Water Damage and Carpets: What You Need to Know

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

If you have gone through a water loss, you likely know how quickly the water spreads throughout the home. Often times, you may not discover a water loss until you walk across your soaked carpet. Don’t stress, however, and certainly do not start pulling up your carpets! Sometimes the carpet can be salvaged if you involve SERVPRO® of Columbia County early on in the process.

The Questions to Ask

1. How long has the water damage been present?
   • If the water has not been cleaned within the first 48-72 hours of the loss occurring, there is a chance of microbial growth occurring. This means that most of the carpet will need to be removed and replaced for health and safety purposes. Generally, the rule of thumb is to replace the carpet if it has been exposed to water for more than two days.
2. How much water was the carpet exposed to?
   • If there are just a few wet spots from water damage, that can be easily dried without replacing the carpet. However, if the carpet is completely soddened with water, there is a chance it has soaked through to the padding, which can lead to damage sub-floor. It would be best to consult with SERVPRO® on the actions we would recommend taking.

Calling SERVPRO® of Columbia County immediately after discovering water damage will give you the best chance at salvaging your carpets. Regardless of the size and scope of the damage, we will get your home back to preloss condition as quickly as possible. Contact us at 706-868-5441, we are “Here to help.®”

Thunderstorm Hazards

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Around the world approximately 16 million thunderstorms occur each year, 100,000 of which occur within the United States.  About 10% of those 100,000 storms are considered to be severe. A severe thunderstorm, as defined by the National Weather Service, is when the winds during the thunderstorm reach 58 mph or greater, possibly accompanied with ¾ inch hail, and even tornadoes. Typically, there are only a few ingredients to form a thunderstorm: moisture, especially in the lower levels, unstable air, cold air over warm air, and a source of lift such as a cold front, sea breeze, or low-level overflow boundary from a cluster of smaller thunderstorms. Lightning occurs in all thunderstorms and is very dangerous. The rising and descending air within a thunderstorm that separates positive and negative charges is what cases the lightning.

What Kind of Damage Can a Thunderstorm Can Cause?

Thunderstorms carry an array of difficulties, bring with them several types of dangerous weather events. Rainfall that is associated with thunderstorms can cause flooding, tornadoes, and of course lightning. Lightning can easily cause fires to homes if contact with certain materials is made. Additionally, hail is also a possibility and can cause damage to roofs, glass, vehicles, and even livestock. Wind damage is also a threat during thunderstorms, it can rip up powerlines and trees, and damage the exterior of a home. Damage to your property can culminate in wind, fire, and water damage, all of which need to be addressed as soon as it is safe.

How to be Prepared

You can prepare you home for a thunderstorm by removing loose branches and regularly clearing rain gutters. Make copies of personal property records and of important documents to store offsite. Above all, stay informed! The National Weather Service issues watches and warning of potential thunderstorm. Ensure that your family has an emergency plan and emergency kits with water and non-perishable foods, along with other essentials like chargers, batteries medications, comfortable shows, and even pet supplies.

SERVPRO® of Columbia County can help mitigate the damages that occur during a thunderstorm. Whether it be wind, water, or even fire damage, we can handle it all – give us a call at (706) 868-5441, where trained professionals are “Here to help. ®”

The Aftermath of Fire Damages

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO® of Columbia County for any fire restoration needs!

What is Black Soot?

Soot is made up of fine black particles of incomplete combustion. It occurs when something in the home does not completely burn during a fire, whether it’s from fuel, coal, or combustible items around the house, such as plastics, metal, and paper. Soot is mostly made up of carbon but contain low levels of tar, acids, dust, or carcinogens.

Soot vs. Ash

When a fire occurs, there are two types of particles that can normally be found in the homes. Ash is the white or gray powder that is visibly made up of large particles. They are dry, powdery, and papery. It is made up of mostly carbon and other compounds that did not completely burn, much like soot.

Where Does Soot Come from and How Does it Get Everywhere?

Soot occurs during any fire, but it is most prevalent when wood, coal, oil, or plastics burn. Air drafts caused by flames allow the fine particles to float away before they can finish burning, resulting in soot.  Due to that, soot can easily spread throughout the home, even further than the fire damage.

Other Common Causes of Soot

While soot mostly occurs because of fires, there are other causes. Over time, and under the right conditions, you may find soot build up for the following reasons:

• Cooking food
• Burning wood in a fireplace
• Burning candles
• Melting or burning plastics
• Appliance malfunctions
• Furnace malfunctions

Leave soot clean up to the professionals at SERVPRO® of Columbia County! Our trained technicians can make soot damage “Like it never even happened.” For more information, contact us at (706) 868-5441.

The Long-Term Effects of Water Damage

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO® Technician removes damaged flooring, revealing the subfloor and saturated subfloor.

The Usual Suspects of Water Damage

Water damage has several opportunities to occur within your home. The most common causes of water damage are from broken fixtures and appliances. Leaks from dishwashers and washing machines are often the source to major water damage, and it could be sometime before a homeowner may recognize that there is an ongoing leak. Unfortunately, there is always a danger of damage to a home as long as there are pipes and appliances that use water.

What Water Damage Can do to Your Home

When a flood does occur, it can harm the home’s fixtures and cause long-term damage. Pooled water can seep into the carpets and flooring, ruin your furniture, soak into drywall and insulation, and even cause mold to grow, especially if it is stagnant. Even if the water is believed to have been cleaned up, there is still a chance that the materials are damp. That is why it is important to have the areas affected removed and properly mitigated. Not removing affected or waterlogged items could lead to microbial growth. Additionally, if left to fester, odor can develop and permeate throughout the entire home.

How SERVPRO® Can Solve Your Problems

SERVPRO® of Columbia County is prepared to access the damage, perform water extraction, make necessary demolition as well as removal of affected materials, and place professional drying equipment. Our Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician (UFT) utilize the best stain removal strategies, including spot cleaning when the affected items such as carpets, rugs, drapes, and upholstery furniture are still wet. However, the longer these items are left to absorb the water, the more difficult it becomes to restore.

Another issue with extenuating water damage is the development of pungent odors. The odor can develop with a clean water loss or otherwise, if the water is left to stagnate for long. In addition to extraction, our trained SERVPRO® technicians can use dehumidification to remove any traces of excess moisture that is causing these bad odors. A technician may also use air scrubbers to extract the contaminated air. If the odor persists, we can apply a chemical process for its elimination.

Have you experienced what you believe to be long-term effects of water damage? SERVPRO® of Columbia County is, “Here to help®” no matter the crisis. Contact us at 706-868-5441 for more information and advice on how to move forward.

How to Be Prepared for a House Fire

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

Fires in the United States

In the United States, there is an estimated 358,500 house fires occurring every year. About 50% of these fires occur in the kitchen, 7% begin in the bedroom, and 6% are caused by chimneys, 4% start in the living room, and 3% occur in the laundry room. Most fires that happen in the kitchen are from cooking, either from grease or from leaving a dish unaccompanied for too long.  Other common causes are from heating equipment, faulty electrical distribution and lighting equipment, and smoking materials such as a cigarette. 

Follow These Steps

1. Ensure that the correct number of smoke alarms are installed and regularly checked.
2. Teach your children what a smoke alarm sounds like and what they should do if they hear one.
3. Make sure all household members know at least TWO ways to escape from every room in your home and where the meeting spot is outside of the home.
4. Create a household emergency communication plan and confirm that all members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.
5. Practice the escape plan twice a year, which would include pressing the smoke alarm test button and yelling “Fire” to alert everyone.
6. Teach every household member to STOP, DROP, and ROLL if their clothing catches on fire.
7. Check and ensure that everyone knows how to call 9-1-1 and that they know the address in case there is an emergency.
8. Have a running log or inventory of the items you own, with photo or video documentation.

Safeguard Your Home

• Every level of your home needs to have smoke alarms, outside of every sleeping area.
• A carbon monoxide alarm in a central location, outside each sleeping area.
• Ensure that your house number is visible and readable from the street, especially at night.
• Make sure that the heating sources in your home are clean and properly functioning. This includes furnaces or stoves, chimneys with creosote buildup, or cracked or rusted furnace parts.
• Check electrical wiring of your home and avoid overloading outlets.
• Only use kerosene heaters if permitted by law and always refuel them outside, after they have cooled.
• Only purchase appliances and electrical devices that have the label of an independent testing laboratory.
• Always store combustible materials in open areas and away from heat sources, placing rags used to apply flammable household chemicals in metal containers with tight-fitting lids.

Have you experienced a house fire? SERVPRO® of Columbia is ready and available to make fire damage "Like it never even happened.®” Call our office at 706-868-5441 to schedule a consultation today.

SERVPRO® is Here for You During the Easter Holiday

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

A Colorful Holiday

Easter is the Christian holiday that celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus. The holiday always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon, which is known as the spring equinox. This year the holiday occurred on April 17^th. Over the last 200 year, the holiday has continued to evolve.

What is the Importance of the Eggs?

Like Christmas, Easter has accumulated several traditions, some of which have little to do with the Christian celebration of the Resurrection but derive from folk customs. The use of pained and decorated Easter eggs was first recorded in the 13^th century. At that time, the church prohibited the act of eating eggs during the Holy Week, and yet chickens continued to lay eggs. That is when the notion of labeling and decorating those eggs first began; thus, the egg itself became the symbol of the Resurrection. Just as Jesus rose from the tomb, the egg symbolizes new life emerging from the eggshell. According to Orthodox tradition, eggs are painted red to symbolize the blood of Jesus on the cross.

Why are There Easter Egg Hunts?

In the United States, Easter egg hunting is tremendously popular. Kids love searching high and low for the bright, color plastic eggs filled with chocolate. First lady Lucy Hayes, the wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes, is commonly credited with sponsoring the first annual Easter egg roll on the White House lawn in 1878, though the event was ultimately moved to the U.S. Capitol Building, to the dismay of congress. However, this is certainly not the first occurrence of Easter egg hunting. In 16^th-century Germany, Martin Luther held hunts at the church for his congregation. The participants were women and children, while men were tasked with hiding the eggs around the property. This practice was symbolic of the women who discovered that the tomb was empty after the resurrection.

SERVPRO® of Columbia County is prepared to help 24/7/365 in the event of any type of emergency. Contact us at 706-868-5441 for professional help in your time of need! Keep your family safe during the holidays!

Mold Can Happen Anywhere – Even in Businesses!

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

Can Mold Happen at an Office? 

Mold in commercial properties is much more common than the average person realizes. It may be challenging to detect, quite difficult to remove, and if left alone, could cost a pretty penny to repair. Fortunately, if you are properly educated, it is simple and inexpensive to avoid!

Common Causes of Mold in Commercial Properties

Often, the presence of mold occurs unexpectedly and can appear anywhere, without discrimination. The most prevalent cause is due to unregulated moisture likely stemming from faulty plumbing or even a leaking roof. Any damp areas within the building are prone to attract mold, as the moisture is digestible and enables the pesky growth to expand, indiscriminately causing damage to the property. Mold is particularly fond of attaching itself to organic, porous objects such as upholstery, paper, and wood. Additionally, mold spores could possibly enter from the outside via air vents and HVAC systems. Fortunately, there are easy ways to prevent any type of mold from forming at your place of business.

Best Practices to Prevent Mold in Buildings

While mold can be a major frustration to deal with, and not a situation you want to be in, there are steps you can take to prevent growth from forming—easy ones! 

1. Repair any leaks: It is essential that any leaks are addressed as they are found. Doing so will eliminate the risk of further water damage. Roof damage, clogs, and faulty plumbing are often the culprits behind the leaks.
2. Timely repair of water damage: If there is any flooding or pooling of excessive water, it is important that the area is properly dried as the stagnant water could soak into floors, furniture, and walls. If left alone, those areas could become prime breeding grounds for microbial growth. Speed is crucial here because mold colonies can start developing within 24-48 hours after the initial water damage.
3. Invest in a dehumidifier: The humidity level of a facility should be regulated and ideally kept below 50%. This could be a difficult task manage, but an industrial dehumidifier will certainly help with that. Having a dehumidifier will aid in any instances where there is excessive moisture as well.
4. Proper ventilation throughout the property: Keep the air vents and air filters clean and well maintained. Regular maintenance will ensure that even the most enclosed areas on the property are properly ventilated and dry.

When dealing with mold, prevention is key! However, if you do find yourself faced with some troublesome fungi, SERVPRO® of Columbia County is “Here to help. ®” Our experienced team of professionals are available to help you get rid of any mold infestation and excess moisture that your building may have.

April Showers Bring in the Flood Season

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

It’s Part of Nature!

Around the world, large rivers experience flooding as part of their life cycle, and the people who live along these rivers have grown to expect flooding every year. Despite this fact, floods can happen in any part of the country and sometimes occur with very little warning.  April to September is often known as “flash flood season”, with much of the rainfall occurring between April to June, and August to September. Floods can result from rapid melting of winter snows, severe thunderstorms, tropical storms, and other precipitation events.  

Flooding in Augusta

Most of the flooding that occurs in Augusta is caused by heavy rains. Augusta’s drainage systems, drainage channels, streams, tributaries, and creeks may exceed their capacity during times when there is heavy or prolonged rainfall, thus resulting in a flood. October 12, 1990, marks the worst flooding experience in the area. In total there was a culmination of 15 inches of rain during the 100-year storm event, causing millions of dollars’ worth of property damage. The areas that experienced the heaviest flooding were in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), commonly known as “floodplains”. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have published Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) which show flood hazard areas, along with the degree of risk in those areas. For more information, be sure to check with the Augusta Planning & Development Department to see if your home is in a SFHA zone. The department hosts regular meetings at 3:00pm the first Monday of every month.

Additionally, the Emergency Management Agency of Augusta regularly monitors the National Weather Service’s advisory bulletins and storm tracking services. The agency advises the Mayor and Administrators of evacuation plans during floods. To keep up with up-to-date weather information, residents can tune in to local network television and radio stations.

Flood Safety

It is very important to learn the safest route from your home or business in the event of a flooding. The best thing to do is to move to higher, safer ground if you have to leave in a hurry and stay tuned in to your local news for reports of changing flood conditions in your area. The best practice is to have a safety plan in your home that has more than one route to get to safety, and to talk with your family what you will do to stay safe. Below are even more tips for keeping safe during a flash flood:

• Keep a portable radio, flashlights, and emergency cooking equipment, along with extra batteries on hand
• If emergency officials tell you to evacuate or leave your home – go immediately to a safe place.
• Never walk-through flowing water!
• Do not allow anyone to play in or near a flooded or fast-moving stream.
• If you come across an area covered with water, remember “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”.
• If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible as floodwaters can rise rapidly and sweep a car (and its occupants) away.
• If you are caught in your home by rising waters, move up to the second floor or even to the roof if necessary. Be sure to bring warm clothing, a flashlight, and portable radio. Do not try to swim to safety! Wait for help, rescue teams will be looking for you!
• Bring in all pets and make sure you have the appropriate supplies for them.
• Only if time permits:
  • Turn off all utilities at the main switch and close the main gas valve
  • Do not touch electrical equipment unless it is in a dry area and you are standing on a piece of dry wood while wearing rubber shoes and gloves. Every source of electricity can be dangerous during and after flooding.
  • Fill bathtubs, sinks, and jugs with clean water in case supplies are contaminated.
  • Board up windows
  • Move valuable and paperwork (especially insurance policies and a list of valuable) to higher elevation.
  • Bring in outdoor possessions or tie them down securely
• After the flood:
  • Always check for structural damage before entering the building.
  • Be alert for gas leaks! Use a flashlight to inspect damage, never an open flame. If a gas leak is found, report it to the appropriate utility provider.
  • Never touch power lines and electrical wires! Report any downed power lines to the appropriate electric provider. Furthermore, do not turn on any lights or appliances until an electrician has checked the system for short circuits.

Water Damage Caused to Your Home Due to an Unforeseen Flooding? Call SERVPRO® of Columbia County at 706-868-5441 and our professional crews will make it, “Like it never even happened. ®” 

Keep Your Basement Safe From Floods

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Preventative Basement Flooding Tips 

According to FEMA all areas in the United States are susceptible to flooding issues. Annually, more than 60% of American homes suffer from below-ground wetness. Water seeps into basements through cracks in the walls or flooring, through windows and doors and through sewer lines. However, there are some preventative measures you can take to prevent basement flooding such as:  

1. Installing a Sump Pump: What is a sump pump and what does it do? A sump pump moves water from your basement and out of your home. A sump is a naturally created pit, or hole, that is carved beneath the main surface of your basement floor. This hole is known as a basin, and it is where the sump pump is stored. A sump pump has valves that sense water levels and pressures rising and removes the excess water away from the home.  
2. Install a Backwater Valve: Backwater valves close off the drain to sewer lines. A backwater valve is a great investment for a home that is connected to a municipal sewer system. Backwater valves are installed in the main outgoing sewage line from your home, usually under a basement floor, and flow sewage out of your home and never into it.
3. Grade Around the Home’s Foundation: The key benefit of grading around your home is grading prevents water from flowing back into your home’s foundation. Excess water and the weight of water can break down the foundation wall, which causes cracks and structural damage.

Pro Tip: When testing your grading levels, pour a bucket of water slowly onto the surface of your driveway or patio and see which way the water runs. If the water begins to travel towards your home, you know you have some grading work to do.  

1. Seal Your Basement: Sealing any potential or existing openings to your basement means installing weather stripping around doors and caulking any windows. An easy step, but a commonly forgotten one as well.
2. Keep Gutters Clear & Use Downspout Extensions: Keeping gutters clear and free of debris can consist of two separate methods- regularly cleaning gutters by hand or installing roof gutter covers. A gutter cover is a covering installed on the top of your gutters, typically made up of mesh material that allows water to pour off the roof while still blocking large pieces of debris.   Downspout extensions are also inexpensive additions to your home’s gutter system that could save you tons of money from preventative water damage. If you happen to see water pooling around your downspout, adding extensions will move the water away from the foundation to prevent any damage.
3. Keep Landscaping Updated: Even though plants absorb water from soil, they can also cause unwanted water intrusions in your basement. If landscaping is too close to the foundation, roots may penetrate through, which could lead to cracks or bowing walls allowing water in.

SERVPRO® Can Handle Any Water Job, Big or Small! Our crews are here for you 24/7/365, call us today at 706-868-5441 to schedule a consultation today!  

Hail Damage to My Grovetown Home! Help?

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

What Is Hail Exactly?  

Hail is a form of precipitation that is made up of solid ice. Hailstones are formed when raindrops are carried upwards by a thunderstorm into cold areas of atmosphere where they then freeze. Hailstones will then grow by fusing with liquid water droplets that freeze on the stone’s surface. If water freezes instantly when the water collides with it, ‘cloudy’ ice will form as air bubbles become trapped in the newly formed ice. Alternatively, if the water freezes slowly air bubbles won’t become trapped, leaving the ice clear. Hail begins to fall when the thunderstorm’s updraft can no longer support the weight of the hailstones inside of it.  

What is an updraft? An updraft is an upward current of air. 

The color that a hailstone takes is entirely dependent upon the amount of water the stone encounters and the temperature inside of the thunderstorm. Winds inside a thunderstorm are not moving just up and down, meaning that horizontal winds play a part in the many layers of a hailstone. Hailstones don’t grow from being thrown to the top of a thunderstorm. At higher altitudes, air is cold enough that all liquid water will freeze into ice, hailstones however need ample liquid water to grow to a decent size.  

 
How Can I Protect My Home from Hail Damage? 

The first step you can take to ensure your home isn’t damaged by hail is to make sure that your roof is in good condition. Make sure you are periodically checking your roof of any wear and tear or replace shingles when necessary.  

If your roof does need to be replaced, it’s always best to select a steep-sloped roof as it protects from hail damage more efficiently.  

You can also protect your home by choosing hail-resistant siding. Selecting fiber-cement siding is proven to be a lot more resistant to hail.  

Make sure that during a hailstorm any loose lawn décor, are put away in a safe place. Cars are in a garage or under a covered area. Be sure to keep blinds closed and drapes down in case hard impact hail breaks a window. Doing these steps will prevent any injury from loose, broken glass due to a hailstorm.  

Water Damage Caused to Your Home Due to an Unsuspected Hailstorm? Call SERVPRO® of Columbia County at 706-868-5441 and our professional crews will make it "Like it never even happened®."  

What Services Does SERVPRO of Columbia County Offer?

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

This SERVPRO® desiccant is used to absorb moisture inside large-loss facilities.

Why Choose SERVPRO®?  

SERVPRO® is a reputable franchise, with over 1,900 locations nationwide, this means that we are "Here to help®" wherever you need us. SERVPRO locations are open 24/7/365, so whenever you’re facing a disaster, our professional crews are here to make it "Like it never even happened®." SERVPRO® was rated the #1 in the cleanup and restoration industry and has over 50 years of experience in the disaster relief field.  

At SERVPRO we’re known mostly for water and fire cleanup and restoration, but we also service a variety of needs such as biohazards, mold remediation and specialized cleanings. That means no matter the problem, big or small, you can count on our highly trained crews to get you back to preloss condition.  

COVID-19 Cleanings 

With COVID-19 restrictions being the new normal, we introduced our Certified SERVPRO Cleaned Program®, or CSC for short. Our crews are trained in how to properly clean biological contaminants, whether that’s surface grade or structure. You can rest assured that your business will have taken the extra precautionary measures for cleanliness that your customers expect after a CSC Cleaning. CSC cleaning involves disinfecting porous and nonporous surfaces, disinfecting equipment and supplies and removing waste. Our professional team members will also disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as light switches, doorknobs, and other everyday used tools. After each cleaning, the front window of your business will be labelled with a CSC shield logo signifying the date of your last cleaning, bringing peace of mind to your customers and employees within the building.  

Large Loss Capabilities 

Owning a commercial business comes with enough challenges of its own. It’s important to know that when disaster strikes you have a trained large-loss team available to get the restoration process started as quickly as possible. Our ‘Disaster Recovery Teams’ have the training and resources it takes to handle losses in businesses ranging from local owned stores and apartment complexes to hospitals and universities. Your large loss will be managed by a project manager from your local SERVPRO® and will be backed by SERVPRO® Headquarters team, to ensure the transition to preloss condition happens as easily as possible.  

Ready To Call SERVPRO For Your Disaster Needs? SERVPRO® of Columbia County is here for you. Give us a call at 706-868-5441 Today to schedule a consultation.  

Clogged Gutters Caused Water Damage to My Home

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

Different Types of Damage Clogged Gutters Create

As winter turns into spring there are several home improvement chores that collect on your list. One of the most important is cleaning out your gutters. Staying on top of gutter cleanings helps you to avoid potential problems that can be created if your gutters become clogged. Examples of home damage due to clogged gutters range from roof leaks to foundation damage. To help you understand the importance of staying on top of your gutters, SERVPRO® of Columbia County has compromised a list of types of water damage caused by clogged gutters.

1. Roof Leaks: When water backs up in your gutters, the edging of the roof’s surface and sheeting can become damaged- causing rotting. If you see a stain on your ceiling it is usually because there is a leak in your roof somewhere. If this happens you need to investigate where the damage is to your roof and replace the damaged shingles, or even potentially the whole roof. More than the work water damage creates, if the water has been left unattended to, mold can begin to grow and spread. Leaving you with an additional host of problems to get rid of.
2. Gutter Damage: If your gutter becomes clogged with debris and water, it becomes very heavy. If this happens, your gutters may begin to detach entirely from the side of your home. This creates gaps in your gutter system.
3. Foundation Damage: Clogged gutters may cause overflowing water to collect around the ground beneath it. The large puddles of water can seep through cracks and pores in concrete and begin to deteriorate the foundation of the home. If this goes untreated for a long amount of time structural damage may occur, which can cause your house to shift under its own weight.
4. Damage To Siding and Paneling: When water spills over the gutters the water will seep down into the window frames and siding. This causes the wood there to rot and weaken, resulting in your siding and wood framing needing to be replaced.

Gutter Maintenance and Repair Tips

Average cost of replacement gutter installation can be between $800-$1,000. However, with proper gutter maintenance you can avoid unnecessary cost. Keeping your gutters clean and in good condition should be at the top of your home maintenance list. The best tip for gutter maintenance is to make sure you are inspecting and cleaning them at least twice a year. Well-kept gutters also ensure that your home remains safe during heavy storms and rainfall, as well as help to prevent problems such as unwanted pests and mold. Here are a few tips on how to properly maintain your gutter health, and tools you may need while doing so:

• Make sure you have all necessary equipment before beginning a gutter clean out. This includes thick work gloves, non-slip shoes and safety goggles.
• You will need a tall ladder to reach the gutters. Be sure that you place the ladder on an even surface to prevent rocking or tilting, and always have someone manning the ladder at the bottom to ensure it stay in place.
• With gloved hands use a plastic shovel to remove any debris from the gutter. It is helpful to have a bucket at the bottom of the ladder that you can drop waste into. Follow up with a garden hose with an attached spray nozzle to clean out any remaining trash.
• Be sure to inspect your gutters after cleaning them. This means checking for signs of rust or leaking.

Water Damage To Your Home After Gutter Damage Build Up? Give us a call at 706-868-5441 to schedule a consultation today. SERVPRO of Columbia County is always Here To Help®

SERVPRO® Saves After Evans House Fire

3/10/2022 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO® Crewmember carefully removes drywall from the water damaged ceiling.

How Easily a Fire Can Start

A few short weeks ago, an Evans home experienced an extensive house fire. The fire occurred after an unwatched, rouge burn barrel overturned and crept to the home’s wooden staircase. The elderly couple occupying the home exited safely, but the devastation of the fire seemed insurmountable. To restore what the fire had left behind of their home and belongings, SERVPRO got a call to help. The couple called our Evans team to begin an assessment of the home and identify methods to safely restore the property in a timely manner.

Road to Recovery

Crews began restoring their property, beginning with removing salvageable contents such as textiles, sentimental items, and furniture. Next, the crews began restoring the structure. This restoring process entails assuring that the structure was safe to enter and undergo the restorative process of removing water-soaked items and wet sheet rock from when the fire department / first responders arrived on-site to extinguish the blaze. After this process is complete, our textile experts begin organizing all the contents and determine which textiles can be salvaged using the Esporta Wash System at operated at our Evans office. Later, these contents are stored at our facility for safe-keeping until the home is ready to receive them.

SERVPRO Esporta Wash System

Our Esporta Wash System sanitizes and restores items that have been affected by sewage or unclean water. We feature a 24-hour turnaround time for any textiles or soft contents gathered by our crew for cleaning. The Esporta is operated at our Evans facility by a team of restoration experts. The Esporta helps to salvage would-be damaged items often saving sentimental items and helps with cost associated with the loss as it is more cost effective to restore contents than to replace them.

Need SERVPRO Help? We can efficiently manage the property restoration process and effectively mitigate damages through exercising our meticulous cleanup processes. SERVPRO of Columbia County is a “One-Stop-Shop.” What does that mean? It means we can handle every aspect and need you may have when returning life back to normal after a would-be devastating disaster. Give our local team of experts a call today at 706-868-5441 - We’re always Here To Help.®

Preventative Measures for House Fires & Common Ways They’re Started

3/10/2022 (Permalink)

5 Most Common Ways House Fires Start

House fire losses can leave you feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start in terms of restoration. To help stop house fires before they start, here is a list of the most common ways house fires happen, and some preventative ways to stop them. 

1. Cooking fires are one of the most common types of house fires, causing about 50% of residential fires. Most often, they are caused by grease that is overheated in an oven or on a stove. Once grease is ignited, it is difficult to choke out the flames. 

Tip: Grease is highly flammable and when it reaches about 600 degrees Fahrenheit, it can combust (even without a direct flame source). 

2. Space heaters can cause fires when fabric materials or other combustible items are left too close to them. Heating appliances are the second leading cause of residential fires, responsible for about 12% of household fires. 

3. Faulty electrical wiring causes around 51,000 fires annually. Typically, electric fires occur because of short circuits that ignite within walls. Electrical fires account for about 10% of all residential fires.

4. Fires from cigarettes account for only around 5% of home fires yearly. To be safe try to limit smoking indoors, and smoke outside. Flyaway embers or dropped ignited sticks are a huge fire risk. 

5. New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve and Christmas are the most frequently used time for candles, those holidays also experience an increase in home fires. 

Preventative Tips to Avoid House Fires

• When cooking with grease, be sure to never leave hot oil unattended. Most kitchen fires start when a homeowner leaves cooking food unattended in an oven or on a stove. 

Tip: Small grease fires can be extinguished rather quickly if you immediately turn the heat off and smother the fire with a metal lid. 

• With a serious fire, do not attempt to put the fire out. Immediately call your local emergency services, such as your fire department. NEVER dump water over a grease fire, doing this can cause boiling grease to explode and throw grease everywhere. 
• When using a space heater, be sure to inspect it regularly to ensure it is in working condition. Space heaters always come with instructions for usage, one of the heaviest rules being do not leave a space heater running unsupervised.
• Annually have your homes wiring checked out by a professional electrician, especially if you own an older home. Do not try to ‘DIY’ any electrical repairs unless you are a licensed professional. 
• Keep matches and lighters in a secure place if you have kids, and never leave a candle burning in a room unattended. 
• When it comes to using candles during important holidays, consider using other options for decorative lighting effects. 

Recently experienced a house fire loss? Give SERVPRO® of Columbia County a call at 706-868-5441 for a consultation.

Protect Your Home Against Storm Damage

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

Freeze Damaged Trees Threaten Safety

Pine trees are beautiful, but the storms that threaten to visit each winter are not. If you live in or have visited the Southeastern region, one commonplace is noticing the number of hearty pines our climate sustains. During the Winter months, pine tree needles naturally hold in moisture and become very heavy and begin to sag. Wet and cold conditions during storm season can make for pines to become weak. The sheer height of mature pines can exceed heights of 200 feet making them the perfect target for microburst damages. Placement of pines can also be a cause for damages, as if pines are not surrounded by other like-trees, microburst winds can cause irrevocable damage to the tree, and structural damages to your home or commercial properties from fallen trees or branches.

Last year, specifically in Eastern Texas, SERVPRO of Columbia County crews responded to the call for help. With iced pipes bursting, the need for structural drying, roof tarping, and restoration to finish restoring properties to preloss condition was a desperate need in responding to the Winter ice storm that swept across Texas.

How to Find if Your Pines Have Freeze Damage

Extreme winter, ice temperatures affect needles and leaves and can show property owners signs of freezing. Often freeze damage is presented through the forming of ice crystals inside the leaf or needle cells, causing them to “rupture.” One key sign is discoloration or browning of needles and leaves. Most trees have evolved to becoming adaptive to these Winter conditions. For our Southeastern region, when an ice storm visits, our local pines are not accustomed to lower temperatures and are susceptible to show freeze damage signs.

Protect Your Home Against Storm Damage

Protecting your property from pines involves work, but nothing compared to having to call in a team of experts like SERVPRO to repair damages after the storm passes. Here are a few helpful, Winter ice storm tips in protecting your pines:

• Water the pines thoroughly before the freeze occurs. This helps to provide ample moisture so trees can stay hydrated.
• Mulch the area around tree bases. A fresh layer of insulation could help strengthen roots during the freeze.
• Build a Wind Barrier. Microburst winds can severely damage your trees (and your property.) Posting sturdy stakes and wrapping the tree with a hearty fabric like burlap can help wind to pass through.

Protected your pines, but still have storm damage to your property? Give our team of experts a call for immediate ice damage help, at 706-868-5441. We’re always Here to Help.®

Water Heater Burst Solutions from SERVPRO®

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

Need emergency help for a water heater malfunction, please call our team for help at 706-868-5441.

Hot Water Heater Issues? SERVPRO Can Help

If you have experienced a hot water heater burst, likely you would have asked yourself these two questions: Why did this happen and what do I do next? Hot water heaters malfunction through either overflowing / leaking, or through bursting. These two instances happen because the pressure regulator has failed or is in the process of failing.

Need emergency help for a water heater malfunction, please call our team for help at 706-868-5441.

Unexpected water damage is a headache, and not knowing where to start can leave you feeling uncertain and overwhelmed. At SERVPRO® of Columbia County we know that timing is everything. The longer water soaks into sheetrock, flooring, carpet padding, and baseboards, the more likely you are to having exposed your property to potentially massive secondary damages. SERVPRO has created a system-wide process to help achieve fast response times should you need emergency help, called “1-4-8.”

The 1-4-8 system is a SERVPRO guarantee that within 1 hour of the notice of loss, our team will contact you to arrange for service. Within 4 hours of initial notification of loss, a SERVPRO professional will arrive on-site to begin the water removal process. And within 8 hours of on-site arrival, a briefing on the scope of work will be given to the decision maker of the property.

Prevention and Response Go-Hand in-Hand

SERVPRO of Columbia County crews are reliable, with the fastest industry response times, clear and direct communication with customers, and use advanced drying methods to help restore your property. Beyond restoration, our goal is to help you prevent potential damages at your property. One method to achieve this is through exercising and curating Emergency Plans for commercial businesses. Our “ERP” (Emergency Plan) is made specific to your business and once completed will hold valuable information needed such a water shut off and gas shut off locations. Having this information on hand helps to prevent extensive damages.

Benefits of an ERP for your business:

1. Identify the Emergency Contact

Identifying who our point of contact will be helps our crew members know who we are to gather necessary information from to begin the job.

2. Fire Damage Assessment

SERVPRO crews will diagnose the extent of damage to your business and create a ‘plan of action’ to get started.

3. Board- Up and Roof- Tarp Service

After getting a scope of the damage, team members will board up or tarp any missing windows and walls to protect against further damage to your property.

4. Potential Water Removal or Drying

Often when fire fighters are called to the scene of a fire, they must use water to put it out. If this is the case for your business, we will begin a water removal process. Afterwards we’ll use dehumidifiers and air movers to make sure the water is dried up.

5. Smoke and Soot Removal

SERVPRO technicians will use industry approved equipment and techniques to clean any soot, or smoke.

6. Cleaning and Sanitizing

After water and soot removal and clean up, crews will clean any items within your building that can still be restored. SERVPRO reps are also trained to remove any leftover odor from fire loss using air scrubbers and fog equipment.

7. Restoration

Finally, SERVPRO teams will arrive at our favorite part of the job- restoring your business to preloss condition. This last step is completing the final touches and repairs to your business such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new flooring.

Could an “ERP” benefit your business? Call our office today to set your appointment with a knowledgeable SERVPRO representative at 706-868-5441.

Snow and Ice Warning in Your Area - How to be Prepare

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

Emergency Preparedness Is Key

When weather takes a cold turn, staying safe and warm can be difficult. Winter storms can bring cold temperatures, power shortages, loss of communication services and unsafe roads. Keep you and your family safe by planning and creating a personalized ‘disaster’ plan. 

Weatherproofing your home in advance is a wonderful place to start. Be sure to insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so your water supply will be less likely to freeze. Insulate your walls and attic, as well as caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows. Repair any roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could potentially fall or break and cause damage to your home. Installing thermal pane windows or covering your windows with plastic from the inside is an additional way to avoid ice damage.

Install a smoke detector and a battery-operated monoxide detector if you plan to use a fireplace, wood stove or a kerosene heater. Be sure to test them monthly and replace batteries twice a year. Make sure you have your chimney and flue inspected each year. Each winter you should have your furnace system and vents checked by a qualified technician to make sure they are working properly. 

House Emergency Kits for Winter Weather

It is best to avoid travelling in dangerous weather, so families are encouraged to stay home to avoid bad weather conditions. In wintery weather conditions, it is useful to equip yourself and your family with the following to help avoid unnecessary travelling:

• Package of bottled water
• An emergency plan specific to your home
• Create a list of emergency contacts
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• First aid kit

Final Thoughts for Winter Storm Preparedness

Be sure to listen to your local forecasts regularly, as well as keep a check on your emergency supplies such as your food and water supply. Weather forecasts systems typically give several days' notice to prepare for hazardous weather. Following our SERVPRO list of Storm Do’s will have you prepared for the unexpected and help to avoid damage where possible.

Water Damage in Your Columbia County Home Due to Bursting Pipes? Give SERVPRO® of Columbia County a call and we’ll be there to make it "Like it never even happened." Call us at 706-868-5441 to get immediate help now.

Need Cleanup for your business after a Winter Storm strikes?

1/7/2022 (Permalink)

Storms can happen suddenly, without warning

SERVPRO® exercises our expert knowledge for Water and Fire Restoration, Cleanup, Mold Testing and Mitigation, Biohazard Response, and more. Having a knowledgeable SERVPRO team to guide you through our restorative processes is a major asset.

Not only is your local SERVPRO team professional and knowledgeable, but our teams also respond quickly and clearly explain all SERVPRO expectations when arriving on site. It is important for our teams to respond quickly as in emergency situations, a fast response time could mean lessen costly extensive damages to your home or business.

Part of helping to mitigate extensive damages, is to equip yourself and your business with an Emergency Response Plan. Emergency Response Plan are plans specific to your business, and during a loss can help you, your staff, and our teams mitigate potential secondary damages.

How does the Emergency Response Plan work?

After a SERVPRO representative has been to your business, they will expertly craft a plan that includes information about the layout of the building, exit points, where emergency equipment is located, where to find shut off values for gas and water, and all pertinent contact information for your business. SERVPRO teams use this plan to familiarize themselves with your business’ structure and create a plan on how to mitigate potential damages. For your staff, knowing where shut off valves are located can help stop major water damages or prevent gas leaks that threaten a fire.

SERVPRO ERPs are now conveniently available for download on most smart phones with our ‘SERVPRO Ready Plan’ app. This makes finding shut off valves easier and responding to disasters faster. Daily, this tool can be used to plan for disasters, and especially during storm seasons when weather conditions are more unpredictable and dangerous.

Tips To Better Prepare Your Business from Storm Damage

1. Clean Your Gutters. Although it may appear simple, cleaning your gutters can help to push water away from your home and its crawlspace and foundation.
2. Inspect Your Roof for Existing Leaks. Watch for roof flashing damage and leaks around skylights and vent pipes. These areas are common for water leaks that can often be unseen for an extensive period of time if not checked regularly.
3. Inspect Your Foundation for Cracks, Gaps & Potential Leaks. Water can enter through any small check or crevasse sometimes leaving homeowners with costly repairs. Be sure to seal areas that have visible cracks.
4. Check Property for ‘Problem’ Trees. Check the trees around your property. Diseased or dead trees have weak roots and are more likely to fall from high winds during bad storms. Have any dying, dead or weak trees removed by a professional.
5. Check Ceilings for Water Stains in Drywall. Water stains in your ceiling drywall could indicate leaks. If you spot water stains, water could be entering the ceiling from a point on the roof and run to the lowest point before seeping through the ceiling.

Being unprepared for seasonal storms can leave you feeling vulnerable. SERVPRO is here to help serve you, your business, and family before and after the storms. Give our team a call for help through scheduling a consultation at 706-868-5441 – We’re always Here to Help.®

A SERVPRO Emergency Plan can save your business during a disaster

1/1/2022 (Permalink)

What is a SERVPRO Emergency Plan?

As a SERVPRO client, our representatives can curate an Emergency Readiness Plan, or “ERP” tailored for your business. An ERP is a plan that aims to lessen damages caused during disasters by helping you become familiar with your business’ structure before a loss occurs. During the creation of the ERP, a SERVPRO disaster mitigation specialist will walk you through your building and identify problem areas, water shut off locations, and best practices for communicating and presenting the ERP information to your team.

On average, 50% of businesses close due to an unexpected disaster, this number could be lessened should businesses have an ERP in place. Knowing what to do during a water or fire damage can make a significant difference in helping to minimize financial effects to your business. SERVPRO developed our ERP, or Emergency Ready Profile, as a response to these issues. SERVPRO benefits business owners by providing an immediate plan of action should a disaster occur. The ERP provides a detailed outline of all the information our crews would need to begin the restoration process. The ERP is designed to be a quick reference system for our crews that gives them information for the structure they otherwise could take a lot of time to discover.

ERP is a Must-Have this Winter Season

With harsh weather brings harshness on your businesses structure include water pipes and plumbing. It’s important to routinely check for issues, and have your businesses equipped with an ERP. By using a SERVPRO ERP, your business benefits from over 40 years of experience in Restorative Clean Up. In addition to the security of knowing you’re trusting an experienced team’s help, there is also no cost to have an ERP assessment done for your facility. An ERP takes only a short amount of time to complete but can later save you time, money, and headache in the aftermath of a disaster.

Your business’ personalized ERP will include important details such as the accurate point of contact during a loss, insurance information, valve shut off locations and priority areas. It will give our teams the exact details and location of essential areas key to your businesses operations in order to minimize downtime and work processes for SERVPRO.

Interested in having an ERP Consult for your business? Give our office a call at 706-868-5441 and SERVPRO of Columbia County will make sure you’re Ready for Whatever Happens.®

How Space Heaters Can Cause Damage in Your Home

12/22/2021 (Permalink)

Always use caution when using and handling a space heater. Should you have a space heater damage, please give our team a call fro help at 706-868-5441

What is a space heater and how does it work?

An electric space heater is a portable heating device that is designed to focus heat in a small, designated space. Space heaters work by expelling warm air through a fan, warm air naturally rises and forces colder air towards the floor. The function of a space heater is to effectively circulate heat and warm the room; however, they should not be used as an alternative to a regular heating system. Space heaters are a temporary solution for extra warmth.

Are electric space heaters safe?

Typically, space heaters are safe to sue. However, according to the National Fire Protection Agency around 13,000 house fires occur a year due to heating equipment such as space heaters. There are also other forms of space heaters other than just the electric heater. Gas space heaters are a common type of heater, and when used correctly are safe as well. Gas heaters do give off low levels of carbon monoxide, as well as considering the dangers of an open flame.

An electric space heater poses a considerably reduced threat. Electric heaters are not eliminated from risk entirely. Following a few safety guidelines should reduce your risk of a disaster:

• When shopping for a space heater, always pick one with a tip-over cut-off switch

Often space heaters are placed on the floor and the last thing you want is for it to tip over and start a fire within your home.

• ALWAYS plug your space heater directly into the wall socket.

If plugging into a socket isn’t a feasible option, when using an extension cord make sure that the wiring is a minimum of 14 gauges.

If A Fire Does Occur give our team at SERVPRO® of Columbia County a call. We are always Here to Help® 24/7/365. Give us a call at 706-868-5441 and we’ll make it "Like it never even happened."

Selecting SERVPRO means Expert Water Damage Help

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Columbia County teams reside in a masterclass of water damage restoration. SERVPRO crews can expertly restore any size loss using training, experience, and capability.

SERVPRO professionals achieve the highest standard of cleanliness and restorative power through our highly regimented system processes. Our series of processes has been tested, tried, and improved upon for decades. Our processes help to keep homes that experience a loss organized through the restorative process through data systems, excellent communication, and setting expectations with our clients. SERVPRO procedures are proven to be successful in remediation of water, fire, mold, biohazard, textile restoration, storm response, and COVID-19 disinfection and sanitization and more.

A Few of Our Processes

One of the many SERVPRO processes our crews follow is the 1-4-8 response guidelines. 1 hour for communication and dispatching a crew to the loss site. 4 hours to begin work through setting necessary drying equipment or scope of work. Followed by 8 hours for communication with all parties including your insurance adjuster on expectations, our processes for restoring, and scope of work submission.

The 1-4-8 system is designed so our crews can respond to your loss quickly. When experiences a water loss, timing means everything as minutes of reaction time can mean the difference between a small or a large loss, including the ability to avoid microbial growth.

For fires, another procedure our SERVPRO professionals use is “Wash, Rinse, Dry.” This method is implemented to combat fire damages. Fire damage often affects not only the structure, but its contents because of soot and smoke smells. Beginning with “Wash,” this is performed using SERVPRO manufactured products that can remove soot and smoke discoloration from walls. SERVPRO of Columbia County crew members use the Wash product to literally wash the walls to aid in breaking down smoke and soot particulates found on walls and baseboards.

Meanwhile, a routine pack-out and/or removal of damaged, yet restorable, contents are organized and brought to the SERVPRO of Columbia County in-house contents cleaning department. Within our contents cleaning department, items are strategically itemized, organized, cleaned and re-packed for later moving contents back into a clean environment.

Next, “Rinsing” of the walls is completed immediately after “Washing.” Rinsing helps to wash away residue product from cleaning of the walls and baseboards. Finally, the “Dry” method acts to prep for painting. After a fire, using a Kilz paint to seal in the cleaning product and combat any smoke smells that would have been left behind then acts as a final deodorizing procedure.

Need Fire Damage Help? We are here for you. Call our office at 706-868-5441 for more information or to schedule an appointment for advice and to start restorative processes.

Don’t Let Your Business Suffer Because of Water Damage

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Need Help with Burst Pipes? Call the experts at 706-868-5441

Businesses Benefit With SERVPRO

Need to open your doors after a water loss FAST? Call SERVPRO. SERVPRO reacts quickly to water losses as our crews know that timing means everything when it comes to reversing damages caused by water. Fast reaction times can help prevent further damages. Every minute that your business’ doors are closed, could mean lost revenue for you and your staff.

Crews Are Ready to Help Serve You.

SERVPRO of Columbia County offers our clients priority response at the first notice of an emergency. Fast response times almost always mean less damage affecting your business. Our crews can react and attack water damages by finding the source of damage and quickly creating a strategic plan to restore your business to help mitigate would-be extensive damages.

At SERVPRO of Columbia County we aim to respond quickly as we understand that the longer water sits, the more of a threat the water becomes at prolonging the issue. For example, its Monday morning and you unlock the front doors of your business, you start to turn on the lights as you hear a strange noise and step ankle deep into murky water. A pipe has burst overnight and now your business is completely flooded; sheetrock is being to wick moisture up the walls and disintegrate. Not only that, but all contents are soaking wet from the burst pipe above. You aren’t sure how long the water has been running, 1, 4, 24 hours? If a standard half-inch pipe breaks, in just a few hours there can be up to 10,000 gallons of water spilled.

Avoiding Business Water Damages

No one can fully prepare for a water damage emergency. However, you can try to mitigate potential risks by following a few of these expert tips.

• Perform routine checks on pipes in the home such as under sinks and behind toilets.
• Check your crawlspace semi-regularly for standing water from unforeseen water leaks.
• Locate and note where your water shut off valves are located and how to use them.
• Properly insulate your exposed pipes to prevent freezing, sweating, and other like damages.

Need Emergency Water Damage Help? Call our team of experts at SERVPRO of Columbia County at 706-868-5441.

SERVPRO Difference in Fighting Fire Damage Evans

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Our Passion Drives Success

The SERVPRO Way is what separates our franchise from other restoration companies when restoring your home or business after a fire. Excellent fire restoration processes coupled with SERVPRO proprietary products achieves a full restorative clean for your home after a fire. Not only do we have success proven processes, but we also have passionate crews who will treat your home with respect.

Utilize Your County’s Resources

Avoiding a fire can be achieved through following Fire Safety Tips from Columbia County Emergency Management Agency. Here are a few professional tips that could help your family avoid disaster:

• Speak to your family members or neighbors about your fire safety plan and practice it with them.

• Contact your local fire department's non-emergency line, they may perform a home fire safety inspection and offer suggestions about smoke alarm placement and maintenance.

• If you have disabilities, ask emergency providers to keep your needs information on file.
• Keep a phone near your bed and be ready to call 911 if a fire occurs.

For Commercial Businesses, additional Fire Safety Tip Resources from the Columbia County Emergency Management Agency are as follows:

• Find other exits that you can use in an emergency.
• Are any exits blocked or locked? Do they look like they will open?
• Do you see any leaking flammables or chemicals (paint thinners, pesticides etc.)
• Let a manager know and call 311.

SERVPRO Can Help After a Disaster

Although fires can be prevented, still, disastrous fire instances can occur. As a fire can disrupt your home’s synchronization, our crews aim to return your home to a sense of normalcy after a fire interrupts life. We achieve this goal through working quickly and efficiently to restore your home. Additionally, we strive to provide Five Star / Level 10 service, the highest service-level ratings our teams can provide. Our goal is to have your home to appear and smell unrecognizable to having had experienced a fire damage incident and restore to preloss condition.

Need Our Help? We understand this is a sensitive time for you and your family. For assistance, please call our office team to speak with a restoration expert to learn the next steps towards regaining freedom from your fire damage at 706-868-5441.

Fires Are On The Rise In The Winter

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Fire Damages Can Threaten Holiday Fun and Safety

House fires occur during the winter months typically from unforeseen, yet often preventable instances.

Keeping yourself prepared for potential fire threats is important to keeping your home and family safe during the holidays. Do you plan to host out-of-town visitors at your home? Important things to note is to assure that your guests know important safety measures. For example, letting your guests know where the fire extinguisher is located, the meeting place outside of a home for a fire, typically your home’s mailbox, and all exit points for the home are vital. Additionally, introducing or helping to familiarize your guests with helpful neighbors could be found important.

Do Fires Increase During the Holiday Seasons?

Usually, fires around the holiday times like Christmas occur because of electrical fires, improper use of space heaters, or from unattended candles. Unattended candles will eventually catch fire because melted wax eventually heats into a gas format which later turns into vapor. This vapor, mixed with oxygen, has a flash point, and can easily catch fire. Additionally, candles with high fragrance content are more likely to catch fire if left to burn for too long. Although we love to fill our home with the strong scents of Cinnamon, apple and pecan around the holidays, these high fragrance candles are to be carefully monitored.

6 Steps for Candle Safety

• Don’t Walk Away from Your Candles. Never leave a burning candle. Make sure the candle is completely out and the wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room.
• Secure the Area. Never burn a candle encase anything that could catch fire. This includes anything with fabric, paper, or bedding.
• Keep Kids and Pets Away. Make sure children and pets who do not fully understand the dangers of a candle cannot knock over the candles.
• Avoid Drafts and Vents. Keeping candles away from drafts will help against soot and excessive dripping.
• Don’t touch or move while candle is lit. Never move while lit or while wax is liquefied, this can cause burns or ruin flooring or furniture if there is a spill.
• Keep candles 3’ apart from each other. Keeping candles apart helps them to not melt together or create their own drafts that will cause the candle to alter their burning.

Have you experienced a fire damage this season or simply want to learn more about our restorative process? Call our office at 706-868-5441.

What Ice Could Mean for Your Homes Health

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Ice Storm Tips for Protecting Your Home

Don’t let winter storms ruin your holiday fun. Snow is not common in Augusta, but ice storms are. Ice storms can threaten our area’s homes and businesses as well as cause structural damages. Although we cannot prevent extreme weather conditions such as this, we can try to prepare for the inevitable.

Icy roads can be threatening to vehicle safety while on the roads caused by black ice and down trees. Emergency vehicles may also have a hard time reaching your home or business given road conditions. Because of this, it is important to be even more mindful of the safety we have within our homes. For example, taking caution when lighting and monitoring our seasonal candles is even more important.

Annually, SERVPRO crews undergo extensive training in preparation for peak storm season. Training helps in safety of our crews and to assure that you are receiving the fastest response times possible for your emergency. Last storm season, while on the way to a loss site our crews found themselves trapped on roadways, along other First Responders. Our crews parked their vehicles and began to unload equipment to hand-carry tools to the job site to assure that our customers were being helped quickly.

What threats does an ice storm pose to a home?

• Freezing pipes under the home can eventually cause a crack to be a source of major damages for your crawlspace. Tip: Add extra insulation to attics and crawlspaces to help raise temperatures in these spaces, extra insulation can have a 5-10 degree difference to the space.
• Falling tree limbs can cause roof damages that need to be temporarily tarped and fixed before it causes more extensive damage to the roof and attic space. A leaky roof, even a small leak, can cause extensive water damages over time if gone untreated. Tip: Trim tree limbs back from the home before the winter storms.
• Gutter systems for the home may be overloaded with debris from winds and fallen leaves and branches. Tip: It is important to clear these as overloaded gutters can clog and shorten the lifespan of your gutters.

SERVPRO Difference

Our teams are knowledgeable, professional, and approachable. More than this, our crews are experts in the field of restoration. We aim to not only retore your home, but to prevent future damages through educating out clients on the dangers of specific losses. Need help from your water or Fire Damages? Call our office for help at 706-868-5441.

Help Is on The Way With SERVPRO

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

A toilet leak caused the ceiling to fall through to the floor below. Our goal always to arrive quickly to help begin the restorative process!

Taking Your Life Back After a Major Water Damage

As a homeowner, when your home experiences a water damage from a storm, flood, or plumbing problem, you not only want your home fixed but you want your life back.

In a situation such as this, timing means everything. A faster response time to your water damage issue could help prevent extensive damages. SERVPRO places high importance on fast response times and assuring your property receives the highest level of care and restoration.

Any Size Disaster

At SERVPRO of Columbia County, our crews are equipped with the knowledge and equipment necessary for restoring your home to preloss condition. Pre-loss condition meaning your home will become unrecognizable to having experienced a water damage through the restorative processes set forth by our team.

Working quickly is one of our goals. Not only do our highly regimented processes assure that your home is restored professionally, but we also work quickly. Restoring quickly means your life can regain a sense of normalcy. We understand that experiencing a water damage can be a traumatic event and we never want to extend the aggravation by working for an extended period.

Drying Processes

After the bulk of the water has been removed using extraction equipment, our specialists use industry-leading drying equipment to remove the water you can’t see. This will target water within materials to bring these materials back to their normal moisture level. This equipment is normally placed during the first visit to your property. The type and amount of equipment is based on your unique situation and industry standards. To assure that your home is drying correctly, our crews will monitor the process and check drying performance and make any necessary changes. This step is critical to dry your property most effectively.

Need Our Help? Call our team today for advice after a loss, or to dispatch a crew for immediate help at 706-868-5441

Don’t Let Storms Take a Stronghold of Your Home

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding caused this home to have a build up of sediment pour in.

Holding What’s Important to you Close – SERVPRO Helps Families

Storms like tornadoes with high-speed winds, wind driven rains, and flood events have cause over $10 billion each year in property damages. At SERVPRO of Columbia County, our teams are expertly trained in storm response and restoration. Storm restoration can pose a vastly different from approach from a typical water loss or flood event. Responding to a storm damage crisis entails needing to use usually limited resources like a power from generators to restore property in a chaotic environment.

SERVPRO crews are capable and highly trained to be confident in the face of major storm damage control and repair, water and storm mitigation needs. Multiple times through the year, our SERVPRO of Columbia County crews respond to storm damage help. Recently, our crews responding to flood events in Tennessee where countless families, homes, and businesses were directly impacted from flood damages. After water levels decreased, teams were ready to begin mitigating homes and businesses to help restore and repair.

How to Prevent Storm Damage to Your Home

Here are a few tips gathered from SERVPRO professionals, our local Columbia County Emergency Management Agency, and insurance recommendations for protection your property:

• Clean gutters from debris – This helps to extend the life of your gutters and prevent damage to your roof’s fascia.
• Inspect your roof to check for potential problem areas that could turn into a larger issue during storms.
• Removed diseased trees, limbs, and other outdoor threats that could affect the safety of your home, you and other property.
• Know who to call after a storm for help, SERVPRO and your local insurance agent.

Want to Learn More About SERVPRO of Columbia County storm damage repair capability?

Call our office team for answering questions and scheduling at 706-868-5441, and visit  our Storm Damage Restoration page.

COVID-19 Got Your Commercial Business Worried About Black Friday? Call SERVPRO®

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

How Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned Will Benefit You

The last 2 years has been strenuous for business owners all over the world. Constant fear of contracting the Coronavirus has halted festivals, gatherings, and even the modernized shopping experience. SERVPRO® of Columbia County supports local business owners and wanted to provide a way to keep businesses open and safe. That’s why we launched the CSC Program, a safe and easily manageable program that allows us to help our friends in the community do what they do best- and even better- safely. 

 The CSC Program is centered around our 3 C’s- Consult, Clean and Certify. We’ll start by scheduling a meeting with the business owner(s) and recommend ways they can improve already existing cleaning processes. Starting from that grounding we’ll offer additional SERVPRO® services that will minimize the potential threat of COVID-19 to your business and customers. We’ll also discuss how often we should perform these services should occur based on high foot traffic and lack of health screening opportunities. 

SERVPRO® Standard/Enhanced Service

SERVPRO® standard services center on disinfecting “hot touch points”, or places that are frequently touched or messed with (I.e. doorknobs, light switches, clothing racks, dressing rooms, card readers). SERVPRO® enhanced services build upon the standard but add a few extra precautionary steps such as cleaning and disinfecting less regularly touched surfaces (I.e. desks, counters, employee equipment). A printable summary of our services are available for your staff, teammates and even customers. And as an added benefit, SERVPRO® offers dated window clings and table tents from the last service date to ensure that your customers know that your building is safe and COVID free! 

With all the craziness that occurs during Black Friday every year- take COVID craziness off the table! Call SERVPRO® Professionals at 706-750-0200 today to set a consultation about our Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned Program. 

Tub Overflow Causing Water Damage is Common - SERVPRO Can Help

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

Holiday Prepping Can Be Distracting

Preparing for the Holidays, scheduling when to pick up the in-laws from the airport, prepping Thanksgiving dinner, helping children with their pre-Holiday school projects, all can be a major distraction. Distractions are a major cause for when a call to SERVPRO is not far away. Whether is a kitchen fire from unattended food on the stove top, or from a tub overflow from staying too long on the phone with family and forgetting the tub was running – or mischievous children turning on the faucet and letting water overflow; SERVPRO can help pick up the pieces.

Other than simple mistakes like not minding the running tub water, instances such as clogged drains, misdirected shower water, or cracked or deteriorated overflower gaskets can contribute to the tub overflow water damages.

What To Do Until Help Arrives

After calling for a SERVPRO team to be dispatched to help extract standing water – 706-868-5441 – know that help is immediately on the way. While crews race over, there are a couple measures you can take to assure that your home and belongs have its best chance of being restore quickly. Such as, mopping excess water until help arrives, picking up sentimental items off the floor and placing in a dry area that will likely not be affected by the standing water, and if your water source is coming from a pipe, turning off the water immediately can help prevent further damage.

Next Steps . . .

Another smart decision towards to the restoration of your home, is to notify your insurance company. Your insurance company likely will need to be involved in the water restoration process and unless your loss is classified as self-pay, you will need to include your insurance agent as they will play a major role in the claims process.

Need SERVPRO Help? Call our office for dispatching or a crew or scheduling at 706-848-5441

Government Buildings and Water Loss is a SERVPRO Specialty

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can help in all disasters, including water damages to buildings such as this. Call 706-868-5441 to make it "Like it never even happened."

When government buildings need to be restored after large loss water loss disasters, our crews are more than capable and confident to be able to restore structures to preloss condition.

SERVPRO teams are accustomed to handling large scale disasters with ease and respond to these situations daily. The key to controlling water damages and other like situations is through being able to select the right resources to lower recovery cost.

Another factor in successfully mitigating a water loss disaster at government and other commercial buildings is through minimizing downtime and business interruption to the public and employees. Our SERVPRO system services include, but not limited to fire, water and mold remediation, storm response, pack-outs and pack-ins, document drying, and contents claim inventorying. Additionally, cleaning services we offer are duct cleaning, biohazard remediation, carpet cleaning, and cleaning of all interior structure and fixtures and deodorization – and more!

Benefits from SERVPRO of Columbia County Crews Working for You

A common situation SERVPRO professionals respond to is managing mold in commercial buildings. Commercial buildings, its structure and internal facilities are used every day – and all day. Thus, leading to more probability of a toilet overflow, mold from unresolved or unknown issues such as an unmanaged water leak. Managing mold is a task that only professionals should handle. Mold is found in every environment, and mold spores reproduce rapidly when moisture is present. Mold can cause health effects. Although not every cough or sneeze means mold - However, if this is an issue amongst the entire team, testing for mold and having a SERVPRO professional give advice is a smart decision.

Call the Cleanup team that’s faster to any size disaster at 706-868-5441, SERVPRO of Columbia County.

Demystifying Mold Removal - SERVPRO® Can Help

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

Mold can be found in countless places, like this bathroom. Spot mold like this in your business? Call your local mold removal experts at 706-868-5441.

Mold Removal for Evans Businesses – SERVPRO® has the Answers.

Mold can be a scary four-letter word. Mold can make customers that would normally patron your business, turn the other direction and quickly! To most, mold is associated with health effects and uncleanliness.

At SERVPRO® of Augusta we are able to discreetly mitigate any threat of mold, and provide mold identification, testing, location sourcing, cause, all vital in helping your commercial business gain a better understanding of the cause of a potential ongoing mold issue.

Understanding Mold and Misconceptions

It is important to be expertly educated on mold and stray from misleading advertising about mold and its potential dangers. Should you spot mold, or what appears to be mold, at your commercial business calling trained professionals to receive expert opinion and testing is ideal.

A misconception for ‘mold removal’ is all molds will forever be gone – This is false. Essentially, mold is everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Mold spores do float in the air and can enter your home in many different fashions. Furthermore, mold spores do thrive on moisture, thus why mold can prove to have a musty, damp smell.

Mold Damage Tips

• Stay out of affected areas. It is important not to disturb potential mold as spores can travel.
• Turn off HVAC units as this can also lead to spore disruption and spread.
• Do NOT attempt to take care of the mold area yourself, call the experts.
• Do not spray with bleach or other disinfectants.

Mold Removal Process

After making contact with your local SERVPRO® of Columbia County, we schedule an inspection of the potential mold. Next, if mold is present, containing mold is important as to help stop the further disturbance and spread of mold spores. Next, the remediation process can begin and mold-infested materials are discarded or receive anti-microbial treatment. Finally, content cleaning can begin and restoration can be complete such as repairing and replacing drywall, subfloor, and more.

Need to have your business inspected for mold? Call our team at 706-868-5441 for scheduling and expert advice.

Emergency Water Damage Relief in Evans SERVPRO®

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® crews aim to be as less invasive as possible during the drying process. Our Injectidry systems help to dry behind sheetrock and baseboards.

Suspicious of a Water Leak? What to Look For

In an emergency water damage situation, first stop the leak! Our SERVPRO® of Columbia County crews can then help extract standing water in your Evans home and help identify the location and source of your water leak. Water leaks can come from under stink piping, loose pipe fittings, or from more obvious signs of water damage such as toilet, tub, and sink overflows, burst water heaters, and more. If you are suspicious, you have a water leak, you can identify common water damage signs through the following:

• Wood rot
• Buckling floors
• Dampness
• Visible Mold
• Musty Odors
• Standing water in your crawlspace

SERVPRO® Process for Emergency Water Damage Cleanup

1 Hour: Within 1 hour of notice of your loss, SERVPRO® of Columbia County crews will mobilize to help you during your emergency.

4 Hours: Within 4 hours of a notice of your loss, SERVPRO® of Columbia County crews will arrive on-site to begin mitigation services. Reacting quickly to the first sign of a water loss is important to minimizing what could be costly damages.

8 Hours: With 8 hours of on-site arrival time, our crews will perform a verbal briefing of the scope and will communicate to correct on-sit contacts and your insurance adjuster the status.

Performing Quality Control of the SERVPRO® Process

Our crews will help identify the source of moisture in your home. For restoration work to begin, we must first help stop the source and check for contaminated water. Additionally, crews will help to properly restore your home after being able to quickly identify the type of water affecting your home. For example, categories of clean, gray and black water all have different levels of response protocols. Our protocols are industry standard, although our thoroughness, professionalism, and communication with you and your adjuster make SERVPRO® of Columbia County a premier provider of restoration services.

Need Water Damage Help immediately?

Our teams can help your through what can be an overwhelming process. Call our office for more information and to learn more about the next steps for our water loss restoration process at 706-868-5441.

An Electrical Storm Damaged Your Columbia County Home?

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

How Electrical Storms Are Formed

During an electrical storm, storm clouds are charged up like giant condensers in the sky. The top portion of the clouds are positive while the bottom portions are negative.

In the development of the water cycle, moisture and humidity can build up in the atmosphere. This increase in moisture is what we see and call a cloud. Clouds can contain trillions of water droplets and ice that’s just floating in the air. As the development of evaporation and condensation continues, these droplets combine with condensing moisture as its rising. The rising moisture also poses a possibility of combining with ice or sleet that is in the process of dropping to ground level. This information is important to understand, because the electrons that are knocked off or combining with rising moisture is what creates a charge separation. The intensity of the electric field is directly correlated to the amount of charge buildup in a cloud.

How Do I Protect My Home from Lightening?

There’s nothing more important than protecting your home and your family from storm produced electrical fires. The chances that you will ever have direct lightning strike your home are extremely low, however that doesn’t mean that lightening can’t damage your home in other ways. If a bolt hits anywhere in your immediate area (i.e. a power grid or electrical line), it can potentially destroy your electrical work and electronics. One strike can ruin your computer, television or worse - your Keurig.

Here’s a few things you can do to prevent lightening damage:

• Purchase surge protectors instead of plugging devices directly into wall outlets
• Have an electrician install a surge protector in your circuit box
• Have an electrician evaluate your homes grounding system to ensure that it is safe and up to date
• Install a lightning rod on the roof

Have Fire Damage from An Electrical Storm in Your Home? Give us a call at 706-868-5441 for a SERVPRO® professional to come out and help to make your home look "Like it never even happened." ®

Wood Furniture Looks Ruined After Fire Damage?

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

Answering Your Questions About Fire Damaged Furniture

Does wood furniture burn quickly in a property house fire? During a house fire, flames do not sky away from certain materials more than others. Fire is typically devastating and can be fatal to you and your family. Fire and its flames can and will quickly engulf your home if not responded top quickly.
However, types of wood furniture and their density does have a correlation to how quickly flames will blaze through your home.

Knowing which pieces of wood furniture can be salvaged after a house fire and how it can be treated to be potentially restored is typically quickly identifiable by SERVPRO professionals. SERVPRO crews will always attempt to restore your property are efficiently as possible, instead of your insurance company attempting to simply replacing your beloved items.

Smoke Residue and Soot Residue in Home After a Fire

Aggressive abrasion methods are part of fire restoration in Evans. Our crew chiefs and technicians use a carefully balanced combination of SERVPRO-grade products and detergents to wash, rinse, then dry walls to clean walls affected by soot and smoke damages. After walls are prepped, painting can begin to give a complete restoration treatment.

Types of Abrasion Used for Woods

• Sandblasting: This is a more aggressive type of abrasion and is typically used for hardwood surfaces.
• Soda Blasting: This is a method of using bicarbonate of soda to gently ease on soft layers of wood for cleaning purposes.
• Dry Ice: Typically used for softer woods. Dry ice blasting is unique for antique furnishings that helps to remove only a small amount of wood surfacing while simultaneously not adding excess moisture.

To help with cost of replacing wood furniture, restoring from experts like SERVPRO of Augusta can help mitigate the issue of cost and you can keep irreplaceable furniture you may have initially thought was lost. Need to schedule a consultation after your fire loss? Our teams can help you and your home on the road of recovery – Call our teams at 706-868-5441.

Storm Restoration Experts are Only a Call Away

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

After local flooding, water in a basement is extracted and SERVPRO® equipment is placed to help dry the structure.

IICRC Means Your Local SERVPRO® is Ready to Answer Your Call

As leaders in the storm and water damage industry, our crews undergo IICRC training to gain certifications to expertly restore your home after damaging storms.

What is IICRC? All SERVPRO® of Columbia County crew members are held to IICRC standards which determines the capability of crews to be able to restore your property to preloss condition through the “WRT” course. WRT stands for “Water Damage Restoration Technician” and is a course that teaches personnel to perform remediation work and knowledge of effects and techniques for drying structures.

Advanced Equipment Gives Insight

Additionally, SERVPRO® of Columbia County crews are equipped with advanced equipment such as moisture meters and thermal imagining cameras. Thermal equipment helps our crews shed light on what is beyond sheetrock and insulation by indicating what is wet and needs further invasive measures to be completely rectified after a water caused by storm damage.

Moisture Detection & Measurement Equipment

Our teams rely on equipment and a large knowledgebase to identify, measure, and monitor your homes moisture levels after a storm. Furthermore, our teams have access to extraction equipment that is typically used when first responding to a storm loss. Often strong, wind-driven rain intrudes into homes during storms and causes water damage to your home. To fix moisture in your home, even after extraction is complete, extended drying is sometimes needed. We accomplish drying your property using our drying equipment such as air moving fans and dehumidifiers that help control the environment and dry the structure quickly.

Although flooding and storms like hurricanes are not common for our Augusta area, knowing that your local SERVPRO® is capable of handling large scale disasters is important.

Need SERVPRO®? Call your local SERVPRO® of Columbia County at 706-868-5441.

What Happens After I Have a Fire In My Columbia County Home? Call SERVPRO®!

8/25/2021 (Permalink)

Has your family experienced a fire damage? Call SERVPRO® of Columbia County for help at 706-868-5441

After 911, Call SERVPRO® of Columbia County

After the firefighters have left your residence and you are looking at the carnage the fire created, SERVPRO® of Columbia County knows how overwhelming that situation can be. Most homeowners feel that extinguishing the fire was the easy part. But here at SERVPRO® we help you take back control that the fire may have taken from you. Here are a few “first steps/tips” we advise you and your family to follow until our SERVPRO® technicians and crews arrive on scene:

• Limit excessive movement in your home to avoid soot particles from spreading and creating unnecessary additional damage.
• Do not wash any walls or painted surfaces.
• Do not shampoo or clean carpets or any upholstery.
• Do not send clothing to a dry cleaner, as washing clothing improperly after a fire can set the odor in permanently.
• Coat any faucets, trim and appliances with petroleum jelly or oil.

How Do I Know SERVPRO® Can Repair the Damage the Fire Created?

When calling SERVPRO® expect to begin scheduling cleaning and restorative procedures. At SERVPRO® of Columbia County we have the capability to restore your soft contents in our Esporta Wash System. The Esporta is an professional, commercial grade wash system that helps to restore soft contents such as clothing, bedding, drapes, uniforms needed for school or work, leather handbags, delicate items such as feather boas and more all to preloss condition. Once your items begin the process of restoration, through the use of SERVPRO®-grade detergents and agents, know that SERVPRO® also offers these services:

• Upholstery, Carpet, Drapes and Blinds Cleaning
• Deodorization
• Move Outs and Contents Restoration

Need to give SERVPRO® of Columbia County a call to restore your Evans home?

Call us now at 706-868-5441 to speak with our office team about scheduling a consultation. We’re Always Here to Help.®

Pipe Burst in Grovetown, GA SERVPRO® of Columbia County Can Help

8/24/2021 (Permalink)

Our Excellent Team of Professionals are Ready to Answer Your Emergency Call 24/7!

Grovetown is Growing

Grovetown is an ever-growing city with idyllic neighborhoods, commercial business growth, and the increasing need for more infrastructure. With such a high growth rate, Grovetown’s need for SERVPRO® of Columbia County services has also increased. New home builds have been a significant source of reported water leaks. Newer homes are far from expected to have a water damage, which may be a contributing factor as to why new homeowners do not look for warning signs.

Common Signs of Water Damages

A few common signs that a new homeowner should watch for to combat potential water damage instances are the following:

• Buckling Flooring could raise the concern of moisture in your crawlspace.
• Standing water in your crawlspace.
• Wet insulation.
• Mold growth in your crawlspace or closets.
• Dark or wet spots on sheetrock on walls and ceilings.

These warning signs are for any homeowner to watch for to protect their property. Another healthy practice for any homeowner is to conduct routine expectations of your home to be able to help pinpoint when any potential issues have occurred.

Fixing the Mess Left Behind from a Pipe Burst

A pipe burst or leak in your home can lead to extensive damages and as a homeowner, avoiding damages altogether should be the goal, hence routine structure checks on your home or business. At SERVPRO® we understand that your home reflects you, and if your home is affected by a water damage, you would want your home restored to preloss condition. If you find yourself amid a water damage incident, trust that SERVPRO® of Columbia County crews will aim to restore your home completely.

Think You Need SERVPRO® Services?

Call our office at 706-868-5441 to ask advice and to schedule your consultation appointment.

Why SERVPRO® Equipment and Crews Are Vital in The Water Restoration Industry

8/24/2021 (Permalink)

Moisture Detection Equipment like pictured is used daily by SERVPRO® crews to monitor the drying process

What 1-4-8 Response Times Mean for You

SERVPRO® of Columbia County professionals are dedicated to catering to your emergency 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. When you experience a loss, within 1 hour of contacting SERVPRO® our crew members will contact your insurer to arrange for service. Within 4 hours of the initial loss, our team will be on-site to start cleanup and restoration to your property. Finally, within 8 hours of arrival, a briefing of the scope will be communicated with your adjuster. SERVPRO® removes the stress of waiting on a contractor for days and promises a hand holding experience.

How SERVPRO® Makes It "Like it never even happened."®

Now that you know how available our team and crew members are to you, let’s get into the science behind the drying, and why the SERVPRO® process is successful. SERVPRO® crews understand that using the proper equipment makes a huge difference in reducing claims loss expenses. That is why we have studied Psychrometry. “What is psychrometry” you ask . . . Psychrometry is the study of air and its properties.  At SERVPRO® we use the properties of temperature, humidity, vapor pressure, and dew point to measure and evaluate air conditions in a structure. This method of manipulating the air conditions enable our crews to create the proper atmosphere for more efficient drying.

Advanced Equipment Takes Away Guess Work

Since we now know the science behind the SERVPRO® process, let’s dive deeper into the equipment our crew chiefs and technicians use to execute each job to restore your property to preloss condition. SERVPRO® uses moisture detection equipment to gain a better understanding of what is beyond sheetrock and insulation. Moisture detection equipment uses thermal imaging to decipher and mitigate the need to remove materials to see potential threats of moisture that could later cause microbial growth.

Need to Schedule a Consult?

Call our office at 706-868-5441 to speak with a representative about scheduling – We’re always Here to Help.®

How SERVPRO® of Columbia County Emergency Ready Profiles Save Businesses

6/18/2021 (Permalink)

Need Your ERP? Call us for scheduling at 706-868-5441

Water Damage Bringing Your Business Down? We Can Help!

No business owner wants to undergo the process of restoring a business from a water damage – But, when the unexpected happens, We Can Help.

Follow Our Pro-Tips:

First, make it second-nature to look for warning signs.

What does this mean? To be aware of your surroundings. Make it routine to check on refrigerator leaks, watch for loose pipe fittings that may drip, this could be a warning sign of a pipe burst that could cause extensive damage.

Second, begin to familiarize yourself with your building’s structure.

What does this mean? Knowing where shut-off valves are for both gas and water can mean the difference between a small water cleanup Evans or, having to stop business operations because of the large-loss water damage needs to be mitigated and restored.

What SERVPRO Can Do To Prevent Water Damage

SERVPRO® of Columbia County has the knowledge and capability to walk you through your buildings structure to identify shut-off valves for both gas and water. The more you familiarize yourself with the help of a professional restoration expert, the more equipped you will be when a water damage occurs.

SERVPRO® of Columbia County offers our Emergency Ready Profile. This program is designed to help you identify potential problem areas of your building for emergency response, familiarize you with your building, familiarize a SERVPRO representative with your building’s structure, and equip you and your team with our ERP App that includes all structure and contact information; All to hopefully prevent future extensive damage.

How an ERP Can Help You & Your Business

• Locating & Marking shut-off valves. This means quicker response times to shutting off water causing damage at the source.
• Excessing your opportunity to familiarize yourself with your building helps with safety in the event of an Emergency.
• 24/7 Access to the ERP Information through our ERP App.
• 24/7 Access to contact information for on-call Emergency contacts, HVAC, plumbers, maintenance staff, and other preferred vendors.
• Upon ERP completion, your SERVPRO® representative will be familiar with your building and can easily direct SERVPRO® crews in the event of an emergency call.
• Taking the time to complete your ERP = Less Time Later Spent Trying to Regain Control of Your Business After an emergency call.

Could You Benefit from an ERP? Call us!

Our representatives take pride in being able to equip you with the tools necessary to take control after an emergency such as fire or water damage. To be proactive, call our office at 706-868-5441 to schedule your Emergency Ready Profile.

We Have The Experience And Training To Restore Your Augusta Home After Fire Damage

6/17/2021 (Permalink)

If you need professional assistance with fire damage, Call in the experts at (706) 868-5441. We are always available to help you!

Applied Knowledge To Fixing Fire Damage To Your Home In Augusta

Whether big or small, fire can have long-lasting effects on your home and its contents. The flames themselves, along with water and chemicals used to suffocate them, all leave an imprint on your walls, flooring, and furniture, not to mention your emotional well-being. Eliminating the effects of fire damage is best left to professionals who are used to applying scientific principles to return your home to mint condition promptly. Even the savviest homeowners may find themselves at a loss when faced with the gravity of the situation. 

Fire Damage Restoration

Our team at SERVPRO best serves fire damage to your Augusta home. Our rapid response team is available around the clock to tend to your emergency. All you need to do is place the call. Well beyond our availability, it is our industry knowledge that sets us apart. Our technicians train in the most advanced remediation techniques, and we are ready to apply these principles to your benefit. 

Smoke Damage

When removing soot stains from your walls and surfaces, our SERVPRO team members will apply their knowledge in establishing an action plan. For instance, they may raise the temperature in the room to accelerate the reaction between cleaning agents and residue, or they may use water pressure for thorough stain removal. Our knowledge of each chemical's strengths and application is to your advantage in preserving your home while achieving a complete clean-up. 

House Fire Clean Up

If the fire was extensive, we might not be able to salvage everything in your home. When this is the case, we work with you to properly dispose of burnt and charred materials. We also coordinate so your home is ready for any contractors that need to come in and perform further repairs. Our long-standing experience in the field provides us with a knowledgeable framework to guide our actions. 

As tempting as it might be, leave any fire damage repairs to the experts. At SERVPRO of Columbia County, we provide top-quality services when you are in need. Just call us at (706) 868-5441, so we may help you close this chapter and leave your home "Like it never even happened."

Is Water Damaging the Foundation of Your Augusta Home?

6/11/2021 (Permalink)

Contact our team of experts at SERVPRO for assistance with water damage remediation services in your home.

Moisture Retention in Concrete Slab Foundations of Augusta Homes

Many of the newly constructed and aging homes of Augusta have concrete slab foundations instead of crawl spaces. This base has become a standard in construction for its simplicity and less time spent constructing supports for the house and encasement for the crawlspace. However, for as less likely that groundwater can pool beneath your home like it can with the alternative, there are still potential water concerns for concrete slabs that every homeowner should know.

Identifying problems with your concrete slab and potential water damage that could affect your Augusta home, as a result, might seem more complicated than it is. Most residents can see the outside perimeter of their concrete slab, allowing you to see compromised areas. Our SERVPRO team has witnessed how water damage can adversely affect concrete, as it can do the same thing to blockwork foundations for basement walls in other areas.

As concrete remains perpetually exposed to groundwater and moisture, the slab itself begins to allow moisture penetration and absorption over time. Water saturation of your concrete foundation can cause multiple problems for your house if it does not get corrected. The first of these concerns is the degradation of the concrete itself over an extended period, eventually causing the solid slab to split, crack and separate from itself. A foundation split into two parts can cause significant structural concerns for the house sitting on top.

Moisture penetration can also lead to mold growth for the exposed flooring supports and main level structural elements near the damp base of your property. A spreading organism like this can pose potential health effects for exposed humans and pets and degrade and ruin construction materials hosting a colony.

Our SERVPRO professionals can help assess the situation with your concrete slab and offer diversion solutions for water and work to pull the moisture from this slab to prevent structural failures or microbial growth.

If you suspect water penetration and saturation of your concrete foundation, give our SERVPRO of Columbia County rapid response team a call today at (706) 868-5441.

Pipe Burst After Business Hours

6/8/2021 (Permalink)

Pictured: SERVPRO commercial drying equipment restoring a business to preloss condition.

Expect the Unexpected: Commercial Water Damage

Unforeseen accidents can leave your business at a standstill if you don’t select the right company to help cleanup the mess. If a pipe bursts after-hours you could have a mess of disintegrated ceiling tiles, saturated product, and commercial flooring and sheetrock could be experiencing stress from water damage.

Luckily, SERVPRO® of Columbia County is available 24/7/365 to answer your emergency water damage call. Our crews are always ready to help when disaster strikes. Water damage is something you may not be able to fully plan for, but you can equip yourself with a knowledgeable team that can help mitigate water damage issues.

Commercial Water Damage Removing Water

When water damage strikes, know that our teams can help extract unwanted water and can dry the structure through controlling the environment using drying equipment and dehumidifiers. To remove water properly, our expert crews use the following processes:

• Place drying equipment to extract excess moisture from the walls and flooring.
• Both wet and dry vacuums are used along with attached pumps to dry the structure more quickly
• Portable pumps and extractors may be used as well.

Fixing Commercial Carpet Floor Coverings

Low, commercial-grade carpeting and carpet pads are used in an endless number of commercial businesses. They are an ideal option for commercial flooring but can pose a hurdle when a water damage strikes your business. However, SERVPRO® of Columbia County is capable and experienced in managing a water loss over carpeting. Methods such as “floating” carpets can be a useful tactic to help dry both the top of the carpet pad and bottom of the carpet floor covering.

Need Commercial Water Damage Help? Want to Learn More?

To best serve you is our ultimate goal. We achieve this by quickly and properly restoring your businesses to preloss condition. Call our office at 706-868-5441 or visit our website by clicking here!

What to Expect After a Martinez Water Damage?

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

After this beautiful kitchen had a water loss, SERVPRO drying equipment was placed to help salvage their hardwood flooring.

Water Damage Stage - Where Are You At?

Every water loss is unique in how the loss occurred, type of materials affected, and to amount of square footage on-site was disturbed. The single most important factor to restoring your home is a fast response time. We encourage you to communicate when your water loss first occurred to your local SERVPRO® of Columbia County team so we can determine the stage of potential damage your property has undergone.

Water losses demand a fast response to resolve most of the damage within the first couple of days, and this involves multiple mitigation tactics. Through notifying your insurance company and SERVPRO® of Columbia County promptly, you place your home on the road to being restored properly and efficiently.

Restore – Not Replace!

Protecting your property and your belongings means selecting SERVPRO® of Columbia County’s in-house restoration team to clean both structure and contents. We aim to Restore – Not Replace. For you, this may mean that there could be very minimal structural changes during your water loss Martinez process such as only removing baseboards, or only some pieces of flooring pulled to properly dry the structure.

Because of our advanced technology, we can mitigate quickly and more efficiently while being less invasive.

Protecting your property and your contents often involves several steps. After discovering the stage your property is at; we can begin one of the following process solutions to restore your home:

• Extraction – Removes standing water trapped in your home using multiple different attachment tools and high-powered extraction machines.
• Controlled Demolition – When specific materials are too damaged and wet to dry and still retain the proper structural integrity of your home, our crews begin a process of 'controlled demolition' where they, along with your insurance determine the damages, then discard these damaged elements of your home to prepare for replacement.
• Content Management – We aim to protect your belongings. As a method to do such, our teams work with your insurance to sort through and determine what is salvageable for restoring your items to preloss condition. Items we specifically search for restoring are often keepsakes, heirlooms, and other sentimental items.
• Repairs – Often water losses occur not from negligence, but from broken plumbing or sink fixtures. If this is the case for your home, repairs may be a necessary part in the restoration process.
• Cleaning – Typically as a last step in our process, the Cleaning Stage helps your home to appear "Like it never even happened."® Part of the Cleaning Stage is to remove any debris and clean the structure to remove any hazards on-site.

Experienced a Home Water Damage Martinez? Give our SERVPRO® of Columbia County team a call at (706) 868-5441 to start mitigation after a water loss in your home.

Why Does Flood Damage Restoration by SERVPRO Improve Outcomes in Evans Properties?

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

When the water comes inside, we have the equipment to take it out. Call us today!

SERVPRO Dedicates Adequate Resources for All Tasks during Water Damage Repairs

On discovering floodwaters in your Evans home, you should not hesitate to take action. The kind of action you have to take varies depending on the type of flood damage. Apart from groundwater entering the lower levels of your home, roof leaks can leave other areas of the property inundated. 

Responding to flood damage in Evans requires different approaches, whether it is stripping sheetrock from walls to access the studs, removing porous fixtures such as carpets and pads, or cleaning soiled areas. A professional team like SERVPRO is comfortable handling any of these aspects since we have diverse expertise and equipment needed to handle each task. 

With our assistance, it is easy to accomplish tasks such as 

• Sewage cleanup
• Basement flooding cleanup
• Ceiling repairs from water damage

When sewage or other biohazards are involved, flood restoration requires controlled demolition to remove all porous materials affected by the water intrusion since it is impossible to clean such materials to sanitary levels even through deep cleaning techniques. Our SERVPRO technicians remove or cut off drywall panels a few inches above the waterline, exposing the porous materials within the wall cavity for easier removal. Removing wall panels also helps create room to dry studs and other support elements protecting the house's structural integrity.

Sanitizing the areas affected by the floodwaters or halting any microbial growth process is necessary. Our SERVPRO technicians spray EPA-registered disinfectants on all surfaces. We also apply antimicrobial products that help inhibit mold development.

SERVPRO of Columbia County offers the best help after flood damage. Call us at (706) 868-5441 to help you fix any issue, “Like it never even happened.”

Pipe Burst? SERVPRO® of Columbia County Can Help Begin Cleanup

5/26/2021 (Permalink)

After extracting water from a water loss, Drying Equipment (pictured) is placed to finish the drying process.

FAST Reaction Means FAST Recovery

What’s Important? Reaction time. Reacting quickly to an emergency for all forms of water damages, such as burst pipes, toilet overflows, and roof leaks is vital to reducing your Evans home or business’ chance of secondary damage. A burst pipe can be devastating if not take care of properly. Normal water pressure coupled with aging pipes can lead to pipe bursts and mean extensive damage if not reported quickly.

SERVPRO of Columbia County® can help to restore your home and bring normality back to your life. Our crews are trained in cleanup & restoration of both residential and commercial properties for any size water loss, as our crews follow IICRC protocol. IICRC protocol is a highly regimented system of how to approach, mitigate, and repair a structure after a loss. SERVPRO® crews also follow the 1-4-8 guideline. The 1-4-8 guideline helps to assure timely, seamless communication between homeowner, insurance adjuster, and SERVPRO®.

Moisture Detection and Meters

SERVPRO® Moisture Meters help our crews see beyond your home or business’ walls and flooring. This is important as we can avoid pulling back baseboards, sheetrock, and flooring as we inspect the loss and potential loss areas. Devices such as our FLIR Imaging cameras detect temperatures, this is important as a found change in temperature behind materials could mean moisture we cannot see beyond the surface. With advanced equipment such as the thermal imaging cameras, we can quickly help target the source of a water loss so we can react as necessary to lessen business disruption and/or downtime.

How We Can Help

Beyond identifying the source of your water loss, SERVPRO® provides industry-leading restoration for your business. If you experience a water loss, and need expert advice and assessment, call our team at 706-868-5441.

To Learn More, please visit SERVPROcolumbiacounty.com

Can Dehumidification Be an Effective Tool for Mold Removal Companies in Evans?

5/21/2021 (Permalink)

If mold damage strikes your business, you’ll need a team to help you. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for professional remediation and mitigation services.

SERVPRO Has Several Types of Dehumidifiers for Mold Remediation of Evans' Businesses

The likely cause of microbial growth in your premises is moisture. Without moisture, mold cannot grow and instead lies in a dormant state, forming a natural part of the indoor environment. The solution to mold growth then is to correct moisture problems. SERVPRO has experience working with:

• Mold specialists
• Mold inspection
• Mold removal 

Does Dryer Air Reduce Mold Growth?

Mold removal companies in Evans use dehumidifiers to circulate dry air into an area continually. The dry air acts like a sponge absorbing moisture which, over time, can reduce humidity to below 60 Grains Per Pound (GPP). When humidity drops below 60 GPP, it reduces mold growth. 

• Dehumidifiers dry most efficiently in enclosed areas meaning doorways and windows should be shut or duct sealed.
• This equipment should be placed directly next to areas of mold growth to help reduce colonies. 
• Once a unit is switched on, it can be left running even overnight to ensure that microbial growth remains under control. 
• Negative pressure using air scrubbers can port interior, spore filled air, to the exterior.

Protect your business from mold. Contact SERVPRO of Columbia County for mold removal at (706) 868-5441.

What Types of Equipment Do Martinez Residents Need to Restore Flood Damage?

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

Flood Damage Equipment Used by SERVPRO Can Recovery Your Storm-Damaged Martinez Property

Storms can commonly lead to a flooding issue in your property, either by rainfall or road overflow. Reducing loss at a flooded site relies heavily on removing water from the structure. The less water in the structure, the faster it dries and the less damage it is likely to cause. SERVPRO can help with things like:

• Leaking roof from storms
• Ceiling repairs from water damages
• Basement flooding cleanup 

SERVPRO Utilizes Advanced Technology and Equipment 

Among the most useful equipment for flood damage restoration in your Martinez home is a truck-mount setup. Truck-mounts comprise an engine, vacuum system, chemical pump, water pump, and heating system. This equipment can be used for various methods, from extracting water from your home to pre-conditioning and washing carpets. 

• Truck-mounts have an independent power supply making them ideal for flooded properties where main electricity may be cut off.
• This equipment connects to water supply inlets directly using a water supply hose.
• Truck mounts can be adjusted using vacuum hoses and high-pressure hoses. 
• Trash pumps are helpful for extracting debris-filled floodwaters.

In a flood emergency, contact SERVPRO of Columbia County for assistance with flood damage at (706) 868-5441.

Can Smoke Damage in an Evans Property Cause Permanent Harm?

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has helped many homeowners recover from the effects of fire damage and our highly experienced crews stand ready to respond 24/7.

SERVPRO Fire Restoration Technicians Can Address Indoor Air-quality Issues and Smoke Residues in a House Fire in Evans

Evans is a township that sits on the outskirts of Augusta, Georgia, to the south and the Savannah River to the north. According to the last census, the local population has grown by over 10,000 people between 2000 and 2010, currently sitting at 29,010 people. Many of the residents are taking advantage of the economies that are afforded by Augusta's metropolitan state area. Last year Evans took first place in Money Magazine's Top Places to Live in the United States. Evans has also won an award from Family Circle Magazine with writers highlighting its reasonable housing market, excellent schools, low crime, and green spaces. Part of what makes Evans stand out is the stunning surrounding landscape with Jones Creek and Bartram trail among the highlights. 

The Evans township strikes the right balance between its small-town vibe and the vibrant city life of nearby Augusta. Many of the stores along Evans' quaint main street are independent or family-run. A stroll along the causeway is an opportunity to find unique gifts, grab a bite of southern-style barbecue or sample some of the local produce from the craft breweries. A short walking distance from the township is the surrounding state park with kayaking, fishing, camping, and hiking facilities. Evans is a serene getaway from the bustling bigger cities and a place to relax. Many of the local independent stores here focus on meditation, yoga, wellness, and spas which help to give visitors some much-needed rest on the weekend away. 

• Evans has several day spas for guests to relax and unwind. The Sol Himalayan Salt Cave and Spa on the Town Center Boulevard is a 433 square foot salt cave that focuses on halotherapy. The Tuscany Day Spa is another highlight that focuses on relaxation and wellness. 
• The Evans Town Center Park, which is just off the Boulevard, is a public space that hosts live music, entertainment, and farmer's markets throughout the year. The outdoor entertainment space also has picnic facilities, bike rentals, and a children's playground. 
• Evans is also home to the Columbia County Amphitheater, which hosts outdoor performance art, pantomime, and plays. Situated on Faircloth Drive, the surrounding park is also home to a war memorial that commemorates the lives lost by residents of Columbia County during the war effort.

Evans Residents Use SERVPRO for Fire Restoration Services

Housefires are unfortunately common in the US and can occur due to leaving a stove unattended or from appliance malfunction. While these situations can be stressful and leave stains or odor permeating your home, they can often be restored to a preloss condition with the correct personnel and equipment. 

SERVPRO Technicians Can Restore:

• Fire damaged homes
• Fire and smoke damage
• House fire cleanup

The temperature and air pressure that is created by fires lead to the creation of thousands of aerosols. These aerosols are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye but can often be felt when breathing or smelling the indoor environment. SERVPRO has professional smoke remediation equipment to help restore your home.

• HEPA filters are capable of removing trace aerosols and odor from your home after a fire. 
• These filters can be fitted to filtration devices, negative air pressure machines, or vacuuming equipment. 
• We are happy to work with indoor environmental specialists to ensure your home returns to its preloss condition. 

After a fire, to address indoor air quality issues, contact SERVPRO of Columbia County for fire restoration at (706) 868-5441.

Calculation is Everything in Martinez Water Damage Mitigation

4/23/2021 (Permalink)

Are you having water damage problems? Call SERVPRO to mitigate all of your water damage needs.

We Calculate Water Damage Mitigation Equipment Settings in Martinez

One thing people do not often realize about water damage cleanup is that to be effective, every piece of equipment should be carefully placed and calibrated. Correct water remediation is not as simple as putting on a fan, placing a dehumidifier, and opening the window.

If you need water damage mitigation in Martinez, you can rely on SERVPRO to carry out the calculations. Why is this important? Because incorrectly calibrated equipment could cause:

• Warping or cracking of wood floors or furniture.
• Incomplete drying inside walls and under floors.
• Leftover damp patches that carry a risk of fungal growth.
• Textiles are left slightly damp and start to smell moldy.

We train our SERVPRO technicians to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards. The standards cover how to calculate things such as pump needs, which air movers to use, dehumidifier settings, and air filtration. Because our techs calculate everything using measurable data and no guesswork, you are guaranteed the best results.

For a thorough and reliable water damage mitigation service, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

Flooring Care Cleaning After an Evans House Fire

4/23/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals are expertly trained to clean even the most heavily soot affected flooring - Pictured.

How to Clean Floors After a Fire?

Experienced a Fire in Your Evans Home? SERVPRO of Columbia County is Here to Help® restore your home, including your floors. Floors typically will collect the most smoke residue and soot out of any other surface in your Evans home after a fire. Due to gravity, the natural movement of smoke that does not contact the walls and ceilings will sometimes make its way to your flooring. Because this happens, the floors will have to be cleaned twice. Depending on what type of flooring stairs are made of will determine what cleaning technique should be used to clean and preserve your floors.

Types of Flooring and Different Cleaning Techniques

There are many different types of flooring: resilient hard floors, non-resilient floors, concrete floors, and wood floors. Each type of flooring will require a different type of cleaning strategy from SERVPRO professionals. With regards to cleaning resilient hard floors, “spray buffing” the floor to see the best result is recommended and is a process SERVPRO professionals use to assure we retain the best care of the flooring. This process of spray buffing helps pick up smoke residue and replaces it with a spray buff solution. Spray buffing will also level the surface area and fill in scratches.

Cleaning concrete floors will require a different technique. Depending on the style of the concrete floors there are 2 different ways for cleaning them. If the concrete is not sealed properly then you will need to vacuum or brush them first so they will not leave stains from the cleaning products. If the floors are properly sealed, then they can be wet cleaned using a mild SERVPRO cleanser.

Lastly, wood flooring may require mopping or refinishing depending on the damage caused from the loss. If the floors can be cleaned with mopping, the best cleaner to use is one with a neutral pH level. If you need extra service care for your flooring after a house fire, please call us at 706-868-5441. We’re always Here to Help.®

Your Business Can Become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

4/22/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Columbia County crew member sprays commercial building as a part of their CSC Program.

What is “CSC” - Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned?

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive program set forth by SERVPRO professionals to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This cleaning goes beyond regular janitorial services. SERVPRO of Columbia County crews are equipped with our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE – A product crafted to disinfect from COVID-19 and carries the EPA’s lowest toxicity rating making it safe for carpeting and furniture.

Becoming Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned communicates your commitment for the health and safety of you, your staff, and customers through selecting a higher standard of clean to help combat the spread of COVID-19. Our goal is to provide a safe working environment and ensure to stimulate consumer confidence as businesses continue to reopen.

Becoming Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

Partnering with industry leader SERVPRO means you will receive prompt response for disinfection servicing, especially in the event of responding to a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Our team will work with you to develop a plan through consulting and advising for which program best fits the needs of your business – Based on business type, size of space, and amount of high-touch point surfaces.

Based on these needs, your business will undergo a thorough cleaning process, with SERVPRO crews following CDC guidelines with the necessary PPE, Personal Protective Equipment such as gloves, masks, face shields and Tyvek suits. Lastly, after your business has been serviced, you will receive signage and/or window cling decals to display to your community your commitment of clean from SERVPRO.

Want to Join the CSC Program?

Call for a consultation at 706-868-5441. Our crews are available 24/7/365 to help you regain normalcy to your business by bringing peace of mind through the CSC Program.

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. 

Storms and Flooding in Evans Homes - SERVPRO Can Help!

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

This water loss at a local business was caused by storm flooding.

Could it take up to a month to dry my Evans home from flood damage?

Heavy rains threaten to cause most of the flooding that occurs in Evans. Factors such as prolonged rainfall saturates the ground and rainwater can begin to crowd drain systems, drain channels, and the multitude of creeks that run in and around Evans neighborhoods.

If you experience flooding in your Evans home, it is imperative to contact a professional restoration company, SERVPRO of Columbia County. Contacting professionals helps to limit long-term damages caused by flooding and give insight to problem areas. Professionals can help identify problem areas to be aware of for preventing and alleviating the same Evans flooding issues in the future.

No Standing Water in your Home? There Still May Be Hidden Moisture

When floodwater intrudes your home, moisture can lurk behind walls, behind baseboards, soak into carpet padding and under flooring. SERVPRO professionals rely on many different tools and techniques to be able to give clarity as to what could be festering where you cannot visibly see. There are a multitude of non-invasive options SERVPRO can provide for flood damage restoration, such as:

• Thermal imaging
• Moisture meters
• Infrared cameras
• Flir imaging

After a Flood – Removing Affected Items

After a flood, your home will need to be eradicated of future problem areas. For example, sheetrock that is affected by flood water needs to be removed. This is a “must” because sheetrock wicks moisture rapidly and will begin to deteriorate the integrity of the wall. Often, only a portion of the sheetrock will need to be removed. To protect flooring, extracting water quickly and placing drying equipment can help to preserve your floors.

Fast Response and Evans Flood Zones

We understand that responding quickly to your call is vitally important in assuring that your home and its contents can be salvaged. If wet materials are left to dry, your home could soon be at risk for future issues such as mold growth.

If you are curious if your home is currently threatened by potential flooding, please visit “Know Your Flood Hazard” to learn more about Columbia County Flood Zones through the Columbia County webpages.

Checking Evans Restaurant HVAC Systems During Fire Damage Restoration

4/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Helps Evans Business Owners with Fire Damage Restoration

One of the most frustrating parts about the fire’s aftermath is how the smoke and soot get everywhere. If you've suffered the misfortune of a fire in your restaurant, you will understand what we mean. It seems like smoke gets into every nook and cranny.

If you need fire damage restoration in your Evans restaurant, one thing your SERVPRO team will be sure to check is the HVAC system. Because soot particles are tiny and airborne, it is easy for them to drift into hidden places in your premises. If soot gets into your HVAC system, the system can blow those particles into the air every time you switch the system on. Obviously, this is undesirable, which is why SERVPRO will:

• Examine your HVAC system for any traces of soot or smoke.
• Use HEPA vacuums to remove loose soot and cleaning agents for greasier deposits.
• Thoroughly cleanse and deodorize inside the system so soot cannot escape into your restaurant.

If you have recently experienced a fire in your restaurant, we can help. Call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

Can Evans Outdoor Faucets Create a Need for Water Removal?

4/2/2021 (Permalink)

We have the equipment and training to restore your home to pre-damage condition after water damage strikes.

SERVPRO Helps Evans Households with Water Removal

Evans is a friendly suburb of Augusta, a large and lively city situated just two hours drive from Atlanta, Georgia. Evans is a great place to live or stay for a vacation, giving visitors easy access to all of Augusta’s amenities.

The area has a long history. Its closeness to the Savannah River made it a rich source of fish, and there is native history going back hundreds of years. In 1735, James Oglethorpe, who founded Savannah, sent people to explore the upper Savannah River area. Oglethorpe named the town after Princess Augusta, who was the wife of King George III. Augusta proliferated and became a famous market town in the area. With a canal, dams, and factories, Augusta was a center for industry and has continued to thrive.

Enjoy Historic Canal Walks Near Evans

Evans is conveniently located for the Augusta Canal. Builders finished their work on the canal in 1845. Townsfolk constructed the canal for three key reasons:

• To drive the local grist and sawmills.
• To make it easier for the manufacturers in the area to transport goods.
• To provide the town with a municipal water supply.

This does not seem terribly exciting, but in fact, the Augusta Canal is quite unusual! It is the only canal in the United States that remains in contiguous use for all three of its intended purposes.

These days, the Augusta canal provides lots of lovely nature walks. It is Georgia’s first national heritage area. As well as strolling along the canal, visitors can ride along the bike trails or even take a guided boat tour on the canal. The more adventurous visitor can enjoy some time kayaking along the canal! Or if you are looking for rest and relaxation, why not visit Savannah Rapids Pavilion? This lush 33-acre park beside the canal headgates offers stunning views over Reed Creek Falls and a sheltered place to enjoy a snack and watch the world go by.

Discover History and Art Around the Canal

The Augusta Canal offers some lovely opportunities to learn about history, and get involved with the current day Augusta community:

• Be sure to visit the Augusta Canal Discovery Center at Enterprise Mill. Enjoy an hour-long guided tour where you will learn about the canal, its history, and its present-day place in the city.
• Take a stroll around Augusta’s RiverWalk, where you can enjoy views of the Savannah River, stop at one of many children’s playgrounds, or enjoy the regular farmers’ market.
• Arts in the Heart is a yearly Augusta arts festival downtown and beside the river and canal. Enjoy entertainment, food, music, and crafts from local artists.

Why Should Evans Homeowners be Careful About their Outdoor Faucets?

When you think of potential leak risks in your home, you probably think of overflowing tubs or broken appliances. But it is also a good idea to check your outdoor faucet regularly for signs of leaks.

The most commonplace that an outdoor faucet will leak into your home is the basement. If you call SERVPRO, we can:

• Use monitoring equipment to examine the basement ceiling and walls for damage.
• Check inside the walls for signs of damp.
• Dry the area and use antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold.

If you are worried about your outdoor faucet causing water problems in your basement, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

What Happens to Your Basement During Water Damage Restoration?

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

Excess water? Team SERVPRO can help with water damage remediation including providing photos and documentation for insurance purposes.

SERVPRO dries out Augusta basements

Basements are particularly susceptible to water damage. Many people keep some appliances in the basement, which could leak. Basements can also suffer damage due to water leaks from the garden or because of heavy rain.

If you are worried about water damage restoration in your Augusta basement, SERVPRO is here to help. Call us as soon as you notice signs of water in your basement. We can assist with many aspects of water damage remediation in your finished basement:

• Evacuating as much water as possible using pumps and vacuums.
• Using extractors to press water from soaked carpets and rugs.
• Deep cleaning carpets and textiles.
• Applying odor-eating pellets, fogging, or spot cleaning to get rid of damp smells.
• Applying antimicrobial treatments where necessary.

We train our technicians to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards, so you can rest assured we know the most effective techniques for your unique situation. We can check hollow cinder block cells for moisture retention and eliminate if present. The goal is to prevent mold proliferation and ongoing secondary water damage.

SERVPRO can also liaise with your insurance company and provide photographs or inventories of damaged items if needed.

For help with water damage restoration in your basement, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

How Long Should You Run a Dehumidifier after Flood Damage?

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

Flood damage can be very unexpected. Contact SERVPRO to help with both water removal and to deal with any lingering odors.

SERVPRO helps Augusta homes dry out

After flood damage, getting your home dry once more is the priority. Your home will not feel like your own again until it is clean, dry, and smelling fresh “Like it never even happened.”

If you need help dealing with flood damage in your Augusta home, SERVPRO is here for you. Dehumidifiers are essential when it comes to drying out your house after a flood. Dehumidifiers reduce the amount of water vapor in the air, which means we can dry the area faster.

When using dehumidifiers, there are three things we must take into consideration.

• The size of the area we are drying.
• The extent of the water damage.
• The humidity levels in the air already.

Our teams monitor humidity throughout the process, so we know exactly how long to use dehumidifiers. We also have access to a range of dehumidifiers, including refrigerant and desiccant, so that we can pick the best one for the job.

When your home is dry again, we will deodorize it to eliminate any lingering damp odors.

For help after flood damage, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

Helping Historic Buildings with Fire Damage Restoration

3/7/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here for Augusta buildings

Augusta is a fascinating and vibrant city with a wealth of history and historical sites to enjoy. Despite being relatively small, with a population of 197,888 people, Augusta has a beautiful historic downtown district and many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Noble Jones, an English carpenter, chose the site for a new settlement in 1736. He built the settlement to act as a defense against the French and Spanish. At first, travelers could only reach Augusta by boat, but in 1739 townsfolk started constructing a road between Savannah and Augusta, which opened the area to travelers and began a period of growth for Augusta.

Augusta's fortunes have risen and fallen over the years. When Savannah fell to the British during the American Revolution, Augusta became Georgia's state capital. In the late 1940s, Augusta enjoyed an economic boom, with new businesses setting up there and a rapidly growing population. The city fell into decline in later years but was revitalized once again in the 1990s, thanks to a local group of artists who started a weekly arts event downtown. Today, Augusta is a thriving modern city that still has ties to its long history.

Enjoy beautiful historic buildings in downtown Augusta

Visit downtown Augusta, and you will see many historic buildings. The city also features some landmark homes:

• The Brahe House is a three-story house from 1850. The home features some unique architecture. The main structure is an excellent example of Sand Hills Cottage architecture, a modified type of Greek Revival architecture, yet the basement design is entirely English. 
• Joseph Rucker Lamar Boyhood Home is an attractive mid-nineteenth-century house. It is the childhood dwelling of Joseph Rucker Lamar, who was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
• The Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home is a house museum where you can see for yourself where President Woodrow Wilson lived as a child. The Wilson family built the house in 1859, and it has lots of interesting architectural features, including a portico and transom window and a carriage house on the grounds. The inside has been refitted as an authentic mid-nineteenth century home.

When you are finished viewing the historic homes, there are plenty of other historic buildings to explore, including:

• Old Government House was the local government seat from 1801 – 1821 and has also served as a family home. The architecture is an excellent example of the Federal style.
• Academy of Richmond County is the fifth oldest public high school still existing in the United States. This imposing building is still in use as a high school.
• The congregation of B'nai Israel Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Georgia and offers a rare example of a Greek-style Synagogue.

SERVPRO understands the needs of historic buildings

Unfortunately, Augusta is all too familiar with the danger fire poses to historic buildings. In 1916, a blaze tore through 25 blocks, including part of downtown. Thousands of people became homeless, and hundreds of business owners lost their premises.

Historic buildings post unique challenges. SERVPRO takes these into account by:

• Assessing each surface to ensure we use the most appropriate cleaning technique.
• Using thermal imaging to search for hidden damp patches as a result of fire hose use.
• Being mindful of the need to take extra care when repainting, re-papering, or replacing structural elements.

If you are worried about fire damage restoration, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

Lessen Fire Damage with Professional Intervention

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

Restore your Augusta home by calling SERVPRO to assist with fire damage

If you had a small fire in or near your kitchen, you must address all smoke and soot as soon as possible. Due to soot and smoke particles and their corrosive nature, hiring skilled restoration technicians from SERVPRO gets you proven, efficient results. We take the time to carefully handle, clean, and restore all damaged structural materials, appliances, furniture, and belongings.

When handling kitchen fire damage in Augusta, we utilize a range of cleaning techniques to bring your home back to preloss condition. We will inspect:

• Microwaves
• Freezers
• Refrigerators
• Dishwashers
• And more

Many of these appliances include hard-surfaces such as plastic, composite materials, glass, and metal. By inspecting and testing the appliances for surface durability, we select the best dry or wet cleaning methods to remove sticky, protein-based residues. All of our cleaning and sanitizing products are carefully selected and EPA-registered for safety. Depending on the nature of the greasy residue present, our technicians may boost the solution's alkalinity to achieve cleaning goals. 

Fire damage is never anything to leave to chance, especially when there is the potential for lingering odors. Let our fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) at SERVPRO of Columbia County handle your restoration needs. Call us to have a crew sent to your home 24/7 at (706) 868-5441. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster!

Why Enlist the Help of Skilled Water Damage Restoration Technicians?

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage may cause enough damage that you will need a demo done. SERVPRO is here for you from beginning to end.

Your Augusta home deserves rapid water damage restoration – Call SERVPRO first!

When surface water invades your Augusta home, you need to act quickly. Leaving standing water to migrate under cabinetry, throughout your carpets, or behind baseboards creates the perfect storm for secondary damage and mold growth. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster at SERVPRO, meaning you have skilled restoration technicians on-site within hours of your call.

Why call on SERVPRO for water damage restoration in Augusta? We have a proven plan to get your home back to preloss condition, which includes the following steps:

• Step 1: Full inspection of all damaged areas, which allows us to get a feel for the project's scope.
• Step 2: Advising you, the homeowner, of the damage and all recommendations for restoration.
• Step 3: Water extraction begins to remove all standing water with powerful pumps and related attachments.
• Step 4: Drying commences in conjunction with water removal to fully dry the structure with air movers and dehumidifiers.
• Step 5: Deodorization and sanitization help clean your interior and ensure no foul odors get left behind.

As needed, our crew handles controlled demolition efforts to make your interior "Like it never even happened." Call SERVPRO of Columbia 24 hours a day, any day of the week, for skilled water damage restoration. We can be reached at (706) 868-5441.

Don’t Let Flood Damage Leave Foul Odors Behind.

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Flood damage should be left to the professionals at SERVPRO. Their IICRC certified trained technicians are ready for any size job.

SERVPRO offers rapid flood damage mitigation to eliminate odors in your Evans home!

Part of the metropolitan area and a suburb of Augusta, the town of Evans is a census-designated place (CDP) located within Columbia County, Georgia. When the 2010 United States Census wrapped up, Evans had a population of 29,011 people – this was an increase of over 17k from the numbers collected during the 2000 Census results.

According to local stories, Evans possibly got its name from Clement A. Evans, who was a Confederate General. The original Evans community is situated on North Belair Road, also known as Georgia State Route 383. 

Fun Fact: Evans, Georgia, was named the top place to live within the United States by Money Magazine in 2020. 

Living and Putting Down Roots in Evans, GA

In addition to the accolades given by Money Magazine, Evans was also voted by Family Circle Magazine as one of the Best Towns for Families. This rating got tallied due to stats on high-quality schools, affordable housing, plenty of green spaces, and excellent access to healthcare and jobs. You will find stunning landscapes, friendly neighborhoods throughout the town, and plenty of enjoyable outdoor activities within the region. 

Some of the top things to do in and around Evans includes:

• Serene 18 – Located at Clarks Hill Lake, this is a beautiful natural setting for a variety of outdoor activities. Visitors will find plenty of trails to explore and the serene water where you can enjoy some kayaking or canoeing. Serene 18 gets its name from the 18 square miles of incredible water trails for exploration. 
• Bartram Trail Golf Club – If you are a golf enthusiast, this is one course that you do not want to miss out on. Here you will find bent-grass greens spanning an immense area of rolling terrain, a quaint creek bed, and wetland areas. 

If you are looking to grab a bite to eat or a place to relax for a drink when in Evans, some of the most notable stops include:

• Tako Sushi
• Rhinehart’s Oyster Bar
• Mellow Mushroom Evans
• Miyabi Jr.
• Wife Saver
• That Flippin’ Egg
• Izumi Japanese Restaurant
• Laziza Mediterranean Grill

Proper Flood Damage Mitigation Must Also Include Odor Control Measures in Evans

If you have floodwaters entering your Evans home, calling in skilled technicians gets you the prompt, professional results you deserve. SERVPRO offers several methods for water extraction, drying, and sanitization to restore your interior to preloss condition. 

Something to worry about with any flood damage in Evans is the onset of stubborn musty odors. Our crew may use one or more of the following methods to combat such odorous elements:

• Perform controlled demolition to remove saturated, unsalvageable materials like carpeting, drywall, and other porous materials
• Application of EPA-registered biocide spray to curb odors and microbial growth throughout the cleanup process
• Thermal fogging technology using solvent or water-based deodorizers to saturate surfaces and pull out odorous particles
• Setting up ventilation box fans to create fresh, clean airflow before and after the deodorization takes place

Tough odors after flood damage are no match for our skilled crew at SERVPRO of Columbia County. If you need to have a team dispatched to your home to help remove flooding and begin the drying process, call us at (706) 868-5441 for emergency service!

Experiencing Groundwater Damage, SERVPRO® of Columbia County is Here to Help

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

This SERVPRO® equipment placement helps to dry out a finished basement after high waters from a flood seeped through an outside doorway.

Flood Damage Help for our Evans Area

If you have recently experienced flooding in your Evans area, you may have also experienced groundwater damage. Groundwater damage is Category 3 level water damage. In IICRC standards, water damages are categorized by level of severity and level of contamination. Category 3 water damages are most associated with sewage backups and floodwaters. These 2 types of water damages are very unsanitary due to the particulates that they tend to carry. Sewage backups contain sewage which can carry disease and other unsafe particulates. Floodwaters contain mud and waste which then create disease-producing organisms. 

Cleanup & The SERVPRO® Process

SERVPRO® of Columbia County is experienced in Cleanup of Evans flood damage disasters and will approach the situation responsibly and efficiently, always taking precautionary measures to keep you and your family safe. First, the SERVPRO® of Columbia County teams of crew chiefs and technicians will establish drying goals and communicate “Next Steps.” Many factors help to determine drying goals and discussing which drying method is most efficient for your flood water loss is important. SERVPRO® professionals also will help to maintain the correct dry times and humidity levels. All these factors, if retained in the correct levels, will help to accomplish the expected drying time-frame goals.

Need Help Evans Flood Damage?

Water damage from flooding can easily take a stronghold of your home or business. Help take it back by calling SERVPRO® of Columbia County. We are local and can quickly respond to your call if you have recently experienced flooding in Evans at 706-868-5441.

Kickstart Your Augusta Business in 2021

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

Augusta Women in Business Conference Teaches and Inspires

Women in Business put together a seminar to help women entrepreneurs kick-start 2021 for a prosperous year. This one-hour virtual workshop will cover several aspects of what makes a business and gives brand success. This seminar is led by Dani Almarode, who will cover goal setting and keep them attainable and motivating. While Aimee Rose, the Chief Communications Officer for Augusta Health, will go over creative ways to establish and leverage your personal and professional brand for the most mileage. This seminar aims to elevate and empower women in the business sector and create a supportive network. Female majority-owned business owners from all experience levels, from the brand new startup to a seasoned entrepreneur, are welcome to attend.  Contact Kim Wilbur at  (540) 324-1133 with any questions. 

• Date: Thursday, January 28, 2021
• Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST
• Price: $10 
• The link is given after purchase

SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 handles fire damage restoration in local Augusta properties, including smoke damage and other secondary issues. The techs work until the damage is, "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Is The Top Choices Among Water Restoration Companies in Augusta

1/10/2021 (Permalink)

Augusta Residents Rely On SERVPRO As Their Go-To Water Restoration Companies

Augusta is a jewel in the South’s crown. It has beautiful weather, nearly year-round, natural, scenic beauty, and a city that offers many conveniences and exciting venues to explore. When looking at the town’s size in the present, it is hard to imagine most of the population centered around a river.

The city of Augusta got established along the Savannah River, and in the 1980s, the revitalization of the riverfront began. Like-minded individuals formed an organization called Augusta Tomorrow, which laid out plans for developing the riverfront area to attract tourism and boost local businesses’ economy in the downtown area. Further funding for the project came from Citicorp USA.

The group designed a plan for the Riverwalk that would involve levees to limit the flooding in the area after heavy rains and create a wider path for the Savannah River, redirecting it. The initial breach required permits to get issued through an act designated by Congress in 1985 to allow for the needed cuts. Special consideration got applied to the trees growing along the river, and they got left as is while the workers planted additional trees to line the walks along the banks of the river.

Flooding in Augusta had been a fact of life for residents since the establishment of the city. The original levees were built in the early 1900s to halt the flooding problem, particularly downtown. In 1929, heavy rains caused the levee to fail, and the area severely flooded. As a result, the state congress passed the 1936 Flood Control Act that funded a more powerful, higher, better levee system built by the Corps of Engineers. Downtown got more protection from flooding in the 1950s when workers constructed the Clark Hill Dam to help control the rivers and provide a power source for the area. In the present, the Riverwalk is:

• A source of income for local businesses
• A draw for tourism
• Protection for the city from flooding 

Great Places to Visit in Augusta

While the Riverwalk is a significant draw for the area, there are many great venues that locals and tourists enjoy. These venues are both a tourist draw and boost the local economy: 

• Augusta Canal Discovery Center is an interactive museum built in an old cotton mill that tells the interesting story of the canal built in 1845 and how it was a crucial part of both the city and the industrial revolution in the South. 
• The Imperial Theater has a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Nearly 100 years old, this theater still hosts plays, concerts, and other productions. 
• The Lucy Craft Laney Museum highlights the life of Lucy Laney. She was an educator who founded the first school for black children in Augusta. She went on to be a principal for 50 years at the Haines Institute. Then-Governor Jimmy Carter posthumously chose her to have her portrait installed in the State Capitol of Georgia for her contributions to the community.

Augusta Hero: The Amazing Life of Lucy Craft Laney
Lucy Craft Laney was born eleven years before the end of slavery in 1854 as the seventh of ten children. Both of her parents were former slaves who purchased their freedom and were big proponents of education for all; this attitude strongly influenced Lucy from a young age.

Education of black people in Georgia had to get conducted in secret as it was a punishable offense for blacks to know how to read. Many people in the state thought this was wrong, including the sister of the former enslaver of Lucy’s parents, Ms. Campbell. The sister worked with Lucy from a young age, and by the time she was four, Lucy could read. Later, as those restrictions on education were lifted publicly, Lucy went on to school and then Atlanta University to pursue a degree in education to be a teacher. She got her teaching certificate in 1873. 

After teaching for a few years, her health took a downward turn, and she moved to Augusta and founded the city’s first school for black children. Her first class was just six students during the first year in 1883 and grew to over 200 students the second year as word of her teaching spread throughout the community. A gift from local benefactor Francine E. H Haines of $10,000 gave Lucy the seed money she needed to grow her school and reach a greater portion of the city. Although schools and public establishments were still segregated in the South, Laney made it her mission to unite people and was very active in the Interracial Commission, which worked to integrate the YMCA and YWCA. Hence, they no longer had separate organizations for white and black residents. When Lucy died in October 1933, the internment occurred at the corner of Laney Walker Boulevard and Phillips Street, where the first of her schools, the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute, once stood. 

What Can Water Restoration Companies Do For Local Augusta Homes?

Many home disasters call for the services of water restoration companies in Augusta properties. The most common are pipe breaks, hot water tank failures, sewage backups, and flood damage from storms. One of the first actions that SERVPRO technicians perform is testing the water if it has been on-site longer than 24-hours or came from groundwater. This action tells the techs if there are potential hazards such as:

• Microbes and pathogenic elements
• Sewage
• Chemicals or toxins

If anything harmful gets identified during the water testing, the techs treat it with their professional biocide formulas to make it safer to handle during the extraction. The potential for water hazards is one of the biggest reasons to outsource the cleanup task to a professional company. Sewage can wind up in a home if a pipe is clogged, stormwater backed up, or toilet malfunctions. All of these scenarios leave water that is unsafe for homeowners to come into contact within the home.

The use of professional extraction equipment helps deliver the best outcome to a property after a water damage incident. The drying equipment that the techs use is so powerful that it forces embedded moisture to rise that conventional household fans cannot match.

SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 remains the top choice among water restoration companies in the Augusta area. The techs have comprehensive training to deal with any size or type of water damage in local properties.

Augusta Residents Can Learn to Invest

1/10/2021 (Permalink)

Get Tips For Smart Investing From Augusta-Based Master Mentors

Augusta residents can enjoy learning how to invest smarter at this one-day conference that brings together several power players in the financial sector. One hard lesson that came out of 2020 is that you need to know how to make your money work even harder for you in unusual situations such as shutdowns. The "Master the Trade" conference put together six distinct classes in this one-day virtual seminar that teaches participants how to develop the mind and skill set for successful investing. The workshop takes attendees through pointers for self-discipline, setting reachable goals, building a financial legacy, and comprehensive training to understand stocks, options, and futures. Contact Teri Ijeoma at hello@iTravelandTrade.com with any questions.

• Date: Saturday, January 23, 2021
• Time: 11:00 AM—7:00 PM EST
• Ticket Price: $97 - $299
• Link to virtual event provided after purchase

When local Augusta properties have flood damage, property owners call on SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441. The trained technicians have access to professional equipment to handle any amount of water within a property and make the damage, "Like it never even happened."

Fire and Soot Damage Cleaning and Restoration in Evans

1/8/2021 (Permalink)

Soot can quickly threaten to ruin your home and belongings. Need Soot Cleanup & Restoration Help? Call the experts at 706-868-5441.

Cleaning Fire and Soot Damage

If you have ever experienced a fire at your Evans home or business, after the smoke had cleared you would have noticed numerous flaws of your belongings. Depending on the level of fire severity your home or business endured, furniture, upholstery, and every surface area may have been visibly covered in damaging soot. When attempting to clean, soot can ruin your furniture’s upholstery and cling to furniture if not removed properly. SERVPRO® of Columbia County has the expertise and knowledge to put an end to damaged linens and unsalvageable furniture through our expert processes.

CSRA Trusted Leader in Cleanup & Restoration

SERVPRO® of Columbia County is your areas trusted leader in fire and soot Cleanup & Restoration. Our certified crews and technicians are available 24/7 to quickly serve you. Our 1-4-8 Service Response System assures that your call for help will be answered in record time.

What is the 1-4-8 System?

SERVPRO® of Columbia County upholds to a service response system that guarantees that every customer’s call will be  promptly responded to when in need. The SERVPRO® of Columbia County 1-4-8 Service Response System is as follows:

• 1 – 1 Hour to Receive Your Call and Connect You with a Crew to Dispatch
• 4 – 4 Hours to Arrive On-Site After the Dispatched Loss
• 8 – 8 Hours to Provide a Verbal Briefing with Information Including: Documentation and Communication with Your Insurance Agent and Adjuster.

We specialize in all restoration needs and are equipped with the latest technology to help restore your home or businesses structure, contents, linens, and furniture promptly.

Esporta Wash System

SERVPRO® of Columbia County is an exclusive operator of the Esporta Wash System. The Esporta is located at SERVPRO® of Columbia County operations center in Evans, Georgia and unlike a regular commercial washer the Esporta machine is unique. The Esporta capabilities remove soot, debris, neutralize odors, clean, and sanitize all textiles. It has several chambers for washing textiles and cleans through using a series of detergents that lift soot and odors, rather than through agitation which can mistakenly break down delicate fibers.

Linens Covered in Soot? You Need The Esporta!

Have you recently experienced an Evans fire house fire help that left soot and debris causing harm to your clothing/textiles? Have you experienced soot damaging your furniture and clothing? We will work with you and your insurance to revive your once favorite sweater, or your child’s favorite stuffed animal while simultaneously restoring your home. Call us at 706-868-5441 to receive a quote and expert advice.

What to Do Before We Arrive for Water Removal in Evans

12/23/2020 (Permalink)

Our crews routinely check moisture levels during a water loss to better communicate the drying process.

Got Water? What First!

Having the surprise of water damage in an Evans home or business can be unsettling. We are here to help guide you through what can often be an intimidating process. First, find the source of the excess water. You can start by calling your local SERVPRO® or local plumber to find the source. Next, experts can assist with stopping the leak in a timely manner to help prevent extensive damage. Additionally, SERVPRO® of Columbia County can begin the drying process.

Inspections and Estimates

Assuming that the source of a water leak from your home or business has been identified, an inspection can be conducted. After the cause of the water damage has been found and stopped, you then would need to call your local SERVPRO® of Columbia County to come inspect and see what the best route for removal and extraction of the property would be. An estimate will better equip you for understanding the extent of any water damage to your Evans home. After deciding what would be the best way to remove the water, SERVPRO® of Columbia County crew chiefs and technicians would then come and start the mitigation process.

Why Mitigation?

Effective removal of water is especially important to prevent any further damage to your property. In addition, mitigation of the water is also important to control moisture levels and contamination of the property and its contents. If damage is not contained, they then have the potential to affect other areas of the property and cause more damage.

Seeking Need Expert Help?

If you have experienced water damage to your Evans home the best thing to do is to call your local SERVPRO® of Columbia County at 706-868-5441 – We can assure that your house is restored and back to normal as quickly as possible.

Flooded Garages In Your Evans Home

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Evans garage with water damage after extraction, equipment is being placed within the home.

Water Damage in Your Evans Garage?

If you have recently experienced water damage to your Evans garage, one of the first steps would be to call your local SERVPRO® of Columbia County to help with clean up and restoring of your property. The quicker you can start the drying process with our equipment, the quicker your home and your contents can be restored.

After calling your local SERVPRO® of Columbia County, we begin by arriving on site to remove excess water. This is the most important step in our process as it can save your home from extensive damage. SERVPRO® of Columbia County uses 2 types of processes for drying:

1. Extracting: or in other words, removing the water which would then use a truck mount extractor to pull the water from the affected area.
2. Evaporation: this process requires the use of a dehumidifier to remove the water that has infiltrated the air that will then be disposed of through a drain in either a bathtub or sink.
   

After the Area Has Been Dried

After the extracting and dehumidifying process has been completed and the area will return to a normal moisture range. The next step would be to clean and make any repairs necessary to your Evans water damaged garage. This would include cleaning of any contents or textiles that may have been affected. We often clean floors and walls as well to assure that odors will not be present once we leave.

Need Help?

Call today if you have experienced water damage to your Evans garage at 706-868-5441. SERVPRO® of Columbia County is always here to help!

Bring Your Kids Out to the Swamps in Augusta

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

This Event Allows Your Family to Experience the Wetlands of Augusta Up Close and Personal

The Phinzy Swamp Nature Park is one of Augusta's most popular attractions. On the third Saturday of every month, the park opens its doors for a special tour for the children. The special "Swamp Treks" focus on educating and letting kids from 3rd grade through 8th grade enjoy everything the vast wetlands and outdoors have to offer.

The next swamp trek takes place on December 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and it only costs $10. Each event starts with a morning hike out into the adventurous wetlands, and then it turns into a unique, hands-on nature experience. This month the trek will be focused on nature prints, but attendees to the swamp trek can learn about various topics throughout the year, including:

Camping

Survival skills

Wild animals

Bees

Various birds

SERVPRO of Columbia County is one company that you can rely on 24/7 for your fire and smoke odor repair needs. If you ever happened to suffer from a structural blaze, call us at (706) 868-5441.

Call Us After A Fire in Your Evans Home

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

Our in-house Esporta Wash System was able to breathe new life into this cherished plush baby doll for a family this Christmas Season.

Recently Experienced a House Fire in Evans? We Can Help!

Calling your local Clean Up & Restoration Company, SERVPRO® of Columbia County should be one of your first steps to recovering from a house fire. Timeliness in reacting to fire damage is vital. The faster we can respond to your call, the sooner you can acclimate to your home once cleaned. We place fast response times as a priority, and make ourselves available to you, our customer.

We Are Ready to Serve You

SERVPRO® of Columbia County has the expert processes in place for after-fire event clean up. The products we use to clean your Evans house fire or Evans business fire are made at Headquarters in Gallatin, Tennessee. The products used are some of the few that meet the elevated SERVPRO® cleanliness specifications. To better understand the industry standard process, here is a list of expectations:

1. Call SERVPRO® of Columbia County, 706-868-5441. You will be met by a Production Manager that will discuss the damage and help plan next steps for our crews.
2. Next, crews will be arranged to begin work at your convenience and the fire clean up help process will start.
3. Your Evans property will be cleaned using SERVPRO® registered products, often helping to prepare the property for painting.
4. Additionally, while your property is being restored to preloss condition, we have full capability for additional services such as: Upholstery Cleaning, Textile Restoration, Contents Cleaning On-Site, Contents Cleaning Off-Site through the process of a Pack-Out/Pack-In.

Pro-tip: SERVPRO® of Columbia County has full capability to care for, monitor, and clean your items in storage at our facility and warehouse while your home is being restored.

Call today if you have experienced a fire in your Evans home at 706-868-5441. SERVPRO® of Columbia County is here to help and leave you "Like it never even happened."®

Come Enjoy The Lights of the South Near Evans

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

It's Just a Short Drive From Evans to Experience the Beautiful Displays of the Lights of the South

The Lights of the South is a Georgia tradition that takes place every year. Every year starting at the end of November, people can come and experience the event every day from 6 to 10 p.m., and it ends on December 30th, and it is closed on Christmas Day.

Once through the gates, visitors can get in the Christmas spirit by seeing over five million lights, including the world's largest vertical American Flag. Other perks of taking the trip include:

Hayrides through the light displays.

Visit Santa Claus to give your kids a chance to tell him what they want for Christmas

Take a train ride through candy land and experience the candy cane light displays.

Roast marshmallows around a fire pit.

Our technicians at SERVPRO of Columbia County are proud to serve Evans and surrounding areas for all of your mold remediation needs. If you ever notice mold inside your house, call  (706) 868-5441 24 hours a day.

Augusta Residents Can Count on Prompt Water Damage Repair Services from SERVPRO

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

When your property needs water or fire damage, You want SERVPROS certified experts on the job. Call us at (706) 868-5441.

Our SERVPRO Technicians Utilize Advanced Technology When Mitigating Water Damage in Your Augusta Home

Augusta, Georgia, is an old city on the east coast with a vast history from being the home of Native Americans to playing a significant role in the cotton industry. The region was originally popular with several Native American tribes because it sat on the Savannah River. They often used the site to cross the river into what is now South Carolina.

In 1735, James Oglethorpe (who founded Savannah two years earlier) went to the area to send some troops to set up a fort on the Savannah River. He then founded the city and named it after Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, who was the wife of Frederick Prince of Wales and the mother of King George III.

At one point, Augusta was the state’s second capital before Savannah became the capital again in 1795. The city sits about a two-hour drive east of Atlanta, and it is the second-largest city in the state next to Atlanta.

The latest census numbers estimate that the population of Augusta is nearly 200,000 people. However, the metropolitan region contains a population of around 600,000 people. And Columbia County, which encompasses part of Augusta and other surrounding cities, has about 124,000 people.

Home to Several Manufacturing Facilities

In Augusta, the main drivers of the economy come from the public sector. Augusta University, the University Hospital, and the Army base Fort Gordon are the major employers for the metropolitan region. But, the city does house some manufacturing facilities for major corporations, including:

Textron Specialized Vehicles: Textron is based out of Providence, Rhode Island, and is the mother company of several industrial producers of various types of vehicles, from Cessna airplanes to Arctic Cat All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).

Graphic Packaging International: GPI is a Fortune 500 company that specializes in packaging and designing various types of products, and they employ over 800 people.

Kellogg’s: The famous cereal company is headquartered out of Michigan, but it has a facility in the city that employs over 500 people.

Procter & Gamble: This multinational corporation is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it produces a large variety of personal hygiene and care products. 

Thermal Ceramics: This worldwide English-based corporation manufactures various products utilizing advanced ceramics, composites, and carbon.

Fort Gordon Houses the United States Army Cyber Command

This army base that was formerly known as Camp Gordon was established in October of 1941. The camp started when it trained soldiers during World War I, and then it continued to play a role in being a school and training base during World War II and the Vietnam Conflict.

In the present day, it has turned into a training facility and headquarters for the U.S. Army’s cyber unit. In 2016, the base became the home to the National Cyber Security Headquarters, which was estimated to bring in 10,000 people in the industry. The latest estimates show that Fort Gordon is the biggest employer in the Augusta area, and it employs around 20,000 people.

Augusta University is the State’s Only Health Sciences Specialist

The university’s health sciences program started in 1913, and now the main campus spreads over 200 acres, and there are four other local campuses in the area. The University has other hubs within the state, and it employs around 15,000 people.

As a part of the college, the Augusta Health System has a hospital with nearly 500 beds and a children's hospital with over 150 beds. The university and its health system is the second-largest employer in the region sitting behind Fort Gordon.

Sports Tournaments That Call Augusta Their Home

The Masters- The Masters' Golf Tournament marks the first of the sport’s major championship tournaments each year, and it usually occurs in April. The event is considered the most prominent tournament in the sport, and to attend the event, tickets must be purchased far in advance. The Augusta National Golf Club, with its pristine grounds, hosts the tournament that brings several pros out every year. 

Augusta Top Gun Series- The city is also known for its large amount of disc golf facilities, and it hosts a series of tournaments for the Professional Disc Golf Association. The most popular courses where this famous tournament series is held are the courses at Lake Olmstead and Pendleton King Park. In 2006, the city had the Professional Disc Golf World Championships, where nearly 300 people from across the world attended.

Augusta Southern Nationals- This event was once dubbed the “richest drag boat race in the world” for thirty years in a row. The race used to be held on a section of the Savannah River near the city’s downtown, but it was discontinued in 2016.

SERVPRO Can Help Fix Damage Caused By Water Leaks

One of the most common insurance claims homeowners have to make are those caused by water leaking. A pipe break or an appliance malfunction can cause moisture to enter your structure and cause issues with several of your building materials. If organic materials inside your house like your drywall, studs, and flooring stay wet for too long, then mold could develop.

Luckily, our team at SERVPRO specializes in providing fast, 24/7 service to help you repair your home after a water leak. We can take the following steps to repair your house to its preloss condition, “Like it never even happened.”

Repair The Leak: We start by temporarily fixing the problem that has caused the moisture to leak into your dwelling.

Extraction: Next, our SERVPRO technicians can remove as much liquid water as possible using industrially-advanced, heavy-duty extraction equipment.

Air Circulation: After all of the liquid H2O gets extracted, we can then set up air movers to create circulation in a counterclockwise motion that can help speed up the natural drying process.

Dehumidification: One major part of applied structural drying (ASD) is to set up dehumidifiers that remove moisture from the air and dispense it into a liquid.

You can always rely on SERVPRO of Columbia County for all of your water or fire damage repair needs. Any time you notice a problem, you can call us at (706) 868-5441 24/7. 

Enjoy Weekly Wine tasting and Cooking Classes at Evans' Cork and Flame.

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

Cork and Flame's Unique Dining Experiences are Running with Wine Tasting Every Thursday and Saturday or Cooking Classes on the Weekend.

Cork and Flame is the culmination of Roger Strohl's Vineyard Wine Market and Justin Hayes' Argentinian-inspired tapas. Evans' residents are invited to learn and enjoy a selection of curated wines alongside complementary tapas. On Saturdays, locals can create a delicious light lunch before cooking a full main using the Argentinian-style open fire oven on Sundays under the guidance of expert chef Justin Hayes.

Cork and Flame offer:

• Chef's experience of a tailor-made menu alongside complimentary wines from the Vineyard Wine Market
• A weekly wine tasting event featuring a curated selection of reds and whites sourced from all over the world.
• A two-day cooking class led by experienced head chef Justin Hayes runs every weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
• Private bookings are available while the promising and new Sunday brunch menu is now serving between 11 am and 2 pm.

SERVPRO of Columbia County invites you to take part in this delicious community fare and sample a curated selection from Evans' finest wine market. Commercial Fire Cleanup is available for local businesses experiencing fire-related damages. Contact us immediately at (706) 868-5441.

Explore Augusta's History From the Industrial Revolution to the Modern Era

11/10/2020 (Permalink)

It will be exciting to see the community at the Enterprise Mill guided tours.

Learn About Augusta's Industrial Past with a Canal Trip from the Enterprise Mill this November.

What are national heritage areas?

Heritage sites teach us about the unique history and circumstances that create the communities we live in today. Throughout November, the Enterprise Mill at 1450 Greene Street runs a guided tour along the Canal to describe our commerce's unique industrial heritage. Boats set sail from the former Textile mill at the heart of trading in the American South. Boat trips include admission to the Rotary Club of Augusta Centennial Theatre and the Canal gift shop to buy souvenirs of your trip. 

Are there restrictions for tours?

• Ensure that you and your family are safe this November by following the guidelines for Enterprise Mill tours:
• All visitors are required to wear face coverings while on the Canal and in the discovery center.
• Ticket limitations apply to ensure safe, social distancing in all areas of the heritage site.
• Phone-ahead to reserve a spot and reduce the amount of physical exchange needed to tour the Canal.

If you find yourself suffering from water intrusion on your personal property this November, contact SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

SERVPRO® of Columbia County Acts Quickly for Your Business

11/5/2020 (Permalink)

An asst. living facility was inoperable after water damage displaced residents. SERVPRO® worked tirelessly to complete the project within a few days.

SERVPRO® of Columbia County Responds Confidently

SERVPRO® of Columbia County understands what it means to act promptly, while still retaining the best customer service. When an emergency such as water damage or fire damage affect your business, we are here to help. With highly trained crews and advanced equipment, we are more than ready to serve you and your business.

Flooding and water damage are events that can affect your normal business operations and worst-case scenario — Your business will need to temporarily close to be restored. Water damage can be complex and almost always goes beyond what you can see on the surface. It is vitally important to select SERVPRO® of Columbia County to fully restore your property to preloss condition should you need us. Otherwise, there are secondary issues that can develop such as mold.

Understandably, large scale losses are often daunting to a business owner. To SERVPRO® professionals, our experience and knowledge base equips our crews to be prepared to confront losses like these confidently. Our franchise has been in operation since 1983. Our Large Loss Division specializes in organizing equipment, equipment monitoring hours that work in conjunction with your businesses schedule, convenient drying times, and communication to finish the project swiftly.

Worried that you may need professional advice and help, but aren’t sure? Give us a call and we can help guide you towards the "next steps" you will need to take to get your business back to preloss condition.

SERVPRO® of Columbia County (706) 868-5441

SERVPRO is Devoted to Our Augusta Community.

11/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Dedicated to Helping Augusta Residents Overcome Natural Disasters and Flooding by Providing Expertise, Guidance, and Flood Water Extraction Equipment.

Augusta is home to over 70,390 households and 24,000 families. While people from all over gather together every spring for the world-famous Golf Tournament, The Masters, winter can often be much harder for our residents. Every year sub-zero conditions can contribute to property damages by freezing pipes as well as winter storms. Residents need to stay ahead of incoming natural disasters by tuning in to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio and preparing appropriately for a potential storm or flood warning. 

SERVPRO is well-prepared for an incoming flood this winter by ensuring our technicians stay up-to-date with modern protocols and rely on our experience from last summer when Thunderstorms in August caused significant damage to Grovetown residents and power outages on Katherine and Dorn streets. Nevertheless, there are several things to look forward to in Columbia County this year, with many events continuing by adapting to the new safe social distancing measures, including:

• The annual Columbia County Fair takes place on Thursday the 22nd of October and runs until Sunday the 1st of November. Every year we gather together to celebrate and preserve the heritage of Columbia County and eat delicious local-farmed produce.
• As the spooky season begins, Harlem residents are encouraged to join in the 2020 Halloween Golf Cart Parade. The parade starts at 10 am on the 24th of October, and there is still time to enter your own decorated parade cart. 
• Georgia has a rich history as a rural farming community. There's no better way to celebrate our heritage than by taking a trip to The Maize at Steeds Dairy. Recently adapted to allow for social distancing, this historic dairy farm is open to visitors from the 25th of October to the 14th of December. 

The impact of Flash Flooding on Augusta Residents

As recently as September, Augusta University Health's sciences campus suffered some of the worst flash flooding impacts in recent memory. Heavy rainfall, rising water levels of the Savannah River, and an unfortunate connection between a storm drain and sewer pipes led to maintenance holes overflowing with blackwater. Blackwater damages can be especially harmful to health carrying raw sewage among other human pathogens. There were significant amounts of damaged property to dispose of and water pumping or extraction. 

Contamination in water supplies that burst or overflow can be among the most challenging for restoration companies. These waters can absorb into household materials, exterior soil walls, and cause physical damage to properties. To repair properties with this type of damage requires the demolition and removal of large amounts of a building assembly. Safe disposal, water extraction, and thorough decontamination are also necessary to return a home to its preloss condition in these instances. If your property suffers from localized flash flooding, it is vital to reach out to a professional restoration service to restrict damages and mitigate further losses. 

What are floodplains, and how do they affect Augusta residents?

• Flood plains are areas that run alongside the Savannah River, which can have a maximum depth of forty-two feet at peak times of the season. However, the Savannah River is known as a tidal river, which means it can be influenced by tornadoes or rising sea levels. These natural events can lead to saltwater intrusion when large amounts of seawater enter groundwater aquifers. Some residents directly experience water pushing up through crawl spaces, flooding lower rooms, and causing extensive damage to their personal property. 
• When rising water levels reach above banks, they can begin to overflow into the flood plain below. These are a common cause of flash flooding, which accounts for up to 12% of homes in North Augusta and Augusta. You can contact the local government to receive ordinance maps that explain whether your property is situated in flood risk zones. Unfortunately, these areas can affect insurance premiums and cause periodic damage due to tropical storms in the summer, such as Hurricane Sandy, as well as flash flooding, which usually occurs in the fall and through winter. 
• County Columbia residents living in a high-risk flood plain may be able to participate in the county's flood buyout program. This initiative has been in place for the past twenty-years. It provides residents with the opportunity to sell a regularly flooded property back to the Augusta Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. Properties that the council acquires are demolished and converted into green spaces that allow for the natural flow of water through floodplains without causing harm or inconvenience to residents. Unfortunately, residents outside of a flood zone can still be affected by storm-related flooding and should keep hold of a local restoration company just in case. 

Can SERVPRO Help Augusta Residents with Flood Water Extraction after a Natural Disaster?

In the immediate aftermath of weather or flood-related event, it can be tough figuring out whom to turn to for help. SERVPRO uses expertly trained and nationally qualified water restoration technicians to help homeowners overcome all water damage categories in your property. We can aid you by mobilizing essential mitigation equipment and arriving on-site within just four hours of a loss notification. Throughout the restoration program, an experienced and compassionate crew chief can answer any questions you may have about your property's potential damages or special services you may need. 

Our services can help you:

• Secure your property against looting, water intrusion, or unlawful entry by performing emergency board-ups to areas of damage and entrance ways
• Inventory your belongings in a digital form and transport them from your home to a safe, dry, and secure storage facility while we perform the necessary work to restore them.
• Enlist the assistance of vital subcontractors to work on your home structure while we perform mitigation, cleanup, and restoration of the property. 

Flooding can be a devastating reality for many residents of Augusta. Our leading flood water extraction services can help your home recover quickly from a natural disaster. Contact SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

Need Storm Damage Help for Your Evans Home?

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

This Louisiana Comfort Inn was left in ruins from Hurricane Laura until SERVPRO of Columbia County Storm Team came to the rescue.

SERVPRO of Columbia County are the Experts You May Need

SERVPRO of Columbia County Crews Start to Mobilize

Experiencing storm damage from hurricane force winds and flooding can be traumatic. When Hurricane Laura plagued the state of Louisiana, thousands of homes and businesses were left on the verge of destruction. SERVPRO of Columbia County crews formed a unit of Storm Team experts and responded to the call for action.

SERVPRO Serving Professionally

SERVPRO crews were immediately mobilized in time before Hurricane Laura could make landfall. Prepped with generators, virtually unlimited amounts of air movers, extractors, manpower and training needed to help rescue families and business owners in desperate need—SERVPRO of Columbia County were there to help. While crews were helping to serve in Louisiana, local SERVPRO crews remained at home base to help when secondary Hurricane Laura and Sally shifted towards the CSRA.

Although the City of Augusta may not experience flooding like coastal towns, the CSRA still often experiences the aftermath from hurricane season. Should you find yourself in the path of a storm, SERVPRO of Columbia County can aid in your recovery. We have multiple teams to best serve you.

SERVPRO crews and technicians have been critically trained for catastrophic storm events. If you have storm damage in Evans or surrounding areas, you can feel confident that SERVPRO Professionals will always have equipment to answer your call for storm damage help.

Some storm damage incidents SERVPRO of Columbia County responds to include:

• Flooding caused by heavy rains and hurricanes
• Tornadoes and Wind Damage
• Ice Storms and Snowstorms

After any water damage or flooding situation, your primary focus should be safety:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

Need expert advice on preparing for a hurricane or flooding? Visit the Columbia County EMA to set up notifications Here. Additionally, you can call SERVPRO of Columbia County in Evans for help (706) 868-5441

Are Wood Furnishings Susceptible to Fire Damage?

10/23/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Perform Fire Restoration on Wooden Fittings, Floors, and Furnishings in your Evans Home.

Does wood burn quickly in a property fire?

It is commonly thought that your Evans home's wooden materials are the first to go in a fire. While wood does provide fuel for fires, it is often different from the types of wood used in construction. A solid wood counter, for example, is likely to retain up to 12% in moisture content, which can slow down the combustion process.  Dense woods slow flames' progress, while modern finishes and coatings can prevent fires from causing permanent harm to these materials. SERVPRO knows when a piece of furniture is restorable and when it is replaceable.

What are the three types of wood found in a home?

• Unfinished wood which is naturally porous and allows smoke residues to penetrate deeper into the wood grain
• Finished wood which usually has a coating of varnish, polyurethane, lacquer, shellac, or paints to make it non-porous
• Photo-finish simulated wood grain is made up of multiple pieces, including particleboard and pressed wood glued together.

Can smoke residues be sanded off of wood materials?

Aggressive abrasion methods are a critical part of fire restoration in your Evans home. Often SERVPRO technicians opt for a wall and surface cleaner with low alkaline levels to avoid inadvertently damaging the surface. When smoke residues penetrate through the layers of wood, surface cleaning solutions become less and less effective. In these circumstances, fire damage restoration technicians can resort to more abrasive cleaning methods that remove upper layers of wood. Blasting equipment fires millions of tiny particles against a wood surface, slowly removing layers of smoke residue, as well as wood, and leaving behind a smooth surface for refinishing.

What types of abrasion blasting are useful for woods

• Sandblasting is particularly aggressive and primarily used for hardwood surfaces.
• Soda blasting uses bicarbonate of soda to ease away layers of softwood like balsa gently
• Dry ice is also used for sensitive woods and removes only a small amount of the wood surface, without adding moisture

Replacing woods can be time-consuming and expensive. To restore wood after fire, contact SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

How Do You Get Professional Help With Water Damage Restoration in Grovetown?

10/18/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Water Damage Restoration Specialists Professionally Restore Your Grovetown Property.

Property owners in Grovetown are familiar with water damage from flooding and other weather-related disasters. This intrusive type of water damage is stressful and frustrating. SERVPRO professionals are on hand 24 hours a day to respond quickly to any water disaster. They do everything from extracting water to professionally restoring your property.

What Happens When You Call Your Grovetown Water Restoration Specialists?

Before SERVPRO certified technicians begin restoring your home, your team needs to rid you home of water. Your team accomplishes this quickly and efficiently with the following steps:

• Ensure the water source is stopped.
• Inspect and assess water damage with water detection equipment.
• Remove water with pumps and extractors. They use professional extracting equipment to remove most of the water from your home.
• Clean contaminated areas. If your water intrusion involves contaminated water, affected areas are decontaminated before drying.
• Dry areas with high volume air movers and dehumidifiers. Air movers are placed strategically to blow air to walls, ceilings, carpets, and more. Dehumidifiers pull moisture from the air.
• Clean and sanitize affected areas. 

Your SERVPRO certified team will then begin the restoration process.

What Water Damage Restoration Services Does Your Grovetown SERVPRO Provide?

Emergency services may be required to enable work on your home. These services include:

• Pack-Out and Move-Out services 
• Providing temporary warehouse space
• Covering open areas
• Temporary fencing

Many repairs and services are done by your highly trained team. Some of these are:

• Cleaning and restoring your furniture
• Mold remediation 
• Drywall removal and installation
• Hard flooring repair
• Painting
• Carpet and pad removal and installation

Your trusted restoration specialist also supervises extensive home repair and rebuilding.

The completed disaster-to-finished restoration service saves you time, money, and frustration. When your team finishes the job, your home looks and feels the way it did before your water intrusion happened. Act quickly to mitigate water damage and have your home professionally restored. Call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 when disaster strikes.

Click here for more information about Grovetown.

How Can Augusta Business Owners Minimize Disruption During Mold Damage Cleanup?

10/10/2020 (Permalink)

Augusta Business Owners Do Not Want Mold Damage Cleanup To Disrupt Their Operation

Any business owner in Augusta knows that even a short business closure can create havoc with their profits. Every day a business is closed is terrible news, and entrepreneurs want to get back up and running quickly.

Mold remediation in Augusta businesses does not always mean a full closure, but there are times when this is necessary. Even if the organization does not need to close, there is no doubt that mold remediation disrupts daily operations.?

SERVPRO of Columbia County understands the concerns of the local business community. Our Franchise is affiliated with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, and we are dedicated to helping maintain a thriving business economy here in our city.

How badly can mold disrupt a business?
The extent to which mold disrupts a commercial enterprise is affected by several factors:

    •    Which area of the building the fungus is growing in
    •    How far the mold has spread
    •    Whether the damage is severe enough to warrant structural repairs in addition to mold damage cleanup

We often deal with smaller patches of mold without disrupting staff and customers, but more difficult situations mean closing off all or part of a building. This can leave some staff members unable to carry out their duties.

Does mold automatically mean closing down?
Not necessarily. For example, if we are working in an office block with three staff bathrooms and only one has mold growth, we can use containment to seal it off while we work, and the rest of the office can carry on with business. You may be able to move some staff to another location from where they can continue working.

If, however, there is extensive fungal growth in a shop or warehouse, it might be necessary to close for a short time until the problem is solved.

SERVPRO technicians will assess the mold situation by:

    •    Visually examining the fungal growth
    •    Using thermo-hygrometers to measure humidity in the area
    •    Using infrared cameras to track the movement of moisture across walls and ceilings
    •    Using moisture meters and probes to measure moisture in wood, plaster, drywall, carpets, and even furniture

When our assessment is complete, we will discuss with you the best steps to clean up the mold damage, how long it will take, and whether closure is necessary.

How can entrepreneurs minimize disruption?
The best way to minimize disruption is to call SERVPRO as soon as you suspect you have a mold problem. Fast action prevents the fungus from spreading further and thus causing more problems. We are available 24 hours, so do not hesitate to call us if you see or smell mold in your premises.

When you call us, please make sure your staff does not:

    •    Attempt to clean the mold themselves, as this can make it worse
    •    Blow, brush, or disturb the mold
    •    Walkthrough the affected area more than necessary

Please switch off HVAC systems and fans.?

How does SERVPRO minimize disruption?
We know you need to get back to business as soon as you can. Our technicians will use plastic sheeting to set up containment around the affected area to focus our work there. We will also set up a decontamination area if needed. These steps minimize the risk of spreading mold to other parts of your business.

We understand that the key to effective remediation is excellent planning. We agree on the course of action with you before we begin, and then we ensure each team member has the equipment necessary to work quickly and efficiently.

We can also liaise with insurance adjusters on your behalf if needed. If remediation calls for plumbing, construction, or electrical services, we will hire and supervise the correct people. Working with others on your behalf makes things go more smoothly and minimizes the amount of time you need to spend dealing with the situation.

Is it possible to plan for mold remediation?
We highly recommend setting up a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile (ERP). The ERP is free to use – download the app, set up a profile, and follow the instructions. Your ERP includes an assessment of your facility, critical information about your business, a note of the line of command and emergency contact details, and a plan for getting your company back to work following a disaster. You can even set your local Franchise as your go-to remediation specialists.

An ERP means your staff knows who to call and what to do in an emergency, including mold growth. You must share it with other decision-makers in your business.

If you are concerned about mold damage in your business, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

Is It Possible to Save Furniture After A Flooding Incident?

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding damages wood from flooring to furniture. SERVPRO knows how to restore furniture. Call us today!

SERVPRO Can Help You Make an Informed Decision Whether to Save Furniture after Flood Damage Affects Your Grovetown Home 

Floods can affect house contents, such as furniture, in different ways. For instance, water can submerge items if the floodwaters are high enough. Water can also trickle from a high point, such as a window or an opening on the roof, leaving items wet. The possibility of saving such furniture may remain unclear until a qualified team such as SERVPRO inspects your Grovetown home. 

What do restorers check to determine whether the furniture can be saved? 

Deciding whether to save or dispose of furniture after flood damage occurs at your Grovetown home is only possible after considering: 

• How long items remain submerged
• The composition of materials
• The level of contamination
• Aesthetic changes such as staining 

The effects of flooding are generally destructive, but the actual damage level might depend on the timelines involved. Submersion that exceeds a day allows full saturation of the materials and the deterioration of materials since processes such as mold development can start in 24 hours. Saving items in such a case is rarely possible. 

Why does the material matter? 

Furniture items are made from a wide range of materials, including: 

• Fabrics or leather
• Solid wood
• Composites such as MDF or plywood 

The type of material an item is made of determines its porosity, resilience, and how it reacts to soiling. Highly porous materials accumulate contaminants making restoration unsanitary. Most composites have minimal strength once exposed to water since the glues holding them together deteriorate in wet conditions. Solid wood fares better. SERVPRO technicians can help clean your solid wood furniture, dry it in a controlled environment, and apply remedial products such as cream with lanolin to eliminate traces of the damage "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Columbia County can help you make the delicate decision of what to do with your furniture after flooding. Call us at (706) 868-5441.

How to Address Fire Damage in a Residence?

9/11/2020 (Permalink)

Call Your Local Fire Restoration Team to Restore Your Home in Martin

You may think that your Martinez home is not vulnerable to a fire, but evidence shows that home fires can erupt quickly. A kitchen grease fire or an electrical short can damage your home in just a few minutes. Very often, the flames burn in only one section of the house, which makes your restoration needs easier to damage. However, even the smallest of fires require professional attention if you want to avoid future complications.

Locally, fire restoration services for Martinez homeowners are our specialty at SERVPRO. We coordinate with repairers and insurance adjusters to make your restoration process as seamless as possible. Our crew is available around the clock to minimize the time in which your home and its contents continue to absorb soot, smoke, and any extinguishing agents used to put out the fire. Every minute counts when we are trying to mitigate your loss in terms of time and money.

Should I call a restoration team even if the fire was small?

Yes! It would be best if you always let our SERVPRO team take a look at the damage in your home. It is best to have our knowledgeable team use the latest technology available in our field to inspect your home. Using tools such as hygrometers and infrared camera imagery, we can detect where water might be hiding in places such as subfloors and within wall cavities. Similarly, we inspect your ventilation system and follow the smoke path to determine how to mitigate the odor it left behind. This thorough assessment focuses on protecting you from developing an environment where your home or health could be compromised. Among the actions we can take to remove traces of the fire we include the following:

• Use thermal foggers or hydroxyl generators to combat the acrid smell
• Discard items, particularly porous textiles that might pose a danger to your health. Upholstery and carpets are especially vulnerable to being damaged beyond repair
• Application of industrial-strength cleaning agents to remove stains and soot throughout your home

SERVPRO of Columbia County is at your service when accidents happen. Call us at (706) 868-5441 whenever you need us and let us apply our expertise to leave your home, "Like it never even happened."

Why Is Professional Fire Restoration Advisable for Martinez Homes?

9/5/2020 (Permalink)

There are Many Phases and Stages of Fire Recovery in Residences, and our SERVPRO Team can Help to Navigate Homeowners Through These Challenging Times Efficiently

You might not know what to expect from professional fire restoration in Martinez homes and businesses after a disaster. Entrusting your property to a third party, despite being a leading restoration and recovery team in Columbia County, can be an easier decision the more that you know about cleaning and repair fire damages.  

With so many fire damage restoration layers for Martinez homes, our SERVPRO professionals must be involved from the earliest stages to the final walk-through with our competent restorers and experienced general contractors. We can save our clients time and money on the restoration that their properties already need after a fire by offering a comprehensive solution to property damage recovery. Each of the restoration stages and repairs is critical in making fire losses, "Like it never even happened."  

What Emergency Services Help Set the Stage for Restoration?  

Emergency services refer to the immediate actions taken before the property evaluation even begins. With situations like fire, water, and flood loss, waiting until a restoration plan comes to fruition can allow for more of the property to become damaged from migrating loss effects. While the term 'emergency services' could refer to any of dozens of these preliminary actions that our restorers can take after a loss before mitigation, it primarily indicates several specific steps to reduce smoke, soot, and odors. These include: 

• Board Up/Tarping – Tarping a damaged roof or sealing over broken windows or man-made structural breaches prevents secondary damages like flooding or animal infestations.  

• Debris Removal – Piles of bulk materials and partially combusted remnants on the floors can be a catalyst for concentrated smoke odors and soot particles. 

• Ventilation – Establishing appropriate ventilation and airflow can reduce the severity of soot and smoke particles, odors, and water damages from being extinguished.  

• Demolition – Careful demolition practices remove damaged portions of structural elements to more efficiently replace them later.  

What is Staging in Fire Restoration?  

It does not take much for fire loss effects in Lafayette to find their way into other property areas through the HVAC system or different pathways. Cross-contamination of foot traffic between the damaged and undamaged areas of your house can also cause this problem. For this reason, staging areas exist to address the concerns more efficiently. These rooms are either constructed with temporary containment barriers in an open area adjacent and attached to the damaged region or in a nearby room large enough to hold our restoration equipment and personal protective gear. The primary advantages of this system are:  

• Accessible Tools 
• Convenient Placement
• Time saving
• Prevents Cross-Contamination 

What Needs to be Done and When? 

While these preliminary staging and planning actions are critical to getting fire damage mitigation started, executing this plan requires a focus on specific considerations. Protecting the property requires our technicians to address all of these possible problems as they occur. Between mitigation and restoration phases, we can focus our responding technicians on:  

• Potential Structural Concerns – Structural damage can exist in the earliest recovery stages and receive temporary solutions with board up and tarping. Long-term repairs and reconstruction needs happen after mitigation by our experienced and knowledgeable building trade professionals on the roster.  

• Protecting Valuables and Belongings – Content relocation and cleaning is another process that can begin in the emergency services phase but extend in some regard through every stage of restoration. On-site recovery can happen with mitigation stages, while off-site restoration at our SERVPRO facility continues as necessary until the items can get returned.  

• Reducing Worsening Conditions – Mitigation is designed to limit the total losses that your home experiences after a fire, and our technicians have multiple ways of doing this. Air quality control, environmental cleaning, surface cleaning, and debris removal all play a role in keeping fire losses from getting out of control for restorers.  

• Identifying Health Hazards – Soot can often be among the most hazardous situations after a fire because of these carcinogens being microscopic. HEPA filtration can remove contaminants and particulates from the environment down to as small as 0.3 microns.  

Fire damages do not always have exact causes or efficient pathways to restoration and recovery. As comprehensive of an approach as our SERVPRO of Columbia County team can offer, it is vital to get these services started as soon as possible. Give our professionals a call today at (706) 868-5441.

Local Grovetown Water Cleanup Services Near Me?

8/31/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Columbia County Can Send Water Cleanup Technicians to You Today!

Envision your Grovetown kitchen flooded with a sudsy puddle of water, originating from your dishwasher. When you asked your teenager to put a load of dishes in, you did not expect them to put dish soap into the washing tray. Unfortunately, their mistake has caused a mess in the middle of your kitchen, which seems somewhat daunting to approach. 

SERVPRO can provide swift local Grovetown water cleanup services to your home to tackle the mess for you. It does not matter to us if your accident happens on the weekend or during the night. We are here to serve you, no matter when you need it. 

What Can I Do in the Meantime? 

While waiting for our technicians, you can do a few helpful things to reduce the amount of water leaking from your dishwasher. To start, you can: 

• Turn off the dishwasher
• Shut off the water to your home
• Put any pets away, so we have free access to your home 

At SERVPRO, we use industry-grade advanced technology, and it makes it easier for us to bring the devices into your home if we don't have to worry about any pets escaping. 

What Devices Can Cleanup the Water in my Kitchen? 

Our IICRC certified water damage remediation technicians (WRT) are trained to use many devices that aid in our restoration process. In your home, we could set up:

• Wet/dry vacuums 
• Air movers
• Dehumidifiers 

Our goal is to remove as much water as possible from your property and return your home to its appropriate moisture levels. To do so, we use many devices in conjunction, which supply dry air continuously. Furthermore, we have technology such as moisture probes to look for moisture spots beneath flooring and between walls. When it comes to us, we're as thorough as we can be to return your home to you in its preloss state.  

If your home requires water cleanup services, get help now. Speak with SERVPRO of Columbia County by dialing (706) 868-5441. No matter the time, we're available for you. 

What Does It Take to Reopen My Evans Business After a Major Water Spill?

8/10/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO for A Full-Service Response to Your Flooded Evans Business

What Kind of Damage Can I Expect from A Water Spill?

Most commercial water damage repair to Evans businesses (a real estate office, for example) SERVPRO technicians deal with involve drying the structure to avoid replacing items like drywall and carpets. Primarily these result from split inlet pipes or a failed appliance like a water heater and do not usually include contaminants that pollute floors and walls.

What Are the First Steps Response Teams Take?

Our initial actions mitigate the situation. That means we stabilize the environment to minimize potential damage and prevent further damage to the business. These actions include:

    •    Extract excess water with pumps to reduce the amount of water absorbed by drywall, floor trim, and other structural property. It reduces the amount of crumbling, cracking, and splitting, which reduces the amount of property that needs replacing.
    •    Extract water from carpets and pads with extraction wands prevents carpet rot and stops the layers of carpet from separating. Since pads quickly deteriorate, technicians dispose of them immediately after extracting water and lifting the carpet out of the way.
    •    Extract water off linoleum in breakrooms using a squeegee wand to reduce the chance of water getting under the surface and softening the glue holding it in place.
    •    Provide humidity control by placing fans throughout the facility to increase air circulation and dehumidifiers to draw water from the air, which lowers humidity to a comfortable level.

How Long Before I Can Reopen My Business?

That depends on the size of your facility and how many days each action takes to complete. In some buildings, there may be odors from soaked paper and other ruined materials that SERVPRO technicians have to remove from the building.

To learn more about what SERVPRO of Columbia County can do for your business here or in Augusta, call our office at (706) 868-5441 today. We are here for you.

For more about Evans click here.

Can Disaster Mitigation Pros Remove Flooding from My Master Bedroom?

8/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Loves Helping Our Augusta Neighbors After a Flooding Event to Their Homes!

IICRC-Certified Technicians Provide Augusta Homeowners with Flood Damage Mitigation and Restoration

Home flooding can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damages with just an inch or two of water in the home. Contaminated waters can create large amounts of loss, including damage to electrical components, subfloors, wall supports, insulation, and even the foundation of your Augusta home.

SERVPRO is prepared to mitigate flood damage in your Augusta residence with commercial-grade tools and EPA-registered antimicrobials. The goal is to remove damage from your property and restore affected areas to a preloss state while minimizing structural and contents losses.

SERVPRO Training Ensures Quality Cleanup

SERVPRO staff receives extensive training regarding disaster mitigation, home restoration, and assisting clients throughout the process. Franchise owners undergo a hand-on training program to ensure that they are fully equipped to run your local SERVPRO franchise with the tools and knowledge necessary to support the community.

SERVPRO franchise owners, staff, and technicians alike have access to a wealth of educational opportunities after the initial training process. Technicians are certified to render services per industry standards outlined by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

Staff, as well as professionals in real estate and insurance, can take part in the following SERVPRO courses to enhance their understanding of disaster mitigation:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Understanding Mold in the Restoration Industry
• Restorative Drying for Loss Control
• A non-credit Mitigation Awareness Response Seminar

What Items are Typically Unsalvageable After a Flood?

While many of your belongings can be cleaned and restored after a flood, some items in your Augusta residence may require removal by SERVPRO technicians, with the informed consent of both property owners and insurance adjusters.

• Carpet and pad. After enough exposure to moisture, carpet and pad eventually cannot stay attached to the flooring and separate from it as adhesives erode. Flood-damaged carpeting is also a common breeding ground for microbes and pests alike.
• Mattresses and box springs are large pieces of furniture that can suffer extensively from the damages caused by flooding. Water damage that is not sufficiently dried can damage internal springs, and sewage and other contaminants pose safety concerns for occupants that cannot be ignored.
• While fiberglass or insulation is not as prone to mold growth as its cellulose or cotton counterparts, exposure to flood contaminants like sewage and chemical runoff can affect the efficacy of your home’s insulation.
• Damaged drywall. Drywall is a porous surface prone to warping, swelling, and eventually crumbling from moisture exposure. As a result, flood-damaged drywall is typically more cost-effective to remove and replace.

What Precautions Can I Take to Protect My Furniture and Valuables from Flooding?

Augusta homeowners looking for effective strategies to protect their items should consider the following:

• Elevating furniture is one of the best ways to ensure that your furniture avoids contact with floodwater. Elevation strategies include using cinder blocks for elevation and moving items to an upper floor.
• Cover electrical components in plastic sheeting to minimize contact with water. This tactic also works to reduce the risk of floodwater affecting electronic components.
• Bar water from entering your home with quick solutions like stacking sandbags.
• Store smaller items and valuables in sealable plastic containers. Keep these items elevated on shelves or other furniture items to lower the risk of exposure to floodwaters.

If the contents of your home have suffered damage from flooding, SERVPRO technicians have the tools necessary to clean upholstery, furniture, and valuables. Possessions that require specific restoration services, like electronics or antiques, can be referred to a licensed specialist during the restoration process.

How Can SERVPRO Remove Flood Damage and Odors from My Property?

SERVPRO technicians focus on the removal of water and sanitary concerns before drying and restoring the home. This process can entail a variety of cleaning tasks, such as:

• Removing items that cannot be safely restored to a sanitary condition for reuse, such as couches, bedding, and carpet after extracting any remaining water with portable and truck-mounted extractors as well as submersible sump pumps.
• Disposing of pests, solid waste, and other contaminants carried into your property by flooding.
• Spraying and manually cleaning items with EPA-registered biocides on flood-affected surfaces to inhibit further microbial growth.
• Remediating mold with proprietary sanitation solutions, containment measures, and structural drying.
• Deodorizing after drying with water- or solvent-based solutions dispersed with commercial-grade foggers.

SERVPRO of Columbia County provides Faster to Any Size Disaster services for the community at large. Call (706) 868-5441 for mitigation and restoration that can start within hours of your initial contact.

How Can I Get My Home Smelling Good After Fire Damage Restoration?

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Understands That Martinez Homeowners Do Not Want To Suffer Bad Odours.

Any homeowner understands that pleasant smell is part of what makes a house feel like home. From freshly baked bread to flowers to your favorite essential oils, there are many ways to make your Martinez home smell lovely.

One of the worst things after fire damage restoration in Martinez is the lingering smoke smell. That is why deodorization is an integral part of the SERVPRO remediation process.

Why do smoke smells linger?

Any person who has the misfortune to suffer a house fire knows that the scent of smoke tends to linger. But why is that?

Smoke and soot contain microscopic particles that infiltrate deep into fabrics and are hard to remove.

Smoke and soot can bond to many different types of materials.

Increasing ventilation dilutes some of the smell but does not remove all of it.

Adding scents such as room spray or air freshener mask the smell but does not get rid of it.

What is the best way to get rid of smoke smells?

The best way to rid your home of lingering smoke smells is to give us a call. We train our technicians in a range of deodorizing practices designed to leave your home smelling so fresh it’s "Like it never even happened." Getting rid of smells is an essential step in our fire damage restoration process.

What can SERVPRO do to help?

We have many deodorizing techniques at our disposal, including:

Pellets and granules designed to absorb odors so they cannot return.

U.V. misters that release a fine spray of cleaning chemicals that can get into nooks and crannies and remove smells.

Thermal foggers that are strong enough to tackle even overpowering lingering scents.

Air scrubbers that use fine HEPA filters to pull soot and smoke particles out of the air and pump clean air back into the room.

We can also use fans to exhaust odors, spot cleaning for stubborn soot stains, or injection devices to tackle tiny problem spots, such as stains on the carpet.

We train our technicians to assess your home's condition after cleaning and restoration and decide on the most appropriate deodorization method.

If you are worried about a lingering smell of smoke in your home, give SERVPRO of Columbia County a call at (706) 868-5441.

More information about Martinez.

Can Water Leaks Cause Long-term Property Damage in Martinez?

7/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is an Expert in Water Cleanup That Can Ensure your Seminole Home is Safe From Long-term Exposure.

What effect does moisture have in my home?

When water enters your Martinez home, it can begin to affect furnishings, textiles, and building materials that cannot sustain exposure to moisture. The knock-on effect of dampness in the home can lead to microbial growth, which includes viruses, fungi, and bacteria. While water leaks may not be immediately noticeable, a homeowner should be aware of unpleasant odors, discoloration of paintwork, or cracking in regions of the home, which can be symptoms of an internal water leak. Usually, these symptoms are enough to justify bringing in a professional water technician to inspect the property. Early diagnosis and intervention in a water issue can limit costly expenses and damage to structure or contents.

How do you dry out a property to prevent damages?

The crucial step in water mitigation for your Martinez home is to dry the property thoroughly and repair the source of water. SERVPRO technicians use a range of water detection equipment to trace the water supply back to its source. From there, we can work outwardly to ascertain the extent of the damage. Our water restoration technicians can begin work before an estimate to ensure that your property does not suffer further exposure to moisture. Our primary means of drying a property rely on using dehumidification, air-moving, or extraction equipment. This equipment can be set up in line with proper drying guidelines to ensure that our work is complete in a timely fashion with minimum inconvenience to your everyday life.

What are the stages of water repair?

• Inspect the property thoroughly to find the source of water and the surrounding area
• Establish drying controls to remove moisture from an indoor space
• Refinish or repair any items, building materials or contents that are affected by the water intrusion

Restoring a home from water exposure is essential to avoiding expensive long-term costs. Contact SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441

Click here for more information about Martinez.

How Do I Resolve Mold Colonization in My Evans Bakery?

7/8/2020 (Permalink)

You might not realize the steam and moisture generated through hours of baking and cooking in the kitchen of your bakery, but if these conditions are not alleviated, it could result in mold.

Due to the hustle and bustle of yourEvansbakery, it can be easier than you might think to overlook situations that could lead to more significant structural concerns. Moisture and dampness created from steam and baking in the small kitchen in the back of your building can lead to lingering dampness that facilitates colonization of mold spores present in the environment. This colonization can happen with little warning, but its spread and severity can overtake the entire bakery if you do not address it as soon as it gets discovered.

There are many mold removal companies forEvanscommercial properties struggling with microbial growth, but there are few with the experience and ongoing training that our SERVPRO professionals provide. Because the presence of mold can be devastating to your reputation, and likely force your doors to close until the situation gets resolved and cleared through the local health bureau, remediation should happen as quickly as possible. Our presence and action shortly after mold gets discovered can limit how the organism spreads and make the entire situation more manageable.

Where Is Mold Damage the Worst in My Building? 

You might not be able to tell just how severe the situation has become when you first notice mold growth in your bakery. While there are signs that might indicate the organism within specific organic materials throughout the kitchen area, much of the damaged area may be out of sight. Without sophisticated tools and experience in mold inspection, property owners do not get the full story that their building tells about the severity of microbial threats. Some of the indicators that our professionals and even property owners can utilize to determine how severe mold growth has become include:

• Moisture Detectors – Advanced detection tools can indicate surface water threats and moisture/dampness pockets existing beyond this top material. The presence of moisture pockets often indicates a place suitable for microbial growth.

• Harsh Odors – Mold growth often gets discovered because of a distinct odor emitted from active colonization. Musty scents stand out above even the aromatic baked goods in your shop, which could indicate where mold growth is at its worst.

• Visible Growth – Spotting and full mold growth can be a clear indicator of where active colonization is occurring, and combined with these other signs, can help track the organism's migration. 

Why Should Remediators Solve the Issue? 

Remediation is different from mold removal in that it seeks only to remove active colonization and the effects of this threat. Removing mold is a misleading statement that many organizations cannot validate because mold spores exist naturally in almost every environment. It is only when damp conditions exist that these otherwise harmless mold spores seat into organic materials and begin to form colonies that can threaten those exposed. Professional remediators like our SERVPRO team should handle this emergency for several reasons:

• Health Hazardous – The development of colonies in your bakery can threaten your customers and staff. Volatile organic compounds are emitted from active colonization, which is why your business must temporarily stop to address these concerns.

• Continually Spreading – Without addressing mold growth quickly, the situation can get much worse. Active colonization spreads quickly throughout organic materials and contents in the bakery.

• Damaging to Your Reputation – The discovery of mold halts your ability to serve food to your customers temporarily while remediation completes. The longer that this problem persists, the more people know about why your doors are not open. 

How Does Remediation Work? 

Remediation hinges on removing active colonization through direct action. Surfaces and contents throughout the property, such as cabinets and drywall, can host mold colonies. To protect these items and construction materials, several strategies exist. There are varying approaches based on the material affected, location of mold colonies, and the severity of the damage. Some of the typical methods for removing active organisms include:

• Surface Cleaning
• Sanding
• Soda Blasting
• Controlled Demolition

Understanding mold remediation and recovery efforts can help you appreciate the acquisition of our certified Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians (AMRT) whenever colonies are discovered. No matter how we can help, it is our business to get you back in business. Give our SERVPRO of Columbia County team a call 24/7 at (706) 868-5441.

What Is Expected During Water Mitigation for My Martinez Home?

6/26/2020 (Permalink)

Water losses demand a fast response to resolve most of the damage within the first couple of days, and this involves multiple mitigation tactics. 

If you have not needed professional water restoration services in the past for your Martinez home, it is possible that you do not know all of the steps and stages that make up the complete recovery process. Knowing what to expect when you hire professionals to repair and restore your home after an unexpected disaster can ensure that you provide the appropriate space and opportunity for technicians to get the work done as efficiently as possible.

There are many stages of water mitigationfor Martinez homes and businesses, so our professionals work at this phase for an extended period. The objective of mitigation is to reduce the overall loss in the property so the customer does not pay as much for restoration and recovery as they otherwise would. Protecting the property and its contents involves several steps that begin as soon as our professionals arrive at the damaged site. The most general and typical of mitigation solutions include:

• Extraction - Water removal is a fundamental element of mitigation because it eliminates standing water throughout the property using several tools. 
• Controlled Demolition - When specific structural elements are too damaged to dry and restore, the only suitable solution that remains is to discard these materials and replace them at a later time.
• Content Management - Protecting your personal belongings is also a vital service during the mitigation phase, so losses do not include irreplaceable possessions and keepsakes.
• Repairs - If the water damage originated from places like your plumbing or sink fixtures, repairs might be necessary during this initial phase of restoration.

• Cleaning – Cleaning takes place during the latter stages of recovery, but there are some steps like debris removal that occur first.

Give our SERVPRO of Columbia County team a call at (706) 868-5441 to start mitigation after a water loss in your home.

My Bakery is Flooded. What Can I Do?

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Columbia County For Water Removal Services! 

Sudden accidents can leave your Augusta bakery in need of water removal services in mere seconds. For example, envision a scenario where a pipe burst in the ceiling of your store. Water can quickly leak down your walls, pooling on the tile floors and making your store inoperable.  

Suddenly finding your Augusta bakery in need of water removal services can be overwhelming. You may worry about the expensive kitchen equipment and the rust that could form due to the exposure to water. You may worry about the structural integrity of the building materials in your shop, such as the framing and drywall. No matter the concern, trust SERVPRO to help you. We're water damage experts.  

The Pipe Burst During Closing at Eight PM, Can You Work Through the Night?  

Here at SERVPRO, we're available when you need us. For this reason, we are:  

• Open twenty-four hours a day, so we're available when disaster strikes 
• We operate every day of the week, including Sundays
• Our technicians are available to work whenever you need us, day or night, for your convenience  

No matter the time or the day of the week, we're here for you. SERVPRO understand that water damage waits for no one, and your schedule is as busy as ours is. Foot traffic is essential, and it is our goal to restore it as soon as possible.  

What Can You Do to Remove the Water from My Industrial Kitchen?

We understand you would be concerned about the longevity of your industry-grade equipment. For this reason, SERVPRO uses advanced technology to remove water damage from your property. To remove water damage, we can:  

• Set up portable pumps and extractors
• Use wet/dry vacuums along with running pumps, to speed up the removal process 
• Use drying equipment to extract excess moisture from your kitchen swiftly  

It is always our goal to leave you feeling, "Like it never even happened."  

If your store needs water removal services, get them today. Contact SERVPRO of Columbia County by dialing (706) 868-5441. No matter the time of the day, we're open.  

More about Augusta.

We Had a Pipe Burst – How Can I Start the Cleanup?

6/2/2020 (Permalink)

A burst pipe can quickly cause a lot of water damage. Call SERVPRO for fast, effective remediation.

SERVPRO Acts Quickly in Evans to Help You with Professional Water Mitigation 

Many people think that water damage to the home only happens with a storm or flood. However, a burst pipe sends a massive amount of water throughout your interior within minutes. Because of the nature of the emergency, it needs attention as soon as possible. Whenever you are faced with such a crisis in your Evans home, having expert technicians on speed dial gets you the prompt response. This immediate attention to the water damage is where SERVPRO is available to help, and we are available 24/7 for emergency water cleanup and restoration services in Evans. 

Can I Clean Up the Water with My Wet Vac? 

Professional water mitigation in Evans is elemental for protecting the structure of your home and all contents whenever you have a burst pipe. Even though this is clean water, it migrates to dry spaces and leaves behind hidden pockets of moisture. It could lead to a wide variety of secondary damage if not addressed with the right techniques, including: 

• Drywall that deteriorates and begins to crumble
• Wood framing that begins to warp
• Metal supports that start to rust and corrode
• Hardwood flooring that begins to cup and buckle
• Ceiling tiles that begin to sag and breakdown
• Wallpaper or paint that begins to blister or peel
• Subflooring that begins to weaken and deteriorate 

Are There Timeframes on Water Cleanup? 

Water mitigation must take place promptly to keep secondary damage from occurring throughout the loss zone in your home. Never take your time to begin the cleanup, or the effect of the water loss becomes immense. Our experts at SERVPRO know all the standard timelines to follow and what to expect the longer that water sits stagnant within the home. Even waiting for a few hours can lead to extensive and irreversible damage in some cases. The timeframes for the onset of water damage include: 

• Within Hours –Water migrates from the point of origin and begins to saturate structural components and contents. Carpets and other floor coverings become stained from finished or painted furniture. Items throughout the home, including electronics, documents, pictures, and books, are in immediate danger before they become ruined.
• Within 24 Hours –Water causes any plaster or sheetrock in your home swells and crumble. Upholstery on your furniture may stretch to the seams ripping point while the padding takes on moisture. Wood furniture warps and any metal items begin to tarnish or rust. This period is when the mold can set in.
• Within a Week –Window and door casings become distorted. Laminate flooring may delaminate, or hardwood flooring warps. Any wet carpeting becomes a breeding ground for mildew and mold, starting to take over other organic surfaces.
• Past a Week –The growth of bacteria and mold poses a real hazardous threat. The building's overall structural integrity becomes compromised and multiplying the expense to restore the home. 

What Does Your Team Do for Water Mitigation? 

We have crews ready to go day or night, which allows us to arrive at your property in as little as four hours or less. Once we arrive, the crew chief begins the assessment, and we investigate the Evans water damage. This initial assessment is crucial within the first couple of hours after the burst pipe incident. It allows us to use our specialized formulas and training to implement a plan that allows for efficient water removal and drying services. Our IICRC-certified team arrives with our Green Fleet of trucks, which come loaded with all of the latest technology and equipment for water restoration. 

How Can You Find Where the Water Went? 

Moisture travels to dry areas following the path of least resistance. The liquid can keep working on breaking down the structural and building materials if moisture areas are not found and dried. Our technicians use a variety of tools for finding moisture, including: 

• Moisture sensors
• Moisture meters
• Thermal imaging 

We gather data on all moisture within your home so that our Applied Structural Drying (ASD) technicians can select the best tools to meet drying goals. We use psychrometry to determine drying rates and the number of air movers and dehumidifiers to place in each room within the water loss zone. Similar materials are then tested in an unaffected area of the home to match humidity levels. 

Whether you have a small water mitigation project or a water loss that is much more involved, we have the crew, experience, and equipment to get the job done quickly and efficiently. To have a team deployed to your home as soon as possible, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441. We are Faster to Any Size Disaster! 

How Can I Get my Hard Wood Floor in Evans Repaired After it Suffers From Flood Damage?

5/28/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Conduct Procedures That Can Repair your Wood Floors Inside your Evans Home

If the rain ever starts to build up and get deep outside your house after a severe thunderstorm blows through the Evans region, it is possible that water will find its way into your home. If moisture enters your structure through your lower door seals or from the ground, there is a chance that your hardwood floors could get negatively affected.

When restoring flood damage inside your Evans home, our SERVPRO technicians utilize their knowledge of how moisture reacts to different materials to dry them properly. Two major variables that determine how much damage is made to materials are permeance and exposure time.

    •    Permeance- The permeance of an item refers to how easily water vapor can pass through the material.
    •    Exposure Time- The amount of time the material has been in contact with moisture also determines the severity of the issues. Since the longer materials are exposed to moisture, the worse problems get, it is wise to respond with water cleanup quickly.

How can moisture affect my hardwood floors?

    •    Warping: All wood contains some sort of moisture content, usually around 10%. When wood absorbs excess moisture, it can expand and cause your building materials to warp.
    •    Buckling: When your hardwood floorboards expand, they can push up against each other and cause the joints to buckle. The amount of buckling that can occur depends on how much moisture is absorbed and the type of material.
    •    Cupping: This occurs when water is absorbed from the bottom and sides of the wood. The edges of the wood can raise or cup, which can often be sanded down if needed.
    •    Crowning: This can happen when the top of the wood holds more moisture than the bottom and the sides. When this happens, the wood can arch and create a bow shape in the middle.

If you ever notice any of these problems occurring after your wood floors get wet, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 24/7.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

5/27/2020 (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 in Augusta, 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 Columbia County today at (706) 868-5441 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.

How Do I Clean Up My Evans Stairs After a Fire?

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

Many homes in our area have beautiful staircases. Should fire happen, call SERVPRO to restore your home.

After a Fire, You Need Professional Help from SERVPRO to Restore Your Evans Home  

When a fire happens in a home, the key to lessening loss is to engage a professional service to mitigate the loss. If incorrect cleaning methods or agents get used, it can result in more significant losses to the structure and contents.  

What Do I Do First to Clean Fire Damage Off My Staircase? 

No matter how the fire damage happened in your Evans home and spread to the stairs, they may have restoration potential if the cleanup begins quickly enough. The longer building materials get exposed to water and soot, they can deteriorate. The following factors are determinants if SERVPRO can restore your stairs: 

• If there is charring to any of the components
• If the treads or risers have damage from water or heat exposure 
• The type of construction materials  

In cases where the stairs have carpet and padding, SERVPRO techs carefully remove it to expose the treads underneath. The wood gets inspected to determine the need for extraction of water or drying due to swelling from moisture absorption has occurred. If necessary, the techs can dry the staircase using their equipment before moving on to the next step in the restoration process.  

The technicians have access to a vast array of specialized cleaning agents, particularly for hardwood. While the carpet and padding may have protected the treads and risers on a staircase, the rails may need detailed cleaning to remove all traces of smoke residues. It is vital that cleaners with the power to release the grip of the smoke get used but also do not harm the wood.  

Fire damage needs fast action for the best outcome, SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 has certified techs available 24/7 to restore your home to its preloss condition.  

More about Evans.

Many Augusta Businesses Including Gyms are Now Closed

5/15/2020 (Permalink)

Cleaning and sanitizing are both keys to helping stop the spread of viruses.

SERVPRO of Augusta provides services for companies that are currently closed 

Like many cities across America, Augusta issued an executive order requiring individual businesses to close and prohibitions about social gatherings in groups of greater than 10 people. This time can be an opportunity to deep clean facilities not just as a preventative treatment against this virus but also to perform a renovation and a deep restorative cleaning.   

SERVPRO has been providing fire, water, storm, mold remediation, and cleaning services in Augusta and surrounding areas for many years. We are a certified IICRC company. In particular, our technicians have AMRT – Applied Microbial Remediation training and certificates. Our team is well equipped to assist local businesses in cleaning and applying disinfectants in their Augusta premises during this downtime period. We also provide services for open businesses. 

Whether you are concerned that your business might need cleaning as a preventative service or feel it is time for a complete and thorough cleaning in preparation for reopening, now is the time. SERVPRO can quickly assess your needs and provide an estimate for cleaning your business. 

• Preventative cleaning for this virus (one-time or repetitive plans)
• HVAC cleaning
• Carpet cleaning
• Mold and other microbial remediation
• Deodorization
• Advice concerning your cleaning needs 

Call us for an estimate! We are available 24/7/365, in the Columbia County area at (706) 868-5441. We're SERVPRO of Columbia County, and We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

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.

Is It True It Can Take Up To a Month To Dry My Evans Flooded Home?

5/8/2020 (Permalink)

We are equipped and trained to handle your water damage restoration needs.

Bring in SERVPRO to Remove the Water and Quickly Dry Your Evans Home 

Flash floods are a threat throughout the year in this part of the State. There are steps that homeowners can take to minimize the potential for flood loss, so there is no way to 100% avoid it. The best action to take is to bring in a professional restoration services company if it does happen. DIY efforts to dry your property can lead to exposure to harmful elements in the floodwater as well as secondary issues such as mold or ruination of building materials due to the lack of complete water extraction and fast drying. Plus, it can take weeks to dry your Evans home using regular household fans.  

What Should I Do to Get Fast Flooding Removal Done in My Home? 

Even though grade around the property gets directed away from the house, the gutters inspected are in good working order. The seals around doors and windows are intact, and Evans's home with flooding needs removal using professional equipment. Consumer-grade wet/dry vacuums and standard box fans can not cut it. 

No Standing Water? Your Home Probably Still Needs Extraction 

When floodwater enters a home, even half an inch of water can do a considerable amount of damage. The migration path of the water can lead under floors, behind walls and under appliances and other furniture. It is impossible to track the migration path visually, and SERVPRO technicians rely on a diverse array of moisture detection equipment to get the job done, such as:  

• Thermal imaging
• Moisture sensors
• Infrared cameras 
• Flir imaging 

What Typically Needs Removal After Contact with Floodwater? 

One of the deciding factors for whether or not an item has the potential for restoration gets primarily based on whether or not it is porous. The majority of porous items in a home do not have the potential to get returned to a sanitary standard for reuse.  

• Sheetrock wicks the moisture rapidly and begins to deteriorate. Fortunately, in most cases, only a portion of the building materials requires removal to dry the framework of the home. This removal makes the repairs afterward as simple as fitting in a replacement piece of sheetrock and sanding down before priming and painting to match. 

• The flooring of many types in local properties is often the biggest loser when it comes to flood damage. Carpeting almost categorically across the board requires removal and disposal as a biohazard after extraction of the water to make it lighter and safer to handle.  

• Hardwood flooring may not be a loss if cleanup efforts begin quickly enough after the first water event in the home. The boards may warp and cup, but often can get returned to their original shape through the use of drying applications such as drying mats. Sometimes the boards need to get slightly sanded and refinished for a full restoration.  

• Glue-down carpet and tile usually lose their adhesion to the substrate after prolonged exposure to water. In some cases, depending on the construction materials, tiles may get cleaned and disinfected for reuse.

Handling Home Contents Affected by Flood Loss 

It can be frustrating to see that a mere inch of floodwater that entered an Evans home can cost a homeowner a favorite sofa. However, once the water gets absorbed into the interior of upholstered furnishings, it rarely has restoration possibilities. 

Hardwood furniture can get cleaned using different techniques such as immersion cleaning and agents specifically designed for use on wood. One of the downsides of wood furnishings with exposure to water is when joints crack from the wood's swelling. In those scenarios, the piece may be a loss.  

As items get removed from the loss area, SERVPRO techs look over items and move them to a staging area for cleaning. They utilize different methods for disinfection, such as immersion cleaning, where the article is fully submerged in a cleaning solution that works to remove bacteria. The result is a sanitized item ready for reuse in the home.  

Final Steps in Flood Loss Mitigation 

After drying the property, SERVPRO techs verify that drying goals got attained and then do a final wipe down over the loss area. At this time, any odor control methods needed gets deployed to ready the property for any needed repairs.  

SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 handles any size flooding removal needs your home might have. Contact our certified technicians 24/7 to return your home to its preloss condition.

Where Do I Begin to Clean Up the Fire Damage to My Evans Kitchen?

4/28/2020 (Permalink)

Calling the Experts at SERVPRO for Fire Restoration in Evans Gets Prompt, Professional Results!

If you have a fire in your kitchen from a mishap while cooking, it can leave your interior with much destruction. Before you even notice something catches fire, the flames move quickly, and smoke fills the kitchen and other rooms within your home. Even if the firefighters extinguish the fire fast, you are still left with a mess of debris, saturated surfaces, and sticky smoke particles.

How Does Your Team Perform Fire Restoration Services?
When you contact our team at SERVPRO, we can come to your home 24/7 to assess your fire and smoke damage in Evans. Not only are we experts in fire and smoke restoration, but we can also make sure that your structural elements are sound.

What Should I Do Immediately After the Fire?
It can be frightening and stressful to deal with a fire in your Evans home, but our team is available whenever you need us. These are some of the initial steps to keep in mind to help you navigate the process:

    •    Ensure that the fire department deems your structure safe for entry after the fire is extinguished.
    •    Turn off the main electrical panel to your home if it is not already done. This helps to safeguard against fires that may spark within the walls due to electrical damage.
    •    Even if the kitchen fire was small, do not run the HVAC system in your home. This can cause the smoke particles to travel through your ductwork.
    •    If possible, close off the fire loss area within your home.
    •    Contact our team of skilled fire damage restoration technicians to assess the fire loss and start the cleanup process.

Why Does the Smoke Residue in My Home Seem Sticky?
The type of smoke residue left after a fire depends on a variety of factors. Our team has different classifications for smoke left after a fire, and we have specialized cleaning techniques to help us address each one.

    •    Protein Smoke – This is most likely the cause of the smoke and pungent odors left behind after your kitchen fire. This residue may be difficult to detect with the naked eye, but it sometimes presents in discoloration on the walls and other surfaces.
    •    Wet Smoke – This happens when there are synthetic materials like rubber or plastic that burn. These fires are often lower in heat and have a strong odor. We use wet sponge cleaning methods to wipe away this sticky smoke residue that tends to smear easily with dry methods.
    •    Dry Smoke – This is often left whenever there are organic materials like wood or paper that burn. This is generally a high-temperature burn that is fast-moving, leaving behind a dry film.

When we come in to assess the damage from fire and smoke within your home, we often use a plan of action that includes several layers of cleaning techniques and equipment. This multi-faceted approach allows us to neutralize these tough odors to leave your home in preloss condition “Like it never even happened.”

What Happens to My Belongings During Fire Restoration?
Our team can work to treat your belongings, either on-site or using our pack-out services. We determine the best course of action depending on the availability of space and the level of damage present.

    •    Pack-Out Service: If your belongings require pack-out services, SERVPRO arrives with all of the packing materials and boxes necessary to move your items off-site safely. Items that have been impacted by tough smoke odors and soot residue may be addressed using our powerful submersion techniques. We also have a range of advanced deodorization tools at our facility that allows us to restore your items carefully.
    •    On-Site Service: We understand how vital it is to you that our items are cared for carefully and efficiently. For on-site cleaning. We can move your belongings and furniture to an area of your home unaffected by the fire. By quarantining off a particular area, our team is able to clean the items without smoke particles and debris impacting other areas of the interior.

Kitchen Fire Tips
After a kitchen fire, it is best to remember that your interior calls for specialized care. Our team of skilled and IICRC-certified technicians is available to ensure that everything is done as safely and efficiently as possible. Please remember:

    •    Do not turn on any of your ceiling fixtures after the fire has been extinguished. There could be moisture around the wiring that could lead to electric shock.
    •    Do not consume any food or beverages found within the cabinets or stored near the fire. Any consumables that might have been impacted by the flames, smoke, water, or heat could be contaminated.
    •    Do not attempt to clean anything on your own without the proper tools and methods. Improper cleaning could cause the fire and smoke damage to set in. Our team knows how to make sure that your walls, ceilings, appliances, and all surfaces are carefully cleaned and restored to like-new condition.

Call us at SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 if you need assistance with fire and smoke damage in your kitchen. You can reach us 24/7 for emergency service.

For more about Evans click here.

Do I Need To Call A Professional Company To Restore Water Damage At My Augusta House?

4/18/2020 (Permalink)

Calling SERVPRO Can Help Reduce The Chances Of Secondary Issues Arising Inside Your Augusta Home

Even during incidences, where only a small amount of water leaks into your house, the moisture can create other problems if it is not removed promptly. Minor water leaks can also be tricky to find and repair. Sometimes, items that got wet will not be visible, but they can still cause problems in the future if not treated.

What Types Of Problems Can Take Place If Moisture Is Not Removed?
Secondary water damage inside your Augusta residence includes any problems caused to your contents and building materials that did not come into direct contact with liquid. Common types of secondary issues include:

    •    Raised Humidity Levels
    •    Stains
    •    Mold Growth
    •    Wet drywall or ceilings

Why Is It Best To Call The Experts For Help?
A professional restoration company such as SERVPRO can utilize their knowledge and skills to find any problem inside your house. We have a variety of methods and equipment at our table that can aid in fixing every issue we find in your entire building to help you restore it to the way it was before, “Like it never even happened.” Our goal is always to reduce the chance of any secondary damage occurring by removing any moisture in your house as quickly as possible using extraction and drying methods.

Why Should I Choose SERVPRO?
Advanced Technology: We have a wide array of professional tools and industrial equipment that we can utilize to make every step of the mitigation process run more efficiently.
Highly Trained Team: Our technicians are trained by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) program, and we have a vast amount of experience in handling different situations.
Fast 24/7 Service: We are located nearby, and we can respond quickly after your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Even restoring minor issues caused by a small water leak in your Martinez or Appling residence can be a job best left to the professionals. Call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 as soon as you notice a problem.

For more about Augusta click here.

Flood Damage In August

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

Flood Damage in August Home Needs More Than Extraction and Drying

Flood damage brings more than water into a home. Storms in this area of Georgia can result in high winds damaging roofing that cause leaking, or a tree limb can knock out windows or cause significant loss to a home.

SERVPRO technicians inspect Augusta homes upon arrival for flood damage mitigation to determine the scale of the loss throughout the house. Tracking the path of water migration is an essential part of discovering areas of loss that may otherwise get overlooked if only visual inspections get relied upon.

Stop Further Loss to the Home
When damage to the structure occurs, the techs perform any needed temporary repairs to halt any further entry of water into the home. Commonly done repairs include:
    •    Securing tarps over a leaking roof
    •    Boarding up broken windows
    •    Arranging removal of fallen tree limbs by a local professional

Extraction and Drying
The use of professional-grade tools makes the difference in the amount of water the techs can extract. Afterward, the set up of the drying equipment is where the real contrast between consumer-grade and the SERVPRO machines begins. The centrifugal air movers deliver airflow with such high velocity that embedded moisture rises, and the nearby dehumidifiers capture it.

When wild weather hits, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 for assistance with the cleanup and restoration from flood damage.

For more about August click here.

Proactive Cleaning & Fogging For Coronavirus

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO® of Columbia County team member electrostatically disinfects an industrial space affected by a suspected case of coronavirus.

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

We would like to take this time to remind our customers that during this time of uncertainty caused by the worldwide pandemic of Coronavirus/COVID-19, we are the worldwide experts at cleaning and disinfecting public/private spaces, homes and commercial places of business.

Specialized Training & Procedures

SERVPRO® of Columbia County is ready to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). We have over 50 years of experience in dealing with various biological contaminants and bio-hazards, and we will go well beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC strongly advises the cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, desks, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s cleaning/disinfecting 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 & Equipment

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.

Our EPA-registered disinfectant will be distributed via electrostatic fogger, which delivers highly compressed air, combined with tiny electrostatically-charged droplets of disinfectant.  These charged droplets adhere well to surface areas (floors, walls, doors, flat surfaces, switches, etc., to give you peace of mind that extensive cleaning and disinfecting steps have been taken.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or place of business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO® of Columbia County (706) 868-5441.

We Act Fast In Augusta After A Fire

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

Our trained technicians are prepared for any size fire disaster and are available 24/7. We have the state of the art equipment necessary.

Small Fire, Big Smell

Fire and smoke can be the result of many different things. Maybe you get distracted when cooking and grease fire ensues, or a mischievous teen is playing with a candle in the living room, and suddenly his experiment bursts up in flames. In more extreme cases, an electric malfunction can cause a more significant issue requiring the help of your local fire department. Regardless of the culprit, the smell left behind is often enough to remind you day after day of the event.

In Augusta, fire and smoke damage is best left to SERVPRO. Our team recognizes that the size of the flames is not always commensurate with how much they affect your life. The disproportionate impact is generally evident in the smell of smoke left in your home once it travels through air vents and clings to upholstery and fabrics. Despite your best efforts, the stench may prove to be a worthy opponent, leaving you in need of professional services like ours. As soon as the emergency happens, reach out to our crew and let us begin the restoration process as soon as possible.

Most people do not realize that deodorizing a home takes strategy and know-how. At SERVPRO, we know that ventilation is critical, but we also know that specialized equipment makes all the difference. When we enter your home, we bring tools such as air scrubbers, which utilize carbon filters to remove gases and odors from your home. We may also bring thermal foggers, which contain solutions to prompt a chemical reaction that eliminates the smell, as opposed to covering it. By placing your trust in us, you find yourself with a catalog of deodorizing solutions capable of obliterating the offending smell.

Smoke and fire damage does not need to be massive or catastrophic to disrupt your life. SERVPRO technicians understand the intricacies of each event and apply their expertise to resolve the situation as quickly and effectively as possible. As a homeowner, you are in good hands with our crew. All you need to do is contact SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

See more about Augusta.

Why Professional Restoration is Necessary for Water Damaged Dorms in Augusta

3/19/2020 (Permalink)

Do you now how to dry water damaged carpets? SERVPRO does! We are always available to take your call.

Removing Water from Carpets in Your Augusta Dormitory 

With several community colleges and universities here in Augusta, the possibility of water loss incidents and other disasters becomes a nearly constant threat during school semesters. With many of these institutions offering to board for students out of the immediate area, emergencies that involve these dormitories must get addressed right away. Water losses, for example, can migrate quickly from one area throughout the building to affect dozens of residents in the dorm. 

Carpeted floors are one of the ideal flooring options for dorm rooms, but these can pose problems for restoration professionals implementing water removal for Augusta campuses. To avoid prolonged relocation of several students, our SERVPRO professionals must act quickly with removal tools and drying techniques to manage the disaster and prevent any further migration of water loss effects. 

Once students have picked up their belongings from the wet floors and relocated them to a safer area in the building, our professionals can get to work on what needs to happen with removing standing water from the floors. Using wet vacuums and carpet wands, we can remove much of the moisture from short pile carpeting and prepare the flooring for focused drying efforts to come. We can also utilize weighted extractors to push padding and the carpet layer together to squeeze moisture to the surface against the concrete subflooring. 

Floating carpets can be an effective way to preserve the flooring material without requiring removal and replacement. This drying often must be done in several separate stages as individual rooms feature their own cuts of carpeting along with the longer solid strip found in the hallways. By placing a centrifugal air mover between the top layer and the padding, the forced heated air can maximize evaporative drying. 

When water losses occur at your dorm, our SERVPRO of the Columbia County team can help with sound equipment and experienced professionals. We understand how many students can become affected by migrating water, so we can ensure that we respond quickly 24/7 to these emergencies. Contact us anytime that you need us at (706) 868-5441. 

More about Augusta.

Did Water Damage Cause a Foul Odor in Your Augusta Home?

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

Leaving the House Smelling Fresh after Completing Water Removal in Augusta 

One common outcome after water spills affect property is a bad odor. When a loss affects a large section of the property, it is hard to tell what smells or the source point. The water restoration process determines whether smells develop or not. Professional removal by SERVPRO helps deal with odors.

Understanding how odors develop helps ensure the water removal process in Augusta involves steps that counter such outcomes. Our SERVPRO technicians understand the effect of time in the development of odors, which is why we take every step possible to expedite the removal process. We use powerful pumps to extract standing water from the property. We also remove porous materials such as carpets and pad from surfaces since they tend to hold moisture. We also assess these materials, especially the pad, to determine whether replacement is necessary.

One common odor source is the microbial growth process. Even fast extraction of water cannot stop this since it takes time to dry the wet materials, and microbial growth starts within 24-48 hours. Our SERVPRO technicians apply antimicrobial agents on surfaces after extracting water to slow down or stop any microbial growth. Such measures allow us to perform the drying process at a reasonable pace without worrying about microbial development. Standardized drying helps solve a different set of problems, including preventing warping, cracking, or other problems in materials such as wood.

Water removal involves cleaning since water spills spread debris and soil surfaces and contents in other ways. The soils can be dust collected from hidden sections within the property or even dyes from fabrics that run after exposure to water. Our crews take the initiative to deodorize and clean simultaneously. We mix water-based deodorants with the cleaning solutions ensuring that we leave a sweet scent on all surfaces that we clean.

Water removal is satisfactory when the house looks clean and smells clean. Call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 to help. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

More about Augusta.

Water Damage In Your Augusta Residence

2/22/2020 (Permalink)

Do Not Get Stressed About Water Damage in Your Augusta Residence, Seek Professional Help

Water damage includes any kind of loss or destruction that excessive water intrusion causes. The damage can be instantaneous, such as the pooling of water on surfaces or could be slow like ruining surfaces through rusting of iron, rotting of wood, delaminating of carpets, and mold growth.

Water damage in your Augusta residence can also warp wood, shrink leather, and ruin electronics. The destruction can get worse if you delay restoration services. After such an incident, it is sensible to seek professional help from SERVPRO because we can immediately stop further damage. Our team of technicians is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Apart from following IICRC guidelines and processes, we also comply with all federal and state regulations when restoring properties.

Our technicians can assess your property and accurately determine the restoration efforts it needs. Safety hazards are usually present after water loss incidents. We take safety concerns seriously and address them before we begin remediation and restoration work. We take steps to maintain a safe environment for everyone on the worksite. Some of the things we do to ensure safety include:

    •    Looking out for potential electrical hazards.
    •    Covering tack strip to prevent injuries.
    •    Using ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) on electrical equipment.
    •    Looking out for mold growth.

Our crew also considers how long the water has been in a building. We use advanced equipment that helps us in detecting moisture, extracting water, and drying affected structures and contents. We choose the appropriate extractor, depending on the severity of water damage and the affected surfaces. We can use a portable extractor to remove the water. This equipment is easy to take and operate in all affected areas of your property. The unit provides sufficient water removal that helps speed up the drying process.

The humidity left on the surfaces after water extraction can be exceptionally high. Ignoring moisture for an extended period can lead to mold development. We aim to keep our clients safe from mold infestation by offering same-day cleanup services. Our restoration process encompasses the prevention of mold damage and mold remediation if it is present.

Our SERVPRO technicians can use a venting box fan to dry the affected area. This device can move large volumes of dry air from outside to replace the humid air in the structure. It speeds up the evaporation process and reduces drying time by pushing moisture from the affected surfaces into the air as vapor. We can then use a refrigerant dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air.

If you are dealing with a water intrusion incident in Evans, Martinez, or Grovetown, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441. We provide comprehensive services to deal with any water loss incident to make it seem, “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Augusta click here.

Cracking the Commercial Flood Damage Remediation Code in Augusta

2/16/2020 (Permalink)

Temperamental Weather Patterns Require Proactive Flood Damage Help Year-Round for Augusta Businesses

The timing of flooding issues has become impossible to predict for businesses in Augusta. “Once in a century” storms and the presence of flood-prone conditions are far more common than memory serves, occurring with little warning. Savvy business owners plan for the unpredictable in other aspects of day to day operations. We offer a way to anticipate and respond to disasters like overland floods.

Share and Collaborate with a Disaster Recovery Leader

Augusta flood damage can turn your thriving business into an empty shell of a building. Competition in your industry takes advantage of any slowdown or temporary closure you suffer. Reassure your customers, encouraging them to stick with you during a recovery agenda that we help you develop, inspiring the confidence of your loyal base.

Flood Damage Emergency? We Have an App for That

SERVPRO’s Emergency Ready Plan and Profile (ERP) merge as a concise, digital document we build together with you to protect your business. Long before flooding threatens, invite one of our experienced project managers to assess both your physical space and how your business operates. We draw on training obtained from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and decades of experience among our employees to craft a plan that minimizes the effects of flooding. You help personalize your plan by using our mobile app to share your priorities during a disaster and list details on the vendors and contractors who constructed your space and systems. 

Preparation Is Possible

Your business is critical not only to your financial success but also provides salaries and security for your employees. The community relies on your unique products and services. SERVPRO pledges to prepare you, your staff, and your reputation to weather flood damage. After our assessment, we suggest adaptations that protect your equipment, inventory, documents, and other elements vital to your operations from flood waters. Designate trusted employees or other individuals to act on your behalf if you are out of town or otherwise unavailable to ensure zero delays in our response.  

SERVPRO of Columbia County looks forward to collaborating with you on an ERP designed to streamline flood damage disaster recovery. Call us at (706) 868-5441 today to schedule an assessment.

Click here for more information about Augusta.

Groundwater Damage from Flooding Can Be Mitigated by SERVPRO, Much to the Amazement of Our Augusta Customers

1/28/2020 (Permalink)

Augusta Homeowner Is Shocked to See a Like-New Hardwood Floor in Her Augusta Living Room after a Flooding--Thank You SERVPRO

Stormwater Removal Needed in an Augusta Living Room

There is very little worse than damage to an Augusta home resulting in the need for storm or floodwater removal. This type of loss requires fast action to stop the problems it creates from compounding into more significant issues, resulting in higher costs to the homeowner in Columbia County.

SERVPRO technicians arrive quickly to Augusta homes for storm and floodwater removal. The home may need temporary repairs in the case of storm damage, and the techs inspect the property to limit loss. Standard actions include boarding up broken windows and tarping over damaged roofing if needed.

Water Extraction Challenges
Flooring often fares the worst when exposed to groundwater. SERVPRO technicians use advanced moisture detection equipment to scope the property and determine migration paths of the water as well as if the subfloor received water damage. The key to limiting loss is the removal of as much moisture as possible. This preliminary action expedites the drying process.

Special Drying Methods
SERVPRO techs use drying equipment to restore hardwood flooring whenever possible. For floorboards moisture extraction, we often rely on a drying application referred to as "tenting," where a section of the still damp flooring is covered with a plastic sheet and taped to the surface. Air movers and desiccant dehumidifiers can force in warm air and extract the water vapor to the exterior. Another method employs the placement of drying mats, moving them frequently during the drying phase to ensure the boards do not incur permanent damage from splintering from overdrying. When the moisture content is back to normal from 8-20%, depending on the circumstances, any slight cupping or crowning can be lightly sanded, and the surface refinished.

Final Steps
Once the techs complete the cleanup from the water loss in the home. All surfaces and areas affected by water get cleaned and disinfected. The techs create a detailed report for the property owner of the needed repairs from the storm damage to restore the home to its pre-water damage condition.

SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 uses state-of-the-art equipment to mitigate and restore the property, "Like it never even happened."

How Advanced Technologies Work for Fire Odor Removal in Augusta

1/21/2020 (Permalink)

Trust Our Professionals With Fire Odor Removal In Your Augusta Home. Call Us At (706) 868-5441.

Deodorizing and Improving Air Quality In Your Augusta Home

The charring and warping of building materials and thick layers of soot are overwhelming evidence that your Augusta home suffered from a fire. Restoration professionals have many strategies to clear away the residues, deep clean, and refurbish burned structures. But to succeed at making it “Like it never even happened,” lingering odors from the blaze must be banished as well.

Persistent Odors a Common Challenge

Struggling with fire odor removal in your Augusta home days, weeks, and even months after the restoration of the visible damage is all too familiar a story. Partnering with our professional deodorization experts is essential to prevent long-term issues.

First Deodorization Efforts

Odor management begins when SERVPRO crews arrive at your home. During the residue cleanup phase, we reduce a significant amount of odor-bearing particles. Deodorizing industry best practices recommend debris removal and deep cleaning, which we do as a matter of course. As we clean, rinse, and, importantly, remove the debris and soling the odors reduce substantially.

Final Challenges and Solutions

Tiny, odor-carrying particles are the incompletely combusted fuels burned or, in the case of kitchen fires, evaporated in your home. They continue to float in the air and infiltrate porous materials, cracks, and crevices even after cleaning. When they deposit into HVAC ductwork, they can be circulated continuously throughout your house. SERVPRO can use masking agents, granules, and sprays to distract from the smell, but we also continue to improve our response by seeking out innovative technologies.

Advanced Deodorization 

Ways that SERVPRO goes beyond conventional cleaning procedures include the integration of air quality equipment and chemical reaction strategies that change the odiferous particles at the atomic level. Elimination, not covering, the smell is the goal.

Air Scrubbers

Negative air pressure machines seal spaces, using suction to force the airborne and smelly contaminants through HEPA filters before venting to the outdoors.

Thermal Foggers

Heated chambers combust deodorants, causing the resultant fog to seek out the soot particles in the air, on surfaces, and within crevices and porous materials. The fog molecules pair with the soot molecules, rendering them non-offensive in smell.

Ozone Machines

When ozone is introduced, it reacts with and destroys chemicals that cause pungent odors. Inhabitants must evacuate the space treated during the process.

Hydroxyl Generators

Hydroxyls occur when ultraviolet rays react with water vapor (H2O) and oxygen (O2). They rapidly decompose harmful organic and inorganic compounds by dismantling the molecular structure of odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Hydroxyl generators operated by our certified technicians are safe to use around people and pets.

Rely on SERVPRO of Columbia County to work with you to find the answer to odors that remain problematic after fire restoration. Call (706) 868-5441 to schedule an evaluation.

Learn more about Augusta.

What to Do Before We Arrive for Water Extraction in Augusta

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

Our team of professionals will help reduce the amount water loss in your home.

Small steps you can take before we arrive

As a homeowner, there are some steps you can take to reduce the amount of water loss that you suffer in your home before our team from SERVPRO arrives. For example, turning off the water supply to your home when there is damage stemming from a burst pipe or a busted supply line is an excellent place to start.

Other things that you can do before we arrive to assist with water extraction in Augusta is to pick up small items from the floors to save them. This includes items like rugs, smaller accent tables, benches, and decorative elements to keep them from becoming saturated with moisture. It is also best to be mindful of anything that may not be colorfast where ink could transfer onto other materials, including magazines, books, and newspapers. 

No matter what steps you take before SERVPRO arrives, safety is paramount. If electronics may have suffered water damage, never try to test them. You can speak with the team coordinator at SERVPRO regarding any potential safety concerns regarding electronics and more.

Once SERVPRO arrives on the scene, our extensive training and experience shine as we assess the level of water damage and quickly formulate a plan for water extraction. We must act swiftly and carefully to mitigate the damage and work to save you the costs involved in a significant water loss. We use specialized equipment such as pumps, vacuums, and air movers to ensure that all of the moisture is removed from the home so that the rebuilding process can begin. 

Because of materials such as sheetrock wicks water so quickly, SERVPRO removes any damaged areas and replaces it with all-new sheetrock. We provide homeowners with a smooth transition into any necessary repairs so that you can get your home back into its preloss condition as soon as possible. 

SERVPRO of Columbia County is available to help local property owners with water extraction 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All you have to do is give our team a call at (718) 868-5441, and we make it “Like it never even happened.”

More about Columbia County. 

The Untold Story on Augusta Water Damage Remediation that You Must Read

12/29/2019 (Permalink)

Get Commercial Water Damage Cleanup for Your Augusta Waiting Room

Between 2013 and 2017, 1 in 50 homeowners filed a water damage claim each year. This 2.05% frequency is a more than 50% increase from the 2005-2009 rates, which hovered around 1.44% per year. Despite other types of claims decreasing in frequency, water damage claims have only increased their rates of occurrence. This can mean more costs for businesses affected by water damage without thorough professional mitigation that is focused on preserving structures and assets.

If a waiting room or lobby in your Augusta practice has been affected by commercial water damage, IICRC-certified professionals from SERVPRO are ready to assist you in restoring your business to a preloss condition. Technicians and franchise owners alike receive extensive training in water damage mitigation to ensure that you can go back to business as usual. 

What Not to Do When Commercial Water Damage Strikes Your Business

Avoid removing water with a standard household vacuum cleaner. While these vacuums are useful for cleaning everyday dirt and debris off of carpets, they are not made to handle water and can easily be broken or short-circuited.

Do not use electronics in the affected area. Using electronics near water-damaged walls or floors can cause appliances to short out or otherwise fail. Using appliances in areas where outlets have been affected by water can significantly increase the risk of further disaster.

Do not lift carpet without professional help. Not only is wet carpet extremely heavy, but it is also 50% weaker than when it is dry. Doing this on your own can hurt you during lifting and also put you at risk of sustaining injury from tacks holding carpeting to the floor.

If you see mold, do not touch or disturb it. Not only is mold capable of causing health effects, but it can spread very quickly if you make contact with it or spread spores through the air while attempting to clean on your own.

Avoid entering rooms with standing water until electricity has been turned off. If a bathroom leak or other severe water-related disaster has occurred with the electricity still on, turn it off as soon as possible to minimize risk.

How SERVPRO Can Help

When you call SERVPRO to eliminate water damage from your lobby or waiting room, they can come in with their own equipment so that yours stays intact. Technicians have a wide variety of extraction equipment available, from rovers and large pads made to suck water out of carpeting, to extraction wands for removing water from hard-to-reach areas. 

SERVPRO of Columbia County supports local businesses by ensuring any disaster looks, "Like it never even happened." Call (706) 868-5441 for a commercial mitigation team today. 

Click here for more information about Augusta.

Pumping Out Flooded Attached Garages in Augusta Homes

12/28/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can and will be front and center to assist your Augusta storm damage. 

Because Augusta is often in the path of devastating storms, both approaching land from the Atlantic Ocean or sweeping up from the Gulf of Mexico, area residents are no strangers to severe weather events. The impact of these storms can get felt immediately with high winds, hail, and falling trees. When all the runoff reaches the appropriate channels, however, natural flooding is a situation that can exist even days after the prolonged rains.

Your home was built to withstand much of the pressing threats that can exist during a storm, which can limit the need for flood water removal for Augusta residences. One breach point that can get overlooked when preparing for severe weather events is the attached garage. While this addition is often insulated and intended to be weatherproof, wear on elements like the seals of garage doors can allow penetration.

Once the water has found a pathway into the garage, you can contend with the same level of flooding occurring throughout the neighborhood. In some situations, a couple of feet of water must get removed. Pumping is one of the best solutions for this process, as there are often available discharge points like utility sinks that lead to sanitary sewer systems.

Ideally, we seek to remove the standing water as promptly as possible. Exposure to shared walls with the house can lead to migrating moisture, microbial threats, and other concerns. As natural flooding often gets considered contaminated by bacteria, oils, and other substances, it is crucial to remove any areas where this directly impacts living spaces. We can arrive with multiple pumps, including the electric submersible options. These are lightweight and consistent units that can move water out of the damaged garage continuously.

Content management is essential here, as well. When our team first arrives, we can move items from the threatened garage to safer locations on-site or at our nearby SERVPRO facility.

Flooding in your attached garage can happen much more quickly and efficiently than homeowners might believe. No matter how this disaster occurs inside of your home, our SERVPRO of Columbia County water restoration professionals can help. We have efficient tools and technologies to make flooding “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (706) 868-5441.

To find out more about Augusta, click here.

Call Us After A Fire In Your Augusta Home

12/27/2019 (Permalink)

After A Fire In Augusta, There Are Ways To Lower Costs

If a fire ever burns somewhere in your apartment complex in Augusta, your unit could suffer from minor or more severe problems. Something burning anywhere inside your apartment building could cause fire damage to your unit, depending on how far the flames and smoke spread. Professional restoration companies like SERVPRO often find issues in more than one unit inside a large building. For example, smoke can spread from one dwelling to many others quite quickly.

Once smoke gets inside your home, it can leave behind foul odors and soot residues. During most fire damage projects in Augusta, our SERVPRO technicians find themselves conducting soot removal on many affected building materials or contents. In some cases, pungent aromas can be eliminated once every surface that smoke touched gets cleaned with specialized chemicals. In other cases, when you can still smell smoke after all residues are removed, we can conduct further deodorization procedures.

When the majority of your apartment unit gets affected by smoke, we could have to move all of your contents out of your home so that we can clean them and your structural components separately. In some cases, we can move the contents to another place in your apartment that was not affected. In other situations, we can put a temporary storage unit on the property to help reduce costs.

Other cost-saving strategies during move-outs include storing your affected possessions on the premise. Sometimes we can move contents to a safe area in your unit and leave other things in place. We can also move all the furniture items to the center of the affected room and shrink wrap them, so they do not get damaged.

Another method to save you and your insurance company money is to clean the items before they get packed up. If everything can get cleaned in place then put in a box to get removed, then it can reduce the labor costs of the overall project. Cleaning items before packing them can save our SERVPRO technicians time they would have had to spend unpacking and repacking before returning the items.

If your apartment ever gets negatively affected by a fire in another unit, it is wise to seek professional help. After the fire gets extinguished, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at  (706) 868-5441 any day of the week, and we can help restore your home to the way it was before, “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Augusta click here.

We Are Prepared For Any Size Water Removal Needed In Augusta

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Our low-grain dehumidifier removed water damage in this home. The homeowners called us right away to prevent further damage.

Differences Between DIY and Professional Water Removal in Augusta

Did you know approximately 14,000 people across the United States deal with a water damage emergency of some type every single day? Additionally, 98% of basements receive some kind of water loss during their service life. 

To save money, some Augusta residents choose DIY water removal rather than use a professional service. Unfortunately, this can wind up costing them even more in secondary damage if any moisture remains behind. 

Why SERVPRO? 

The technicians not only undergo an extensive amount of training in the restoration services industry to learn best practices, but they also have access to an extraordinary amount of equipment, including specialized extraction equipment for fast, efficient water removal. 

DIY Versus Professional Water Extraction

When homeowners clean up water damage from a plumbing mishap, supply line break, or appliance malfunction, it usually involves putting down towels, rags, and wiping surfaces. In cases where carpet and padding need water removal, they own or rent a wet/dry vacuum. Where this can go wrong is water migrates, and the homeowner may miss moisture under flooring, behind baseboards, and within wall cavities. All of these places are guaranteed to create further issues if not removed and dried.

Professional Drying Equipment Versus Household Fans

Turning a fan on high and pointing it at a wet carpet or furniture may seem like a great idea, but it actually has the potential to increase damage. The reason is a fan dries the surface only, and the interior of upholstered furniture and carpet may remain damp. This drying method has the potential to develop mold or foul odors.

Professional drying equipment includes SERVPRO's powerful centrifugal air movers, which blow at such high velocity they cause embedded moisture to rise. Technicians also use specialized applications such as drying mats on floors or the InjectiDry to force warm, dry air into spaces such as wall cavities for complete drying. Additionally, the technicians deploy dehumidifiers to assist in expediting drying by rapidly lowering humidity in the loss area.

SERVPRO of Columbia County (706) 868-5441 stands ready to help local homeowners with any size water removal needed and make it "Like it never even happened."

See more about Augusta.

Some Ways to Avoid Augusta Water Extraction Issues

11/22/2019 (Permalink)

Choosing the Right Pump for Water Loss in Augusta Homes

Having the right equipment for restoration tasks can make a substantial difference in the speed and efficiency of water loss recovery for Augusta properties. With considerable losses where pooling water is a concern, the right pump or extraction tool can make a positive difference in how successful restoration work becomes. With dozens of potential models ranging in size, versatility, and vacuum power, we must choose the unit that best suits the work to get done.

Before deploying any pump for water extraction in Augusta homes, several considerations must get made by both our project management and the experienced technicians working to restore the property. In many situations, only determining the necessary flow and rate of removal is insufficient for choosing among the types of extractors available to our SERVPRO team. Gallons per minute (GPM) or gallons per hour (GPH) both play a role in how effective recovery is, but our technicians must also think about:

• The consistency of the water getting removed
• How deep the standing water is
• The vertical distance the fluid must get carried
• Air seepage
• Adequate electrical power
• Calculated removal rate required to control the water loss

In most situations, our electric submersible pump can do most of the work involved for removing standing water, at least down to around two inches in depth. When debris and other solids are present, our SERVPRO team must utilize stronger units like our trash pumps to move it. Same with substantial loss incidents with feet of standing water. With the right discharge design directly to a sanitary sewer system outside, a truck-mount pump in our Green Fleet can pull out water at a reliable 300 psi.

With extraction being such a vital element to restoring a home after a water loss incident, choosing the right tool for the job is essential. Our SERVPRO of Columbia County team has multiple units that can do the job, and that gets combined with our confident approach to cleaning and drying your home after a disaster. No matter how severe loss incidents can become, we can make it “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (706) 868-5441.

Click here for more about the city of Augusta.

Our Water Damage Experts Can Save Your Augusta Commercial Property

11/5/2019 (Permalink)

We Can Have You Open For Business After A Commercial Water Damage Disaster In Augusta

Whenever there is water damage in a commercial building, it can be catastrophic for the business. Often owners cannot allow employees to enter or have customers in the building. Aside from critical safety issues, their computer systems are not working, and their products may be wet or unavailable due to the water. Every day the business cannot operate, means lost revenue, and perhaps even lost customers with corresponding long term impacts.

SERVPRO responds to commercial water damage events in Augusta and surrounding areas in less than a four-hour time frame. We understand how important it's to remain open for business. Operations and sales may be disrupted while recovery is underway, whatever your business focus is. Many of your products may also be damaged.

Leaky Pipes, Faulty Sprinklers, Accidents
Water damage can be caused by any of these situations, as well as many others. Regardless of the cause, employers must suspend operations, perhaps send employees home and stop customers from entering the building.

SERVPRO crew chiefs arrive on-site and immediately assess the situation. Crews and equipment are dispatched to remove the water and begin drying operations as quickly as possible. Our professionals can work through the night if needed to remove the water and moisture. We mobilize water extractors for all types of situations. We have truck-mounted pumps as well as mobile water extractors that efficiently remove water from carpets, hardwood, and tile.

Air movers push the moist air out of the building and draw in dry air to absorb moisture. It the water damaged area is an enclosed area, we deploy air movers in conjunction with dehumidifiers to reduce the humidity to acceptable levels. All hard surfaces are wiped down and dried. Some items may need special treatment to restore them to their original condition, if possible.

With the business owner's agreement, SERVPRO can establish a staging area for our team's equipment as well as for items removed from the water damaged site. These steps reduce drying time and protect your supplies and products. We aim to help return your business to full operation as quickly as possible.

Call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 for 24/7 service. We proudly serve Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, and the surrounding areas. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

For more about Augusta click here.

Our Experts Are Prepared 24/7 To Restore Your Augusta Home After A Flood

10/31/2019 (Permalink)

The acoustical tiles became a hazard and needed immediate removal by SERVPRO techs after a storm blew a hole in the ceiling.

The Correct Procedure for Restoring Contaminated Flood Water Damage to your Augusta Home

Flood Water Damage Augusta
The extent of contamination levels in water is measured from white to grey, to black. White water covers clean water supplies such as those in your plumbing system as well as rainwater. Greywater may include water with high-levels of microbial growth and fungus. Blackwater refers almost exclusively to water with highly infectious waste contamination. These types of water are from sources that contain natural human pathogens such as sewers or floodwaters. Blackwater emergencies are generally considered harmful to human health and a biohazard issue.

Homeowners that experience flood water damage in Augusta should bring in professional assistance at the first opportunity. Floodwaters typically contain contaminants ranging from animal carcasses, raw sewage, bloodborne pathogens as well as herbicides and pesticides. If you discover floodwater in your home, you should consider it a Biohazard concern and avoid all contact. SERVPRO technicians can be on-hand within four hours of notification of loss to begin a safe, cleanup procedure.

In Columbia County, there are several licenses and permits required for the legal disposal of biohazardous waste. SERVPRO offers the community qualified technicians with the correct licensing to remove, dispose of, and clean biohazardous waste situations. Our team of water restoration technicians (WRT) is equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure that harmful waste does not cause a human health risk. We may also set up clean rooms and decontamination areas. These can prevent the spread of biohazardous substances.

Unfortunately, contaminated water can migrate quickly throughout your home. after flood damage. Porous materials are at the highest risk and can imbibe both moisture and pathogens. For that reason, SERVPRO technicians may need to remove and dispose of porous materials in the home completely. These materials can include drywall, unfinished woods, and other natural materials. Some fabrics may be salvageable using Esporta washing machines to remove soiling and contamination. We must ensure your home remains safe by disinfecting the affected area, removing and replacing affected materials as well as thorough deodorization.

If you suspect a black water emergency at your home, do not hesitate. Contact SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

See more about Augusta.

Why Air Fresheners do not Remove Fire Odors in Augusta Homes

10/21/2019 (Permalink)

Home Remedies That Do Not Work for Fire Damage Odor in Augusta Homes 

After a small fire in a home, once the cleanup of the fire damage completes, many people assume the odor diminishes over time. They could not be more wrong.  

When fire damage odor is left behind in an Augusta home, the method of treating the smell successfully depends on the type of fire. Common culprits are a fire on a stove or a candle catching something nearby on fire. These are two different fire types; protein fires that mostly occur in the kitchen respond to distinct cleanup and odor control methods from other kinds of fire loss, for the successful eradication of pungent scents.  

Why Waiting It Out Does Not Work

Once homeowners clean up fire loss in a home, just because it is not visible does not mean it is not there. Soot holds odors, and some particles are smaller than the human eye can see. Cross-contamination occurs when the particles find their way to other areas of the home via foot traffic or the HVAC ductwork. While homeowners wait for the odor to diminish, it is spreading. 

Spray Fresheners

Most spray fabric fresheners work by having chemicals that attach to odors, and when the spray evaporates, so does the smell. The problem with treating smoke odors in this manner comes when deeply embedded scents are the culprit as the sprays do not reach them and are ineffective.  

What Works for Fire Damage Cleanup?

In cases of protein fires, there is a nearly invisible but very pungent mist that coats almost everything in the vicinity. If any remains, so does the odor. SERVPRO technicians use specific cleaning agents such as solvents that cause the residue to release from surfaces and removes them. Technicians also inspect the ductwork to determine if it necessitates cleaning to rid the home of smoke odors. 

Special Applications for Stubborn Odors 

SERVPRO uses professional equipment such as air scrubbers with HEPA filtration, hydroxyl generators that neutralize odorous molecules with the power of UV rays or thermal fogging, which attacks and eradicates deeply embedded odors with a heated solvent that behaves as the smoke did during the fire.  

When you have a fire damage odor in your property, contact SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441. The certified technicians have both the knowledge and equipment to neutralize odors and leave your home smelling like new, "Like it never even happened." 

More about Augusta.

SERVPRO Can Mitigate Water Loss by Controlling Dehumidification at Augusta Properties

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

Water Loss Means Moisture Damage in Augusta Properties--SERVPRO Has the Equipment for Mitigation

Keeping Tabs on Humidity During Augusta Water Damage Restorations

When we conduct water restorations in local homes, we keep a close eye on the levels of humidity throughout the building. Without careful observation, harmful humid conditions could rapidly increase the extent and severity of damage your home incurs. SERVPRO technicians receive extensive training in the math and science that enables them to monitor local humidity with utmost precision.

Relative Humidity RH
The most well-known humidity metric that we keep an eye on during Augusta water damage restorations is relative humidity. This statistic tells us how much water is in the air relative to its volume and temperature. If a room is at 100% relative humidity, that means that the air cannot hold any more water, and all additional evaporation in the area ends up forming condensation on every possible surface. Literally, "raining inside the house." As temperature rises, relative humidity decreases, although that may not always be a good thing, as we'll discuss in a moment. In general, SERVPRO technicians try to control the relative humidity in your home without significantly altering the temperature.

Humidity Ratio - SH - Specific Humidity
The humidity ratio measures the total amount of moisture in the air of your home per unit volume. Keeping an eye on this statistic is essential since rising temperatures may lead to falling humidity. Without constant monitoring of the humidity ratio, it would be almost impossible to determine how much of that humidity change is due to the temperature or due to our water removal efforts. Plus, if your home still has a leak or pool of water somewhere that we have not yet found, the humidity ratio should rise and clue us into its existence.

How We Control Humidity
We monitor humidity and moisture constantly during water damage cleanup and restoration projects with the help of advanced tools such as moisture meters and Thermo hygrometers. Once we determine that the time is right to begin dehumidifying the area, we bring out our powerful thermal dehumidifiers that attract moisture from the air to be collected into removable buckets and bins.

Mitigate Water Damage with Monitoring
Keeping an eye on the moisture content in an enclosed system is crucial to extracting the water vapor within a practical time frame. More than liquid water can damage contents and building elements. Be wary of the water you cannot see!

SERVPRO of Columbia County provides 24/7 emergency services for victims of fire damage, water damage, and other home disasters. Call us at (706) 868-5441.

We Can Save Your Damaged Documents In Your Augusta Clinic

9/23/2019 (Permalink)

Give us a call anytime at (706) 868-5441.

Document Drying in Augusta Clinics after Flooding

Hard copies of patient records and the reams of documentation required to treat patients or to operate your Augusta clinic are all critical to the function of the facility. Even with the jump to the digital age and the efforts to having this same paperwork accessible through the computer network of the administration, the storage of these vital and sensitive documents can leave them even more susceptible to situations like flooding.

Flood damage in Augusta medical facilities can already be a dangerous situation with the personnel and the patients that could become affected. While your building does not typically have patients in the facility more than short bursts for check-ups and testing, it is still important to appreciate the effect that flooding can have on those who have upcoming appointments. Recovering this situation as promptly as possible helps your clinic from losing money and your reputation with the community.

The content management division of our SERVPRO team has the qualifications and experience to protect many of the exposed instruments and devices from exposure to the flooding by relocating these items to a different area of the clinic or our nearby facility for storage. Documents that have already become exposed to even elevated humidity levels can benefit from our freeze-drying process. We have mobile equipment that can help us to recover the paperwork on-site, making sure that sensitive information does not leave the grounds.

Our machine works by keeping these affected documents under vacuum pressure after freezing them. When heat is introduced to melt the ice, it turns to vapor and leaves the document dry and restored. This sublimation is an effective process to keep your paperwork and records safe from deterioration or degradation.

We strive to provide our customers, both residential and commercial, with services that can protect their belongings and vital possessions during a crisis. Freeze-drying documents can help to protect the hard copies of your records from quickly spreading flood effects. You can count on our SERVPRO of Columbia County team to provide this and other approaches to protect what matters to your business. Give us a call anytime at (706) 868-5441.

For more about Augusta click here.

Disaster Recovery Help with SERVPRO of Columbia County

9/18/2019 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO employees are ready to assist with all your restoration needs.

From Small Leaks to Large Disasters, SERVPRO is Here to Help

One of the strongest selling points that we have to encourage Augusta residents to choose our SERVPRO restoration services amid a crisis is the positive feedback we have received on the internet. With our website and others becoming a forum for public opinion, you can trust in professionals that have gained enough trust and respect to earn several 5-star reviews. With over 150 years of combined experience throughout the restoration niches, our team is ready for whatever situation your home or business might face.

Water Damage Repair and Restoration

Between all of the management professionals and leaders that we have overseeing the production of water loss recovery in Augusta homes, the more than six decades of experience shines through in the choices made and the satisfaction of our customers. With how quickly water loss scenarios can get out of control, we have a fast response amid a crisis to begin vital mitigation efforts designed to protect your home and its contents from oversaturation.

Our crew chiefs have extensive training in assessing and cataloging water damage in Augusta homes. The more efficient and thorough our management can be, the better equipped the staff becomes when restoration work begins. The assessment ensures that the right equipment, products, and personnel get deployed at the job site. With water loss incidents, we can utilize any number of hundreds of air movers and desiccant dehumidifiers. This combination can quickly dry out saturated elements and reduce humidity in affected regions of the house.

Every water loss incident has a specific timeline before materials exposed become too severely damaged to preserve. With our tailored mitigation practices, we can utilize high-capacity extractors and rapid drying solutions to reduce the irreparable damage to your Augusta property. We even have practical approaches for controlled demolition and full-scale reconstruction should your home require it. Our SERVPRO technicians remain on-call 24/7 to address water loss incidents as they occur.

Mold Remediation and Restoration

Microbial threats exist in Augusta homes after moist conditions are allowed to persist for prolonged periods. As damaging as these organisms can be, when caught early, mold has a lessened chance of spreading to the point of becoming out of control. We have a special division of our workforce devoted to the remediation of these mold conditions and addressing the effects that the organism can have on hosting materials and surrounding areas.

Our Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians (AMRT) have gotten accredited through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). This same organization has allowed these technicians to pursue secondary endorsements like water restoration and structural drying. This additional training and certification help our SERVPRO team address both the mold colonization and the damp conditions that allowed this disaster in an Augusta home.

Remediation is not the same as removal, and we do not make wild claims to attract your business. We know that mold damage in Augusta homes can be stressful and overwhelming, and that is why our team has several strategies for both containment of the risks and the elimination of existing colonies. Whenever you need mold remediation, regardless of its severity, you count on our rapid response team to lend a hand.

Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration

As a team of professionals that have worked to help those affected by hurricanes Harvey, Michael, and Florence, we have seen firsthand what storms can do to Augusta properties. As much protection as many home and business owners might feel their building has; the right conditions can cause trees to fall, compromise roofs, break windows, and allow for conditions like flooding to develop. We are always aware of storm systems that make landfall around Savannah and move inland towards our service area.

We are a full-service contractor able to meet the demands of structurally compromised and storm-damaged Augusta homes. With how fast breaches in your property’s exterior can lead to widespread flooding and other threats, you need our SERVPRO responders. With our 24/7 response, we have general contractors that can oversee and perform emergency construction projects like board up and roof tarping. They can also execute the steps of full-scale reconstruction when needed.

Likewise, you need productive and efficient solutions when your Augusta home contends with water damage following substantial flooding. We have a wide range of extraction tools, including portable sump pumps and wands that can remove standing water in most areas of your property efficiently. We also have a robust line of botanical-based green cleaning and disinfection products that are safe for humans and pets to be around. However, it is potent enough to clean exposed surfaces and structural elements up to our high SERVPRO standards.

Fire Damage Repair and Restoration

We have invested heavily in having the industry-leading equipment and products to address lingering threats after fire damage in Augusta homes. While no two-loss incidents are identical, the method of restoring the damaging effects changes with the situation as well. In addition to powerful devices and machines like our thermal and UV foggers for deodorization and our cleaning agents for debris and residues, we also have the Esporta Washing System that can help to recover soft materials and textiles on-site. This portable unit offers a faster cleaning turnaround, which can save our customers time and money.

With IICRC-certified technicians accredited in multiple facets of fire recovery including our Fire & Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) and our Odor Control Technicians (OCT), we can quickly manage even complex restoration requirements of your property with knowledge and confidence. Fire loss effects can spread rapidly throughout confined spaces in Augusta homes and apartments, requiring the fast response and efficient mitigation that our reputation demands. We are not satisfied with the results unless you are.  

We have become equipped to handle every niche of recovery after fire damage in Augusta homes, including deodorization, air quality, soot removal, carpet and surface cleaning, and controlled demolition. We also have a full-service contracting division capable of handling structural repair and build back, in addition to renovations and remodeling amid the recovery of your damaged home. 

No matter what disaster affects your home or business, our SERVPRO of Columbia County team offers restoration services that can make it “Like it never even happened.” As a reputable local restoration contractor, we can arrive quickly to help regardless of when emergencies occur. Give us a call anytime at (706) 868-5441.

Learn all about Augusta, GA by clicking here. 

Become Familiar With Steps to Water Damage Remediation in Augusta

9/8/2019 (Permalink)

What Our Water Restorers Do When We First Arrive at Augusta Homes

Understanding what to expect from professional restoration professionals when they first arrive at your Augusta home can help you to be less stressed in an already tense situation. Our technicians can arrive quickly to the scene, often reaching your home within a few hours of your initial call and working to mitigate your losses. Mitigation is a critical step to water recovery because it can protect unaffected areas of your home and limit the exposure of your belongings.

Our water restoration professionals have strict protocols to follow through recovery and water removal for Augusta homes. As part of this commitment to offering our customers and clients expectation-exceeding work during their emergencies, we have established an intricate system to limit the time mitigation efforts take to complete. Our crew chief oversees both the inspection and assessment of your damaged property, but also helps to quickly determine the needed tools, equipment, and products necessary for mitigation.

With a deep inventory of recovery tools available to our SERVPRO professionals in water recovery, not every tool and machine is necessary for every job. Our narrowing of the required equipment helps us to bring all of these units into a designated area of the home near the damaged regions to serve as a fast access to all of the equipment, products, and devices that are vital to water loss restoration. We ensure that extraction happens as promptly as possible to protect your belongings and installed construction materials.

We work along with our customers to establish a relative timeline for the work to get performed so that our clients are more at ease. We also utilize software like DryBook that is exclusive to our SERVPRO brand to ensure that all parties involved, including you and your insurance company, stay informed about progress and milestones reached in the drying and extraction of your property.

Water loss incidents present a difficult situation, especially when standing water exists in the house. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, and our SERVPRO of Columbia County professionals can help you to get back to life as usual. Give us a call whenever you need us at (706) 868-5441.

Click here to see more info about the city of Augusta.

Our Professionals Can Help You With Your Water Damage Emergency In Augusta

8/31/2019 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO Is The Answer To Effective Water Cleanup In Augusta

You may deal with a water loss incident in your Augusta home occasionally because this is a part of life. It can happen because of broken pipes, malfunctioning appliances, and overflowing tubs. Hiring professionals who perform water cleanup can minimize long and short term harm to your home. Just removing the water and not properly drying it can leave moisture in the walls and floors, which can provide mold with a habitable environment to grow and spread. The key is to act quickly for effective remediation.

To get effective water cleanup for your Augusta home, contact SERVPRO technicians to help. Our skilled professionals will restore your property to its pre-damaged state. We have the right equipment and training to handle the situation as quickly as possible. We are ready to tackle the problem no matter how enormous the damage is. Our crew can inspect your home, reviewing the damage to identify all the areas that need restoration. We can help you get through the unexpected disaster efficiently by offering a wide range of services, including:

    •    Water extraction, drying, and dehumidification
    •    Complete structural cleaning
    •    Cleaning of upholstery, rugs, and carpets

We use advanced equipment for the extraction and drying process. We use equipment like portable water extractors to quickly get rid of the standing water. For hard surfaces, we use a squeegee attachment to extract the water. Our crew also uses air movers to increase evaporation and portable dehumidifiers to remove water vapor in the air, speeding up drying. Water can hide, and a soaked wall or floor may look normal until the damage has gone over bound. Stained ceilings and walls and mushy floors or carpets are all signs of water damage. Our Water Damage Restoration technicians (WRT) use thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters, and moisture sensors to locate hidden water in the structures of a building.

Our SERVPRO technicians may also use in-place drying to dry carpets and pad without removing the pad when appropriate.  The basic concept of this drying method is extracting water from carpets thoroughly and increasing the number of air movers and dehumidifiers. We do not roll back the carpet or remove the pad. Instead, we dry the pad in place. In-place drying is not appropriate for all jobs. Therefore, we carefully evaluate and pretest each water damage situation to determine the best approach. Some advantages of in-place dying include less disruption to the occupants of a home, the carpet does not suffer much damage, and it is not necessary to move furniture out of a room. We are fully prepared to fulfill your home restoration needs.

If you experience a water intrusion incident in your Evans, Martinez or Grovetown home, SERVPRO of Columbia County can assist you to clean up and dry the affected areas quickly and efficiently. Call us 24/7 at (706) 868-5441 for prompt restoration services. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

For more about Augusta click here.

We Can Preserve Your Water Damaged Historical Property In Augusta

8/19/2019 (Permalink)

Preserving Water Damaged Historical Properties In Augusta

Between the aging plantation farm structures and other buildings teeming with historical significance throughout Augusta, many properties require a skilled and steady hand to restore when disasters strike. Some of these structures feature their original plumbing from when the homes were upgraded along with the changing of the times, making many of these service lines copper, brass, lead, and other metallic compositions. Standing water in metal pipes can be a recipe for degradation and leaks.

Water damage to Augusta historic properties can be even more threatening and devastating than the same circumstances with new construction. Many of the older farmstead properties feature original hardwood construction for areas like flooring, staircases, banisters, mantles, and shelving. Loss incidents, even without being enough to collect on the flooring, can raise humidity and moisture levels enough to compromise the composition of the material and ultimately require it to get removed.

While you may not be able to prevent the potential water loss disasters that could take place in one of these tourist attractions, you can choose the best approach to resolving these issues promptly and correctly. Instead of leaving the drying and recovery to your custodial or maintenance team, you can choose SERVPRO. Our professionals have extensive training in both Water Restoration and Applied Structural Drying through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). That education helps our professionals to respond immediately to protect installed materials with penetrative drying approaches like drying mats and the InjectiDry system.

As a location that offers a strict touring schedule for travelers and residents of the area looking to brush up on their 19th-century history, a water loss incident of any kind could compromise the full tour and threaten critical elements that make the structure historically significant. Having a team of professionals that can move quickly to mitigate loss and to make all of these affected areas “Like it never even happened,” we offer property owners the chance to not only protect their structures but to protect the contents of exhibits as well.

Drying out the damaged property requires the fast and confident response of our SERVPRO of Columbia County team. We have a deep inventory of extraction and drying tools, helping us to gently and intricately clean and restore saturated elements in your historic location. Give our professionals a call anytime that you need us at (706) 868-5441.

For more about Augusta click here.

Why Professional Restoration Services Are Needed For Your Augusta Home

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

Two Stage Removal and Drying Procedure for Water Damage in Augusta

Larger water loss recovery situations require industrial equipment to complete effectively. We focus on two critical areas in restoring this type of damage. The first is a removal process that is centered on getting gallons of water out of the home in a short space of time. This process can be a valuable mitigation task that prevents waterlogging or water migration issues. The second part of the process is to thoroughly dry the affected area using a combination of dehumidification and air-moving equipment. 

Homeowners with water damage in Augusta may want to begin the restoration procedure by removing items from the immediate vicinity. Place a tarp or waterproof covering in an unaffected area of the house or an outside area. Remove wet items, being careful to avoid dripping, and place them on your waterproof covering. These steps can prove vital in preventing permanent damages while you await the arrival of a SERVPRO professional. 

On arriving, your SERVPRO professional can block more cumbersome furniture to remove it from contact with water. Typically, the scale of water loss incidents is dependent on the amount of time furnishings have been exposed to moisture. Prolonged exposure can lead to substantial damages or permanent losses. By blocking furniture, we can reduce the expense of your claim, and remove damaged items from immediate danger while we create a strategy for removing excess water. 

The removal of excess moisture is done using a range of professional equipment. When standing water levels rise above two inches, we can pump the water out to an open sewer point using submersible gas pumps. Standing water levels below two inches respond better to water extraction units which can either be truck-mounted with large storage tanks, or portable for removing water from areas of restricted access. Portable extractors are especially useful in situations where water has migrated into crawlspaces or other tight to reach areas.

The next step is to dry the property. Excess quantities of water increase humidity. The removal process can also raise the temperature in your property, creating water evaporation, and raising the relative humidity. This causes a problem for a professional restorer because higher humidity levels can lead to mold growth. We can exchange moist internal air with drier outdoor air by placing box fans. Alternatively, in closed areas, dehumidification equipment can be used to bring the relative humidity back done to its natural level.

Water loss recovery needs immediate action using professional-grade equipment. Contact SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 today to get a callout within four hours of notification of loss.

Click here to see more about Augusta. 

What Tools You Need to Remove Flood Water from Augusta Homes

7/31/2019 (Permalink)

Let us show you the correct tools for your Augusta flood damages.

As straightforward as water removal might appear, there are more considerations for removing flood water from your Augusta home than you might think.  Our SERVPRO team knows that many homeowners want to work to save time and money by tackling these essential tasks on their own, and it is our mission to ensure that you do it safely and with a degree of confidence when possible. To offer this to you, we have comprised a shortlist of the things that every homeowner needs to remove flooding from their property.

While there might be other gear and machines that could make this list, these are absolute must-haves for flood removal in Augusta properties: 

• Capable Extraction Equipment – Extraction is going to be one of the most considerable obstacles that your home faces, especially if you return to several inches of standing water. While a wet/dry vac can eventually overcome this considerable volume, it is better to rent more powerful extraction tools our SERVPRO team uses like trash pumps from home improvement locations, directing your discharge hose into a nearby drain. 

• The Right Drying Tools – Much like acquiring the right tools for proper extraction, you also need to grab two vital pieces of equipment for drying efforts as well. You cannot sop up floodwater and allow it to dry naturally – you must take direct action. Air movers and dehumidifiers help to begin removing the moisture and saturation from exposed materials and the environment right away. 

• Personal Protective Equipment – Keeping yourself safe is paramount in all of these efforts. The flooding comes with substantial risks, among the most threatening being potential contamination of the water itself. Keep yourself covered and safe, avoid getting in the water, and work to reduce the levels of damage quickly. 
• Cleaning Supplies – Cleaning up after a flood is vital to protect your property and its occupants. The risk of contamination and bacteria is high in natural flooding, so the use of effective disinfection and cleaning agents can address these concerns. 

While this list is short and concise, it gives you a quick overview of what you need to have any success in recovering your property after flooding occurs. If you need assistance or someone to check your efforts for completion, give our SERVPRO of Columbia County team a call today at (706) 868-5441.

Click here to learn more about Augusta.

Revolutionize The Fire Damage Remediation Process in Augusta

7/8/2019 (Permalink)

Fixing Charring and Odor Issues after Fire Damage in your Augusta Home Garage

A fire in your home garage can cause severe damages, especially if you store paints or other chemicals in the area without taking proper precautions. These chemicals emit fumes that can ignite easily in case of a spark. The chemicals also cause intense fires that might affect the structural integrity of your home or produce excessive smoke creating various problems. We offer professional mitigation of fire damage, which can help restore your home to its preloss state.

An intense fire can reach the structural support of your home, including beams and joists. Restoring such fire damage in your Augusta home can be challenging because, even if the structure is still stable, removing the charring and smoke deposits left is a tedious process. Our SERVPRO technicians check the depth of charring to determine whether there is a need to replace any structural supports. If it is less than 1/4” deep, we can resolve the problem through cleaning.

Abrasion of charred surfaces is the straightforward solution that comes to mind when restoring fire damage. However, in certain situations, it might not be appropriate because it can cause further damage to the affected materials. Our SERVPRO technicians can apply advanced cleaning solutions such as ice blasting. This method utilizes dry ice pellets, which cause the top layer of the charring to shrink, leading to cracks. As more pellets are blasted at high pressure over the surface, they are exposed to lower, warmer layers. The pellets expand as they revert to carbon dioxide gas removing the layers of charred materials.

Removing charring on surfaces and any other debris from the loss site eliminates most of the problem. However, aesthetical problems might persist. Fires tend to leave pungent odors and also damage paints or other finishes on surfaces. Our SERVPRO technicians can help resolve these problems by painting walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. We also use advanced equipment such as Ozone generators and hydroxyl generators to deodorize your home.

For the complete restoration of your Evans, Martinez or Grovetown home after a fire, call SERVPRO of Columbia County to help. You can reach us at (706) 868-5441 any time. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Click here to see more about Augusta. 

Our Specialized Equipment Can Save Your Water Damaged Home In Augusta

7/6/2019 (Permalink)

If you want to make water loss incidents, “Like it never even happened.” give us a call today at (706) 868-5441.

Advanced Tools For Water Cleanup In Augusta Homes

We strive always to provide every customer with a fast and confident response, so no matter how severe water losses might be in your Augusta home, we can begin setting things right from our arrival. Much of the work that our experts do depends on the experience and education of our certified technicians that have accreditations in multiple areas of the restoration industry through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification as both Water Restoration Technicians (WRT) and with Applied Structural Drying (ASD.)

While we cannot achieve quality water cleanup for Augusta homes without our roster of IICRC-Certified technicians, the equipment and products used for this recovery is equally vital to success. Depending on the severity of the situation for your house, many different machines and tools can get used to remove standing water, to dry up saturation and moisture, and to thoroughly clean exposed materials, surfaces, and contents. Many property owners do not recognize many of these devices and what they can do, but here are some common choices by our SERVPRO professionals for your home:

Low Grain Refrigerant (LGR) Dehumidifier
While these are not the only dehumidification systems available to our SERVPRO technicians addressing water damages in your home, these can be a common choice when effective moisture removal is critical.

Moisture Content Reader
Devices like hygrometers and other discovery tools help our technicians to maintain an understanding of the moisture content of saturated elements and monitor the progress of drying efforts throughout restoration and recovery.

High-Velocity Air Movers
For drying efforts, these machines can help quickly. The units force heated air into the environment to begin rapidly evaporating the moisture and dampness encountered. Once vaporized, it can get collected by the dehumidification tools.

Multiple Extraction Options
Extraction is not always necessary for a water cleanup effort, but if you are facing standing water, we have multiple recovery tools that can help. From our portable options like the wet-vacs and sump pumps to more powerful truck-mounted options, we have the right tool for any need you have.

Many machines and devices play a vital role in the recovery work that our SERVPRO of Columbia County team does for our customers. If you want to make water loss incidents, “Like it never even happened.” give us a call today at (706) 868-5441.

For more about Augusta click here.

It's Raining, It's Pouring, and It's Causing Storm Damage to Augusta Houses

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

Fast Augusta Home Flood Damage Cleanup by SERVPRO 

Flood damage is bad enough when it happens, it is even worse when your home receives water damage, and you are not home to stop it. The longer building materials have exposure to excessive moisture lessens the chance of restoration.

When a homeowner came home from a weekend getaway, she walked into a drenched room from a tree branch breaking a window during heavy thunderstorms that rolled through and rain entered the Augusta home for hours. 

After contacting her insurance adjuster, her next phone call was to our local SERVPRO facility. Our technicians arrived within hours of the initial call and immediately tarped over the broken window so additional damage from rainstorms would not affect the interior of the property any further. 

We scoped the room to determine all the areas that the water could have possibly migrated into to ensure we did not miss any areas of excessive moisture. Our certified Water Damage Restoration Technicians worked on extraction the remaining water from the property. Because it sat for a minimum of 48 hours before mitigation efforts began, we handled the water as a category three (black) or contaminated water situation requiring specialized safety gear and disinfectants. 

Some sheetrock around the entry point had become oversaturated and required removal, which we accomplished with a controlled demolition technique known as "flood cuts." This method lets adequate airflow happen within the wall cavity and substructure. 

We then set up our drying and dehumidification equipment and ran air scrubbers with HEPA filters because of the heavy odor left behind. Once the affected areas dried, the odors diminished significantly. Our technicians hand-cleaned and disinfected all water loss areas, so they were sanitary. 

Once we completed our cleanup and mitigation efforts, we gave a detailed report and photos of the actions taken to both the homeowner and adjuster along with a listing of the necessary repairs to fully restore the room to its preloss condition. 

SERVPRO of Columbia County knows flood damage is a stressful event for any property owner. Handoff the cleanup and restoration to us by calling (706) 868-5441, we are available 24/7 to make your water loss "Like it never even happened."

More about Augusta.

SERVPRO Works With Insurance to Restore Your Fire-Damaged Home

6/17/2019 (Permalink)

Working with Insurance to Recover Fire-Damaged Augusta Homes

One of the advantages of choosing professional remediation and mitigation services after a fire loss incident in your Augusta home is the relationships that our team already has with local and national insurance brands. We understand how traumatic and stressful these situations can be and how important it is to get your property back to preloss conditions as promptly as possible. When you want to recover a house after a fire loss incident, you want to trust in our technicians accredited through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification as Fire & Smoke Restoration and Odor Control Technicians.

It is common for homeowners to decide to reach out to their insurance provider first when fire damages occur in their Augusta residence. With the need that you and your home have for professional inspection and evaluation of loss and damages, even your insurance adjuster might recommend reaching out to our SERVPRO team first. We have a team always ready to roll at a moment’s notice to get vital mitigation work started immediately in your fire-damaged home.

We have qualified management and highly trained estimators that can begin evaluation and documentation of the damage as soon as we first arrive at your property. Your insurance provider often does not begin filing and validating a damage claim for your home without photographic evidence and a catalog of the damages. With this information, we can help with the paperwork, regulations, and steps necessary to get your claim approved so work can begin.

With our relationship established with local and national insurance branches, we have become a name to be trusted when fire loss incidents occur. We can work to submit the necessary information as promptly as possible so that our SERVPRO recovery team can get started with debris removal and vital mitigation efforts.

Every second counts when you are bringing a home back from widespread fire loss effects, and getting the right approval and permission from your insurance provider is where professional restoration and mitigation truly begin. Let our SERVPRO of Columbia County team help you with every phase of fire loss restoration. Call us today at (706) 868-5441.

Check out more information about the city of Augusta. 

Our Highly-Qualified Flood Damage Professionals Can Return Your Augusta Home To Pre-Damage Condition

6/8/2019 (Permalink)

Call (706) 868-5441 for a consultation when extreme weather results in flooding.

Reliable And Highly-Qualified: Why SERVPRO Is An Augusta Flood Damage Remediation Leader

When a flood threatens the integrity of your Augusta home, you need professional help fast. Flood waters are contaminated, exposing you and your family to health risks and the structural components of your house to disintegration from both the moisture and accelerated growth of fungi and other organisms. The stakes at issue are high, which is why our highly-qualified team needs to remediate.

Extreme weather patterns, resulting in what the National Weather Service calls  “life-threatening” and “catastrophic” flood damage, affect the Deep South. Record maximum temperatures make it difficult to control the air quality inside your home. High humidity both in and outside your home, results in significant challenges when drying out a structure after flooding in Augusta. Our training, experience, and state-of-the-art equipment are why we can get the job done.

We must contain flood waters for appropriate disposal, following local rules. Pathogens from sewage, decaying organic matter, and overflowing waterways add to chemicals rinsed off roadways and landscaping to contaminate the water flowing into your home. Managing this as a DIY project can be hazardous, which is why SERVPRO’s crews are well suited to the task. Our technicians don personal protective equipment (PPE) and often employ air scrubbers during the cleanup phase to clear the interior of airborne pathogens.

Once the contaminated water is out of your home, we use professional cleaners to remove soiling from surfaces. Our technicians receive training from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), another reason why SERVPRO is trusted to use research-based strategies to remediate flood damage. Our team also applies EPA-registered disinfectants to all surfaces touched by the flood waters to inhibit the growth of mold, mildew, or other pathogens after cleaning.

Returning building materials to a normal moisture level is the final step in flood remediation. Accurate measurements of air and moisture levels are crucial to monitoring this phase and is why SERVPRO supports technicians gaining Building Moisture Thermography (BMT) certification. Our crew members use scientific principles to dry out the flood-damaged spaces in your home. Wet moves to dry, and our industrial strength air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers complete efforts to reduce moisture in your home, ensuring a halt to water damage and limiting any post-flood mold or mildew growth.

Professionalism, training, and appropriate tools and equipment are why SERVPRO of Columbia County delivers superior flood damage remediation results. Call (706) 868-5441 for a consultation when extreme weather results in flooding.

Click here for more about Augusta.

Augusta Property Under Water? Rely on SERVPRO for Full Service--from Pack-Out to Rebuild

5/27/2019 (Permalink)

Pack Out Helps Minimize Flood Damage in Augusta Home

When flood damage happens to your home, it is vital to get cleanup efforts going as quickly as possible. The less exposure to water your home and contents have, the better the chances of saving more items through restoration efforts.

Our local SERVPRO responded to a call to mitigate flood damage in an Augusta home. Several areas in the house were affected, and the electricity was turned off. For safety reasons, we confirmed the homeowner and her family were staying off-site at another location.

Since this type of water intrusion carries a rating as the most contaminated, category three or "black water" event, we have protective gear we wear to work with this type of water loss. Upon arrival, our technicians found most of the water had since receded, but the water line on a wall indicated water levels were over the outlets at one point.

With the permission of the insurance adjuster and homeowner, a team of technicians carefully packed and moved out room contents that had the potential for restoration (we call it "pack out") and placed the items that were a loss in a separate bin. Our SERVPRO crew chiefs make detailed notes for items that are packed out and objects that are a loss for full transparency with the adjuster and homeowner.  

We have powerful generators so the lack of electricity does not slow down remediation efforts. Using our portable pumps, we extracted as much water as possible, so large scale items such as the carpet and padding are easier to handle when we removed them as a loss. Carpets covered with Black Water we always recommend to discard. This also lessens the drying time and can save more building materials and contents.

Measuring roughly six inches above the water line on the walls, our technicians removed the ruined sheetrock with a technique called flood cutting, so the interior of the wall could dry thoroughly. We spend extra time on the extraction of water and setting up drying using applied structural drying techniques to limit water damage and inhibit additional issues such as mold or foul odors. This process can take several days, depending on the extent of the flooding. After drying, we cleaned and disinfected the property and left it ready for rebuilding.

 Our crew chief gave the homeowner and adjuster a list of the necessary repairs needed to return the residence to its preloss condition. Since we are a full-service cleanup and restoration company, we can provide a "one-stop shopping" experience for our customers and complete the rebuilding and renovation of the house, with less stress of involving numerous contractors, and for less money. "Like it never even happened."

When you need fast assistance with flood damage, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441. Our certified technicians are available 24-hours to help restore your home and contents from water loss.

Columbia County School District right here.

We Can Help If Your Evans Sports Bar Is Plagued By Fire Damage

5/20/2019 (Permalink)

We are available 24/7 to serve our local community at (706) 868-5441.

SERVPRO Assists Sports Bar With Commercial Fire Damage In Evans

Commercial fire damage can affect a business in numerous ways besides the obvious loss of revenue from closure during cleanup. Employees suddenly have a loss of income, and there are times unhappy patrons leave reviews that can hurt a business regarding an unexpected closure without knowing the circumstances.

SERVPRO was called one evening to mitigate commercial fire damage in Evans from a flash fire in a sports bar kitchen. The bar owner was frantic because he had a large gathering booked for the following night and the mess and odor left behind from the dry powder fire suppressant looked daunting to him as far as being able to open for business the following evening.

SERVPRO emergency response teams are available around the clock, and we arrived at the location prepared to work through the night to enable the bar to open on schedule. The dry residue left behind from the fire extinguisher was light and mixed with soot. It can travel through foot traffic and air, so to avoid any spread, the technicians contained the kitchen area while they were working and shut off the HVAC. We used handheld vacuums with HEPA filters to remove the dry residue. The HVAC ducts were inspected and thoroughly cleaned so lingering odors would not be a problem when the bar reopened.

Technicians hand wiped the kitchen surfaces with our specially formulated cleaners to eliminate smoke residues left behind by the fire and disinfect the area, so it was sanitary and ready for use to prepare food items. Once completed, our technicians walked the bar owner through for his approval and he was pleased and relieved, his sports bar was not going to have any more downtime from the kitchen fire.

SERVPRO of Columbia County knows business owners need commercial fire damage mitigated as soon as possible, so there is no disruption to the business. We are available 24/7 to serve our local community at (706) 868-5441.

Click here for more about Evans.

Our Fast Response Will Restore Your Augusta Kitchen To Pre-Damage Condition After A Fire

5/7/2019 (Permalink)

Fast Action Limits Fire Damage In Augusta Kitchen Blaze

Fire damage left behind by a protein fire remains one of the most common types of fire loss. It can be one of the most deceptive as the residue often is invisible yet pungent. Many homeowners toss the burned meal, clean the oven or range and assume the odor will eventually go away.

When SERVPRO mitigates fire damage in an Augusta stove or oven, one of the first actions performed by our technicians is containment of the area. This step stops any further spreading of odor-causing particles in other areas of the home. There is often no water to dry or clean up. If there is powder-like residue from a fire extinguisher, our technicians carefully remove it using handheld vacuums with HEPA filters so that they can address the heart of the issue: the odor.

Because of the nature of protein fires, they do not produce much smoke, the flames usually are not significant, and the fire itself extinguished quickly; often the cleanup needed is not done correctly regarding the odor-causing residue. The protein-rich fibers in meats and other protein-based foods turn into a fine mist when exposed to heat high enough to combust. This misty residue is nearly invisible but carries a foul odor that gets progressively worse the longer it remains.

It is vital to have professional mitigation done for this type of fire loss. SERVPRO technicians use EPA-registered cleaning formulas that cut through the residual film left on surfaces and neutralize the odor.

Odor removal after a protein fire is not a one-size-fits-all application. Our technicians have multiple methods for odor removal. When cleaning is not enough to completely eradicate cooking odors, we have machines such as the Hydroxyl generator that uses the same techniques as UV rays from the Sun to eliminate odors at the molecular level.

When pungent odors prove stubborn, thermal fogging is a very effective tool our technicians use. A technician uses a fogger to deliver a heated solvent that neutralizes foul odors. The key is, our technicians do not stop until you are satisfied with the remediation efforts for your fire loss.

Timely mitigation of fire damage lessens the loss. Call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441, and our technicians have the expertise and equipment to restore your property to pre-damage condition.

Click here for more about Augusta.

When You Need A Fast Response For Water Restoration Services, SERVPRO is The #1 Choice

4/24/2019 (Permalink)

Preserving Structural Elements of a Water-Damaged Martinez Home

Water loss incidents can quickly penetrate surfaces and get into subflooring or wall cavities of your Martinez home. With a situation like a cracked fixture in the bathroom of your house, a steady flow of water can escape from this break before many homeowners would notice the damage. Discovering a substantial pool of water in the bathroom can be alarming for that room, but these damages can penetrate materials quickly to affect other areas of your house. Effective mitigation and restoration strategies can protect many of the structural elements exposed to this spreading water.

The need for upstairs water removal services can affect a broad area from the rooms beneath this portion of your home to adjacent spaces that leeching water could find. The longer that homeowners wait for the professional assistance they need, the worse the spread of this damage can become. Our SERVPRO professionals offer 24/7 response to water emergencies in Martinez homes, arriving with the personnel and industry-leading equipment to extract and dry water damage quickly.

From the time that our team first arrives at your damaged home, we get to work quickly on removing the pooling water from the upstairs bathroom to prevent further penetration and spreading damages. We can begin drying this area as well while we investigate the full spread of moisture and dampness through flooring and wall cavities. With the identification of these moisture pockets, we can successfully dry out the damage and prevent secondary effects like mold growth.

Heavily saturated materials like drywall might require removal, but our efficient drying efforts can protect the studs, framing, and beams that lie in the wall cavities behind this exposed element. With the use of our injecti-dry system, air movers, and dehumidifiers, our SERVPRO team can substantially reduce moisture content levels below acceptable parameters to eliminate structural compromise.

While you cannot predict when bathroom fixtures might become unstable and break, you can count on the fast response and expertise of the professionals that you choose to restore this water damage. You can reach our SERVPRO of Columbia County rapid response team 24/7 by calling (706) 868-5441.

For more on Martinez, click here. 

Our Technicians Will Remove Flood Water From Your Martinez Home

2/19/2019 (Permalink)

Dealing with Contamination during Martinez Flood Removal

Floods can happen any time leaving a trail of destruction in the properties they affect. Merely looking at the aftermath may dishearten you but it rarely gives an accurate picture of what needs to be done to restore the property to the preloss state. Involving a professional can help ensure that all crucial steps are taken. Taking such steps promptly also helps prevent secondary damages and additional costs.

The main thing that complicates Martinez flood removal cases is the large volume of water involved. A higher water volume leads to widespread migration even to concealed spaces such as wall cavities and crawl spaces. Removing such water requires the right skills and equipment. Our SERVPRO technicians use different types of equipment including submersible pumps and truck-mounted water extractors to expedite removal. To reach concealed areas, we do a controlled demolition.

Floodwaters are classified as black, which is a technical term signifying high levels of contamination. Wading into such water without protective gear can lead to health issues. Also, any porous materials affected by such water retain traces of the contaminants even after the flood water is extracted. Our SERVPRO technicians wear the necessary PPE, Personal Protective Equipment, including rubber gloves and boots. We also spray EPA-registered disinfectant in the affected areas. We remove any porous materials whether it is carpets, fabrics, insulation or wood to avoid the risks of contamination.

Floodwaters also soil non-porous surfaces with the silt, sewage, and other debris that they sweep into the house. Thoroughly cleaning such areas helps deal with the problem. Our SERVPRO technicians use professional cleaning agents and power washers to get rid of the dirt and grime. Cleaning also helps remove any bad odors that the contaminants in the water might cause. However, in case such smells do not go away after cleaning, we can take elaborate deodorization measures such as fogging.

You can combat the threat of contamination during flooding incidents in Evans, Thomson, and Louisville by involving a professional. Call SERVPRO of Augusta to assist. You can reach us at (706) 868-5441 any day. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Martinez Recreation Division provides activities, classes, sports and cultural opportunities click here for more information.

Avoid Summer Water Damage in Augusta!

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

Rust and corrosion are a first sign that a water heater failure may be forthcoming. Be sure to have your plumber check for these warning signs.

Ahhhh, school is out and the summer months have arrived with an excitement that now fills the air!  It's also a great time to take necessary precaution when it comes to protecting your home from a water damage loss. 

If you live in Augusta, you know that the temperatures can skyrocket to 100+ degrees Fahrenheit on any given summer day! This can bring stresses to any plumbing components that are located in your attic space.  It is fairly common to see hot water heaters and water heater pipes fail when temps in the attic push into the 140-150F degree range.  

We recommend having a plumber to inspect your hot water heater and its plumbing connections.  Protect your home from water damage by making sure your hot water heater is tuned up and healthy!  Have a great summer, Augusta!

Simple Plumbing Upgrades to Avoid Water Damage Losses in Augusta

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

In serving the people of our city, we are often directly involved in some of the most stressful times of our customers' lives.  Our job is to make it "Like it never even happened," and to walk with you through each step of the restoration process. 

Unfortunately, we sometimes find that water damage could've been prevented.  One great way to prevent water damage is to make simple upgrades to the plumbing supply lines to your sinks, toilets, washing machines and ice makers. 

Over time, plastic and rubber materials can dry-rot and lose their structural strength that is needed to withstand the water pressure being exerted on them around the clock.  

ACTION:  Invest in "braided" supply lines at your local do-it-yourself retailer.  The cost is just a few dollars per line, and you can outfit your entire home for far less than the cost of your insurance deductible, should an old line decide to break.  Furthermore, you will have the peace of mind that you've put your best foot forward in preventing a water damage loss that might otherwise create a very stressful time in your life! 

Commercial Water & Fire Restoration In the Augusta-CSRA Region

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

There are many reasons to quickly restore a commercial business to its normal daily operation after a water or fire loss.  The reason that is most prevalent on the minds of company stakeholders is simple:  profitability.  The longer a business remains idle due to a loss, the faster that losses from lost opportunity will mount.  It is critical to respond quickly. 

SERVPRO of Augusta is a large-loss team that routinely mitigates water and fire damage losses in office complexes, medical buildings, university buildings, large hotels and other commercial structures throughout Augusta.  Whether you are in need of board-up services, commercial drying, or the mitigation of massive amounts of water from a factory floor, we have the knowledge, equipment and proven expertise to deliver fast, proven results for our commercial customers. 

Don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Augusta for your Commercial Restoration needs.  Call (706)868-5441. 

Serving Augusta . . . With Excellence!

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

Every day is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our customers and bring a sense of calm and structure to situations that sometimes seem unbearable to them.  In many cases, their homes are flooded, or have been damaged by fire or mold.  Below is a review we received on social media last month . . . 

Monica Gross said "The team was very professional and always available for questions, even after the clean up was done. Sean came to check on the house every day until everything was dry, and continued to make himself available as things moved along with the insurance claim afterwards. I hope I never need this kind of service again, but if I do, I know who to call: SERVPRO of Augusta." 

This is one of many similar reviews that we receive on a regular basis.  Our hope is that if you have this type of need, that you will trust us as your restoration family.

Duct Cleaning

2/3/2016 (Permalink)

Have you thought about the areas of your home that you can't see that may need cleaning during your "Spring Cleaning" venture. An area that most folks do not pay attention to is the heating and air conditioning unit. Duct cleaning can be essential to the longevity of your A/C unit as well as an improvement to the air quality inside your home. It is worth the investment to every home. We provide this service whether it is on a home we are cleaning from smoke damage, mold or just age.

Disruptions and stress

1/27/2016 (Permalink)

This business was losing money daily because of a fire to the building

A home or business fire can be a very stressful event for the property owner. Damage to personal belongings and the contents of the building is just one concern. Timely mitigation is the key to controlling damage, while reducing downtime and recovery cost$$$! We understand how disruptive fires can be for business owners, tenants and even customers. That is why SERVPRO offers 24 hour emergency response. Don't proscatinate on making the call to start the mitigation process. A rapid response cuts loss of time and money. SERVPRO will help limit damage and get your home or facility back in operation quickly.