Fire Damage Causes Smoke and Soot to Linger

9/26/2023 (Permalink)

Fire can cause several issues that extend beyond the initial loss. When firefighters come to put out a fire, water can also damage areas of the home. In addition, soot affects several areas of the home beyond the location of the initial fire. How does soot, specifically, affect your home or business after a loss? Here’s how:  

Within minutes 

• Plastic surfaces discolor and turn yellow 

Within hours  

• Tile grout stains 
• Fiberglass yellows 
• Metals tarnish 
• Appliances, countertops and furniture turn yellow  

Within days  

• Walls can become yellow  
• Materials corrode, pit and rust 
• Clothing and upholstery can be permanently stained 
• Electronics corrode and fail 
• Vinyl floors MUST be replaced 

Within weeks 

• Class, crystal and china etch and pit 
• Audio and video tapes distort  
• Carpet fibers are permanently discolored  

Acting swiftly after a fire can help save so many items in your home or business. At SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park, we offer content cleaning and restoration services to make any size disaster “Like it never even happened.” Reach out today! 

Mold Growth at Your Property? Trust SERVPRO

9/20/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park specializes in mold remediation. It’s common for us to get called to commercial buildings with mold growth throughout the building. Even the smallest water damages have the potential to cause poor indoor air quality over time.

As a property manager/homeowner, here are a few things you can do to prevent mold growth at your property :

- Keep the humidity between 30-50 percent.

- Provide for proper drainage away from the building foundation.

- Regularly inspect plumbing and appliances for leaks.

- Keep gutters and drains clear of debris.

- Inspect the roof, windows and other areas where water might enter the building and perform necessary maintenance.

- Respond to all water intrusions immediately.

Got mold? Contact us, SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park at (410) 647-8181 for assistance after a water damage or if you discover mold!

Do You Hear that Dripping Noise? Water Damage Acts Fast!

9/20/2023 (Permalink)

Do you hear that? That quiet dripping noise? Yep, that would be your roof leaking. Roof leaks can be detrimental to your home and if left untreated, can cause extensive damage and costly repairs. By being proactive, homeowners in the Severna Park area can prevent these damages or address them before they become major. Here are some ways untreated roof damage can cause issues for your home:  

Rotting Frames/Structural Damage 

Even the strongest, most durable homes are susceptible to the rot that follows any water damage. What starts as a small leak in the roof can develop into an alarming concern for your home’s foundation. Water is persistent and WILL find its way to your foundation causing rot. Stop roof leaks in their tracks before it becomes an overwhelming issue.  

Leaky Roofs Can Cause Mold 

A leak in your roof can inevitably lead to issues with mold or mildew growth. Mold spores in water damage can pass through HVAC systems, leading to serious health and safety concerns. Mold acts fast, so should you. 

Damaged Insulation  

As water leaks or pours through your roof, it can seriously damage any insulation you may have inside your roof or attic. The water causes the insulation to clump, making it essentially ineffective in insulating warm or cool air inside your home. Be sure to have your roof professionally expected in order to avoid damaged insulation. 

Sagging Drywall/Ceilings 

Drywalls are very commonly used to divide spaces within homes during the construction process. Drywall exposed to water can hold and trap moisture causing it to sag, buckle, crumble and fall apart. Water can even travel through drywall, causing more damage to surrounding areas.  

Summer Weather Causing Water Damage in You Home?

8/1/2023 (Permalink)

Who doesn’t love the summer? With the warm weather, constant sunshine, trips to the beach and so much more, summer seems like a great time. What people forget to mention about the summer is the amount of water damage insurance claims that are made in the Metropolitan area. A large portion of these water damage claims are a result of an accumulation of condensation on ductwork. If you see bubbling or staining in your ceiling or roof, that may be a sign of condensation forming on your ductwork. This can lead to several problems, such as:  

• Damage to insulation  
• High indoor humidity levels 
• Mildew and mold growth  
• Water damage to structural elements  

Typically, “sweating” ductwork is caused by improper insulation around or from an outside source. If a home’s siding is exposed, warm or hot air can seep into spaces around the ductwork. When the hot and cold air mix, condensation forms. To avoid this, have your ductwork properly insulated to avoid the mixing in air temperature. Additionally, HVAC units that have not been inspected in some time can add to this issue. Have your HVAC unit professionally inspected and request a new filter to be installed. A dirty HVAC filter can cause the unit to freeze up which can contribute to the ductwork condensation. 

If you see bubbling or staining from water damage in your home, don't wait! Call us at SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park at 410-647-8181!

Here Comes Hurricane Season

8/1/2023 (Permalink)

It is OFFICIALLY hurricane season! Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. During this time, it is crucial for home and business owners to know how to prepare their property to prevent disaster. Luckily, SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park has tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help keep your property safe from hurricane damage. 

Tips for Preparing Your Home for a Hurricane  

• Cover all your home’s windows with precut plywood or hurricane shutters to protect them from high winds 
• Plan to bring in ALL outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else not tied down 
• Keep all trees and shrubs well-trimmed  
• Turn off utilities and turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting 
• Turn off any propane tanks 
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitation purposes, such as cleaning and flushing toilets 

Tips for Preparing Your Business for a Hurricane 

• Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally, to determine which materials and procedures are necessary to keep the business operating 
• Identify operations critical to recovery 
• Plan what you will do if your business is not accessible  

• Consider if you can run your business from a different location or at home 
• Develop relationships with other companies to use their facilities in case a disaster makes your location inaccessible 

When the storm is a major event, you need more comprehensive restoration support. SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park is ready to make any size disaster “Like it never even happened.”  

Storm Emergency Kit

8/1/2023 (Permalink)

Hurricane season is upon us. Living in the metropolitan region, sudden summer thunderstorms are a common occurrence. It is never too early to prepare your family and home for hurricanes, severe weather, or natural disasters. Use this guide to help you prepare a basic storm kit, to survive for 48 hours to 1 week or more without electricity. Getting prepared is as simple as getting a plastic tote, filling it with these items, and tucking it away until the day comes that you need it. Your basin emergency kit should include, but is not limited to, these items: 

• Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days) 

• Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)  
• Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert  
• Flashlight and/or light sticks  
• First aid kit  
• Extra batteries  

• Whistle (to signal for help)  
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)  
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)  
• Blankets or sleeping bags  
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)  

• Basic tools - a hammer, screwdriver, and a wrench or pliers  
• Manual can opener   
• Cell phone chargers - including a car charger 

If a storm does cause damage to your property, SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park will be here to help. Call us any time day or night 410-647-8181.  

Post Construction Cleaning Experts

8/1/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park are experts in Post-Construction Cleaning. Interior and exterior cleaning is needed after construction services. We provide debris removal services to prepare the building for interior design. Commercial property owners have trusted us with the dirty work before a grand opening, after an accident or even a renovation, we are #here2help.

We provide cleaning services to your building. Want to make an office space or classroom look brand new? Bring in our professionals to clean your carpets, upholstery, ceilings, walls, fixtures, deodorization, air duct cleaning, debris removal, and window cleaning. No job is too big or small for us.

If your Severna Park property is in need of Post-Construction Cleaning or just a General Deep Cleaning, give SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park a call at 410 647 8181

The Importance of Chimney Servicing

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

The seasons are finally changing. Summer is leaving us and the cool fall breeze is in the air. During this time of the year, homeowners start using their chimneys to heat their homes. Unfortunately, many homeowners in the Annapolis area forget to have their chimney inspected or serviced, leading to unforeseen challenges. 

With over 45 years of experience in the restoration industry, our SERVPRO franchise has seen its fair share of fire damage restoration work from chimney issues. The most common cause of chimney fires is ignited creosote inside your chimney flue or smoke chamber. Flammable creosote is produced by smoke during wood combustion, so it’s impossible to completely prevent it from getting into your chimney system. 

One way to effectively prevent fire, smoke or soot damage is by having a licensed chimney sweep clean your chimney once a year. Another is to burn only dry (seasoned) wood, which emits much less smoke than damp (unseasoned) wood. 

Smaller chimney fires, over time, can cause serious damage inside your flume and to the smoke chamber, which is the drafting portal that sits just above your fireplace. The most common types of damage include: 

• Cracked or broken chimney liner that puts the bricks and mortar of your chimney’s masonry at risk 
• Cracked smoke chamber bricks that allow intense heat to spread to vulnerable building materials of your home 
• The escape of toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, which is known to be potentially fatal to people and pets 
• Water damage that results from compromises in the masonry 

The worst part about a relatively small chimney fire is that it can be highly destructive, and most homeowners never even know when they happened. For this reason, the most efficient way to reduce the likelihood of chimney fires happening is by having your chimney cleaned and inspected on a regular basis. 

If you experience any fire, soot or smoke damage as a result of a chimney malfunction, call your experts over here at SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park at 410-647-8181.  

Commercial Water Damage is No Joke

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

Annapolis and Severna Park businesses can be affected by storms, just like homes. Most flooding and other damage comes from more common threats like a broken pipe or toilet malfunction. In a few cases, sprinkler systems fail and cause even more problems when they soak merchandise, blueprints and books. 

 
Tourists flock to Annapolis so when water damage happens to a small business, of course it is best to dry things out as quickly as a restoration team can be called in. SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park’s restoration teams are on-call seven days a week to help business owners reopen their doors to customers and prevent as much damage to merchandise. 

 
In smaller water-front shops like in downtown Annapolis, SERVPRO’s response time is critical. Technicians use extraction equipment to draw water out of carpets and/or from concrete and wood floors.  One advantage for a commercial or government facility is that if commercial carpet is in place, there is usually no padding underneath, so our teams will not necessarily need to lift them to remove padding. 

 
In cases with a water-soaked commercial property, SERVPRO can bring commercial-grade drying equipment and dehumidification to the structure.  Even if the electrical power is affected by the water damage, teams utilize a variety of generators that best suit the condition of the loss. 

Our goal at SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park is to help our fellow business owners reopen for service as quickly as possible. If you are dealing with flooding or another water issue, call us today at (410) 647-8181 for help! 

Prepare for the Worst!

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know dogs can sense a drop in barometric pressure? Have you noticed that your furry friend knows it’s going to storm before you do? A sudden thunderstorm can be terrifying for your dog. September is National Preparedness Month and SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park wants to make sure your dog is safe. 

Veterinarians don't know all the triggers but suspect the dogs are set off by some combination of wind, thunder, lightning, barometric pressure changes, static electricity, and low-frequency rumbles preceding a storm that humans can't hear. 

Here are some tips you should consider: 

• Bring your dogs inside at the first sign of danger. Disasters can be disorienting for dogs, and they could run away or hurt themselves reacting to loud noises and strange changes to their landscape. Also, rain, flying debris and high winds pose a danger. If you need to leave, keep your dog with you.  

• Pack a dog emergency bag. You’ll want emergency provisions packed for your dog well in advance of a catastrophe so you can evacuate your home quickly if needed. Choose an easy-to-carry bag, label it and keep it where everyone in the family can find it quickly. The bag should include a dog first aid kit; enough food and bottled water for a week (rotate this every couple of months to keep it from going bad); medications (check periodically to ensure medicines in your emergency bag don’t expire); cleanup supplies; food and water dishes; bags (or litter for cats) for collecting waste; an extra collar and leash; photocopies of medical records; towels; recent photos of your furry friend; and a favorite toy or chewy for comfort.  
• Create a dog-friendly resource list. Not all emergency shelters will accept dogs, so you need a Plan B. Develop a list of the dog-friendly hotels outside your immediate area. Research a list of veterinarians in the area should your dog need medical care (your regular vet may have some recommendations).  

Disasters such as severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, and fires can strike quickly. Your dog is part of your family and should be part of your preparedness plan. Disasters don’t wait; make your dog’s plan today.