Insulation can work as an absorbent sponge after water intrusion.

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

We can help!

After a flood in a finished area of your home, do you ever wonder where the water went after hours of the flood incident? In many cases, the water ends up soaked inside the insulation behind the walls. This happens because the insulation works as an absorbent sponge, if it sits there long enough, it can cause microbial growth. So remember, if the affected area appears to be dry because the water is gone, the water has gone somewhere else. Feel free to reach out if you experience water damage and want to get an idea of the true extent of the damage, and understand what needs to be done to properly mitigate the water damage. Always remember that your local SERVPRO of Wheaton/Kensington is always here to help!

Can wooden floors be restored after buckling?

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

Call experienced professionals to assist with water damage!

Water damage can cause permanent damage if not mitigated properly and on time. Buckled floors are a good example of why prompt mitigation makes the difference between having to restore or replace. The reason behind wooden floors buckling after coming in contact with moisture or water is that wood expands gradually after contact with water or moisture for an extended period of time. Once wooden floors have buckled they are deemed non-salvageable and have to subsequently be replaced.

Another factor that deems post-flooded wooden floors non-salvageable is the category of water damage, if the water is considered contaminated or a category 3 water loss, it has to be replaced. Unfortunately, in that scenario, the floors cannot be returned to their prior flood conditions.

If you are experiencing any type of water damage or water intrusion give us a call, our team is experienced and capable of restoring and making it “Like it never even happened!”

Storm preparedness list!

6/20/2022 (Permalink)

Prepare before the storm strikes!

Are you prepared for an unexpected storm event? If not, this blog is for you! During the unpredictable weather in the month of June, we hear about rain storms but sometimes don’t imagine how intense they can truly be. It is always a good idea to plan ahead, just in case a true rainstorm unexpectedly strikes.

Firstly, make a plan. Create an evacuation plan for you, your family, and any pets. Choose a meeting place outside of your home, in case you are forced to evacuate.

Secondly, create an emergency kit to fill your household's needs. Make sure you add essentials like water, canned foods, a first aid kit, essential medication, etc. Remember to limit your emergency kit to items that are truly essential to you and your household.

Lastly, this will be crucial for preparedness, stay informed! Listen to the emergency weather alerts. Register to receive emergency alerts. Listen to your local officials when they urge you to take shelter in place or evacuate.

We hope these tips were helpful. We encourage you to research the resources that are made available to you in your community. As always, your local SERVPRO of Wheaton/Kensington franchise is here to help make it “Like it never even happened!”

Spider web or soot web?

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

Is this a spider web or soot web?

If you guessed soot web, you are correct! This web looks very similar to a spider web, however, they are created as the fire consumes oxygen and airborne soot particles begin to bond together. The floating smoke strands will rise sticking together and hanging on to the corners of the walls, ceiling fixtures, inside HVAC systems, etc. Smoke damage contains carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and chemicals such as acid gases, sulfur dioxide, etc.

Fire restoration can be a very comprehensive type of loss, depending on the extent of damage, you need an experienced restoration provider to assist with getting everything back together again. Our team is always here to help with fire restoration, soot damage, and content restoration. Another important thing to know is that we can help you through the insurance claim process, including requesting supplements if needed.

If you are going through a fire disaster and need expert help give us a call, your local SERVPRO of Wheaton/Kensingtonis always here to help!

3 Benefits of a duct cleaning

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

Call us for more details at (301)933-2425

Are you considering duct cleaning to complement your Spring cleaning plans this season? Well, you are in luck, not only are we offering a discounted rate this month but we are also sharing three reasons why you should have a duct cleaning performed in your home this Spring.

3 reasons why a duct cleaning will complement your spring cleaning

1. Better air quality- When you clean out your ducts, you are essentially cleaning the system that filters the air throughout your home. If you do not clean this periodically, you will collect dirt and debris over time. When purchasing a home, this is a service you want to consider, especially because you do not know when the last time the previous owner had this service performed. Cleaner ducts can potentially help improve allergy symptoms
2. A cleaner home- Have you ever noticed a thin layer of dirt in your home and wondered why you have to dust it off so frequently? Well, it is possible that your ducts are distributing this dirt throughout your home due to them not being cleaned in quite some time. A simple remedy to this is having a duct cleaning service.
3. HVAC efficiency- If your HVAC system is cluttered with dust and debris, it will perform accordingly. This means it will work overtime to reach your temperature goals, however, it will cost you more money in energy bills and strains your HVAC unit.

During the month of April, we are offering 10% off of our duct cleaning service. This offer does not include dryer vents or antimicrobial fog treatment. This is a limited-time offer and spots are limited. Feel free to reach out to take advantage of our special April 2022 offer.

We ask because we care!

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

This is the SERVPRO of Wheaton/Kensington way!

We know and understand that when an unexpected disaster strikes in your home or business the last thing you want to do is answer questions that seem insignificant. However, this is an important step to getting you back to your home's preloss condition. Not only do we ask questions to help equip our team properly prior to arrival, we also ask questions to help keep you, your family, and our team safe. When you call in, our trained team will ask you for the severity or extent of the damage, we might also ask for pictures. This helps us determine how much equipment, products, and materials will be needed in order to start the restoration process. 

 A question that many homeowners find strange is- When was your house built? We ask this because it is important for us to know whether your property has potential asbestos materials. As you may know, asbestos is not dangerous unless it is disturbed. If your home was built prior to the 1970’s we will collect material from your home and have it tested for asbestos. If it comes back positive, we will recommend asbestos abatement prior to reconstruction. This process helps keep everyone safe. 

 If you have any questions regarding our intake process, feel free to reach out, we are always here to help!

Water mitigation services from SERVPRO of Wheaton/Kensington

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

We are always here to help!

Water damage restoration services are one of the most common mitigation work calls that we get on a regular basis. In most cases, the homeowner or business owner did not expect it and is not prepared. This causes the client to feel helpless and distraught. We would like to share a few tips on how to react if this happens in your place of work or home.

• Broken water pipe- Turn off the main water shut-off valve, this will prevent further damage. If you do not know where it is, find it and label it for preparedness.
• Water intrusion from storm- If you can, unclog your outdoor drain so that water can have an exit route away from your home. This type of water is considered contaminated, you should not attempt to mitigate it yourself.
• Slow leak- If you discover a slow leak, have a plumber repair the broken pipe. Soon after the repair, call us to begin the water mitigation process to prevent mold/microbial growth.
• Appliance failure- If an appliance malfunctions, like a broken water line from the refrigerator or a dishwasher leak, we recommend that you shut off the water and begin water mitigation soon after. To prevent this, have your appliances and their water lines inspected from time to time.

Water damage is not a fun topic, we know, but it does happen! Be prepared. Reach out to your insurance provider and learn more about your water damage coverage. Have our contact information handy, just in case a disaster like this strikes your home or business. We are always here to help and make it “Like it never even happened.”

Caution, Frozen pipe weather ahead!

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

We are always here to help with your water restoration needs!

Happy winter of 2022, DMV! The weather in our area can be unpredictable sometimes and this winter season is no exception. We have already received our first snow storm of the season and next week we will receive the next. Along with snow, we are expecting low temperatures in the coming days. This is a recipe for broken pipes and potential water damage. Here are a few tips to know just in case you experience water damage due to a broken water pipe.

• Know where your main water shut-off valve is and shut it off if you have a leak
• Open your faucets so that thawing water can freely drain and relieve the pressure
• Use either a small space heater or a hair dryer to warm up the frozen pipe
• Give our team a call for water mitigation services

Water damage from a broken pipe is considered a category 3 water loss, per the IICRC. Our intention is to restore rather than replace, which is why we recommend that you access the water damage right away. Waiting for the water to dry on its own is not a proper way to mitigate water damage, this actually increases your chances for mold. If the water damage restoration cost is higher than your homeowners insurance deductible, we may recommend that you reach out to your insurance company to place a claim.
For expert advice on how to proceed after you experience water damage, give us a call, we are always here to help!

Cheers to a new year!

12/28/2021 (Permalink)

Cheers to the new year!

As we ring in the new year we would like to take a minute to reflect and share news of the year 2021. It has certainly been a rollercoaster kind of a year. Here is a quick recap.

This past year we grew in many ways, we welcomed a new Project Manager, Eli Morales. Eli brings years of experience and know-how to our team, we are very excited to have him! We also traveled to Texas when the polar vortex struck, our team was there for nearly 1 month helping get families back in their homes. We can’t forget to mention the fun moments, we were finally able to parade again this year! After a halt to the annual Poolesville tradition due to COVID, this year the town and local small businesses paraded once again. We truly enjoyed a day filled with delicious food and fun entertainment.

I digress, as we have gained team members, we will also say goodbye to a very important team member this year. Our General Manager, Philip Kirlew has decided to leave our team after 9 1/2 years. As he expressed, this was a difficult decision for Philip to make, as he was with our franchise through many ups and downs. We appreciate his many years of service, his exceptional leadership, and his hard work throughout the years. We wish him well in all of his future endeavors.

As we move forward into the new year, our team will once again pivot and evolve. We will focus on fine-tuning our current systems and potentially creating new systems in order to better our operation. We are excited to share big news in 2022! With that being said, cheers to a new year full of possibilities!

Real Christmas tree care tips

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

We wish you a safe holiday season!

Are you planning on purchasing a real tree for the upcoming holiday season? The aroma of a real tree is therapeutic and uplifting, however, a real tree does require special care. Here are a few care tips for the proper maintenance of your beautiful tree.

• Keep your tree hydrated by watering it regularly.
• Place your tree away from fireplaces, space heaters, or any other source of heat. Real trees do not typically spontaneously catch on fire, however, if it is dry enough and near heat, it is more likely to catch on fire.
• Do not decorate your tree with worn or malfunctioning lights, nor overload electrical outlets.
• Dispose of your tree properly after use, do not attempt to burn it in your fireplace.

We hope you enjoy this festive season with all of your beautiful decorations. Always remember that your local SERVPRO of Wheaton/Kensington is always here to help and make it “Like it never even happened.”