SERVPRO® Wishes Everyone a Happy Father’s Day!

6/6/2023 (Permalink)

Sunday, June 18^th is Father’s Day this year and it is a time to celebrate fatherhood and paternal bonds. People across the United States use this day to show the special men in their lives how appreciative they are for their hard work and dedication. This single holiday ensures that everyone, at least once a year, takes the time to think of dear ole dad and show him some much deserved love.

The Beginning of Father’s Day

Father’s Day had a slow start in the United States. On July 5, 1908, a church in West Virginia is on record for celebrating fathers during a Sunday sermon. It was in memory of the 362 men who had died the past December due to the explosions at the Fairmont Coal Company mines. This, however, was just a one-time commemoration. The following year, however, in Spokane, Washington, Sonora Smart Dodd attempted to establish the official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents, in honor of her own father who was a widower that raised six kids on his own. It did take some time to drum up support, but on June 19, 1910, Washington State celebrated the first statewide Father’s Day. In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge finally urged state governments to observe the holiday.

SERVPRO® of Columbia County would like to wish all father figures a Happy Father’s Day, and should an unexpected fire or water damage arise, give us a call ay 706-868-5441, we’ll take away the stress and make it “Like it never even happened.®”

The Pillars of SERVPRO® of Columbia County

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO® of Columbia County, we have six pillars of standard conduct that we apply to our everyday services. These are standards that our franchise has set up and hold each member of staff accountable to, in addition to IICRC certifications. They guide our every action on a daily basis.

The first pillar is: “We have a servant’s heart”. To us, this means we are willing to serve others first before considering ourselves. Each member of our staff is willing to not only help our customers, but each other as well.

Then our second pillar is: “We have integrity.” We are honest and ethical in everything we do. We care about the work we do and the people we work with.

Our third pillar reads: “We grow healthy relationships.” For us, relationships exist between our customers, our internal teams, and with our families. Each of these relationships is vital to our success. We are passionate about developing relationships and helping others achieve their goals.

The fourth pillar is: “We exceed expectations.” We do this by caring for our customers, managing with a clear and concise communication, while responding to issues promptly and professionally.

The fifth pillar reads as follows: “Stewardship matters to us.” We judiciously consider all financial and resource allocations prior to deployment. We want to ensure that we can tackle any need our customers may have.

Lastly, the sixth pillar: “We operate with a spirit of excellence.” We always put forth our very best effort and conduct ourselves with a Spirit of Excellence.

SERVPRO® of Columbia County stands firmly behind each pillar. If you are need of our services, please contact our excellent office team at 706-868-5441. We are truly always “Here to help.®”

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!

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.  

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.®

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.

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.®

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.

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.®

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.”

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. 

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.

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.

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 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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