We Offer Commercial Water Damage Repair to Shops in Waldorf

6/1/2024 (Permalink)

Rely on the experts from SERVPRO to keep your business open and profitable following a water damaging incident in y our Waldorf shop. Here to Help®

SERVPRO® TACKLES WATER DAMAGE 

When your business encounters a need for commercial water damage repair, SERVPRO is strategically located nearby, ready to swiftly address the situation. We recognize that maintaining the operation of your retail outlet is synonymous with its prosperity. We understand that your employees rely on your store for their financial stability and that your customers anticipate your business's presence.

Our comprehensive commercial water damage repair services in Waldorf encompass restoration for your equipment and inventory. While we are fully capable of conducting restorative repairs, including rebuilding any affected structure, we acknowledge that you may not be the building owner. We do not mandate structural repairs to provide services solely for contents. However, when businesses and building owners collaborate, it streamlines the process, enabling us to expedite our services.

When we make water damage repairs with your equipment and your inventory, this can include different steps, such as:

• Sorting products according to the amount of damage,
• Cleaning equipment to facilitate a specialist's diagnostic examination, and
• Drying of the building to prevent additional damage.

Removing products with heavy water damage increases the chances of salvaging less damaged inventory. Less damage means recouping as much profit as possible, reducing loss, and helping with insurance claims.

Some equipment requiring an approved technician fares better when cleaned up and made more presentable. Soiling that is wiped away only takes a few minutes but makes a difference.

Air scrubbers and desiccant machines can reduce the need for repairs. Suppose the event happened due to a one-time leak or plumbing emergency. If water continues to enter, our experts can resolve the situation and prevent additional moisture from creating problems.

Call SERVPRO of Charles County and Oxon Hill at (301) 753-8313 to protect your business from unnecessary closure and downtime that can affect your profits and reputation.

The Importance of Professionals

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

We are here to help!

We can never accurately predict when the disaster will strike. But when it does, it is vital for us to understand that restoring damaged commercial property is a huge responsibility. In the case of commercial property, when it is the physical face of your company, it is always best to rely on professionals.

At SERVPRO^® of Charles County and SERVPRO^® of Oxon Hill, we provide:

• 24 x 7 Response to your emergency from the restoration team
• Experienced and trained technicians to guide you through the process
• Commercial equipment capable of restoring fire, water, mold, and storm damage
• Stress-Free claims process working with your insurance company
• Limits to service disruption while working on getting you back in business

Whether businesses, apartments, hospitals, hotels, medical facilities, or educational institutions, SERVPRO^® of Charles County and SERVPRO^® of Oxon Hill are here to help! We offer the best restoration services for commercial buildings so that your business can start running smoothly again. We can be reached by calling (301)‌ ‌753-8313 for commercial restoration service.‌

Ahh Choo!

12/20/2021 (Permalink)

Flu and Cold Season

As the COVID pandemic continues to wreak havoc, we at SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ support your efforts to keep your business open and your employees safe. There are a few steps you can take to help keep your facility clean, sanitized and the viruses at bay.

Identify the frequently touched areas and regularly wipe them down

• Focus on tables, door handles, sinks, fridge/microwave handles and coffee pots
• Use disposable disinfectant wipes/paper towels
• Recommended to wipe down these areas three times a day
• Provide Hand sanitizer
• Remind employee to clean and sanitize their desks
• Invest in commercial cleaning services
• Remind employees to stay home or take a sick day if not feeling well
• Wash hands frequently
• Practice respiratory hygiene

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are STILL Here to Help!

We are being called on by many businesses and community leaders to perform the necessary bioremediation services to clean, disinfect and sanitize their facilities. SERVPRO® uses EPA approved products and follows CDC guidelines for all cleanup practices. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

Many things have changed during these unprecedented times, but one thing remains the same. We are here to support our community and help get us back to normal as best we can.

Call today for your free Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned evaluation today, (301) 753-8313.

Every Business is Unique

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

Owning a business is a considerable investment. The saying “it takes a village” could not be more accurate. That is why it is essential to hire someone you can trust who provides excellent service and can perform critical restoration tasks without interfering with the business itself. Just like every person is different, every business is different and has unique needs. We will cater to each of your needs to ensure all services requested are completed not only promptly but in a way that makes sense for you and your business.  Our technicians at SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill are trained to mitigate the damage quickly and manage the restoration process.  No matter the size of your emergency, SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are here to help! We can be reached by calling on (301) 753-8313 for water damage repair and restoration service.

Smoke and Soot

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot covering everything.

An unexpected fire in your commercial property can cause damage for which you are completely unprepared. Along with the structural damage, fire damage leaves a mark on your heart as well. The soot, odor, damage of belongings and water damage are some of the effects in the aftermath of a fire. Soot can cover almost every inch of your business.  Smoke can seep into walls, air ducts and surfaces.  Unseen odors may be everywhere. However, SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill’s fire damage restoration process can reverse this damage and make it "Like it never even happened."

Burned equipment and fried possessions after a fire, are just the damages visible on the surface. Even after the flames have been put out and the smoke has cleared, your business is still in trouble. Smoke and soot are highly acidic and can damage a wide range of materials they come in contact with. The unexpected amount of smoke damage can easily devastate any business owner. That's why it's important to call SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill at  (301)‌ ‌753-8313 to restore your building to a clean, healthy, and safe condition for yourself and your employees.  We are always Here to Help!

When the Unexpected Occurs

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

When the unexpected and inexplicable occur, SERVPRO is here to help!  The tragedy of a crime in a home or business can be painful and traumatic, and we are dedicated to helping families and communities.  Your property, home, or business may be affected by blood, body fluids, and sometimes other damage.  We are available to compassionately, quickly, and discretely provide thorough cleanup services. The decontamination of a home or business due to trauma, sewage backups, chemical spills, hoarding, or other biohazards can be both dangerous and emotional.  Bioremediation is the removal, cleaning, and disinfection of blood, bodily fluids and other pathogens requiring specialty training, equipment, certification and licensing.  Our technicians follow OSHA and EPA protocols to help transform an unsafe environment back into a clean, safe home or business. Our focus is always safety first.  SERVPRO of CHARLES COUNTY and SERVPRO of OXON HILL are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! We can be reached by calling (301)‌ ‌753-8313.

SERVPRO Supports All Businesses

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

We support all types of businesses!

Owning a business is a huge investment. The saying “it takes a village” could not be more accurate. That is why it is so essential to hire someone you can trust, who provides excellent service and can perform daily tasks without interfering with the business itself. Just like every person is different, every business is different and has different needs. We will cater to each of your needs to ensure all services requested are done not only in a timely manner but in a way that works for you and your business.

Especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is so important that work areas are sanitized regularly. Our crew at SERVPRO are trained to provide the day-to-day tasks at your business as well as assist when the unexpected occurs. Whether it is cleaning/maintaining, fire or water damage restoration, sanitization, etc. you need someone you can trust and SERVPRO is here to help!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

Enjoy the flowers and leave the showers to the professionals!

April showers may also result in a variety of different types of water damages. Freezing and thawing pipes as the weather tries to make up its mind, torrential spring storms, clogged gutters, or overflowing downspouts may cause various types of water damage.  Flood and water damage are quite common in the U.S., with more than 83 percent of water hazards resulting from flash floods. We all fear water disaster as it creates havoc and gives rise to several other problems such as mold or structural damage.

SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill understand the importance of keeping your business's doors open! We respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration process with experienced, trained, and certified technicians.  No matter the size of your emergency, SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Charles‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌SERVPRO®‌ ‌of‌ ‌Oxon‌ ‌Hill‌ are here to help! We can be reached by calling on (301)‌ ‌753-8313 for water damage repair and restoration service.‌

How to choose a commercial cleaning service?

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can make it like it NEVER happened!

Choosing a professional as well as commercial cleaning service is not such a daunting task as we think of it. You just need to choose the right one for you. A cleaning service provider that is highly reputable and protects your assets can be a perfect choice.  You need to narrow down your search as per the following parameters:

• A Professional Commercial Cleaning Services Company will inform you about the process of hiring, products they use and the formal training process that their employees have gone through.
• Check for the proof of insurance of the company. It is quite necessary for today’s scenario so that any loss can be recovered.
• While searching for a cleaning services company, you should consider the experience of a company. With years of experience, companies develop a system for cleaning and know the art of handling cleaning equipment.
• Check if the company has any references and positive feedback. A quality company will be able to provide you with positive feedback from its clients. You can also choose to contact the references and ask about their experience. This will help you choose a better commercial cleaning service.

SERVPRO of Charles County and SERVPRO of Oxon Hill is available 24 hours a day to restore your property and get you back to business.

The COVID Effect

11/27/2020 (Permalink)

The Novel Coronavirus pandemic has changed society more than we could have ever imagined. The COVID-19 pandemic changed our communities, workplaces, families and even our simple daily routines. The term "social distancing" has become a normal part of our vocabulary and face masks have become a fashion accessory. Businesses and social interactions have changed dramatically and even the interactions between family members have changed. Before COVID-19 I would check on my grandparents at least every other day making sure they were ok and had everything they needed. Now I call and make sure they are ok and if they need anything, I will leave it on their porch. Now I get to interact with my grandparents once a week if I am lucky. With my grandfather's weakened immune system I cannot be too careful when being around him.

Now with flu season 2020 here and historically peaking between December and February there will be even more cause for extreme caution and concern. As communities have begun to reopen and face this pandemic head on there are so many questions that we have as a community. Is it safe? When will we have treatment for this virus? Will the treatments be safe? Will there be adverse reactions? Will we get back to normal as we know it?

These questions have no real answer, but we want you to know SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are STILL Here to Help!

We are being called on by many businesses and community leaders to perform the necessary bioremediation services to clean, disinfect and sanitize their facilities. SERVPRO® uses EPA approved products and follows CDC guidelines for all cleanup practices. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

Many things have changed during these unprecedented times, but one thing remains the same. We are here to support our community and help get us back to normal as best we can.

Call today for your free Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned evaluation today, (301) 753-8313 or (301) 292-4447 and as always you can email me directly, HERE.

Fire Safety Month- Is your business prepared?

10/7/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Safety Month- Is your business prepared?

Often when you hear the phrase “Fire Safety” you automatically think of your home not necessarily your business. Well here at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill we realize that Fire Safety is critical, and we want to help you prepare and protect your business and employees. Making sure that your entire staff is prepared in case of an emergency could be the difference between a quick reopening or losing everything and even scarier it could be the difference between life and death.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill offers a FREE service to all businesses within our service areas, that will ensure employees and business are prepared in case of an emergency. SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Plan, ERP. This is an online document that is meant to accompany any contingency plan you may already have in place. What makes this so unique? Well our ERP is outlined to provide you instant access to all pertinent information on your businesses no matter where you are. What if your business located in Waldorf, MD but you are on vacation in Paris and something goes awry? Or maybe your business is located at the National Harbor and you happen to be in a meeting in Arlington, VA and cannot get to the office immediately. Well our ERP app is available for download on both IOS and Android platforms and will allow you to not only access information, but you can make calls within the application and have all account information handy or you can email a copy of all pertinent information to someone who is onsite. Having all this information readily available in an instant allows you or your designated employee to act swiftly and reduce business interruptions.

Often, we see businesses that are faced with catastrophe and they are unable to access their buildings and 90% of the time all the information business owners or managers would need remains inside of the office. I have personally seen business owners scramble for hours just to determine who they use for certain utilities and coverages. It took a local business owner two days to get in touch with the right insurance carrier to report his loss and then another 3 days for an adjuster to arrive on site. At that point, this business had been closed for 5 business days and had thousands of dollars in lost business, not including the severe monetary loss caused by secondary damage because the building sat untreated.

Had this business owner had SERVPRO® complete an Emergency Ready Plan evaluation and setup his ERP application he would have had all necessary information accessible the minute he needed it. This simple 30-minute process could have potentially saved him thousands and provided peace of mind.

If you are interested in learning more about the SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Plan please do not hesitate to reach out to Lauren – Marketing@SERVPRO5407.com.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are always Here to help!

ERPs provided by SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are available in Waldorf, White Plains, La Plata, Bel Alton, St. Charles, Bryans Road, Indian Head, Port Tobacco, Cobb Island, Newburg, Welcome, Nanjemoy, Bryantown, Hughesville, Brandywine, Clinton, Temple Hills, Oxon Hill, Camp Springs, National Harbor, Fort Washington and Accokeek. Some other areas may be available by request.

Commercial- Insurance Check up

7/31/2020 (Permalink)

As we approach Hurricane Season 2020 on top of the worldly events already in full swing, it is easy to get lost in day to day activities. SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill want to remind you to do an Insurance Checkup.

What is that you ask?

Every so often as a business you and your agent should be performing an Insurance Checkup which will review your coverage and coverage limits. As we know things change rapidly and you should always have the appropriate coverage and limits to protect your business.

Years ago, we would have never imagined tornadoes and hurricanes in Southern Maryland and now they have become more normal for our area.

During your checkup make sure you have enough coverage to repair, sustain and even replace your business. Have you recently made upgrades to your facilities? Have you upgraded equipment? Hired or Fired an employee? Making sure that all of your information is up to date is preparing you for success in the wake of a disaster.

Do you have an Emergency Ready Plan? If not reach out to us directly and we can provide you one for FREE. We will make sure that you always have paper copies as well as electronic copies available to you. Being prepared could be the difference between losing everything and coming back strong if your business suffers a loss.

Here at SERVPRO® we are not only in the business of helping AFTER a loss but more importantly we are Here to Help BEFORE a loss! Call us today for your Free Emergency Ready Plan- 301.753.8313 or email me directly. LAUREN LANCASTER

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

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

Let us help you get back to business

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

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

Extensive training and specialized products

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

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

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

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

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

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

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

Call SERVPRO of Charles County at 301-753-8313 or SERVPRO of Oxon Hill at 301-292-4447 today 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.

Spring Cleaning and Maintenance to keep your business thriving

4/3/2020 (Permalink)

Spring Cleaning and Maintenance to keep your business thriving

As we exit the dreadful cold and enter the glorious days of extended sunshine, beautiful flowers and sensational warmth, we tend to find a little more energy here in the DMV! When this happens, EVERYONE starts to think Spring Cleaning! Well this should go for your business as well.

As working adults, most of us spend more time at work then we do in our homes, so we should take great care of our offices. Besides the fact that we want our customers, clients and employees to be in a clean comfortable space, we want to reduce the probability of damage to our business because this is how we provide for our families. Everyday that our offices are closed could mean lost revenue and that is not something we want to lose. Being proactive in your maintenance and preparation can save you thousands of dollars in the long run and SERVPRO® is Here to Help!

There are a few things SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill recommends all our businesses complete to ensure they are proactive and prepared!

• Carpeted Areas

If you have carpeted areas in your office, examine the condition of the carpet.

• Professional carpet cleaning of high trafficked areas will prevent bacteria, allergens, and dirt from building up which could prolong the life of your commercial grade carpet. (P.S. Carpet isn’t cheap!)
• Hard Floors

If you have hard floors in your office please examine them carefully.

• A buckle in your flooring could be a trip hazard for employees and customers but it could also mean there is/was water intrusion. Water intrusions that are not dried properly run the risk of mold problems in the future. Sanitizing/Disinfecting hard floors is something that SERVPRO® specializes in to ensure that there is no additional moisture left behind to create other problems.
• Upholstery

Do you see stains on your waiting room chairs?

• Unfortunately, dust mites and other organisms tend to stick themselves to fabric. (We all have heard of a bed bug issue! EW!) If you have waiting room chairs or other fabric pieces call SERVPRO® today for a free estimate on cleaning. The last thing we want is one of your customers to have an issue that traces back to your chair.
• Ceilings

Have you noticed a stain on your office ceiling?

• Call SERVPRO® and we will come out to provide a free moisture check in that area. Often we don’t realize that there is water intrusion or a moisture issue until its too late and we see a stain. When you first notice that stain investigate it right away! If it happened this time it will happen again, and improperly dried materials run the risk of developing mold and that is the last thing we want or need!
• GET PREPARED

Do you have an emergency plan in place that is mobile?

• You guessed it! SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill will come out and provide you will a FREE Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) that comes with an APP! (Available on Android and Apple devices) The ERP can contain all your information that you will need to be able to get your business back up and running in the care of an emergency.

Here at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill we know how difficult it can be to run a business and that’s why we want you to know that we are ALWAYS available… 24/7/365! You can call us @ 301-753-8313 and someone from our office is always available!

Healthy Building + Healthy Employees= Healthy Business

3/12/2020 (Permalink)

Most business owners realize the struggle of an employee being out sick and having to find coverage. But it’s even harder when that employee is dedicated and still comes to work sick to make sure that the operation runs smoothly. But what you often notice is that when one employee gets sick, another gets sick and another gets sick. Soon enough they are passing around the sickness from person to person and there is the potential for major gaps in your operation. Now let’s add in the scenario of customers coming in and out of your business. You never know what germs are being left behind.

With all the stuff going on in the world today, NOW is the time for complete office sanitization or disinfection! The last thing we want is an interruption to your business.

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to post a sign stating, “This facility has been sanitized/disinfected by SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill.”

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill offers a wide variety of options to accommodate your needs. SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill has over 30 years of experience dealing with Commercial buildings both large and small. We cover all of Charles County including Charles County Government and Charles County Board of Education as well as the National Harbor and MGM Hotel and Casino.

SERVPRO® will provide you with a FREE inspection with verbal ballpark for your office/building. Call today to schedule your Free inspection, 301.753.8313 or email Lauren Lancaster.

2020- BE READY - BE PREPARED

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

2020- BE READY - BE PREPARED

Every New Year people make resolutions to be better than they were the year before. People want to lose weight, be healthier, quit smoking, etc. Well this year SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill urges your to BE READY- BE PREPARED! No one ever plans for a disaster to strike their home or business, but you can prepare for it.

The SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) will help ensure your home or business is “Ready for whatever happens” in 2020.

In the event of an emergency the ERP can help minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action in place for your home or facility. The ERP is a comprehensive document containing critical information about your home or facility including emergency contacts, shut off valve locations and priority areas. Preparation is key to making it through and size disaster. Having a plan in place will get you back to normal faster.

The ERP is a NO COST assessment and all it requires is a little of your time and voila, you are prepared! 

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill urges you to schedule your ERP appointment today! You can call us @ 301.753.8313 or email Lauren Lancaster – marketing@SERVPRO5407.com.

WINTER is HERE!!

11/19/2019 (Permalink)

WINTER is HERE!!! YIKES!

The temperature is dropping and Winter is coming in with a roar. As a Multi-Unit Property manager here are some tips to help winterize your units.

• Have boilers and furnaces checked immediately.
• Clear leaves out of your gutters
• Check for pooling on the roof after rainfall
• Have your trees trimmed
• Setup service contracts for snow removal in advance
• Install insulated windows or wrap current windows in plastic.
• Repair outdoor wall cracks
• Clear out storm drains
• Stock up on de-icer products
• Inspect fire alarms and smoke detectors
• Have chimneys professionally cleaned and serviced

As a commercial property manager in a Multi-Unit setting you are not alone. SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill recommends sending out notices to all of your tenants educating them on what to look for. When you tenants see an issue, they can let you know immediately and this will provide you the opportunity to reduce or prevent damage.

If you find yourself in a situation where the damage is done, please do not hesitate to call us at 301.753.8313.

Winter Storm season and your business!

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

Winter is approaching here in Southern MD. Even though we are still in the high 80’s and Low 90’s right now, winter will be here before we know it. A winter storm can interrupt and even stop business operations completely. Preparing for winter storms is crucial to your business and your employees’ safety. 

 50% of business that suffer a loss may never recover. Could you imagine suffering a loss and then not being able to resume business? Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to disasters. Unlike large companies, small businesses have less capital and fewer personnel available to resume operations and recover losses. It is vital to the continuity of a small business to have a disaster plan in place and be prepared, as it can make the difference between staying open or shutting down.

The most important asset to any business is its people. Businesses cannot recover from a disaster without their people, and people cannot recover without a job to return to. In order for employees to be able to focus on their work after a disaster, they need to be personally prepared for emergencies.

Encourage your employees to:

1. Sign up for local text alerts and warnings and download weather apps to their smartphone.
2. Gather important documents and keep them in a safe place.
3. Create an emergency supply kit.
4. Develop a family emergency communication plan.
5. Know the facts on how to prepare for a winter storm.

Working with SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill we can provide you a FREE Emergency Ready Profile for your business. Our ERP provides a plan that is accessible from anywhere you are and can be the difference between your business reopening or remaining closed.

Call us today to schedule your FREE Emergency Ready Profile- 301.753.8313!

Commercial Water Disaster

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Disaster

There is no such thing as a small disaster when it comes to water damage and your business. Water damage can cause mold, rot and other unseen damages. Water damage can affect the value of your property.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill knows how disruptive water damages can be to your business. We are trained and certified to manage the drying process from start to finish. We use the proper equipment and moisture reading equipment so that your commercial building will be quickly dried to industry standards, which will prevent secondary damages. With our rapid response we can help you regain control of your facility and get back to business.

Don’t risk secondary damage by trying to clean up yourself, give us a call today at 301.753.8313.

Commercial Restoration in Southern Maryland

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

Most people in Southern Maryland think of SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill as the Premier Residential Fire & Water Cleanup & Restoration company, but did you know that we also handle Commercial Restoration as well?

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill handles commercial losses from major hotel chains, popular restaurants, major shopping malls and even medical facilities. We make sure that our team of professionals are highly trained and certified to handle any loss large or small, residential or commercial.

Here at SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill we know that the most important thing in a commercial loss is reducing the down time. The quicker we can stabilize your loss, the quicker we can get you back to business and making money.

If you have a commercial loss give us a call @ 301-753-8313 today!   

Most Common Causes of Commercial Fires

7/14/2019 (Permalink)

If you own or manage a business or building in the Southern Maryland area, fire protection should be among your primary concerns. There are many cases of commercial fires, so it is best to understand fire safety. One of your best defenses against commercial fires is to understand and mitigate your risks.

Most Common Causes of Commercial Fires

Commercial fires are more common than you may think. It is always better to know the common causes of most commercial fires.

Cooking Equipment

Because of high cooking temperatures, flammable oils and grease, and the hectic nature of commercial kitchens, this is the single most common cause of commercial fires.

Cooking equipment is responsible for these shocking numbers;

• 65% of fires in healthcare facilities
• 61% of fires in restaurants
• 38% of fires in educational institutions
• 29% of fires in office properties
• 13% of fires in stores and mercantile properties

Heating Equipment

Commercial buildings require heat to stay comfortable for several months of the year in Southern Maryland. As with other mechanical equipment, furnaces, boilers, and radiators are at risk of overheating. This, in turn, can lead to a fire.

Heating equipment is responsible for:

• 14% of fires in industrial or manufacturing properties
• 11% of fires in office properties
• 9% of fires in restaurants
• 5% of fires in healthcare facilities

Electrical & Lighting Equipment

All of todays buildings feature electrical wiring behind the wall for light and power. Electricity carries inherent fire risk. Old or defective wiring, overloaded circuits, loose connections, faulty fuses, imbalanced electrical loads, and many other electrical or lighting problems can develop that lead to overheating or sparks that ignite a fire.

Electrical problems are responsible for:

• 12% of fires in office properties
• 10% of fires in stores and mercantile properties
• 9% of fires in restaurants
• 5% of fires in healthcare facilities

Smoking Materials

Cigars, cigarettes, and other smoking materials can start fires if disposed of improperly after smoking. Smoking materials remain one of the top five most common causes of commercial fires.

Smoking materials are responsible for:

• 9% of fires in office properties
• 7% of fires in restaurants
• 5% of fires in healthcare facilities

Intentional

An intentional fire is one that occurs as the result of the deliberate misuse of a heat source. Arson fits into this category, though to be considered arson, the fire starter must have malicious, criminal intent.

Intentional fire-starting is responsible for:

• 36% of fires in educational institutions
• 10% of fires in office properties
• 6% of fires in healthcare facilities
• 4% of fires in restaurants

Fires are definitely scary and overwhelming so if you find yourself dealing with this please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO® of Charles County or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill @ 301.753.8313.

Hurricane Season Ready

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

Hurricane Season is upon us and while most commercial facilities along the coasts have been built to withstand hurricane-force winds, building managers can take several additional steps to reduce the damage that can occur during major storms.

These actions can help protect your facility and help the Utilities when and if they need to restore service in your area.

Understand Your Risks 
The four key trademarks of a hurricane are high wind speeds, storm surges, torrential rains, and tornadoes – any one of them can put your business at risk during a storm.

Know Your Disaster Response
Although most major commercial and industrial organizations have well-established disaster response plans in place, conducting an audit of your emergency strategy is never a bad idea. Before a storm hits, be sure to:

• Review the company’s property insurance policy to ensure the business is adequately covered against major storm damage.
• Remind staff of all hurricane-related policies and procedures and inform essential employees of their specific roles and responsibilities in the event of an emergency.
• Make sure all emergency supplies are adequately stocked.
• Revisit plans for protecting computer files to make certain critical data is secured through a backup system.
• Have your SERVPRO® ERP handy so that you can have and give direct access to the information needed.

As a Storm Approaches
As soon as a warning is issued for a hurricane or tropical storm, property managers should check the facility’s interior and exterior surroundings and take appropriate safety measures.

• Bring in exterior displays and remove any outdoor signs or other items that could become airborne in high winds. Board up glass doors and windows or tape an “X” over them to prevent shattering.
• Disconnect all electrical devices except for refrigerators. Experts also recommend turning off electricity (except for those circuits running refrigeration) at the power supply box.
• Clear all desk or work surfaces of small items and take down all loosely secured items hung on the walls.
• Move equipment and furniture away from windows.
• Make sure key employees know the processes and procedures that will need to take place before allowing people back in the building once the storm has passed.
• Shut down non-critical building systems when all employees are evacuated.

After a Storm Passes 
Employees should wait to return to the building until authorities indicate it is safe to do so. A designated emergency response team should then conduct an assessment of the property before allowing people back onto the premises.

SERVPRO® does commercial cleaning!

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know that SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill does commercial cleaning in Charles County and Southern Prince Georges County, Maryland?

Most people don’t!

Here at SERVPRO® we take pride in our ability to handle all commercial jobs from a general sanitization to major water or fire losses.

Most people are not aware of what commercial cleaning consists of. Commercial cleaning consist of Waste cleanup, Hazardous cleanup and heavy cleaning of commercial areas.  SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill can also handle vandalism and biohazard cleanup in commercial spaces.

Why is it important for business owners to have SERVPRO® handle these things?

One simple answer! It reduces the businesses owner’s liability if it is not cleaned up correctly. The last thing you want to do as a business owner is have an incident occur on your property in the first place but then to add to the stress, the incident is not cleaned up properly and your business is now contaminated.

Here at SERVPRO® we adhere to all IICRC standards when it comes to cleaning which ensures that your facility is restored back to safety!

If you are looking for commercial cleaning you can call SERVPRO® of Charles County, 301.753.8313 or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill, 301.292.4447.

What Would Happen to Your Business if Disaster Struck?

6/1/2019 (Permalink)

Being the owner and/or responsible for a commercial building can carry a lot of stress. Not only are you worried about day to day operations, but also what you would do if a disaster such as a fire, water damage, or mold should occur.

Does your staff know what actions should they take if any of those things happen? Do they know where the main building shut offs are? These are very important questions that any owner should be asking. Being unprepared could mean not only the possibility of secondary damage, but also a larger loss of income.

Do not worry though! SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill offer a free service to lift the stress off your shoulders. It is called an Emergency Response Plan (ERP). An ERP not only labels important contacts, but also important shut off sources. ERP’s are available in paper copy as well as a living online document, and the owner or manager can easily make sure that even if they are not at the property, they can get an ERP into the right hands via email.

The ERP has pictures of important shut offs for a business, but also detailed notes of how one would access it. This makes the ERP valuable for even firefighters and plumbers. Quick action, a contingency plan, and Emergency Response Plan (ERP) are very valuable for any commercial buildings success of getting back to business.  

Please make sure that you are prepared for any disaster that may occur. Call SERVPRO® of Charles County or SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill now to schedule your free Emergency Response Plan today at (301) 753-8313!

BIOHAZARD, CRIME SCENE, AND VANDALISM CLEANUP- SERVPRO® has you covered!

4/25/2019 (Permalink)

BIOHAZARD, CRIME SCENE, AND VANDALISM CLEANUP- SERVPRO® has you covered!

Recognized as a leading fire and water cleanup and restoration provider by hundreds of insurance companies, SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill also offer fast, reliable biohazard and crime scene cleanup* and restoration services to residential and commercial property owners.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences for building occupants, employees, customers, and owners. A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazardous substances can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill are trained to safely and effectively remove biohazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA, and state and local health regulations.

Equipped with the necessary safety equipment and cleaning products, SERVPRO® helps turn unsafe environments into clean, safe homes and offices.

SERVPRO® can help with the following issues:

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Methamphetamine Labs
• Crime Scene Residues
• Arson n Vandalism
• Sewage Backups
• Black Water Intrusions
• Mold Mitigation and Remediation

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

SERVPRO® removes and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue, and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accident, trauma, crime, or death. Trained SERVPRO® Franchise Technicians thoroughly clean, disinfect, and deodorize the structure.

METHAMPHETAMINE LABS

Many of the chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine are volatile and can leave harmful residues throughout a structure. SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals follow federal and state guidelines to properly clean all surfaces.

CRIME SCENE RESIDUES

From fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals to tear gas and pepper spray residues, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals can clean and restore your property and contents.

ARSON AND VANDALISM

SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals are recognized as leaders at helping property owners recover quickly from fire and water damage. Your local Franchise Professional also provides general cleaning and deodorization services for situations resulting from vandalism including graffiti, egg, spoiled foods, and human or animal waste.

Contact SERVPRO® of Charles County and SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill today for 24-hour Emergency Service.

*State and local regulations vary.

Commercial Fears

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

A big fear of many business owners is a disaster striking their building. Not only is it a headache to deal with the situation, but the loss of revenue is another big concern. With everything happening, one can feel overwhelmed and loss. This is where SERVPRO® of Charles County strives in helping these owners. We follow the 1-4-8 Service Response Guidelines. Within one hour from notice of a loss, SERVPRO® of Charles County will contact you to arrange scheduling. Within four hours of the loss notification, a SERVPRO® professional will be on-site to begin mitigation services. With eight business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope is communicated to the appropriate person. With the 1-4-8 Service Guidelines, any owner can take a sigh of relief knowing that SERVPRO® will make the remediation process easy and pain free. Additionally, SERVPRO® of Charles County offers business owners a free service called Emergency Response Plan (ERP). With an ERP, a SERVPRO® representative would have gone to the place of business and compiled information from important phone numbers, pictures and locations of shut offs, and have a point of contact in the event of a disaster. An ERP makes it easy for the business to respond to a disaster because all the information anyone would need to respond is in the packet that even employees can use. So, no matter the size of your commercial business, rest assured that SERVPRO® of Charles County will help make it "Like it never even happened."

Commercial Emergency Ready Plan

2/28/2019 (Permalink)

Being the owner and responsible for a commercial building can carry a lot of stress. Not only are you worried about day to day operations, but also what you would do if a disaster such as a fire, pipe burst, or mold should occur. Does your staff know what actions should they take if any of those things happen? Do they know where the main building shut offs are? These are very important questions that any owner should be asking. Being unprepared could mean not only the possibility of secondary damage, but also a larger loss of income. Do not worry though! SERVPRO® of Charles County offers a free service to lift the stress off your shoulders. It is called an Emergency Response Plan (ERP). And ERP not only labels important contacts, but also important shut off sources. Coming in a paper copy as well as a living online document, and owner can easily make sure that even if they are not on the property, they can get an ERP into the right hands. The ERP has not only pictures of important shut offs for a business, but also detailed notes of how one would access it. This makes the ERP valuable for even firefighters and plumbers. With quick action and a contingency plan, and Emergency Response Plan is a very valuable tool for any commercial building. Please take actions to make sure that you are prepared for any disaster that may occur. Call SERVPRO® of Charles County now to schedule your free Emergency Response Plan today at (301) 753-8313!

Commercial Indoor Air Quality

11/1/2018 (Permalink)

Why the indoor air quality of dialysis centers and hospitals can’t be neglected.

Indoor air quality is a major concern for dialysis centers and hospitals around the country. Dialysis and medical centers are especially vulnerable to mold, which compromises the integrity of air quality. But what makes dialysis centers and hospitals so prone to mold growth, and what does that mean for indoor air quality?

If you help operate a dialysis center or a hospital, you can’t afford to overlook the threat that mold poses for your air quality. Here are some of the reasons why your center is vulnerable to mold and why it matters:

• Vulnerability:There are quite a few reasons why dialysis centers and hospitals are prone to mold infestations…
  • Dialysis centers: Dialysis centerscan harbor multiple mold infestations if they are not properly maintained. Since dialysis centers use reverse osmosis water therapy, moisture is an integral part of the daily practice of dialysis centers. And, since mold only needs moisture in order to thrive, improperly maintained dialysis centers can be breeding grounds for mold.
  • Hospitals and medical centers:There is plenty of moisture to go around in hospitals and medical centers, as well. Combine the prevalence of moisture with the combination of all sorts of bacteria and chemicals, and you have a recipe for mold infestation and, as a result, poor indoor air quality.

• Health:Poor indoor air quality can be detrimental to health, especially for those going through the volatile process of recovery. Airborne mold can cause allergic reactions, such as sneezing, coughing, and bodily irritation. When people are trying to overcome an illness or recover from surgery, the air must be as clean as possible.

• More mold:Indoor air quality problems can lead to serious mold infestations. If the air quality is not properly regulated, then mold can infest countless surfaces in the building. This unfortunate fact was recently highlighted in Pittsburgh, where two University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals have experienced serious and dangerous mold infestations. A review by the CDC indicates that the mold infestation was a result of poor air quality since dust and mold spores most likely entered the medical centers through the ventilation.

If you need our assistance, please call us @ (301) 753-8313.

Be Disaster Aware in Charles County

10/1/2018 (Permalink)

Be Disaster Aware- Take Action to Prepare

The regular occurrence of natural disasters demonstrates the importance of being prepared for any emergency or disaster. While each situation is unique, your family can be better prepared if you plan carefully, put emergency procedures in place, and practice for all kinds of emergencies. The following are measures you and your family can take to start getting ready. A commitment to begin planning today will help support your family, home, and the community. Review the following questions to learn if your family and home is prepared.

Be Informed

Do you know what kind of emergencies might affect your home or daily life? Do you know what you and your family will do in an emergency situation?

Prepare Your Emergency Plan

Do you have an evacuation and shelter-in-place plan? Do you have a plan to communicate with your family before, during, and after an incident? Do you have an emergency supply kit?

Practice the Emergency Plan

Have you practiced your plan recently? Does your family know where to go in the event of a natural disaster? Have you reviewed your plans in the last 12 months?

Review Insurance Coverage

Have you reviewed your insurance coverage recently to see if you’re covered in a disaster?

Secure Your Home

Have you conducted a room-by room walk-through to determine what safety measures can be taken?

Improve Cyber Security

Have you installed a firewall on your computer? Do you regularly update your antivirus software? If you answered “No” to any of these questions, visit ready.gov and learn how to better prepare your family and home for an emergency or natural disaster.

Call SERVPRO® of Charles County today for your FREE Emergency Plan! 301.753.8313

Commercial Crime Scene, Biohazard and Vandalism Cleanup

9/1/2018 (Permalink)

BIOHAZARD, CRIME SCENE, AND VANDALISM CLEANUP

Recognized as a leading fire and water cleanup and restoration provider by hundreds of insurance companies, SERVPRO of Charles County also offers fast, reliable biohazard and crime scene cleanup* and restoration services to residential and commercial property owners.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminates can pose serious health consequences. Employees, customers, and owners. A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazardous substances can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

SERVPRO of Charles County is trained to safely and efficiently remove biohazardous substances, and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA, and state and local health regulations. Equipped with the necessary safety equipment and cleaning products, SERVPRO of Charles County can help turn unsafe environments into clean, safe homes and offices.

SERVPRO of Charles County can help with the following issues:

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Methamphetamine Labs
• Crime Scene Residues
• Arson
• Vandalism
• Sewage Backups
• Black Water Intrusions
• Mold Mitigation and Remediation

State and local regulations vary.

Contact SERVPRO of Charles County today for 24-hour emergency service. 301.753.8313

YOU CAN BE RUINED, OR YOU CAN BE READY with the Help of Technology

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

YOU CAN BE RUINED, OR YOU CAN BE READY with the Help of Technology

Technology can now be a vital tool in preparing for emergencies or disasters, as well as during or after to stay informed of the situation and in communication with others. From common technology you already use on a day-to-day basis to taking a few extra steps to prepare, the following will help you be ready in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Store Information Online

There are many places to store important information securely online. Services like Google Drive and Dropbox offer free way to store different types of files, from a Word document to images of important documents. Ready.gov suggests saving an electronic version of insurance policies, identification documents, medical records, and information on your pets, if necessary.

Follow the News

Stay informed by following agencies such as FEMA, local news channels, and local government on Twitter for the most up-to-date information in a disaster situation. You can also alert first responders if a rescue is needed through Twitter.

Mark Yourself Safe

The American Red Cross offers a Safe & Well check-in site to list yourself as safe or find family and friends in situations where communication is difficult to establish. Facebook also has a feature called Safety Check that is activated after natural disasters or a crisis. You will receive a notification from Facebook if you’re located in the affected area at that time.

Get in Touch

Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in your phone and e-mail for communication with family, friends, business contacts, and others whom you may need to get in contact with before, during, or after a disaster.

Charge Up

Keep a portable charger in your car and home in case of an emergency. You may need to recharge this from time to time, but you can also buy solar-powered chargers as well.

Get an Emergency READY Profile®

SERVPRO® is proud to offer Emergency READY Profiles® (ERP) for free at ready.SERVPRO.com to help prepare you, your property, or your business for an emergency. By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile® for your property or business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your property or business. Put help in the palm of your hand with the Ready Plan App. Get in touch with your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional today for more information on developing an ERP for your property or business, and SERVPRO® will be there to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

FREE Commercial Emergency Preparedness: Charles County, MD

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

ERP

Many businesses are not prepared to deal with disaster. Statistics show that 50% of small businesses that close due to disaster NEVER reopen. Small businesses are at such risk due to all of their operations being housed in one central location that is damaged or destroyed. This is why Emergency planning is vital to the success and continuation of small businesses.

Most storms and other natural disasters approach with notice which allows for some advanced planning and preparing. But even in the scenario where advance notice is not provided SERVPRO’s Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) can help. SERVPRO’s ERP provides all necessary information about your business and building that you would need to be able to respond immediately. In the face of a disaster immediate response is vital to getting you back to business.

SERVPRO’s ERP outlines all of your company contacts, utility companies and account information as well as important building information. You may ask how is SERVPRO’s ERP different than having all of this information in a file? Well let me explain. SERVPRO’s ERP compiles all important information in ONE document, which means not sifting through a stack of papers. This document is with you wherever you go! How? SERVPRO® developed the READY PLAN app so you can carry and electronic copy of your ERP with you always. As a business owner or even a manager what happens if you are on vacation and disaster strikes?? With the READY PLAN app you can email a copy of your ERP to anyone so they know who to call and what steps to take. Let’s say disaster strikes with no advance notice and you cannot get into the building to access your paper copy of the ERP! NO PROBLEM! If you have your cell phone, computer or tablet you have your ERP.

Now that you have a clear understanding of the SERVPRO® ERP, would you believe me if I told you it was FREE? SERVPRO® of Charles County doesn’t just want to help you after disaster strikes, we want to make sure that you are prepared in the face of disaster. This is one of the many ways we believe in giving back to our community and making sure that businesses thrive around us!   

CONTACT US TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE ERP!  301.753.8313

SERVPRO's FREE Emergency Ready Profile

3/1/2018 (Permalink)

ERP

It is estimated that up to 50% of businesses that close due to a disaster, such as fire and flood never reopen!  Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place.

Are you “Ready for whatever happens?”

Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood.  The best time to plan for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens.

The SERVPRO^® Emergency READY Profile serves as a quick reference of important building and contact information or can be an ideal supplement to any well-designed emergency preparedness or existing contingency program.  Rather than simply reacting to disaster situations, most prefer proactive measures to establish a relationship with a restoration services company. 

By working with SERVPRO^® of Charles County to develop your personalized Emergency READY Profile your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster.  SERVPRO^® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.

Call Lauren at 301.753.8313 Today for a No Cost Assessment
of Your Facility!

Helping you to be “Ready for whatever happens,”

Would your business open after a disaster?

12/13/2017 (Permalink)

ERP

Many businesses are not prepared to respond to a man-made or natural disaster.  Statistics show that, of the businesses that close because of a disaster, at least one in four never reopens.  Small businesses are particularly at risk because they may have all of their operations concentrated in one location that is damaged or destroyed. That is why disaster planning is a critical part of every business’ operational objectives.

By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

• A no cost assessment of your facility.
  This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.
   
• A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
  It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save a lot of time if ever needed.
   
• A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.
  This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.
   
• Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
  You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.
   
• Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
  This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.
   
• Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information.
  Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are "Ready for whatever happens.

Call 301.753.8313 today to schedule your Emergency Ready Profile!

Businesses and The Emergency Ready Plan

10/5/2017 (Permalink)

ERP

Businesses and The Emergency Ready Plan

Many businesses are not prepared to respond to a man-made or natural disaster.  Statistics show that, of the businesses that close because of a disaster, at least one in four never reopens.  Small businesses are particularly at risk because they may have all of their operations concentrated in one location that is damaged or destroyed. That is why disaster planning is a critical part of every business’ operational objectives.

To help keep small businesses “open for business,” SERVPRO®  has developed The Emergency Ready Plan (ERP), a streamlined business continuity program that gives business owners tools to better understand the risks they face; plan for how to contact key suppliers, vendors and employees; understand how to access data; and identify where to go for help after a disaster. 

ERP is an essential tool not only for business continuity but also to help identify priorities and organize essential information.  Once this initial step is done, the next focus should be on emergency preparedness and response planning—the specific actions and tasks needed to protect people and property from physical and economic damage should disaster strike, as well as those to be taken directly following a disruption to your business.  Not having a plan, or a having poorly prepared or misunderstood plan, could lead to disorganized preparation or confused response, with the possibility of harm to your employees or property.

To schedule your businesses FREE Emergency Ready Plan call (301) 753.8313.

Commercial Carpet Cleaning- maintaining high-traffic areas

9/18/2017 (Permalink)

high-traffic areas

What steps should I take to maintain carpet in a high-traffic area on a daily basis, and to deal with spills and stains?

• It's a good idea to keep sand, grit and grass clippings off walkways outside entries to prevent inward tracking of these abrasive soils.
• Purchase a properly sized entry mat, the bigger the better.  There must be room for at least two steps to sufficiently wipe soil from feet before encountering the installed carpet. A carpet with a nylon face and vinyl back is best for moisture and oils absorption, combined with the resiliency necessary to collect a quantity of particle soil. The IICRC suggests a rental mat, since that guarantees frequent maintenance. Place entry mats on hard surfaces rather than on carpet where they can trap moisture or cause plasticizer migration.
• Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum daily, especially after major events. The sooner you collect soils from the surface, the easier it is to remove them. For most carpet, you should use an upright vacuum with brush agitation, unless your canister vacuum is particularly well designed. The wider the head, the more efficient.
• Typically, deep cleaning should be accomplished on at least a semi-annual basis, with no more than two entry and high-traffic area "rinse" cleanings between the deep cleaning. This is dependent on traffic and daily maintenance as well. At a minimum, some attention should be given to primary entry areas on a quarterly basis.
• If spots are treated immediately, most will respond with plain warm water and very little mild detergent added.
• Use high-efficiency double-lined poly-fiber collection bags. This reduces periodic maintenance such as dusting of furniture, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) filter exchange.
• Make sure the HVAC system is slightly positively pressurized as well, which means that air is going out when doors are opened, rather than being sucked in. Proper air exchange rates can be calibrated according to ASHRAE regulations for the building with a trained HVAC contractor.
• Ensure proper air filtration through the HVAC System. High-efficiency pleated filters, rather than inexpensive fiberglass filters, are recommended.

Structural drying

9/18/2017 (Permalink)

Structural Drying

Structural drying is a simple concept: Remove excess moisture from wet materials that make up the structure until it reaches a reasonable approximation of a dry standard or goal. Therefore, drying wet buildings involves removing trapped moisture in building materials (e.g. drywall, dimensional lumber, concrete, etc.).

The challenges take place in deciding what the end game, or drying goal, should be so that the affected structural material dries within an acceptable range, in a reasonable time frame and takes into account budgetary restrictions.

Much attention has been lavished on drying the air; however, in the water damage restoration industry, contractors are tasked with drying wet materials that make up the structure. Problems arise when the drying process is too slow, causing water to migrate to previously unaffected materials (secondary damage) or create conditions that are favorable to microbial amplification - the result being mold growth or moisture differences that cause wood to warp or swell. Moisture plays a critical role in the stability of the indoor environment. The IICRC S500 standard is relevant to every structural remediation job because it establishes procedures that make up the industry standard of care that water remediation contractors should follow when drying wet structures.

It is important to understand, especially for water damage restoration contractors, that in a conditioned structure, drastic seasonal variations occur in moisture content of structural materials and hidden spaces or voids are almost always present in structures. This is important because drying goals must take into account the dry standard for structural materials based on moisture content at the time of the water loss and contractors must locate structural voids in order to determine if there are factors (e.g. location, vapor barriers, permeability) which will have an impact on drying. In time I expect our industry will also be measuring water activity in order to establish that a building has actually been returned to a preloss condition and be able to rule out the growth of certain classes of microorganisms. The industry is already seeing an increasing trend towards the use Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) testing to establish cleanliness levels.

The bulk of water in structural materials is usually held in horizontal surfaces (e.g., bottom plates, decking, subfloors and joists). Materials dry at a different rate depending on saturation levels and permeance or porosity. If the materials include dimensional lumber that has absorbed water over time, drying will be slower. Generally, the more porous the material, the more likely it will be that more moisture will have been absorbed. Evaporating moisture from wet structural materials is critical and drying should be accelerated using appropriate principles of restoration. Low vapor pressure, often created by hot dry air movement across the wet structural material surfaces, ensures that efficient drying will expedite the drying process. Care must be taken during the evaporation phase that water vapor molecules do not increase and create high relative humidity situations that create accumulation, or condensation, on structural surfaces.

There is no debating the fact that restorers today have a plethora of tools to dry wet structural materials (e.g., LGR dehumidifiers, thermal energy systems, desiccant dehumidifiers, negative and positive pressure systems, etc.). Given the competition among equipment manufacturers, testing facilities and new research, along with improvements in drying equipment, structural drying is reaching new levels of efficiency. The debate is what tool works best.

As a researcher and consultant, I became involved with the issue of drying structural materials to inhibit conditions that favor mold growth. I am struck by the large number of simple water claims that end up dealing with mold issues. Many mold issues are the result of delay in mitigating the water loss. I don’t understand why it takes so long to get a water remediation contractor out on a loss. There is nothing that would save carriers more claim dollars and homeowners more angst than for a restoration contractor to arrive at a water loss on the day the loss is discovered. Any delay in beginning the drying process increases costs and provides opportunity for microbial amplification.

Since Dr. Michael Berry wrote his book Protecting the Built Environment – Cleaning for Health, our industry has realized that we play an important role in preventing microbial amplification in buildings. Today’s contractor must not make the mistake of believing that processing a water damaged structure is simply extracting standing water and leaving air movers and dehumidifiers in the structure to dry it out. To properly dry structural materials, the contractor must understand how moisture content in structural materials is removed. Today the drying process is accomplished faster utilizing more efficient equipment than we used in the past. The older type conventional refrigerant dehumidifiers are less efficient than today’s LGR dehumidifiers. Contractors should understand that refrigerant dehumidifiers rated using AHAM conditions may not actually remove as much water as they are rated for when drying a wet structure with different conditions than those tested in a controlled test chamber (800F with 60% relative humidity for 24 hours)The key to successful structural drying is control of the drying process, including temperature of wet materials and air, humidity levels and air flow. Updating your education and modernizing your drying equipment are the way to best serve your customer. 

5 GERMIEST PLACES IN THE GYM

8/31/2017 (Permalink)

5 GERMIEST PLACES IN THE GYM

OCTOBER 28, 2013

BY JEFF HIERS

Few people give any thought to the germiest places in the gym. Ask random people what they think about gyms, and chances are, majority of the answers will be something along the lines of: “it’s where you go to get healthy and fit.” That kind of answer is actually an ideal that is promoted by health buffs, fitness instructors, and wellness gurus. Actually, a gym is really a place for exercising – for toning muscles and building cardiovascular strength. The goal, of course, is becoming healthy and staying that way.

However, a gym can also do the opposite and be a source of numerous infectious diseases. Bacteria and viruses are all around us. They float in the air that we breathe, hide in various nooks and crannies, multiply in moist places, and infect us opportunistically. The good news is, some of the germiest places in the gym can be dealt with easily and effectively.

GERMS ARE ABUNDANT IN GYMS BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

• Numerous people use the gym and its facilities – some of them may be carriers of infectious diseases. Even with membership-only gyms, there is no pre-entry screening done. It is typically assumed that anyone who enters the gym and uses it, is fit to do so.
• Moisture is plentiful in the gym – sweat that rolls off or drips from the bodies of the people exercising often accumulates and stays where they accumulated, such as equipment handles, towels, or exercise mats. Moisture leads to dampness, which is a breeding ground of germs and fungi that harbor communicable diseases.
• A typical gym is enclosed – the air that circulates inside most gyms is not fresh, because of the walls and the artificial ventilation being used. Stale air is bad for the lungs and can contain dangerous contaminants.
• Touch point interaction is heavy – this is especially true during peak hours, when clients use the equipment in quick succession. Anything that has been touched by othersis subject to suspicion. No one really knows whether equipment handle that has been touched, or a mat that touched the sweaty body of someone else is free from contamination.

THESE ARE FIVE OF THE GERMIEST PLACES IN THE GYM:

• Lockers  – dark and dank, lockers are bound to harbor persistent disease-carrying germs. Plus, locker room itself is also extensively populated with infectious agents that we cannot see with our naked eyes.
• Cardio machines – sweat, as well as saliva (from sneezing and coughing, sometimes from drooling out of exhaustion) drip from people who use cardio machines. Plus, the towels used for wiping these kinds of discharge may be placed on the handlebars.
• Exercise mats – anyone who uses a mat that has already been used a gazillions times is fair game to a concerted attack by the host of germs that silently live on these heavily shared gym materials.
• Bathrooms – floors are often left wet, with shower heads or faucets dripping; dirt is also tracked in by shoes that have been brought from outside, bodily fluids are not always contained.
• Weights (dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells) – these are among the most frequently used gym equipment which is why they rank as one of the germiest places in the gym. Fortunately, some of the larger gyms are placing sanitizing wipes at each station which helps germ reduction.

To ensure that the highest standards of cleanliness and sanitation are observed, engage a professional janitorial service company to take care of your facility on a nightly basis. Then you can use your employees to spot clean the germiest places in the gym during regular hours.

A CLEAN OFFICE SETS THE TONE FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES

8/31/2017 (Permalink)

A CLEAN OFFICE SETS THE TONE FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES

SEPTEMBER 3, 2013

BY JEFF HIERS

Improving employee productivity has always been a concern for many employers, especially because the quality of work that you get from your employees is usually directly related to how productive they feel. This is why companies pay a lot of attention to compensation and benefits, as well as other ways to make their employees feel important and happy. What most employers don’t realize is that it can take something as simple as making sure you have a clean office & workplace to improve productivity and set the tone for your employees.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A FUNCTIONAL ENVIRONMENT

This is not to say that compensations and benefits don’t work, but making a few changes in their work area can lead to significant improvements. The fact is, our surroundings are actually quite important in making people thrive. Whatever you’re surrounded with can actually affect how you act and how you feel. This is the same for office workers. Elements in the office can affect how people work. One particular research shows that among workspace features, there are those that stand out and actually affect employee productivity:

• Clean Office
• Decorative office
• Lighting
• Absence of noise in the office
• Close office floor plan
• Moderate room temperature and ventilation

This means that if your office is well-lit, well-ventilated, and more importantly, clean, then your employees will tend to be in a better and more productive mood. It’s as simple as that. In fact, the same research shows having all of these elements actually prevents work-related illnesses, absenteeism and employee turnover. A simple solution to complex problems! Another paper highlights that poor environmental conditions like a dirty and unorganized office can actually cause inefficiencies in worker productivity, reducing job satisfaction and even affecting the organization’s financial well-being.

A CLEAN OFFICE — LEAVING IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS

Clearly, the importance of having a well-organized and clean office could not be stressed enough. And because this is of such huge importance, it needs to be a priority for business owners and managers. However, you have better things to do and you need to concentrate on running your business. By hiring a professional janitorial service company, you’re leaving the cleaning to those who actually know what they’re doing based on years and years of experience. They will also have the technology and expertise needed to ensure a clean office facility.

DIRTY RESTROOMS CAN MEAN LOST BUSINESS

8/31/2017 (Permalink)

DIRTY RESTROOMS CAN MEAN LOST BUSINESS

NOVEMBER 28, 2013

BY JEFF HIERS

When you’re trying to make your business establishment a place where customers would want to go, you have to focus on a lot of things. You have to make sure that the products you offer are topnotch. You need to have knowledgeable personnel who can deal pleasantly with customers. The ambiance of the place should be relaxing and inviting, so people can feel at ease. With your focus on so many different things, sometimes the simple need for clean and proper restrooms can get lost in the shuffle.

PEOPLE AVOID ESTABLISHMENTS WITH DIRTY RESTROOMS

A telephone survey conducted by Harris Interactive revealed that just about everyone—94% to be exact—would stop returning to an establishment if they ever encounter a dirty restroom. When asked about specifics, 79% of the more than a thousand adult respondents identified hotels and restaurants as places which should have clean restrooms if they want customers to return. Another 77% would not return to healthcare facilities with dirty restrooms, and 50% thought the same of supermarkets. Sizable number of people also expected retail stores, gasoline stations, and even car dealerships to offer clean restrooms, if they wanted their customers to come back for another visit.

WHAT’S A DIRTY RESTROOM?

Some people have different definitions of what “dirty” means when it comes to restrooms. Another survey by Harris Interactive clarified this issue by conducting a survey among more than 3100 adults. About 93% would call a restroom dirty if it had sticky or grimy floors.

Other signs of dirty restrooms include:

• Toilets that have not been flushed
• Foul odor
• Trash cans filled to the brim
• Toilet paper or paper towels on the floor
• No toilet paper
• Soap dispensers are empty or outdated
• There’s water around the sink area or on the floor
• Broken doors and toilet seats
• Insufficient lighting
• Graffiti

HOW YOU CAN LOSE BUSINESS

People want clean restrooms not just because they want a pleasant experience while they’re there. In many cases, customers equate the cleanliness of the restroom to the quality of the service or product the business is offering. For example, a majority of customers believe that the cleanliness of the restroom in a restaurant is a clear indication of the cleanliness of the kitchen. If you can’t take care of your restroom, the reasoning goes, then you can’t be expected to take care of the rest of your business.

It’s not just the fact that a customer won’t return that causes you to lose business. You also lose any potential referrals. And with social networking sites like Facebook these days, the word can spread about your dirty restrooms like wildfire.

Keeping your business restroom clean and nice can’t be just an afterthought or a bonus service. It’s an essential part of doing business if you’re serious about success because dirty restrooms and most definitely mean lost business.

CARPET CLEANING TIPS

8/31/2017 (Permalink)

CARPET CLEANING TIPS

MARCH 29, 2012

BY JEFF HIERS

Maintaining and keeping a clean carpet is more than just healthy, as it can also help to prolong the life of the carpet — which can amount to substantial financial savings. Around 80% of the soils that enter a building or residence are dry.  The remaining 20% are greases, oils, and starches.  The dry soil types are easily removed by vacuuming.  And, the more often they are removed, the less damage to the carpets. But, vacuuming alone isn’t enough. These carpet cleaning tips will help to identify the most important steps you can take in caring for your carpets.

4 CARPET CLEANING TIPS

CARPET CLEANING TIP 1

Carpets should be thoroughly vacuumed at least once per week. In most commercial buildings, the traffic areas are vacuumed at each service with a detailed vacuum during one of those service days. High quality vacuums are the best choice and using one with a HEPA filter is especially good for improving the air quality in your home or office.

CARPET CLEANING TIP 2

The 2nd of our carpet cleaning tips is to keep your eye out for spills and take care of them quickly.  For most liquids, you can fold a cloth or stack of paper towels, place over the spill, then step on the towel using your body weight to help adsorb the liquid. If this doesn’t remove the spill, pour a small amount of water on the area then follow the same process. In most instances, this will remove the majority of the residue from the spill. There are also numerous products that can be used to spot treat carpets. By taking immediate action you can prevent spills from becoming stains that leave you with a dirty and messy carpet.

CARPET CLEANING TIP 3

Make sure that you have the carpets cleaned as often as it is needed.  Based on the type of carpet and the facility, either a dry-chemical or extraction method will be used. Normally, a thorough carpet cleaning is needed every 6-12 months depending on traffic patterns.

CARPET CLEANING TIP 4

The easiest of our carpet cleaning tips is the proper use of walk-off mats since this will help to keep most of the tracked soils off the surface of the carpet.  You should use walk-off mats at all entrance doors — and place them both inside and outside if possible. At home, you can also take off your shoes prior to entering your home or have a special set of shelves by the door to store shoes.

BENEFITS OF KEEPING CARPETS CLEAN

Using these carpet cleaning tips to keep carpets clean will add value to the building or residence.  It will also help to keep the facility free from odors and pathogens.  And finally, it will help to make a comfortable environment for guests, occupants, and/or employees.