The SERVPRO Way

3/9/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready to answer the call 24/7/365.

Serving others is at the heart of SERVPRO's vision to be the premier cleaning and restoration company in the world. Whether it's a home or business, SERVPRO knows that the most important job is helping each customer put their life back together.

Our number one goal is returning damaged property and items to preloss condition, doing all we can to help you regain control following a disaster. SERVPRO is dedicated to restoring both the property and the lives of the customers we help...

• Like it was never dirty
• Like it never overflowed
• Like it never caught fire
• Like it never spilled
• Like it never smoldered

Whatever the case, with SERVPRO of Spartanburg County, our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened." 

With every flood comes a flood of emotions. It is not uncommon that we meet our customers on their worst day. We know that you had the choice to choose anyone you wanted to help you with your situation, and we take extreme pride in knowing that you chose us! If your home or business experiences a loss, big or small - call us today at 864-576-2430.

When is the Right Time to Buy Flood Insurance in Spartanburg County?

2/20/2023 (Permalink)

If you live in an area prone to flooding, consult a local agent to learn more about flood policies.

The simple answer to the question: When should I buy flood insurance is ... NOW!

That answer of "now" is totally dependant on if you live in a flood zone or not. If you do, you absolutely should already have a flood insurance policy in place. If you do not live in a flood zone but live in low lying areas or in close proximity to rivers or lakes that could flood, you too should look into a flood insurance policy.

The thing about a flood insurance policy and why it is so important to have one in place is because they normally take about 30 days to activate, so if you are trying to purchase one when a hurricane is heading your way, chances are that policy will not be in effect in time to help you. Most hurricanes only present one to two week's notice.

In short, talk to an insurance agent ASAP if you even think you might need flood insurance.

Avoid These Mistakes When Water Damage Enters Your Home

2/20/2023 (Permalink)

For Fast and Professional Water Damage Cleanup and Restoration, call us at SERVPRO of Spartanburg County.

Common Homeowner Water Damage Mistakes to Avoid

When your home suffers from a water damage event, the process of minimizing damage and restoring a property to its original condition can be a stressful time. Unfortunately, many homeowners are not fully aware of the proper process for cleanup and restoration and make common mistakes while trying to help. These mistakes can make restoring a home even more challenging. 

Below are some helpful tips that can help homeowners avoid common mistakes, which will reduce the cost, time, and stress for making a water damage event "Like it never even happened." 

Mistake #1: Trying to self-clean and restore their home after a water damage event.

We have all been there; we want to save time and money, so we try to take on a project in our home. Water damage to your home should not be treated as a normal project. If the amount of water is covering multiple rooms or has shown damage to cabinets or other structural components, you do not want to try and simply mop it all up and put a fan or two on it. The problem is that most homeowners do not have the right experience and equipment to properly handle a water damage. Water easily seeps into areas that you may not know to look at or have the ability to check. Properly drying out building materials is a difficult task and one best left to a professional.

Mistake #2: Not Calling a Professional Soon Enough.

One of our taglines at SERVPRO is 'Faster to any size disaster.' This is because arriving and acting fast is a critical aspect of effective water damage restoration. Water tends to spread fast, traveling behind walls, cabinets, appliances, and underneath flooring. Once that happens, mold can grow and further damage walls, furniture, and other materials. Mold can begin to grow less than 24-48 hours after water exposure depending on other circumstances in the home (humidity level, pre-existing water damage, temperature, etc.). 

To quickly find the source of the water damage and shut it off, and then to immediately begin the water extraction and drying process is crucial for your home's restoration. Calling a professional water damage cleanup and restoration company is the best way to do that. 

Mistake #3: Not Taking Safety Precautions.

Being in a home that recently suffered from a recent water damage event can be dangerous, especially if the water damage came from flood waters, sewage back up or other 'category 3' type sources. Along with potential biohazard contaminations, potential slips and falls from wet flooring and stairways can also create a dangerous situation. Care must be taken when operating any electronic device or appliance, because turning on electronics or touching electronic devices can result in electric shocks or further damage to the property. 

Saturated building materials can fail, and debris can lead to slips and falls. The best thing a homeowner can do after eliminating the source of the water (if possible) and calling a water restoration company is to leave the building and stay out.

Mistake #4: Not Realizing the True Amount of Damage to Your Home.

The amount of damage caused by a water damage event isn’t always immediately visible. If you take the "Do It Yourself" approach and only clean up the visible water, you will most likely discover mold or unpleasant odors lingering in furniture, floors, and walls in the near future. 

To properly evaluate the true amount of damage from a water event, you must follow through with industrial standards for cleanup and deodorization. This may include antimicrobial treatments or sanitization processes and is something a professional restoration company is best suited to handle. 

A proper evaluation of the damage is also vital for insurance reasons. Some insurance providers will deny claims where homeowners attempt repairs themselves or delay calling a professional to document the damage. The best way to ensure a policy covers the full cost of a restoration is to work with a reputable restoration company and contact them immediately.

SERVPRO of Spartanburg County works with all local, state, and national insurance companies, and is a preferred vendor for many of them. If your home suffers from a water damage event, call us 24/7 365 days a year at 864-576-2430. We are here to help.

Why SERVPRO is Your Preffered Commercial Water Damage Vendor

2/20/2023 (Permalink)

IICRC certified water damage restoration professionals.

Flooding and other water damage events in a commercial building often present unique and complex challenges. From figuring out how to remain operational, product loss, and information security, solving these problems requires a flexible company that understands that every water damage event is different. Here at SERVPRO of Spartanbugr County, our team is constantly training to help ensure that we're able to address every water damage as efficiently and effectively as possible.

As IICRC certified water damage restoration professionals, if possible, we have the knowledge necessary to properly contain an area so that you can continue your business's operations safely. If needed, we're able to perform our work after-hours as well. Additionally, we offer contents restoration and are often able to help reduce your losses by drying and cleaning the items damaged in the water, including your important paper documents. Replacing items and building materials can be costly, which is why we always focus on repairing rather than replacing them wherever possible.

In some cases, water damage can span thousands or even hundreds of thousands of feet of building space. We have a large loss division to address these events that are trained in the logistics of restoring large buildings like dorms, hotels, warehouses, and large offices spanning multiple floors. There is truly no job too large for us to handle.

With over three decades in the restoration industry, you can count on SERVPRO of Spartanburg County to make your commercial water damage, "Like it never even happened."

Turkey Talk with SERVPRO of Spartanburg County

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Consider these useful tips before you get started in the kitchen this Thanksgiving and Holiday season.

Turkey Fryer and Kitchen Safety for Thanksgiving

As we get ready to cook some turkeys this upcoming holiday season, we have to remember that things can turn deadly very fast if we don't take the proper precautions while putting together our Thanksgiving/holiday meal.

Turkey fryers are a southern tradition when it comes to Thanksgiving Day, but they can quickly turn dangerous if not used properly.

Here are some turkey frying safety tips to remember this holiday season from our local Fire Department:

• Make sure that you don't overfill the pot by measuring the proper level with the turkey in water first, and then add the oil after you've measured the level once the turkey has been removed.
• Once the oil has been heated to the proper level, turn the burner off before adding the turkey so that if the oil does spill out, it doesn't start a fire.
• NEVER put a frozen turkey into hot oil.
• Make sure that you are using oven mitts and safety glasses when handling the turkey.
• After you're done cooking, allow the oil to cool sufficiently before disposing of it.
• If you're working in the kitchen, make sure that you are not wearing clothes with long sleeves.
• Make sure to turn the pot handles inward so that they don't get knocked over by accident.
• Also, it's a good idea to keep kids and pets out of the kitchen while things are being prepared.

SERVPRO of Spartanburg County hopes that everyone has a great and safe Thanksgiving & Holiday season this year!

Keep the Cold Out of Your Facility

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let your production freeze up due to cold weather, call SERVPRO of Spartanburg County to keep business moving - even in inclimate weather.

Cold weather is here in Spartanburg County, and that means turning on the heat.

Is your Heating System ready for the strains that harsh freezing winter temperatures bring?

Here are a few maintenance tips from SERVPRO of Spartanburg County that will help you keep your heating system in good running condition so that you can stay warm in your business unit all winter long:

• Air filter cleaning and or replacement
• Cleaning your air vents
• Adding some insulation to your office or warehouse
• Adjust your thermostat for optimum heating throughout the unit
• Schedule an Inspection from your local SERVPRO

Don't let the cold freeze your productivity this winter. If you aren't sure your commercial building is winter-ready, call SERVPRO of Spartanburg County to schedule a consultation today before inclimate weather becomes an issue for your business.

SERVPRO is here to assist you. Through maintenance and repair, the experienced, professional, and friendly technicians at SERVPRO will make sure your business's heating system is ready for the upcoming winter season. 864-576-2430

Disaster and Diplomas: SERVPRO of Spartanburg County is Here to Help Your Educational Facility

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Keep class in session and leave the mess to SERVPRO of Spartanburg County.

When water, fire, mold, or other emergencies happen, who is going to deep clean and repair your institution?

Disasters at an educational building are highly complex and require a knowledgeable and flexible response. We offer 24/7/365 emergency service response for water and fire damage in addition to mold remediation, biohazard cleaning, commercial cleaning, and pathogen cleaning (including COVID-19) to all educational facilities.  

Whether we’re dealing with a small school campus or an institute of higher education, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area so that normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Our professional team of technicians is trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area.

Our experience in handling educational facilities cleanups has given us the ability to provide a variety of detailed services for the following educational facilities: K-12 Schools, Colleges & Universities, Dormitories, Private Schools, Libraries, and Daycares / Pre-K Facilities.

From county school systems to large accredited colleges and universities, SERVPRO works to make your education facility disaster “Like it never even happened.”

Water Damage Timeline: From Minutes to Months, How Does it Affect Your Structure?

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

Standing water in a flooded warehouse space. Water is constantly moving to find equilibrium, but the sooner SERVPRO comes out to extract, the better.

Untreated Water Damage

"What's a little water going to hurt," you say? Structures continue to deteriorate when water damage is left untreated. When left untreated, water damage goes through a general timeline:

Within Minutes

• Carpets, padding beneath, and subflooring becomes saturated.
• Furniture on wet carpets start to leach and stain.
• Wood/wood products start absorbing water.
• Personal belongings may be completely destroyed.

Within Hours

• Humidity and other factors begin to generate unpleasant odors.
• Particleboard cabinetry and furniture becomes distorted and the integrity of the material weakens, crumbling over time.
• Dyes from non-colorfast fabrics bleed (clothing stored together, upholstery, etc.).
• In 48 hours or less, clean or grey water can deteriorate to black water, and areas that experience water intrusion from clean water initially can quickly become contaminated.

Within Days

• Mold can become visible and cause musty odors.
• Allergen sensitivities can be caused by microbial organisms.
• Wood may severely warp and cup, making most wooden floors unsalvageable.
• Painted walls blister and wallpaper begins to peel away.
• Structural wood within home, such as framing, begins to swell and split.

Within Weeks

• The structure may become hazardous to human health and may need to be evacuated if health conditions become a concern.
• Mold infests organic materials, rendering it unsalvageable.
• Drywall crumbles while the home’s structural integrity declines.
• Damage to the foundation becomes apparent.
• Home may be salvageable but may need to be gutted down to the studs.

Within Months

• Damage to the foundation may be significant.
• The cost of repairs is likely more than the value of the home.
• Damage that could have been prevented over time (i.e., neglect) disqualifies the owner from insurance claims.
• The home may be unsalvageable

Don't go at it alone. Just because it "looks dry" doesn't mean it is dry.

Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Spartanburg County today at 864-576-2430

Commercial Building Construction: 5 Tips to Know Before You Break Ground

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

Make sure to consider these tips before breaking ground on that new building.

Commercial building construction, 5 tips to know before you go

1. Check your options

The scale of any construction project demands a major commitment from a company. Remember that the time and energy invested in commercial building construction could also be put into the business itself.

2. Make the correct projections

A bank advisor can help you determine the cost of your project, how much money you'll need from start to finish, and the right financing options for your build.

3. Make sure your building permits are in order

Be sure that you've complied with all local rules with the right permits. Do this as early as possible, since building without a permit is not an option. Check with your city to see exactly what you're allowed to do with and without a permit.

4. Get a good architect

Good ones cost money and because of this, some companies will sometimes skip the step of hiring a good architect. While you might think you're saving money up front, you will lose in the end because of problems not originally planned on.

5. Be realistic

Companies often lose business during construction projects because management is less focused on performance and too worried about the new building.

Questions? We can help. Call us today at 864-576-2430

The Importance of a Fire Escape Plan

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

Good preparation goes a long way in an emergency situation.

During a fire, people can have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home before it’s too late to get out.

In a matter of minutes, a small fire can produce a major flame, making it critical to be prepared and have an escape plan in place.

A survey conducted by the American Red Cross shows only 26 percent of families and businesses have developed and practiced a fire escape plan.

Once a family or employee plan is developed, it is critical everyone in the home or office understands the plan. The best way to do this is to develop some muscle memory by practicing the escape plan at least twice a year. This will increase your chance of surviving a fire by ensuring you have working smoke detectors in place, building an escape plan, and then practicing it.

The following are a few suggestions to help you develop an emergency escape plan. (*Tips and statistics provided by the American Red Cross)

• Draw a map of each level of your home or business and show all the doors and windows. Find two ways to get out of each room. Make sure all doors and windows that lead outside open easily.
• Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second and third floors. Only purchase collapsible escape ladders evaluated by a recognized testing laboratory. Store them near the window where they will be used.
• Choose an outside meeting place a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they’ve escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting area on your escape plan.
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them. Plan for everyone in your home or office, with special considerations for elderly or disabled individuals.
• Practice your fire escape plan during the day and at nighttime.

If you suffer fire damage to your structure, call SERVPRO when the coast is clear - we can help! 

864-576-2430