From Carpets to Catastrophes We are Here to Help

1/7/2022 (Permalink)

There are so many decisions to be made when you are a home or business owner. Some are more critical than others, like what to do when disaster strikes. Most people know that SERVPRO offers 24 hour emergency service for water and fire damage, but we also offer many other services you may find helpful.

Here is a short list of services you can call us for:

• Carpet, Hard Floor and Upholstery Cleaning
• Odor Identification and Deodorization
• Stain Removal
• Contents Claim Inventory Service
• Crime Scene, Biohazard and Vandalism
• Water Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Fire, Smoke, and Soot Restoration

We know that time is a precious commodity when you need help so our team is available 24 hours a day. You can reach us at 407-788-3124. From Carpets to Catastrophes SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva is here to make it “Like it never even happened.”

We Can Help With That Funky Smell!

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO qualified technicians will help address your odor issues in your home or business!

Bad odors are caused by various sources and are known to be associated with fire and water damage. Smoke and soot leave behind powerful odors that cling to everything: furniture, clothes, bedding, carpets, throw pillows, and other porous materials. Water damage causes many odors: sewage backups have their own pungent odor, and water leaks can also introduce a variety of musty smells including mildew.

Fortunately, SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva has odor removal down to a science, and our technicians have the training, experience, and equipment necessary to identify and eliminate offensive odors in your Apopka home. Here is a list of some of the most common household odors:

• Stinky dishwasher
• Dirty garbage disposal
• Dirty refrigerator
• Stinky, dirty carpet
• Soiled upholstery
• Dirty dog odor
• Dirty cat box odor
• Rodents in the attic
• Old cigarette smell
• Cooked food smell
• New furniture (VOC smell)
• Smelly clothes closet
• Musty mildew
• Gross bathroom smell
• Stinky front-loading washing machine
• Stinky mud room

Call Us!

When your home or commercial business needs odor removal assistance, SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva is Here to Help. ® Call us at 407-788-3124. We’ll identify and eliminate your awful odor problem in Orlando, “Like it never even happened.”

How Can Homeowners Salvage Wet Carpet?

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

No matter how careful Apopka residents are with their fixtures, accidents happen. A bathtub overflow can quickly saturate flooring and drywall in your bathroom, as well as hallway carpet. Without fast action, this moisture can delaminate bathroom flooring, damage your drywall, and create unpleasant odors from mold that can be costly to remediate.

SERVPRO is prepared to provide water cleanup for Apopka & Wekiva residents that restores their property and contents to a preloss condition. This team’s cleanup services also include structural restoration for components like carpet, drywall, and subfloors that have been compromised by water damage and microbial growth.
What Prepares SERVPRO Techs to Render Cleanup Services?

Certification and training. SERVPRO staff, franchise owners, and technicians alike undergo extensive, hands-on training, as well as self-paced online learning modules to further hone cleanup and restoration knowledge.

Restoration industry accreditation. Your local SERVPRO and the professionals therein are Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified, meaning that they can consistently meet the standards put forth for the restoration industry at large.

Additional credit and non-credit courses. These courses are targeted at SERVPRO staff as well as real estate and insurance professionals who wish to expand their knowledge regarding disaster cleanup and restoration. Available classes include:
    •    Water Damage Restoration
    •    Fire Damage Restoration
    •    Understanding Mold in the Restoration Industry
    •    Restorative Drying for Loss Control
    •    A non-credit Mitigation Awareness Response Seminar

How Does SERVPRO Restore Water-Damaged Carpet?
SERVPRO technicians focus on careful extraction for carpeting to prevent it from separating from the pad when possible. Extraction can be performed with wands, wet/dry vacuums, and heavy-duty rover vacuums. Techs can tent carpet and erect polyethylene drying chambers to ensure that it is thoroughly dried before reinstallation.

SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva is prepared to keep your home looking, “Like it never even happened.” Call (407) 788-3124 for rapid-response emergency mitigation services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Top Reasons For Using Your Local SERVPRO

4/20/2021 (Permalink)

Natural disasters can damage your home. It can lead a lot of stress. Hiring a home restoration service can handle problems. There are so many different types of natural disasters that affect this area and you need to hire for a restoration service such as SERVPRO of Apopka / Wekiva. 

1. FASTER WATER EXTRACTION

Professional Restoration Service Company extracts water fast because they handle professional equipment. With small team of water restoration experts, the water will be removed from your home on the same day. You won’t need a lot of time, effort and manpower.

2. REMOVING HEALTH EFFECTS

A Restoration Service Company will not just repairing the damage to your house. Service restoration expert will take care of preventing mold and moisture that compromise your health. Hiring a professional company is going to be your best bet when dealing with mold. This is because they have the tools and knowledge to handle this problem. They are licensed to use chemical products which will extract the existing mold and moisture from your walls and floors.

3. DRYING TIME CUT IN HALF

A major issue with water damage removal is a drying time. You might take several days or even weeks to properly dry your house if you choose to remove the water by yourself. A professional restoration service company will do this in a much less time because they have equipment and heaters that access even to the areas which cannot be easily reached.

4. LOW TOTAL COST

Hiring a professional service company will lower total damage costs because their teams are highly responsive to emergency calls. They will be able to come even before a major damage occurs. They will react fast and solve the damage from spreading around your house.

5. REDUCED RESTORATION COST

Aside from physical damage, water and fire can cause additional damage. If you do not have insurance, you will have to pay for the new furniture and structural repairing by yourself. Restoration services encompass removal, repair, restoration and remediation of damage; you won’t have to hire several different companies to repair the damage.

6. SAVING TIME

A professional restoration service company should be highly responsive to calls; in order to prevent the further damage, they will act instantly. This won’t just save you time, but it will minimize the potential damage and reduce costs.

If you are searching for a professional service company that is reliable you can trust and can guarantee you highest quality work, contact SERVPRO of Apopka / Wekiva, a trusted leader in restoration industry, it provides services to ensure that your home is fully restored. Trusting SERVPRO of Apopka / Wekiva to do the job is having your family safe at home again.

If you have water damage anywhere in your home you can count on us to help. You can contact us at any hour of the day to learn more about our services or to report damages.

SERVPRO of Apopka Wekiva is proud to serve Central Florida cities like Orlando, Wekiva Springs, Apopka, Lockhart, Zellwood and many more. 

Disaster Recovery Teams Located Conveniently in your Orlando Neighborhood

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

Wind Storm Diagram

When disasters hit it is common for you to feel hopeless and overwhelmed. In Orlando disasters can cause large losses and cost you a lot of money to restore your property. But you should know that not all hope is lost when it comes to disaster recovery. There is no better restoration company for the job than one of our SERVPRO Storm Teams, our nation’s BEST restoration recovery team – who has a franchise located locally in Orlando, FL. For business and residential communities SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva  restoration teams can handle any fire or water loss, BIG or small.

Damaging Natural Disaster Examples are:

• Tornadoes and Wind Storms
• Hurricanes and Heavy Rain
• Blizzards and Snow Storms
• Earthquakes

As with the recent event, Hurricane Laura, you can be certain that SERVPRO Storm Teams were there from the beginning to help remedy the situation for so many victims of that terrible storm. 

When it comes to disaster recovery, you want to seek a professional service to effectively restore your property in a timely manner. SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva follows the 1-4-8 Rule.  Within the 1st hour, we will dispatch a Restoration Manager to assess the situation.  Within 4 hours, crews will begin to mobilize.  And within 8 hours, our technicians will be fast at work beginning the cleanup process.  

These are the business verticals SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva has experience helping:  

• Schools & Daycares (secondary and post-secondary)
• Hospital and Senior Living Facilities
• Property Management Buildings (Rentals/Leases – residential and commercial)
• Government Buildings
• Churches and Worship Centers
• Municipalities and First Response

Available 24/7, SERVPRO can help clean up the damage to your buildings caused by a natural disaster. We are standing by to ensure that they meet your needs, regardless of the time or day. 407-788-3124

What Can You Learn From a Mold Inspection?

11/6/2020 (Permalink)

Mold spores exist naturally everywhere.

Mold spores are everywhere, but sufficient moisture and food are necessary for colonies to form. A mold inspection can identify whether significant amounts of fungi are present in a building in Apopka / Wekiva, FL. Here are several important insights this inspection can provide to a prospective buyer of commercial property.

The Condition of a Building

A general building inspection should identify the presence of visible mold. Mold can also be hidden in a variety of locations:

• Around pipes
• Behind walls
• Beneath paneling
• Inside air ducts
• On top of ceiling tiles
• Under flooring
• Under wallpaper

A musty odor often indicates the presence of hidden mold. General inspectors may recommend a mold inspection, or prospective buyers can seek out this additional measure. Air or surface testing for the presence of spores or microbial volatile organic compounds released during the growth cycle of fungus will improve the accuracy of an inspection.

Whether Mold Is Active or Inactive
Once mold starts to grow in a building, the infestation will not go away without cleaning and remediation. Controlling indoor humidity can render mold inactive, but a major mold problem may be more likely if moisture levels rise again. An inspection should locate and identify fungi at any point of the growth cycle.

Potential Water Damage Problems
Timely and thorough restoration work should eliminate most of the visible signs of past water damage in a commercial building. Mold growth might still persist in areas prone to developing leaks. While inspecting a structure for mold is costly, the results may be worthwhile for determining whether a property is a sound investment.
A mold inspection is helpful for determining the condition of a commercial property in the Greater Orlando area, particularly if the structure has suffered water damage in the past. Mold infestations may be more likely in the future if damage has not been properly restored and underlying issues addressed.

What are those Noisy Water Pipes Saying?

10/21/2020 (Permalink)

A typical PRV with gauge.

What is that noise?!

We all know the noises our home makes. That cracking when it is quiet, the sound of someone walking around in the attic or the quiet drip of the shower even hours after it has been used. Our homes all have a set of familiar noises! However, not all those sounds can be good for your home or your wallet! Especially, the sounds coming from your water pipes may be a warning. While a whistling faucet may simply require a new washer to quiet down, if you have a hissing, whistling sound in multiple fixtures and a hammering noise coming from your pipes, you could be headed for a pipe break! Residential water pressure is usually around 80 psi, but sometimes municipalities have to increase pressure for nearby non-residential facilities. When this happens in the Birmingham, AL area the increased water pressure can damage your home’s plumbing. In addition to the irritation of noisy pipes, high water pressure can:

• Erode pipes
• Reduce life expectancy of fixtures
• Increase water bills
• Result in leaks
• Cause a pipe burst

What’s Causing the Noises?

As a large amount of water is forced through fixture openings designed to handle a lower flow, it makes a whistling sound, just like forcing a large amount of air through pursed lips causes a whistling sound. When water suddenly stops flowing through pipes, the momentum causes it to slam around inside the pipe, which causes a clanging or banging sound. Your plumbing has built-in air chambers to prevent this from happening, but when water pressure is higher than normal, the chambers aren’t enough to prevent the hammering sound. The longer you wait to address high water pressure in your home, the more likely it is to cause a pipe break.

What To Do About High Pressure

If you suspect your water pressure is too high, call a plumber in Orlando, FL area to test the pressure for you. A device called a pressure regulating valve, or PRV can be installed to control the water pressure inside your home. Hiring a professional to prevent a pipe break is far preferable to hiring one to fix a broken pipe inside your walls. SERVPRO of Apopka / Wekiva wants you to catch an emergency before they occur but if one happens before you can stop it, know that we are ready to help you at a moment’s notice. Our team of highly trained technicians will assess the damages and take the necessary steps to ensure this emergency feels "Like it never even happened." Call us at (407) 788-3124

Tips for Staying Healthy as COVID-19 and Flu Season Converge

10/16/2020 (Permalink)

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged business owners and homeowners alike to find ways to live and work without exposing themselves or others to this highly contagious virus. Now, the approaching flu season is set to complicate that challenge even further. To help control the threat that the one-two punch of COVID-19 and the seasonal flu presents, SERVPRO of Apopka / Wekiva urges everyone to be extra vigilant about following cleaning and disinfecting protocols this year. 

Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) believes both COVID-19 and the seasonal flu spread primarily by droplets made when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk. While not as frequent, it is also believed adults and children can contract COVID-19 or the flu by touching a surface or an object that has virus particles on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. The CDC continues to recommend a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses, but experts also emphasize the importance of cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily to help mitigate the potential spread from contaminated surfaces. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

To limit exposure and control the spread of these double threats, SERVPRO recommends you wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol, keep your hands away from your face, and wear a mask to protect others. For effective daily, routine cleaning at home or at work, we recommend first removing surface grime and dirt with soap and water, then following up with a disinfectant. It is easier to feel comfortable about limiting exposure at home where you can control how clean your surroundings are. It is more difficult out in public; but this year especially, it is important to be aware of the space you are in. You need to learn to recognize spaces where cleaning is – or is not – a priority so you can adjust your behavior accordingly.

For those home and business owners who have specialized cleaning requirements or who simply want the peace of mind that a professional cleaning service can offer in this stressful time, SERVPRO of Apopka / Wekiva can help. While we remain a leader in disaster cleanup and remediation situations, we also provide that same ‘deeper level of clean’ for everyday residential and commercial cleaning. In addition, SERVPRO offers their "Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned" program, developed for businesses in response to the pandemic. The high level of confidence that a professionally cleaned space provides offers welcome reassurance to patrons as the flu season intersects with COVID-19.

SERVPRO specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup, and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened,” for both commercial and residential customers. For more information on SERVPRO of Apopka / Wekiva please call 407-788-3124. For more information on the "Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned" program, please click here. 

Duct Cleaning in Apopka, FL

10/16/2020 (Permalink)

Since the ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality, inspecting the ductwork should be a high priority. In most cases, the HVAC system has been operating for some time without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminants such as mold and irritating dust throughout your building or home.

A routine part of SERVPRO’s service is inspecting the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping the HVAC system and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which may save you money.

Unlike the majority of duct cleaning services, we use a Portable Ventilation & Air Duct Cleaning System to examine ductwork and make a clean sweep, removing years of dust and grime.

Our Process:

• The process begins by using patented equipment including a roto-scraper, which automatically adapts to the ducts’ shape and diameter while traveling through the duct, removing debris and filth before vacuuming beings.
• Next, a powerful push-pull air delivery and collection system transfers the debris from the ducting to a 16-gallon container.
• Air is filtered through a HEPA filtration system, removing 99.97 percent of particles in the airstream. HEPA filters capture debris and keep the environment clean.
• As an optional process, a sealant or coating product may be sprayed to address odor or microbial concerns.
• Filters will either be cleaned or replaced to remove odor and dirt.

We Can Help:

• Remediate Bacteria, Fungi, and Mold
• Reduce Potential for Mold Growth
• Restore Peak Energy Efficiency
• Eliminate Odors

We Have the Solutions!

8/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Apopka/Wekiva has the unique ability to help property owners in a variety of ways. Disasters come in many shapes and sizes. With over three decades of experience we have seen most everything. We cannot say everything because even in the decades of helping our neighbors in the Orlando, FL Area, we still see new things. But here are a few disasters we commonly take care of.

Water Damage – We see water damages from all kinds of sources. Busted pipes, malfunctioning appliances, human accidents or neglect, and ground flooding to name a few common sources. No matter the cause, or the epic story that explains it, we have a solution to return you to normal “Like it never even happened.”

Fire and Smoke Restoration – A fire can be very a huge inconvenience but it is not the end of the world. Many times, you would be surprised at how much of your personal property can be restored. We specialize in cleaning and deodorizing anything from family heirlooms, documents, to the very walls in your home or business.

Mold Remediation – With naturally high levels of humidity in the area of the country we live in mold can be an issue if a water intrusion is not properly taken care of. 

Bio Hazard Clean Up – This area of our work is not enjoyable to talk about but many times it is necessary. We have the training and experience to properly clean up any area they may have the threat of blood born pathogens being present. These cases include trauma and crime scene clean up.

These are by no means the only services we offer. Frankly, whatever mankind or mother nature can throw at a structure, we can more than likely assist in the restoration.

SERVPRO Talks About Water Removal Equipment in Orlando

12/19/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the water extraction equipment to remove the water and dry your property.

Applying Different Procedures to Ease Water Removal in Affected Orlando Properties

Water intrusion into a building can happen in many ways. Removing the water from the building fast is crucial after such an incident to restore normalcy and prevent secondary damages. The level of difficulty varies in each case of water removal depending on whether there are crawlspaces, stairwells, and basements, or whether the water reaches into wall cavities or HVAC systems.

The method chosen for water removal from affected Orlando properties depends on the amount of water and the types of surfaces. We train our SERVPRO crews with different removal procedures including;

• Wet vacuuming
• Pumping
• Draining
• Absorption with towels and mops

Wet vacuuming requires an extractor with enough lift capacity. Truck-mounted extractors provide such lift when dealing with a vast area. Our SERVPRO technicians also use portable extractors to remove water localized in smaller spaces or when dealing with hard to reach areas. Wet vacuuming is suitable for all floor types. Our technicians use carpet wands for carpeted areas and squeegee wands for wooden or other hard floors to avoid damaging the surfaces.

Pumping helps remove water from the affected property. Pumping is perfect for eliminating high volumes of standing water before starting wet vacuuming. It is, therefore, appropriate for areas such as basements where considerable amounts of water accumulate. For better efficiency, our SERVPRO technicians use submersible pumps when standing water is more than 2 inches.

Some of the water that intrudes into the house might end up trapped in unusual areas such as the ceiling, HVAC duct lines, wall cavities, or within a concrete block. The best way to remove such water is by draining it because, in most cases, there is no access for tools to extract the water. Our SERVPRO technicians apply different methods to drain the water. For example, we can drill ¼-inch weep holes on a ceiling panel or concrete block to release the trapped water.

Fast and efficient removal of water from a building helps prevent severe damages. Call SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva at (407) 788-3124 to help. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

More about Orlando.

Primary Factors Restorers Use For Water Cleanup In Your Orlando Area Home

11/10/2019 (Permalink)

Let us help make a difference for your Orlando water damage.

SERVPRO strives to always be there for your Orlando water damage.

We all know how drying your Orlando home, and its contents quickly are essential. However, you might not know how four primary factors can affect the amount of time required to dry everything caught within the affected area. Remember, the rule of “wet goes to dry,” still applies here. 

It helps to understand when dealing with water cleanup on your Orlando area property that moisture moves from wet materials to drier materials or wet air to drier air, seeking equilibrium naturally. Dry air absorbs moisture from wet surfaces while dry surfaces absorb moisture from wet air. 

Each of the four primary factors for drying can affect the overall drying process SERVPRO technicians use in your home. However, years of training and expertise, access to advanced equipment, and resources make our team a quick, effective solution you can count on to get back on your feet after a flood.

Temperature: Drying occurs faster when technicians have control over the environment. SERVPRO uses portable heaters to maintain an ideal temperature in the affected areas, avoiding overheating that often leads to what we call indoor-rain. 

Amount of Water: SERVPRO uses water extractors to pump water out as quickly as possible. By removing more water with extractors, we shorten the time dehumidifiers might take to normalize moisture levels in the area since a liquid is faster to remove than a gas. 

Humidity: Relative humidity (RH) refers to the amount of moisture the air currently holds at a given temperature. RH is the ratio of water vapor present in the air compared to the highest amount of water vapor the air could hold. 

• An RH level of 30% to 50% is what the majority of people consider comfortable.
• RH over 60% can drastically slow drying time since the air is nearly saturated.

Proper use of dehumidifiers typically allows SERVPRO technicians to lower relative humidity in an affected area to below 40% within 24-hours of starting the drying process. Dehumidifiers can lower RH to lower than 30%, so constant supervision is required.

Air Movement: Blowing the damp air out and bringing warm, dry air back into the affected area drastically improves drying speed. Positioning air movers throughout the area can help thoroughly dry various surfaces.

SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva provides water cleanup and restoration services throughout the area, call today. (407) 788-3124

To learn more about Orlando, click here.

Dealing with Bad Fire Damage in Your Orlando Home

10/25/2019 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO to mitigate damages that fire might have done to your home.

Why SERVPRO Is the Choice for Wrap-Around Fire Damage Restoration in Orlando

A fire igniting in your Orlando home creates an aftermath that can be overwhelming. The relief felt after you and your family made it to safety comforts, but viewing the chaos inside your house after the firefighters leave creates waves of worry and stress. Finding a full-spectrum fire mitigation and remediation partner is vital, why we invest in multiple certifications for our employees, and a comprehensive inventory of commercial-grade restoration equipment. 

Preliminary Fire Recovery Tasks

When you experience household fire damage in Orlando, the extent of collateral harm due to the blaze is staggering. First on the agenda is securing any exterior damage, including boarding up and tarping broken windows and breaches in siding or roofs. Then the water and chemical extinguishing foam and chemicals from firefighting efforts must receive attention. Our decision to provide the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained crews is why we manage all aspects of contaminated water removal and structural drying efficiently. Containing and lawfully disposing of the hazardous fluids clears the decks and provides a safer environment for fire debris and residue cleanup.

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

Our team switches focus on removing airborne particles and gases, setting up negative pressure air scrubbers filtering solid pollutants in the affected spaces. This equipment helps limit residual odors and contains the residues to prevent additional spread into other areas of your home. Evaluation of the characteristics of the residues on surfaces is best done by our Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT), why SERVPRO can match products and cleaning methods appropriately to each manifestation of soot in your dwelling. 

Inspection and Removal of Charring

Restoration is less disruptive and costly than tear-outs and repairs, why SERVPRO uses innovative strategies to strip charred surfaces to clean wood. If we are confident of their strength and integrity after treatment, we arrange for building material refinishing. Sometimes we recommend sealing if we fear smoky odors are deeply embedded. 

Rebuilding Options

Some fire damage is too severe to remediate, which is why SERVPRO relies on our General Contractor License to arrange for repairs and rebuilding. Offering construction services eliminates the need for you to line up additional service providers as we restore the damage to your home. We also work closely with your insurer throughout the project, limiting your out of pocket expenses with our careful documentation.

The ability to take most projects from assessment to completion is why SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva is a good fit after household fire damage. Call us at (407) 788-3124 as the firefighters pack up, ensuring a fast assessment and project planning.

Click here to learn more about the city of Orlando.

Our Certified Experts Use State Of The Art Equipment When Restoring Your Orlando Home

10/3/2019 (Permalink)

Our crews arrive at a water loss and begin unloading equipment to be set. Our response time is promised to be within 4 hours of the first phone call.

Common Issues Seen in Orlando Homes After DIY Water Damage Cleanup

Even though each water damage event in a home is unique, the basic tenents and actions for the cleanup and restoration are primarily the same, so mitigation happens in an orderly and organized method.

Odors are a common reason for SERVPRO to visit an Orlando house after DIY water damage cleanup occurred, but residents still notice a musty smell or the area seems to hold humidity. Both of these issues are giveaways there is still a problem, and that water is lurking within the property.

Why SERVPRO?

The technicians have access to a broad range of equipment that assists them in tracking water migration, finding hidden moisture and complete water extraction, so homeowners have the assurance of a successful water loss cleanup and restoration the first time.

Complete Water Extraction

Water removal from the property is crucial for proper drying. When there is a water loss in the home, SERVPRO technicians use their advanced moisture detection equipment to scope the residence and determine the migration path of water. This may involve the removal of baseboards to extract moisture within wall cavities or under built-in structures such as cabinets.

Complete Drying

Consumer-grade fans cannot adequately dry a structure. The industrial fans utilized by the technicians are actually centrifugal air movers. They deliver airflow at a high velocity which in turn causes a reaction that makes embedded moisture rise to the surface. As the moisture comes up, it is captured and ported away by dehumidification equipment and creates a cycle of progressively drier air. When needed, they have access to special attachments for forcing air within hard-to-reach spaces.

Removal of Scents

When moisture sits, it smells. The dank, musty odor left behind by water damage diminishes as the structure dries; however, other odor control treatments are sometimes necessary. The technicians have light applications such as time-release gel pellets or more focused methods like thermal fogging to eradicate stubborn odors.

SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva is ready to help homeowners with any stage of water damage cleanup or restoration. Call the emergency response team at (407) 788-3124, and they will arrive soon after your call to restore your home to its preloss condition "Like it never even happened."

See more about Orlando.

Why We Are The Leader In Hurricane Restoration In Orlando

9/21/2019 (Permalink)

Hurricanes are a big problem here in Florida and Flooding can happen. We are available 24/7 with the state of the art equipment to help.

Why SERVPRO Can Handle All Aspects of Hurricane Restoration in Orlando

The quality level of the services you receive for damage to your Orlando home depends in large part upon the contractor’s commitment to up-to-date training and cutting-edge equipment. Even more important are the years in the business and dedication to provide an excellent customer experience. We built a team that is the match for the harm a hurricane brings on all points -- education, equipment, and expertise. Our firm foundation is why your call for hurricane relief should be to us.

Theory and Practicality

Orlando hurricane storm damage can be intense even though we escape the storm surge that plagues coastal areas. The high-velocity winds and torrential rains tear apart roofs and peels back siding. As water flows inside, structural components, fixtures, and personal belongings all risk deterioration, odor, and mold growth. Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained management and employees can assess your specific hurricane damage circumstances. Years of ranking tasks to ensure recovery efforts flow efficiently is why our team delivers successful results fast.

Commercial Grade Equipment

Rapid water removal, containment, and lawful disposal are the keys to transition your hurricane-damaged home to preloss condition. The fundamental nature of these tasks is why SERVPRO invests in high-quality and efficiency equipment. Submersible pumps and wanded extractors work at peak capacity to clear your home of the bulk of the water. Cleaning and disinfection follow before we employ air movers and heat to force absorbed water into a vapor. Dehumidifiers then capture the vapor to bring moisture levels to normal.

Sensitive Detection Tools

We use instruments that detect moisture levels in building materials and find hidden water to focus our final removal efforts. Some tools analyze the quantity of water absorbed into building materials. Infrared cameras use temperature fluctuations to locate pooled water in building cavities. If needed, we carefully cut out sections of walls and punch holes in ceilings to release water and enhance our ability to dry all spaces in your home completely.

Completed Restoration and the Compassionate Touch

After the remediation finishes, repairs and rebuilding arranged by our team commence. Interior and exterior reconstruction are often needed after hurricane damage, and when completed in a timely, respectful, and compassionate manner give you and your family the confidence to reclaim your home.

A solid foundation of restoration skills and attention to details is why SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva is a hurricane recovery industry leader. Call our phones at (407) 788-3124 day or night to arrange for assessment and project planning.

See more about Orlando.

We Are The Leading Restoration Service For Orlando Residents

8/23/2019 (Permalink)

We operate restoration services for the recovery of storm, fire, water, and mold-related property incidents.

Why SERVPRO Is The Leading Restoration Service For Residents Of Orlando, Florida

Genuine, local experience is a vital commodity in home restoration services. What works in one home may not be as effective in your Orlando home due to architectural differences, needs, and construction materials. As a locally owned and operated company, we know what works as well as what does not, so we can adopt a tailored approach to your property emergency using our experience and our expertise in equal measure. SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva is a restoration service with a proven track record in returning local residences to their preloss condition after water, fire, mold, or storm-related disasters.

Fire
Classifying a property with fire damage in Orlando does not merely cover combustion, but also soots, smoke deposits and odor control. Forgetting to open your flue can require a fire restoration technician (FRT) to restore the damages, just as an actual kitchen fire requires one. SERVPRO offers local technicians who understand the unique architecture of your home and can put in place a solid gameplan to restore your home on-time in a stress-free way.

Different properties require different fire restoration services. SERVPRO technicians are trained to conduct a pre-test of your home to make sure the procedure we adopt is going to have the correct outcome. This test may require furniture to be removed or some appliances to be dismantled. Your heating HVAC unit (ventilation and air conditioning) unit need to be inspected for damages as well as attic spaces or exterior walls in your Orlando home.

Making sure that all soiling is adequately removed plays a central role in ensuring odors are kept under control. SERVPRO technicians can refer back to the results of their pre-test to ensure that fabrics or upholstery do not suffer further damage during the cleaning process. Exterior brickwork can be pressure washed to avoid outdoor smoke odors returning to the interior of the home. By combining our experience and know-how with a tailored pre-test, we can make sure that your home has its best chance of completing a full recovery after a fire.

Water
Washrooms are a common area where water damage to your Orlando home may be an issue. Typical tiled flooring and the sealant beneath it can wear or crack with persistent exposure to moisture. These issues can often go unnoticed until paintwork begins to peel on the below ceiling or unpleasant odors arise. SERVPRO water restoration technicians are available to help trace the extent of damage and take action to prevent it from becoming an issue.

There may be some scenarios where tiling must be removed to access the floor below and dry the affected area. However, the situation is complicated by visual barriers that make it impossible to get a full picture of the extent of the damage. Using thermal imaging cameras, SERVPRO technicians can find hidden moisture pockets and avoid removing tiles that do not need removing. In a minor scale water incident, we can place drying mats directly onto tiles and extract water from below. If we do need to take out tiling, you can rest assured we do replace them, just as they were before the water incident.

It is not always possible to restore your Orlando home without any lasting issues. Sometimes, you might need to enlist the help of a contractor to repair plumbing or structural issues. SERVPRO can leverage trusted contacts in the industry and work with them on your behalf to provide these services, so you only have to deal with one company throughout. Our technicians are used to providing transparent restoration services, and we end every service by conducting a walkthrough with you, the homeowner, to explain issues and outcomes.

Mold
Microbial infestations can build up in less-used regions of your Orlando home. Storage spaces are particularly vulnerable with typically less protection from outer elements than in your living spaces. These hidden damages can be distressing for a homeowner who has stored away valuable items or clothing only to find it severely impaired by a microbial growth issue. SERVPRO mold remediation technicians work with a restore over replace mentality that could help us to salvage some, if not all, of your precious items.

The discovery of mold damage in your Orlando home should drive you to enlist professional help immediately. Some items that may appear non-salvageable can be given special treatment that restores them to a preloss condition. SERVPRO Esporta washing machines are capable of removing up to 99% of soiling and stains, while our ultrasonic immersion cleaning equipment is exceptionally useful on denser items like precious metals or jewelry.

We can clean items on-site before packing them up to an external storage facility for further restoration services. Damages to walls or structure generally respond well to disinfectants and agitative cleaning methods. However, the necessary procedure is to shut off the source of water. Slow leaks, gaps in a structure, or damp spots are the usual culprits for mold growth. By accessing these areas, we can prevent mold issues from recurring over and over, allowing us to complete the job on-time while assuring the homeowner that all preventative measures against recurring damages have been carried out.

Storm
In case of a flood, owners need a restoration service they can reach out to at any time of day. At SERVPRO, we operate our emergency call lines round the clock to provide residents in this community with solutions to storm damage in Orlando. Leaving a flooded property overnight can intensify the level of harm to contents and structure with moisture migrating from the primary source throughout the home. Our restorers are available on-call to perform vital mitigation tasks in your Orlando property.

The immediate task for a SERVPRO restorer is to reduce standing water levels as quickly as possible. Using gas-powered pumping equipment, we can withdraw water of all contamination levels to a nearby open sewer point. These pumps are fully-submersible and active until the standing water level drops below two inches. We can then set to work discarding solid waste, debris, or non-salvageable materials.

Extracting standing water does not solve the problem completely; there is still work to do. SERVPRO technicians can mobilize truck-mounted extraction equipment to vacuum moisture from home up to 1,200 times faster than using dehumidification equipment. During this process, we can clean stains to furnishings as well as float carpets to ensure floors are properly dry inside and out. At the end of service, our technicians can forward the paperwork to your insurance adjuster for a stress-free claim procedure.

SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva is a local company with access to national-level resources. We operate restoration services for the recovery of storm, fire, water, and mold-related property incidents. Contact us anytime at (407) 788-3124 today.

https://www.orlando.gov/Home

Are Storms Flooding Your Orlando Home with Water Damage?

2/6/2019 (Permalink)

Storms occur in Florida frequently. Call SERVPRO Franchise professionals to restore your home.

Severe Weather Can Flood Orlando Homes

With more recent devastating hurricanes like Irma and Michael that have taken their toll on the state of Florida, Orlando residents are more steadfast than ever before about the possibility of flooding for their homes. Disasters can strike this area in a moment’s notice, and with so many homes throughout the area, widespread flooding can impact many homeowners simultaneously.

While flood damage in Orlando can vary from property to property, your home requires immediate attention and remedial efforts regardless of the severity of the flooding that you experience. Most homeowners lack the specialized equipment and expertise to recover their homes after a disaster like this, so they rely on the availability of professional restoration technicians like our SERVPRO Franchise professionals.

Though resources can get stretched thin through widespread flooding through the communities that we serve, our experienced team responds to every address promptly to provide the same level of care and consideration that your property requires to get restored fully.  It is essential to reach out to our team as quickly as you can following a disaster like this so that the appropriate personnel can reach you for estimations, assessments, and mitigation efforts.

With the speed that floodwater can damage your home, you need counteractions that work as effectively. Our SERVPRO Franchise professionals arrive with advanced equipment like our truck-mounted pumps and gas-powered extractors to offer fast removal of excess water. We also have efficient drying equipment that can prove instrumental in preserving the structural skeleton of your flood-damaged home. We can identify the best locations to use machines like our air movers and desiccant dehumidifiers, which both work together to remove moisture and dry out affected elements.

Flooding can occur with little warning when the right storm system is passing through central Florida. With the speed with which these disasters can affect your home, trust in the team that can respond to your emergency just as quickly. You can reach our SERVPRO of Apopka – Wekiva rapid response team 24/7 by calling (407) 788-3124.

Read about Orlando’s beginnings here.

Is Storm Damage Causing Water to Enter Into Your Orlando Home?

2/5/2019 (Permalink)

Florida has lots of storms and they frequently cause damage to homes.

Depend on Orlando-Based Water Removal Services After a Flood 

Living adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean can sometimes mean that your home may become flooded, and you may need to get in contact with a professional company that can provide water removal assistance. A storm hit your home, and the harsh winds forced an opening into your home, through a window. Over the next several hours, as the storm continued, puddles of water began to gather in your living room and stagnate there. 

No matter the time, if you find flood damage in your home, it is essential for you to contact local Orlando-based water removal services. Getting in contact with professionals as quickly as possible ensures the smoothest remediation possible. The longer that you wait, the more likely it is for further damages inside your home to make themselves known. To prevent complications, such as mold damage, get in contact with professional help as soon as you can. 

SERVPRO Franchise professionals have a hard-earned reputation of being dependable and friendly. We always strive to be kind to our customers and inform them of the situation in their home. Furthermore, we always makes an effort to arrive at your home as soon as possible after your call, because we understand that it is essential to get the water out of your home as quickly as possible. 

When we get your call, our IICRC-techs can rush to your home with advanced equipment that is designed to take the water out swiftly. After an explanation of the damage and our solution, we can get to work straight away, using tools like wet/dry vacuums and extractors to remove the puddles along your living room floor. To dry out your flooring that absorbed the water throughout the night, we can use drying mats, and dehumidifiers pull the moisture out of the panels. Once we finish, our SERVPRO Franchise professoinals can return your home returned to preloss conditions in most cases.

If your home floods from a storm, always get help. Speak with SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva by calling (407) 788-3124. Our doors are open 24/7, and we always have technicians ready to help you.  

Orlando was originally known as Jernigan.  Read more here.

Will A Failing Water Heater Damage Your Apopka Home?

1/24/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know that a failing water heater is one of the top five sources of residential water damage?

Why SERVPRO is the Smart Choice for Water Removal Services in Your Apopka Home

A common issue in homes, including in Apopka, is water heater failure. Most of these issues result from a sudden burst or a slow leak. Since these devices usually reside in a closet or somewhere else out of sight, you can wind up with a big problem on your hands. Therefore, taking steps to reduce these risks is essential to keep your home dry and safe.  

A failing water heater is one of the top five sources of residential water damage. If your home’s water heater has created a water disaster like this, get in touch with SERVPRO staff right away for water removal services in Apopka that are top-notch. We have been professionally trained and equipped to handle all kinds of water damage emergencies and respond to your call quickly, so it is not difficult to see why SERVPRO is the choice you should make to restore your home.  

You can many times avoid water heater failure by taking a few simple steps. First of all, know how old your water heater is. If it has reached its life expectancy, the risk of a sudden burst or slow leak goes up. When your water heater has burst and dumped water all over your floor, SERVPRO techs can arrive at your home fast to pump the standing water out with truck-mounted pumps. We also have dehumidifiers and industrial fans to help dry the area out quickly to avoid mold growth.  

Another thing to check is the anode rod of your water heater. These are installed to help stop corrosion of the tank. You should inspect it every two years and at least once per year once the warranty has expired. You also need to clean out your water heater on a regular basis. Sediment can be removed by flushing out the tank every six months. Attach a garden hose at the base to the valve there to do so. Make sure you first turn the power off and run hot water until it cools before you flush the tank.  

Get a professional plumber to inspect the water heater piping and shut-off valve once per year. Signs of rust, lose or wet joints and broken valves are all signals that more severe damage is possible.  

SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva can come to the rescue after your water heater in your home in Lockhart, Zellwood, or Tangerine fails. With the amount of water these appliances can unleash on your home, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (407) 788-3124 any time you need.

Click here to read about Wekiwa Springs State Park.

Could You Be Making a Costly Mistake When Improperly Assessing a Water Damage Remediation Team in Lockhart?

12/23/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage can stem from either external and internal sources. Contact SERVPRO when facing standing water in your home.

Things to Consider When Sourcing a Water Removal Service in Lockhart

There is a litany of factors to consider when it comes to picking a restoration provider. Property damages are universal which means there are many options to choose from. Time is also a factor which can often add extra pressure to your choice. Here are a few of the things we think are essential to consider when it comes to dealing with property damages and how to make the right choice.

When you need water removal in Lockhart, the first thing you should be considering is how quickly you can arrange a service. Standing water can cause extensive damage if left too long because saturated materials are significantly weaker when wet. SERVPRO uses technicians that live and work in this community. We operate a 24-hour call line and can arrange a service with you, by phone, within one hour of notification of loss.

Although time is undoubtedly a factor, you should consider the quality of the service you choose. One of the critical aspects to look for is evidence of certifiable training. The IICRC is a nationally recognized qualification for restoration services and should be top of your list when picking a restoration company. SERVPRO uses technicians with IICRC certificates in applied structural drying, odor control, and many other vital areas.

One of the reasons qualifications are so necessary is that they guarantee expertise. The small details like knowing how and where to find residual moisture or the dangers of leaving it behind are essential to restoring the property to preloss conditions. Neglecting these aspects can put your property at risk of expensive secondary damages like mold or mildew growth. SERVPRO uses equipment, experience, and industry-leading training to ensure we protect your property for the long haul, not just for a single service.

Finally, removing water is not always as simple as using a pump. We are a local company with access to equipment that is expensive and difficult to attain. Whether we are using advanced drying mats, truck-mounted extractors, rapid air-movers or moisture, and humidity meters, you can trust that using our service gives you access to some of the most advanced technology in the industry.

For a local service with industry-leading expertise and equipment, contact SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva at (407) 788-3124 today.

Click here for more about Lockhart.

What Happens When the Roof on Your Orlando Home Leaks?

12/13/2018 (Permalink)

Leaky roof? Call SERVPRO to restore the water damage to your home.

Roof Vulnerabilities Can Cause Water Damage in Orlando Homes

With the significant storms that pass through Central Florida and Orlando throughout the year, many homes and businesses remain at risk for developing roof vulnerabilities. While these situations might become very clear if the roof were to collapse in a portion of the property entirely,  this is not always the way homeowners learn about the issue. Many homeowners might not know about an issue until the moisture from penetrating water affects the levels beneath the attic space in the higher trafficked areas.

By the time that Orlando homeowners recognize water damage penetrating to the level beneath their basement, the problem has already reached a critical point. Our rapid response team can help by offering a 24-hour emergency response to water damage situations. We provide comprehensive solutions that work to dry out the damaged elements and restore the effects that the penetrating water has caused.

Our commitment to our you includes providing a full-service option that covers every aspect of restoration from the initial inspection through completion. That is why our SERVPRO franchise has trained professionals in all of the industry niches including water restoration, mold remediation, and licensed contractors with the ability to repair structural damages to the roof. Once our team arrives at your home, these contractors can tarp over the damaged portion of roof or board up the affected area to prevent further penetration while the mitigation work for extracting the excess water and drying up the dampness throughout the area gets underway.

With the time that it takes for many homeowners to know there is a problem with their roof, situations could worsen by allowing colonization of mold spores throughout the now damp area of the attic. Our SERVPRO remediation specialists are among the best in the field due to our continued educational approach. We seek to provide our customers with competent technicians who are ready for anything they could face in the field.

While you might not initially know that you have a compromised roof, knowing that you have experienced professionals that can help you take care of all of the damages can provide some peace of mind. Give our SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva technicians a call anytime at (407) 788-3124.

Lake Eola is a giant sinkhole.  Read more fun facts about Orlando here.

Fire in Your Orlando Property! Make the Call to SERVPRO

11/20/2018 (Permalink)

Why Homeowners in Orlando Call SERVPRO for Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration? We're Faster To Any Size Disaster

Recovering After a Fire in Your Orlando Home

Disasters that impact your Orlando home can feel overwhelming, especially when the damage is widespread and varied. Fires can change from home to home, offering a different look for experienced professional restorers like ours to prepare for, and making it improbable for homeowners to restore or repair on their own.

Fire damages to your Orlando home are often far more widespread than the actual heart of the fire itself. While first responders and firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the blaze, this often has damaging effects of its own to face. Our SERVPRO technicians undergo extensive training to obtain their IICRC certifications for fire restoration, giving them the education and understanding to tackle any facet of fire damage that could exist on your property. They are even encouraged to continue this educational pursuit through in-house coursework and online classes to obtain other certifications and skill sets that make them better able to care for your fire-damaged home.

From the moment that our team arrives at your home, we get to work on assessing the full scope of the damage to help provide your insurance company with the necessary information to approve a claim. Even while this is happening, we can begin our mitigation work such as handling water damage present from the extinguishment. In conjunction with the water removal we can set up barriers, hydroxyl generators and air scrubbers to immediately begin to reduce the foul odors from the fire. Improving IAQ indoor air quality is a key factor in SERVPRO protecting their customers from adverse effects.

Our SERVPRO franchise focuses on having the most modern and advanced equipment available to our technicians to offer the best quality and prompt services to all of our customers. Equipment such as our gas-powered pumps and ROVER extractors can remove pooling water from affected areas fast. We have efficient drying techniques as well by combining our air movers to force moisture into the environment with our dehumidifiers which trap and remove this moisture from the area.

Recovering from a fire in your home does not have to be more stressful than it already is. You can depend on the fast response and experienced technicians we have at SERVPRO of Apopka-Wekiva. Give our response team a call anytime that disaster strikes at (407) 788-3124.

Big City, Big Fire Department. CLICK

Spot Cleaning Tips & Tricks

3/25/2018 (Permalink)

·         Wax-We’ve all had it happen. Our favorite candle overflows and wax gets all over our furniture. Or, in my case, my cat knocked over a wax warmer and the wax spilled down the wall and onto the carpet. With this tip we will help you get the wax out. If the wax is colored, chances are that no amount of cleaning will rid you of the new colored area. For hard surfaces, such as tables or countertops (or your wall), allow the wax to cool completely and harden. Then it can be easily scrapped off of the surface and thrown away or re-melted (if you’d like to attempt it again). Removing the wax from your carpet it a bit trickier. You’ll want to grab your iron and a white towel. Turn the iron on to the lowest setting (most carpet is made of synthetic fibers, so this step is VERY important). Then fold your white towel in half and place it over the wax. With even pressure and a steady movement, apply the iron to the top of the towel. This will cause the wax to begin to melt and then transfer to the towel. Again, any stain from the color of the wax will stay on both surfaces. If you choose to try to treat the color issue, we recommend that you contact our office so that we can use professional products on the stain. The products sold over the counter have brighteners in them which can cause bleaching where they were used when you have your carpets cleaned next.

·         Red Wine- First-BLOT, don’t rub! You can also try to use the towel & iron method on this type of stain if it is a fresh stain. It should pull SOME of the color out. Red wine contains natural dyes, which are cleaned differently than synthetic dyes like you would find in most wax. Once you’ve tried that, if you still need to extract more color, contact our office. We have special cleaning techniques that may allow for greater success when used as soon as possible.

·         Blood- In the case of a major clean up job, it’s always best to call in the professionals. Sometimes though, you might have a couple of small drops of blood on your carpet. You can get a cup of ICE water. It is important that the water be as cold as possible. Then pour a little water on each spot. You’ll probably notice that the blood will pool up in the water. Once you’ve covered the spots in ice water, you can go back and BLOT the spots up. This trick usually works very well.

·         Paint- Well, there’s not much you can do in this case except for a very HEAVY rinse. The area will need to be saturated and then extracted. This is the type of stain you want to keep wet with a wet towel until our technicians can get to your location. They will then use the truck-mounted extraction system to extract as much paint as possible. Once the paint is extracted a good cleaning will help make sure your carpet doesn’t get that crunchy feeling.

Some important things to keep in mind: Stains are all going to be in one of two categories, natural or synthetic. Knowing which category your stain fits into will help you and your SERVPRO professionals determine the best course of action in handling your issue. 

Vacuuming Tips & Tricks

3/25/2018 (Permalink)

Most people in the Orlando, Winter Springs and even the Winter Garden area have just enough time to run the vacuum over their traffic areas before company arrives. But did you know that there is a proper way to vacuum and that it will also affect the lifespan of your carpet? The following tips from the Carpet & Rug Institute are very helpful. For more information on carpet care, please visit their web site at www.carpet-rug.org

Vacuuming 101

Proper vacuuming is the easiest and most effective way to keep your carpet clean. Regular vacuuming can also have the largest impact on the air you breathe.

To get the most out of your vacuuming regime, remember these few easy tips:

• A quick once-over doesn’t do much. Slow and steady does the trick.
• When vacuuming, don’t ignore those corners and crevices where dust builds.
• “Top-down” cleaning saves you the step of vacuuming again after dusting. Dust blinds, windowsills, and furniture surfaces first and then vacuum away any fallen dust.
• Remember to replace or empty vacuum bags when they are half to two-thirds full.

How Often Should You Vacuum?

As a rule of thumb, you should vacuum at least once a week with a quality vacuum cleaner. However, the more foot traffic over your carpet, the more you need to vacuum. The general formula is:

• Vacuum daily in high-traffic or pet areas.
• Vacuum twice weekly in medium-traffic areas.
• Vacuum weekly in light-traffic areas, using attachments at carpet edges.

What to Do If You Have Bats in Your Home

3/25/2018 (Permalink)

Bats. Bat infestations are becoming a more common problem in central Florida for homeowners throughout Orlando including the areas of Apopka, Altamonte Springs, Ocoee, Winter Park, Sanford, Winter Garden, Oviedo, and Maitland Florida. Bats are the only flying mammal and like to have a private space away from predators and bad weather. Where is a good Place? You’re Attic of Course! Here is a list that may be helpful in determining if you have an issue at your property with bats:

·         Are there a large number of bats outside the building? 

·         Has anyone heard scratching or squeaking noises from walls, the chimney, or attic?

·         Are there unexplained stains on walls and ceilings?

·         Are there rub marks on the outside of the building around areas with holes or cracks? 

Bats can carry different diseases that can harm humans in many ways. Rabies being one of the illness. The other is Histoplasmosis. The Mayo Clinic defines it as:

An infection caused by breathing in spores of a fungus often found in bird and bat droppings. Histoplasmosis is most commonly transmitted when these spores become airborne, often during cleanup or demolition projects.

As a side effect of bats living in a home, mold can start to grow in the bat droppings

There is a specialized remediation process to remove the bat droppings from the attic space and dispose of them. SERVPRO Is highly trained in the remediation process for buildings and homes affected by bat infestations. We have completed everything from single family homes to major hotels.

During the removal process all materials that have come in contact with the bat droppings would have to be removed and disposed of under state regulations for bio Hazardous waste. The Items include:

Drywall, insulation, cloth materials, cardboard and wood (depending on the saturation of droppings)

If you have any concerns or think you may have had an infestation of bats, Please call us for an inspection.

Keep Your House Clean In Less Time!

3/25/2018 (Permalink)

Most of us have very busy lives. Family life has changed so much in the last 20-30 years that it’s almost unrecognizable to an older generation. Gone are the days where a mother would stay at home and take care of her house and her family while her husband went to work and provided for the family’s financial needs. Most households now have both spouses working to provide financially for the family. In the Central Florida area this is a very big thing. 

With the ever growing demand to get from place to place and to have our days constantly filled, how do you handle the chores at your house? We found this helpful chart on Pinterest. By breaking down normal household chores into daily, weekly, and monthly items, we found that it helps to make sure everything is accomplished without making anyone feel overwhelmed. Try it out and let us know what you think!

To print out your own copy of this chart, visit http://thriftydiydiva.com/free-cleaning-schedule-printable-daily-weekly-monthly/

How to Select A Carpet Cleaning Company

2/22/2018 (Permalink)

The following information comes from an article listed on IICRC.org, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification. This information is helpful when deciding which company should handle your carpet cleaning needs.

“Cleaning Carpet Can Be a Dirty Business” “Not All Scum Is In the Carpet” “Don’t Let them Pull The Rug Out From Under You” “Clean Your Carpets Without Cleaning Out Your Wallet” “Don’t Get Taken To The Cleaners.”  These clever phrases have appeared recently in newspaper articles and televised news programs across the nation warning consumers about carpet cleaning scam operations. The media has related horror stories of trusting consumers who have responded to low-price carpet cleaning specials only to become victims of unethical cleaners who refuse to honor the advertised price, intimidate the consumers and do poor quality work.

Bait-and-switch operators are prevalent in many industries, and the carpet cleaning industry is no exception. This does not mean that all carpet cleaners are rip-off artists. How do you know who is and who is not? The professional carpet cleaning industry has cited these scam activities as a major industry concern and is taking action to help eliminate unprofessional workmanship and unethical tactics. One of the leaders in this campaign is the IICRC, an international, non-profit organization that certifies cleaners who meet prescribed levels of technical proficiency and pledge to operate by a Code of Ethics.

To help educate consumers so they will not become victims of fraudulent practices within the cleaning industry, the IICRC has released a list of guidelines to consider when selecting a carpet cleaner.

• Price – If an advertised price sounds too good to be true – it is! Often carpet cleaners advertise a low price just to get their foot in the door. Use common sense; a low price usually equates to low quality for any product or service. Legitimate business people have expenses they must cover, including license, taxes, insurance, employee wages, and benefits, and quality tools of the trade. A professional carpet cleaner who must cover all of these business expenses and make a profit to stay in the business cannot afford to drive to your house for $5.95, much less clean a room of carpet when there.
• Quality – Never should the price of cleaning services be the sole criterion for selecting a carpet cleaner. A price that sounds high may not be a signal of a rip-off. In all professions, quality work deserves a quality price.
• Truth in Advertising – Read the fine print in advertised specials to find out exactly what the price includes, and request a firm price in writing before the work begins.
• Training – Professional cleaning firms require management and employees to engage in formal training in a variety of cleaning disciplines, and these educational efforts will be ongoing.  Consumers should ask about the formal training background of technicians who will be cleaning their carpet.
• Certification – Professional firms require technicians who have certification from organizations like the IICRC or through comparable franchise or independent training and testing organizations.
• Experience – The years of experience a firm has, combined with formal training programs, contribute significantly to the experience and proficiency of its employees.
• Knowledgeable – Professional firms employ and train technicians who have the ability to answer basic questions regarding carpet performance and maintenance, as well as spotting and cleaning.
• References – Consumers should ask for references from previous customers, and they should consult friends and business acquaintances about the reputation of the cleaning firm they are considering. Do not hesitate to call the Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau.
• Trade Associations – Professional cleaning firms are members of regional or national trade associations or other organizations that promote high ethical standards and continuing education. Look for trade association logos in advertising.
• Credibility – Community involvement through the Chamber of Commerce and/or professional business, charitable or similar organizations will be undertaken by concerned, caring professionals. Look for logos indicating involvement in these organizations.
• Method – Ask the cleaner which method of cleaning will be used and the advantages and disadvantages of this method compared to other methods.
• Proof – Never hesitate to ask for proof. Ask to see the cleaner’s certification card, business license and insurance certificate.
• No Pressure – Technicians must be courteous and willing to take the time to thoroughly explain the cleaning and to answer all questions. The consumer should never feel pressured.

There is no single criterion for selecting a carpet cleaning service. Several combined factors must be considered in the selection decision.