Christmas Safety Tips | Reston/Herndon

11/15/2023 (Permalink)

Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.

Holiday decorating:

Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn. The recommendation is at least 3 feet away.
Make sure to water your live trees on a regular basis.
Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

Holiday Entertaining

Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.

Before heading out, or to bed:

Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

Not So Fun Facts

More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles.
More than two of every five decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.

And Remember, SERVPRO of Reston/Herndon is here if the unfortunate happens 703-471-6040.

Be Prepared: Winter Storms Impact Your Business & Residential Home | Reston/Herndon

11/15/2023 (Permalink)

If you have storm damage, give us a call 703-471-6040.

You see a big winter storm in the forecast. What can you do to make sure you and your home are ready for it? Well, we’ve got a few tips for you. First of all, make a list of anything you need from the store and get there well before the storm is set to hit. Chances are, everyone in town will be doing the same thing, so give yourself plenty of time to make it through the store and get back home. Make sure you have some backup sources of heat such as space heaters. Also, having some flashlights or candles on hand is a great idea in case you lose power. You’ll need to make sure that you have a snow shovel to dig your way out and some rock salt so that you and your family don’t slip once you do. If you have pipes in any part of your house that is unheated or not insulated well, run cold water through them. Even a small trickle of water can help them not to freeze up. If they do freeze, you not only run the risk of not having water, but them bursting and causing water damage in your home that can be devastating. Make sure your windows and doors are sealed well to keep the warm air in and the cold air out! Sometimes, even with all this preparation, things are beyond our control.

Does winter storm damage have you worried about your business? We know how stressful that can be, especially in Northern Virginia! You could have a day that’s fifty degrees and sunny, and the next be stuck in your house because there is so much snow. With so much unpredictability in our weather, one thing you can depend on is that we are always here to help! With our 24 hour emergency services, we are faster to any size disaster. We know how important your business is. We also know you can’t run it effectively if you’re worried about how you’re going to get the water cleaned up from that pipe that froze and burst. So let us worry about that for you! We’ll do whatever you need to work with your schedule, insurance carrier and any other needs you may have. We know getting you back to preloss conditions as quickly as possible is the priority, so all of our managers and technicians are trained to be efficient and effective in their work. Let us take it from here.

Indoor Air Quality

11/8/2023 (Permalink)

Indoor Air Quality is important because it refers to the air we breathe everyday in our homes and at the work place. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of pollutants indoors can be 2 to 5 times higher than in the air outside. Indoor pollutants usually increase, however, after a fire, water or mold damage. One way to improve indoor air quality is through cleaning and restoration services provided by SERVPRO of Reston/Herndon Professionals.

Duct Inspection and Cleaning

Duct cleaning is often necessary following a fire or water damage situation. When contaminants such as soot enter a duct system, they must be cleaned out to restore the structure to preloss condition. Dirty ducts can be a source of re-soiling if they are not properly cleaned. Particles and contaminants in the system will be continually recirculated until they are removed from the system. After a fire, your SERVPRO of Reston/Herndon Professional can determine whether smoke has damaged your insureds’ HVAC system, if duct cleaning is needed and make recommendations about the best way to address any concerns.

Control Moisture and Mold Growth

Spend time educating your insureds that prompt response is key to preventing and controlling water damage and moisture problems. Moisture in a duct system can contribute to the growth of molds and other biological contaminants. Before a SERVPRO of Reston/Herndon Professional arrives, occupants can follow these simple steps to help reduce the likelihood of costly water and mold claims.

Correct any water leaks or standing water
Properly maintain humidifiers
Ensure proper ventilation of the area.

In many cases, your SERVPRO of Reston/Herndon Professionals can restore the HVAC system and ductwork to previous condition. You know SERVPRO of Reston/Herndon as an industry leader with a proven track record. You can be confident in the consistent quality service from a one-step vendor.

How Does Duct Cleaning Help?

11/8/2023 (Permalink)

A major factor in indoor air quality is inadequate ventilation. It should be noted that studies have shown almost half of the problems associated with poor indoor air quality are a result of poor ventilation. Therefore, attention has become focused on the need to clean the inside of the ventilation system.

How can this help?

By reducing the contaminants in the environment Effective duct cleaning can remove most of the contaminants in the ventilation system.
By reducing operating costs. Dirty ventilation systems are expensive ventilation systems. The restriction caused by dirt buildup inside the system increase the costs of operating the system.
By reducing maintenance costs. Dirty ventilation systems will also increase floor, carpet, wall and ceiling cleaning. If the system is dirty, it will carry dirt into the indoor environment.

Your

How can this help?

By reducing the contaminants in the environment Effective duct cleaning can remove most of the contaminants in the ventilation system.
By reducing operating costs. Dirty ventilation systems are expensive ventilation systems. The restriction caused by dirt buildup inside the system increase the costs of operating the system.
By reducing maintenance costs. Dirty ventilation systems will also increase floor, carpet, wall and ceiling cleaning. If the system is dirty, it will carry dirt into the indoor environment.

Your SERVPRO of Reston/Herndon Professional will select the best method for cleaning your insureds’ duct system should the need arise. To ensure the ducts are professionally cleaned, use the professional source: SERVPRO of Reston/Herndon !

Professional will select the best method for cleaning your insureds’ duct system should the need arise. To ensure the ducts are professionally cleaned, use the professional source: SERVPRO of South Orange County!

How to Keep Your Home Safe When Going on Vacation

11/7/2023 (Permalink)

If you're going away for longer than a weekend, it's important that you know how to leave your home so you're not coming home to a disaster. There are a few things you can do to avoid mold growth, water damage, fire damage, and even storm damage. In this blog, we'll cover some tips on what you can do so you're able to look forward to coming home without stress.

Humidity Levels

Many people, when they leave for vacation, turn their air conditioning off. We understand that you're saving money by not running the air while you're not home. We get it, why run something that costs money if you're not there to use it? Well, you're actually doing your home and health a favor by running it. Sure, it'll cost money, but it'll also cost you even more money to get mold growth remediated when it grows due to the humidity levels. Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold to grow, so it's best to keep indoor humidity below 45%.

To understand mold a bit more:

Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
Mold spores are microscopic, float along in the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, AC/heating systems, and could even hitch a ride on your clothing or pets.
Mold spores thrive on moisture. They can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
Mold often produces a strong, musty odor, and that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas.

If you do, in fact, return to mold or suspect it, you need a mold remediation team to help. DIY mold cleanup and restoration is never a good idea. It can be dangerous to you and your family. Give us call!

Water Damage

It's hard to always know if the area is getting hit with a lot of rain while you're away. We suggest that you keep in contact with a neighbor and check in to ensure your home is ok. If your home gets hit with a flood while you're away, you can come home to water damage.

Ensure that your windows and doors are properly sealed, and if you live in a flood zone, it's important to prepare your home in the event that a storm could hit. If your home ends up with water damage and you need a water damage restoration team, give us a call. Our water damage restoration process is thorough, ensuring your home is back to the way it was - like it never even happened.

Fire Damage

Fire damage is one of the most devastating events that can take place in your home. We've seen so much devastation over the years and helped so many people restore their homes back to preloss condition. Although it's tough to totally avoid fire damage, due to a faulty wire in your home or something happening outside near your home, this is where it comes in handy to stay in contact with a neighbor. Be sure to let them know that you'll be away and ask them to keep an eye on your home.

In the unfortunate case that this does happen to your home, we're the fire damage restoration team that'll be on your side from beginning to end. The fire damage restoration process is difficult to attack on your own and it may be difficult to find a reputable company that can come out ASAP, especially when it comes down to smoke damage, smoke odors, and the house fire cleanup in general. SERVPRO is your answer.

Storm Damage

Storm damage is one of the scariest things that can happen to your home and property. Storms are very unpredictable. Sure, the weather reports can call for a severe storm, but sometimes it's worse than they think. If you're going away, just make sure that your trees have been looked at to ensure that they won't easily fall on your home, make sure that your home is secure and sealed, and if there is a storm in the forecast, use sandbags around the structure of your home as a precaution.

Storm damage restoration is no easy task, especially when it comes to debris removal, broken windows, and the need for a thorough cleaning.

SERVPRO is Here for You

SERVPRO is the restoration company that will always be by your side. If you need fire damage restoration services, water damage restoration services, mold remediation, or anything having to do with restoring your property back to preloss conditions, we're your best bet.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Understanding Commercial Carpet Cleaning After Fire Damage

11/7/2023 (Permalink)

Every year, there are close to 1.5 million fires that occur in the United States alone. Judging from the sheer number of cases, fire damage is a common problem that many businesses have to deal with. Fire is an important part of lives but it can be extremely detrimental to our lives when we lose control of it. Fire damage has resulted in many people losing their businesses and their assets ruined permanently. As such, if you have a wall-to-wall carpet that has been affected by fire damage, this article will explain about the carpet cleaning process and what can be done to mitigate the damage that has been done.

Level of Difficulty

Your business or corporate property, you might not even know where to start when it comes to cleaning after fire damage has been sustained. However, when addressing the issue of difficulty when cleaning commercial carpets, it is dependent on the extent of damage that has been done and the type of damage. If your carpet is merely affected by the smoke, then the chances are that it will be much easier to clean. On the other hand, if your carpet or upholstery has been damaged by a combination of water, dirt and heat, then the process of cleaning will definitely be more complicated and difficult.

Cleaning Process

If you make the wise choice to hire a professional to clean the carpet after fire damage, then it is best that you are aware of the carpet cleaning process. The process usually involves the sanitizing of the carpet and mitigating any damage that has been caused by debris and smoke as a result of the fire. Before anything can be done, the carpet will be sanitized using the proper cleaning agents, in order to prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria which might cause adverse health effects. The sanitation will also help to remove the remaining dirt that are stuck in the fibers of your carpet. After ridding your carpet of these unwanted items, it is then necessary to apply anti-odor chemicals to it. This will help to eradicate the odor of smoke, which can be extremely overwhelming if it is not dealt with properly.

Carpets that Cannot be Restored

If you see that your carpet has already sustained substantial damage from things like heat or water, then there is a high chance that you might have to get it replaced. When carpets are exposed to extremely high temperatures, the fibers can be damaged permanently. If you are dealing with upholstery, the internal wood or metal components might also be structurally compromised.

Conversely, if your carpet has been exposed to too much water, it might remove the adhesives that bind it to the flooring. In cases where the carpet gets too wet, its padding can become saturated. Unfortunately this damage is irreversible and the only way to fix the problem is to replace it with a new one.

Mold In Commercial Buildings

8/29/2023 (Permalink)

Just like in your home, you also need to be concerned with mold in commercial buildings. Mold can be found almost anywhere and can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as there is moisture and oxygen present. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold starts to grow, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. Although it is impossible to completely eliminate all mold and mold spores, but you can control mold growth by controlling the moisture indoors.

In commercial buildings, moisture problems may include:

Roof leaks
Landscaping or gutters directing water into or under the building
Unvented combustion appliances
Delayed maintenance or insufficient maintenance

As mentioned before, the key to mold control is moisture control. Follow these mold prevention tips:

Fix any leaky plumbing and leaks in the building as soon as possible.
Look out for condensation and wet spots. Fix sources of moisture problems as soon as possible.
Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing the surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in the air.
Keep heating, ventilation and air conditioning drip pans clean, properly flowing and unobstructed.
Maintain a low indoor humidity, below 60% relative humidity, 30-50% is ideal.
Have your building and HVAC inspected and maintenance regularly.
Clean up and dry out wet or damp spots within 48 hours.
Never let foundations stay wet.

Contents You Should Keep Or Discard After A Fire

8/24/2023 (Permalink)

After a fire, it is important to carefully consider what belongings to keep and what to dispose of.

Some materials, such as plastics, nonorganic fibers, and wiring, release harmful chemicals when exposed to high temperatures. These chemicals can be dangerous if ingested or absorbed through the skin. It is important to dispose of any items that you plan on putting in or onto your body.

This includes food, medicine, makeup, and toiletries. You should also get rid of most items in plastic containers, as these can also release harmful chemicals.

When dealing with fire damage, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you are unsure about whether or not an item is safe to keep, it is best to dispose of it.

Hiring a professional fire remediation company, such as SERVPRO of Reston/Herndon can help you make these decisions. They have the experience and expertise to assess the damage and help you determine what items can be saved and what needs to be disposed of.

Here are some additional tips for disposing of fire-damaged items:

Do not throw fire-damaged items in your regular trash. This could contaminate the waste stream and pose a risk to public health.
If you are unsure about how to dispose of an item, it is always best to err on the side of caution and dispose of it properly.

Space Heater Safety

8/24/2023 (Permalink)

In Reston/Herndon we haven't been getting much cold weather but with the colder seasons approaching we start pulling out our space heaters. Space heaters are amazing at keeping smaller areas warm but there are some risks with having one. The following are some ways SERVPRO of Reston/Herndon have found to help you stay safe with your space heater.

Make sure you turn off your heater before you go to sleep or leave your property.
Keep your space heater at least 3 feet away from anything flammable
Check that your space heater has an automatic shut off feature
Keep your heater on a solid flat surface

These are some ways to keep your property and you safe. SERVPRO of Reston/Herndon is always here to help.

Understanding Flood Cuts: A Vital Step in Restoration

8/23/2023 (Permalink)

When a flood wreaks on a home or building, the damage can be extensive and overwhelming. Among the various restoration techniques employed, one crucial step stands out, the flood cut. This process involves removing a portion of the damaged walls to mitigate the effects of water intrusion and initiate the recovery process. In this blog post, we will delve into what exactly a flood cut is, its purpose, and why it is an essential component of post-flood restoration efforts.

Defining a Flood Cut

A flood cut refers to the intentional removal of drywall or plaster from the lower portion of interior walls that have been affected by floodwater. Typically, a flood cut involves cutting the wall at a specific height, often 12 to 24 inches above the flood line or the highest point of water intrusion. This procedure creates a clear demarcation between the affected and unaffected areas, enabling a more targeted restoration process.

Purpose and Benefits

The primary purpose of a flood cut is to remove and discard the water-damaged materials in order to:

Enhance Drying Efforts: After a flood, thorough drying is crucial to prevent further damage and inhibit mold growth. By removing the lower portion of the walls, moisture trapped within the wall cavities can be exposed and effectively dried using professional equipment like dehumidifiers and air movers.
Assess Structural Integrity: A flood cut allows restoration professionals to assess the structural integrity of the affected walls, identifying any hidden damage or compromised structural elements that may require repairs or reinforcement.
Facilitate Restoration: By creating a clean, defined boundary through the flood cut, the restoration process becomes more manageable and efficient. It allows for a fresh start in rebuilding the affected areas, ensuring a safer and more aesthetically pleasing outcome.

Proper Execution and Professional Involvement

Performing a flood cut correctly is crucial to achieve the desired results and avoid unnecessary damage. It is recommended to involve professional restoration experts who possess the necessary skills, experience, and equipment for executing the task safely and efficiently. Professionals will carefully measure and mark the appropriate height for the flood cut, use appropriate tools to make precise cuts, and ensure proper disposal of the removed materials.

In the aftermath of a flood, taking swift and appropriate action is paramount to mitigate damage and initiate the restoration process. A flood cut plays a vital role in this process, allowing for the removal of water-damaged materials, ensuring proper drying, and setting the stage for efficient and effective restoration. By understanding the purpose and benefits of a flood cut, homeowners and property owners can make informed decisions, seek professional assistance, and expedite the recovery of their living or working spaces. Remember, when faced with flood damage, consult with restoration professionals to ensure a comprehensive approach to flood cut implementation and post-flood restoration.

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (703) 471-6040

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