What IS Water Damage Restoration?

10/30/2024 (Permalink)

Wood flooring with a puddle of water forming, and leading to water damage.

Transforming Water Damage into Safe Living Spaces:

Water Damage Restoration is the process of fixing and restoring a water damaged home, or office, with the intention of restoring it to its original condition before the water event. However, this can only be done after the water mitigation. The importance of Water Damage Restoration and Water Mitigation ultimately comes to a person’s health! By removing excess moisture, SERVPRO can eliminate a breeding ground for dangerous molds which will lead to a healthier living environment.

The Hidden Dangers of Ignoring Water Damage:

Water damage can lead to health effects, as excess moisture attracts rodents and insects, creating electrical hazards.

Leading the Charge:

In the constant battle of Water Mitigation and Water Damage Restoration, SERVPRO® is a leader in water cleanup and restoration. We have seen it all! If you need Water Mitigation and / or Water Damage Restoration, just remember, SERVPRO is faster to any size disaster™!

The ERP Program is built for you!

1/6/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO ERP logo

SERVPRO Provides This App for Instant Contact During Emergencies

It is estimated that 50 percent of businesses that suffer extensive fire & smoke or water damage never recover. Don't become part of this statistic. Insurance policies, whether from a natural disaster, employee mishap, structural or equipment failure, may cover the damage, but how about goodwill, customer service, and loss of revenue? Interruption insurance may fill in the gaps, but no policy helps you to be proactive and either avert or be prepared for a calamity.

This is where your local SERVPRO franchise can help. The Department of Homeland Security has designated September as "National Preparedness Month" (NPM), and we want to do our part. Not all commercial accidents can be prevented, so at least be prepared. Whenever a blazing fire causes fire damage or rising groundwater results in flooding, prompt arrival of your local first responders is a key to mitigating losses. We have developed a software program which is a mobile app called the SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile (ERP.) This no-cost program is offered to all Tarpon residential and commercial property owners. We proudly serve our local communities and invite you to click here to gather information about this great benefit.

Whenever an office, a big box store, small boutique, a fabricating plant or a rental apartment building are victimized by a catastrophe, a rapid response by the fire and police departments and the EMS can stem the gravity of the loss of property and life. Plan ahead and request a SERVPRO rep to visit your place of business and with you do a comprehensive assessment of your layout. This service we provide to companies that designate SERVPRO of Tarpon as their disaster mitigation and restoration provider. We can indicate all vital points to address for shutting down utilities, evacuating staff, and other emergency priorities. By inputting all contact information, even facility blueprints, into this mobile program, you and your assigned team members, can readily make those first urgent calls to expedite assistance. We will visit your place of business annually to update any information.

This ERP program makes sense, is flexible in its usage and benefits, and can even be synced to other business connections like your computers, tablets, and smartphones. In times of stress, this app will help alleviate pressure and panic and provide you with a fast means of contacting the first responders and SERVPRO of Tarpon to mitigate losses. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster and are just a mobile app phone call away at (727) 934-5555.

SERVPRO New Hire Expectations vs Reality

1/3/2023 (Permalink)

Chelsea poses with her dog Bauer

I’m Chelsea and I was recently hired as the Administrative Assistant at SERVPRO. Previously, I had no experience in this type of industry or emergency services. I knew it would occasionally be fast paced, but that’s the only expectations I had. Since I have been here 3 months, I’ve learned a lot and realized that there is something new to do every day, and every job is different. I’ve also gained appreciation for our technicians! To run or assist on a project in this industry requires talent, to not only know how we can help in almost any type of situation, but also to do the work.

  Since being here we have done not only water, fire, mold, biohazard, and cleaning jobs, but also assisted and completed work I never knew SERVPRO could help with. We have worked on cleaning and reconstruction in RV’s, houses damaged from lightning strikes, and even removing mold and odor from cars. There are things that truly make SERVPRO one of a kind and truly “Ready for Whatever Happens”.

Storm Season 2022

1/3/2023 (Permalink)

Technician standing next to a box truck while working on Hurricane Ian.

Here in Florida, we have had quite the storm season! When we saw Hurricane Ian was going to make a direct hit, our team jumped into action and was ready for whatever happened. We didn’t get directly hit here in the Tampa Bay Area, however, that didn’t stop us from helping our fellow Floridians. Shortly thereafter, Hurricane Nicole passed through the Sunshine Sate as well.

Here’s a breakdown of what storm season looked like for Team George:

• We responded to one of the sites most heavily impacted within 24 hours of landfall.
• We had over 10 commercial large loss jobs running at one time, including the Braves Training Facility, multiple Publix’s, and Sarasota Memorial Hospital, while also assisting local residents as well.
• Many of our Project Managers and technicians worked around the clock, most putting in 15-hour days.
• We are still actively working on jobs there, that’s 10 weeks and counting that our team has been putting effort into restoring the lives and homes of the people that need it most right now.

While our hearts are saddened that so many people’s lives have been affected by this, we are beyond grateful that so many people have trusted SERVPRO to help restore their community, and that we have the opportunity to help.

Water Damage? What you can expect when you call SERVPRO.

1/3/2023 (Permalink)

Loki, our snack manager, doing the final check of a loaded trailer.

One of the most common calls we get is for Water Restoration Services. It can be very stressful when there is water damage in your home, and you might not know what to expect, especially if this has never happened before.

Here’s what you can expect when you call:

• Our receptionist will take your information and try to help walk you through the process. Once we get all the required information from you, we will dispatch a team to respond to your home.
• When the technician arrives, they will be thorough and quite literally walk you through the process, explaining what they see, what they’re doing and why. Our technicians are experts in this industry and will be more than happy to answer any of your questions and guide you through the process.
• Once the equipment is placed, our technicians will continue to monitor and make sure affected areas are drying properly.
• We work with almost every insurance company in the country, if a claim is filed, the office staff will speak to your adjuster and work directly with your insurance to make the process as streamlined as possible.

We understand the process and want to help you understand it as well. Even though these situations can be overwhelming, we are here to help you.

When a storm strikes, SERVPRO is ready!

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO van parked in front of a home that has water damage.

SERVPRO of West Pasco specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained. We use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit New Port Richey, Trinity, Hudson and beyond, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of over 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today at 727-847-3000.

Has there been recent fire damage to your business?

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

Picture of the after math of a fire in a storage unit

Fire damage is especially devastating for a business or commercial property. In addition to the fire and smoke damage, significant water damage from firefighting efforts and fire suppression systems may occur. Every hour spent restoring your business back to pre-fire condition is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. If your business experiences a fire loss, call the fire and water damage restoration experts and we’ll respond immediately to get you back to business. 

• 24 Hour Emergency Service 
• Faster to Any Size Disaster 
• A Trusted Leader in the Fire and Water Restoration Industry with over 1,700 Franchises 
• Highly Trained Fire and Water Damage Restoration Specialists 

SERVPRO of West Pasco has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies Call Us Today (727) 847-3000.

Does your home have mold? We are trained do take care of it!

6/30/2021 (Permalink)

Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors. No one knows how many species of fungi exist, but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Molds grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores. Use the following tips to help prevent mold growth in your home.

1. Identify problem areas in your home and correct them. Preventing mold from growing or spreading might be as simple as ripping up carpet in a damp basement, installing mold-resistant products, or repairing damaged gutters.
2. Dry wet areas immediately. Mold can't grow without moisture, so tackle wet areas right away. 
3. Prevent moisture with proper ventilation. Make sure an activity as simple as cooking dinner, taking a shower, or doing a load of laundry doesn't invite mold by providing proper ventilation in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and any other high-moisture area. 
4. Equip your home with mold-resistant products. Building a new home or renovating an old one? Use mold-resistant products like mold-resistant drywall or mold-resistant Sheetrock, and mold inhibitors for paints. 
5. Monitor humidity indoors.The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent. You can measure humidity with a moisture meter purchased from your local hardware store. 
6. Direct water away from your home. If the ground around your home isn't sufficiently sloped away from the foundation, water may collect there and seep into your crawlspace or basement.
7. Clean or repair roof gutters. Have your roof gutters cleaned regularly and inspected for damage. Repair them as necessary and keep an eye out for water stains after storms that may indicate a leak.
8. Improve air flow in your home. Without good air flow in your home, that excess moisture may appear on your walls, windows and floors. To increase circulation, open doors between rooms, move furniture away from walls, and open doors to closets that may be colder than the rooms they’re in. Let fresh air in to reduce moisture and keep mold at bay.
9. Keep mold off household plants. They're beautiful and help keep your indoor air clean — and mold loves them. The moist soil in indoor plants is a perfect breeding ground for mold, which may then spread to other areas of your house. Instead of getting rid of your plants, try adding a bit of Taheebo tea to the water you give to your houseplants.

SERVPRO of West Pasco has the training, experience, and equipment to handle any mold issues you may find in your home. Call Us Today (727) 847-3000.  

https://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/how-to-prevent-mold-9-tips

Hurricane Season Right Around The Corner

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

Swaying palm trees, sandy beaches, hot sun… and hurricane season! It’s a simple fact, living near the Florida coast – and other people’s vacation hotspots like Hudson Beach and Trinity –means there is always a chance that a summer storm will come barreling through. And when it comes to hurricanes, preparation is everything!  

SERVPRO of West Pasco makes safety our top priority. We hope you do, too. So, we want to know, what is in your hurricane safety kit? 

Check out the list below for recommended items by Ready.gov to include in your basic emergency supply kit:

•  One gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days for drinking and sanitation
• At least a 3 supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food
• Local maps 

Beyond the basics, consider the following: cash in case credit cards or ATMs cannot be accessed, games and puzzles for kids to pass time, solar-powered cell phone chargers, extra infant formula and pet food, and family documents stored in a portable, waterproof container. 

As always, be safe, prepared and have SERVPRO of West Pasco's phone number on speed dial during this year's hurricane season.   

https://www.ready.gov/kit

Always test your smoke alarms!

6/19/2021 (Permalink)

Has your apartment or rental home owner ever given you a list to cross off and hand back to the property manager saying you have checked that everything worked and nothing is broken? Did you test out the smoke alarm to make sure it worked?

When smoke alarms are properly installed and maintained, they save lives. According to the National Fire Protection Association (https://www.nfpa.org/), residential smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and on every level, including the basement. In office and commercial environments, check your state requirements or contact your local fire marshal to help ensure all codes are met. Test smoke alarms monthly using the test button. Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries need the entire smoke alarm unit replaced every ten years. Other alarms need batteries replaced every year, and the unit replaced every ten years. If the alarm chirps signaling low battery, take the proper steps to replace the unit or the batteries immediately. Never disable or remove the battery from an alarm. Almost half of fires where smoke alarms were present but did not activate had missing or disconnected batteries. In larger commercial facilities, hard wired or wireless smoke alarms offer benefits such as not needing to be tested as often and activating throughout the entire building if smoke is detected in just one area. If you need help installing, testing or changing batteries in your smoke alarms, contact your local fire department, an electrician or the American Red Cross (https://www.redcross.org/).

Be sure your home or workplace has a fire emergency plan in place and conduct regular fire drills. For more information on emergency preparedness, contact SERVPRO of West Pasco at (727)847-3000.