How Can Fire Damage Affect Your Property?

10/30/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Technician inspecting the crawl space of a home.

Very few things can be as scary as a fire on your property, regardless of if it’s residential or commercial, but fire leaves many scars you might not think about!

Fire's Toll:

Fire can cause structural damage to different places, such as, The Framing, The Foundation, and The Roof. This damage can vary in severity depending on the intensity and duration of the fire, but nevertheless, Fire Damage Restoration is crucial in ensuring the safety of your family, or employees.

In nearly all cases, unrestored Fire Damage will reduce the cost of your property. However, going through the Fire Damage Restoration process can help you bring the property back to fair market price!

Fire Damage and Its Impact on Well-Being:

Beyond the costs associated with Fire Damage, many health concerns can begin to pop up such as: Eye and Skin Irritation, Breathing Difficulties, and unfortunately Lingering Toxicity. These health concerns stem from the porous material used in construction as well as the chemicals used to treat much of the materials used.

However, all of this can be avoided by ensuring that Fire Damage Restoration is done promptly.

With more than 30 years of experience SERVPRO Team George has the training and expertise to help make your fire damage “Like it never even happened”

Restoring your business after a water damage

1/16/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO trailer lined with equipment

Workplaces in Hernando County need to remain clean, safe areas that employees can come to without worry about the impact their environment might have on their health. Flooding from downpours or overflowed lakes can create a swamp-like environment very quickly inside your business. SERVPRO knows what your business needs to get back to normal.

Employees in Hernando County can sustain injuries from flood damage within your office building. Keeping them and your clients safe from harm is an important responsibility. We can help you restore safe conditions by eliminating damaged materials, waterlogged carpeting, wet conditions throughout your building, and the many pathogens that can make people ill.

Removing damaged materials such as wall dividers and other items eliminates a large portion of the water that can keep your building damp and ripe for mold growth. When we remove these materials, we remain highly aware of the risk of contamination from pathogens that persist in such wet substances. Wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) significantly reduces the risk we experience.

After we cut and pull up your office's carpeting, we roll the pieces into small-sized bundles that we can then easily bag up for disposal. We do the same thing with the padding. No amount of restorative work can successfully restore carpeting to sufficient cleanliness, although we can occasionally clean and disinfect decorative rugs in much smaller sizes back to a safe condition.

Drying out your business goes a long way toward preventing extensive water damage, mold growth, and other problems in the future. We use different machines that draw moisture out of materials that retain floodwaters and help accelerate the process by increasing the temperature inside. Heat helps the air hold more moisture, which we then remove from the air with desiccant machines and dehumidifiers.

Cleaning all of the surfaces exposed to floodwaters helps eliminate the last traces of visible flood damage, keeping your employees safe. Odors can continue to affect the interior atmosphere, but we can also eliminate this problem through various means. Deodorizing agents applied in specific areas to thermal fogging techniques do more than mask odors – they actually eliminate the particles that cause the odors to exist at all.

SERVPRO of Hernando County can restore your business quickly and efficiently so you and your employees can get back to normal routines sooner. We work hard helping business owners recover from flood damage that might otherwise cause their business to fail. Call SERVPRO at (352) 683-3730 so we can aid you in restoring things back to normal.

SERVPRO New Hire Expectations vs Reality

1/3/2023 (Permalink)

Our new hire Chelsea posing with her dog Bauer

I’m Chelsea and I was recently hired as the Administrative Assistant at SERVPRO. Previously, I had no experience in this type of industry or emergency services. I knew it would occasionally be fast paced, but that’s the only expectations I had. Since I have been here 3 months, I’ve learned a lot and realized that there is something new to do every day, and every job is different. I’ve also gained appreciation for our technicians! To run or assist on a project in this industry requires talent, to not only know how we can help in almost any type of situation, but also to do the work.

  Since being here we have done not only water, fire, mold, biohazard, and cleaning jobs, but also assisted and completed work I never knew SERVPRO could help with. We have worked on cleaning and reconstruction in RV’s, houses damaged from lightning strikes, and even removing mold and odor from cars. There are things that truly make SERVPRO one of a kind and truly “Ready for Whatever Happens”.

Storm Season 2022

1/3/2023 (Permalink)

Technician taking a break next to a SERVPRO truck at a storm job site

Here in Florida, we have had quite the storm season! When we saw Hurricane Ian was going to make a direct hit, our team jumped into action and was ready for whatever happened. We didn’t get directly hit here in the Tampa Bay Area, however, that didn’t stop us from helping our fellow Floridians. Shortly thereafter, Hurricane Nicole passed through the Sunshine Sate as well.

Here’s a breakdown of what storm season looked like for Team George:

• We responded to one of the sites most heavily impacted within 24 hours of landfall.
• We had over 10 commercial large loss jobs running at one time, including the Braves Training Facility, multiple Publix’s, and Sarasota Memorial Hospital, while also assisting local residents as well.
• Many of our Project Managers and technicians worked around the clock, most putting in 15-hour days.
• We are still actively working on jobs there, that’s 10 weeks and counting that our team has been putting effort into restoring the lives and homes of the people that need it most right now.

While our hearts are saddened that so many people’s lives have been affected by this, we are beyond grateful that so many people have trusted SERVPRO to help restore their community, and that we have the opportunity to help.

Water Damage? What you can expect when you call SERVPRO.

1/3/2023 (Permalink)

Our snack manager, Loki, managing a loaded trailer ready to dispatch to a water damage.

One of the most common calls we get is for Water Restoration Services. It can be very stressful when there is water damage in your home, and you might not know what to expect, especially if this has never happened before.

Here’s what you can expect when you call:

• Our receptionist will take your information and try to help walk you through the process. Once we get all the required information from you, we will dispatch a team to respond to your home.
• When the technician arrives, they will be thorough and quite literally walk you through the process, explaining what they see, what they’re doing and why. Our technicians are experts in this industry and will be more than happy to answer any of your questions and guide you through the process.
• Once the equipment is placed, our technicians will continue to monitor and make sure affected areas are drying properly.
• We work with almost every insurance company in the country, if a claim is filed, the office staff will speak to your adjuster and work directly with your insurance to make the process as streamlined as possible.

We understand the process and want to help you understand it as well. Even though these situations can be overwhelming, we are here to help you.

Hernando County 24- Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO we work 24-7 to help our clients with any emergency water damage that might occur!

SERVPRO of  Hernando County is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - (352) 683-3730.

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Hernando County has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Hernando County

SERVPRO of Hernando County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Keeping Mold Out!

6/30/2021 (Permalink)

Mold Prevention

• Mold: It’s a sight no business owner wants to see. The discovery of mold in your Spring Hill office can cause alarm with everyone. Not only this, but mold growth can result in heavy costs on your part. Luckily, there are things you can do to help prevent microbial growth.

Pay Attention to Humidity

Mold thrives in humid environments, so be aware of areas at work where the humidity levels may be on the high side. If you spot concerns, get a dehumidifier. Basements, attics and the areas under sinks are common culprits.

Watch for Flooding

Water damage is perhaps the most common source for mold trouble. After a heavy storm or pipe break, hire a competent water cleanup team to thoroughly dry the building and sanitize the area.

Repair Leaks Promptly

Inspect your kitchens, break rooms and restrooms regularly. As soon as you spot trouble with pipes and faucets, especially persistent dripping and leaks, get the right people on the job to fix the issues.

Ventilation Is Critical

Mold prevention will be successful if your building has effective ventilation throughout all areas. This is especially important in kitchens or laundry areas. If you have these rooms in your building, ensure that you have functioning fans in them.

Like any disaster or unforeseen incident, preventing mold may not be 100 percent possible, but you can significantly increase the likelihood that this unwanted invader will stay away from the premises. Don’t wait for water damage or other issues to spring you into action. Pay attention to all of these factors so you can keep mold away.

Thunder and Lighting Don't Have To Be Scary!

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

In the Florida summers, rainstorms are happen often, sometimes even daily. They are always accompanied by thunder and lightning. According to the Office of the State Climatologist, based at Florida State University, our state has more thunderstorm activity than any other part of the nation: In a typical year on the western half on the peninsula, more than 80 days show thunder and lightning. Also, “Central Florida's frequency of summer thunderstorms equals that of the world's maximum thunderstorm areas: Lake Victoria region of equatorial Africa and the middle of the Amazon basin. The Amazon and east African areas maintain their frequency of thunderstorm activity throughout most of the year, whereas the number of thunderstorms in Florida drops off sharply in the fall and does not pick back up until spring.” 

 Storms can develop rapidly and the skies have a tendency to open up during your planned outing. If you find yourself caught outside during a severe thunderstorm, here are a few tips to help keep you safe.  

1. If you are in an open area, find a low place such as a ravine or valley. 

1. If you are in water, get to land immediately and seek shelter. 

1. If you are in a forested area, find shelter in a low area under a thick grow of small trees. 
2. If you are in a car, keep the windows closed. 

http://climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/thunderstorms

Summer Fire Safety

6/19/2021 (Permalink)

It’s quintessential Florida summertime: roasting marshmallows over an open campfire with a cold beverage in your hand, grilling burgers and dogs by the pool, relaxing with friends and family. Summer is a time to enjoy Weeki Wachee’s great outdoors, but it is also important to keep safety in mind. Consider the following tips, provided by the National Fire Protection Association, to keep you and your family safe all summer long.

• When using a charcoal grill, only use starter fluids designed for barbecue grills; do not add fluid after coals have been lit.
• When using a gas grill, ensure the hose connection is tight; check hoses for leaks. Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
• When camping, always use a flame-retardant tent and set up camp far away from the campfire.
• Always build a campfire downwind from the tent area. Clear vegetation and dig a pit before building your fire. Extinguish the fire before going to sleep or leaving the campsite.
• Store liquid fire starter (not gasoline) away from your tent and campfire and only use dry kindling to freshen a campfire.

Have a safe and happy summer!

http://www.nfpa.org/

No Burning Ordinance May 2021

6/17/2021 (Permalink)

In May of 2021 in Hernando County there was a No Burning Ordinance in place. This Ordinance was set in motion because with the heat levels being higher than normal and the ground staying  dry for longer than normal, there is a higher chance of objects to set fire quicker and faster than they normally do. In Florida we are use to higher than normal heat index and it being dry and humid. With this Ordinance in place it states that there is to be no burning in Hernando County except in the following conditions: Yard waste that meets the requirements below. Agricultural, silvicultural, land-clearing, pile and acreage burning all require a burning authorization from the Florida Forest Service.

https://www.hernandocounty.us/departments/departments-f-m/fire-rescue/burn-permits-1659