Archived Why SERVPRO Blog Posts
Day in the Life of a Marketing Rep
4/7/2021 (Permalink)
Here is a day in the life of a Marketing Representative here at SERVPRO! I arrive at the office to begin my workday at 8 AM. I begin with logging into our work center and checking out whatever new jobs have come in overnight. Once I filter through those jobs, we begin our Work In Progress meeting and go over all the details of each of the clients losses. We discuss the damage, our plan, and how we can best serve each customer with their unique situation. Next, we discuss employee schedules for the day. I use this information for my schedule so I can meet other staff members to introduce myself to each customer. If I am not going out to see clients, I spend my time promoting our company to potential commercial clients. By creating a route for myself, I can visit multiple customers and potential clients in a day. I grab some marketing materials, sometimes some donuts for some of the commercial jobs that I know are closing that week as a “thank you”, and I am on my way. I spread awareness of SERVPRO, and I get the word out in the community that SERVPRO is a great company to choose when you are looking for cleanup or restoration needs. I love the company that I work for and I want every customer to love them as much as I do!
Entrepreneur Magazine 42nd Annual Franchise 500 Ranking
4/5/2021 (Permalink)
Entrepreneur Magazine 42nd Annual Franchise 500 Ranking:
SERVPRO ranked #1 in its category in 2021, rounding out the TOP TEN for the year. SERVPRO of West Pasco is proud to join the #1 brand in cleanup and restoration. This is SERVPRO's eighth time in the top 10. Last year, our growing company was 27th! This year's accomplishment rounds out a couple of big years of growth, and it helped catapult the company back into Entrepreneur's top 10.
SERVPRO of West Pasco is an emergency service, first respond company. We can handle any job, not matter the size.
As your local fire, water, cleanup, and restoration company, SERVPRO of West Pasco’s IICRC certified professionals will make it "Like it never even happened."
Thank you to all our past customers who have helped grow this fantastic company into what it is now, and we look forward to helping our future clients with whatever needs come forward!
Our Reviews Speak for Themselves!
4/2/2021 (Permalink)
Committed to Excellence
At SERVPRO of West Pasco, we work hard to ensure our customers are happy with the services we provide. Here are some customer testimonials from our website:
“We had black mold in our cabinets and the wall behind the cabinets. Steven came quickly and took complete care of everything. He made sure all the contractors were here on time and he had everything done so quickly. Shana took care of all the insurance forms and was always there when I had any questions Thank you very much I will always recommend SERVPRO of Wesley Chapel, West Pasco, and Hernando County.”
“We called SERVPRO on a Thursday late in the afternoon after the plumber we hired had had given us the bad news that we most likely would be ripping up all the tile in the bathroom and would need to dry the floors. I decided to call SERVPRO first to get an assessment of what damage was in the home and whether or not I should be calling my insurance company. Michelle was at my door Friday morning at 8:15 she was very helpful, very thorough in her investigation of the problem and has given me great advice on how to proceed from here. Michelle took the time to answer all my questions and left me with the knowledge to make the appropriate calls to move forward. . on top of that when she said call me questions, I believed her. In this world today finding a company that returns your phone calls, shows up on time, and has employees who care it's a rare find. So happy I called SERVPRO and you will be too.”
Call Us Today!
SERVPRO® of West Pasco cares about our customers. Our highly trained restoration technicians are on-call 24-hours a day to restore your property damage in New Port Richey, no matter how big the job is. Call us today at 727-847-3000.
A Blog From Our Water Damage Queen
3/10/2021 (Permalink)
COMRADERY IS NOT GONE!
The definition of Comradery is - a spirit of friendly good-fellowship. I have had the opportunity to work with several other SERVPROs where comradery has been deeply expressed and appreciated on both sides. From SERVPRO corporate to the local county and states, the assistance and overall advice has been enlightening. As we all know, the world of emergency services can be stressful. However, when you can call another SERVPRO and hear a friendly voice, that is when you know how far-reaching the SERVPRO “family” really is. For individuals that have never had the opportunity to speak with a comrade at another SERVPRO, I highly suggest you reach out for a quick introduction. It’s not scary at all! I still get excited when travelling back home to Maryland when I see a SERVPRO vehicle. I find myself prideful in the fact that I belong to an organization that gives a helping hand to each other.
It's Storm Season
3/10/2021 (Permalink)
It is STORM season, but not the storm that us Floridians are use to involving hurricanes and tornadoes and their paths of destruction. This time it was the cold weather that caused us to go into storm mode. This year’s winter cold fronts affected Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and other southern locations with major freezes. With these major freezes came a lot of damage to large commercial buildings as well as residential homes due to pipes freezing over and bursting. This cause not only wet material but flooded basements as well. We sent a team to Kansas City to help out with the storm and for most of them being Florida Natives, being in the negatives and seeing snow was a new experience in and of itself. With almost 25 jobs in KS and most of them being large commercial buildings we considered making the trip out there well worth it and for some of our technicians, the experience was life changing.
Oh No! You Have Mold!
3/4/2021 (Permalink)
Microbial Growth on the wall of this Port Richey office.
Do’s and Don’ts of Mold
Discovering Mold in your home or business can be intimidating. Luckily SERVPRO of West Pasco technicians are trained and certified to help. Microbial growth can be tricky. What most people don’t realize is that it IS a living, breathing organism. This means that not only can it grow and expand throughout the entire property, it also has defense mechanisms to protect it. Below we will go over some Do’s and Don’ts when you find growth in your home or business.
DON’T
- Spray anything directly on the growth
Like we discussed, mold is living and it will attack. When a solution is sprayed onto any growth, it immediately shoots its spoors out in defense. This is something you obviously can’t see with your naked eye but if it is sending spoors in other directions and you’re only focused on cleaning what you visually see, it will begin to grow in the new areas.
DO
- Use a solution and clean rag or sponge
If you would like to attempt to clean up a small amount of visual growth before you give us a call, we can offer some advice. Hot water and dawn dish soap or bleach can work wonders, but the way you use it is what is most important. Soak and rag or sponge in the hot water solution and simply wipe the mold away. This catches growth off guard and allows you to safely remediate the issue.
DON’T
If you happen to discover what looks like possible mold, its important that you do not disturb it. This goes with our last tip that we discussed. The second that mold is disturbed, it starts to spread at a higher rate of speed. If you’re in the middle of a remodel, or maybe you have a second home you’ve returned to and discovered possible mold growth it’s extremely important that you do not touch it. Obviously a small amount of mold in the shower is normal, but anything over 10 sq feet needs a licensed Hygienist to write a proper protocol on the steps that need to be taken to remediate it properly.
DO
Obviously, we suggest you call us here at SERVPRO of West Pasco immediately if growth is discovered in your home or business but in the mean time covering the affected area is the safest thing to do. If its in a small room, we suggest closing any air vents and shutting that room off to the rest of the building. If its in a small area of a larger room, taping it off with plastic sheeting can do the trick! This will help contain -the area until remediation can begin!
-Of course, we always recommend you give us a call at 727-847-3000 for any remediation project or with questions! We are happy to help make it “Like it never even happened.”
Day 14: The Day I Considered Corona's Impact on N-95 Couture
4/21/2020 (Permalink)
In the restoration and remediation industry, we have been wearing N-95 particulate respirators for years and systematically include them in our regular supplies. The masks have always been slightly uncomfortable, hot and not flattering. Over the years, I have seen people wear them upside down, with one strap around their head instead of two, and on their forehead because it was too hot and what’s a few mold spores going do to me anyway. Hard to argue with that logic, I mean how much harm could a few microscopic particulates do to a person. This is where I insert the hand hitting the forehead emoji. I see people in their cars with windows rolled up, air conditioning cranking, radio jamming and a mask around their face. I wonder if they know something I don’t. I am excited though, maybe COVID-19 will do to the respirator industry what Uber did to the taxi-cab industry. The bland hospital white look that screams, ‘there must something wrong with that guy,’ could be replaced with something much cooler. I am not creative enough to know what that is, but I know the bar is so low it would be hard to be disappointed with any attempt. Get Nike or Yeti or someone like that involved and we have a chance for something better, I think. Anyway, in the meantime, I will keep doing my part and wearing my N-95 in public like it is Halloween. In case you see me driving around with it on, roll down the window and wave. Just know that I want to talk to you, it is not personal but it hurts my jaw too much with it on. I wonder if they make children’s sizes for the house.
Day 10: The Day
4/16/2020 (Permalink)
Day 10 I can verify that, despite COVID-19, every company’s A/R (accounts receivable) department is up running smoothly right now. The invoices are printed almost ahead of schedule, then mailed, emailed, faxed and texted to you. On the other hand, the A/P (accounts payable) departments appear to be having major technical difficulties – does COVID-19 affect the ability to print checks to pay bills? (Really guys, I saw it on the Internet – the virus can smear ink! JUST JOKING) Trying to get ahold of anyone in an accounts payable department at a mortgage company, for example, is like changing a diaper. You are kind of used to the process and do not think it will be that bad, only to realize this next experience is worse than you could imagine, makes you wonder how it was even possible to reach this level and you think about your life choices for a second. Once you do get through to someone, chances are they are just taking messages. This person always makes me feel confident the message is taken accurately and sent with urgency to the exact person I was seeking. So, for now, we will keep sending emails and leaving messages. On the bright side, the Bucs signed Tom Brady. Life is good. -Jeremy George
Day 6: The Day Amanda Was Asked To Maintain Her Professionalism
4/6/2020 (Permalink)
Day 6, 4:47 p.m. (Today we turn the blog over to Amanda, who has anchored the office team at SERVPRO of West Pasco for 24 years) Thursday 3/26 was my first day working from home. I was so excited! I was all set up at my dining room table. The day was very busy and I worked longer than my normal shift. I was on a roll. I was unstoppable! I thought to myself: “Wow. This is great. No interruptions / very quiet / when this is all said and done I might ask my superiors if I can work from home 2-3 days a week.” Friday morning – I get up excited! Ready to rock and roll – again. Ughy. Some technical issues. Going from 2 large computer screens down to 1 very small notebook screen is challenging. I’m scrolling all over the place. Where the heck is my QBO page? OMG – did I really just close out of Work Centers for the 4th time in the last half hour? How the heck do I get back to the server?? Oh geeze – calls and texts are coming in. People need my assistance. I have to focus.1:00 pm on Friday – I am now doing laps around my living room – waving my arms and getting loud. Frustration of all the changes and unknown are setting in. Okay. I’m getting louder. I may have let a profanity or 2 slip out. During my semi-moderate “freak-out” – my 17-year-old daughter enters the room and states: “Mother, please, try to remember that you are at work and try to maintain your professionalism!”
Day 5: The Day the April Fool's Joke Wasn't Funny
4/1/2020 (Permalink)
The dispatcher is isolated in her office at SERVPRO of West Pasco.
It might be hyperbole but in this moment, it feels like I will not communicate with co-workers like usual, ever again. Ever. In my industry, like many others, communication is critical. Today, I felt like I was screaming at Lisa (the SERVPRO dispatcher and, during COVID-19, the only other human physically in our office) as I tried to communicate through her office door. I needed to hand her critical paperwork, but had to ask if she felt comfortable if I could open the door to hand it over -- a weird position for both of us. I felt like the “close talker” from Seinfeld even though I was 6 feet away. I probably should have just texted her first.
My preference is verbal communication. I find emails and text messages easily misunderstood, especially if you do not know the other person well and cannot hear their voice or understand their tone and manner. I always think it's humorous when clients will not answer the phone and do not want to meet in person but when you text them, they text right back. This goes on for 10-15 minutes and when the point is finally made, I always think, "Why didn’t you just answer the phone we could have done this in two minutes?"
Anyway, for now, I will be texting, Zooming, Microsoft Teaming, Google Doc-ing and FaceTiming with the person in the room next to me. I guess I better get used to it because it appears this is how it's going to be for awhile. As a bright spot, for about $50 on Amazon I can get a decent bullhorn.
Day 2: The Day the Fleet Parking Lot Was Full
3/27/2020 (Permalink)
Yesterday the employee lot had only one car in it; today the fleet parking lot is full.
The COVID-19 outbreak has created unprecedented circumstances for our businesses, families, and communities. Jeremy George, owner-operator of SERVPRO of West Pasco, Wesley Chapel and Hernando County, is documenting his experience as a small business owner in this daily blog.
Day 2, 6:35 p.m.
Everyone is up and running from home, but I cannot help myself, I am at the office. Allegedly I can do everything from home, but I cannot feel the pulse of the business from afar. Perhaps it’s just me. I’m a routine guy; my wife pointed out this morning that I was dressed in my business attire but I could have worn flip flops for Zoom. (Maybe another bright side.) My comfort level has been pushed past limits and I’ve realized that the more sunsets I see, the more I prefer my routine.
As we try to maintain limited business operation while honoring social distancing, every expense is being monitored; six box trucks are sitting idle at 11am. On the bright side, our vehicles and warehouse have never been so clean.
I am also confused; I can only order my food in the drive-through at Panera Bread but I can walk into Home Goods and buy a rug for the living room. I know, the rug really ties the room together – dude. Might even save a marriage during quarantining so I guess I can see how it is an essential service.
Me, however - I’m also doing my essentials and I’ll be the only guy to show up in uniform at the office on Monday.
-Jeremy George
February MVPs
3/10/2020 (Permalink)
At SERVPRO of West Pasco we know how great our team is but getting confirmation like this makes our hearts happy! For the month of February we have two MVPs, Jeremiah and Dan L! Check out this review we received from someone in our local community that came across our “SERVPRO Angels.”
"On February 18th .. 2 SERVPRO angels appeared. My car stopped ....totally ...on highway 19 and Floramar. A very fast and high traffic area. No flashers, couldn’t get it into neutral ..nothing. Not a spark. It just stopped. Pretty scary! 2 SERVPRO angels saw me .... nervous and shaking as the cars either sped past me or yelled at me. They crossed the highway and came to my rescue. Dan managed to get it in neutral by some magic trick, while Jeremiah comforted me and tried to keep me calm in the middle of a very dangerous highway. They managed to push me across the street (3 lanes of traffic) into a parking lot of Advanced Auto Parts. Jeremiah opened up the hood ....went in and got a spray and brush and cleaned off a very corroded battery. They got it started ....wouldn’t accept any money gave me hugs and a phone number to call when I made it home and even offered to take time on their lunch hour to follow me. What kindness! If this company hires these kind of men you should use them. They went way beyond to help, at great personal danger to themselves. Have you traveled 19? Ugh! A HUGE Thank you to Dan and Jeremiah and a message to their boss...... you are lucky to have these guys as employees. In fact you should give them both a raise. Big points in heaven for both of them. 5 stars!"
January MVP
2/21/2020 (Permalink)
The team at SERVPRO of West Pasco is bar none. For years, we’ve honored one team member each month, presenting them with a small token of appreciation and a large amount of gushing and gratitude. Until now, the executive team selected the Employee of the Month; but we’re turning it back on the team now and looking to colleagues to nominate each other for a specific action that demonstrates our company’s Mission, Vision, and Purpose.
For our inaugural MVP award, we received dozens of inspiring notes about the good work of our team, but one stood out. While driving home after a long day in the office, Shanna R., our Project Coordinator for our West Pasco division, saw one of our technicians on the side of the road in distress. He had just gotten into a car accident and was waiting for police to arrive. Being that he is only 19 and his family is states away, Shanna went out of her way to sit with him and help him through the process for over two hours, not arriving home to her own family until late that night. This completely selfless and caring act is exactly what we look for in an MVP. We’re more than just a team at SERVPRO of West Pasco; we’re a family and Shanna’s act was a prime example!
December Employee of the Month
2/12/2020 (Permalink)
Our hearts are full as we honor our employee of the month for December 2019. As the year came to a close and we looked back on 2019’s highs and lows, this decision was easy. Time and time again, facing personal challenges many can only imagine, this person showed courage, strength and resolve, and a caliber of integrity that inspired the whole team. April P. has been with the company for the last two years as the Project Coordinator for Hernando County, and in that time she has become an important part of the SERVPRO family.
In August 2019, April was diagnosed with breast cancer. When she received the diagnosis, she was determined to make a full recovery will maintaining her full-time work schedule. She was a warrior throughout four chemotherapy sessions, leaning on colleagues and friends for support and keeping a positive attitude throughout it all. Although her journey is not complete, she continues to push forward, maintaining her regular schedule and being a resource to the SERVPRO team and client, and she plans to continue this as she begins additional treatments in the coming months. Just as April has supported our team, we are proud to continue to support her. Thank you, April, for your courage and dedication and for being an example to us all.
November Employee of the Month
1/7/2020 (Permalink)
In-House Construction Manager Sheldon Borris
Congratulations to Sheldon Borris, recognized at our December meeting for his outstanding work during the previous month. Always smiling and exuding the island vibe, Sheldon is a core member of the SERVPRO of West Pasco team and a leader in many ways. Sheldon joined our team three years ago, transferring from a New Jersey operation for a total of seven years within the SERVPRO system. He is a skilled carpenter with more than 27 years spent in the field and now manages the In-House Construction team. While his construction skills are exceptional, his professionalism is bolstered by his patience, attention to detail and kindness and he is a favorite among clients as well as his colleagues. He is not only a member of our management team, but also a trusted mentor who newer employees turn to for advice and guidance.
This honor is for his work in November, but really, Sheldon is consistently a top performer and a leader at our company. Thank you, Sheldon, for all you bring to the team at SERVPRO of West Pasco.
Meet our Owner/ Operator
12/17/2019 (Permalink)
Jeremy George - Owner/ Operator
NAME: Jeremy George
POSITION: Owner-Operator
YEARS IN FIELD: 27
- How did you get started with SERVPRO?
I responded to my first water damage when I was 13. My parents, Laurie and Andy, joined the SERVPRO franchise community in 1992, and for the first few years, ran the operation from our home and our family were the primary employees. After graduating from the University of Central Florida, I spent a few years in Dallas before coming home to work full-time in the business and help my parents transition toward retirement.
- What do you feel has been your greatest reward in this line of work?
I love what we do because we help people, plain and simple. But as I’ve grown into my role as owner, the greatest reward for me has been seeing our team come together and grow and develop as professionals, and people. We work hard to promote from within, and watching a team member hone in their interests, skills and goals to begin a meaningful career path that benefits them professionally as well as personally, is extremely rewarding. Working with great people, and watching how SERVPRO can help them reach their own goals, is the best part of my job.
- Does your SERVPRO franchise give back to your community? How?
We do, and it’s easy because our community gives so much to us. This month we sponsored the Festival of Trees, a Christmas tree auction benefitting the Good Samaritan Clinic – one of West Pasco’s most poignant nonprofit operations, providing healthcare on a sliding pay scale to underserved populations. We are also , once again, a proud sponsor of the Celebration of Lights, a seasonal effort launched by my dear friend the late Dave Parris to benefit various charities in West Pasco. If you drive by this weekend you can see the SERVPRO of West Pasco animated light, where an elf is cheerily operating an extractor to remove water from a melting snowman. We also give of our time, with me personally serving on the board of the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, and also as an active member of the New Port Richey Rotary Club.
End of the Year Celebration
12/10/2019 (Permalink)
The SERVPRO of West Pasco team celebrated together at the Gulf Harbors Yacht Club of New Port Richey.
2019, what a year! There are so many accomplishments that we can celebrate, both individually and as a SERVPRO family. What better way to celebrate than together? We laughed, we cried, and we ate a mashed potato bar!
Each year we recognize teammates for exceptional service in three areas, presenting three awards: the Client Service and Care award, the Quantum Leap Award for outstanding professional development, and the Employee of the Year. We were proud to honor the following three teammates:
Samantha A. was honored for exceptional client care and service in her position as Marketing Support Coordinator. Over a year and a half, Samantha has been promoted from dispatcher to a key role within the marketing department, and her focus is ensuring clients receive exceptional care.
Thomas K., was celebrated for outstanding professional development with the Quantum Leap Award. Thomas joined the team as a technician this year and has jumped full force into the industry, receiving IICRC certifications and always demonstrating a can-do attitude.
Leah P. was honored as our Employee of the Year for her steadfast and thoughtful commitment to our company and mission. Known around here at the Water Queen, she goes out of her way to be the calming voice when someone has a water damage in their home and walks them through every step of the way. Her calm nature and clever wit are a bonus!
These three, along with the rest of our amazing team have helped make a difference with not only our company but our community while helping our customers in need. We were lucky enough to expand our company this year promote from within and invest in new equipment – lots to celebrate. We can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store for SERVPRO of West Pasco!
Washing Machine Leaks in your Holiday Home
11/13/2018 (Permalink)
Although washing machines tend to make our everyday lives easier, they are one of the leading causes of water damages in homes. A leak in the line or even a simple overflow can cause extensive and expensive damages.
Recently we had a customer whose washing machine leaked and causing flooding in their laundry room, running down into their crawlspace and went through the wall affecting their garage. Many may not understand water’s ability to spread as quickly and as far as it can. We here at SERVPRO of West Pasco have been helping customers when water causes damages in their work or home for over 25 years.
We are ready 24/7, 365 to assist and help to make it “Like it never even happened.” As part of your team, we will work hand in hand with your insurance company, simplifying the claims process, making your water damage as stress free as possible. If water damage should occur call us at (727) 847-3000.
SERVPRO and the Holidays
11/7/2018 (Permalink)
With the holiday season looming around the corner, the amount of house fires begin to increase. This is often due to cooking, space heaters, fireplaces/wood stoves, and decorations such as candles. These different factors play a huge part in the spike in house fires around the holidays. It is very important to take many precautions in order to prevent house fires. A few are as follows:
- Do not cook when you have been drinking or are very tired
- Plug space heaters directly into outlets and not into extension cords or power strips
- Have your fireplace/wood stove inspected every year and cleaned when needed
- Do not sleep with lit candles or put candles on your Christmas tree
Even though homeowners take many precautions, accidents do still happen. When disaster strikes, have a company on speed dial that you can trust. SERVPRO of West Pasco has highly trained technicians with the skills and equipment needed to be there in your time of need. We deal with many house fires around the holidays and have experience in all different circumstances and parts of the restoration process.
Have Questions? Call Us Today – (727) 847-3000.
It's Halloween Time!
11/1/2018 (Permalink)
What do you get when Frankenstein, a sugar skull and a dragon walk into your office?
Our staff works diligently year-round, making fire and water damages “Like they never even happened” and there’s no better way to celebrate Halloween than with another year of fun and face painting at the SERVPRO of West Pasco office.
Owner/Operators, Jeremy and Nora, make it their mission to create a family friendly work environment and Halloween time is no exception. Hiring a professional face painter (him even meeting our staff at 7 a.m. to make sure client schedules were not disturbed) to make all our Halloween costume ideas come to life.
Customers of all ages enjoyed seeing technicians painted up as their favorite superhero, villain, and even a "mombie" came to visit. A fun time was had by all and there has even been discussions on how to top this year’s festivities.
Advantages for hiring SERVPRO of West Pasco for Mold Remediation
10/24/2018 (Permalink)
Get Rid of Mold with SERVPRO of West Pasco:
After water or flood damage, your house might experience some mold infestation. Mold can form spores in a very moist environment. The spores are microscopic and can float in the air and travel around from places to places without anyone noticing it. If mold damage is left unmanaged, it can lead to some health issues.
Mold damage in Trinity can be a real problem for homeowners. People often think that they can clean out the excess water or put soap and water on a towel and wipe the mold away from the floor or the walls. Unfortunately, these mold spores are microscopic, so they often go unnoticeable. This issue is why eradicating mold spores requires a specialist and advanced technology. It can be exhausting and expensive to learn all the information and to obtain the equipment on your own.
SERVPRO has highly trained technician who is experts in mold remediation. They can promptly get to your residential area and inspect it for any signs of mold. Because mold feeds on cellulose and can hide from plain sight, experts often use various technologies to detect mold spores and water sources. They may use negative air chamber to isolate contaminated sites with negative air and physical barriers. The negative pressure can prevent the mold from spreading during the cleaning process. During this process, all heating, cooling, and fans must be turned off to prevent the spread of spores.
SERVPRO techs can use sophisticated equipment such as air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to capture microscopic spores from the air. This process can prevent the mold spore from spreading throughout the remediation process. The technicians can also use antifungal and anti-microbial treatment to get rid of mold colonies and prevent new ones from forming. They can even get rid of carpeting and drywall that is severely infested by mold. The technicians can thoroughly clean your furniture, curtains, clothes, and other items that were contaminated. They can utilize special techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings.
If you want to save your property from mold damage, then call SERVPRO of West Pasco at (727) 847-3000. for a consultation with our skilled technicians.
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