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Water Damage Cleanup in California, Maryland – Call SERVPRO

3/16/2024 (Permalink)

servpro Here to Help Poster Remember, SERVPRO responds swiftly to mitigate water damage in California, MD. "Like it never even happened." Count on the experts.

SERVPRO® Provides Water Damage Cleanup and Restoration in California

Leaking or burst pipes, overflowing sinks or bathtubs, or water introduced into the home caused by storms flooding the area can quickly inundate a home and cause significant damage to porous materials. Carpets and drywall absorb moisture quickly, while hardwood floors and structures are less susceptible to water damage if the water and moisture are removed rapidly. Mold colonies can materialize in less than 24 hours with moisture and a food source readily available.

Many residents turn to SERVPRO to help them quickly remove excess water and moisture and prevent permanent water damage to their California homes' contents, floors, and structural items.

Many consumers are also installing water sensors to warn them of water leaks. These are great tools; however, many gallons of water can be introduced to a home in a few hours before the main water valve is turned off.

Our SERVPRO team can be onsite within four hours of your call, 24/7, to help you deal with the flood of water in your home. We follow an industry-approved process to deal with these situations to mitigate damage and prevent mold growth.

Our processes include:

  • Inspect and assess the damage to contents and porous materials caused by water and moisture
  • Rapidly remove standing water utilizing pumps and water extractors
  • Dry and dehumidify the space and contents utilizing dehumidifiers and air movers
  • Clean and sanitize all surfaces, including contents
  • Begin restoration of damaged structure, flooring, drywall, and porous materials

We aim to restore your home to its original condition "Like it never even happened." Be careful of slips and falls and live electrical circuits, and avoid using wet appliances, including TVs, radios and light fixtures.

Call for help with water damage restoration at SERVPRO of St. Mary's County and nearby areas for assistance. We are Here To Help® 24/7. Call (301) 862-9500.

Reliable Fire Damage Restoration for Lexington Park Residents

3/16/2024 (Permalink)

servpro fire and soot cleanup poster Foul odors, soot, and burned possessions get full treatment from SERVPRO's trained fire damage specialists. We help our Lexington Park neighbors.

Let SERVPRO Restore Your Fire-Damaged Property in Lexington Park

Lexington Park exudes a unique blend of history, culture, and community spirit. It has numerous parks, museums, gardens, landmarks, and attractions ideal for exhilarating indoor and outdoor experiences. This thriving town, situated near the scenic shores of the Patuxent River, offers a delightful array of attractions for residents and visitors. The Lincoln Memorial and the Historic St. Mary's City Visitor Center are other notable attractions in town.

While Lexington Park boasts many attractions, it faces the imminent danger of fire damage incidents. Smoke residues and other debris can destroy your building and valuable items like upholstery, drapery, floors, books, and jewelry. The effects of the fire are even worse when the disaster is not addressed professionally. Therefore, it is essential to have a reliable fire damage restorer on call to guarantee prompt action.

After a fire damage incident on your Lexington Park property, SEVRPRO® is your go-to professional for reliable restoration services. Our team consists of well-experienced technicians who respond promptly to clean, deodorize, and restore your building and make it "Like it never even happened."

Successful fire damage restoration involves a systematic approach, including assessing the extent of damage, securing the property, removing debris, and initiating the restoration process. Our technicians in Lexington Park are equipped with the expertise to navigate these challenges, ensuring a seamless restoration process that restores the safety and beauty of homes and properties.

Fire damage may leave odors, making your home uncomfortable. But there's no need to worry. SERVPRO team members are always Here To Help®. After cleaning, we perform deodorization using EPA-approved products and techniques such as thermal fogging to eliminate odors, leaving everything smelling fresh.

SERVPRO of St. Mary's County is your go-to company for fire, flood, water, and mold damage restoration. Call us at (410) 559-9605 for more inquiries and work with our friendly team.

Why we are different.

3/27/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Employee in White Suit Soda Blasting Fire Damaged Wall SERVPRO tech soda Blasting a fire damaged wall.

SERVPRO of St. Mary’s and Calvert has been operating in St. Mary’s and Calvert counties since 1984. Since opening our doors we have always set ourselves apart from our competition in many different aspects but the one we take our most pride in is our experience.

Many people who enter the restoration industry only last fourteen months. Our production managers have been in the industry starting at 11 years, 13 years, 15 years, 18 years, 29 years, and 32 years with an have an extensive list of certifications. We are constantly investing in our employees with the latest training and certifications within our industry. The experience they have provides a positive outcome in almost all avenues of the job they are managing. Since the jobs run smoother, they can answer all questions the homeowner has. They understand the insurance aspects and have built relationships with many of the insurance agents in the Southern Maryland region.

 This knowledge and experience provides a better experience for our customers, insurance agents, and adjusters. Our experienced team is here to make it "Like It Never Even Happened".

The Dangers of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Southern Maryland

3/7/2023 (Permalink)

Batteries of different sizes. The Dangers of Lithium Batteries

Lithium Batteries are a power source for many day to day devices such as cell phones, laptops, toys, vapes, smoke alarms, and my other items. These batteries are known to store a lot of energy and if damaged or used improperly can cause them to catch fire. 

Some safety tips when dealing with Lithium Batteries

  • Make sure they are listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
  • Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Don't leave batteries charging overnight.
  • Use proper charging cord.
  • Do not charge on a flammable source such as furniture. 

If you are using the battery and notice any problems with it such as odor, change of shape, fluid coming out if it, smoking, increase of heat, and odd noises. Stop using the battery and device and move if to a safe place away from anything flammable and call 911. 

If you experience a fire on your home or property in St. Mary's or Calvert Counties give us a call today to make it "Like It Never Even Happened." 

Steps To Take If Your Pipes Burst In Your Home / Business

2/6/2023 (Permalink)

Hotel water damage Caution Floor is Wet

When water freezes it expands in volume by 9%. This increase in pressure can cause your pipes to break at a weak spot causing water to come rushing out the break. Important steps to follow if you ever encounter such experience are:

Step 1: Locate your main water shut off valve and turn it off to stop the flow of water. 

  • For houses on well water: if you are unable to locate your main water shut off, the other solution is to shut off your well in order to stop the water. 

Step 2: Call your most trusted restoration experts to analyze and start the restoration process to ensure no further damage, such as mold growth, occurs. 

Step 3: Call your plumber to fix your broken pipes. If you need assistance with locating a plumber SERVPRO will always guide you in the right direction. 

Do you sleep with the door open at night?

2/1/2023 (Permalink)

A closed door in a home showing the effects of stopping fire and smoke from entering. Closing the door can save your life.

When you go to bed at night, do you sleep with the door open? If you do you might want to think twice. Years of research conducted by UL's Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) have shown that simply closing your door at night could save your life if a fire is to occur. 

The research shows that a closed door is a safety barrier to buy you more time and protection from fire and smoke. The reasoning behind this is when you open a door during a fire it is giving that fire oxygen which will feed the fire and in return will cause that fire to expand. If you close the doors and windows to your home it will cut off the oxygen and contain the fire improving your chances of survival. Another benefit of closing your doors is if a fire does happen it creates a safer environment inside that room by greatly reducing entry of smoke, poisonous gasses, and temperature. 

It's extremely important for you and your family to have a plan if an emergency is to happen. Talk with your family come up with an exit plan and where to meet if a fire is to happen in your home. If you experience a fire remember SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties is always here to help. 

Don't Fall for Duct Cleaning Scams in St. Mary's and Calvert Counties.

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

Duct cleanng SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties Duct Cleaning.

Duct Cleaning Scammers are everywhere in St. Mary's County and Calvert County. They use a Variety of tactics to get you to fall into their trap such as cut rates, blow and go scams, and bait and switch. 

<h2-cut-rates">Cut Rates

That old phrase, "If it's too good to be true, it probably is," comes into play here. Illegitimate air duct cleaners love to outbid their competitors for offering "whole house duct cleaning" for $50 or $100. In some cases, these deals simply help them get in the door to upsell you for more work or do a quick and unthorough job before disappearing.

In other more sinister instances, particularly online, scams like these are a method to get your personal information. Never send a deposit, sign forms, or answer personal questions on the phone without verifying the air duct company as certified and insured. Real companies will not demand personal and financial data upfront.

<h2-blow-and-go-scams">Blow-and-Go Scams

This old scam has happened so many times that it's earned a nickname. Blow-and-go scams simply involve the company coming into your home, quickly vacuuming your vents, and hitting the road for the next house. Reputable experts should inspect all the various parts of your system, not just the vents themselves.

These scammers may also perform the bare minimum of work before alerting homeowners of the extensive and costly work they need to perform in addition to the base price. Be sure to research a company's name on the Better Business Bureau site and ask for recent customer testimonials to ensure the quality of the team's work.

<h2-bait-and-switch">Bait-and-Switch

Similar to blow-and-go, the infamous bait-and-switch adds unwanted services on top of what you already agreed to pay. While the advertised price may have looked like it included all your vents, the scammer may claim that the rate only covered a small part of the system. By the time the work is done, you're paying far more than originally expected. Always be sure to read the small print on flyers and ask cleaners to clarify their contracts before getting started.

You may encounter someone who "found mold" or "needed to apply a sealant or biocide" to your vents. While reputable contractors often offer biocides and sealants, the EPA has not registered either of these as necessary at this time. 

Always make sure that you have a full contract in writing before the work begins and report any bait-and-switch tactics to the Better Business Bureau immediately.

How do you find a reputable duct cleaner? Go to National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) which will provide you with a list of professionally certified duct cleaners in your area. SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties is NADCA certified. If you wish to have your ducts cleaned give us a call today at 301-862-9500 to have one of our technicians come out and give a FREE estimate.

Dirty Ducts can lead to fires in Southern Maryland

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

dirty duct to clean duct Before and After of Duct Cleaning

When thinking about fire prevention tactics, duct cleaning to prevent a fire from starting is probably not the first thing you would think about. Not to mention, ducts are typically hidden above the ceiling, so they are always out of sight. But there is more than just ducts above a facility’s ceiling. There are mechanical systems, structural elements, wires and anything else that would be hidden above the ceiling. And with work from insulation, fire-stopping as well as construction, dust can easily build up quick.

Accumulated dust can pose as a fire hazard. Dust is flammable and a fire can start from a spark of energy, or an extremely hot surface. The more dust build up there is, the more chances there are for a fire to happen. According to NFPA 654, annex D states that cleaning is needed immediately “whenever a dust layer of 1/32- inch thickness accumulates over a surface area of at least 5% of the floor area of the facility or any given room.” The same rule applies when it comes to cleaning a facility’s ductwork.

Although duct cleaning may not be the first thing you think about in fire prevention, it is important to clean your facility’s ducts. Not only does cleaning ducts help reduce the risk of a fire from starting, but it improves airflow in your facility’s HVAC system. All dust can be a fire hazard, and by cleaning your facility’s ducts, you are preventing dust from accumulating. By preventing dust from accumulating, you are ultimately helping to reduce the chances of a fire from starting.

If you have dirty ducts or experience a fire/smoke loss at your Southern Maryland property give us a call today at 301-862-9500. 

St. Mary's County and Calvert County Smoke and Soot Cleanup

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Soot cleaning Cleaning of Soot

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

  • Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
  • Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
  • The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

  • Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

  • Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

  • Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 301-862-9500 for St. Mary's County or 410-535-4733 for Calvert County. 

Faster to your St. Mary's and Calvert Counties Water Damage Event

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO HOUSE We are always here to help.

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 301-862-9500 for St. Mary's County or 410-535-4733 for Calvert County

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

  • Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
  • Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
  • Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
  • Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

  • Drywall begins to swell and break down.
  • Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
  • Furniture begins to swell and crack.
  • Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
  • A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

  • Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
  • Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
  • Metal begins to rust and corrode.
  • Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
  • Paint begins to blister.
  • Wood flooring swells and warps.
  • Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

  • Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
  • Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties

SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties 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.