the story of Maryland and its role in colonial America. Likewise, modern attractions appeal to tourists and travelers passing through on their way to the nation's capital or using Frederick as a bedroom city to avoid the District of Columbia's hectic conditions.

Historic Downtown Frederick Appeals to Nostalgia 

Many have described Frederick's downtown area as a cluster of spires, which refers to the volume of old churches found in the city. Much of the municipality is still laid out to favor those walking the streets on foot, with storefronts and services appealing to the pedestrian rather than oversized billboards to attract vehicle traffic. If you are looking to learn more about this region's history and role in events like the American Revolution, there are walking tours and specific sites better seen on foot.

Retail and Entertainment for All 

• Francis Scott Key Mall – With nearly 60 stores and services within the structure, this shopping location is one of the most favored areas for retail enthusiasts. There are multiple anchor stores and a wide variety of goods available to appeal to shoppers of every taste. 
• Frederick Keys Baseball – During the summer and fall, baseball fans can appreciate the cheap admission and thrill of America's pastime watching the Frederick Keys minor league baseball team. This is a farm program for the Baltimore Orioles, so those sitting in on the games could watch Major League Baseball's future stars.
• Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) – In the lower level of the Francis Scott Key Hotel here in Frederick, you will find the Maryland Ensemble Theatre. This group has been performing together since 1997 in this location, though the company began in 1993 as an improv troupe without a steady stage.

How to Restore Frederick Homes After a Fire Loss

When fire restoration in Frederick homes is required, insurance providers need homeowners to pursue credible and experienced professionals like our SERVPRO team to help. As a preferred vendor in the area, we have a leading inventory of recovery tools and continued training for our technicians to provide homes and businesses with an efficient and thorough cleaning.

Restoration involves multiple steps and stages, beginning with mitigative options like debris removal and controlled demolition. Cleaning up soot residues can be among the most challenging segments of restoration, requiring several tools and products depending on the composition of these soils. Job scoping can determine the appropriate cleaning technique to make soot and smoke threats "Like it never even happened."

As damaging as fire can be after extinguishment, our SERVPRO of Frederick County team is ready 24/7 to get mitigation and restoration started. Call us today at (301) 662-1747.

Improve Your Balance with a Local Frederick Dance Instructor

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is looking forward to seeing all the fun at the all-ages dance classes!

Fun Classes in Frederick Every Monday in January

Frederick contains no shortage of artistic experts and establishments, and from time to time, these treasured people and places set up events that really catch our eye. Local dance instructor Anam Cara takes the cake this month with an exciting idea for an all-ages class that blends dance techniques with a bit of everyday practicality. Although focused on performance art, these balance classes can be of great use to anyone who struggles to stay upright throughout their day. 

At a price of just $12, these lessons can be tough to beat as an evening activity. Hosted at 6:30 PM every Monday in January, you can drop into lessons online or head over to Cara’s fabulous and unique studio. These classes are made for all ages and are a great way to spend some time as a family. If you like what you see, be sure to check out her other classes, too: she runs year-round instruction in belly dancing, on top of other seasonal specialties.

SERVPRO of Frederick County provides 24/7 emergency fire damage mitigation services to Frederick and surrounding communities. Call us as soon as possible after a disaster at (301) 662-1747.

Mt. Airy Area Played a Pivotal Role in the Underground Railroad. Do You Know the Story?

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

It will be exciting to see the community at the Mt. Airy Tours to learn more about the Underground Railroad!

Join Us on a Mt. Airy Tour to Discover History

In the latter days of slavery, many patriots in towns like Mt. Airy knew it was profoundly wrong. Still, they felt powerless to stop landowners and politicians from perpetuating the trade. To fight back, they founded the Underground Railroad, helping to shuttle slaves away from their cruel masters and into the arms of welcoming Northern cities. As a vital border region between the free states and the slave states, the areas around Mt. Airy became a focus of both the Railroad operators and those who sought to stop them.

This incredible history is set to be recounted by local historian John Muller in a guided road tour around many of the most important surviving locations. Starting from the Sunshine General Store in Brookeville, the caravan will spend a bit over four hours traveling around the area, with tidbits of history given out at each important site. Further details remain unannounced, but the date is set for February 7th.

SERVPRO of Frederick County can help your household in Mt. Airy with 24/7 professional water restoration services. For more information or our emergency services, give us a call at (301) 662-1747.

Arts and Architecture Define the Past, Present, and Future of Frederick

12/27/2020 (Permalink)

Mold can spread very quickly and may present in many colors. Contact our certified team for effective remediation services.

How The Clustered Spires of Frederick Influence Arts and Culture on Local and National Levels

Frederick's downtown area has something that few other communities in the world can compare to – the fantastic, clustered spires of our historic buildings. These spires, hallmarks of architecture and competition of a bygone era, set our community apart from other landmark downtown areas across the eastern United States. Beyond the pleasant appearance of this architectural oddity, the spires have proven to be important in both local and broad understandings of culture and construction.

Frederick is well-regarded among American architecture classes as a shining example of how buildings can shape and support the community inhabiting them. In addition to being excellent examples of many religious construction styles, Frederick's churches have helped to give our community a healthy and unique character and identity. Additionally, they demonstrate how to create a prominent skyline without skyscrapers (or the population to support them). Consequently, artistic spires, towers, and other tall elements have begun making an appearance in many architectural styles across the country.

This educational focus has led to many changes in projects nationwide. Religious organizations increasingly turn to neo-Gothic and other architectural styles incorporating stone, spires, and heavy emphasis on art. As a result, many growing communities see grand and gorgeous religious buildings rather than standard church houses that might have been built otherwise.

Such attention would likely not be placed on our community without the admiration that local businesses and residents place on the spires. Multiple locations around town, including Church Street, take their names from the spires, either directly or indirectly. Local art installations, community events, and organizations have inspired these buildings and the religious organizations that built them.

Next time you take a trip through downtown, take a moment to appreciate the beautiful buildings we have. In the future, we must be careful to preserve and maintain these establishments, lest they be knocked down for newer but less unique modern buildings.

Frederick Fits Well Among Notable Historic Districts

The historical significance and attractive appearance of the Frederick downtown area have not escaped the eye of preservationist groups across the country. Since the 1970s, much of our community's core area has been protected as a national historic district, ensuring that large and modern buildings cannot replace the city's character with a parking lot. In those days, many historic places were designated, and Frederick was not the only town to receive a large area of protection.

State-level preservation of historic buildings began in the early 20th Century, but it would not be until 1966 that the National Register of Historic Places became a formalized entity. In the years that followed, many individual buildings and locations entered the books, but Frederick was one of only a few places in the country that committed entire neighborhoods to the cause. Along with a handful of other communities, we became one of the first Historic Districts in the nation.

Today, communities continue to seek out historic status based on their inherent beauty and desire to create variety in contrast to uniform modern styles. If you ever visit another historic district, such as New Milford, Connecticut, know that these places found their inspiration in towns like Frederick.

The Legendary Rock Band that Calls Frederick Its Home

For the past thirty years, Frederick has hosted its own homegrown legendary rock band, Clutch. Formed in early 1991 by recent high school graduates from Germantown, Clutch began to expand locally across Maryland. Within a decade, they began releasing albums with top record labels as a nationwide success in the Rock scene. Our town has always played a crucial role in its success and continues to do so today.

In the band's early days, they searched tirelessly for gigs across Maryland, with establishments in Frederick hosting many of their performances. Here, they found such welcoming and exciting crowds that they decided to keep coming back, even as they garnered fame and expanded outwards. By 1998, they had signed with Columbia and began touring nationally, but the band still conducted much of its business close to home.

With almost no breaks in their relentless tour and album release schedule, the band was always on the move from place to place across the country. However, to practice and relax, the band still took the time to return to Frederick at the start of any album recording stint or performance tour. They continue that tradition today, and at the beginning of their next tour, you might find them at one of several local stages.

How to Understand Mold Inspections in Frederick

Our Frederick mold inspection services often leave owners of local restaurants and other businesses confused about how and why we do many of the things we do. Mold can often seem mysterious, foreign, and perhaps even a bit frightening, especially when we need to take certain safety precautions. However, once you start to understand how fungi grow, you may also see why we do some seemingly unusual things to combat it.

Every patch of mold starts with a spore or two landing somewhere in your home. By themselves, spores are harmless. Fungi spread their spores everywhere, and they are present everywhere on earth, even in the air we breathe. The problems start to come when moisture gets added to an indoor space. With enough water, these spores can begin to grow, like seeds birthing a tiny plant. In the calm, warm conditions of your property, many common species of fungus may proliferate.

Microscopic spores do not grow into sizable patches instantly. It can take a very long time for the mold to spread out enough to be seen by the naked eye. In many of the most aggressive situations revealed by our inspections, many small patches grow at once before meshing into one large colony. These events can happen during seasons such as autumn when spores are released into the air outside in larger amounts.

Depending on the species, a fungus may take anywhere from two days to many months to become visible on your walls. An early warning sign of growth may be an unusual white spot on the wall. If you identify or even merely suspect mold growth, you should call us as soon as possible so that we can arrive before things get any worse. We conduct thorough investigations, even scanning behind walls and ceilings, to know for sure whether or not your business needs immediate care.

If you think that your restaurant may have signs of growth, SERVPRO of Frederick County can help with a professional mold inspection. Call us 24/7 at (301) 662-1747.

Santa's Workshop at the Train Station Rear Deck

12/7/2020 (Permalink)

Snowstorms and flooding do not stop SERVPRO from clearing a path to your Mt. Airy home for Santa!

Mount Airy Parents Can Help Create Holiday Cheer for Their Kids or Other People

This year has been challenging for many people, that even the usual holiday cheer around Christmas seems unlikely. A chat with Santa can lift your spirits. Mt Airy parents can bring their kids to the Santa's Workshop on December 12 2020, from 1 PM to 3.30 PM. Parents can also take the opportunity to donate canned food items to Mount Airy Net to help create holiday cheer for others. It is a perfect chance for parents to get a rare picture of their kids with Santa in 2020.

Other important details about the event include

• The event location is on North Main Street at the train station rear deck
• Reservation is essential since slots are limited per kid
• The event conforms with current health safety guidelines, including Santa speaking to kids from a socially distanced spot

SERVPRO of Frederick County helps when flood damage affects Mt Airy residences. Call us at (301) 662-1747 to mitigate any damage and restore your property to its preloss state.

Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce General Membership Meeting

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides fire damage and odor mitigation to our Mt. Airy neighbors--just call us!

Mt Airy Entrepreneurs Access the Tools They Need to Run Successful Ventures

Running any business successfully can be a challenge, especially if one does not have the right resources. One way to boost the chances of success in Mt Airy is to connect with other influential people or entities in the area, thus boosting your reputation.  However, this may end up easier said than done. Attending the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce General Membership Meeting on December 9, 2020, can provide you with a starting point.

The main benefits of attending include:

• Getting a chance to meet other people looking for networking opportunities
• Placement of your business profile in the business directory and a banner in a highly trafficked website
• Other resources such as free access to professional seminars, a referral system, and discounts if you become a member

SERVPRO of Frederick County is a reputable mitigation service that helps with all types of fire damage restoration in Mt Airy residences. You can reach us at (301) 662-1747 if there is an incident at your property. 

Help Support Small Businesses in Mt. Airy

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

You can supporting local businesses as well as possibly win a grand prize when you shop in Mt. Airy’s $hop $mall Contest.

Participate in Mt. Airy’s $hop $mall Contest

In recent years, Mt. Airy’s small businesses have been increasingly hindered by the proliferation of big-box stores like Walmart and the e-commerce revolution.  The unprecedented commercial difficulties of 2020 have only added to their troubles.  The $hop $mall Contest now allows you to help fellow local business owners while earning an opportunity to win a grand prize of $4,500 in cash and $500 in gift cards.  Its rules of participation include:

• Buying at least $25 worth of items at a Mt. Airy small business sometime between November 1st and December 5th
• Saving your receipt
• Either depositing your receipt in our town hall drop box by 4:30 PM on December 8th or submitting it on our online submission page
• Watching the prize drawing live on the “Town of Mount Airy” Facebook page at noon on Friday, December 11th

Running a successful business takes a lot of time, effort, and skill.  As local fire damage restoration service SERVPRO of Frederick County knows, it also involves a lot of luck.  While economic conditions are often unpredictable, so are fire-related events.  If a fire catastrophe ever befalls your business, call us at (301) 662-1747.

Local Expertise Helps Keep Aged Frederick Buildings in Top Condition

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO strives to clean up and restore historical structures in Frederick

SERVPRO Helps Inspect, Clean, and Repair Frederick Homes as Part of Water Damage Restoration

Frederick, MD, is an exceptional place for recreation and entertainment. The city is famous for its mountainous views and clustered spires. The term Clustered Spires was taken from Barbara Frietchie, a poem written by John Greenleaf Whitter, describing several church steeples in the historic downtown area. A trip to Church Street gives the curious visitors a chance to satiate their curiosity, explore the historical architecture, and also learn about the Christian roots of the town. 

Apart from soul nourishment, the churches also played another significant historical role for the residents' wellbeing when some, like the Evangelical Lutheran Church, were used as hospitals to treat the wounded people during The Civil War.  The ideological differences that sparked the war split even religious communities. For instance, the Evangelical Lutheran General Synod passed patriotic resolutions alienating some of its member Synods.  Apart from the churches, other historical sites played an even more prominent role during the civil war. 

• The Monocacy National Battlefield is one of the famous sites in which one of the most notable clashes happened during the civil war. On July 9th, 1864, the confederate and union forces fought the Battle of Monocacy Junction. The Confederate forces won their northernmost victory forcing the Union forces to retreat to Baltimore.
• The National Museum of Civil War Medicine located on East Patrick Street provides another glimpse into the conflict, including how some of the men such as those in the 16th New Hampshire unit avoided deaths on the battlefield, only to be ravaged by disease. There are over 1200 artifacts at the museum, which help illustrate the medical story and the era's technologies.

The Gateway to Western Maryland

Frederick County has five out of Maryland’s eighteen designated scenic roadways. The roads, more commonly referred to as byways, offer maximum convenience when exploring the area. They are also tourist destinations. The City of Frederick sits at the crossroad of two designated byways:

• The Historic National Road (US 40)
• Catoctin Mountain National Scenic Byway (US 15)

Through the roads, one can explore the Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, which stretches through 38 miles of Frederick County starting from Emmitsburg to the Point of Rocks. The area was put aside for the preservation of natural landscapes, among other things. Catoctin Mountain is one of the more fascinating sections in the area because of its ecological diversity. It is famous as the place “where U.S. presidents spend their vacation.” 

Another utility related to transport is the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal or the “Grand Old Ditch,” as it is more commonly known. The canal was mainly used in the transportation of coal using barges but was closed in 1924. Today, it is a hub of recreational activities, including bird-watching, biking, and mule-drawn barge rides. Frederick County’s section of the canal has some historical sites like the Catoctin Aqueduct and Monocacy Aqueduct. The Canal Quarters Lockhouses provide accommodation for those who may want to stay overnight along the canal and experience how life was in the past when it was a transportation hub. There are seven Lockhouses, each rehabilitated and furnished to depict a different period in the canal's history.

Historic and Hip Downtown

Apart from the vintage Lockhouses, one can also enjoy the architecture of yesteryears in the downtown area, which features antique shops, restaurants, and country inns. As Joe Adkins, one of the deputy directors of planning for the city, put it, “The downtown is real, and it goes back to the 1700s, 1800s. You cannot replicate that.”

The architectural footprint of the city has much to do with the dynamics when it was developing rather than the tastes of individual developers. The city was established in 1745 by German settlers who found the area highly fertile and therefore suitable for commercial agriculture. The grain produced in the area was also milled in town before transportation to other cities. The thriving agriculture attracted investors, entrepreneurs, farmers, and gentlemen. Various materials, including logs, stones, and bricks, were used to construct houses for the growing population. Brick emerged as the top utilized materials. In 1825 the county tax assessment revealed that 50.5% of the city's buildings were brick-made, unlike the surrounding areas' structures.

Even today, the brick houses are a common sight. However, building trends have diversified over the years, infusing vibrancy and modern trends into the city. Major stores such as the local Walmart Supercenter, Costco Wholesale, and specialty stores such as Party City feature current building trends.

How Does SERVPRO Help Frederick Residents Handle Water Damage Repair in Brick Houses?

Brick constructions are vulnerable to water damage because of rising dampness, especially when groundwater seeps from the bottom, leaving a tide line. Splashback is another problem, especially when raindrops beating against a wall soak into the mortar. Frederick residences made of brick construction require maintenance, proper cleaning, and quick repairs to deal with the natural water issues or accidental water spills in the house. SERVPRO makes it easier to accomplish these tasks by providing the skills and equipment needed for the tasks.

Limiting water exposure is a crucial step to ensure long-term results after restoration. Our SERVPRO technicians expedite water extraction in case of water spills by using high capacity pumps and extractors. In the exterior of the house, we check fixtures such as gutters to ensure they are not clogged, which would result in a cascade of water down the side of the building. Other vital steps include:

• Using moisture detection equipment to take moisture readings before and during drying processes to eliminate all excess moisture traces, thus stopping further deterioration.
• Combining different approaches such as using dehumidifiers and air movers simultaneously during the drying to quicken the process or manage the outcome.
• Checking the affected buildings' physical condition and notifying the owners in case other repair processes such as Tuckpointing and necessary.

SERVPRO of Frederick County manages water damage repair professionally, helping restore Frederick properties to their preloss state. Call (301) 662-1747 when you need assistance.

Cleaning for the Holidays can Load Your Frederick Home with Recyclables

11/9/2020 (Permalink)

This Holiday season, let SERVPRO professionals handle your homes storm damage while you focus on your holiday plans.

Learn More about How to Keep Frederick Clean and Reduce Household Waste

Join Annmarie from the County Office of Recycling in a Zoom session about recyclables. It’s more than just paper/plastic/metal. Many types of packaging contain more than one kind of material, making recycling perplexing for many. Don’t let uncertainty and confusion keep you from doing your part in keeping Frederick as clean as possible. Call (301) 663-3416 for inclusion in the Zoom class on November 17, 2020, from 6:30 PM to 8 PM.

Annmarie answers all your questions, as well as gives you information about:

• Specifics on holiday packaging and other items that we rarely use
• Wish-cycling and its impact on the environment, and
• What can and cannot be recycled in Frederick.

SERVPRO of Frederick County is always there to help our neighbors when storms and floods cause property damage. Contact our 24-hour emergency line at (301) 662-1747 for fast service.

What Do Residents Do When Relocated from Home after a Fire?

10/28/2020 (Permalink)

Often fire damage restoration requires that owners temporarily relocate. SERVPRO can help with that process and restore your home.

SERVPRO is a Responsible Fire Restoration Service that can Manage your Mt. Airy Home During your Absence and Safeguard it Against Further Harm.

Why are residents relocated after a fire?

After a particularly severe house fire in Mt. Airy, a fire marshall may deem your home unsafe to return to until full restoration is complete. These situations can be traumatic for many homeowners but reaching out to a professional restoration service can ease the burden. SERVPRO is a local company that can safeguard your home during the interim period. Our crew chiefs, production technicians, and customer support team can guide you through the process of returning your home to a pre-incident condition. This process may include storing your belongings, reconstructing some of the property, tackling odors, cleaning, and reinstalling any permanently damaged materials. We work closely with local insurance adjusters and homeowners to ensure this transition runs smoothly and as quickly as possible.

How are fire-damaged properties managed during a temporary relocation?

There are numerous challenges that fire restoration technicians in your Mt. Airy home must overcome to get back to normal conditions. During a move-out, shared concerns for homeowners might lack documentation or detail when documenting items and damages. You may also have concerns about your possessions' safety, especially fragile or sentimental items entrusted to a restoration service. Finally, you may worry that items are thrown away without your consultation while away from the property.

SERVPRO is a responsible fire restoration company that goes the extra mile to ensure homeowners stay in the loop throughout the works process. Our inventories are detailed and up to date, while our warehouses are well-organized and climate controlled. Any contents disposed of or held in storage by us are tracked and documented to ensure accountability throughout the process.

How do restoration technicians remain accountable during fire restoration?

• We photograph and video the condition of your belongings before taking them from the property to our climate-controlled warehouses.
• Digital inventories are kept providing a written report of make, model, serial numbers, and condition in contents inventory worksheets.
• Any items for storage are tracked through the warehouse with meticulous planning for handling, organization, and packing of your contents.

What items are stored or removed from a fire-damaged home?

Suppose you are unfortunate enough to be relocated after a Mt. Airy fire. In that case, you may only be able to bring essential items like clothing, medical supplies, and documents with you while your home undergoes repair. What remains in the home may include furnishings, appliances, electronics, and other non-essential contents. If there is extensive reconstruction work required at your home, these non-essential items must be stored at an off-site facility to allow the works process to begin. Often restoring a house with severe fire damage can be labor-intensive as technicians must pack, move, unpack, and inventory items before restoration work. Our crew chiefs remain in contact with you throughout the process to stay in the loop throughout the restoration.

Are move-outs beneficial to home restoration?

• Move Outs can speed up the remodeling and reconstructing of a fire-damaged home by allowing more space for demolition and repainting.
• Contents remain protected and are not at additional risk of damages by remaining inside an exposed or fire-damaged structure.
• Subcontractors such as electricians, plumbers, or technicians remodeling the property frequently prefer working in an empty structure to improve efficiency.

Do restoration technicians have experience conducting a move-out?

SERVPRO technicians are used to dealing with extensive harm in a structure due to a loss event by fire, water, or storm. In addition to practical experience, we undergo training to handle belongings through the three phases of content management. On top of that, our technicians are given digital checklists throughout each stage, accessible for anyone working onsite. These checklists allow us to ensure that the removal of contents from your home, necessary cleaning actions, and returning contents is as meticulous as possible. In some cases, we can pass these details on to an insurance adjuster to produce an estimate or file paperwork relating to your claim as part of our ' stress-free claims' service. If you have any questions, you can contact crew chiefs directly or through our twenty-four-hour operated call line.

What are the three phases of a move-out?

• Sorting and inventorying as well as packing any contents that need transportation. During this phase, we often sort between salvageable and non-salvageable goods.
• Contents cleaning conducted at an external storage facility before storage. These duties may include deodorization or mechanical washing.
• Communicating with subcontractors before returning clean belongings to your home and unpacking them in the relevant rooms.

Move outs can be a stressful experience without regular communication and information. Contact SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 now.

Can Possessions be Saved after Water Losses?

10/8/2020 (Permalink)

After a water intrusion takes place. You can trust that your home is in good hands with the experienced technicians at SERVPRO.

To Save Possessions, Use a Water Damage Restoration Service. SERVPRO Operates in the Frederick Area and Can Begin Work within Four Hours of Notification of Loss.

What is the process of content restoration?

A wet home affects both the structure and the contents, so Frederick homeowners use professional services to recover them. Often items in the house need moving, either to an off-site storage warehouse or to an unaffected room where cleaning or drying can occur separately. The process of moving content is challenging without a proven content management solution. SERVPRO technicians record information in a digital inventory that can be revisited throughout the service and after to provide a transparent and accountable system for managing your possessions.

What are the challenges of content management?

- Items that could break during transit

- Storage and tracking of contents throughout the restoration procedure

- Lack of detail and documentation of the condition of things in the home

How does content management affect restoration?

There are many aspects where content management and water damage restoration in your Frederick home overlap. The ability to assess whether items are salvageable or non-salvageable, for example, focuses on contents but can also affect the overall time-frame of restoration. SERVPRO takes time to document and inspect items to ensure that they are given the correct treatment in the home. We frequently use professional movers when large amounts of content need storing in a separate warehouse, and our warehouses are highly organized to ensure items do not get lost.

What are the solutions to content management issues?

- Photographing and videoing the condition of contents before packing

- Efficiently cleaning, packing, and loading items when off-site storage is necessary

- Organizing warehouse space and storage ahead of time to ensure efficient delivery of contents

Protecting your contents is as valuable as drying your home. Contact SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 today.

How Do I Remove Oily Soils and Smokes from Walls or Ceilings?

9/1/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot are difficult to remove. SERVPRO knows how to restore your home. Call us today!

SERVPRO Fire Restoration Technicians Have a Proven Track Record in Returning Mt. Airy Homes to a Pre-loss Condition after Fire

What causes oily soil deposits from a fire?

A housefire in your Mt. Airy home releases all kinds of toxins and carcinogens into the house. When these toxic smokes come into contact with colder surfaces, they deposit smoke residues onto that surface. These smoke residues may be dry or wet. Synthetic materials like varnishes, plastics, or other chemical compositions usually lead to oily soil deposits, which can be tough to remove. Oil-based stains are hydrophobic, meaning that they repel water molecules. The hydrophobic nature of wet smokes can make cleaning them a challenge as homeowners risk spreading soils further around without effectively removing them. SERVPRO recommends that you use trained-experts to deal with wet smoke on walls and ceilings.

What solvents do I need for removing wet smoke?

Oil-based solvents can bond with wet smoke and are therefore useful for fire restoration in your Mt. Airy home. However, some solvents can be abrasive and damage paintwork or other surfaces. A household item that can be effective against oily smoke deposits is detergent. While detergents are water-based, detergent molecules can break down oils and create an emulsion. Emulsifying soils this way allows many wet-smokes to be rinsed away using water and frequently causes less abrasive damage to surfaces, walls, and ceilings. Detergent cleaning, while useful, can be more time-consuming than resorting to solvents. SERVPRO technicians have a proven track record in deciding the best cleaning method for your home after a fire emergency that prioritizes both time-efficiency and cost.

How can I ensure I use solvents safely?

• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) with goggles, gloves, and respirators
• Only use in a well-ventilated space
• Shutoff heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to prevent spreading solvent vapors

Stubborn soots and wet-smokes are challenging to remove without the correct knowledge of when to apply solvents or detergents. Contact SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747. 

More about Mr. Airy.

Does the Movement of Air Effect Drying in Frederick Homes?

8/25/2020 (Permalink)

Did your home experiene water damage? Call SERVPRO. We are equipped to handle any scope of water loss emergency.

Understanding Drying Science Elements Like Airflow and how it Impacts Your Household's Recovery After a Water Disaster can be Vital

As overwhelming as flood and water damages can be for Frederick homes and businesses, understanding the balance of elements necessary for efficient drying can show the need for professional water restoration companies. Our SERVPRO professionals have extensive training through coursework and continued education through renowned organizations like the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to know the science of drying and how to apply this knowledge in your damaged house.  

Water restoration for Frederick homes can encompass many tasks from the initial emergency services like a controlled demolition and debris removal through advanced drying techniques. Because drying is such a vital element to every water damage recovery task our professionals undertake, we must continually re-evaluate the conditions within the property to maintain the balance of the primary principles of moisture removal and efficient evaporation, including: 

• Airflow – The movement of air can be a critical element to the efficiency of drying in a property after a water disaster. While this can refer to generated airflow by our air movers, it can also indicate the working knowledge of the ingress and egress of air from the drying zones.  

• Temperature – Temperatures always seek to find a balance with adjacent areas, either inside or outside the structure. Higher temperatures can often allow for faster production of products and evaporation, but excessive temperatures can harm the drying process. 

• Humidity – The present moisture content is also a consideration that must have a vital role in how efficiently materials and areas of your home get dried after an emergency. Moist environments slow the drying process, making the applications of dehumidifiers essential. 

How Does Airflow Change from One Site to the Next?  

Our technicians undergo continuous training and recertifications to ensure that the latest technologies and practices get used in the drying and restoration of your Frederick home. In addition to this, we train to prepare for the variances of damage from one property to the next. Even a singular aspect of drying like airflow can change from one home to the next based on location, materials used to build the house, available insulation, and the time of year. Airflow can impact the drying process in a few unique ways, including: 

• Infiltration – This term describes air moving into a drying space from the outside of the house or another, unaffected area. 

• Exfiltration – This term indicates air movement from the drying area to these external zones in the home or the outside.  

• Equilibrium – This is the even condition that air seeks to find through infiltration and exfiltration from the drying zones. A balance is always wanted when irregularities exist in temperature or moisture content.  

Can Changing Interior Conditions of the House Improve Airflow? 

The more technicians understand and appreciate the balance of external and internal conditions during the drying process. The more these elements can be manipulated to promote more efficient drying times. It is always the focus of our SERVPRO team to provide the most cost-effective and prompt drying and restoration solutions for water-damaged structures. Often this involves manipulating other elements beyond airflow, including: 

• Temperature - Raising the temperature inside the drying zone can promote exfiltration evaporation when this warmer airflow passes moist materials moving out of the drying area and unaffected portions.  

• Humidity – Moisture content also plays a role in both exfiltration and infiltration of air in the drying area and beyond it. Regulating moisture in the environment can reduce the migration of water to other areas of the house. 

• Air Movers – Generating airflow in the drying zones can promote evaporative drying and bring about equilibrium without excessive transference from one area of the property to another.  

Can Finding an Equilibrium Change Other Drying Science Elements?  

Each of these efficient drying principles in your home work together, balancing one another. When you modify one, such as increasing the temperature, you can often increase the moisture content through faster evaporation. Finding the balance so that all the parts work exclusively towards a productive drying result is a continual exchange in the restoration process. 

Drying your home or business must happen as quickly as possible to reduce the need for tear-out and reconstruction. While we have in-house contractors to help with these repairs, it is typically more cost-effective to restore over replacing. Give our SERVPRO of Frederick County team a call anytime that you need us at (301) 662-1747.

There is Mud in my Frederick Kitchen, who Should I Call?

8/18/2020 (Permalink)

Call us at our 24/7 hotline (301) 662-1747 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

If the mud in the Kitchen of Your Frederick Home is due to Storm Damage, Let a Professional Team Handle it

Storms in Frederick can be scary before, during, and after they happen. All your preparation may be useless if the storm breaks into your home through a window or roof, leaving it wide open to receive the water and debris floodwater carries. Once the storm passes and you assess the damage, it may be overwhelming. However, there are teams of people prepared to handle your needs after the weather event, and reaching out to them is the best decision you can make.

In Frederick, flood damage is our specialty at SERVPRO. Our team holds certifications from industry leaders as well as years of expertise in the field. We know which steps need to happen to restore your home after a natural event and have the equipment to support those steps. Whether only part of your home suffers from storm damage, or it is widespread, our crew guides you through the recovery process to bring your home back to mint condition in coordination with your insurance company when appropriate.

Can't I just clean the mud after a flood and be done? Why should I call a restoration company?

After the storm, you may attempt to grab some cleaning supplies and get to work. Even though this is undoubtedly helpful, you need to consider the risk to your health and the possibility of leaving areas unattended. Our SERVPRO staff wears personal protective equipment when we arrive at your home to prevent cross-contamination and protect us from bacteria that inevitably come with outside water. It is precisely the threat of microbes such as mold that moves our team to be very careful in drying all surfaces of your home and restoring normal humidity levels. To control moisture, we can use some of the following equipment:

    •    Pumps for water extraction
    •    Dehumidifiers and air circulators for water evaporation
    •    Drying mats for your subfloors to preserve them

Some items will require additional repairs or to be removed altogether from home. However, you can count on SERVPRO of Frederick County for help. Call us at our 24/7 hotline (301) 662-1747 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

Does a Wall with Water Damage Need Complete Removal?

7/31/2020 (Permalink)

After your home suffers water damage, you need a team of professionals to assist you with cleanup and restoration efforts. Call us right away!

SERVPRO technicians can perform actions on your structure to save as much as possible from loss in your Frederick home.

A pipe break, supply line leak, or toilet backup all have one thing in common; they need extraction and drying as rapidly as possible to lessen the loss in your Frederick home. When water runs freely in a home, it gets absorbed in a myriad of places such as walls, ceilings, and the subfloor. Instead of taking down an entire wall, the technicians at SERVPRO use their moisture detection equipment to determine how far up into the sheetrock the water wicked. Then they measure several inches above that water line and cut off only the loss portion in a clean, straight line. This enables repairs to occur quickly by fitting in measured and cut sheetrock to fit. 

What Can I Expect to Happen During Water Damage Repair?  

When you need water damage repair in your Frederick home, outsourcing the cleanup and restoration services job is one of the smartest moves you can make. Besides the obvious water extraction and drying of the loss area, there are several actions that the techs perform to assist homeowners in saving more of their property and contents such as:  

• Pack out of articles from the loss area to a secure storage pod, another area of the home or a secure storage unit
• Using flood cuts as needed on walls and ceilings
• Inspection of items for hand cleaning 
• Placement of large, heavy furnishings on blocks for drying in place

Can My Carpet Survive a Water Loss?   

There are several considerations before a carpet undergoes restoration by the SERVPRO techs. The type of water loss and the length of time that passed between the water loss event in the home and the cleanup efforts beginning can make a difference. Not all carpet fibers and backings react to water in the same way, frequently seen issues are:

• Shrinkage
• Bleeding of dyes
• Deterioration of backings and fibers

After extraction of the water, the techs move on to the drying phase. A carpet usually requires more than setting up fans to blow over the tops of the fibers and hope it works. SERVPRO deploys air movers and uses specific drying techniques such as "floating." This involves untacking one side of the carpet and forcing air underneath. This dries the padding and carpet from the bottom up. The techs have comprehensive training and test carpet threads before any cleaning agent or method gets chosen. The testing determines the makeup of the fibers, and this attention to detail always ensures the best outcome.  

In cases where the cleanup begins after 48 hours or the water contains sewage or waste material, the carpet requires disposal as a biohazard. The techs extract the water to make it safer to handle, cut it into strips, and ensure it gets taken away adhering to municipal regulations for handling hazardous waste.

Another commonly seen action during water cleanup is the removal of cabinets and baseboards. Water migrates rapidly, and it can cause a host of issues to the structure if it does not get removed and dried. The technicians remove the toe kicks under cabinets to use their long extractor wands to get to the water. Still, in cases where there is too much, or seepage occurred into the backing wall or the subfloor, the cabinets in bathrooms or kitchens may need a controlled demo to ensure this area gets dried completely. When this happens, many homeowners use the opportunity to upgrade the look of their kitchen or bathroom once the mitigation efforts complete, and the restoration phase moves on to rebuilding. 

Hardwood flooring can have multiple outcomes during water loss restoration. The condition of the boards, as well as if the boards are a composite or actual hardwood, makes a difference. Composite boards can have different cores, including cardboard, which reacts poorly to water and is generally a total loss after exposure to large amounts of moisture. Hardwood floorboards may warp or cup, but that is due to the absorption of moisture. The techs can dry the boards either in place, and if they do not lay flat after drying, in most cases, they can get sanded and refinished, saving the homeowner the cost of replacement. The goal of SERVPRO team members is to save homeowners the cost of replacement through their restoration methods. 

SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 serves the local community with restorations services for water damage repair. The trained technicians arrive quickly and return your home to its preloss condition. 

What Are the Most Common Causes of Indoor Flooding?

7/8/2020 (Permalink)

Having water damage issues in your Frederick home? Call the pros in SERVPRO to mitigate your problem.

Understanding the Reasons for Most Indoor Flooding in Frederick Can Help Prevent Them from Happening

Indoor flooding is a significant cause of water damage in Frederick homes. It can create all kinds of problems and require expert help to restore your home. Many times, the flooding can be prevented if you know what to look for in the house.

What are some of the common causes I should be aware of?

Your home is an intricate layout which consists of all kinds of pipes and sources of flowing water. You wash your hands, run the dishwasher, and do laundry. The septic system (or city sewage), the water heater, and some furnaces all require water flow. This can be a disaster waiting to happen. Here are four of the most common reasons for water restoration needs in Frederick.

• Broken or leaking pipes – can flood your home in minutes and can cause hidden damage behind walls.
• Leaking water heater – even a small leak can cause a steady flow of water loss leading to big problems.
• Faulty appliances – dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators all have plumping connections. When these go bad – watch out!
• Clogged sewage/drain lines – back up from toilet lines is the primary source of this problem. This may be a biohazard situation requiring special handling.

Preventing Indoor Flooding

You cannot always prevent your home from being flooded, but there are things you can do to minimize the water damage.

• Check pipes regularly. In cold weather, take steps to prevent them from freezing--interior temperature increase and insulating exposed pipes.
• Prevent clogged drains. Hair is a significant cause of clogging in bathrooms. Watch what goes into the sinks, tubs, and toilets.
• Check appliances for problems regularly. Consider attaching a device that detects leaks.
• Regularly inspect your water heater.

If you do end up with damage from flooding, SERVPRO’s team of experts provides 24/7 emergency water restoration service. Prevention is the best option, but not always possible. Don’t let any water loss incidence wait.

Contact SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 for quality water cleanup and restoration -- We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

What Should I Do When My Auto Mechanic's Shop Has Standing Water on the Floor?

6/17/2020 (Permalink)

No matter the scope of the water damage, call SERVPRO! We are equipped to handle any water loss situation.

For Commercial Water Mitigation at Your Mechanic Shop in Frederick Call SERVPRO

Any building that has running water has a chance of a pipe breaking and leaking water into the building. A small quarter-inch crack in one of your pipes can cause hundreds of gallons of H2O to pour out into the structure of your Fredrick auto shop.

How do you remove standing water on the floor in my shop?

During any commercial water mitigation project in Frederick, our SERVPRO technicians first work towards removing moisture. At the same time, it is still a liquid before it evaporates into the air and soaks into your contents and building materials. If there are more than two inches of standing water present, then we can use a submersible pump to suck the liquids and put them into one of your sewage drains. If there is water left on the concrete floor of your shop, we can clean it up with a mop, squeegee, or wet and dry vacuum.

What can you do if moisture soaked into my concrete floors?

• Create Air Circulation: We can set up large box fans or air movers to create air circulation in a counterclockwise motion. We can arrange the fans and air movers to push the wet air away from your concrete floors so that moisture can evaporate from the materials faster.
• Set Up Dehumidifiers: Dehumidifiers can be placed in the affected area to keep humidity down during the drying process. These machines remove moisture from the air and dispense it out in liquid form while exhausting warm, dry air circulation created by the fans.
• Desiccant Dehumidifiers: We utilize desiccant dehumidifiers for drying concrete because they use silica gel instead of refrigerated coils. These dehumidifiers can pull out more moisture in a shorter period. We do not use desiccant systems to dry out wooden items because they can cause them to crack.

If you ever notice standing water inside your mechanic shop in Brunswick or Thurmont, call SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 24/7.

More about Frederick.

Can My Mt Airy House Recover After A Fire?

6/17/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage can be quite overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO to assess and remediate right away after a fire.

Bring in a SERVPRO Fire Response Team to Professionally Restore Your Mt Airy Home

Every home is at risk from a fire. As the weather continues to heat up, it increases as more people begin cleaning out their garages. Improperly handled paint thinners and other chemicals can start burning before any realizes what has happened.

How Bad Can the Damage Get?

A larger percentage of Mt Airy fire damage is often from smoke, but there can still be a significant amount of physical damage at the point of origin. As an example, an electrical short in a bedroom lamp can cause damage to not just the lamp, but the table it rests on, the outlet it is plugged into, and the surrounding walls, floors, and ceilings. SERVPRO technicians can remove all of this damaged property, and repair or replace it.

What if the Damage is Severe?

Our Restoration Teams can replace all interior wall paneling, ceiling tiles, and even custom wood flooring. Staff Electricians can install new outlets and run new wiring in many instances. Our Cleaning Specialists can remove smoke and soot residues from every surface in the bedroom from the floor trim to the ceiling fans.

What about my carpets, can they be restored?

In many cases, the answer is yes. Out teams can remove most residues and other debris with Hot Water Extraction, which is excellent for all carpets. SERVPRO also uses Bonnet Cleaning for short pile carpets when a more gentle approach is needed. Technicians also have the option of Dry Cleaning when there is a concern over risk to the color and Deluxe Precondition and Rinse for deeply soiled carpets that had soot and other debris ground into the surface.

To schedule a service call or find out more about what SERVPRO of Frederick County can do for your home, contact us today at (301) 662-1747. 

Click here for more information about Mt Airy.

What Does Water Mitigation Mean for My Frederick Home?

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO assist you with your homes water mitigation needs. We are available 24/7, give us a call at (301) 662-1747.

Mitigation is a series of actions taken to improve the efficiency of restoration and the customer's expense. 

As with any industry, there are technical terms often used with restoration and recovery teams that might require an explanation for Frederickhomeowners. Several of these practices have gotten designed to make recovery efforts faster and more cost-efficient, like mitigation. As you might expect, this is not a one-size-fits-all solution for varying loss incidents, especially the variety of water emergencies that our team addresses annually.

Understanding water mitigation for your Frederick home begins with appreciating the fast and dedicated response of our restoration technicians. Mitigating losses hinges on reaching the damaged areas as soon as possible, and that is why you can reach a real person on our emergency line whenever disasters strike. We can comprise pertinent details and information to ensure that we arrive with the appropriate tools, personnel, and products.

What is Mitigation? 

Mitigation is one of the commitments that our SERVPRO professionals have with the customers that we serve. It is an ongoing assurance that with the actions taken during the initial stages of water loss recovery, we are doing everything possible to make it "Like it never even happened." The literal principles of mitigation and the emergency services that we can offer after a disaster can get broken down into three sections:

• Reduce Costs – It is always our customers' objective to make restoration and recovery as cost-efficient as possible. Mitigation works to protect more of the contents, materials and affected areas of your residence. In this regard, these efforts can reduce the time and needs of restoration, saving money. 
• Reduce Loss – Protecting what matters most to you is one of the most valuable aspects of our mitigation approach. Content management, for example, assesses affected personal belongings, furniture, and clothing to determine what can get salvaged on-site and which items require focused attention, cleaning, and deodorization at our SERVPRO facility.
• Reduce Time – Because We're Faster To Any Size Disaster, we can often reach residences and commercial structures within hours of the first notice of loss. With that turnaround, we can protect more of your belongings and set up better containment systems to reduce water migration.

Who is Qualified to Do This in My Home? 

While the term mitigation is one that can get used in many different professional arenas, the mitigation services that we offer require skills and training to do correctly. It can be valuable for your home and its contents to trust professionals that can not only work to reduce the severity of loss effects after a water emergency but a team that can also provide competent contractors. As a full-service restoration team, we can offer several practical mitigation aspects, such as controlled demolition and temporary construction solutions. Our competent professionals have extensive training and accreditations with standard-setting organizations such as:

• IICRC – Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification 
• OSHA – Occupational Safety & Health Administration
• ABRA – American Bio Recovery Association 

What Does Mitigation Entail? 

Because not every loss incident is the same, the necessary mitigation and recovery efforts are not identical. After a water emergency threatens your home, several vital actions should get taken when necessary to ensure that restoration costs stay at a minimum and that more of the house does not become threatened by migrating water effects. These include:

• Extraction – While not every water loss requires water removal from the surface of flooring materials, pooling water can be a hazardous situation for exposed materials. We have multiple extraction units ranging from submersible pumps and vacuums to truck-mount systems.
• Drying – No water loss emergency involves our SERVPRO technicians that does not require some form of drying. Depending on the affected materials and areas of the house, this could require multiple tools and devices. Evaporative drying processes can get managed by appropriately placed dehumidification equipment like desiccants and low-grain refrigerant models. 
• Content Management – Drying decisions in your home often involve what to do with personal belongings. Since your possessions often are more valuable than the structure itself in some regards, choices on how to restore your contents occur during the initial job scoping phase.
• Controlled Demolition – Damaged structural elements are not always a factor when our professionals arrive, but if this exists, it is critical to remove affected portions of materials immediately. Moisture-wicking can be prevented by removing damaged sections of drywall or pulling up wet carpeting that cannot be restored. 

Mitigation is a vital stage of restoration and recovery for your home that our SERVPRO of Frederick County team implement as soon as possible. No matter how we can help to save you time and money through reducing your losses, you can reach us 24/7 at (301) 662-1747.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

5/19/2020 (Permalink)

Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
• Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
• Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Frederick County today at  3910662-1747 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

Take Time to Contact a Cleaning Company in Frederick During This Pandemic

5/19/2020 (Permalink)

When you feel like germs are everywhere and you can't keep up, SERVPRO is here to help.

Office Precautionary Cleaning Measures for Frederick Businesses

If you are a business owner you might have recently viewed a copy of the regulations sent out by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) entitled,  “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19.”  The document also includes addressing the concern of keeping your facility cleaned by using disinfectants continually.

Need Help With  Frederick Preventative Cleaning?

Our SERVPRO professionals have unique strategies involving EPA registered, hospital-grade cleaning agents that track with the latest data about this virus and how to best eliminate viral pathogens on surfaces, materials, and contents throughout an office building or commercial location. SERVPRO of Fredrick’s cleaning experts follow strict protocols for biohazard cleanup, including the elimination of microorganisms, viral pathogens, and airborne contaminants. Our employees take measures to wear proper protective clothing and equipment (PPE) while performing this form of environmental cleaning. They also use commercial grade equipment that does a more efficient and thorough job of dispersing cleaning agents than consumer tools such as trigger sprayers.

Our employees can work around your schedule to keep your office building clean and to provide a higher measure of protection that goes beyond do-it-yourself methods. Please, give our SERVPRO of Frederick County team a call today at (301) 662-1747.

To find out more about Frederick, click here. 

Advice from the medical and scientific community regarding how to deal with the coronavirus is based on present knowledge, which is subject to change as the situation continues to develop. There can be no assurance that disinfectants alone will be adequate to fully eliminate the virus. We are not physicians or infectious disease professionals. Consult your medical professionals for individual medical advice.

What Type of Equipment is Used to Resolve Flood Damage Issues in Frederick?

5/17/2020 (Permalink)

Fooding can damage the structure and contents of your family home. Contact our certified flood damage remediation team right away.

Remediation Services in Frederick Employ a Wide Range of Equipment to Handle Your Floodwater-Related Damage.

Strong storms in the Frederick area sometimes cause flooding, especially in the spring and during hurricane season.  Regular seasonal storms are often at fault, but they are not the only potential culprits of raging floodwaters.  Although it is well inland, the city still suffers the yearly effects of powerful coastal storms that can drop torrents of rain in exceedingly short periods of time.  Knowing when and where storm-related flooding is going to occur is not always that easy to predict.  Weather forecasts are often unreliable and compounding factors can exacerbate storm effects, causing high waters in unexpected areas.  When such disasters strike, flood damage cleanup and restoration companies like SERVPRO employ certain tools.

What Specific Equipment Does SERVPRO Use?         

When floods occur, the damage they cause is usually quite severe.  So, flood damage companies in Frederick, including SERVPRO, use the most powerful state-of-the-art equipment available to effectively deal with it.  Some advanced tools we have at our disposal are:

• Moisture sensors/meters that detect and measure moisture in baseboards, walls, carpets, and household contents
• Thermohygrometers to evaluate the moisture content of your home’s air and provide related measurements
• Powerful extractors to rapidly vacuum up standing liquids
• Trash pumps for removing water with trash and other particulate matter in it
• Dehumidifiers that dry the air in your home’s interior
• Air movers that aid interior and content drying
• Injectidry systems that remove moisture from difficult-to-reach areas behind ceilings and walls
• High-tech foggers to inject fungicides, disinfectants, and deodorants into even the most hard-to-reach places

Why are Trash Pumps Often Necessary to Remove Frederick Floodwaters?

Many times, regular extractors are simply not enough to take on floodwaters.  This is because such waters usually contain trash and other things that would likely clog up these devices.  On-the-other-hand, trash pumps can easily suction up both standing water and this particulate matter without getting clogged. 

With all this said, remember that help is available if you ever experience flood damage.  When you need help, contact SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747.

Click here for more information about Frederick.

Commercial Water Cleanup In Frederick

4/28/2020 (Permalink)

You can contact SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 for twenty-four-hour assistance and to arrange a call-out.

What can your Catering Business in Frederick do to Overcome an Unforeseen Water Emergency?

Running a business is busy enough. But unforeseen circumstances can lay extra pressure on your catering service. SERVPRO offers professional water restoration technicians (WRT) with experience working with small, medium-sized, and large commercial operations. We can get you back in business on-time and with a minimum loss of revenue.

What can I do when a water emergency goes beyond the scope of my staff?
Spillages frequently happen in commercial services that deal with food and drinks, with most mishaps possible to deal with by in-house staff. However, severe water emergencies that can cause temporary closure may require commercial water cleanup services in Frederick. Our team hold qualifications from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certifications body (IICRC.) We act responsibly to protect your business during a time of urgent need. Our services encompass the mitigation and restoration of clean, grey, and black water emergencies.

When should I reach out for professional help in my catering business?
The sooner you reach out to SERVPRO, the sooner we can put in place plans to get your business back on track. Water damage is time-sensitive, which means the longer you leave it, the more likely it is to degrade. When moisture comes into contact with pre-existing grime as well as potential mold spores, it can become an increasingly severe issue. It takes as little as seventy hours for a clean water emergency to become a black or grey water emergency.

How can you help my business deal with a contaminated water emergency?
Water contamination may occur when a malfunctioning appliance spills water overnight. It may also occur when water intrusion occurs from a non-clean supply such as a sewer back-up or wastewater pipe issue. The process to correctly restore water contamination involves returning your business to a sanitary condition using a combination of water removal equipment as well as chemical agents.

What cleaning products do I need to restore grey or black water damages?
    •    Industrial Disinfectants
    •    Biocides
    •    Alcohol and Alkaline-based solvents
    •    Emulsifying powders
    •    Deodorizers including solvents, pellets, and spray-on

What is the difference between commercial restoration and residential?
While many of the principles of cleaning are the same in residential and commercial cleaning, we generally mobilize more resources for the latter. Commercial sites tend to be larger but also require a much faster turnaround with every moment of closure, causing a loss of revenue. We reduce standing water levels quickly using extraction equipment before removing and discarding any contaminated items or solid waste.

How to remove water odors from my catering business?
Most water spills involve malodors, which can be tough to explain to customers. In some situations, wet areas with higher humidity can make odors more noticeable, and these may disperse once the cleaning and drying of the property are complete. Other odors can be more stubborn, which is why SERVPRO uses specialist odor control technicians to ensure your business makes a full recovery.

How does odor control work in commercial buildings?
Odor control works either by neutralizing odor particles or by exchanging air and ventilating the space. We can speed up the dispersal process by using vent box fans to exchange inner and outer air up to sixty times over. Our technicians can strategically place odor control pellets to mask odor until natural dispersal. These areas may include venting ducts. For thorough fumigation, our team can deploy misters or fogging equipment to ensure any residual odors are removed altogether.

How can your restorers help to process commercial insurance claim forms?
    •    We inventory the condition of all contents within your business which is stored in a digital ledger
    •    Our technicians can conduct a walkthrough with you at the end of service to explain the outcome of work
    •    We can help to complete parts of our insurance paperwork for a stress-free claim
    •    When enlisting the help of third-parties, we ensure that you only have to deal with one point of contact throughout service
    •    Our crew chiefs are here to communicate with you every step of the way

While commercial water restoration can be a stressful experience, our crew chiefs have extensive experience in helping businesses toward a full recovery. Using our resources, education, and commercial expertise, we can guide you through the mitigation process into restoration and return your business to its preloss condition.

Water spills can occur at any-time day or night. You can contact SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 for twenty-four-hour assistance and to arrange a call-out.

For more about Frederick click here.

Water Damage In Your Frederick Home

4/18/2020 (Permalink)

For professional results when dealing with a pipe break, call SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 24/7.

Drying During Water Damage In Frederick Can Take Several Steps To Ensure Success

During most scenarios, when a pipe breaks in your house in Frederick, the destruction is not always as severe as you may think. Many water damage scenarios consist only of your carpets getting wet and possibly soaking into your drywall. However, wet carpets can be the source of other issues like raised humidity levels or mold growth if it is not extracted and dried out quickly after the leak occurs.

If your carpets got saturated during your water damage incident in Frederick, then extraction may be required. Moisture is much easier to remove when it is still in liquid form before it soaks into your contents and building materials or evaporates into the air. Once our SERVPRO technicians remove all of the liquids, we can then begin the applied structural drying (ASD) phase.

Testing Materials For Moisture
When our SERVPRO team first arrives at your home, we conduct the following testing procedures to see both how wet items got and how far the moisture went:

    •    We can use a moisture sensor that will tell us which sections of your carpet got wet.
    •    We can use a non-penetrating moisture meter that can give us a good idea as to where the water traveled.
    •    Using a penetrating moisture meter can give us moisture content of your drywall and any wooden items in a percentage.
    •    A hygrometer can tell us the relative humidity levels of the affected rooms in your house.
    •    We use thermometers to let us know whether we need to increase your house's temperature to speed up the drying process.

Checking Multiple Areas
During the initial inspection process, our SERVPRO team tests both materials that we know got affected and those that did not. We take the difference between the two measurements to determine how wet items got. We also use both test results to come up with numbers for a final drying goal.

Monitoring
After we find the wet regions of your structure and determine a drying goal, we set up air movers and dehumidifiers. After the equipment gets set up, we return to your house every day and take readings to make sure our efforts are working effectively. Once the results meet the drying goals, we can then remove all drying equipment.

For professional results when dealing with a pipe break, call SERVPRO of Frederick County at (301) 662-1747 24/7.

For more about Frederick click here.

We Put The Flames Of Worry Out In Frederick After A Fire

4/7/2020 (Permalink)

We have the training, advanced equipment, and expertise to restore your home to pre-damage condition. Call us right away to prevent further damage.

Why Do I Need Expert Assistance in Frederick To Address Fire Damage?

SERVPRO Technicians Have the Professional Equipment and Knowledge to Restore Your Fire Damaged Home Fast

Once you have fire damage in Frederick, you need your home to get back to normal quickly. Calling the trained technicians at SERVPRO helps you to get the cleaning and restoration to ensure your home is clean and safe once again. 

How does SERVPRO address the fire damage left after a fire in my Frederick home?

- We feature specialists with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) that use the latest techniques to restore your property quickly.

- SERVPRO is Faster to Any Size Disaster, which means that we arrive on site ready to work, complete with trucks loaded with pumps, portable extraction units, air movers, and desiccant dehumidifiers.

- We use a restore vs. replace mentality. This means that we work on restoring your home to the preloss condition rather than starting with demolition right away. 

At SERVPRO of Frederick County, you can count on us to address all of your fire damage restoration needs. Give us a phone call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (301) 662-1747, and we make it, “Like it never even happened.”

See more about Frederick.

We are Cleaning Experts

3/19/2020 (Permalink)

Many local business are being proactive by deep cleaning.

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch 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

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today –SERVPRO of Frederick County 301-662-1747

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html