Mold Cleanup Tips

6/5/2024 (Permalink)

From time to time, business owners in North Prince William County, VA, are startled to find they're facing a mold problem. Mold flourishes in moisture, warmth, and darkness, which may make some spaces candidates for mold growth — poorly-ventilated basements or supply and storage rooms, for example.
In dealing with fungus cleanup, several questions are likely top of mind: Should I do the job myself, or bring in professional mold experts? What solutions should I use to clean up mold? What techniques? Here are some rules of thumb:

Do-It-Yourself Mold Cleanup

Consider a DIY cleanup if the moldy area covers fewer than 10 square feet:

• Check for a plumbing or roof leak that's causing mold. Fix the leak and dry the water-damaged area before attempting any cleanup.
• Scour mold off hard surfaces with detergent (vinegar, borax, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, baking soda) and water.
• Don't use toxic chlorine bleach, which is ineffective on porous surfaces like insulation, drywall, ceiling tiles, and wood. Bleach can't penetrate the deep, extensive root system mold entrenches in porous surfaces.
• Remove any mold-damaged items and cut out and replace moldy areas, such as ceiling tiles.
• Invest in an air filtration system to ensure proper air circulation and control moisture and humidity.
  
  

Fungus Cleanup Requiring Professional Remediation
Certain circumstances call for advanced remediation techniques. Bring in the services of mold experts, if:

• The mold covers more than 10 square feet and features large swaths of heavy infestation.
• The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system appears contaminated (mold is near or on the registers). Turn off the HVAC system to prevent mold from spreading throughout your building.
• The mold damage results from a sewer backup or other contaminated water, such as street flooding.
• After heavy rain or a plumbing leak, you smell mold's distinctive musty odor but can't locate its source.
  
  

Mold, if left untreated, can lead to property and structural damage. If an infestation is substantial, the fungus cleanup usually requires mold remediation experts with the training and equipment to safely rid your business of mold at its source.

Top 4 Places Mold Can Hide

6/5/2024 (Permalink)

Four Top Places Mold Can Grow

Mold, like other types of fungus, is different from plants because it doesn’t need sunlight to grow. It prefers dark, damp places that have organic material, such as wood or fabric, as a food source. Here are the top four places mold growth likes to hide, so you can keep an eye out and protect your home.

1. Under the Sink
Pipe leaks and condensation are ideal catalysts for mold. Running hot water can get your dishes clean, but it can also cause humid conditions that mildew loves. Regularly clean out under your sink and wipe down the surfaces with a cleaning solution containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide.

2. Behind Walls and Wallpaper
Mildew can easily grow beneath paneling and wallpaper. Water can seep around bathroom tiles and saturate the wall underneath. Pay attention if you sense a musty smell or see condensation on the walls. Be careful when removing wallpaper on moldy drywall. You don’t want to spread spores through the air.

3. In Basements
Mold growth can be a big issue in these spaces. You may have a leak in your foundation that’s letting moisture in. Pipes and ducts in the basement are common areas where water can build up and lead to mold.

4. In Attics
Heavy storms can damage shingles, soffit vents and gutters, which can let water into your attic. Exhaust from your kitchen or bathroom may vent into the attic, sending moisture and heat to the area. Regularly inspect your attic for signs of damage, such as water-stained storage boxes and mold on wood.
One way to prevent mildew is by reducing the humidity in your house to 30% to 50%, through weatherization methods or a dehumidifier system. Repair leaks quickly and cleans up areas of standing water. If you think you have mold growth in your home, contact a certified mold remediation company in North Prince William County, VA. 

Commercial Water Damage Experts Explain Drying Methods

4/9/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Works Hard to Mitigate Storm Damage to Your Place of Business

If your office complex in North Prince William County has multiple floors, problems like pipes breaking in other parts of the building could cause damage to your business as well. When water flows into your office from the ceiling, many problems can result. Moisture can cause ceiling tiles or drywall to become weak and fall onto the floor.
 
Water coming from the ceiling starts there and then spreads down the walls. Many commercial water damage projects involve removing moisture from ceilings, walls, contents, and flooring. Any time moisture stays inside a building more things get ruined, and foul odors develop as time passes.
 
The goal when SERVPRO works on any restoration project is to get all of the moisture out of the structure most quickly and efficiently. When working with businesses measures are taken not to hinder your routines. Depending on what happened, procedures can get changed so that you maintain your standard flow of revenue or activity.
 
In the cases where water invades your office from a floor above any water that is found on furniture or carpeting is removed with extraction equipment, a simple mop, and bucket or maybe just cloths and sponges. Our restoration technicians may be able to complete water extraction around your employee's cubicles and desks while they keep working and maintaining ordinary business procedures. After the extraction stage, the next step is to dry out moisture that cannot necessarily be seen.
 
Our technicians, beyond visual inspections, use monitoring devices to determine which materials in the office got wet. Once the location of the damaged areas is determined, air- moving and dehumidification systems get placed around the affected area. Our crew can position the drying tools around work areas inside your company's office, so disruptions are kept to the minimum.
 
The correct placement of this equipment is vital to speedy drying. Air movers are set up so that they blow air in a counterclockwise motion hitting all of the walls at a 45-degree angle. Air movers get placed against walls pointed upwards to dry out ceiling tiles. When moisture levels are higher than usual in the wall materials, the baseboard gets removed, and holes are drilled into the wall so that air can flow into the wall cavity and dry out the studs, any present insulation, and drywall cardboard backing.
 
Drying out moisture damaged materials inside an office complex can be more difficult than other buildings. Calling SERVPRO of North Prince William County at (703)368-4399 can save your business time and money

Three Things About Roof Damage Mitigation

4/9/2024 (Permalink)

After a storm your house might have some damage that you need to take care of. In some cases, this will include roof damage. Before repairs can begin, however, the restoration company might need to do some mitigation. The following are a few things that you should know about this process.

When Do You Need Mitigation?

If you have roof damage that could become worse over time, then mitigation should be done right away. It will likely be required if you have missing shingles, cracks or holes in your roof. After an inspection has been performed, mitigation is the next step. Particularly if the damage is severe, it is important to get it done quickly.

Why Do You Need Mitigation?

The purpose of mitigation is to keep any damage to your home from getting worse. There are several things that could happen before repairs begin that could make the process even more complicated and time-consuming. Even small cracks can allow water to get inside the house, which can damage your belongings or the structure of the building. It can contribute to the growth of mold as well. Holes in the roof can allow further wind damage and can even let in small animals. Mitigation will help prevent this.

What Happens During Mitigation?

During the mitigation process, the cleanup and restoration company will cover any cracks or holes in the roof to prevent water, wind or debris from creating more problems. This is often done with a tarp, but more severe cases might require the use of wooden boards. Mitigation can sometimes include cleanup and sanitization as well.

If mitigation is not performed on the roof damage to your house, it could make the restoration process more difficult. When damage worsens, it requires more time and money to repair. Because of this, you should always have mitigation done as soon as you can.

Do You Know How to Stay Safe During a Hurricane?

4/8/2024 (Permalink)

Our local SERVPRO of North Prince William County is Here to Help® when your home or commercial business in the surrounding areas sustain hurricane damage. Below is some information on how to stay safe during a hurricane: 

Stay Informed

• Listen for emergency information and alerts
• If told to evacuate by local officials, do so immediately

Dealing with the Weather

• Determine how best to protect yourself from high winds and flooding
• Take refuge in a designated storm shelter, or an interior room for high winds
• If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water.
• Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water
• Avoid being in a room with multiple windows. If possible, go to a room that has no windows or a designated storm shelter room within your home. 

Personal Safety

• Be prepared to take cleaning items with you like soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, or general household cleaning supplies to disinfect surfaces you may need to touch regularly
• Maintain at least 6 feet between you and persons not part of your immediate family while at the shelter [by avoiding crowds or gathering in groups] as much as possible 
• Anyone over two years old should use a cloth face covering while at these facilities
• Only use generators outdoors and away from windows

Call Us Today!

When you have storm damage in your home or commercial business, our local team will restore your property damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 703-368-4399

Do's & Don't | North Prince William County

4/8/2024 (Permalink)

DO:

• Shut off the water or contact a qualified party to stop the water source. 
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building, when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock. 
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting. 
• After removing lamps and tabletop items, wipe excess water from wood furniture. 
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Remove any paintings, art objects, computers, documents, and other sensitive items to a safe, dry place. 
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting and draperies off damp floors.

DON'T:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist. 
• Leave colored rugs/items on wet carpets or floors which mat cause staining. 
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water. 
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially wet concrete floors. 
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water. 

Please contact us at 703-368-4399

What To Look for When Troubleshooting a Commercial Irrigation System

3/19/2024 (Permalink)

How to Troubleshoot a Commercial Irrigation System

A faulty sprinkler system can be a huge problem for your business in North Prince William County. If sprinklers malfunction, they might spray excessive amounts of water in the area, which could disrupt business operations or even cause structural damage to the building.
If you see a problem in your building's irrigation system, you may not know how to find the source of the damage. Here are several things to look for when troubleshooting.

1. Electrical Issues in the Irrigation System
There are many electrical parts in the system that can be damaged, such as valves, solenoids, wires, and timers.

2. Broken Pipes and Sprinkler Parts
If someone steps on a sprinkler head and damages it, the sprinkler may start to malfunction. A broken sprinkler head may be easier to fix than an electrical issue.

3. Damage From Tree Roots
One of the common causes of pipe damage is pressure from tree root systems.

4. Stress From Traffic
Extensive foot traffic in the area over an irrigation system can create stress that damages pipes and supply lines. If this is an issue, you may need to evaluate the placement of the sprinkler system and how you might change it.

5. Evidence of Water Damage
If you see that standing water has leaked into a building or commercial structure, you should be wary of potential damage to the building's structures and mold growth. Even if you cannot see any flooding, there may be serious damage nonetheless. A large sprinkler leak can cause water to seep into the basement or the building's foundation.
If you suspect that there may be water damage, it is a good idea to reach out to a professional water restoration company. A team of professionals can help you assess the damage and prevent mold growth.
Looking for these common issues may help you diagnose irrigation problems. If you are unable to ascertain the source of damage yourself, seek professional help.

Is Your Dryer Safe?

3/1/2024 (Permalink)

A dryer seems like a convenient, safe appliance that lets you forget it and go. If you don’t maintain it properly, a lint fire can happen, which can cause sever fire damage to your home.

A Surprising Amount of Lint

Depending on your family size and how often you go through clothes, it is likely that you do a lot more laundry than you realize. An average family does approximately eight to 10 loads a week. Every load means small fabric, dust and dirt particles are collecting in your dryer’s lint trap, vent and duct work. Lint is highly flammable, making it vital to maintain cleanliness.

Cleaning Out the Lint

Instead of dealing with a potential dryer fire and needing expert help in repairing the damage, good habits can go a long way. Lint traps should be cleaned after very load. Most dryers make this easy. The trap usually slides out and the lint can be lifted off. Any lint that is leftover should be removed with a brush. Every few weeks, the screen should be rinsed with water. While the screen is out, vacuum in and around its entry point. Approximately once a year, unplug the dryer and inspect the vent and hose or pipe connected to the dryer. Wipe lint off the opening and clean any leftover in the hose or pipe. A brush can bused to clean the interior of the vent. Don’t forget the exterior vent. Ensure the vent flap is still attached and working properly. Vacuum or wipe out the opening. This should be done a few times a year.

Extra Safety Tips

To further avoid a lint fire, ensure your dryer is properly installed. Additionally, avoid drying clothes stained with chemicals, gas, oil or cleaning products, and only operate the dryer while at home. In most cases, a lint fire happens because of improper cleaning and maintenance. Taking a little extra to be safe is worth it.

Leading Causes of Kitchen Fires

3/1/2024 (Permalink)

Leading Causes of Kitchen Fires

On average, 49% of fires start in the kitchen making it one of the leading causes of house fires.. It only takes a quick moment for something on your stove to catch on fire, and you have a costly disaster on your hands. Here are some safety tips to avoid expensive home repairs:

Frying With Oil

66% of kitchen fires occur while cooking with oil. Anytime you fry food using oil, it needs constant attention. Grease fires can spread fast and still have the capability to cause a fire if the residue is left on the stovetop after use. If your food catches fire while cooking, safely cover a non-glass lid onto the pan to extinguish the flames, and then turn off your stove. Do not use water; this will only cause your fire to spread.

Leaving Cooking Unattended

It is imperative not to walk away from your food while you're cooking. Neglecting your food while cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. If you are cooking, it is essential to only focus on that one task. It is not recommended to multi-task while cooking because an accident can happen in a split second. 

Cooking with Too High Temperatures

Although turning your stove to its highest setting seems like a good idea when cooking, setting your appliances too high is very dangerous. It is recommended to cook at medium temperatures to prevent food from combusting. If you have a gas stove, never let the flame rise above the top of the pan. Cooking requires a lot of patience; jumping the gun and attempting to cook faster than intended can put you and your family at risk.

If your kitchen catches on fire and you can’t control it, call 911 immediately. After the fire was safely put out, you may need repairs to your kitchen, including flooring, cabinets, and countertops. Keep in mind that smoke damage can also factor in the cost of repairs as it can damage your walls and the material underneath.

Here at SERVPRO we always want to help you put your best foot forward to avoid any fire, water, or mold damage. In the event that you do experience fire, water, or mold damage, we’re here to help! 

Give us a call for your quote today at 703-368-4399

From North Prince William County, we take pride in serving your neighborhood! SERVPRO of North Prince William County is Independently Owned and Operated with employees dedicated to providing a quality customer experience!

3 Essential Steps After a Basement Flood

2/15/2024 (Permalink)

Three Important Steps To Take After A Basement Flood

Watching your lower level in North Prince William County, fill with water is scary and can feel impossible to fix. Regardless if it is from a torrential downpour, a sewer backup or some other emergency issue, a basement flood can be very damaging to your home without proper aftercare. Once you have checked your insurance coverage, here are three more things you must do afterward.

1. Drain the Water

Once any floodwater around your house has receded, getting the water out of your home as soon as possible is imperative. You will need a few items to accomplish this:

• Submersible pump
• Long hose
• Extension Cord
• Generator

Pump as much water out as you can. Once you are down to smaller puddles you can work with a wet/dry vac as well to finish the job.

2. Dry and Clean Up

After the water has been removed, take out any damaged belongings. Use towels or blankets to soak up any further puddles and wipe everything down as much as you can. Set up some large fans to begin drying out the area. Depending on how long you were flooded and how deep the water was, you may need to replace any carpeting and drywall in the affected area. In order to prevent further damage from your basement flood, it is best to contact trained water restoration specialists to help complete the job thoroughly.

3. Prevent Future Floods

Determining the cause of the flood will help you to prevent future occurrences. Check your sump pump to ensure it is working properly and is appropriate for the amount of groundwater in your area. You should also check the drainage around your home and your gutter system to ensure each one is properly designed to funnel water away from your house.

It is important to remain calm and think ahead when you experience a home disaster. Although it can seem like an overwhelming experience, damage from a basement flood can be minimized if you take these steps.