What to do After a Storm

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Storms are ever present in the United States and there is a chance that your home may be affected by hail, wind, rain, tree damage, and other debris at some point. Not experiencing substantial damage during a storm truly seems to just be the luck of the draw, and only time will tell when you may experience this type of loss at the worst of times.

What do I do After Storm Damage?

If you experience severe storm damage, the first thing we would recommend you do is reach out to SERVPRO® of North Augusta as soon as possible. We have provided emergency storm damage services to homes and businesses for many years. Below are some of the mitigation needs we have seen and taken care of after a storm:

• Exterior Damage: Wind, hail, and tree debris can break your windows, strip your siding, and even put holes in your roof. There may be a possibility that the openings have been compromised and need to be secured as well as protected to prevent further damage. If a roof has been damaged to a point it is leaking or worse, we can provide a temporary roof cover to prevent additional water intrusion.
• Obstructive Debris: Can include large tree branches falling into your home or roof and interferes with your daily life. I could also affect the structural element of your home as well as shatter the glass in your windows. No matter what it is, the debris will need to be removed for the safety of your home and family.
• Flooding: With relentless rain, the chances of a flooding is substantially higher, and difficult for a sump pump to keep up with, even if it is from a roof leak. We have specialized equipment that is capable of removing water from hard surfaces and carpeting, preventing additional losses from occurring.

SERVPRO® of North Augusta is available to help with your emergency property damage. Emergency situations are our specialty, and our qualified teams are committed to the safety of everyone involved. If you are in need of our services, please contact us at 706-750-0200.

Hot Water Heater: The Most Common Water Damage Cause

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

We Have Seen it All

As an emergency response mitigation company, we have seen plenty of sources of water damage. However, one of the most common calls we get is in regards to a hot water heater leak. It’s certainly not something that most homeowners think about it, but it happens far more than anyone would like. Additionally, since the water heater is often located somewhere in the home people rarely frequent, it tends to fall in the “out of sight, out of mind” category. By the time it is normally thought about, it may already be too late to prevent serious damage.

Why You Water Heater May be Leaking

• Gradual aging: As with any other appliance in your home, water heaters are susceptible to deteriorating effects of aging, even if they are quite durable. The lifespan of a water heater is normally up to ten years, with barely any maintenance required.
• Hot and Cold Inlets and Outlets: The hot and cold inlets and outlets are more susceptible to damage compared to its other components. It is a good rule of thumb to check these regularly.
• Drain Valve: It is normal for the drain valve to drip a little. However, if it is releasing any more than that, it is an issue.
• The Temperature and Relief Valve: if the valve deals too much pressure, it could malfunction. This could be caused by the water heater raising the water’s temperature excessively.
• The Water Tank: If this appears to be the issue, you’ll more than likely be experiencing a flood rather than a leak.

Is your water heater leaking and causing water damage to your home? SERVPRO® of North Augusta is “Here to help.®” Give our office team a call at 706-750-0200 and we will have our trained professionals dispatched to you home right away!

Happy Mother’s Day From SERVPRO®!

5/4/2022 (Permalink)

Don’t forget that Mother’s Day is just around the corner this year on Sunday, May 8^th! It is a special day a year that honors the matriarch of a family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.

Origins of Mother’s Day in the United States

 In 1872, American poet, author, and suffragette Julia Ward Howe asked for June 2^nd, 1872, to be established as “Mother’s Day for Peace,” after the success of her 1870 “Appeal to womanhood throughout the world” (which would later be known as “Mother’s Day Proclamation”). The appeal was a pacifist reaction to the American Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War. However, her request for the official holiday was not successful at that time.  

Thirty-four years later in 1905, schoolteacher and social activist Anna Reeves Jarvis began her campaign to make Mother’s Day a recognized holiday in the U.S., after her own mother’s death.  In 1907, she held the first Mother’s Day service at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia. The following year, U.S. Congress rejected a proposal to make Mother’s Day an official holiday, joking that they would also have to proclaim a “Mother-in-Law’s Day”. Despite this, Anna Jarvis was able to persevere as in 1911 all U.S. states were celebrating the holiday; some were even officially recognizing Mother’s Day as a local holiday—namely West Virginia, her home state. Finally, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation ordaining that Mother’s Day was to be held on the second Sunday in May and a national holiday to honor mothers.

How Mother’s Day Celebrated in the United States

In the United States, it is one of the biggest days for sales of flowers, greeting cards, and even long-distance phone calls. Church attendance also receives an uptick on that day, yielding numbers close to that on Christmas Eve and Easter. Many people like to get the carnations to celebrate their mothers, colored carnations for living mothers, white if she has passed. It is possibly true that the holiday could have withered away if not for the support and continuous promotion of the florist and commercial industries, as is continues to be one of the most commercially successful U.S. occasion.

If your family experiences an unforeseen fire or water damage this Mother’s Day, SERVPRO® of North Augusta is “Here to help. ®” Contact us 24/7,365 at 706-750-0200.

The Categories of Water

4/28/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage is not an experience that most people truly anticipate occurring in their home, but as long as there is water running in pipes, it will be a risk. In the event of a water loss happening at your property, it is important to respond quickly to ensure your home is properly cleaned and restored. SERVPRO® of North Augusta follows the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) Standard guidelines when handling a water loss. To make the process a little easier to understand, below we have described the categories of water we often work with.

Category 1

The least severe water category on the IICRC scale, is category 1, also known as “clean water”.  Water damage in this category often originates from broken pipes or supply lines, the overflow from a sink or bathtub, and various appliance problems. Due to this water being sewage and toxin-free, it is recognized as less severe. However, if left to stagnate or if it comes into contact with other services or materials, the category could change. Typically, most damage that occurs because of a category 1 loss can easily be dried by a team of SERVPRO® professionals.

Category 2

“Grey water,” also known as category 2 water come from appliances like toilets bowls, discharge from washing machines or dishwashers, seepage from hydrostatic failure, and sump pump backups. There is a chance that this water contains microorganisms, in addition to organic or inorganic matter (chemical or biological). It is important to remove any affected items and materials, then immediately disinfect and sanitize the home, as the waste and chemicals of the category 2 water.  

Category 3

The final category is known as “black water”. This water is grossly contaminated and likely to contain toxigenic or pathogenic agents that can be harmful. Category 3 water may contain organic material (sewage), pesticides, carry silt, heavy metals, and/or toxic organic substances.  These types of losses occur when it comes from the following: soiled toilet bow water, sewer backup, rising water from rivers or streams, ground or service water, and seawater. Black water damage is the most extreme and extensive kind of water damage that requires swift action to mitigate, as well as significant disinfecting.

SERVPRO® of North Augusta is “Faster to any size disaster®” and features skilled IICRC-certified technicians ready to help. If you have experience and need guidance on the next steps to take, give us a call at 706-750-0200!

How Can SERVPRO Help Your Commercial Business?

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® is "Here to help ®" during your time of need!

SERVPRO® CSC Program  

As COVID outbreaks continue to be the new normal, SERVPRO® created a cleaning program specially designed to keep business owners and their customers safe.  Our Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned program is a defensive pathogen cleaning program that brings more security than hiring a normal cleaning crew. Our CSC Program is outlined under our “3 C’s”- Consult, Clean and Certify. During the Consult we will tailor a cleaning program based upon your specific business's need. Following the consult, we will arrange a method of Cleaning based on your agreed upon plan. Our crews will begin clean-up with EPA-approved, hospital grade cleaning solutions. Lastly, we will Certify that your business has been thoroughly cleaned by posting a Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned shield in the front window or door of your business. This lets all your customers and employees know that your business is committed to a higher standard of cleanliness to keep them safe.  

Emergency Ready Plans 

Disaster often strikes at an unexpected time, that is why SERVPRO® developed our ERP’s, or Emergency Ready Plans. The key here is to have a plan of action in place ahead of a disaster, so that you are ready when you do experience an emergency. ERP’s can help to give you as a business owner, as well as your employees and customers, added peace of mind knowing there is a step-by-step plan in place of what to do following a loss.  

But what are the benefits of having an ERP in place?Our SERVPRO® professionals will come and tour your facility and complete a no-cost assessment, meaning you pay nothing to have a preparedness plan in place. The ERP is composed of the critical information needed in the event of a loss of any kind, such as shut-off valve locations, priority contact persons and priority areas. In the event of a disaster an ERP will establish your local SERVPRO® as your restoration provider, which means quicker turnaround time for you as the business owner. Additionally, SERVPRO® will help you navigate your insurance claims process for a quick and easy recovery experience. 

Commercial and Large Loss Restoration 

When your business is hit with unexpected storms, floods, fire, or other unforeseen disasters it can leave you in shock and not knowing where to begin. It is important to know that you have large-loss specialists to quickly begin the restoration process and get you back to business. SERVPRO®’s Disaster Recovery Teams are strategically located with more than 1,900 locations in the U.S. and Canada and are prequalified to respond quickly to any sized disaster.  

SERVPRO® large-loss teams are available 24/7/365, so day or night whenever the loss occurs, we are “Here to Help” as needed. Our Disaster Recovery Teams are composed of technicians that have had ample training in handling large-loss events for industries such as hospitals, schools, and government facilities. Each large loss is managed by a project manager from your local SERVPRO® location, this means you will have ensured personal attention to create the smoothest restoration experience possible.  

SERVPRO® is Ready to Make it “Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at 706-750-0200 to schedule a consultation with our highly trained technicians.  

Soot: The Unanticipated Nuisance of a Fire

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

What is Soot?

Soot is that powdery black substance that occurs when the fire doesn’t burn the fuel source, or in other words, it is incomplete combustion. It can stick to everything, including the HVAC system where it could then get distributed throughout the rest of your home, causing damage to even initially unaffected areas. Here are some tips on how you should combat the soot in your home, whether it be from s fire loss or simply from your fireplace.

Do:

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
• Keep hands clean – soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.
• Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
• Wipe soot from chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances, the protect these surfaces with a light coating of lubricant.
• Wash both sides of leaves on house plants.
• Change HVAC filter but leave system off until a trained professional can check the system.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over an air register to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.

Do NOT:

• Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting your SERVPRO® professionals.
• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting your local SERVPRO® Franchise.
• Attempt to clean any electrical appliances (i.e., TV sets, radios, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without first communicating to an authorized repair service.
• Consume any food or beverages that may have been close to fire, heat, or water as they may be contaminated.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures, especially if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary soot damage.
• Send garments to the dry cleaner as improper cleaning may set in smoke order.

SERVPRO® of North Augusta has the capability to make soot damage a thing of the past! Make sure your home and family are safe by giving us a call at 706-750-0200. No matter the extent of the damage, we are here to make it, “Like it never even happened. ®”

Protect Your Commercial Business from Vandalism

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

What is Vandalism and Who is at Risk?

The legal definition of vandalism varies from state to state, but the term generally means the intentional damage, defacement, or destruction of someone’s property without the owner’s permission. It is a criminal act and is prohibited by state laws, which may qualify as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the financial damage that is involved. Additionally, there are some states that refer to vandalism as malicious mischief or criminal mischief.

As far as who may be affected by vandalism, the answer is all business properties, especially vacant buildings. Unfortunately, experiencing vandalism can impact a business in numerous of ways. The most obvious is that it creates damage to the property, which will take time and money to repair.

Tips for Preventing Vandalism

While it is impossible to prevent all acts of vandalism, you can prepare your property so that it discourages vandals.

• Maintain good lighting. The property should remain well lit, especially at night.
• Install and properly maintain cameras. If a crime does occur, police can use your surveillance to identify and catch the perpetrators.
• Keep property tidy. An unorganized area tends to attract vandals.
• Plant shrubbery or fencing. Not only do fencing and shrubbery offer cosmetic appeal to any property, but they also function as the first line of defense against potential intruders.
• Invest in break-resistant glass. Utilizing a break-resistant glass will make the act of breaking in more difficult for vandals to break in.
• Don’t ignore it! If you do experience vandalism, don’t put it off. Vandalism encourages more vandalism.
• Contact authorities. Report vandalism to your local department as soon as possible. If it is not reported, nothing will be done. The department may increase the number of patrols in your area if it is known.
• Share information. Check in with the neighboring businesses to see if they have experienced any sort of vandalism. Sharing information helps reveal the criminals’ patterns that could potentially aide in stopping the vandals.
• Join a business watch group. Like neighborhood watch groups, there are resources available to either start a group or join one. It is a good way to reduce crime by keeping an eye on each other’s property.

Has your place of business been affected by vandalism? SERVPRO® of North Augusta can assist with any damages that have occurred. Give us a call at 706-750-0200 so we can help make it, “Like it never even happened. ®”

How SERVPRO® can Make Fire Damage "Like it never even happened."

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Have you experienced a fire in your home? Give SERVPRO® of Augusta a call at 706-750-0200 to schedule a consultation time today.

How We Restore Homes to Pre-loss Condition

After fire or smoke damage, your property usually needs thorough cleaning. Typically, this means ceilings, walls, carpeting and flooring will need to be scrubbed down. Upon calling SERVPRO® of Augusta, our experienced technicians will come out and do a pre-test to determine the extent of damage. Depending on the amount of soot our crew will be able to determine which SERVPRO® cleaning products and equipment will be required to get your home back to preloss condition.

All restorable contents in affected areas in the home will be cleaned and deodorized. This means rugs, furniture, and upholstery. We begin by testing all fabrics that have been damaged by soot to figure out which cleaning methods are the most effective. SERVPRO® professionals can provide wet or dry-cleaning services. If your home is still under reconstruction, storing contents at our facility until your home is ready is an additional helpful tool we offer.

How Using the Right Equipment Makes the Difference

Using professional equipment makes a huge difference in reducing loss expense. SERVPRO® professionals are thoroughly trained in fire cleanup and restoration services. Our crews being able to spot the different types of smoke and smoke patterns make for proper and timely property restoration.

Examples:

• Wet Smoke is typically plastic or synthetic material and typically has a pungent odor and a sticky/smeary consistency.
• Dry smoke consists of paper and wood, it burns at a quick rate and has dry, non-smeary residues.

Pretesting allows technicians to determine which soot they’re looking at and how to properly clean and disinfect your home.

Additional Services for Fire Restoration

In some cases, additional steps are required to get your property back where it needs to be. We offer board ups in the case that parts of your structure need to be protected by weather intrusion. If long-term exposure threatens your contents, we may suggest moving your textiles and contents to our facility for short-term storing. Crews are trained to properly inventory, move and control the contents from your property during the cleaning and deodorization process.

Don’t Know Where to Begin After a Home Fire? Give SERVPRO® of Augusta a call at 706-750-0200 to schedule a consultation time today, we’re always “Here to help®.”

Leaky Roof Left My Living Room a Wet Mess

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

What Are the First Steps After I Discover a Roof Leak?  

Unfortunately, emergency incidents will happen, and it is important that as a homeowner you know what steps to take after notice of the loss. Acting immediately helps to minimize the amount of damage done to your home.   

With a leaky roof it’s important to remove any furniture or items that can be damaged as soon as possible. For example, if you discover the roof leak is located above your bed, push it out of the way as soon as possible. Some fabrics retain water more than others, so getting your items out of harm's way will help avoid the chance of mildew as well.  Once you have found the source and location of the leak, the next step is figuring out how to maintain the water until a professional can arrive. If there is a sagging pouch hanging on the inside of your ceiling, that is a sign that the water is collecting in that spot. Although it seems not ideal to poke a hole in it, leaving it there to collect could cause even more damage to surrounding areas. The best course of action is to take a screwdriver and poke a small hole into the center, with a bucket placed underneath to catch all the water.    

How Can SERVPRO® Help Me Restore My Home? 

When dealing with water damage time is of the essence, SERVPRO® will arrive quickly to the scene and begin your water cleanup and restoration. SERVPRO® of Augusta is open 24/7/365, which means that we are “Here to help®” day or night. Our 1-4-8 System ensures that your water loss will be handled quickly and efficiently.

But what is the 1-4-8 System? The 1-4-8 system is a breakdown of exactly what our teams and crews do within the first 8 hours of notice of loss to get you and your home back on track. During the first hour we are made aware of the loss via the customer and began collecting information concerning the scope of work. Within the 4^th hour we will have sent a crew out to your property to set eyes on the issue. (This typically involves our crews getting an idea of how much and which equipment will be needed to get that water cleaned up.) And by hour 8 our crews have explained to you the step-by-step process of how we are going to restore your home to preloss condition and have placed all necessary equipment to get the job started.  

After the water cleanup process is complete, your home may need construction repairs done to restore your home completely. Repairs range from small jobs to major ones depending on the extent of the water damage. Depending on SERVPRO® gives you further peace of mind knowing that you can One-Stop-Shop all your home’s repair needs within one reliable company. SERVPRO® is “Here to help®” from start to finish! 

Have A Water Disaster You Are Ready to Master? Give SERVPRO® of Augusta a call today at 706-750-0200 and we’ll help to make it “Like it never even happened.”

My Commercial Kitchen Went Up in Flames

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

Tips On Fire Safety in the Kitchen 

Cooking fires are the leading cause of building fires. Whether you are preparing a full course meal or making a quick snack, following our safe kitchen techniques can keep members of your staff and your building safe. Here is the SERVPRO® of Augusta ‘Tips List’ regarding fire safety in the kitchen: 

1. Never leave a stove unattended while in use. Staying in the kitchen while you’re frying, grilling, or boiling food can ensure a lack of problematic issues. If you do not always have someone to man your kitchen, turn all burners and the stove off while you leave the room.  
2. Keep your kitchen and cooking area free from flammable materials. Keep anything that could easily catch fire away from your stovetop. Examples of these items are oven mitts or towels.
3. Keep cooking equipment clean at all times. Food particles left in kitchen appliances, uncleaned grease on stovetops and dust buildup are considered fire hazardous. Make sure you’re wiping things down after every usage.  
4. Never throw hot grease in the garbage can. Always let grease cool before disposing of it in the garbage can, if grease hasn’t had ample time to cool down it could ignite other materials within your disposal. A good additional tip is don’t pour grease or oil down the drain.  
5. Wear close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves. Loose clothing can easily catch on fire if it comes into too close contact with a gas flame or burner. Keep your staff and kitchen safe by wearing the proper clothing. 
6. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Make sure you have the correct type of extinguisher placed in your kitchen, and that all staff are properly trained in how to use it.  

If A Fire Does Occur, What Should I Do? 

If a fire does occur, it is important to be prepared. Remember that your safety comes first! If you cannot safely extinguish a fire, get all staff and customers outside quickly and close the door behind you to contain the fire. Be sure to call 911 as quickly as possible to alert emergency responders to the fire. If fire is prompted due to grease, put a lid over the pan, turn off the stove and leave the pan covered until the fire is completely out.  

Commercial Kitchen Fire Got Your Emotions Up in Flames? Give SERVPRO® of Augusta a call 706-750-0200 to schedule a consultation today.

Pipes Burst in Your Augusta Home?

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

What Causes Pipes to Burst?  

No one wants to deal with the damage, expenses, and messes that pipe bursting causes. But what causes these pipes to burst during winter in the first place? The most basic explanation is that the water coming into your home from outside is much, much colder than it was during the summer season. The extra cold water causes pipes to contract in weaker parts, which causes them to burst. This takes place as the pipes begin to become physically unable to hold up to the water pressures inside them.   

A frozen pipe can be noticed as early as when water ceases coming out of the faucet as your turn them on. When you notice this, check to make sure that the water is still running and there isn’t a source leak somewhere. After you’ve confirmed these steps, continue your inspection by making sure no pipes have burst. If your pipes are indeed frozen, do not try thawing them yourself. Have an experienced plumber come and thaw your pipes for you. This prevents further consequences, and you rest easy knowing your plumber knows how to thaw the pipes and where the frozen pipes are.  

What Temperature Do Pipes Freeze? 

Freezing temperature for water is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The pipes inside your home are protected from freezing temperatures through your home’s insulation. This means that on days that it is 32 degrees outside, your pipes won’t necessarily freeze. Pipes typically begin to freeze when the outside temperature is at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Fun Fact: Did you know pipes can burst in warm weather too? Very hot temperatures and water being in high demand can make pipes vulnerable and more prone to bursts.  

What Precautions Can Be Taken to Prevent Pipe Bursts 

Stopping the contraction caused by cold water is not something that can really be manipulated or controlled. The best step is to be mindful of your plumbing system as the temperature changes and be on the lookout for leaks. While there isn’t much you can do to control leaks caused by temperature changes, we do have a list of 6 things you CAN do to avoid water pipe bursts: 

1. Keep Your Water Faucets Running:If temperatures fall low, keep one or two faucets running on a drip. Consistent water moving through the system should keep pipelines from freezing.  
2. Leave Cabinet Doors Open: If your sink is located on an outside wall, leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air into the cabinet.
3. Direct Warm Air to Colder Areas of Your Home: Most often pipes that freeze are located near an outside wall or window, so be sure to direct warm air to the colder areas of your home.
4. Separate Your Hose from the Outside Faucet: Be sure to disconnect your hose from the outside faucet.
5. Seal Leaks Where Cold Air Can Creep In: Where pies are located, seal any openings where cold air could enter. Look for air leaks around electric wiring, vents, and pipes. Install caulk or installation to keep the cold out.
6. Keep Track of Your Home’s Temperature: Try to be proactive and prevent temperatures from dropping below 32 degrees where any water lines are in your home.

Pipes Burst Leaving You Flooded with Emotions? Give SERVPRO® of Augusta a call at 706-750-0200 and we’ll make it "Like it never even happened."  

Emergencies Call for the Esporta

3/10/2022 (Permalink)

If you have experienced major water damage due to a storm, give our professionals a call at 706-750-0200 to have your sentimental items restored.

At SERVPRO® of Augusta, our team and our capabilities align with being a One-Stop-Shop. What is a One-Stop-Shop? SERVPRO® offers all services needed to restore your property to preloss condition, helping to save valuable time and effort. At SERVPRO® of Augusta, not only are we equipped with the best industry equipment to restoring your property, but our teams operate with a spirit of excellence and the most advanced industry equipment. One industry advanced equipment that helps us to achieve our goal to being a One-Stop-Shop is our Esporta Wash System. The Esporta Wash System is located at our Evans facility, making ease of access and use a fast process that benefits our customers.

After an emergency loss such as fire damage or a sewage, textiles such as bedding, drapes, clothing, and other soft contents could be grossly affected. Our Esporta Wash System helps to eliminate contaminants such as microbial growth, sewage, dirty water, soot, and smoke odors from the textiles thus helping to salvage the items. The Esporta is especially helpful in restoring irreplaceable, sentimental items and works unlike a regular residential wash system.

Unlike Any Other

Unlike a residential washer and dryer, the Esporta Wash System caters to the restorative industry by helping to clean, sanitize, and efficiently dry contents affected by fire or water damage. The Esporta does not use agitation to clean contents, but rather through using a complex combination of detergents or “wash recipes” for specific fabrics, materials, and structures of the items being restored. Using the Esporta process, this retain the integrity of the textile fibers and is especially useful for delicate items. Having an Esporta Wash System at our facility helps to be more efficient in restoring items and allows customers the ability to have 24-hour turn around time on sets of items they can not live without such as work uniforms or children’s clothing.

How We Know Its Clean

For contents that have been affected from sewage, it is important to know that your items are sanitized. How do we know? ATP testing. ATP testing is the testing of living organisms on the fibers of the textiles that indicate how soiled an item is. Before testing, we take a controlled ATP sample to test to find how affected the load is. Then, after the Esporta cleans the affected items, our team selects 3 items for ATP testing to assure that the entire load has been sanitized throughout. Lastly, items are then organized and hand-delivered by to you, our customer.

Let the Esporta work towards restoring your property. Our team is ready to help with any disaster, including restoring your textiles affected from fire, sewage, or mold. Give our team a call to schedule at 706-750-0200.

Prevention and Preparedness is Key

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

From small to large emergencies, SERVPRO of Augusta can handle any size disaster - 706-750-0200.

Emergency Plans Can Save You Time and Money

SERVPRO® of Augusta aims towards achieving prevention of property damage before and during emergency water or fire damage. SERVPRO can help towards protecting your business through forming an emergency response plan that is tailored to your business. Preparedness is key. The goal of the plan is to help in familiarizing you with your property before a loss occurs so you can react quickly and with confidence to stop would-be extensive damages. Preventing damages can often mean that during a water or fire loss, being able to recall where water shut offs and gas shut offs are located can help to stop the source of the loss from furthering damaging your property.

SERVPRO Isn’t Your Ordinary Restoration Company

The SERVPRO system has over 1,900 franchises sprinkled across the United States, allowing you to find a SERVPRO near you – Quickly. Each franchise is capable of servicing from smaller deodorization projects to multi-story commercial water and fire losses. No matter the size loss, our team can handle any restoration need you have. Our team is expertly trained through IICRC certifications and testing, as well as conducting continuous field training amongst internal teams. Producing expert-level restorative practices and sharing this skillset with team members helps in succeeding to achieve customer satisfaction and care.

Continued Training Means Client Satisfaction

Achieving 5-star / Level-10 client satisfaction from our practices is our goal. SERVPRO of Augusta can quickly begin to restore your property including structural restoration, contents cleaning, textile cleaning, restoration practices and more. Our team achieves the highest level of client satisfaction through continued field training and offering all services needed to completely restore your property to preloss condition. Our teams are consistently continuing pathways to learning all they can about SERVPRO restorative processes and continuously learning how to best set expectations with customers on what to expect during our process.

Should you need SERVPRO services after an emergency water or fire loss, know that our team of experts aim to provide the best quality customer services, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Call our SERVPRO of Augusta team for emergency help, or for scheduling, 706-750-0200.

From the Field: Fire Threatens Downtown Restaurant

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is available 24/7 to help restore your business after a fire disaster. Need us? Call our team at 706-750-0200.

Augusta Fire Outbreak Disrupts Business

A fire outbreak is one event you never want to happen as a business owner. Products could suffer irrevocable damages, structural damage could keep customers away for days or weeks, and the stress of lost revenue can seem insurmountable. However, SERVPRO® of Augusta can eradicate these business threats. A call to SERVPRO of Augusta provides options for restoring your business’ products, contents, furniture, textiles, air ducts and more. Our team’s ultimate goal is to help your business reopen quickly through providing 5-star quality service, excellent customer care through clear and direct communication, and unmatched advanced restorative techniques that will help save you time and money.

After a Fire, We Answer the Call

After fire responders leave your property, thinking about where to start could bring confusion and fear for lost revenue. How do we help combat lost revenue? Our teams respond quickly. For commercial fire damage, timing is everything. SERVPRO achieves the fastest industry response times. We easily achieve fast response times as our teams are always supplied with the necessary equipment, tools, training, and knowledgeability to begin restoring your property quickly and effectively.

Additionally, when on site of your fire loss, SERVPRO crews work effectively through conducting restorative processes that are highly regimented. This regimented process leads our crews on the fast-track to restoring your property, while crew supervisors help achieve customer satisfaction through a meticulous check of work process for quality assurance.

From the Field: Fire Threatens Downtown Restaurant

Our SERVPRO crews have helped to restore countless homes, schools, government buildings, and other commercial businesses and properties over the past 39 years in business. Last year, SERVPRO crews had the opportunity to restore one of the most well-known Downtown Augusta, GA restaurants on Broad Street. Friday night, our crews quickly responded to a desperate call for help from a kitchen fire that had affected not only the popular restaurant, but also 8 apartment spaces above the structure. SERVPRO crews were on scene quickly waiting to begin restoring while first responders were still extinguishing the blaze. Through the night and continuing into the weekend, SERVPRO crews worked tirelessly to help reopen the business by that following Monday – A total of 3 days to restore the entire restaurant and 8 apartments above, while managing to retain the integrity of the space, dry items in place, restore contents, and salvage 100-year-old pine flooring.

Our crews exist to make your fire disasters "Like it never even happened." ® Our goal is always to help restore normalcy back to your life and help your business reopen quickly after a disaster strikes. Should you need us, our team is ready to answer the call for help! Need SERVPRO now? Call our office at 706-750-0200.

Highland Avenue Summerville Storm Damages

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

Summerville Highland Avenue Storm Damages

In historical Augusta, GA, early establishment of the Summerville residential district near Augusta University began in the late 18^th century. When storm damages affect these historical properties, the goal for SERVPRO® of Augusta crews is to always retain the beauty, integrity, and historical value of the homes. When approaching a storm disaster for a historical home, our goal is to be as least invasive as possible while still executing drying goals and preventing secondary damages.

SERVPRO understands the unique process for restoring historical homes like those found in the Summerville residential district as our experience and approach to restoring each business, home, school, and government building is never the same. Each property desires their own unique restorative approach, thus why the SERVPRO difference includes restoring with meticulous detail for historical properties and has become a SERVPRO of Augusta specialty.

Mature Trees Pose a Threat

Recently, we restored a major roof damage for a Highland Avenue home in Summerville. After a microburst wind swept through the area, a massive tree fell on the roof causing major damages. Luckily, through working with their insurance, we were able to seamlessly inspect the roof, temporarily tarp the roof overnight until the storms calmed, and the following day began repairs all before water damages in the attic could begin.

Summerville’s historical homes often have mature trees that can pose a threat during storms. Massive mature trees with large overhanging branches can clog gutters and cause rainwater to overflow under the eaves and into roof cavities. More often than this, large, weak tree branches can snap and pierce through rooves and cause damages in attic spaces that can occasionally go undetected.

Preventing Future Storm Damage

Prevention is the best step is protecting your home. Microbursts are unexpected weather conditions, but you can prepare your home by not only listening to weather warnings, but by being aware of the mature trees that pose the biggest “risk” to your property. Occasionally checking for weak, dead tree limbs is helpful in protecting your roof and gutters. Becoming more mindful of loose yard decorations or chairs and tables next to large glass windows.

Additionally, it is helpful to seasonally keep your roof up to code by making sure to replace any damaged or missing shingles. This better protects you against storm damage and ultimately saves money through preventing extensive damages should a storm arise.

Need Expert Help? SERVPRO teams are ready year-round, 24-hours a day to help restore your Summerville home. Our team of experts are ready to help, Call us at 706-750-0200.

New Year Could Present Damages to Your Home

12/22/2021 (Permalink)

Find yourself needing SERVPRO this Winter season? Call our friendly team of experts at 706-750-0200 for advice and scheduling.

As the New Year begins, it is important to not let New Years Resolutions, new hobbies, or plans for a 2022 vacation distract from the potential threat of a water damage.

As you plan for vacation, it is important to note that vacation-time is an opportune time for a water damage to strike against your home. Why may you ask? Simply put, there is no one home to monitor if an emergency water leak occurs. For example, toilet supply lines could fail, refrigerator supply lines may burst, and your hot water heater in the attic may have an issue you can’t detect. At SERVPRO® of Augusta, we find it important to be a resource for our community, to try and help prevent such damages from occurring.

To help, please view the following list of steps to take to hopefully prevent these disasters.

• Shut off the Main Water Valve. This is the best defense against flooding in your home caused by a burst pipe or other plumbing failure.
• Check Your Supply Lines. You can check your supply lines, but do not over tighten. Overtightening can cause metal threads to become warped and later allow water to slip through.
• Inspect Your Appliance and Fixtures. You can unplug smaller appliances while away to save on electricity as well as avoid any issues should there be an electrical storm while you are away.
• Test the Sump Pump. You can check your sump pump by pouring a 5-gallon bucket of water over the pump, it should then turn on and begin to work. This is important to check as the sup pump could help should flooding in your area occur.
• Invest in a Smart Leak Detector. This is a great investment for being notified if there is a water leak. If there is, you are notified, and SERVPRO can be called to help clean the damages immediately.

Have a Water Leak Issue? We can help. As the experts in our industry of restoration and mitigation of water damages, we are more than capable of helping restore your property to make it "Like it never even happened."  Our teams are knowledgeable and equipped with industry-leading equipment and resources. Coupled with both the most advanced equipment and a powerhouse of restoration experts, at SERVPRO of Augusta we can serve and solve any sized disaster. Call our team for help at 706-750-0200.

Fire Safety Just in Time For Christmas Season

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Don’t FA-LA-LA- Fall Victim to Holiday Fires  

Lights around a Christmas tree, candles burning favorite holiday scents and warm fireplaces are typical family practices during the holiday season. Your home is never quite as cozy and warm feeling as it is during Christmastime, which can aid in the magical feeling that this time of year brings. Although your home may feel warm and safe, pretty decorations and traditions could pose a risk for fire to your household, so it is important to be mindful of fire hazards.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire hazards increase 85% percent between the months of October to January. But do not worry, SERVPRO of Augusta is here to keep you safe with 14 Christmas Fire Safety Tips! 

1. Do not use your stove for storage or as a heat source. 
2. Water real Christmas trees daily. 
3. A safer alternative to real trees is fire-resistant artificial trees.
4. Inspect all lights on your tree as you are placing them.
5. Never throw wrapping paper in your fireplace. 
6. Follow the ‘rule of three’ when it comes to power strips to avoid risk of electrical fires. (Meaning only 3 electronics should be plugged into a singular strip at a time)
7. Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything in the room they are being used in. 
8. Do not use indoor lights outside or vice. 
9. Set timers when baking or cooking. 
10. Pay attention to where you place décor. 
11. Place fire extinguishers all around the house, and make sure your family members know how to effectively use them.
12. Use caution when it comes to using candles. 
13. Make sure you have functioning fire alarms with fresh working batteries.
14. Have an emergency escape plan in place just in case and run through it with your household.

SERVPRO of Augusta has you covered while you deck your halls with boughs of holly. In case of fire emergency give us a call at 706-750-0200 and we’ll make it "Like it never even happened."®

How New Year’s Came to Be

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Ancient History of The New Year

Most civilizations around the globe celebrate the start of a new year. Most celebrations begin December 31st (New Year’s Eve), which is the last day of the Gregorian calendar. Parties consisting of friends, food and fireworks can go late into the night and early into the morning of the 1st. New Year’s celebrations are a widely known practice... but where exactly did they originate from? 

The earliest recorded observance of New Year’s date back to the ancient Babylonians. The celebration would typically begin the first full moon following the vernal equinox, usually a day in the latter part of March with equal parts of sunlight and night. The Babylonians would have a huge religious festival called Akitu. Akitu would have a different ritual for each of the 11 days that it lasted. Akitu also was a symbol of the Babylonians sky god Marduk defeating the evil sea goddess Tiamat- which became a tool for early political use. It was during Akitu that a new king was crowned and put on the throne, or the current ruler was symbolically re-established. 

Did you know? In Egypt the New Year began with the annual flooding of the Nile River, which occurred simultaneously with the star Sirius. 

So, How Did January 1st Become New Year’s Day?

The founder of Rome Romulus created a calendar that consisted of 10 months and 304 days, which began at the vernal equinox as was tradition. In 8 BC King Numa Pompilius added the months Januarius and Februarius. As time went on the calendar fell uncoordinated with the sun, Emperor Julius Caesar solved this problem by conferring with the most accredited astronomers and mathematicians of his time. Together they created the Julian calendar, which bears the closest resemblance to the Gregorian calendar that is most in use around the world today. 

In medieval Europe Christian leaders replaced January 1 as the first day of the year. They temporarily replaced it with days carrying higher religious importance, such as December 25th (the day they believed to be Jesus’ birth) and March 25th (the feast of the annunciation). Pope Gregory 13th reestablished January 1 as New Year’s Day in 1582. 

Did you know? Julius Caesar had to add 90 extra days to his calendar in 46 B.C. to align his Julian calendar with the sun. 

New Years in the United States

In the U.S. the most iconic New Year’s tradition is the dropping of the ball in New York Times Square at midnight. People all over the world watch this event which has taken place almost every year since 1907. 

However, you celebrate New Year’s, you can feel safe knowing if an accident occurs SERVPRO® of Augusta is Here To Help® Give us a call at 706-750-0200

The Intricate History of Christmas

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Need SERVPRO this Holiday Season? Call us at 706-750-0200

How Did Christmas Start? 

Christmas is celebrated every year on December 25th and is considered a huge religious holiday as well as a commercial extravaganza. For 2 thousand years people around the world have observed the holiday by practicing traditions that are both secular and religious. People of the Christian faith celebrate Christmas as the anniversary of Jesus of Nazareth birth. While more secular practices and customs involve exchanging gifts, decorating trees, sharing the holiday with friends and family and of course- waiting to hear Santa Claus’s jingle bells on the roof.  December 25th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870. 

Did you know? In the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous—a lot like today’s Mardi Gras parties.  

Yule and Saturnalia

The middle of winter has long been a celebration around the globe. People rejoiced during the winter solstice because the worst of winter was behind them, and they could look forward to longer days and more sunlight. In Scandinavia the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21 through the month of January. In observance of the return of the sun fathers and their sons would bring home logs and create fires, the people would feast for as long as the log burned. The end of December was also a cause for celebration because a vast majority of people would slaughter their cattle so they would not have to feed them throughout the winter. This meant this was typically the only time during the year that people had fresh meat. Meat also coincided with the timing of beer and wine being fermented and ready to be consumed. 

Winter were not as harsh in Rome, therefore the Roman people celebrated Saturnalia, a holiday that honored Saturn the god of agriculture. Saturnalia was a sybaritic holiday, food and drinks were plentiful and strict Roman practices were halted. For a month slaves were given temporary freedom and treated as equals, and businesses and schools were closed so everyone could participate in the holiday. 

Did you know? Rudolph, “the most famous reindeer of all,” was the product of Robert L. May’s imagination in 1939. The copywriter wrote a poem about the reindeer to help lure customers into the Montgomery Ward department store.  

Christmas Cancelled?

In the 17th century religious reform swept over Europe. Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan followers took over England in 1645 and they vowed to rid England of debauchery, meaning Christmas was cancelled. When Charles II retook the throne, Christmas was re-established by popular demand. 

The Pilgrims in America in 1620 possessed even stricter religious Puritan beliefs than Oliver Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a celebrated holiday in early America. In 1659 Christmas was outlawed in Boston and if anyone was caught exhibiting any Christmas spirit, they were fined five shillings. On the other hand down in the Jamestown settlement, John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all the settlers and passed without issue. After the Revolution English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas and it wasn’t until June 26, 1870 that Christmas was declared a federal holiday. 

Did you know? The first eggnog made in the United States was consumed in Captain John Smith’s 1607 Jamestown settlement.  

Christmas Reinvented

The turn of the 19th century brought about a fresh outlook on Christmas for American people. Americans re-invented the holiday and changed it from a noisy and disturbing carnival holiday to a peaceful family- centered day. That brings us to the invention of Santa Claus. The legend of Santa can be traced back to a monk named St. Nicholas who was born in Turkey in 280 A.D. St. Nicholas gave away all of his inherited wealth to the poor and sick which branded Old Nick as the protector of children and sailors. 

In 1822 an Episcopal minister Clement Clarke Moore wrote  poem called “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas”, well known because of its first line “T’was the night before Christmas”. The poem depicted Santa Claus as a jolly old man who flies to each home on a sled driven by flying reindeer to deliver toys to good girls and boys. 

Christmas is a jolly time. If an emergency does occur you can count on SERVPRO® of Augusta to be there for you. We are always Here To Help® 24/7/365. Give us a call at 706-750-0200 today. 

Prepping Your Augusta Commercial Business for Snow and Ice

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Start Your Search for Winter Contractors Early

Often during nice, enjoyable days of Summer, we often don’t consider what the winter chill could bring. During the warmer, Summer season this is the best time to start checking your commercial business or home to make sure you are ahead on potential disasters due to structural threats.

Many things can happen during the Winter months, and you should be to fully prepared in order to stay ahead of damages. Commercial properties are not exempt from the necessity of preparing for harsher temperatures. Low temperatures and winter storm can cause critical damage, resulting in expensive repairs and potential disruption to business.

Here are Five Winter Prep Must Do’s for Commercial Property Owners:

• Start by keeping your gutters clean and ensure that they are working properly. Lack of gutter maintenance or clogged gutters can lead to water accumulation on your roof, causing leaks and internal water damage.
• Make sure you inspect your roof. Checking you roof during the summertime can save you an enormous amount of money. It can mean the difference between replacing a few shingles or replacing the entire roof and clearing up water damage or mold.
• Maintain consistent temperature. Keeping the thermostat set between 50-60 degrees prevents freezing pipes, even in vacant buildings.
• Keep a routine check of your property. Keeping eyes on the property can allow small issues to be seen and resolved before they become larger problems.
• Eliminate drafts. Frigid air can enter your property through gaps in doors and windows, ensure all exterior doors and windows have weather stripping and caulking before winter starts.

In the state of a water disaster, call SERVPRO® of Augusta and we’ll Make It "Like it never even happened." Give us a call at 706-750-0200 today.

Avoiding Storm Damages for Your Home

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

Ten Easy StepstoProtect Your HomefromStorm Damage 

1. Replace missing or damaged shingles.

When a shingle is damaged it is much more cost efficient to replace it immediately. As waiting until the damages are so severe that you must replace an entire section of roof, or the whole roof.

2. Repair or replace loose siding.

The same rule of thumb applies here with siding as it does roofs.

3. Ensure proper sealing of doors and windows

If your home isn't properly weather-proof, seeping water can pose a huge threat.

4. Ensure water flow is directed away from your home.

Make sure all water is flowing away from your home and towards a ditch, drain, or other proper retention area.

5. Keep your gutters clear.

Clearing gutters for free flow of water and proper downspouts are helpful in extending the life of the foundation of your home. Water damage by flooding is one of the quickest ways to devalue your home. Making sure the gutters are clear is the first line of defense in avoiding water damage.

6. Check for loose or damaged fence posts.

Wind can be an unexpected danger. Posts that are not nailed down could be a liability. Checking your fence posts is typically easy, Tip: Walk to each post and give a firm shake to each one to check for any needed repairs.

7. Regularly trim your trees.

Tree limbs can damage your home, and surrounding neighbor’s homes. Keeping trees trimmed and well managed is an excellent way to protect your roof and windows.

8. Keep yoursump pumpin working order.

Spring often brings a lot of excess rain, so before rain season starts, check that your sump pump is in proper working order. If you want to feel secure, having a backup sump pump is a guaranteed way to avoid flooding in your home.

9. Walk around your property.

If you know a storm is coming, take some time to check through basic maintenance steps to protect your home. Identify any items around your property that could pose as projectiles. These items could include lawn furniture, tools, or yard debris. Avoid damage by moving potential threats to a garage or shed to be safely stored.

10. Keep a generator on hand.

A bad storm could potentially knock out power to your home for hours or even days. Having a generator on standby could save you time and money ensuring you don’t have to throw away refrigerated foods or create water leaks from unpowered appliances.  

Storm season brings a lot of uncertainty, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about it. If a disaster does occur, feel safe knowing you can call SERVPRO of Augusta at 706-750-0200.

How To Protect Your Augusta Home Against Rainwater

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

Waterproof the Exterior Of Your House 

At SERVPRO® of Augusta we understand that the aftermath of water damage is one of the most stressful things that a homeowner can experience. It can be a very big and expensive problem if not treated properly and in a timely fashion. The best way to deal with water damage is to stop it before it starts. The exterior of your house is the first line of defense against water damage.  

Maintain Your Roof 

The roof’s primary purpose is to keep water out of your shelter. Not making sure your roof is taken care of can lead to a host of problems- the worst being extensive water damage that could permanently damage the structure of your home.  Most roofs have a 20-30 year lifespan, however climate, weather conditions and even trees could cause damage to your shingles and create a leak. It’s best to periodically inspect your roof for damaged or missing shingles. Replacing compromised shingles is a quick and inexpensive fix that can extend the shelf life of your roof.  

Add Sealant to Your Windows And Doors  

Entryways to your house are common sites that promote water damage and leakage into the home. Water can seep through the cracks around your windows and doors if they aren’t properly secured. Instead of waiting on the leak to happen, go ahead and make sure these areas are weather-stripped and have fresh sealing. You can easily repair large cracks with insulating foam sealant or dd some caulking where the window meets the siding.  

Make Sure Your Home’s Exterior Is Protected  

If you’re spotting some signs of water damage on your interior walls but aren’t seeing a source of leakage, it’s highly likely that water is entering through holes in your exterior walls. If your siding or exterior paint aren’t well managed water could seep through inside your home. Common sidings such as stucco, aluminum siding or wood siding has to be painted in order to protect the home against water properly. Paint is more than a pretty feature, it seals your siding and protects your home from weather related issues.  

Making sure your gutters are properly functioning and aren’t clogged is also a huge part of protecting your home from water damage. If your gutters are full of leaves, sticks and pine needles or not angled correctly, water will be redirected down the side of your house and collect at the base of your home. Start by clearing out all the junk in your gutters and ensuring that they are not damaged.  

Correctly functioning gutters should send water through the downspout, which shoots water away from your home. When checking gutters make sure that your downspout extends far enough at the bottom to redirect the water drainage to a safe distance away from the base of your home.  

Pro Tip: Downspouts should direct water at least three feet from the exterior walls of your home.  

For emergency water services give us a call at 706-750-0200, we are Always Here To Help 24/7/365  

Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

Stovetops, Ovens and Fryers 

Thanksgiving is the day where American families come from all over to be together and celebrate the most important thing there is- love for each other. With the influx of family, cooking can become dangerous if you allow it. The National Fire Protection Association displayed in a national study that the number of cooking fires is three times higher on Thanksgiving than any other day in the year.  Jammed stovetops and crowded kitchens aren’t the only potential dangers, turkey fryers and candles are elevating fire risk more and more each year.  

Remember to always keep a fire extinguisher nearby and make sure everyone in the house knows how to use it.  

Whomever is cooking can easily become distracted by preparing dishes while also trying to entertain guests. Preventing fires is simple when following some basic guidelines:  

• It’s always a great start to the holiday when you begin with a clean oven and stove. Removing buildup from old food and grease on your burners and in your oven can save you from a holiday disaster. 
• Don’t get distracted by guests and leave food cooking unattended.
• Always make sure someone is in the home and keeping a close eye on the kitchen if you do have to step away. 

Pro Tip: Setting a timer when cooking a large turkey can make the difference in holiday cheer and holiday oh dear.  

• Keep children away from the kitchen, if you do have young ones running around- try to only utilize the back burners if possible. 
• In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat and immediately close the oven. 
• Have working smoke alarms and have an emergency evacuation plan in place. 

Turkey Fryer Pro Tips  

Never use a turkey fryer inside the home, in the garage or even under a covered patio. Don’t overfill the oil in the fryer, as it can easily tip over. Most turkey fires due to a fryer happen when the oil is being heated, but turkey fryer accidents can be avoided when following the following turkey fryer safety tips: 

• Always read the fryer instruction manual.
• Make sure turkey is completely thawed out before throwing it into the fryer.
• Don’t overfill the oil in the fryer. Before filling up the fryer with oil test it out with water. Place the turkey in the fryer and fill it with water until the turkey is covered. Mark the water line and then repeat the process with your frying oil. 
• Keep children and pets away from the fryer and never leave your fryer unattended. 
• Only use oil that is recommended by the brand of fryer you’re using. 
• If oil begins to smoke, immediately turn the gas supply off. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and NEVER use water to try and extinguish an oil fire. 

Final Pro Tip: According to the USFA, candles are responsible for an estimated 15,600 residential fires a year, causing 150 deaths, 1,270 injuries, and $539 million in property damage. More than half of candle fires are a result of a candle being placed too close to flammable holiday decorations. Always keep children in mind when decorating. 

If a fire does occur, give us a call at SERVPRO® at 706-750-0200 and we’ll make it "Like it never even happened."® 

SERVPRO is Faster to Any Disaster

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals here in Augusta, GA are ready for your call should you need us. Call 706-750-0200.

When dealing with Water, Fire or Mold – SERVPRO is Faster to Any Disaster.

When water damages occur, the wrong response team can cost you plenty. When water damages occur in your home, avoid the frustration of waiting for a team that will not show on time, or even worse, be a team that will not properly restore your home that later will lead to secondary damages and more headache. SERVPRO has the people, processes, and equipment necessary to execute the restoration process for every loss.

SERVPRO professionals will respond quickly with the appropriate equipment to help dry and protect your property. Our 1-4-8 process holds our teams to a highly regimented system that set expectations of the fastest industry response times. Why does showing up fast matter? When mitigating a water damage, standing water can quickly become a home’s worst enemy, affecting floor coverings, base boards and all your belongings that are touched by standing water.

Immediate water Damage Tips for a Property Owner:

• Shut off the water source if possible.
• Remove all excess water you can.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture to protect the furniture from rusting or swelling from moisture and water absorption.
• Hang furs and leather goods away from water damaged areas.
• Do not leave sentimental items, books, or other colored items on wet carpeting.

How SERVPRO Restores Properly

Other than crews attending and becoming certified through IICRC standards – the combination of the SERVPRO difference in Fast Action and Thorough Drying helps SERVPRO remain the leader in our industry in ability and quality of service.

Even small water damages have the potential to create serious structural issues over time. If you have question, need to call for scheduling for mold testing or fire damage help, call our team at 706-750-0200.

December Fun Starts in Augusta - Stay Safe!

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

Starting in December, Christmas bells will ring, and Santa Clause will come to town!

Augusta is full of holiday cheer and activities for families. Evans Towne Center Park will have an annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, Lights in the South will be fun for all ages, the Augusta 5k will be in full swing, hunting for the perfect Christmas tree on Washington Road in Augusta, GA is a part of many family’s traditions.

Be Careful of Unforeseen Dangers

On your way to having fun or commuting back and forth to work, beware of “black ice.” Although Augusta does not typically see snow, ice on the roads is still a threat. Black ice is invisible to drivers as the ice is transparent. The ice forms a glaze over the roadways, sidewalks, and driveways causing drivers to pause for caution.

Knowing When to Expect Black Ice

Black ice tends to form in the early hours of the morning and evening when sun temperatures are at a low. Occasionally, black ice can be seen in the right light conditions. In this case, it is important to not panic, simply slow your vehicle and stay alert. Do not hit the brakes and keep your steering wheel straight, be careful not to jerk the wheel as you may overcorrect. *Pro-Tip: Find an area of traction, like the side of the roadway where there is snow and/or grass.

Tips from the Professionals:

• Have snow tires fitted for your vehicle
• Stay off the phone while driving – Always! Especially during winter months where black ice is an added threat.
• Drive slowly to avoid quick movements of the steering wheel and do not harshly press brakes.
• If weather conditions are not safe, do not drive! It is better to wait and stay off the roadways than to be in, and/or cause a wreck.

Need Winter Storm Damage Help? SERVPRO of Augusta can help. Call our teams, 24/7 – 365 at 706-750-0200

The History of Augusta and Historic Commercial Buildings

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

Where is Augusta Located?

Augusta is in the east central section of Georgia. The Savannah River serves as a border between Richmond and Aiken County (South Carolina). Augusta’s most recent population census showed that we currently have over 200,000 people residing within the city.

History of Augusta, Georgia

Augusta was established in 1736 by British General James Oglethorpe and was named after Princess Augusta of Saxe Gotha, who was the mother of King George III. Augusta was originally founded during the British Colonial era as a trading outpost and is Georgia’s second oldest, and second largest city. Originally built on the flat drops of land by the Savannah River, which is currently referred to as Summerville. In the early 1700s “Summerville” was also neighbored by tribes of Cherokee and Creek Indians.

Augusta served as the capital of Georgia from 1785-1795. Later on, as a crucial location in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Augusta has the only structure ever built by the Confederate, the old Confederate Powder works.  

The Augusta Canal was built in 1847, making Augusta the second major inland cotton marketplace in the entire world during the cotton boom. Augusta later received its nickname “The Garden City” in the early twentieth century due to the cities many large and private gardens.

Noteworthy Structures

Augusta currently has 47 listings on the National Register of Historic Places, several historic monuments, and cemeteries. Augusta also has many historically important homes and buildings, such as the Boyhood home of the U.S. 28th president Woodrow Wilson and Springfield Baptist Church, the oldest African American church in the United States.

Present Day Augusta

In 1996 Augusta merged with Richmond County to create Augusta-Richmond County. This merge resulted in Augusta-Richmond County having 1 Mayor and 10 county commissioners.

Augusta is best recognized as ‘the golf capital of the world’, with millions of people traveling there every year in the first full week of April for the Masters Golf Tournament. Augusta is also home to the Augusta University and Fort Gordon which is the base for the U.S. Army Signal Corps, U.S. Army Cyber Command and the Cyber Center of Excellence.

Need Help Identifying Potential Mold?

Just purchased a historical building with water and fire damage or mold? Give SERVPRO® Professionals a call at 706-750-0200 and we’ll make it "Like it never even happened."®

Stressed About Water Damage Repair? It Will Be Okay!

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® crews are ready for any size job, at any time - Including extracting an entire basement covered with water from a hot water heater burst.

The SERVPRO® Difference for Water Damage Help

Confronting a water damage issue can be overwhelming, but one of our team’s top priorities is to make your water loss as smooth of a process given your home is need of professional restoration help.

Our teams aim to make your family comfortable during the entire process. A water loss can feel like your home and normal life have been invaded. Unlike other restoration companies, SERVPRO® professionals have been trusted to restore properties of every type for over 50 years.

The SERVPRO® Experience

With over 50 years of experience in providing industry excellence, SERVPRO® professionals have mastered the training necessary for making your personal experience with SERVPRO® standard at every franchise location. When you call your local SERVPRO® of Augusta, you can expect fast response times, convenient servicing, damage containment, an extensive amount of experience from our teams, and accessibility to vast resources to get your damages repaired as quickly as possible.

What Does this Mean for You?

Fast Response times are crucial to helping to minimize further damages. Expect for tidy, uniformed crews to arrive as quickly as possible with all equipment necessary to start work immediately. Our convenient servicing is accomplished through having over 1,900 franchise license locations through the United States, all offering excellent servicing no matter where you are in the U.S.

Timely responses to your call for help can mean the difference between restoring property or being forced to replace it. Replacement expenses are vastly greater than restoring and allow for a faster in-and-out scenario for a loss.

With extensive experience in restoration servicing, there is never a loss that our team has not faced and fixed for our customers. With experience comes knowledge and trust placed that work will be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Lastly, our vast resources include our ability to handle large-scale losses for both water and fire damages no matter the size, including storm events.

Selecting an Expert Means Less Stress.

If you find that you need SERVPRO services, call our office team at 706-750-0200, or contact us through our webpage under the Contact Us tab.

SERVPRO® Halloween Fire Safety Do’s & Don’ts

9/17/2021 (Permalink)

Holiday Fire Threats

Creating a spooky and scary Halloween vibe often relies on lighting effects in your home and yard. Jack-o-lanterns, candelabras and fog machines are classic props during spooky season. Even though these props are super cool, they also pose huge safety risks. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that Halloween decorations cause 800 house fires every year, which totals about $11 million in property damage. And that’s not accounting for the damage that can come to you if your costume meets an open flame. That’s why SERVPRO® of Augusta has created a list of Halloween do’s and don’ts to ensure that you have safe fun- without giving up the spookiness.

Decorations

Most decorations are extremely flammable due to the materials that make them up. When purchasing items make sure they pass the safety check:

DON’T use a candle inside of your jack-o-lantern. Pumpkins can be easily tipped over by kids or pets and catch whatever it is surrounding on fire.

DO use an LED light, electric candles or glow sticks.

DON’T use hay bales, dried flowers or leaves or paper if they’re paired with a flammable decoration. Also don’t put flammable decorations in the path of any exits in case of emergency.

DO use flame-resistant and non-flammable materials if possible. Avoid having a wood burning fire inside if you believe it will be left unattended for any period of time.

Fact: More than a third of house fires are caused by misuse of candles during a holiday season as decoration.

Costumes

Most Halloween costumes pose a fire hazard. When choosing a costume for yourself or your children only choose fire retardant materials. Avoid costumes that are bulky, hard to navigate in or have an excess of fabric. Coach children to stay away from live flames when at a Halloween party or trick-or-treating. Glow sticks and flashlights are a safe and easy tool for your kids to light their way during the night of festivities. If your child has a mask, make sure it is properly fitted to easily see. Review fire safety drills with your kids- such as STOP, DROP and ROLL.

Final Tips

Get ahead of the holiday by ensuring that your fire and smoke alarms are working and have fresh batteries. Check up with your neighbors to make sure they’re prepared for spooky season as well- as fires do spread. Have an evacuation plan in place in case of emergency.

In Case Of A Spooky Halloween Induced Fire, Call SERVPRO® of Augusta at 706-750-0200  and We’ll Make It "Like it never even happened."®

Storm Season Among Us in Augusta – Call SERVPRO

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

Downbursts and Toppled Trees Can Threaten Your Home

During storm season, categorized to run from June 1^st – November 30^th, your home can be at risk for damages. Being aware that a reliable restoration company in your area is available for help could mean the difference in having your home restored in days versus weeks, or even months from other companies.

Potential Threats Storms Pose

Downbursts, Wind-Driven rain, and Flooding are all scary scenarios that as homeowner can be threatened by during storm season. Fortunately, the city of Augusta does not typically suffer from damages compared to other like cities such as hurricanes. However, Augusta’s topography does pose a major threat from flooding, hence Phinizy Swamp and low-country areas.

In addition to flooding threats, wind-driven rain from heavy winds and rains can affect your Augusta home roof damage and can topple our areas local tall pine trees. Thunderstorms in combination with winds can potentially produce hail and cause damages to roofs and break windows.

Winter Storms in Texas Can Threaten Augusta

Storms such as Texas’s Winter Storm Uri in 2021 caused major storm issues. SERVPRO® crews from across the country mobilized to help those affected by the ice storm. Icy roads made roads essentially impassable and access to power left many without the ability to recover and stay safe during the storm.

Luckily, SERVPRO® of Augusta crews helped in the restoration efforts as many ice – water combination losses were caused by water heaters that had burst from the low drop in temperatures and water damages had frozen from not having heat in the home to make for a controlled environment for drying.

Prepping Your Home from Harsh Winter Storms

Although typical Augusta winters are not threatening, there are still preventative measures you can take to prepare your home for the changing of seasons. Following updates from your local EMA can help with preventing any potential damages. Click here to learn more from the Augusta Richmond County EMA.

• Stay inside and dress in warm clothing, and close off unneeded rooms to centralize the heat you do have.
• Outside of your home, help pipes from freezing by using insulated faucets covers.
• Remove any combustible central heater closets.
• Think of investing in a home generator.
• Trim tree branches away from your home.
• Clean gutters frequently and clear debris from storm drains.

If you find your home in need for repairs from ice storms, wind-driven rain roof leaks, and/or flooding, call your disaster relief professionals at SERVPRO® of Augusta at 706-750-0200.

Area Flood Damages Means SERVPRO® to the Rescue

9/14/2021 (Permalink)

City of Augusta Flooding Hazards and History

Augusta, Georgia located on the Savannah River has an extensive history of heavy rains causing major flood damage that has destroyed countless homes and businesses. After a series of major flooding instances, the city was prompted to build a levee for protection from extensive damages. Although the city of Augusta has made efforts to alleviate flood issues for commercial businesses and homes, flooding still threatens our area.

Being Prepare During Flooding Events

In recent news, flooding from Hurricane Ida in New York, New Jersey and other Northeastern states has caused great concern amongst our community. Flooding news may have prompted you and your family to begin to think and prepare for potential flooding emergencies in your area. Useful resources for the Augusta area can found by visiting the Augusta Emergency Management Agency page to learn more about topography mapping and identifying if your home is within a floodplain.

Augusta Flood Damage? Call the Experts at SERVPRO

At SERVPRO® of Augusta our crews are highly trained to assess damages caused by flooding and can easily create a comprehensive plan to restore your home. Taking precaution during storms, listening to radio alerts, and taking other preventative measures such as creating an Emergency Ready Profile with your local Augusta SERVPRO® representative can drastically decrease the time your home stands in unlivable condition and / or your businesses downtime.

Need Expert Advice or Need to Schedule for a Crew? Call our office at 706-750-0200 or, we are available through our Contact Page via our webpage.

How Can I Prep My Augusta Business Against the Delta Variant?

9/2/2021 (Permalink)

Using SERVPROxide disinfectant can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Call our office to learn more at 706-750-0200.

What Can a Business Like SERVPRO® Do To Help Against COVID-19?

When the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020, SERVPRO® Professionals came together to come up with the way they could best help the community. The SERVPRO® solution was the CSC program, called Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned. This level of clean goes past any janitorial service, as it’s a “hands-on pathological pathogen cleaning.” Our SERVPRO® crews are trained in biohazard decontamination and follow strict CDC guidelines at every job. SERVPRO® Professionals use EPA-recognized products like SERVPROXIDE to sanitize and disinfect any surface, allowing businesses to open back up more quickly, or allows them to safely not close while still following CDC recommendations.

More About SERVPRO® CSC Program

The CSC Program is grounded in our 3 C’s - Consult, Clean and Certify. But why do the 3 C’s matter to our team? The 3 C’s were created and cultivated to best individually assist each customer for their target needs.

CONSULT

Not all businesses are the same, at SERVPRO® we understand your company needs a custom cleaning program that targets exactly what you need and we create it for you. Your specific CSC Program will be created based upon your businesses size, type, foot traffic, rate of touch points and crowding points.

CLEAN

Based on your businesses specific needs your company will have a thorough cleaning embedded in the foundations of People, Process and Product. Which means that we combine our excellently trained teams, cleaning products and service methods will ensure that you have the satisfaction of knowing that you are Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned.

CERTIFY

Once your business is Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned, you gain access to CSC signage, or other digital images that guarantee to your customers that your business has received the highest standard of COVID cleaning available. We also add the date to any signage, allowing your customers to see that your business is proactive is making sure they’re safe, giving you happy customers and great revenue. 

We’re Always Here To Help® To schedule a consultation time and create a method for your businesses COVID-19 preparedness, give our office a call at 706-750-0200.

Constitution Day Firework Safety

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

The History of the Constitution Day

Constitution Day is a federal day of observance that occurs annually every year of September 17th. Constitution Day commemorates the day when the U.S. Constitution was created and signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787. The U.S. Constitution is the America’s oldest and most important document, as it shapes the framework of our government. It protects the rights and freedoms that shield us, and the generations that come after us as well.

Iowa was the first state to recognize and celebrate the Constitution Day. It was celebrated in their schools and a committee was even formed to promote celebration of the historical day. By 1949, all 48 had started to recognize September 17th as a day of remembrance and observation.

Controversy Surrounding Constitution Day

In 1952 in Louisville, Ohio a local citizen Olga T. Weber began petitioning for September 17th to be recognized in honor of the constitution. The Mayor eventually granted her wish, but Weber didn’t stop there. She petitioned for it to be celebrated statewide, and then, nationwide! Her efforts didn’t go unrewarded because in 1953 President Eisenhower signed it into law. In 1957, Louisville was later named the Constitution Town.

Later between 1997-2004 a woman named Louise Leigh and Senator Robert Bryd lobbied for all American citizens to know more about the Constitution Day and what it represents. Because of their avid petitioning, President Bush added the “Constitution Day” as an amendment to the Omnibus Spending Bill. Leading into the very first federally recognized celebration of Constitution Day on September 17, 2005. September 17th is also recognized with the nickname, “I am an American Day”.

So How Is the Constitution Day Celebrated Today?

Constitution Day has come a long way since 1787. Currently September 17-23 is allocated as Constitution Week. Public schools that receive federal funding are now required by law to observe the day and educate students on the history behind the celebration. Students have opportunities to hear readings from the Constitution, have discussions with local judges and even national heroes! Each year the President even makes an announcement in remembrance and celebration of the sacred American day. Towns and cities hold festivals, celebrations and fairs. And some citizens even display patriotism with flags on their houses, businesses, cars, bikes and even shirts!

Feel Safe That SERVPRO® Technicians and Crews are “Ready for Whatever Happens” on any holiday. For any water or fire emergency give us a call at 706-750-0200. We’re Always Here to Help®.

Smelling Musty Odors from Your Augusta Commercial Business?

8/25/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® crews regularly spray antimicrobial to help prevent potential mold growth.

How Do I Know If What I’m Smelling is Mold?

Molds are found in almost every environment, and mold spores colonize rapidly when moisture is present. Excessive dampness indoors promotes the growth rate of molds and other organisms, which can potentially cause health effects. But what exactly does mold/mildew smell like? Mold typically smells like what you’re probably thinking it would . . . earthy, damp, similar to the smell of rotting wood. SERVPRO® professionals handle water damages every day and know immediate action is required to prevent microbial growth. Here are some high indicators to be alert for if you are thinking you may have a mold issue:

• The visible presence of mold
• Strong, musty odors
• Discolored walls and stains
• Black spots on ceilings, floors and/or cabinets
• Excessive humidity

Indications of A Past Water Issues

If you have just purchased your building, but are already recognizing experiencing musty smells, there is a high probability that your building has had past unsolved water damage. Most mold problems are the result of unresolved water leaks. Examples include bubbling, cracking or peeling wallpaper or paint are huge indicators of past moisture issues.  SERVPRO® of Augusta crews can scope and consult on your commercial building and locate where mold is using our moisture sensors and moisture meters. These tools allow us to specify where the mold growth is and determine the extent of moisture.

If I Don’t Yet Have a Mold Problem, What Can I Do To Be Prepared?

No one plans for a disaster, but you can plan to be Ready for Whatever Happens®.  Having a Preparedness plan in place helps gain peace of mind. Developing a SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Profile (ERP), can minimize business interruption because you have an immediate plan of action already in place. Having a SERVPRO® of Augusta representative come out and help assemble an ERP could be the key in a timely response from your local SERVPRO® and timely restoration of your business.

Think You Have a Mold Problem? Call our office at 706-750-0200 to schedule a consultation and receive advice from our SERVPRO® professionals.

Augusta Commercial Businesses Respond to Disasters

8/24/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO crews work to get your business back on back after a water loss!

When Augusta Water Damage Controls Your Business, Take it Back

A water damage at your local Augusta business may be the most unexpected incident you will experience while in operation. Most commonly, water damage incidents are unforeseen and have the ability cause a lot of headaches. As a business owner with a water damage, you may be affected financially from lost revenue from temporarily closing your doors. This type of lost revenue can not only affect your livelihood, but potentially the livelihood of your staff. Situations like these are why SERVPRO® of Augusta exists to serve you.

Often with unexpected water losses, as a business owner you may not be familiar to where the shut-off locations are for your structure. You may think. . .  “Where is the water and gas shut off for my building?” or “Who would I call for help after the fire fighters leave?” Having knowledge of where these shut offs are can mean the difference between having a costly repair bill or having only a minor cleanup. Regardless, SERVPRO® crew chiefs and technicians are ready to respond to any size disaster.

SERVPRO® capabilities for dealing with large scale losses for commercial businesses are practically endless. SERVPRO® is a national franchise system with over 1,900 franchises generously peppered all over the United States and Canada. To this point, should your businesses be a franchise or simply have multiple locations, your businesses local SERVPRO® if never too far.

Combatting the Lack of Knowledge for Where Emergency Shut Off Locations Are

Did you know that if a ½ inch pipe were to burst, it would release over 50 gallons of water per minute?

This amount of obtrusive water can be devastating to a commercial business. To help reduce the risk of loss, its important to educate yourself as top where your shut-off locations are. SERVPRO® professionals have program designed to help mitigate potential extensive damages caused by a water loss. We call this program an “Emergency Ready Plan.” An Emergency Ready Plan, or “ERP” is a tool SERVPRO® uses to help commercial businesses large and small prepare for emergency situations such as a fire damage, water damage, biohazards, and more.

Through the ERP, SERVPRO® professionals help you identify water and gas shut offs, along with other pertinent information that many would find important during an emergency. Not only is the ERP available in a tangible format, but its main feature is accessibility to view the plan from our SERVPRO App. Having the luxury of the ERP App means that should an incident occur, all peoples within the organization could have knowledge of structure saving information to help with the loss. The more timely a response, the more likely you are to recover quickly. SERVPRO® crews are available 24/7/365 to answer your emergency call.

Need SERVPRO® Services?

Please call our office for scheduling an appointment, to speak with a representative for your businesses ERP, or to get expert advice at 706-750-0200.

SERVPRO® of Augusta is Here to Tackle Any Storm, Any Time

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Augusta is always Here to Help.®

When To Be on the Lookout for Storm Damage

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. As hurricane season rolls around every year, enduring damage to your home can feel as if you have been damaged yourself. SERVPRO® of Augusta is Here to Help® being open 24/7/365 we are always here for you. With constant crew and equipment availability, our fast response times help to reduce business interruption and recovery costs. Timely response from SERVPRO® can make all the difference between quickly restoring your property versus replacing property.

Why Choose SERVPRO®?

As leaders in the Fire & Water Damage Restoration industry with over 50 years of experience, you can feel comfortable trusting SERVPRO®. A trained SERVPRO professional will walk you through the job process step by step, so that you know what to expect and your desired outcome is achieved. Our crew members go through extensive restoration training and are IICRC certified. After the job has been completed, a final walk-through will be conducted to ensure job satisfaction.

What is a IICRC certification? The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, is a certification for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. Our crew chiefs and team of technicians undergo periodic training to stay knowledgeable with ever-changing industry standards and procedures.

How to Prepare Against Storm Damage

• Stay up-to-date with the Augusta-Richmond County EMA 
• Map your evacuation plan ahead of time
• Keep an accurate inventory of all personal property (i.e. up-to-date photos of your home before storm season and after)
• Take precautionary steps to protect your home (i.e. cut weak branches & trees, install storm shutters, etc.)

Have Additional Questions? Call our office at 706-750-0200 to schedule a consultation and receive expert advice.

Augusta Home Water Damage - SERVPRO® Can Help!

8/20/2021 (Permalink)

Friendly SERVPRO® crews are always Here to Help. ®

SERVPRO® Means a Dependable Team

SERVPRO® of Augusta teams work efficiently to get rid your Augusta home water damage. Our crews are equipped with industry leading equipment. Using SERVPRO® drying equipment often means faster dry-time, and its low-profile design is helpful in drying small, hard to reach spaces such as crawlspaces, small closets, and attics.

In addition, the use of moisture detection equipment can aid our crews in locating potential problem areas otherwise not seen. Moisture readers help to see beyond walls and into wall cavities using thermal imaging cameras. Without thermal imaging equipment helping to detect what is behind your walls, trapped moisture can lead to unforeseen extensive damage such as microbial growth. Mold is a potential issue whenever there is excessive moisture in a home for an extended period of time. Thermal imaging cameras combat the need to remove sections of sheetrock or flooring that would have extended the process which helps to save time and money.

Providing Quality Service for YOU

With a rise in Coronavirus cases this year, SERVPRO® aims to provide peace of mind in a potentially hectic environment after a water damage. Equipment that is deployed from our SERVPRO® operations center is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before and after each service.

SERVPRO® of Augusta standard is for our crews Emergency Service vehicles to be fully prepped and Faster to Any Disaster. ® Crews are accustomed to responding to all types of emergency services such as water damage, fire damage, and/or biohazards. Each SERVPRO® technician has a comprehensive education in both the prevention of and handling mold infestations from IICRC.

In addition, crews can provide the following system services:

• Soot and Smoke Restoration
• Dehumidification
• Mold Mitigation and Remediation
• Catastrophic Storm Response
• Document Drying
• Pack-In and Pack-Out Capability
• Air Duct and HVAC Cleaning
• Carpet, Upholstery, Drapes and Blinds
• Ceilings, Walls and Hard Floors
• Deodorization

When Disaster Strikes, You Can Be Ready

SERVPRO® of Augusta is available 24/7/365 to answer your call at 706-750-0200. Crews and technicians are ready to serve you and your family should you need SERVPRO® services.

We Can Handle Any Flood Damage Obstacles In Your Augusta Shop

6/25/2021 (Permalink)

Common Challenges of Flood Damage In Shops

A flooding episode of any kind can have severe ramifications on your shop or any other business that you operate in Augusta. If it is a significant incident affecting extensive areas, you can expect additional challenges since restoration requires the coordination of different services, including emergency services. You may want to start restoration as soon as the water in the driveways and other open spaces recede. However, there are likely challenges you might face, which is why consulting a professional restoration company helps.

When the incident causing flood damage in Augusta shops affects many other properties in the same community, it adds an unwanted aspect of competition for resources since everyone is looking to save their assets. It can be challenging to access industrial-grade equipment to extract water and dry the excess moisture from the structure. Our SERVPRO teams are fully prepared to deal with major incidents, which is why we stockpile a variety of equipment necessary for restoration. Our storm trucks are also ready to deploy to any location at any time.

Flood Damage Restoration

Floodwaters tend to soil everything in their path once they gain access inside a building. In a shop where most of the items are consumables, such exposure leads to a total loss. Luckily, having an active insurance policy covers the damages suffered. The challenge many people face is in filling the paperwork for contents claim insurance. Our SERVPRO technicians help ease the burden by coordinating with the insurance adjuster throughout the restoration process. Our electronic CCIS, Content Claim Inventory Service, also eliminates the difficult task of filling regular paperwork and makes it easy to categorize contents by damage extent.

Restoring your shop to a preloss state from a functional as well as aesthetic perspective is essential. You may not realize it because many long-term customers not only expect to find the products they regularly use at your shop, but the layout also becomes part of their shopping experience. Our SERVPRO IICRC-certified crews help ensure you do not lose any crucial layout aspects by taking several photos before any teardown.

To deal with any challenges of flood damage in a shop effectively, call SERVPRO of Augusta to assist. You can reach us at (706) 750-0200 any time. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Suspect a Leak?

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

How SERVPRO Can Help with a Suspected Water Leak Augusta

At SERVPRO® of Augusta, our crews and technicians have practically seen it all. From working under tight time frames to helping relators and homeowners at the closing table; to discretely managing large-loss water damage projects fulfilled to completion for government facilities. All projects are performed with service excellence. Our crews and technicians are trained and capable to handle any size loss, at any moment. As for your home, expect the best from our industry to rid you of a potential headache.

Understand what is key to restoring your home – Quickly!

Having a knowledgeable team on your side. Being equipped with a team that can expertly walk you through the process of water damage mitigation is important. Without SERVPRO® and our expertise, calling a different restoration team to respond to your call can put your home at risk for secondary damages such as mold and rot.

Access to the best equipment to fit your water damage. Not only is a fast response time vital when dealing with a water damage but equally important is having the drying equipment ready to be placed after standing water is extracted. Without swift placement of drying equipment, you could incidentally open your home to potential secondary damages. Our crew chiefs and technicians are trained to follow a guided system of structure drying expectations.

Daily updates can help clarify where your home is at in the drying process. Experiencing a water damage in your home is always an unwanted disruption. Our goal is to make it known how efficiently your home is drying and what outside factors could affect the drying process. Great communication and transparency are key in hoping to give you peace of mind during the time of your water loss.

Need Help for Your Augusta Home Water Damage? Give us a call at 706-868-5441, or to Learn More about the Augusta Area – Click Here!

Does SERVPRO Have All Skills Necessary for Exemplary Fire Damage Restoration in Augusta Properties?

6/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Has the Combined Knowledge to Handle Moisture, Odors and General Damages Thus Easing Fire Restoration

After fire ravages your Augusta home, it requires different processes to restore it to its preloss state. Since you might require help fixing the affected areas, you need a restorer with the right skill sets.

For the fire damage restoration done in Augusta homes to bear fruit, it is necessary to address immediate problems and prevent secondary issues. It takes training, experience, and dedication like the one SERVPRO teams have to arrange and execute all the necessary processes.

A comprehensive fire restoration exercise may involve:

• House fire cleanup
• Smoke remediation
• Water & fire damage restorations

On arriving at the loss site, our SERVPRO technicians inspect all areas to establish issues that need immediate attention. For instance, if water is used to put out the fire, vast property sections might be wet. Finding a way to manage the moisture early can help forestall extreme deterioration or prevent stubborn problems like mold growth. Our technicians use specialized equipment such as thermal cameras to trace moisture migration or thermo-hygrometers to check humidity levels inside the house. We can then set up some dehumidifiers to control the moisture.

Our SERVPRO teams are equipped to address all the problems caused by fire. After removing all smoke residues and disposing of the charred items, we embark on deodorization processes. We use various techniques, including thermal fogging, which atomizes solvent-based deodorizers, ensuring maximum penetration into materials because it mimics the smoke that creates the odor problem in the first place. 

SERVPRO of Augusta is well suited to handle any fire damage restoration issues you might face. Call us at (706) 750-0200 if you need help. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

A Leaking Shower Can Spell Major Water Damage Issues For Your Augusta Home

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

Water Damage From Leaking Shower In Augusta Home

The two rooms in the residential properties that report the most water damage are the kitchen and bathroom. These are the areas of the property where appliances and activities that use water occur most. When a water damage event happens, professional mitigation must begin as quickly as possible.

SERVPRO responded to a call from an Augusta homeowner with water damage coming through the ceiling from the bathroom into the kitchen. Our technicians immediately began scoping the area to determine where the water had migrated. The kitchen was unaffected by the water and only needed surface cleaning. We quickly located the source of the leak was from a shower riser, the long pipe that reaches up to the showerhead. When the shower was in use, water ran down the pipe and was coming through the floor joists and dripping through the first-floor ceiling.

Our moisture detection equipment showed moisture retention in the floor joists between the first and second floors. We used portable pumps to extract as much moisture as possible from the floor and then drilled weep holes in the ceiling to let airflow within the floor joists thoroughly dry the affected areas.

Because our technicians possess certifications in the science of Applied Structural Drying, they know how to strategically set up a room for the quickest and most complete removal of excess moisture. Air movers were positioned both below to dry the ceiling and in the bathroom to direct air within the floor joists in the area of the leak. This setup enabled for complete removal of the collected moisture and inhibited the potential for mold.

SERVPRO of Augusta proudly serves the local area mitigating water damage and restoring homes to their preloss condition. Our local emergency response team is available when you need us 24/7 at (706) 750-0200 to make your water damage “Like it never even happened.”

Call Our Experts 24/7 If Your Augusta Home Experiences Flood Damage

5/27/2021 (Permalink)

You can depend on our SERVPRO teams to cleanup and restore your property and personal belongings after a flood takes place.

What To Expect From Professional Flood Damage Restoration Services In Augusta

When your Augusta home experiences flooding, it is a traumatic time for you and your family. The damage increases with every hour the water remains, but managing the problem is beyond the tools and skills possessed by the average homeowner. Our company considers the water removal and structural drying services necessary after a flooding event to be one of the pillars of our mission. Let us help at this difficult time.

Flood damage in Augusta can connect to a severe weather event, a municipal utility breach, or household plumbing or appliance malfunctions. Regardless of how the flooding happened, it must be removed, contained, and discarded fast to stop progressive damage to the structure and contents and prevent secondary issues such as mold growth. We have the trained technicians to implement any professional plan to get the flood damage remediation project running.

SERVPRO often recommends a contents pack-out in a flooding scenario. Our team uses a detailed Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) to inventory and track your items, including detailed lists, digital photos, and barcoding. Removing furnishings and personal property permits us to evaluate their condition and effectuate cleaning and drying procedures at our production facility. We also document restoration expenses and decisions to discard items to help with the insurance claims process.

A pack-out allows SERVPRO technicians at your home to attend to rapid water removal and structural drying with more ease and space. Our service vehicles are stocked with pumps and water extractors, essential to rid the flooded spaces of standing water. We use thermal scanning devices and moisture meters to find hidden water and establish baselines for drying goals. Technicians operate the machinery after an evaluation of the water category, containing contaminated fluid for appropriate disposal according to local regulation.

Once the majority of the water is evacuated, SERVPRO establishes a perimeter of air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to dry out the flood-damaged space. If needed to gain access to saturated cavities, we might elect to make flood cuts, ensuring a flow of dry, heated air to draw out the moisture in every area affected. The water in the structural components becomes water vapor in the drier air, ready for capture by dehumidifiers.

SERVPRO of Augusta stands beside you after flood damage, ready to return your home to preloss condition. Call (706) 750-0200 for a fast assessment and professional flood damage remediation.

Best Way to Get Water Out of Carpeting - SERVPRO® of Augusta Has the Answer

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

After a water damage, water is extracted and drying equipment is placed.

Have a Water Damage Emergency?

If you are currently experiencing a water loss at your Augusta business or home, it is crucial to extract the water and dry it immediately to escape further damage - Call 706-750-0200.

What is Extracting and Floating?

In simplest terms, extracting is the process of using equipment to physically remove water from a material or surface. Extracting is often used to control the environment after flooding, or from a water damage where there is unwanted, excess water in an area.

Our goal is always to try and salvage your carpeting instead of replacing – A tactic used for achieving this is through ‘Floating.’ Floating a carpet is attained through placing drying equipment and simultaneously drying the bottom of the carpeting, and top of the carpet pad.

When successfully removing water and moisture from carpeted areas, using multiple drying methods and industry-leading equipment helps to combat water damage and potential secondary damages such as microbial growth and subflooring issues. Salvaging carpet and carpet pad can be achieved through floating carpets with SERVPRO® air movers, monitoring the drying and drying times, and placing dehumidification equipment to help achieve faster drying.

What Type of Extraction Equipment?

Extraction is just one step in the crucial process towards protecting your Augusta home water loss. Different types of SERVPRO® extractors help to best protect your home or business:

• For carpet, deep extraction tools are useful in removing the most water.
• Self-propelled extractors pull water out of the carpet by compressing the carpet and underlying pad to squeeze the water out and then vacuum it up.
• Stationary extractors work by squeezing and vacuuming the water; however, technicians move the extractor to a new section after approximately 10 seconds.
• Technicians use portable extraction wands for hard to reach areas such as tight corners.

In addition, after extracting water from carpets and carpet pads, SERVPRO® professionals can begin to place drying equipment to finish the drying process. Air movers and dehumidifiers are strategically placed in areas of need, and wet materials are removed.

For more information, please visit SERVPRO® of Augusta - or call us at 706-750-0200.

SERVPRO Can Help with Your Storm Damage Repair

5/20/2021 (Permalink)

Discovery of microbial growth behind wall coverings.

Mold Threatening your Augusta Home or Business?

If your home has a moisture issue after a storm, there could be mold growth festering. After a storm, safely assessing potential damage is vital. Damages may not mean a damaged roof from high-speed winds, or broken windows from tree branches. Sometimes, moist, damp areas occur after excess moisture in the crawlspace from high water levels seep through cracks or poor coverage of the access door and threaten microbial growth. Mold can thrive after a Summer storm because of humidity and wet conditions. These popular mold growth environments are characterized as a crawlspace, basement, or other areas that were previously affected from a water loss that have gone unnoticed and now have unwanted, excess moisture.

Measures to Remediate Mold

It does not take long for living organisms like Mold to being to develop and grow. Spores are found in an outside environment but can transfer inside a home if mold finds the perfect living environment – Typically on wet, organic materials like sheetrock (paper) or wood.

Choosing the Right Team

Calling SERVPRO® of Augusta is central to assuring that our team of experts can mitigate mold growth and keep mold away through expert diagnosis and processes. It is important to remove all outside factors that could promote mold growth such as wet insulation, wet sheetrock, essentially removing the molds access to its food source.

If you believe you have spotted mold growth in your home or crawlspace, call SERVPRO® of Augusta for help and to prevent potential health hazards. Our technicians are always prepared to conduct mold testing, identify potential sources of mold, and remediate.

If your home and/or crawlspace becomes wet after a storm, our crews are Here to Help® by being available 247 – 365, Call SERVPRO® of Augusta at 706-750-0200.

Augusta Businesses Recognize SERVPRO as One of the Leading Mold Removal Companies

5/19/2021 (Permalink)

You want a team of professionals on your side for mold remediation. Call SERVPRO at (706) 750-0200.

SERVPRO Stands out Amongst Commercial Mold Remediation Companies in Augusta 

Mold at your place of business is never a pleasant discovery. SERVPRO, one of the leading mold removal companies in Augusta, can help you to remediate mold safely and efficiently. Mold can have health effects on people working in your commercial space and, if neglected, can even lead to significant structural damages costing thousands in repairs. 

Many species and varieties of mold can contaminate your commercial space. Unlike other mold removal companies in Augusta that tend to scare business owners with the dangers of black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum), SERVPRO technicians never use this scare tactic. Black mold is no more dangerous than regular mold. 

Why Professional Mold Inspections, Remediations, and Removal Necessary from Your Augusta Property

Most types of mold in your Augusta property grow and multiply in damp and warm spaces, although some can grow in temperatures as low as 320F and as high as 1220F as well. Mold reproduces by forming spores, tiny particles that can detach from the network of mold (hyphae) even by the slightest disturbances and spread through the air. Hence, trying mold remediation yourself can cause the spores to spread to the unaffected area, complicating the remediation process. SERVPRO mold specialists have the necessary equipment and experience to limit the spread of these spores to unaffected areas. 

Certain mold can also produce toxic substances such as Mycotoxins and Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (mVOCs) known to cause health effects. SERVPRO consults Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) professionals and Indoor Environmental Professionals (IEP) to come up with a remediation plan that is safe and effective. Often this third party cooperation is required by municipal or governmental authorities. 

Call SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 for 24/7 mold remediation service.

Martinez Extraction & Drying – Why Call for Professional Water Cleanup?

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO uses the latest technology and equipment when it comes to water restoration services. We are fast and immediate to your property.

SERVPRO is there when you have burst pipes or interior flooding in Martinez – Contact us for rapid water cleanup!

You have complex systems that feed into your Martinez property, including water supply lines. Should you have a water incident like burst pipes, you need to address it fast to lessen the development of costly secondary damage and the loss of belongings. SERVPRO offers 24/7 response so that you can guarantee someone will be at your door to begin water removal services within hours of your call.

Why is it better to go with skilled technicians for water cleanup in Martinez?

Water damage remediation in Martinez, extraction, and drying are not usually suitable for a DIY project. SERVPRO is the number-one team in the area offering:

• Pack-Out services to remove contents for cleaning or drying off-site. This allows our crew more room to work on effectively removing standing water and implementing drying techniques.
• Moisture detection to find hidden pockets where water may have penetrated your ceilings, flooring, drywall, and even concrete.
• Controlled demolition, as needed, to replace unsalvageable building materials. 

Some of the equipment we bring to emergency services water damage calls include:

• Pumps and Extraction Units
• Extraction tools like hard surface wands, light wands, weighted rovers, and self-propelled tools
• Dehumidifiers, air movers, drying mats, and more

Do you need help with water cleanup, and you require assistance fast? SERVPRO of Augusta provides emergency response day or night. Call us at (706) 750-0200 to have a crew dispatched to your location for assessment.

Augusta Ceiling and Wall Water Damage Cleanup

4/28/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration services by SERVPRO are second to none! Call now for the fast and immediate services you need for your home.

24/7 help in Augusta is available from SERVPRO – Contact us for ceiling repairs from water damages and more!

Water damage is devastating to any Augusta property. When moisture meets your drywall or ceiling materials, it poses the threat of hidden dampness and mold and mildew growth potential. Ceiling leaks should get addressed as soon as possible, and our team at SERVPRO features skilled IICRC-certified technicians ready to help. 

Staining and water damage in Augusta can leave stains and damage to your walls, ceilings, and baseboards. In some cases, the materials could crumble and call for total replacement. Signs that you need water damage remediation from dampness in your ceiling include:

• Cracks
• Stains
• Bowing
• Peeling

If you have moisture behind walls, you could see issues like:

• Softened, spongy drywall
• Peeling or bubbling wallpaper
• Moist, damp smells
• Water seeping from portions of the wall, and more

It is essential to know that a slow leak from pipe damage or water infiltrating your roof after a storm must be addressed as soon as possible. Failing to do so could lead to structural damage and the need for mold remediation services. SERVPRO is here to handle water cleanup, moisture detection, and all of the emergency services water damage assistance you require!

Call (706) 750-0200 when you need us, and we will send out a crew as soon as possible for water damage assessment. SERVPRO of Augusta will always make it “Like it never even happened.”

Augusta Homeowners Avoid Stress with Quality Fire Restoration Services

4/23/2021 (Permalink)

Fire and smoke damage from a fire can be very messy. Call SERVPRO for their work and experience for the fire restoration service needed for your home.

SERVPRO is here to handle your fire and smoke restoration and cleanup – Call us to your Augusta property today!

The city of Augusta, Georgia, got its name after Princess Augusta hailing from Saxe Gotha. You will find Augusta within Augusta-Richmond County that lies along the central-eastern portion of the state. It is also situated at the Savannah River fall line, right at the head of the navigable part. You may have heard a little bit about Augusta as it is well-known for hosting The Masters annual golf tournament.

There is Something for Everyone in Augusta, GA

Are you going to be visiting Augusta for a bit of rest and relaxation? Will you be thinking about making a move to the region? No matter your reason for a visit, there are many incredible places to see and explore, including:

• Augusta Canal Discovery Center – Located on Greene Street, this interpretive museum dives into the history of the 1846 canal and the region's beginnings throughout the Industrial Revolution.
• Riverwalk – When you want a place to learn about local history while taking in amazing views, then Riverwalk on the Savannah River is just right. Not only is there beautiful scenery, but there is plenty to learn on scattered placards while walking around.
• Savannah Rapids Visitor Center – If you are looking for a place to explore for a walk or to visit to relax a bit, this is an excellent option on Evans to Locks. There is a small swimming hole area that includes a swing rope, kayak rentals, and more.
• Phinizy Swamp Nature Park – Located on Lock and Dam Road, this nature park is well known for incredible trails and wildlife sightings. All of the trails are very well laid out, including informational signs about each section.

Dive Into Some of the Best Taprooms and Breweries Augusta Has to Offer

Not only are there plenty of wonderful sights to see in the area, but Augusta is also a great section of the state to explore if you love specialty beer. Whether you are just getting into craft brews or you want someplace to hang out a bit, these are some top options in the area:

• Riverwatch Brewery
• World of Beer
• Pineapple Ink Tavern
• Arsenal Tap Room + Kitchen

Don't Let Fire and Smoke Damage in Augusta Break the Bank – SERVPRO is the Team for Affordable Fire Restoration Service.

For any house fire cleanup, there are many steps involved. When you have a fire in your Augusta home, you want a crew like SERVPRO on your side to handle everything for you. We work fast because We're Faster To Any Size Disaster – so you can trust us to get your house restored to pre-fire condition quickly.

When you contact us for fire restoration in Augusta, we:

• Remove any damaged components that are unsafe or unable to get salvaged.
• Remove flooring and floor coverings to prevent soot, dust, and contaminate collection.
• Evaluate all structural framing to ensure unseen portions of your house are up to safety standards.
• Carefully treat for odor and contamination typical in fire-damaged homes.
• Clean all salvageable content and materials to remove all fire and smoke damage.
• Remove or restore your HVAC system to keep harmful particles from spreading.

SERVPRO of Augusta is who you want on your side for fire restoration. Call us at (706) 750-0200 when you need emergency service.

Augusta Business Water Damage Cleanup

4/20/2021 (Permalink)

Thermal Imaging helps to identify potential problem areas during a commercial water loss.

SERVPRO Helps to Minimize Disruptions in the Workplace

If experiencing a water damage was not enough of a disruption to your business’s normal operations, unfortunately it can threaten low productivity in the workplace as well. SERVPRO aims to combat secondary costs such as this when restoring your business from water damage losses. By responding quickly to your call for water damage help Augusta, we can minimize extensive damage to the structure and minimize time spent at your business.

Commercial Water Damage Fast Response Times

Water damages can occur through a series of culprits, from loose fittings, leaking hoses to sinks, toilet overflows, water heater leaks, and more. If you find yourself and your business with a water damage, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Augusta. We understand the importance of reacting quickly when a water loss threatens your business. When water losses go untreated, excess moisture and standing water can lead to mold growth.

If water leaks go unnoticed for an extended period, mold can lurk behind baseboards and other untapped areas. Fortunately, SERVPRO professionals have advance industry equipment to see beyond the surface, such as:

• Infrared Cameras
• Moisture Meters
• Flir Imaging
• Thermal Imaging

Contents Restoration by SERVPRO

Did You Know? SERVPRO of Augusta has a department solely dedicated to contents restoration. Should your business experience a water loss and office equipment, office furniture, documents or merchandise is affected, call us! We can provide resources for restoring documents through our Documents Restoration Team and for other affected contents with our Contents Management/Restoration Team. Both team sectors aim to salvage your furniture, merchandise, and documents.

Want to learn more about this service? Visit our Document Restoration and Commercial Cleaning Pages!

How do Businesses Respond to Commercial Flooding?

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO uses the latest technology and equipment when it comes to water restoration for your commercial building.

Augusta Businesses Use SERVPRO to Perform Flood Damage Repair

Flooding in a place of work can be a headache. Often staff must be set home to maintain safety standards which can impact overall productivity and output. SERVPRO operates a commercial restoration service that promises to remove large quantities of water from your business quickly. 

Combatting commercial flood damage for Augusta businesses often involves larger capacity equipment. One of these differences is the type of pump. Water pumps have variable capabilities but are similar in their power sources and technology. All submersible pumps are measured by the combination of their lift capacity and volume capacity. We can select suitable water pumps to get your business back on track after flooding. 

• Self-priming trash pumps have the unique capability of shifting solid waste up to 1.25 inches and are frequently used in flood situations.
• A business with a long-distance to an open sewer point or on upper levels benefits from using high-pressure pumps that allow standing water to be transported over longer distances.
• Electric submersible pumps are the most versatile and quiet, with the most powerful capabilities of shifting between 1000 and 6000 gallons per minute (GPM.)

Get rid of floodwaters and re-open your business. Contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200.

How do Professionals Reduce Fire-Related Damages?

3/26/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage done to your home is very scary. SERVPRO will guide you through the entire process from beggning to end.

SERVPRO of Augusta Helps Local Businesses Overcome Fire Damage

On the banks of the Savannah River is Augusta, Georgia. The area is part of a consolidated county system which includes Augusta and Richmond County. The city of Augusta is home to 600,151 permanent residents and was first established as far back as 1736. Early trade in the Augusta region relied on the so-called 'black belt,' which was a crescent of richly fertile land on the Savannah River's northern parts. The fertile land allowed Augusta to develop quickly as an agricultural region, while the river allowed for trade across the country. One of the primary agricultural processes in the early history of Augusta was cotton.

Augusta was one of several regions in the US that were significant during the Reconstruction. When, following the American Revolutionary War, Secessionist areas were broken up, and slavery was abolished. Modern-day Augusta is perhaps best known for hosting the US Masters Golf Tournament, which forms one of just four major championships each year. The local economy is also a leading light in medicine, biotechnology, and tech. Medical research centers and hospitals in Augusta contribute $1.6 billion annually, employing over 25,000.

• The Masters Tournament takes place at Augusta National Golf Club on Washington Road annually. The highly-coveted event can have ticket waiting lists up to several years in advance and is well-known for its tradition of awarding green jackets to the tournament winners.
• The Augusta Green Jackets are a minor league baseball team that plays games at SRP Park. The arena, on railroad avenue in northern Augusta, holds 5,000 ball fans and was voted as the best minor league baseball arena in 2018.
• The Riverwalk is a mile-long stretch on the Savannah River with both upper and level walking areas. Along the route is Augusta's local history museum as well as cafes and art galleries. On Saturdays, the local crafts market offers visitors unique gifting ideas and keepsakes.

SERVPRO Can Help Recover a Business Quickly after Fire in Augusta

Fires frequently make business premises unsafe. Our team of technicians is available twenty-four-hours a day to ensure you can reach a solution to your fire issue as quickly as possible. SERVPRO endeavors to keep temporary business closure to a minimum by performing efficient restoration and cleaning services. Fire restoration relies primarily on understanding how different soot deposits react to cleaning agents. The restoration also depends on having the correct mechanical equipment to return items, textiles, and structures to a preloss condition.

• Rotary machines allow us to dislodge dry soots from fabrics, carpets, or upholstery quickly and buffer textile fibers to a preloss condition. 
• Odor counteracting pellets can be placed near cavities or other parts of the business to mask odors until they disperse naturally. 
• Using chemical pairing agents, we can capture odor particles and prevent them from causing further inconvenience to your business. 

Re-open your business faster after a fire. Contact SERVPRO of Augusta for fire restoration at (706) 750-0200.

What Are the Challenges of Water Restoration?

3/26/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration for your home should be handled by SERVPRO. Their technicians are IICRC certified for any size disaster.

Drying your Home Quickly after Water Intrusion is Vital to Avoid Excessive Damage. SERVPRO has Leading Drying Equipment and Expertise for Augusta Residents

Residential properties come in all shapes and sizes. When water intrudes into a residential property, technicians must be flexible in dealing with the home's unique interior architecture. This flexibility is necessary to overcome the materials, fittings, and construction in the house that can vary from job to job. SERVPRO technicians are trained in the principles of restoration that allow them to adapt to challenges quickly.

Performing water restoration in Augusta is full of challenges. One of the main pieces of equipment used is a water extractor which combines a centrifugal vacuum, heating element, and power to remove excess water. These are often fitted with tools to aid in the extraction process. Extraction tools could include stationary devices which allow a technician to remove water from thick carpets quickly by compressing them or self-propelled extraction tools which run forward and backward across a floor allowing technicians to focus on other areas while extracting.

• Carpet wands are frequently used to extract water from fitted carpets and can often dry the pad beneath.
• Self-propelled extraction units are often weighted, allowing technicians to compress rugs and remove more moisture across larger spaces.
• Stationary tools use holes at the base of the fitting to pull water through 200 square inches at a time.

Get water restoration that is tailored to your home. Contact SERVPRO of Augusta for water restoration at (706) 750-0200.

Safeguarding Contents during Water Removal from Martinez Homes

3/5/2021 (Permalink)

Water leaks can quickly cause damage in your home. Call SERVPRO today to avoid additional water loss of your property.

SERVPRO Minimizes Chances of Damage during Water Removal through Planning

Unwanted water intrusion into your house poses various risks to your valuables, including causing rust, staining, or even mold development. However, water removal processes can also cause damages if not properly handled. 

Some of the contents at risk of damage during water removal from Martinez properties include furniture, upholstery items, and carpets since moisture absorption affects their constituent materials. For example, carpets lose 50% of their strength when wet, and actions such as dragging furniture over them can tear them. Other actions such as floating the carpets, a process in which we force dry air underneath the carpet during drying, can lead to stretching. The suction power of extraction equipment might also harm upholstery items.

SERVPRO takes various precautions when performing water removal processes to minimize chances of damages, including:

• Setting drying goals to ensure controlled drying because swift drying can lead to problems like warping in wood
• Tacking carpets on the tackless strip to minimize flapping when floating the carpet for better drying
• Using the right extraction wands to remove water from upholstery items because using those with high vacuum lift might be faster but lead to problems

You can get better outcomes from water removal processes with the help of SERVPRO of Augusta. Call us at (706) 750-0200.

Does Your Place Smell After Flood Damage?

2/28/2021 (Permalink)

You can contact our professionals 24/7. Our fire damage experts are trained in fire & smoke restoration, odor control, upholstery and fabric cleaning.

SERVPRO Can Help Deodorize Your Augusta Home

Strong odors can develop after a flooding incident for various reasons. The most common reason is floodwaters depositing odorous materials inside your home. The water usually contains various wastes, including chemicals and biohazards such as raw sewage, which emit bad smells.

Although the cleaning done as part of flood damage restoration in your Augusta home may remove the waste materials, in most cases, it does not address the underlying odor issues. Deodorization helps address such issues. 

Deodorization usually takes several steps since odors may originate from different sources. Some odors are also stubborn, and one method is not likely to eliminate them. SERVPRO technicians rely on their training and vast experience to remove odors, including:

• Adding water-based odor counteractants into cleaning solutions to neutralize odors during cleaning
• Spraying deodorizing agents in areas suspected to be the source of malodors
• Running air scrubbers or air filtration devices that have HEPA filters that capture particles as small as 0.3microns thus collecting odor molecules

SERVPRO of Augusta helps restore properties affected by flood damage. Call us at (706) 750-0200 to assist you.

Professional Fire Damage Restoration in Augusta

2/23/2021 (Permalink)

When fire damage happens, contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200, no matter how big or small the problem.

SERVPRO Handles Restoration of Any Type of Fire Damage in Augusta

Golf fans know Augusta for hosting the Master's Golf Tournament every Spring. The tournament started after renowned amateur golfer Bobby Jones retired from championship golf in 1930 and decided to build a unique golf course. A friend suggested that a 365-acre property in Augusta called Fruitland Nurseries would be perfect for the new course. When Jones visited the property, he was immediately impressed by its layout and how well it suited a golf course. 

Augusta is also famous for its warm climate, which made it a popular resort town in the early to the mid-20th century for people visiting the eastern United States. Since it is situated inland on the Savannah River, it was considered a city of strategic importance after the civil war. It was therefore spared the destruction other southern cities faced. Several old buildings and landmarks that survived the war still stand today, especially in the historic downtown lying between 13th Street and East Boundary. 

Establishment History

Augusta was established in 1736 as the second town of the 13th British colony. General James Edward Oglethorpe, who founded the colony, thought the location was perfect since he intended to establish a trading post to compete with New Savannah Town, which lay on the South Carolina side of the Savannah River. His plan succeeded, with many traders from the rival town relocating to Augusta. In 1739, a fort was built, establishing further dominance.

As trading thrived, the population of town also grew since traders brought their families along, thus necessitating the establishment of other amenities. For instance, the first church was built in 1749. Augusta hosted refugees in its fort and church during the French and Indian wars leading to a further population increase.

Annual Events That Bring People to Augusta

Apart from the international golfing event in spring, several other events attract people to the city, including:

• Westobou Festival, held annually in late September and early October. Its goal is to pursue an innovative approach to musical performance. International performance art acts usually grace the event.
• Arts in the Heart of Augusta. The multicultural arts festival features music, visual arts, food from various groups in the region held every fall. 
• Boshears Skyfest, an annual airshow meant to honor aviation pioneers and showcase aerial acrobatics. It features acrobat biplanes, hot air balloon races, and racing jet semi-trucks.

SERVPRO Offers Professional Fire Damage Restoration Services in Augusta

Fire incidents affect properties from time to time. Such incidents can be severe, affecting the structure extensively or remain restricted to a small area such as around the kitchen stove. Whatever the severity level, such incidents necessitate various restoration tasks for the property to regain its preloss state.

SERVPRO assists residents affected by fire damage by providing trained people who understand the best ways to handle the loss. We also have all the necessary tools that simplify restoration processes. Some of the services that we provide include:

• Fire residue cleanup from affected areas or the entire property
• Teardown and restoration of affected building materials
• Deodorization to remove any strong odors

SERVPRO of Augusta can help you perform any fire damage restoration task. Call us at (706) 750-0200.

Want Lasting Mold Damage Remediation in Augusta?

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has IICRC trained professionals for any size disaster. Mold especially, it may cause more harm than you know.

Following EPA protocols is why SERVPRO's anti-mold approach works.

Be wary of mold removal contractors promising complete elimination of both active outbreaks and all spores. Mold spores will always be present in your home, and many more daily hitch a ride inside on shoes, paws, and clothing. The trick to coping with the constant threat of mold growth is moisture management. 

Why SERVPRO for Mold Remediation? 

Chronic leaking or high humidity expose homes in Atlanta to mold damage risks. IICRC training stresses the relationship between water and mold growth. Water damage and mold remediation are key offerings on our service menu, why SERVPRO has a unique perspective, resolving both by:

• Locating mold and moisture
• Planning for mold containment and removal 
• Disposing of moldy materials according to local regulation
• Applying EPA-registered antimicrobials to previously moldy surfaces to inhibit rebound
• Arranging for the repair of the leak or reduction in humidity to limit future mold growth

Training in multiple waters and microbial damage mitigation and remediation strategies is why SERVPRO of Augusta succeeds in mold abatement where others fall short. Call (706) 750-0200 for a consultation.

Why Seek Professional Flood Damage Help in Groveland?

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

Storm damage is no easy task. Call the professionals of SERVPRO for the flood damage services you need.

SERVPRO ensures safety during Groveland flooding mitigation

When seemingly clean rainwater invades your Groveland home, it can be hard to appreciate the hazards it poses. Although it might look clear, it can carry significant amounts of:

• Road and landscaping chemicals
• Diluted sewage, still teeming with human pathogens
• Dissolved substances contained in or on the materials passed through on its way inside -- including asbestos, lead, and more
• Bits of industrial waste and dead insects and animals

What Protections Does SERVPRO Provide During Flood Recovery?

When torrential rains cause local waterways and sewers to flood, damage to Grovetown residences follows. SERVPRO crews are certified to extract and contain flood fluids for lawful disposal. We enhance safety for your family through:

• Containment of work areas
• Venting airborne contaminants using negative pressure air scrubbers
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), preventing tracking hazardous waste in living areas
• Cleaning and disinfection employing EPA-registered products

Call on SERVPRO of Augusta for fast and expert flood damage restoration. Contact us at (706) 750-0200 any time, day or night, 365.

Should Augusta Residents Get Help for Fire Damage Restoration?

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

Fire loss to your property is no way task to handle. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for the services needed.

SERVPRO Ensures Complete Toxic Smoke and Soot Cleanup in Augusta 

In 1916, Augusta experienced a fire disaster that defined the city and its resilience under tremendous pressure. March 22, 1916, marked the date of a calamity that destroyed or significantly damaged 25 blocks of the city as it stood at that time. The perimeters of the fire were roughly 8th street to East Boundary Street. The flames traveled along Reynolds Street and spread from there. Parts of downtown and Old Town were involved in the destruction.

How Did Augusta's Great Fire Of 1916 Start?

As is sadly familiar with horrific events such as this blaze, the cause was an everyday error that grew wildly out of control. The ignition site was at Jackson and Broad Streets. Now occupied by the SunTrust Building, in 1916, the parcel underlay the Dyer Building. On the first floor, the M. E. Kelly dry goods store ensured the sharp looks of the clothing sold with a tailor's shop. Typical of such a service, the staff used a pressing iron to smooth out wrinkles and set creases. Momentary inattention to the hot implement permitted a fire to break out in the early evening. 

What Path Did the Augusta Fire Take Through the City?

The fire traveled from the Dyer building east, roaring through a quarter-square mile at the city center. Strong winds increased the blaze's intensity, and just about any building in its path provided fuel for its continuous movement. Commercial properties, personal residences, and schools all fell to the heat and flames. Attempts to quell the fire were provided by: 

• Augusta's eight firehouses
• Fire departments from neighboring cities:
• Atlanta
• Savannah
• Charlestown 
• Columbia

Estimates of the numbers of houses burned topped 525, and at least 138 businesses also toppled under the intense fire. 

How Does the 1916 Fire Rank Among Similar Events in Augusta? 

Although fires at other times pressed on the city's resources over the years, Augusta's Great Fire of 1916 was at an entirely different level of damage. It was considered the most significant loss sustained by the city and the entire state of Georgia. Depending on the source of information, the losses were estimated to exceed $6,000,000 at the time of the fire. Structures lost include:

• The Empire Life building
• The Chronicle building
• Tubman High School
• Houghton Grammar school
• The historic St. Paul's Church 

Photographs of the damage are archived and make the extent of the disaster clear. Augusta has rebuilt but does not forget.

What Is the Value of Hiring Professional Restorers for Your Fire Emergency? 

Catching a household blaze before it gets out of hand is a relief. No matter how inconsequential the accident might seem, Augusta fire damage restoration evaluation by SERVPRO is critical. The residues created by a home fire of any size need expert removal because they are:

• Acidic and highly corrosive to a wide range of structural components content
• Toxic, posing potential health effects when airborne and settle on surfaces
• Malodorous, requiring innovative equipment and best-practice protocols to remove

Count on the team at SERVPRO of Augusta to meet your fire mitigation and remediation needs. One call to (706) 750-0200 opens our toolbox of comprehensive resources focused on restoring your property.

Martinez Residents Can Learn To Achieve Their Dreams

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

Seminar To Learn to Manifest in Martinez Happening

The past year has been rough for everyone. Numerous people have also had the opportunity to look inward and realize there are things in their lives that they want but do not yet have. This seminar teaches participants the art of goal setting, whether a new home, a better relationship with a spouse or family, or an increase in income. Life coach Armida Abreu Martinez of Divine Growth Coaching takes attendees through a journey to learn how to envision goals so vividly, the path to making them a reality becomes concise and clear. In the interest of safety for all, the seminar will be held via Zoom, and a link to join the session will get sent the day of the event. 

• Date: Saturday, January 16, 2021
• Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
• Fee: Free for all

SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 brings professional water restoration services to local Martinez residents. The techs have training and certification to handle any size of water damage within a property. 

SERVPRO® of Augusta Helps Stop the Spread

12/31/2020 (Permalink)

Local businesses choose SERVPRO® of Augusta to be Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. Call today to become CSC too, 706-750-0200

Combating COVID 19 /  Coronavirus

SERVPRO® of Augusta Can Help You Stop the Spread within your Augusta business or home. Throughout the year 2020 many communities have been greatly impacted and plagued by the COVID 19 / Coronavirus. Recognizing the need for a trusted leader to emerge with a product to help combat the virus, SERVPRO® has formulated SERVPROXIDE. SERVPROXIDE is an EPA registered product that helps to protect local businesses, staff, customers, and families alike to regain sense of safety through disinfecting and sanitizing. Many Augusta businesses have fought back through protecting their staff and customers using SERVPROXIDE application.

Reacting to a Need

The demand for SERVPROXIDE has greatly increased in the winter months as a rise in cases climb due to seasonal affects. The product has several types of application options, most popular is our electrostatic fogger.

Electrostatic Fogging of SERVPROXIDE

SERVPROXIDE is an EPA registered product and using our electrostatic fogging equipment, it can be applied as a very fine mist. The fine mist is attracted to all hard surface areas, even the tightest of spaces. This helps to hit all hard-to-reach surfaces including all high-touch point areas such as: light switches, door handles, keyboards, desk chairs, countertops, and many more. These high-touch point areas are more likely to have come in to contact with the COVID 19 virus.

Conducting Proactive and Reactive Cleanings

We offer two types of sanitizing and disinfection options. Proactive Cleaning, this is determined by recognizing there was not been any knowledge of contamination from COVID 19 and is strictly preventative. Reactive Cleaning is conducted when there has been a confirmed active case of COVID 19 virus in the space, thus SERVPROXIDE is needed to be applied to help kill the virus upon contact.

Fast Response Times

Not only do we offer precautionary steps and reactive steps towards the fight against Coronavirus, but we also conduct wipe downs of all hard surfaces as an extra precautionary measure. Our team of experts are available 24/7 to give you quotes and an intended schedule for a professional sanitization or disinfection conducted by SERVPRO® of Augusta crews and technicians. We are prepared to limit contact and wear the proper personal protective equipment to keep you and yours safe.

Would Like a Quote? Call us at 706-750-022 for a quote and scheduling options.

Flooding Hazards and How We Can Help

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Our technicians are expertly trained to extract water from storm flooding.

What to Look for After Recent Flooding

There are many hazards to look out for after flooding in your Augusta home. You may experience electrical and structural hazards, along with hazardous waste, mold, and hazardous materials. Electrical and Structural hazards may be the most common when experiencing flooding in your Augusta home. Additionally, there may also be trip, slip, and fall hazards due to the number of wet surfaces in your Augusta home or business.

Electrical and Structural Hazards

Pro Tip: Electrical hazards from flooding can cause water to make its way into the wiring system. To protect yourself and your home, make sure all the circuit boxes are turned off to steer clear of shock hazards.

Additionally, structural hazards can mean the foundation is compromised due to the excess water that has now infiltrated your Augusta home. Occasionally, there may also be damage to the gas lines which will then cause gas to slowly leak into the home. In addition to leaking gas lines, there is also potential for there to be water trapped in ceiling pockets causing the ceiling to most likely cave in and fall. These are just a few examples of what can happen after flooding has occurred. We at SERVPRO® of Augusta are expertly trained and are confident in our ability protect you and your home from these issues.

Do Not Delay

If you see an issue, report it! When experiencing flooding in your Augusta home, call your local SERVPRO® of Augusta for fast storm damage flooding help. The sooner you call, the sooner you can get your home or business restored. Call 706-750-0200 and our crew chiefs and technicians can help provide you with expert advice.

Hone Your Business Writing Abilities In Augusta

12/20/2020 (Permalink)

Amp up your writing skills with this online writing course.

Augusta Residents Can Participate In This Skill-Building Class

In the business world, it is vital to be articulate in all forms of communication, particularly in the present day when many Augusta business deals get conducted solely through email or live chat. This business writing class assists participants in creating all types of written materials, from letters to presentations. This eight-hour course takes attendees from start to finish for taking lukewarm writing and making it compelling and persuasive. The instructor takes students through examples of writing and shows them how to elevate it. Elimination of "fluff" words and learning to hone a point in the least amount of words gets covered also. 

• Date: 12/25
• Course fee: $ 599.00
• Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Participants that prefer to attend virtually will get a link prior to the start of the classes

SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 serves the local community for any size fire mitigation needed in Augusta. Our technicians are available 24/7 and arrive soon after the initial call to get the restoration services going. 

SERVPRO Supports Local Augusta Businesses With Water Removal Services

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians will arrive on scene shortly after your call to us.

Augusta Properties Benefit From Fast Water Removal From Locally-Based SERVPRO

The city of Augusta was originally a British colony in 1736. It was the second settlement established under James Oglethorpe after Savannah. Before the influx of European settlers, the location was once the site where the local indigenous people crossed the Savannah River. There is a Fall Line that makes the terrain flat and easy to navigate. In the present, the city is the second-largest in the state, with prospects favorable for continued growth. The name for the city came from Princess Augusta, the wife of Frederick, Prince of Wales. 

Unlike many colonial settlements, the local townspeople lived peacefully and traded with the local tribes, including: 

• Chickasaw
• Creek
• Yuchi
• Shawnee

The Shawnee were originally known as Savano, and the Savannah River is an Anglicization of the original name of the tribe. 

Early Transportation In The Augusta Area

In the mid-1700s, Augusta began constructing roads to enable more people to reach the city without the need to travel on the Savannah River via boats. The result was more and more people moved to the city. The establishment of the Georgia Railroad in 1845 created a much-needed link to Atlanta and increased the accessibility for trade. 

Changes in Augusta During the American Revolution and Civil War

When the American Revolution occurred, Savannah went back under British authority. This left Augusta as the new state capital until it too fell to the British. The Americans took the city back only to lose it again to the British. After the war, the building of the Augusta Canal helped the city become a hub for the production of many needed items such as: 

• Gunpowder
• Paper
• Textiles

The Confederate Powderworks was a mainstay in the city, and many Augustans were in favor of the idea of a Civil War. However, once the war between the North and South happened, the city found itself overrun with refugees from other parts of the state that had already been overtaken by the Union Army from the North. General Sherman's army burned a large portion of Georgia, and the Augusta area did not get spared. During the reconstruction period after the war, martial law needed to get instated to keep the crime rates down and civil unrest at a minimum. 

Revitalization of Augusta

By the early 1990s, many of the businesses had left the downtown area. This area of Augusta became the textbook look for urban decay. In 1995, a loose collective of the art community began a monthly event known as "First Friday." On the first Friday of each month, there is a gathering of local bands, street entertainers, and art galleries featured during art walks. The result of this monthly event has seen the return of restaurants and bars to the area. 

Great Places to Visit in Augusta

August is filled with interesting and historical venues. One of the top draws in the area is the Masters. This is a must-see event where attendees get to watch pros from all over the world complete. Tickets can be difficult to obtain, and many people opt to watch the practice rounds, which can also be sold out for up to a year before the event. 

Augusta was founded around the canals, and the Augusta Canal Discovery Center gives guided canal boat tours daily. Participants can learn about the history and the importance of the canals as part of the city's founding. 

The Downtown Riverwalk has beautiful views of the Savannah River. Walkers can choose to walk the path along the river or go across the levee. There are numerous restaurants and bars nearby and conveniently-placed benches for seating along the route. 

One of the stops on the Riverwalk is the Morris Art Museum. This venue has the distinction of being the oldest museum in the country that is dedicated to the art and artists of the South. The permanent collection has over 5,000 artworks. The museum also puts on an average of twelve special exhibitions yearly with rotating displays, including public programs and charity events. 

History and music buffs alike enjoy the Augusta Museum of History. Many things contributed to the city's growth, and many of them get highlighted in the museum, such as trolley cars, the railroad, maps of the canals, and of course, a tribute to Augusta's favorite son, the godfather of funk, James Brown. Downtown features another tribute to Brown in the form of a lifesize statue at the intersection of James Brown Boulevard and Broad Street. 

What Happens to Stock and Furnishings During Commercial Water Removal in Augusta?

It can be disheartening to come into an Augusta business and find it needs commercial water removal. The key to getting the business reopened as fast as possible means the cleanup needs to start as soon as the water gets discovered.

Once SERVPRO technicians arrive onsite soon after the initial call, they use their equipment to locate all areas of water collection and determine where the migration path or paths are within the structure. The techs have advanced extraction equipment that pulls even deeply embedded moisture to the surface. 

In situations where there are furnishings and stock, such as in a retail store, the elevated interior humidity can damage articles. SERVPRO techs perform pack-outs where they take items in an organized fashion, either off-site or to a secure area during the restoration services. The things get cataloged as to their location in the building, so once the area is cleaned and dried, the pieces can get moved back and replaced in their former spot to limit the amount of disruption to the business once it reopens. 

Once the restoration services complete, the crew chief can walk the property owner through the worksite and go over the actions taken, such as: 

• Controlled demolition
• Confirmation of disposal of ruined building materials
• Estimate for reopening 
• Any repairs needed 

SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 handles the cleanup and commercial water removal for local Augusta properties. The trained technicians have extensive experience and the advanced equipment to make the damage, "Like it never even happened." 

Martinez Residents Find their Inner Artist This December.

12/7/2020 (Permalink)

Take time to relax and enjoy Holiday Sip and Paint, as SERVPRO remediates your homes fire damage. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

The Holiday Sip and Paint Event Starts on December 12 and is Open to All Residents of Martinez.

The Sip and Paint classes are opening up again this Christmas for Residents of Martinez to find their inner artist. Local artist Candice Henderson runs the courses to encourage all ages and abilities. The location is the Studio Neighborhood Bar on 11th Street. Guests are provided with canvases, paintbrushes, materials, and drinks. Local DJ Doc Bangers delivers the soundtrack for exploring your creativity under the tutelage of an experienced artist. Tickets are available now with Pkcreate and AC Inc. running December's class from 7 pm until 10 pm on December 12. Artworks can be purchased directly from the Paint and Sip website, while virtual painting classes are available.

• Tickets are bookable from the Studio Neighborhood Bar directly. 
• Virtual classes are bookable for up to 100 guests.
• Paint and material packages are delivered directly to your door for virtual courses. 

Housefires can cause extensive smoke and odor problems in your home. To get help returning your home to its preloss condition, contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200.

Hundreds of Augusta Residents are Taking Part in this Year's Run Run Rudolph Virtual 5k Run.

11/30/2020 (Permalink)

Join the fun and enjoy the views Augusta has to offer. Remember If your home needs assistance with storm damage, call SERVPRO, we are available 24/7.

Starting on December 1st, Augusta Residents Don their Running Shoes and Reindeer Antlers for the Virtual 5k. 

Augusta is full of great running spots, from Broad Street's historic downtown to the Savannah River's rugged natural beauty. Take full advantage this December by taking part in the Virtual Run Challenge. Supporting healthy lifestyles and activity, this organization promotes running in an area of your choice anywhere in Augusta. Runs are live-streamed or filmed, with registration taking place over the next few weeks. The time limit for your run ends on January 3rd. Registration is capped at 1500, so visit the event pages to book your spot. Fancy dress-themed walkers and joggers are highly encouraged. 

• Registration packages include reindeer antlers, finishers shirts, and medals, as well as a Tyvek Race bib. 
• Submit your results online to claim your medal. 
• Race packets begin shipping from December 1st. Once received, pick your spot and run through Augusta.

A subtropical climate increases the likelihood of violent winds and rainfall. If your property suffers flooding this winter, contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200.

Holiday Treats Cooking Class in Augusta

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO remove the mold in your home while you enjoy making cookies.

Augusta Kicks Off the Holidays with this Annual Cooking Class

Join the Saturday Chef Community Cooking Class on December 5, 2020. The topic is holiday treats. You will learn how to make unique recipes that can add something new to your Christmas get-togethers. It is a hands-on class taught at Helms College culinary labs. Professional chefs share their knowledge and teach participants how to create one of a kind edible delights.

Sign Up & Enjoy Learning Something New

If you make the same kind of cookies every year and want different treats or branch out into something new, this is the class for you. It only happens once a year, and you do not want to miss out. You need to pre-register and call (706) 651-9707 or email saturdaychef@helms.edu to sign up. The cost is $90 per person.

Enjoying the Holidays 

SERVPRO of Augusta offers mold remediation services to the Augusta community. Mold should never be ignored.

Our crew does not plan on ignoring the Christmas cookies and holiday fun in the area. SERVPRO hopes to see you at some of the local events. Contact us at (706) 750-0200.

Augusta Residents Use Fire Damage Restoration to Return their Homes to a Pre-Loss Condition After Fire.

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Augusta is Ready to Mobilize Expert Service Personnel and Equipment for Residential Fire Losses. 

Along the Savannah River lies Augusta. This sprawling city has an estimated population of 197,000 people, while the comprehensive Augusta Metropolitan Area encompasses an even greater 600,000 residents- making it second only to Atlanta in Georgia's met areas. Perhaps the most famous event that brings people to this city is The Masters' Golf Tour, which takes place every year in the Spring months. Up to 50,000 people turn out each day to watch the finest Golf players of their generation tee off at the Augusta National Golf Club- often referred to as the National. The course itself was designed in 1932 by famous landscapers Jones and Alister Mackenzie. Outside of golf tournaments, Augusta offers fantastic weather thanks to its subtropical climate and mild winters throughout the year. 

The city of Augusta is one with a rich history that goes back beyond the civil war. Downton is known as the historic center with buildings like St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Reynolds Street dating back to the mid-eighteenth century. This city's pre-civil war area can be found on the National Register for Historic Places and is protected due to its cultural and historical significance. The modern city is a diverse mix of traditional southern cuisine, far-reaching natural beauty, music, theater, and outdoor activities. Bringing together the city with the wider metropolitan area is the Savannah River, which runs for 301 miles through Georgia and Carolina before heading out into the Atlantic Ocean. 

• Downton Augusta is connected by Broadstreet, which is abundant with local eateries and nightlife. The 8th street entrance to the River Walk opens out into the Augusta Market, which runs from Spring until Fall and provides delicious local produce, artisan foods, as well as local wineries and craft breweries. Historical sites include the home of US President Woodrow Wilson, the Academy of Richmond County's 1801 campus, and many other unique religious and historic sites.
• Augusta's surrounding natural beauty is a national heritage site and offers incredible opportunities for Kayaking, Hiking, and Trail Riding. The Forks Area Trail System (FATS), starting on Woodlawn Road, was awarded Epic status from the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and has hosted the IMBA's World Mountain Bike Summit in the past. What draws riders to this corner of the south is the winding trails for all rider levels, the sublime panoramic views, and thick forestry.
• Warm southern eat-outs line the Broad Street walkway, offering soul food, international delicacies, and traditional Southern-style sandwiches. Groucho's Deli on 758 Broad Street has signature sandwiches that delight both visitors and residents all year round. The award-winning sandwiches have seen a recent explosion in popularity, allowing the deli to branch out into nearby Savannah, Greenville, and Aiken. This year, Groucho's won numerous awards, including the Best of Columbia 2020.

Visiting Augusta, GA, for the annual The Masters' Golf tournament. 

The Masters represents one of four major golf tournaments that take place every year. Since 1934 this course has kicked off the tour season starting in April and running for four days. However, many enthusiasts seek out the much-coveted early tickets to observe the practice rounds. This invitational tournament is the smallest of its kind with just 92 contestants but remains among the most prestigious in global golf. Each year the winner is awarded the traditional Green Jacket, passed from victor to victor as far back as 1949. 2020 marks the first year that the Masters have taken place in the winter running from November due to the Covid-19 health crisis. 

• The opening of the tournament begins with the Champions Dinner taking place the Tuesday before tee off. The event invites the tour's previous champions. Previous champions sometimes carry out honorary tee-offs at the beginning of each tournament. Jack Niklaus, a 6-time winner of the Masters, has performed the ceremonial drive alongside other luminaries like Tiger Woods. 
• Finding places to stay during the tournament can almost be as challenging as finding a ticket. The Lookaway Inn on West Forest Avenue is among the best. The converted turn of the century mansion is a short drive from the event with understated neo-gothic architecture and Roman Columns. The Westbank Inn on Washington Road is equally cozy and within walking distance of the daily golf. 
• Getting hold of a ticket for the practice rounds of Augusta's premier golf tournament is more exclusive than it is expensive. The reasonably priced tickets usually need to be booked in advance up to a year before the game occurs and are awarded at random to applicants through a ballot system. Tournament tickets are granted solely to Masters Badge holders and Patrons.

Tackling Fire Damage in your Augusta Home with Professional Guidance and Expertise.

Fire Restoration can be tricky. Smoke stains can come in many forms, while odors can permeate both furnishings and the interior of your building assembly. Correctly identifying soot deposits and the most effective cleaning methodology is an expert task. Homeowners with fire damage in Augusta can help reduce losses by light vacuuming to remove dry soots and cover the upholstery with old sheets to prevent further harm. However, tackling larger areas of smoke may inadvertently cause further damage to the property. The proper application of cleaning products requires careful testing of the soils to determine an effective solution. 

• SERVPRO can analyze and restore wet, dry, or greasy smoke deposits. Our range of cleaning agents includes oil-based, alkaline, and acidic treatments. Natural fabrics often have unique properties. Our resources of machines and cleaners can help to return them to a preloss condition. 
• Fire odors can permeate a home rapidly and be tough to rid from the structure. We can identify odor-causing items and make informed decisions on whether to restore or replace them. Our odor counteractants are recommended by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certifications (IICRC) S500 program for residential use. 
• Resurfacing, finishing, or upholstering can become expensive. By carefully deciding which items are repairable before beginning restoration, we can ensure services remain time and cost-efficient. 

If a house fire causes soots and soils to buildup on walls, furniture, or appliances, contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200.

Our Certified Experts Are Trained to Get You Back to Living Normally

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

Production Manager shows our customer the screen of a moisture meter to discuss readings and next steps for their water damage mitigation.

Communication is Key with SERVPRO® of Augusta

SERVPRO® of Augusta water damage crews are ready to expertly restore your home to preloss condition. This process may be unknown to some homeowners, so we set expectations when we arrive to help you understand the restoration process. Water damage varies in level of severity. We work with you, your insurance agent, and adjuster to discuss drying goals and potential completion date.

We have the expertise and equipment to properly restore your Augusta home water damage. Every water damage event is unique and requires immediate response, but the general process stays the same:

• Fast response to arriving on site
• Inspection and Assessment of Water Damaged Areas
• Water Removal / Water Extraction if necessary
• Drying and Dehumidification Equipment Placement
• Cleaning and Sanitizing the Structure
• Repairs, if necessary

Professional Process

As part of our process, SERVPRO® of Augusta teams have a system in place to help make your water loss in Augusta "Like it never even happened." ® Our teams will initially have a “scope” completed. The scope helps locate areas of the structure affect by water and defining the extent to which the structure and contents have absorbed moisture. We have moisture sensors, moisture meters, and Thermohygrometers to help measure the spaces temperature, moisture, and humidity. All three of these variables can change the amount of drying time needed.

Every day we communicate with you and your insurance company to determine how the drying process is proceeding. Our crews carefully monitor each day and may centralize the drying equipment to other areas of the structure for a faster drying process.

Experiencing Water Damage in Augusta? Let us help! Call us at 706-750-0200

SERVPRO® of Augusta Provides Storm Damage Help for Community

10/29/2020 (Permalink)

Impending Weather Conditions May Mean Storm Damage

Having a plan in place for potential storms could mean the difference between regaining normalcy OR having irreparable damage. Hurricane Zeta has the potential to send damaging winds and rains towards your home or business. Storm damage help is right around the corner, and SERVPRO® of Augusta is here to answer your call.

When storms threaten your home or business you want to ensure that the effects of storm damage can be remedied as quickly as possible. Storm situations that could impact your home or business from operating may include flooding, fallen trees, and lightning strikes often causing intruding water, roof damage, window frame leaks, and fire damage.

The Process

Fast reaction time at the first sign of a flood could save you from being displaced. We are available 24/7 to give expert advice and begin the first steps of saving your home or business. Most often, extraction of standing water will be needed to escape secondary damage such as mold. Part of our processes for storm damage help in Augusta means assessing the damage, coming up with a “Scope” of what work is needed, and completing an Estimate to be submitted to you, the insured, and potentially your insurance company should you need to file a claim.

After work has been approved and completed by SERVPRO® of Augusta, one of our project managers will walk you through the final project to assure that you are satisfied.

Do you believe you need help from our team of experts? Call us for advice and scheduling today at (706) 750-0200

SERVPRO COVID 19 Cleaning for Augusta Small Business

10/28/2020 (Permalink)

Locally famous salon takes action against COVID-19 and chooses to be Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

How Local Businesses Can Stand Up Against COVID-19 

Recently, multiple Augusta based businesses have taken action against the COVID-19 outbreak in our area. Numerous companies have selected SERVPRO of Augusta as their COVID-19 responder to aid in providing a safe work environment for their employees, and a safe environment for their clients. SERVPRO of Augusta has responded to a call to action from our clients to combat COVID-19 / Coronavirus outbreak by offering Proactive and Reactive Sanitizations. 

Proactive versus Reactive Response 

For SERVPRO servicing, there are two options we offer for COVID-19 cleanings: Proactive and Reactive.

Do not currently have a confirmed COVID-19 case? But, wanting to take extra precaution for you and your employees?

We recommend a Proactive Cleaning from SERVPRO of Augusta. Proactive unlike Reactive, is not in response to a confirmed coronavirus case; but is viewed as a preemptive step. SERVPRO of Augusta offers Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned for your business. CSC is an option for regularly scheduling your business to be proactively sanitized by SERVPRO professionals. CSC is available on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.

Have you, your employees, or a client recently been diagnosed with COVID 19 or are suspected of having contracting COVID? If yes, then your business will be classified as needing a Reactive Cleaning from SERVPRO.

Reactive cleaning protocol includes a SERVPRO crew arriving on site with Professional Protective Equipment (PPE): PPE full-body coverings, Gloves, Full-face respirators/coverings, Shoe coverings, and other PPE related equipment for safely sanitizing your place of business. Crews will enter equipped with electrostatic sprayers and SERVPRO-produced sanitizing products. Electrostatic sprayers emit a fine mist that will cover walls and hard surfaces. Additionally, SERVPRO crews will conduct a wipe down of high-touch points with our sanitizing products.

SERVPRO of Augusta Tips for Remaining Safe from COVID-19:

• Wear a Face Mask
• Keep a Safe Distance
• Clean and Disinfect Frequently
• Wash Hands Regularly

Want to schedule a CSC Program consultation for your business? Give us a call for a quote at (706) 750-0200

How Can Homeowners Be Proactive in Preventing Water Damage in the Bathroom?

10/27/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can clean up up possible biohazardous bathroom leaks in Augusta homes. Why SERVPRO? We can do it all for restoration.

No One Wants to Deal with Water Damage in Their Augusta Homes – These Steps Can Help Prevent That Problem

Bathrooms and water go hand in hand. Bathtubs get filled, running water at the sink, and toilets hold water. All of this can be a potential disaster in Augusta homes. A lot of splishing and splashing goes on in the bathroom, leading to problems if not addressed immediately.

What Are the Water Damage Risks?

Water can cause any number of problems. If left untreated, it causes floors to warp and stain floor coverings. Mold develops quickly in bathrooms and can rapidly spread into other areas of your home. Drywall can swell, and laminate flooring can become permanently damaged. If the seals around the tub, sink, or toilet are damaged, flooding becomes a risk. All of these problems can lead to needing water mitigation in your Augusta residence.

Proactive Steps to Prevent Water Damage

Bathrooms are busy places. Families with children know how much moisture can spread quickly when little ones are bathing or washing their hands. But there are certain things any homeowner can do to minimize the risks. These include:

• Mop up spills right away. Wipe the bathroom floor dry after baths to ensure no moisture is left to seep into the flooring.
• Make sure the toilet stays unclogged. Only flush toilet paper.
• Check seals and caulking around tubs and sinks.
• Examine grout and make sure it is not degrading.
• Shower curtains and bathmats are a must to protect against spills.
• Use the exhaust fan when showering or bathing.
• A dehumidifier can help reduce the risk of mold developing

If you find yourself in need of water mitigation, SERVPRO' IICRC technicians have the equipment, experience, and expertise you want. We provide water extraction and drying services to restore your bathroom to preloss condition, if possible.

Contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 for professional water damage service. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

SERVPRO Means Less Stress for You

10/26/2020 (Permalink)

Stacks of SERVPRO of Augusta South Air Movers are Clean and Ready for Deployment to your home or business

Why choose SERVPRO of Augusta South as your water damage cleanup company?

Advanced Drying Equipment = Less Drying Time Needed

SERVPRO uses scientific drying principles relying upon specialized equipment to detect, measure, and monitor your property’s moisture levels. Recent advances like our infrared cameras, can help our crews detect water and moisture potentially trapped in wall cavities, ceilings, and floors.

SERVPRO’s investment in new, advanced equipment will help dry your home from water damage quickly. The less drying time needed, the less time your home is disrupted by fire damage or water damage. Not only is SERVPRO equipped with the highest standard of drying equipment, we have processes in place for the fastest response times to get to your emergency water damage.

Faster Response Times = Less Extensive Damage to Your Home

Timing is Everything when disaster strikes. When you have water damage in your Thomson home or business, the longer standing water sits, the worse the damage gets. SERVPRO fast response times help reduce secondary water damage. SERVPRO of Augusta South crews uphold themselves to a 1-4-8 Service Response System.

1 is for one-hour to respond to your call and schedule a time for SERVPRO crews to be dispatched

4 is for four-hours to arrive on site to your emergency and begin placing equipment if necessary

8 is for eight-hours to communicate with you for a scope of what work is to be completed going forward 

We at SERVPRO of Augusta South pride ourselves in helping our community preserve their homes. Being local to you, we have the 1-4-8 Service Response System in place to do just that. Our mitigation vehicles are always stocked with equipment and the necessary tools to respond quickly to your call. SERVPRO has several satellite locations throughout the CSRA, fully stocked with equipment to help service even the largest of water damages.

Need Emergency Water Damage Help in Waynesboro? Call SERVPRO of Augusta South at (706) 843-1990

What Can Homeowners Do to Mitigate Flooding in a Home Office?

10/20/2020 (Permalink)

After a flood incident occurs in your home office. You can trust that your home is in good hands with our experienced technicians at SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Sends Emergency-Response Teams to Augusta Homeowners That Need Flood Damage Cleanup.

Because current pandemic safety precautions have many Augusta property owners working from home long-term, it can be easy to forget about the risk of natural disasters. As a result, dealing with damages caused by a home flood can be quite stressful, particularly when it impacts your workspace. An estimated 90 percent of natural disasters in the United States involve flooding, even in low-risk regions. With this in mind, there are several steps homeowners can take to minimize damages and a team that is ready to help when disaster strikes.

SERVPRO techs are ready to respond to flood damage in Augusta communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This team’s constant availability allows homeowners to minimize flood risk while maximizing cost savings related to repairing and replacing belongings and structural materials.

What Methods Can Homeowners Use to Flood Proof a Property?

Floodproofing can go a long way toward protecting your home and its belongings, saving you a considerable amount in repair and replacement costs when disasters occur. These methods include, but are not limited to:

• Wet floodproofing. One effective means of floodproofing your property is installing flood vents and constructing with flood-resistant materials. This process anticipates flooding and instead allows it to pass through highly durable materials to protect your property.
• Dry floodproofing. Dry floodproofing generally consists of improvements like tight seals for windows and doors. Membranes and seals reduce interior and exterior flood risk. Ensure that local Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) guidelines for new or substantially improved homes in your area allow for these upgrades before implementing dry floodproofing.
• Constructing floodwalls. If you have sufficient land, this method is highly effective for keeping your home safe and dry. Take a careful look at local zoning laws and regulations before commencing construction.

While these floodproofing suggestions can save you time, money, and stress in the event of a disaster, damages to your Augusta home are still possible. SERVPRO can aid you at any time of the day or night, including on weekends and during holidays, to restore your home per your insurance policy.

How Can Homeowners Get the Most Out of Their Flood Insurance Claims?

• Request multiple estimates for your property, if possible. Consider getting at least three independent estimates, if able, before scheduling repairs to your home. This process allows you to receive a more realistic estimated cost of necessary repairs to your Augusta property.
• Consider hiring a reputable public claims adjuster. A public adjuster works independently of your insurance company. These professionals assist you with your claim and maximize the compensation you receive from your insurer.
• Fill out a proof of loss claim promptly. This form should be completed within 60 days of the disaster to ensure that you get the coverage necessary to return your property to a preloss state.
• Request a certified copy of your flood insurance policy. The National Flood Protection Association (NFIP) provides the overwhelming majority of flood insurance to American homeowners. Having a copy of your policy on hand keeps you informed about your coverage while also aiding the claims filing process.

SERVPRO techs have extensive training and experience with flood damage mitigation and restoration per Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards. Your local team assists you by streamlining the claims filing process and coordinating with you and your adjuster during cleanup.

How Do SERVPRO Technicians Clean Up a Flooded Home Office?

A home office affected by flooding requires several levels of care that your local SERVPRO can provide. For an inch of flooding, Carpeting requires removal to minimize sanitation risks to occupants. The subflooring may also require thorough sanitation and structural drying. Depending on the amount of time since the disaster occurred, parts of the subfloor may require replacement due to warped, cupping, or cracked wood.

SERVPRO techs can perform a variety of other tasks to prepare your home office space for restoration, including:

• Moving electronics and valuables offsite for inspection, cleaning, and repairs by licensed experts.
• Elevating salvageable furniture, such as desks, shelves, and chairs, on blocks allows for on-site sanitation with EPA-registered biocides and restoration.
• Copies of essential documents that may have been affected by flooding can be stored electronically for your needs. Books on low shelves that may have been impacted by floodwaters may be more cost-effective to replace than restore.

SERVPRO of Augusta is ready to bring you mitigation services that are Faster To Any Size Disaster. You can call (706) 750-0200 at any time of the day or night to begin the cleanup process.

Can a Professional Team Help Address Mold in a Store’s Attic?

10/6/2020 (Permalink)

When water damage lead to mold growth, this business owner called SERVPRO. We were able to remediate both the water and mold damage.

SERVPRO Technicians Handle Mold in Augusta Commercial Settings by Applying Industry Best Practices 

Mold is not uncommon in Augusta and its surrounding areas. We often hear from homeowners when they either see it or start sensing a musty smell in their homes. However, commercial settings, such as a novelty store, can also develop mold on the premises. Any excess humidity can prompt mold growth and allow it to spread. When it happens in low-traffic sections such as an attic or a storage room, it may take months before someone detects the issue, which only works to your detriment. 

Mold remediation in Augusta businesses is a job for our SERVPRO specialized team. 

We train and certify our staff under the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to develop a feasible action plan to restore your business with minimal disruption. Mold is a complex issue that poses a health threat, but our expert team can take steps to mitigate your loss. 

Where does mold grow, and how can it be eliminated?

Mold can grow everywhere. It can affect your carpets, wallpaper, and wood beams. Spores can also travel through the ventilation ducts to spread through the store, making it essential that your AC annual check-up includes looking for mold. In our course of work, we attempt to stop the spread of mold by isolating the affected area and creating physical barriers. However, mold remediation is more complicated than using a cleaning solution. Our SERVPRO team may use some of the following techniques to remediate mold in your shop: 

• Air scrubbers to attract airborne spores
• HEPA filtration and negative pressure techniques to clean the air
• Anti-microbial treatments to eliminate existing mold colonies and prevent a recurrence 

Mold is a serious issue, and our team at SERVPRO of Augusta treats it as such. When you call us at (706) 750-0200, you reach a team of technicians where safety and excellence are at our core. We strive to leave your store in every step we take, “Like it never even happened.”

More about Augusta.

Will This Fire Damage Be Undetectable After Cleanup?

9/15/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot linger after the flames are extinguished. SERVPRO has the know-how to restore your home. Call us today!

Hiring Skilled Technicians from SERVPRO for Fire Damage Restoration Brings Your Martinez Interior Back to Pre-Loss Condition 

A fire's impact can be devastating to any home, often leaving you at a loss for where to start the cleanup. SERVPRO offers 24/7 emergency response when you have a fire that leaves you in need of prompt, reliable restoration services. We make it easier for you and your family because we are Faster to Any Size Disaster, and we work quickly to bring your interior back to pre-fire condition. Our team's goal is to erase all fire traces in your Martinez home while using the latest equipment and professional techniques. 

What Should be My First Steps After the Fire? 

After the fire gets fully extinguished, first responders will let you know if it is safe to enter your property. You can call SERVPRO right away to help with fire damage restoration in Martinez, where we will start the initial assessment. This assessment allows us to tailor a plan suited to your need for cleanup and repair so that your interior is left "Like it never even happened." With the variety of EPA-registered cleaning products, latest techniques, and industrial-grade equipment, we ensure that everything gets restored faster than any DIY methods could ever achieve. 

What About Air Quality? 

With all of the soot particles and smoke residue left after a fire, it is essential to address the air quality. It is also crucial to look at any moisture remaining from extinguishing the flames, bringing mildew and mold growth potential. Excessive mold colonization poses potential health effects for you and your family. The good news is that SERVPRO features IICRC-certified technicians to clean your interior while restoring indoor air quality thoroughly, keeping your interior breathable but also cuts back on the potential for odorous smoke and microbial contamination. Some of the equipment we may employ includes: 

• Air Scrubbers –Such machinery works to reduce particulates and debris from the air inside your home. They also help to lessen the threat of different microorganisms known to colonize when moist conditions develop. Working similarly to hydroxyl machinery, the air scrubbers pull contaminated air inside and trap airborne particles, then putting out cleaner air.
• Hydroxyl Generators –This dual-action equipment works to deodorize your interior while helping to filter out and purify the air. These machines feature HEPA filtration, which brings air inside where debris, particulates, and microbes get trapped. 

How Will SERVPRO Handle Soot Stains? 

The heat from the fire that developed in your Martinez home can cause charring to a variety of surfaces. Standard restoration efforts prove that resurfacing or replacement is sometimes the best option. Due to the time involved, our crew has a variety of advanced equipment and proven methods that we can use to tackle even the toughest smoke and soot residue in a shorter timeframe. Soda blasting includes pressurized air that shoots sodium bicarbonate out at high speed. This blasting strips away the charring and smoke residue but also acts like a deodorizer that blasts away odorous elements from the damaged items getting treated. 

Particulates from smoke and soot will settle quickly on your walls, ceilings, and other flat surfaces after a fire in your home. If you try to clean using DIY methods alone, it can be time-consuming and unproductive. We use the best processes for your unique fire project, such as pressure washers or vacuums to remove residue. SERVPRO also has HEPA filtration in our industrial-grade vacuums that work to pull out any soot particles not to distribute them within the home. 

Will You Completely Eliminate the Smoke Smell? 

SERVPRO has perfected our smoke removal process, meaning that we put forth our best efforts to eliminate smoke odors after the fire. Every step helps break down the residue left behind while also looking for any hidden cracks or crevices where particulates may have traveled. 

Common steps get taken when called to restoration projects in Martinez, including: 

• The removal of furniture and belongings from the home to be cleaned and deodorized elsewhere. Clearing the room not only helps allow for more room as our technicians work, but it also limits the amount of smoke residue, soot, and debris tracking from one space to the next.
• All surfaces get cleaned carefully to ensure no area is left untreated. Our extensive selection of EPA-registered cleaning agents helps remove harsh residue from various materials, including plastic, wood, metals, etc.
• If pungent odors are present in your home, our technicians can recreate the process that brought on odor penetration. Thermal fogging equipment heats up deodorizing agents to create a fine mist that penetrates materials and traps odors for removal.
• Any exposed surfaces can get sealed where a fair amount of smoke residue is present. We have special primers used to treat ductwork or seal walls that can then get finished with a final coat of paint.  

Call SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 whenever you need 24/7 assistance with fire damage restoration!

Water Issues in Your Augusta Home?

9/9/2020 (Permalink)

Don't wait for water to extensively damage your Augusta home like in this Photo, Call SERVPRO

Call a Team that Can Restore, Remediate and Mitigate them

Water leaks in your Augusta home may come forward in different ways. The smell of your home may be changed, or you may see discoloration in your walls or a bulge on your ceiling. Regardless of what is pointing to a potential issue, a professional team is the only one that can give a definite answer based on your needs. Mitigation involves eliminating the leak, whereas restoration and remediation include complex services focused on extracting water and returning your home to preloss condition.

For a comprehensive water restoration approach to your Augusta home's problems, call our SERVPRO crew as soon as you detect the issue. Our technicians hold certifications by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the leading certifying body in our industry. Our training and on-the-field experience face a wide variety of situations, which help us build our expertise in managing jobs of all sizes. Avoid leaving your home vulnerable to complications due to water damage by relying on our professional advice.

Why should I rely on a water restoration technician?

Professionals in our field know what to look for when they evaluate the damage in your home. The average consumer struggles with understanding just how far the excess humidity affects your home. Our SERVPRO team has industrial-grade tools that help measure moisture levels in different parts of your home, including your walls and subfloors. With this information, we establish a plan of action to restore humidity levels appropriate for your home. For water extraction, in particular, you may see us use some of the following:

• Drying mats to handle excess humidity in your floors
• Injectidry technology to reach behind cabinets and within walls
• Wand extractors for hard to access corners and carpets

The equipment above complements the efforts of our submersible and truck-mounted pumps, which can handle larger volumes of water.

SERVPRO of Augusta is at your service whenever you need us. Call (706) 750-0200 whenever you spot the problem and save yourself aggravation by acting quickly. Our goal, like yours, is to leave your home, "Like it never even happened."

Can My Neighbors and I Retrieve Items from Our Augusta Homes After a Flood?

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Augusta (706) 750-0200 to assist with your emergency flood damage, recovery, and construction needs.

Flood Damage In My Augusta Home

Quite often, many homes are flooded simultaneously in Augusta. Naturally, homeowners want to access their homes as soon as possible to check their home and their contents. Many are worried that strangers will remove valuables and heirlooms if they are not retrieved immediately.

SERVPRO suggests that homeowners of flood-damaged homes in Augusta do not enter their homes after a flood until the house is inspected. Numerous dangers are lurking in flooded homes such as electrical short circuits, leaking fuel, slippery conditions, not to mention the toxic water and debris that may have entered.

We are equally concerned about security and prepared to board up broken doors and windows, check for escaping fuel and live electrical wires. Once it is safe to enter, our team can begin recovery of specified contents, remove debris, begin water removal, clean and dry your home.

There is So Much Damage, Where Do We Begin?
Many homeowners are overwhelmed after their home is flooded. Every room on the main floor may be damaged by water and debris that entered the house. While it is not safe, they are also anxious to get started with restoration but have no idea where to begin.

It is situations like these where SERVPRO and our highly trained experienced technicians excel following a safe industry-approved process. We make sure it is safe to enter, recover, and clean your contents, remove debris and structural items that are damaged. We remove drywall, carpeting, hardwood flooring, damaged appliances, and cupboards as required. Once the structure is exposed, we can ensure that it is properly dried and made ready for restoration.

SERVPRO provides initial flood damage cleanup, removal services, and reconstruction services for your home. We can manage the reconstruction activities offered by the variety of tradespeople required to restore your home or business to its preloss condition saving time and money.

Call SERVPRO of Augusta (706) 750-0200 to assist with your emergency flood damage, recovery, and construction needs.

What Should I Do If the Cinder Blocks in My Augusta Warehouse Get Wet After a Flood?

8/25/2020 (Permalink)

If your business' warehouse ever gets flooded after a storm, call SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 24 hours a day.

For Commercial Flood Removal Inside Your Business' Warehouse in Augusta Call SERVPRO

When a vicious rainstorm creates flooding conditions in your Augusta neighborhood, it is likely that water will find its way into your warehouse. Once H2O starts building up on your warehouse's floors, moisture can then begin to soak into other structural components, including your cinder block walls.

Can moisture get inside my cinder block walls?

During flood removal operations in Augusta, our SERVPRO crew sometimes has to deal with situations where water has found its way inside your cinder block walls. Cinder blocks are sometimes called cement blocks or concrete masonry units (CMU), and they are made from a mixture of cement, water, and gravel. The cinder blocks themselves are porous, meaning that water can make its way through the material, but they are often painter or coated with a material that creates a vapor barrier.

How can you tell if water got inside my warehouse's cinder block walls?

    •    Non-Penetrating Moisture Meter: We can use a non-penetrating moisture meter to figure out if there is water sitting inside your cinder blocks. We can also use these meters to determine what sections of your warehouse's cinder block walls got wet.
    •    Examine the Cinder Block's Surface: We can then inspect the surface of the cinder blocks inside your warehouse to see if they are painted or not. Paint on the outside of your cinder blocks can act as a vapor barrier and prevent moisture on the inside of your cinder blocks from moving to the outside.
    •    Drill Holes in the Cinder Block to Drain: We can drill holes in the bottom of your cinder block walls at the mortar joints to drain out any moisture sitting inside them.
    •    Restorability: According to industry standards, the cinder block is restorable when dealing with clean or contaminated water. Cinder blocks can be dried out by pushing air into the holes drill into the mortar joints.

If your business' warehouse ever gets flooded after a storm, call SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 24 hours a day.

Does My Entire Augusta Kitchen Floor Need Removal After Flood Damage?

8/23/2020 (Permalink)

To ensure there are no lasting effects of flooding, you need a professional to handle cleanup. Contact SERVPRO for professional remediation services.

SERVPRO techs use advanced detection equipment to ensure they only remove areas of the floor in Augusta properties that require extraction and drying

One of the most frustrating aspects of floodwater in your Augusta home is that it is impossible to determine all areas affected by it by sight. Because water follows the path of least resistance, it can run down walls, behind baseboards and seep under tile and wood flooring rapidly winding up far from the entry point. SERVPRO techs have multiple types of moisture and temperature detection equipment that can show the techs the path the water took once inside the home enabling for a complete removal. Through the use of this equipment, the techs only need to remove tiles that show water underneath and the rest can remain in place, saving the homeowner the cost of replacing an entire tile floor.

How Can SERVPRO Remove Flood Damage From a Subfloor?

Water that causes flood damage on your Augusta floor may seem overwhelming in terms of how to clean it up. While much of the water may have receded, the areas it went into need attention. The subfloor frequently has issues from floodwater, and after the removal of the carpet or tile above it, the techs can extract and dry using specialized devices specifically for delivering air into this type of surface like drying mats. SERVPRO technicians have extensive experience and the advanced equipment to locate and extract the problem areas throughout the job site such as:   

• Use of weighted extractor heads on carpet and upholstered items
• Performing of controlled demo to open up walls and floors as needed for removal and drying
• Water between levels in the floor joists needs special handling to ensure it gets completely dried

Equipment Needed for Floodwater Cleanup  

It would be impossible to get professional results from using a shop vac and regular consumer-grade fans to restore an Augusta home from floodwater. SERVPRO techs bring an array of advanced equipment to a home that needs cleanup such as:   

• Portable pumps to move quickly throughout an area for rapid water removal
• Air movers and most importantly dehumidification units to capture and port away moisture as it gets raised during the drying process
• A host of professional-grade cleaning agents to neutralize odors, bacteria and microbes

Using substandard equipment can take days and sometimes weeks to dry a structure. The air movers the techs use handle that drying of a home much more quickly. Monitoring the air moisture levels during drying is crucial to ensure the restoration services stay on track.

Mold is a potential issue whenever there is excessive moisture in a home for longer than a short period. SERVPRO techs have comprehensive education in both the prevention of and handling mold infestations. The techs have access to EPA-registered cleaning solutions and specific antimicrobial cleaners to limit the potential of mold colony establishment and growth. If mold gets found during the cleanup, the techs can contain the area and remediate the issue before it becomes a large-scale problem. Afterward, treatments such as antimicrobial sealants ensure there will be no return.

What Items Get Disposed Of During Floodwater Removal?  

There are a few factors that weigh in on what articles within the home get written off as non-restorable. One of the main determinants is how rapidly the cleanup began and if the water that entered the home contained bacteria or other contaminants. Anything that absorbs this type of water cannot get restored, however non-porous items exposed to the water but without taking any of it on may have the potential for sanitizing and reuse.

Cleaning stations are a common sight during the mitigation process. As items get brought out of the work area, another tech inspects it, photographs it and writes a detailed report of the actions taken. This keeps everyone involved on the same page for every phase of the cleanup.

Once the floodwater cleanup efforts complete, the SERVPRO crew chief can walk through the process that just happened and go over the actions taken from start to finish with the homeowner and adjuster. This not only ensures everyone gets informed, it also is a good way to ensure the homeowner is happy with the restoration job.

SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 is ready to handle any size flood damage in your home with their comprehensive training and advanced equipment. They can extract the water and minimize the amount of replacement needed to get your home back to the way it was, "Like it never even happened."

Does an Appliance Leak in Augusta Require a Professional Restoration Service?

8/5/2020 (Permalink)

Aside from your floors, your cabinets may also be at risk, so don't waste any time before calling SERVPRO of Augusta for our professional services.

A Broken Appliance Leaking on the Floors of your Augusta Floors Can Cause More Damage than you Think

Even the new appliances in your August home can leak onto your floors. One morning you may wake up to find your dishwasher overflowing and water leading to your living room. Regardless of whether the appliance is under warranty or not, you need a professional water restoration technician to help you sort the damage. Do not underestimate the impact a seemingly small volume of water can have on your flooring materials. Act swiftly and let a team of experts assess the damage for you.

In Augusta, water removal services are our specialty at SERVPRO. Our team travels throughout the area, tending to the needs of our community and helping homeowners protect their homes. No job is too big or small for our crew, as even a tiny amount of water left standing can become the cause of problems. Call our 24/7 hotline and let us begin the restoration process as soon as possible.

What happens when there is standing water on my floors?

Excess humidity can lead to a myriad of problems. Your first line of protection is making sure that humidity levels return to normal swiftly. Our SERVPRO team monitors moisture by using advanced technology within each surface. The readings guide our efforts with dehumidifiers, air circulators, and other water extraction techniques. Your floors are susceptible to damage, depending on whether they are made of natural materials or not. For example, vinyl and tile are not as porous as wood, so their drying requires different steps. Our team works diligently to prevent the following:

    •    Buckling- hardwood separates from the subfloor due to humidity
    •    Cupping- changes in humidity make an apparent dip in the floor planks
    •    Delamination- engineered flooring can separate in layers with excess humidity

Aside from your floors, your cabinets may also be at risk, so don't waste any time before calling SERVPRO of Augusta for our professional services. Call us at (706) 750-0200 and let us leave your home, “Like it never even happened.”

Soot and Smoke Residues Are All Over My Property. Where Can I Seek Help?

7/27/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot are difficult to remove. SERVPRO has the expertise and experience to restore your home.

Talk to the SERVPRO Team of Technicians in Augusta for Fire Damage Restoration Services.

Property owners face a wide range of issues in their homes, but fires are among the worst. The repercussions of a fire can be devastating and deadly. Thankfully, professional fire restorers can help bring your Augusta property back to its preloss condition following a fire loss.

How do technicians handle fire and smoke damage?

A small fire cannot cause significant damage to a structure, but the smoke and soot residues the fire leaves can be extreme. At SERVPRO, we have a team of restorers with exceptional skills in handling fire damage in Augusta properties. With access to hi-tech equipment and cutting-edge restoration processes, we can restore items such as:

• Woodwork
• Flooring
• Carpeting
• Ceilings
• Walls

Also, we can decontaminate your ductwork and HVAC system. The decontamination process involves removing pollutants such as mold and soot from the system to ensure it works as expected.

How safe is my property during restoration?

Our technicians understand that the weather can change any time during the restoration. Therefore, we board up our customer’s property using plywood by attaching it to the surface around openings. We bolt up the plywood to two-by-fours to hold the covering in place by tension. If the roof incurred damage during the fire loss incident, we could place a temporary cover over it to protect your residence from sustaining further damage.

How do you clean the affected area?

Before we begin the restoration process, our technicians first inspect the home, which helps us determine the tools and restoration processes. We use both wet and dry cleaning techniques depending on the surfaces we are cleaning. We can use strong acid cleaners such as stone and porcelain cleaner to remove smoke and soot from brick and stone surfaces. The product can also remove soap scum and hard water deposits.

SERVPRO technicians can also use abrasion blasting to clean masonry, which is an aggressive cleaning method that involves using different types of blasting media. Our technicians can perform gentle abrasion using materials like:

• Soda ash
• Sponge
• Dry ice
• Ground corn cobs

We can also use sand during abrasion blasting, but it changes the surfaces. So, it is not prudent to use it at times, such as when sandblasting can affect a building’s historical value.

Do not stress over fire damage since SERVPRO of Augusta can help you. We can handle the fire loss to make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at (706) 750-0200. 

More about Augusta.

My Augusta Business Suffered Fire Damage – What Cleanup Process Do You Use?

7/22/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals are trained to handle every level of fire damage. Call us today, we are always available.

SERVPRO’s Technicians Follow Basic Principles and Elements of Cleaning to Ensure Your Business is Up and Running as Quickly as Possible.

A fire can shut down your Augusta business in a heartbeat. When looking at the ruins the thought - “Can this even be saved?” – might be running through your head. It can seem overwhelming and filled with uncertainty. But you may find yourself pleasantly surprised at just what our crews can repair and restore.

 What are the principles of cleanup after a fire?

 When a fire blazes through your Augusta business leaving fire damage and smoke problems, it leaves a huge mess of charred, smoky remains. While structural material and some of the contents may need replacing cleaning and restoration, we strive for. Restoration will save on your insurance costs and allow you to keep irreplaceable items. The cleanup principles employed by our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified and fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) are such things as finding residues, identifying surface material, and resolving the mess left behind.

  Residues Can Differ

 Before deciding what type of cleaning services are needed, the estimator will ascertain what type of smoke residue exists and the extent of the damage. The technicians will do the pretesting of surface material. When these two groups combine their results, they will have a thorough knowledge of what type of residue they are dealing with, the locations to get cleaned, and the type of surfaces that needs cleaning.

 Residue Removal 

Fire damage and smoke damage leave behind debris that contains solid particles. The good news is a lot of this debris can be removed by dry vacuuming. If the particles get wet, they can get absorbed by the surface. This makes it harder to remove. Capturing and removal of smoke and soot residue include:

• Vacuuming - always the first step to getting rid of soot. Large amounts of soot can often get removed via dry brushing and vacuuming.
• Dissolving – dissolving allows the residues to loosen and rinse away or extracted in a cleaning solution.
• Disposal – the team will determine the type of disposal that is required. Some residues will need special handling and disposal.

Elements of Cleaning

Once the vacuuming occurs, the next step is cleaning the tougher areas which are absorbed or bonded with the soot. Choosing the right method of dissolving and removing the residue is critical to returning the material to the preloss condition. Four elements affect how soot and dirt become suspended in a cleaning product:

• Temperature
• Agitation
• Chemical action
• Time    

These four actions, known as TACT, must be used in the correct ratio for your unique situation. Our SERVPRO crews have the experience and training to plan a cleaning course of action to remove soils and soot in the timeliest manner possible. They use advanced technology and heavy-duty equipment and industry grade chemicals to achieve the goal of leaving it, ”Like it never even happened.” 

 What Content Can be Restored?

Many companies assume that everything is lost that has come in contact with the fire. SERVPRO can clean, repair, and restore more than the typical business owner would imagine. Office furniture, draperies, and items such as file cabinets are restored to their preloss condition, depending on how severe the damage. Restoration and repair are always the goals.

 What If the Odor Has Spread?

The stench left by fire damage and smoke is overwhelming. Even in areas where the fire did no visible damage, the smoke can travel via airflow and HVAC ducts. Our technicians use deodorizing methods to remove the smell from ductwork and contents that are affected. A variety of purifying methods get used, including filtration agents, disinfectants, and air scrubbers. Everyone smells things differently, and we strive to make sure you are satisfied.

Trust the Experts Who Understand Fire Clean Up

With trained technicians who can handle everything from elemental fire damage and smoke cleanup to reupholstering furniture, there is no need for numerous contractors to get the job done. We move your business content offsite if necessary while cleaning and repairing. We work closely with your insurance company and keep you informed every step of the way. Customer satisfaction is always our highest priority. 

Our Green Team is available 24/7 to help your business recover from fire damage and smoke. Contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 for more information. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

A Broken Water Heater Has Caused Water Damage in My Grovetown Property. What Should I Do?

7/12/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can impact any home at any time. Contact SERVPRO to get professional help and mitigate water damage in your home.

Hire SERVPRO Technicians to Perform Water Mitigation in Your Home in Grovetown

Water can cause irreversible damage to your property and valuable items. It can also cause health hazards to residents if it remains in your home for a long time. Therefore, it is essential to act fast by contacting restoration professionals from SERVPRO to handle the issue and prevent secondary damage in your Grovetown property.

What is water mitigation?

It is a process where professional restorers clean, sanitize, dry, and restore an affected property to its preloss condition. The process of water mitigation in your Grovetown property is not uniform. Each property and water damage situation is unique. However, the water mitigation process includes utilizing advanced equipment and unique but approved techniques to minimize the damage.

Water damage mitigation does not involve repairing or replacing damaged property. It ensures the property owner does not face further consequences. Professional water mitigation prevents secondary damages with fast and appropriate actions. The process includes:

• Water extraction
• Cleaning and sanitizing
• Drying
• Odor removal

Where do restorers begin?

Our SERVPRO team begins the water mitigation process by conducting a thorough assessment. It helps us in determining the cause of the water intrusion and the severity of the destruction. This helps us identify effective mitigation techniques to use.

How can you dry my home?

In water mitigation, time is of the essence, and the drying process is an essential step. We use state-of-the-art equipment and tools to remove water and dry homes. Porous surfaces such as carpets and furniture can take weeks to dry if the right procedures are not followed. Our restorers use portable extractors to remove standing water. We can use carpet wands to remove water from carpets. We also use air moving and dehumidifying equipment to eliminate moisture from the affected areas.

How do you remove mold?

Mold may grow in your home 24 to 48 hours after a water intrusion incident. The technique we use to remove mold depends on the severity of contamination. Some disinfectants slow or inhibit mold infestation, but the effectiveness of these products against mycotoxins and mold spores is still questioned. We can use quaternary compounds or chlorine solutions to remove molds, but we do not use them as the primary remedy. To remediate mold contamination properly, we remove the contaminated porous materials and dry the environment effectively.

Water mitigation requires special skills and experience to prevent costly secondary damage. Contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 to restore your property to its pre-water damage state. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Click here to learn more about Grovetown.

I know I need to face my Augusta building’s issue with mold— Who can inspect and help me remove it?

6/17/2020 (Permalink)

Having mold issues in your place of business? Call the local branch of SERVPRO in your Augusta area to mitigate your mold problem.

Mold Inspection and Remediation Services Are a Core Focus of SERVPRO’s Mission to Make It “Like it never even happened,” in Augusta Commercial Buildings

Water damage and mold infestations have a symbiotic relationship in Augusta as they do in any other community. Mold spores are everywhere in the environment, mostly unnoticed as they are tiny and not currently in an active state. When those spores encounter a small bit of water or even high humidity over at least 24 to 48 hours, mold growth is likely. 

Can I Rely on My Ordinary Cleaning Crew to Inspect and Manage Mold Effectively?

The issues presented in your Augusta business concerning mold inspection and remediation services likely will recur if specially trained and equipped crews are not in the vanguard of your response efforts. Your regular cleaning crews are probably aware of mold growth and react with non-invasive and short-term solutions. Diluted bleach formulations are often the product of choice, but they have significant limitations:

• Their most substantial action is usually lightening the mold staining on the surface only
• The active ingredient rarely reaches the full extent of the organisms’ hyphae (branchlike “root” system)
• Their high-water content can push moisture into permeable materials and feed additional mold growth

How Do Trained Mold Remediators Differ from the Average Cleaning Crew?

SERVPRO offers effective and efficient mold inspection and remediation services partially because they dovetail seamlessly into our core water damage restoration services. When our crews arrive to evaluate your mold concerns, we walk in with a professional capability to find and follow the water and moisture trails that lead to potential mold damage. Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained managers and technicians are always on alert for signs of both water and mold damage. It informs every aspect of the services we offer to businesses in our region. We want to help you resolve the problem, not just manage it on every cleaning pass.

What Is the Procedure Used by Properly Trained Mold Remediators?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed a research-based protocol for commercial buildings and schools. We employ this protocol in our mold remediation work. Phases of the project unpack as follows:

Locate the Mold Growth

How do we inspect for mold growth?

Although we have access to resources to detect mold growth, we usually start with the building owner or manager’s observations. Once we find the signs (staining, visible mold colonies, and musty smells), we investigate how extensive the mold invasion is by checking for wet building materials using tools like moisture detectors and thermal imaging.

Contain the Moldy Area and Affected Materials

How do we contain the area?

Mold spores are lighter than aid and quite dispersible as airborne irritants. They also hold the potential to absorb water in other spaces and start new damage. We contain the workspace with 6-mil polyethylene sheeting attached to framing or a temporary structure to limit the drift of debris and to protect occupants in the building during the remediation. The sealing of the space is reinforced through the use of negative pressure air scrubbing technology, which also captures the airborne debris in HEPA filters before exhausting to the outdoors.

Remove the Mold and Debris

How do we remove the mold?

The primary actions found most effective are mechanical--brushing, scraping, and then vacuuming and wiping up residues. If the mold has infiltrated porous materials, we decide to either cut those materials out and discard them or use abrasive techniques like soda or dry ice blasting to dislodge and disrupt the growth of the organisms.

Apply Antimicrobials

When and why do we use antimicrobials?

In some cases, we apply EPA-registered antimicrobials in a broadcast spray before removal to reduce the airborne load during the project. We do not use the sprays as the only response, but also apply the product to inhibit the mold infestation rebound after removal. Our team is well positioned to offer Certified SERVPRO Cleaned for possible pathogenic presence with our advanced equipment and ongoing training.

Why Does the Remediation Team Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

We employ the PPE for two reasons--to protect our technicians and the occupants of the building as we perform the remediation. The care we use when donning and removing the PPE ensures we do not track moldy debris into unaffected areas of your commercial building, safeguarding you, your customers, and your employees.

Discuss your mold inspection concerns with the well-prepared and talented team at SERVPRO of Augusta. Our crews are just one quick phone call away at (706) 750-0200, ready to assess and follow up with proven mold remediation best practices.

What is the Best Way to Get Water Out of My Carpet?

6/9/2020 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO of Grovetown come in and use the newest floor drying technology. We can mitigate your water damage.

SERVPRO Uses Extraction Equipment to Remove Excess Moisture in Grovetown

When you have carpeted areas in your Grovetown home and experience a water leak, it is crucial to extract the water and dry it right away. If excess moisture remains unattended, carpeting can sustain secondary damage, such as damaged subflooring and mold growth. Our goal is to restore your carpet to preloss status rather than having to replace it.

What if the Carpet Padding is Wet Underneath the Carpet?

SERVPRO Technicians Make Sure to Address All Flooring

Water mitigation in your Grovetown home requires thorough inspection and attention to detail throughout the entire restoration process. Our technicians use probed moisture sensors to check if the moisture reached the subflooring. If it did, they take measures to dry both the carpet and subflooring underneath. Typically, the carpet pad requires replacement if thoroughly soaked. However, technicians determine whether or not it is salvageable.

Why Types of Extraction Equipment Do Technicians Use?

• For carpet, deep extraction tools are useful in removing the most water.
• Self-propelled extractors pull water out of the carpet by compressing the carpet and underlying pad to squeeze the water out and then vacuum it up.
• Stationary extractors work by squeezing and vacuuming the water; however, technicians move the extractor to a new section after approximately 10 seconds.
• Technicians use portable extraction wands for hard to reach areas such as tight corners.

Extraction is just one critical step in water mitigation for your home. After technicians successfully extract the water, they go about drying the room using high-velocity air movers and dehumidifiers to ensure that your carpet remains dry, and there is no excess moisture lingering in the air.

For 24/7 assistance, contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200.

How Can I Prevent Mold From Growing in My House After a Flood?

6/4/2020 (Permalink)

Mold easily grows after a flood incident. Call SERVPRO at the first sign of mold damage.

SERVPRO Can Take Several Measures to Eliminate Microbes and Inhibit Mold Growth Inside your Grovetown Home

Any time organic materials like items made out of paper or wood get wet, there is a chance that fungi can develop in your house in Grovetown. A fungus only needs moisture, an organic food source, the right temperature, and time to form.

How long does it take mold to grow?

After your house in Grovetown suffers from flood damage, spores that come in from the outside can grow into fungi in about 48 to 72 hours. This is why our SERVPRO technicians always try to remove all moisture present inside your contents and building materials that contain paper or wood as soon as possible. We always try to come up with techniques that aid in drying out all of your affected items in 48 hours or less.

What can you do if mold has already started to develop?

If fungi have already formed in areas of your house that got wet, our SERVPRO team can take steps to remove the contamination and prevent it from spreading.

If the mold is only on the surface of your building materials or contents, we can remove it by sanding or soda blasting.

We can then apply antimicrobial chemicals to all of the areas that got affected inside your house.

Are there any other health hazards that can exist in my home after a flood?

Bacteria: Harmful bacteria can live soil, water, and organic matter. Any time moisture comes into your structure from the outdoors; there is a chance that the liquid contains harmful bacteria and viruses.

Viruses: A virus is the most simple microbe but they can cause diseases in living beings. We can eliminate most harmful bacteria and viruses by applying chemicals like Vanquish.

If anything inside your house in Martinez ever gets wet after a storm, call SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

See more about Grovetown.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open in Augusta, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
• Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
• Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Augusta today at (706) 750-0200 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

Can One Company Help to Eliminate Both Fire Damage and Smoke Odors?

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

Your home is in good hands with our teams at SERVPRO. Give us a call at (706) 750-0200, we are always available.

SERVPRO Has the Skills and Equipment to Manage All Aspects of Augusta Residential Fire Damage Recovery

Cleaning up after a fire rages through your home is overwhelming, requiring a seemingly endless set of tasks to be completed before you can enjoy the security and comfort of your house again. The soils and residues created during the disaster are like nothing else the typical Augusta homeowner encounters in home repair and maintenance. Not only are surfaces charred and coated with soot, but an incredibly unpleasant stench also pervades every space in your dwelling, including rooms that appear otherwise unaffected by the fire loss. Are sound strategies for deodorization available through the professional companies that provide fire damage mitigations and remediation? 

How Are Persistent Odors Linked to Fire Damage?

The lingering odors complained of by homeowners tie directly to other types of fire damage in Augusta. When a fire burns inside a building, the fuels change from room to room. Wood and paper burn fast and hot, leaving a light, ashy soot that is relatively easy to clean up nearly completely with dusting, dry sponging, and HEPA-filtered vacuuming approaches. Plastics, rubber, damp materials, and other synthetics smolder at a lower temperature, spreading a thick, dark soot that sticks and stinks. Removal needs the help of agitation, properly matched cleaners, heat manipulation, and time for cleaners to soak off the residue. Protein-based soot relates to kitchen fires, the coating tenaciously adhered to surfaces. This final type of soot has a pungent and offensive stench caused by the dehydrated rancid food and grease proteins left behind.

Are There Conditions that Make Smoke Odors Worse?

When SERVPRO considers the range of solutions available for fire damage and odor, the more data we have, the better. Basic deodorization protocols used by our crews may not achieve the success desired because of heightened humidity or temperatures that vaporize odors that are absorbed deeply into permeable structural components. Materials inside walls are difficult to examine for an odor assessment, such as insulation that holds the odor-bearing particles of soot far within, permitting the odor to flow outward later as air pressure varies. Every individual perceives odors differently as well, posing a problem when all other occupants of your home breathe freely, yet one person is more sensitive and continues to note malodors.

How Do Professionals Eliminate Fire Odors from Your Home?

The good news is that several tasks our remediation crews use to clean up the charring and sticky coatings on every surface are the same as some of the first phases of odor elimination. Since odors are attached to soot particles, thorough cleaning is an effective way to achieve the deodorization as well. Here are some procedures our crews use to clean residues that can rid your house of odors as a double benefit:

Containment

Designated containment areas reduces the drift of smoke and soot and prevents further spread of residues stirred up during the cleaning efforts. When we contain an area after fire damage, we frequently employ a negative pressure air scrubbing system that forces airborne residues, including odors, through HEPA filters and then vents the air to the outdoors. Vacuuming and wipe downs of all soot-covered surfaces ensure very few odor-bearing particles remain. The contained area is wrapped in 1.6 mil polyethylene for more protection. 

Debris Removal

Chunks of charred material, either structural or from burned contents, are significant carriers of odor. Our crews collect and bag these items, removing them and their smell from the house.

Sealing of Surfaces

Sometimes odors, linked to the soot, are ground into surfaces. If staining remains, our crews arrange for priming and repainting or refinishing of surfaces. This action can seal the odors inside. Sealing is also used as an odor-eliminating strategy on its own. 

What if Cleaning Up Still Permits Odor to Permeate?

When odors survive even thorough, professional cleaning, our Odor Control Technicians (OCT) turn to advanced technologies. As an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified firm, we continually monitor innovative deodorization equipment and techniques. We work through options until one works for your property.

Thermal Fogging

Deodorants are combusted, replicating the conditions of the fire, and fogged into odiferous spaces. The deodorant particles seek out the soot, pairing with the odor bearing particles and neutralizing them.

Hydroxyl Generators

This specialized machine creates reactive hydroxyl molecules that can convert the contaminants into harmless, non-odiferous compounds. It is safe to operate this equipment around people and pets. 

Why is SERVPRO of Augusta the fire damage and odor restoration leader in our region? Contact us at (706) 750-0200 to discuss the options we can offer. 

What Can I Expect During Professional Drying Services After Water Damage in Augusta?

5/17/2020 (Permalink)

Removing Lingering Moisture from Your Augusta Home’s Structure Is a SERVPRO Specialty

When pipes burst or appliances malfunction, water spreads far from the place of the breakage throughout your home. Once pumping and extraction remove standing fluids, work still must be done. Permeable building materials abound in homes, and these materials absorb the water as it flows over surfaces and seeps into cracks and joints.

Why Are Active Drying Strategies Necessary?

If the water damage in your Augusta home incompletely resolves because moisture remains in building materials, the following can happen:

    •    Drywall crumbles
    •    Ceilings bulge and sag
    •    Paint blisters and wallpaper peels
    •    Carpets stretch, tear, and delaminate
    •    Hardwood floors warp, crown, cup, and buckle
    •    Laminate floors disintegrate
    •    Wooden framing distorts and weakens and metal fasteners rust

The disruption, time, and expense needed to bring your dwelling back to preloss condition multiply without drying. The damage can become permanent, risking all you invested in your home.

What Steps Are Next to Plan for Structural Drying?

The SERVPRO crew uses our training in reading temperature fluctuation to locate water with thermal imaging cameras, and employ moisture detectors and meters to help outline the perimeter of the water incursion and the severity of moisture intrusion. Data gathered by this methodology and comparative testing in unaffected areas of your home form the baseline for our drying goals.

What Does Drying Look Like?

We position air movers strategically near the wet materials. The equipment never aims directly at a surface to avoid inadvertently increasing the moisture load from the humid air. Heaters accelerate the process, achieving a balance of dry, warmer air to encourage the evaporation of water out of structures. Removal of the water vapor by dehumidifiers permits more moisture to move into the air until the levels reach those of the unaffected spaces in your home.

The trained and experienced crews of SERVPRO of Augusta are structural drying experts. Set up an assessment as soon as possible after the discovery of water damage. Contact us at (706) 750-0200.

For more about Augusta click here.

Commercial Water Cleanup in Your Augusta Office Building

5/4/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO for water cleanup services and restoration work that helps keep your business running smoothly.

Broken Feed Lines to Your Lobby’s Drinking Fountain Mean Commercial Water Cleanup in Your Augusta Office Building

Although water fountains use much less pressure than in many other locations, a break in a feed line can soak floors, especially if several hours pass before someone notices a problem. When employees walk into work in the morning, not expecting a slippery floor, accidents can happen. Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common in Augusta, making it crucial that you eliminate such situations as quickly as possible.

Mopping the area makes walkways safer in your business, but commercial water cleanup in Augusta ensures that damage affecting your property stops spreading. Water can damage flooring of all types, including polished stone, if cleanup and removal are delayed.

Damage prevented by prompt water cleanup by qualified mitigation technicians ranges from:
    •    Mold and mildew
    •    The development of odors
    •    Grout deterioration to
    •    Dissolving glue under thinner carpets

Our technicians’ Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training includes prevention of damage through cleanup and other mitigative work. We want to reduce as much damage as possible, as well as the possibility of future damage from developing from an invasive water incident.

Water cleanup tasks, starting with removing visible moisture, then any trapped water, keeps your office suites from experiencing additional problems. Microscopic organisms can begin thriving in slightly damp areas of any size, including the tiny pores in stone or within the adhesive used in other flooring. Odors can begin appearing with or without microbial growth and can occur with almost any flooring. Tile floors might become loose, slip out of place, and breakage can result. Glue is often used under thinner carpets in commercial settings, and this can dissolve when exposed to water. Linoleum sheets can experience the same issue, with bubbling appearing on the surface.

Our expert crew can mitigate these situations for you in an efficient, cost-effective manner that leaves your property protected. Call SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 for water cleanup services and restoration work that helps keep your business running smoothly.

For more about Augusta click here.

How Long is It Safe to Wait for Flood Restoration in My Augusta Home?

4/28/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding can be a substantial obstacle to overcome on your own, but with our SERVPRO team, you do not have to face it alone.

After a Flood in Augusta, Damage Can Continually Worsen – Our SERVPRO Team Can Respond Fast to Help

The sooner you can get professionals responding to a flood loss in your home, the better. For flooding, there are no scenarios where damages can improve on their own, and migrating conditions can make structural degradation and deterioration worse on those that do not choose to act immediately after a disaster.

While there are many levels of flood damage for Augusta homes, how these effects get addressed relates directly to the prompt response and available equipment of our SERVPRO team. With advanced technologies and cutting-edge tools, we can offer an efficient extraction and cleaning of the property with the appropriate care and consideration that you would put into the restoration on your own.

What Services Does My House Need After a Flood?
Seeing your home post-flooding can be overwhelming. With a growing list of needs for the property to look and feel like it used to, our professionals must get there quickly to begin some of the vital mitigation tasks. While every property is different, these are some of the areas where you can expect some degree of activity after a flooding disaster:

    •    Muck-Out – Much like fire losses, debris removal is a vital element to the earliest effort in restoring your property. Muck-out removes most of the mud and debris that can collect after natural flooding and reduces the potential for bacterial threats or other contaminants.
    •    Extraction – By removing surface water as efficiently as possible, our technicians can inspect exposed materials and contents much sooner to determine what is salvageable. Extraction is also a vital step before successful drying.
    •    Surface Cleaning – Residues and soiling can be a common threat with materials that were directly exposed to natural floodwater. Between water-based solvents and chlorines, we can clean and disinfect many areas impacted by flooding.
    •    Controlled Demolition – Controlled demolition is one of the unfortunate staples after natural flooding occurs. Because water gets considered contaminated, there is no other choice but to remove exposed areas of the house and replace them.
    •    Drying – There are many tools and technologies that are part of drying your home after a flood. Air movers and dehumidifiers might be at the heart of this effort, but there are also specialty tools like floor mat drying systems and weighted extractors to help.
    •    Reconstruction – Much like controlled demolition is a necessity after many natural drying situations, the build back of these removed areas falls to the capable hands of our licensed residential contractors.

Why Is Professional Restoration a Wise Choice?
It is not uncommon for homeowners to consider the possibility of DIY restoration, but this is often a mistake. With migrating water, you might not always know where the damage has traveled to and how bad the situation is without our detection devices and technologies. Also, professional restorers like us offer:

    •    Efficiency
    •    Cutting-Edge Equipment
    •    Work with Your Insurance Company
    •    Experienced Inspections for Accurate Estimations
    •    Modern Practices and Training

How Can My Belongings Get Protected from Flood Exposure?
Content management is not one of the things that most homeowners consider even right after a disaster has taken place. Our professionals always have your belongings and best interests, guiding all of the choices that we make, and that is why we have such a dedicated content management team to assess potential damages and determine the best restorative solution. These include:

    •    On-Site Relocation – By moving your belongings to a different place within the same structure, it remains accessible to the occupants of the house should that be necessary. This solution only works when these contents are not compromised and do not require focused cleaning efforts.
    •    Containment Barriers – By establishing containment barriers to create a drying zone for our technicians to work in, we also close out the contents that might have later gotten exposed to migrating conditions. If cleaning is necessary, this can happen where the contents are when barriers protect these items from continued damage.
    •    Pack-Out Procedure – One of the unique features of our SERVPRO team is the warehouse facility that we use to clean and restore damaged belongings from a fire. At our building, our content management team can focus on surface cleaning, deodorization, and climate-controlled storage to keep your possessions safe until restoration completes.

Flooding can be a substantial obstacle to overcome on your own, but with our SERVPRO of Augusta team, you do not have to face it alone. We have skilled technicians and advanced equipment to make flood losses “Like it never even happened.” Give our technicians a call today at (706) 750-0200.

For more about Augusta click here.

How Do I Clean Common Household Items After a Fire in Augusta?

4/20/2020 (Permalink)

Turn to SERVPRO of Augusta to clean your household items after a fire.

Check Out the Cleaning Strategies Used by SERVPRO to Handle Fire Damage in Your Augusta Home

After a fire, most of the initial focus is on cleaning structures and surfaces. But many household items require special cleaning techniques, strategies, and materials, so you should consider using the advice and help of experts to restore these items.

What is the best way to identify the household items that need special cleaning procedures?
SERVPRO professionals know which items need special attention, and they can help homeowners make a list of these items after suffering fire damage in their Augusta home.

What are some common kitchen items that have to be cleaned?

    •    Dishes
    •    Crystal and china
    •    Appliances

What are some of the special cleaning procedures and products for kitchen items?
One example would be dishes and china; the procedures for these two items are often completely different. Dishes are prone to heat damage, and they should also be cleaned quickly to prevent a residue buildup. China is more delicate and should be cleaned by hand, rather than exposing different pieces to harsh detergents or placing them in an ultrasound machine.

What are some examples from other rooms in the house?

    •    Draperies
    •    Decorative items
    •    Venetian or vertical blinds
    •    Bathroom fixtures

How are drapes and blinds usually cleaned?
Drapes can be cleaned by hot water extraction or by machine dry cleaning. The cleaning decision is based on several factors, including the type of fiber, the condition of the material, and level of smoke residue. Blinds can be cleaned by immersing them in an ultrasonic tank or by placing them on a padded surface and using wet-cleaning.

What about bathroom fixtures?
Heat and smoke residue can cause stains on fiberglass fixtures, especially on fixtures with light colors. Liquid creme cleaners are used to remove these residues.

Turn to SERVPRO of Augusta to clean your household items after a fire. Call us at (706) 750-0200 to schedule an assessment and estimate.

For more about Augusta click here.

Water Damage in Augusta

4/12/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Has Professional Equipment to Win Against Water Damage in Augusta Properties

Water damage is one of the most devastating blows that can happen in a property. The longer the cleanup gets delayed, raises the potential for loss.

SERVPRO technicians have a considerable array of professional equipment to tackle water damage in Augusta residences. The number one goal of the technicians is to save homeowners the cost of replacement whenever possible.

Why SERVPRO?
A professional water cleanup job is more than just removal of the moisture. The techs have the training and advanced equipment not only to handle the extraction of water but also to determine the scope of the loss using their moisture detection equipment. Other actions to assist in drying include:
    •    Removal of damaged sheetrock to open wall cavities
    •    Drilling of weep holes to allow for drainage
    •    Dry passes over surfaces to ensure the maximum removal

How Can Water Loss Get Dried Completely?
Household fans cannot deliver the airflow to penetrate within weep holes or floor joints where baseboards got removed. The techs have specific drying equipment to force warm, dry air into tight spaces such as the InjectiDry system or building custom containment using plastic and directing the air from an air mover into the area.

SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 has certified technicians available 24/7 to restore properties with water damage and make it, “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Augusta click here.

Addressing Common Water Damage Cause in Augusta

3/19/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage in your Augusta home? Call SERVPRO right away.

Thorough Water Damage Restoration in Your Augusta Home Can Prevent Further Damage

The risk of water damage in Augusta property is always high, considering the different uses for the utility. The typical causes of water damage include:

Burst pipes

Leaky roofs

Leaking water lines

Faulty door or window installations

Leaky toilets or sinks

What causes the water damage incidents in Augusta can have an impact on the outcome. Minor leaks can take time to discover, especially when the pipe is hidden within a wall, floor, or ceiling cavity. Passage of time allows the problem to fester as the leaking water soaks into the materials in the surrounding areas. Resolving such cases requires the removal of most of the materials affected by the water. An even bigger problem is how to locate the point of the leak. Our SERVPRO technicians use superior equipment such as borescopes and thermal cameras to trace the wet areas, thus allowing us to fix the leaks, dry materials, or make replacements immediately. 

Burst pipes or other instantaneous problems release a significant amount of water into the property affecting large areas. After stopping the source, the next crucial step is the removal of any standing water since leaving materials or items submerged leads to deterioration. Our SERVPRO technicians bring several units of water extraction equipment to facilitate faster removal. We choose high-efficiency equipment such as truck-mounted extractors or flexible ones such as dry wet vacs depending on the specifics of the loss. 

Weather-related water intrusions, such as when driving rain pushes water through a faulty window or door seal, can be harder to address because they require repairs that take time to complete. Finding temporary ways to protect contents is one easy way to minimize damages. Our SERVPRO team can help by performing partial move-outs or covering contents with plastic sheets, shielding them from the rainwater. The heightened moisture level in a property during a water loss incident can damage contents even when they are not in direct contact with the spilled water. Our crews set up a dehumidifier to keep humidity levels constant throughout the restoration to protect contents.

Water damage can take different forms, thus presenting unique challenges. Call SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 to help manage an incident at your home, making it, "Like it never even happened."

See more about Augusta.

Become Familiar with Flood Damage Remediation Success in Augusta

3/3/2020 (Permalink)

Don’t let floodwaters sit for too long in your home causing extended damage. Contact SERVPRO for water removal and remediation efforts.

Crucial Steps that Help Manage Storm Flood Damage Incidents in Augusta

Getting caught up in a storm is never a pleasant experience. When the rains, wind, and groundwater stops flowing, you may be happy that the worst is over, but in many cases, it is the beginning of a tiresome recovery process. Focusing on completing some steps during the restoration of storm flood damage ensures the recovery process achieves the desired goals.

Thorough Water Extraction

Water intrusion into unwanted areas during storm flood damage incidents in Augusta is the main problem many homeowners face. Complete restoration is only possible after removing all the water. Removal can be complicated by issues such as the volume of water involved, presence of residues in the water, and intrusion into concealed areas. Our SERVPRO technicians use different resources to address these issues. We have pumps with a significant lift capacity to expedite removal. We also have trash pumps that can remove water with solids.

Demolition to Reach Hidden Areas

Various assemblies around the house can hold the stormwater after the initial intrusion. The main problem areas include wall base areas, stairs, flooring, voids, and built-in fixtures. Removing some construction components in such areas helps create the necessary access to extract water and clean any soiling left by the stormwater. Our SERVPRO technicians have the necessary building skills and tools to disassemble constructions around your house without causing unnecessary damages.

Decontaminating Non-Porous Surfaces

Contamination is a common outcome of storm flood damage, especially when intrusion involves groundwater. Even in other cases, there is a need to address contamination since microbial growth happens in stagnant water given sufficient time. Our SERVPRO technicians use disinfectants and antimicrobial agents during the cleaning process to decontaminate non-porous surfaces. We also use luminometers to check for contaminant remnants on cleaned surfaces.

Storms lead to several inconveniences, but a proper response helps manage the damage. Call SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 to help clean up, decontaminate and dry your home, eliminating all traces of the incident, "Like it never even happened."

See more about Augusta.

We Put The Flames Of Worry Out In Augusta

2/27/2020 (Permalink)

We cut restoration costs and limit further damage after a fire and have the training and equipment to properly restore your home. Call us right away.

Addressing Kitchen Fire Damage in an Augusta Home

The kitchen is the number one spot for home fires. Whether they come from cooking or appliance failures, these disasters pose unique challenges for homeowners. Soot can quickly discolor and corrode surfaces, while invisible protein residues from cooking can impart strong, unpleasant odors that can spread through your home's HVAC system.

If your Augusta residence requires fast fire damage mitigation, the technicians at SERVPRO are ready to assist you. This firm prides itself not only on the education its staff receives but also on its ability to educate insurance and real estate professionals on disaster mitigation to further assist homeowners. These credit and non-credit courses cover topics like fire and water damage, mold remediation, restorative drying, and mitigation awareness response. 

Tips for Preventing Cooking Fires

• Keep appliances clean and in good shape. Clean ovens, microwaves, and stoves that are free of flammable debris and grease are much less likely to start a fire.
• Unplug devices that are not in use. Appliances that are shut off still use electricity as long as they are plugged in, which can pose a fire risk if you have old or faulty electrical wiring. 
• Keep flammable materials away from the stove. This includes pulling back long sleeves and hair and keeping oven mitts and paper towels away from the stove. Never leave cooking food unattended. 
• Smother fires to prevent spreading. Keep the microwave and oven doors closed if a fire breaks out. Small stove fires can often be addressed with kitchen fire extinguishers, baking soda, or salt. Never use water, flour, or sugar to extinguish a kitchen fire. 

SERVPRO's Odor Control Techniques

SERVPRO technicians have a variety of odor control methods available for fire damage, including EPA-registered antimicrobials, blast media like baking soda to remove char, as well as agitating tools and cleaners to dislodge odor-causing soils and deposits. One of the most effective odor removal tools available, however, is the thermal fogger, which allows deodorizers to be dispensed in the form of a dry smoke that penetrates surfaces in the same way that smoke does during a fire. These 

SERVPRO of Augusta is committed to leaving your home looking, "Like it never even happened." Call (706) 750-0200 for rapid disaster cleanup.

See more about Augusta.

Removing Smoke Odors From Your Augusta Property

2/10/2020 (Permalink)

After a fire in your library, many of the works available for readers could hold harsh odors or residues from the recent disaster.

Removing Smoke Odors from a Fire-Damaged Library in Augusta

Public and private Augusta libraries both have troves of valuable information and countless tales across thousands of publications. If a fire takes place in this area of your facility, or standalone structure, it is essential to do whatever you can to reduce the spread and severity of fire loss damages like soot and smoke odors. In many cases, this involves acquiring the right professionals to help.

Fire damage to Augusta properties can appear in many different ways, and to your library, this is often smoke and soot residues and odors. Considering how quickly these threats can move from the fire’s origin point out through the building, the right containment processes can make a substantial difference in the ultimate recovery of the facility. Our SERVPRO restoration professionals, along with our in-house team of licensed commercial contractors, can work to build barriers surrounding the damage zones to maximize mitigation strategies set to begin.

Smoke odors can often be one of the most problematic concerns for our restorers, primarily because these molecules have utilized the heat of the fire loss incident to penetrate surfaces and materials like the books, shelving, and carpets of the structure. Even when these materials do not require replacement or demolition, addressing trapped smoke odors can be necessary. In your library, you have hundreds of potential hosts for smoke odors in each of the books and volumes on the shelf, and cleaning up these books is not going to be enough to remove these lingering scents.

While some on-site deodorization tactics with thermal foggers can be useful in this situation, it is often much more time-efficient and thorough to utilize our ozone chamber in our nearby SERVPRO facility. We can place all of the affected books and furniture in this sealed room and allow the ozone pumped into the chamber to neutralize smoke and other harsh post-fire odors.

After a fire in your library, many of the works available for readers could hold harsh odors or residues from the recent disaster. Our SERVPRO of Augusta team can help with effective deodorization and fire mitigation services to get your doors back open quickly. Give our experts a call anytime at (706) 750-0200.

For more about Augusta click here.

Why SERVPRO Water Removal Surpasses Expectations in Augusta

2/7/2020 (Permalink)

Don't let excess water ruin your day. Call SERVPRO, we will take care of it for you!

When Our Technicians Arrive, They Immediately Take Action Using SERVPRO’s Methods for Properly Handling Water Events on Your Augusta Property

Everyone has a cleaning scenario that sticks out in their mind as the worst, but a water loss in Augusta is an entirely different level of chaos. Although a minor spill can be managed with a bucket and mop or consumer-grade shop vac, many home water emergencies involve hundreds if not thousands of gallons of water if a burst pipe or broken appliance operates for even a few minutes before someone shuts the water off.  

Despair Turns to Hope

When Standing ankle-deep in your utility room after the water heater ruptures, give new meaning to the need for water removal in Augusta. Most homeowners do not know what to do next, why we exist as a resource for our community. Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained employees learn about the science of water extraction and structural drying, using proven, research-based techniques to dry your home promptly and thoroughly.

Many Hands and Tools

Speed is of the essence when managing water losses, why SERVPRO adjusts the number of technicians and the inventory of equipment used at each site. Water removal projects share similarities, but we assess every scenario individually, accounting for differences in layout, building materials, and the source of the damaging water. Once we put a plan in place, our crews extract the liquid water rapidly, far faster than a DIY effort. Several crew members managing appropriate equipment facilitate the tasks in a matter of hours rather than days or longer.

Detecting, Measuring, and Monitoring

Throughout the water removal project, water can migrate to building cavities and into structural components. The spread of moisture to “invisible” spaces is why SERVPRO uses sensitive detection and measuring devices. It takes training and time to learn how to use these tools properly. We try to have the same technician sample using the tools throughout the project so that data is consistent. We use the initial readings to set drying goals and then monitor to make sure we achieve but do not overshoot the mark. 

Experience using cutting edge equipment is why SERVPRO of Augusta exceeds industry standards and customer expectations. We answer when you call (706) 750-0200 twenty-four-hours a day every day of the year.

Learn more about Augusta.

Augusta Groundwater Storm Damage and the SERVPRO Methods of Restoration

1/28/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Provides the Advanced Equipment Like an Injecti-Dry System and Skilled Technicians to Mitigate Augusta Area Storm Damage

SERVPRO Offers Specialized Solutions for Flood Damage in Your Augusta Residence

Whenever a disaster strikes in Augusta, how the flood damage is assessed in the hours following the event is crucial. During this time, action must be taken to not only ensure safety but also to minimize the costs involved for repair and restoration. Hiring professionals is an excellent way to ensure you embark on the right path to get your home back to normal.

Calling the experts for cleaning and repairing your home after flood damage in Augusta gets you started in the right direction. Some homeowners may think that water removal and cleaning is easy, but each situation presents a unique set of challenges that only the professionals know how to address.

Did you know that the type of paint used throughout your home plays a part in the handling of your flood loss situation? SERVPRO technicians understand the differences in paint and how it can impact the cleanup process. For example, water vapors pass, and water molecules wick faster through flat paint than semi-gloss paint. Depending on the finish in your home, drying behind cabinets, under flooring, or behind walls can take more time.

To allow air to circulate throughout wall cavities, SERVPRO technicians drill small, strategically placed holes. As Applied Structural Drying Technicians (ASD), our SERVPRO team employs multiple drying methods to get the job done. Wherever there is a vapor barrier, such as a vinyl wall covering, water gets trapped behind the walls. Our technicians can take off the baseboards and drilling holes to make sure that all cavities get dried thoroughly to eliminate all hidden moisture. The small drilled “weep holes” can be connected with tubing from an injecti-dry system. This can force in warm air to facilitate the rate of evaporation while also expelling liquid and moisture from the cavities to the environment. From there, dehumidifiers can capture and condense the airborne water molecules.

Floodwater of any kind comes with debris and bacteria. SERVPRO technicians extract all water from the impacted area and then utilize specialized cleaners to disinfect and make the space livable once again. We must go through each step to ensure it seems, “Like it never even happened.”

Remember to check your insurance for flood coverage, if you have not yet done this. We can help with the claims paperwork to help relieve your stress in this difficult time.

Do you need help with flood damage? You can reach us at SERVPRO of Augusta 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency service. Give us a call at (706) 750-0200, and we can send a team out to start right away.

We Act Fast In Augusta After A Fire

1/23/2020 (Permalink)

Mitigating Electrical Fire Damage to an Augusta Residence

Georgia homeowners may know to be careful with items like power strips and surge protectors. Still, they may be surprised to find out how many precautions are needed to handle extension cords safely. While these auxiliary power sources are convenient for a variety of applications, it is not safe to use them as a permanent connector for appliances. Without proper precautions, an electrical fire can cause considerable damage to your home.

If your Augusta residence has suffered fire damage from electrical wiring or appliances, certified SERVPRO technicians are available to mitigate disaster and restore your home to a preloss condition. These certified professionals are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, so that homeowners can always get the cleanup that they need fast.

Electrical Fire Safety Tips

When purchasing extension cables, only get cords that have been approved through independent testing labs. If you need a power source for outdoor projects, stick to only using extension cables that are labeled for that purpose. Be mindful of the correct usage of the cable, as indicated in any included documentation.

Only use cables that can handle the wattage of the devices you intend to use. The lower the gauge of the wire, the more safely that it can handle the electrical current. Shorter cords are also highly recommended for more electrical current, while longer cables manage much less. In short, for larger appliances, use thick, round, low gauge extension cords, and for smaller devices, use thin or flat ones. Always use cords with polarized or three-pronged plugs, and never modify an extension cable or remove its grounding pin to fit it into a two-prong outlet.

How SERVPRO Removes Fire Damage

One of the most persistent issues after an electrical fire is the odors left behind. Whether from burnt metals, rubber, or singed flooring and other structural materials, these odors can persist for long periods without professional cleanup materials. SERVPRO technicians can use specialized industrial-grade deodorizers, like thermal foggers, to address odors.

The thermal fogger is designed to penetrate odor-affected surfaces the same way that smoke penetrates surfaces during a fire. Dry, solvent-based smoke is spread throughout the fire damaged area and works to eliminate odor-causing particles in tandem with EPA-registered antimicrobials, pump-sprayed deodorizers, odor counteractant beads, and manual soil-dislodging tools.

SERVPRO of Augusta wants to make your home look, "Like it never even happened." If you need disaster cleanup service, do not delay. Call (706) 750-0200 today.

See more about Augusta.

Fire Damage Restoration In Your Augusta Home

1/19/2020 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires require technical understanding as well as professional know-how to mitigate and restore.

Grease Fire Damage Restoration for Augusta Residents

Cooking fires are among the most common cause of the fire, accounting for 44% of all residential fires in the US. These usually occur from grease or animal fats, which ignite rapidly and can be very difficult to smother before extensive harm. Avoiding kitchen fires involves keeping an eye on high fatty products such as bacon throughout cooking. You may also want to clean pots, pans, and the walls or shelving directly above your stove to prevent the buildup of grease- which can become additional fuel when pans catch fire. If you witness a pan catching fire, turn off the heat and smother it immediately using a metal lid to cut off oxygen.

Responding quickly can help to reduce fire damage in your Augusta home, but it does not prevent it altogether. Typically the countertops remain safe from harm while cabinets directly above the stove and ceiling suffer massive amounts of smoke damages. It is not uncommon for wooden cabinets directly above the furnace to become so severely charred that removal and replacement of the door or assembly entirely are necessary. Fire and smoke damage restoration technicians (FRST) of SERVPRO are qualified to assess which items in your kitchen are salvageable.

Extinguishing a fire is just the first step in your home's recovery process. At this stage, it is vital to avoid introducing water to the affected area. Grease-based soiling does not respond well to water, and you may end up spreading soots or setting them into the surfaces you are trying to clean. Opening windows can help to ventilate some odors while placing sheets or old fabrics over the countertops, and on the floor underneath the ceiling, soiling can help to prevent falling soots from causing additional harm. SERVPRO technicians use pre-testing materials to assess the PH balance of soots or smoke residue to determine the correct cleaning method.

There may be some removal of kitchen components during the restoration procedure. In flash fires like this, there is a chance that the enamel of upper cabinets melts, leaving exposing the wood behind. Exposing the wood can lead to severe charring, in which case the assembly needs removal and replacement. In some situations, a SERVPRO technician can apply water pressure or soda blasting to the affected surface and refinish it to a good standard.

Kitchen fires require technical understanding as well as professional know-how to mitigate and restore. Contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200.

For more about Augusta click here.

Protecting Your Anoka Home After Storm Damage and Flooding

12/29/2019 (Permalink)

When you have storm damage to your Anoka home, the home will need to be protected from all elements.

Let us break down some of the ways to protect your Anoka home from storm damage.

There are many steps that our SERVPRO team can take to protect your home after a destructive storm passes through Grovetown. With many homes that can become structurally damaged by powerful weather events, how our professionals manage multiple job sites in the same region is a defining trait of our years of service. Intense storms can uproot trees and circulate debris at high velocities, which can cripple structural elements under the right conditions, break windows, or destroy siding or roofs.  

Because torrential rains accompany severe weather events, storm and flood damage in Grovetown homes happen simultaneously. Addressing these emergencies involves a collective effort between the licensed general contractors of our team and our certified water restoration specialists. Addressing any structural breaches must happen first, and that is what makes the emergency services our technicians and contractors provide so vital to flood recovery. Starting immediately upon arrival, our team can work to tarp compromised roofing, board up missing windows and holes in the structure, and start tree removal. 

Tarping the Roof 

A common structural concern during destructive weather events is the roof. When holes exist, or any underlayment becomes exposed, water can find its way into the house. Tarping up the roof involves fitting a tarp over the compromised regions of the roof and securing it in place with pieces of wood. This process can prevent water penetration until mitigation completes, and full build back can begin. 

Board Up Services 

Board-up serves two specific purposes: it seals off the inside from external exposures of further water intrusion, cold weather, or other threats. Also, sealing up broken windows prevents creatures from getting into the house when it is vulnerable. Board up is another immediate service that can happen when our contractors arrive at the house and perform the necessary threat assessments. 

Tree Removal 

Our in-house general contractors are also licensed to safely and effectively remove trees from the property once storms have dropped them. Even those that have broken through the house, we have more than 150 years of combined experience to cut the tree into manageable portions and remove it from the area so that full-scale build back can start after extraction and drying of the flood effects. 

We have the experience and the training to address pressing flood and structural concerns when we first arrive at damaged homes. Our SERVPRO of Augusta team can help you however you need by calling (706) 750-0200. 

To find out more about Grovetown, click here.

Our Experts Discuss How Flooding Can Lead To Hazards In Your Augusta Home

12/27/2019 (Permalink)

Natural Augusta Flooding Can Lead to Home Hazards

Assessing the risks and potential hazards present in Augusta homes after flooding is a vital step to beginning mitigation and emergency services as promptly as possible. As challenging as natural disasters like this can become, understanding the threats and how to manage these situations can make for safer cleaning and recovery of a household with less potential for continued damages or health concerns.

Part of keeping your family safe, as well as our SERVPRO technicians, begins with understanding what to expect from flood damage in Augusta homes. The first threat that homes and their occupants face after natural flooding disasters is the deterioration of construction materials. Ceiling tiles, insulation, drywall, flooring, and other materials are all at risk for weakening and eventual collapse when prolonged saturation occurs. Absorption by porous drywall and ceiling materials can begin immediately, allowing these areas to structurally fail in as little as 24 hours in some situations.

Electric shock is another concern for our team as well as anyone who might remain exposed to standing water in the structure. Active power supplies to the residence do not always trip or disconnect when exposed to rising water. Though many homes have a failsafe installed with the electrical system to mostly prevent electrified standing water and shock risks in these situations, older homes do not have these outlets, fixtures, and preventative measures. It is vital when the potential exists for these dangers that electrical service is temporarily severed.

With natural flooding scenarios, contamination is another concern that our SERVPRO team must know how to address promptly. Because of substances, bacteria, and other threats that could exist in moving water as it finds its way to your house, natural flooding situations must get treated as health threats to those exposed. While much of the exposed materials must get removed and later replaced, we have potent disinfectants, antimicrobial sprays, and biocides to treat and protect structural elements and frameworks that can remain.

Assessing risks and threats after flooding is a vital element of the restoration process for our SERVPRO of Augusta team and our customers. We can utilize efficient drying and cleaning approaches to restore your flooded home as quickly as we can. Give our technicians a call whenever disasters strike at (706) 750-0200.

For more about Augusta click here.

We Get You Back In Business In Martinez After A Water Damage Disaster

12/27/2019 (Permalink)

We provided water extraction and dried the damaged floor covering so the subfloor could dry completely.

Why Professional Commercial Water Cleanup is a Must for Martinez Properties

Many buildings employ professional janitorial services for the routine upkeep and cleaning of the property. When situations happen that need commercial water cleanup, the job may be more significant than the scope of service your regular clean up crew can handle.

The type of commercial water cleanup Martinez business properties choose to use can affect the outcome of their structure and contents from water loss. Incomplete removal of moisture leaves the property open for a range of issues from softened, warped sheetrock, loose tiles, or mold.

Water Removal Makes the Difference

While your janitorial service may have wet/dry vacuums, it cannot compare to the diverse array of extraction equipment used by SERVPRO. The technicians arrive on-site with everything needed for the job in their green service vans, including generators, if power is out at the location. The portable pumps, submersibles, and truck-mounted units in cases of a wide area of water damage, make fast work of extraction of the moisture from the structure.

Professional Drying Equipment

SERVPRO uses air movers that blow as high velocity and work to pull embedded moisture to the surface where their dehumidification equipment removes it and ports it off-site. Even large-sized industrial fans cannot match the drying power. Careful monitoring of ambient humidity ensures that the area dries completely. In cases where they need to dry behind walls or under floors, the use of specialized equipment such as drying mats or the Injecti-Dry to force large quantities of air into wall cavities.

Option for Deep Cleaning

The technicians wipe down surfaces with their cleaning agents, including antimicrobial solutions, but also offer a deep-cleaning service that cleans and sanitizes building above and beyond what the standard janitorial service does. Even when water loss is not an issue, it is a good idea to get the office deep-cleaned at least once a year. The final element of restoration involves ensuring the office smells as fresh and clean as it looks. The techs perform any needed odor control applications to remove any residual musty odors left behind.

SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 when your property requires commercial water cleanup. The technicians have the skills and equipment to make the water loss "Like it never even happened."

See more about Martinez.

Fires Damage in Martinez is Stressful. Let SERVPRO Handle the Cleanup and Restoration Process for You

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Even a small fire can do a lot of damage. SERVPRO of Augusta has the know-how to restore your home. Call us today!

Taking Care of Complexities During Fire Damage Cleanup in Martinez Homes

When we receive notification from a distraught property owner regarding a fire damage incident, we collect as much information as possible about it. Our customer service team can ask you several questions to gauge the intensity of the disaster at your residence, such as what time the fire occurred, what caused it, and if you have tried to do any cleanup after the incident.

After the call, our SERVPRO fire restoration crew can arrive at your property within an hour to evaluate the fire damage in your Martinez home. We can then take the necessary steps to restore the property to its pre-fire damage condition. Quickly beginning the cleanup process can prevent smoke residues, water, and soot from causing additional damage to your belongings and home.

As fire restoration experts, we know the guidelines to follow when restoring your home so we can achieve the desired results. Some factors can create complexities that can affect the restoration procedure. For instance, air currents can create problems that affect the proper dispersal of deodorizing sprays. To prevent this problem, our technicians can block off air current paths such as doors, windows, and vents so that deodorizers get to the intended surfaces.

When restoring a fire-damaged home, getting rid of smoke residues is essential. When the smoke settles on surfaces as a residue, it is known as soot. Soot residues may contain various kinds of acids because the sulfides and chlorides in smoke mix with moisture or with the humidity in the air to form acids. If acidic residues remain on materials for extended periods, they can cause corrosion and discoloration. Our SERVPRO team can use tools like dry cleaning sponges to remove the smoke residues. Our restorers can also agitate items such as drapes and upholstered fabrics to remove smoke particles.

The fire may have affected the masonry surfaces of your property, such as brick, fieldstone, and cinder block. If that is the case, we can use the right cleaning products and techniques to clean them. For instance, the materials found in fieldstone might react with cleaning products, and the reaction may cause a change in the stone’s color. By identifying the affected masonry surface correctly, our crew can choose a product that can clean the particular surface effectively.

We complete the fire damage repair according to the set timelines. After completing the restoration process, we allow property owners to conduct a walkthrough and check if we have completed the restoration work as required.

If you are dealing with a fire loss in your Martinez or Grovetown home, SERVPRO of Augusta can help. Contact us at (706) 750-0200 for quick restoration. We can handle the damage effectively to make it seem, “Like it never even happened.”

More about Martinez.

We Discuss Our Drying Goals During The Water Damage Restoration Process In Augusta

11/17/2019 (Permalink)

Drying Goals During Water Removal In Your Augusta Area Home

Water damage technicians create a drying goal during your Augusta home’s initial assessment. The drying goal should indicate the condition of materials and contents once restored to their natural preloss dryness. Qualified technicians should always monitor the drying process to determine if current procedures remain in-line with any established goals.

A drying goal for water removal in your Augusta area property is the intended result in affected areas after completing restoration services. Our technicians use years of experience, training, and advanced equipment to provide moisture content readings from dry, unaffected contents, and structure — readings in percentage for wood materials, and readings in points for non-wood materials.

SERVPRO technicians use drier air to increase the rate of evaporation while performing water removal services on your property – drier air means air with low humidity. A relative humidity (RH) of less than 40% is within the normal range for performing an effective drying solution. RH under 40% typically tells us that the air is dry and thirsty, allowing it to pull more water from wet materials within the affected area.

While measurements for RH does not guarantee that your structure is dry, reaching a low RH ensures that humidity within the affected area is decreasing. To determine whether the area is dry, SERVPRO technicians take specific humidity readings of the affected areas; these readings should match those taken in unaffected areas. We use moisture meters to measure the moisture content of wet materials found in your home.

SERVPRO water removal technicians set moisture content goals on a per-item basis – after establishing a drying standard and recording typical equilibrium moisture content (EMC). The dry standard is a moisture content reading taken from dry materials of the same type found in unaffected areas. We establish a dry standard or use a typical EMC of a material as a goal.  Once the readings match, the drying process is complete.

Contact SERVPRO of Augusta for access to full-service water removal, cleanup, and restoration services, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. We are proud to provide quality solutions throughout Martinez, Grovetown, and surrounding areas. Call (706) 750-0200.

For more about Augusta click here.

Seasonal Storms Can Spell Trouble For Your Martinez Home

11/7/2019 (Permalink)

Seasonal Storms Challenge Martinez Homeowners with Flood Damage

Recent tropical storms making landfall from the Gulf are a clear reminder of the exposure to flooding these weather patterns bring to Martinez. High winds and torrential rains pounding down increase the likelihood that water enters your home from overland flooding, seepage from saturated ground, or exterior damage. You need help with everything from securing your property to water removal to structural drying to disinfection and deodorization. Our Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained team can help.

Contamination Risk High with Flooding
When several inches of waterfall in a short period in Martinez, flood damage is often a consequence. Backups from your sewage waste pipes and overland flooding bring a host of contaminants into your home, including blood and fecal borne pathogens, chemicals, animal and industrial waste, and other debris. If floodwaters collect because of exterior damage, the rainwater flows across and down walls and floors, also pouring through building cavities before rising in your lower levels. The relatively clean rainwater picks up many residues on its journey inside your dwelling, adding to other hazardous substances.

Professional Containment and Lawful Disposal
When the SERVPRO team arrives, crew members begin tarping and boarding up exterior damage. Meanwhile, an experienced project manager evaluates the damage, including an assessment of whether the water needs containment and disposal following local hazardous waste regulations. Our technicians are familiar with efficient methods for capturing contaminated water using submersible pumps and extractors. We are current on the protocols for disposal, ensuring your job is handled as required by law.

The Three “Ds” -- Disinfection, Drying, and Deodorization
After through extraction of floodwaters, including detection and release of fluids hidden in building cavities, SERVPRO employees clean and disinfect affected spaces. EPA-registered products ensure appropriate kill rates and dwell times for the broad range of pathogens remaining after the evacuation of floodwaters. Moisture level data helps determine drying goals, and we monitor the reduction in absorbed water as air movers and heaters accelerate evaporation. Dehumidifiers capture water vapor for disposal. Our Odor Control Technicians (OCT) work through a broad range of strategies to remove any lingering odors, including the use of enzyme products and hydroxyl generators that neutralize rather than mask smells.

SERVPRO of Augusta is ready to partner with you when stormy skies turn into flooded spaces in your home. Contact us round the clock at (706) 750-0200 to schedule an assessment and get the recovery going.

For more about Martinez click here.

When Augusta Hospitals Experience a Water Loss Event

10/28/2019 (Permalink)

Did your commercial property experience a water loss incident? SERVPRO is always on call and has the equipment to restore your building quickly.

Large Loss Water Restoration for Sprawling Augusta Properties 

As a large loss provider to the Augusta area, we have many massive commercial structures that depend on us to address widespread water loss incidents. From smaller-scale situations that require minimal equipment usage to large losses, our SERVPRO professionals answer the call 24/7 to begin protecting your structure, its occupants, and the investment in contents within the building. This need is especially critical when medical facilities fall victim to water loss scenarios. 

There are numerous advantages to being part of a large loss service provider, and that covers every recovery aspect from content management to water removal for Augusta hospitals. We can immediately begin restoration of large facilities like this in our service region because we have the full support of the nearby branches of our brand to help fill in our ranks and inventory shortcomings when considerable loss incidents occur. Large loss teams benefit medical facilities in several specific ways. 

Drying and Extraction Equipment 

The primary advantage of our involvement with a Large Loss Response Team is the combined available inventories of all SERVPRO branches working on this single task. From providing hundreds of air movers and dehumidifiers to an equal volume of premier extraction tools, we can meet the demands of even substantial water loss incidents affecting multiple wings or floors of your area facility.

Full Restoration Technician Support 

Each component of the broader response team has accreditations with various restoration niches through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC.) This much more extensive roster of qualified professionals can address nearly any obstacle in the hospital or sizable public structure, from drying and extraction to coordinating the movement of patients or equipment when necessary.

Reduction in Overall Damage and Restoration Cost 

Because of our fast and sufficient response to the current damage, we can reduce the migration of water loss effects and protect your facility and its management from incurring higher restoration or later reconstruction costs. 

We know how dangerous and threatening disasters in a hospital can be for both patients and staff, so our SERVPRO of Augusta team is ready and able to help 24/7. If you want to make even large loss scenarios, “Like it never even happened.” give us a call today at (706) 750-0200.

More about Augusta.

Proof that SERVPRO is Exactly the Remediation Company in Augusta That You Are Looking For

10/25/2019 (Permalink)

Why Should You Handle Your Remediation Process in Augusta Alone?

We are not a team of restoration professionals that can knowingly provide subpar services to Augusta home and business owners amid a crisis. Where many restoration services might gouge you in your time of need, or team wants to help you get your home back to preloss condition quickly. We showcase this in our talent acquisition and retention, as we have more than 150 years of combined experience in the restoration fields. We work to provide a ‘Level 10’ mentality that goes the extra mile for our customers, and that is why our team has acquired more than 1000 highly positive reviews about our service online.

Storm

While we might not be the only game in town when it comes to storm damage recovery in Augusta, we are a team that can offer a truly comprehensive experience beginning the moment that you reach out with our emergency line. We have fast responding technicians that can identify the threats to your property immediately and take the necessary precautions to best protect your home and its occupants from further damage. Our fast and thorough inspection of the storm damage can ensure that the right mitigation steps get taken quickly.

Because our team has become rounded off with a full-service contracting division, we can offer Augusta properties recovery solutions that exceed their expectations. Keeping restoration and build back all in-house reduces both cost and time to complete. This same dedicated team of professionals helped our customers and others throughout neighboring regions through the devastation that hurricanes Harvey, Florence, and Michael left behind.

Storms can quickly threaten Augusta homes with little warning, leaving many property owners contending with the devastation of flooding. Our technicians have accreditations through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) in water restoration, structural drying, and even mold remediation to help address the hurdles that often accompany severe water loss incidents.

Mold

Lingering moisture after the storm events that can threaten the area, elevated relative humidity (RH) or inadequately dried water damage can lead to mold growth in Augusta homes. As detrimental as this situation can become, if discovered early enough, it does not have to reach the point of getting out of control. We have a full division of qualified IICRC-Certified Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians (AMRT) to help with practical approaches designed to preserve the damaged material beneath the colonies.

We have a full line of SERVPRO products that can help to address nearly all aspects of the presence of mold in your property. From deodorization to antimicrobial agents, we have potent botanical-based options that are safe on the environment, those exposed, and pets. These powerful products can eliminate spores on contact, reducing the concentration of these colony-forming microorganisms throughout your damaged Augusta home.

Mold damage to Augusta properties takes a toll on the homeowner and other occupants of the house, as it might get determined that the best solution is to vacate the property until the right remediation steps have completed to make the property safe for occupancy again. We understand that your family might become displaced by this disaster, so we work to deploy our HEPA filtering tools and media/soda blasting equipment to remove active colonization as promptly as we can.

Water

As much as we pride ourselves on having more than 150 years of combined experience in all niches of the restoration industry, perhaps an even more significant accomplishment is our more than 60 years of combined experience in the water restoration niches alone. With water recovery being an everyday staple to the work that we do for Augusta home and business owners, having an experienced team of professionals ready to mobilize quickly can save you time and money.

We do not cut corners when it comes to restoring the water damage in Augusta homes, and that starts with having advanced equipment and products that can help through every phase of recovery. With commercial drying equipment like our hundreds of air movers and dozens of desiccant dehumidifiers, we can quickly reduce humidity and moisture levels within a home to manageable parameters. The sooner we can get these levels under control, the less persistent damage a property endures, and the less likely secondary effects like mold growth could occur.

Being a respected name in restoration services begins with being there for Augusta homeowners when they need us the most. No disaster strikes at a convenient time, and that is why our production vehicles stay stocked with extractors, drying equipment, and cleaning products 24/7 so that we can mobilize quickly when a customer or insurance company calls our emergency line about a loss incident.

Fire

We know how traumatic fire loss situations can be for Augusta home and business owners, and that is why our SERVPRO team gets trained to address as many of the effects and cleaning procedures as possible on-site. Not only does this showcase our ability to manage losses that can occur, but it also limits the time that our customers have to wait for contents to get returned to their property following the completion of mitigation.

Successful on-site content cleaning for your Augusta home often involves the use of sophisticated equipment like our Esporta Wash System. This unit is a gentler automated cleaning machine that can remove sediment, debris, and contaminants from soft materials and textiles in a fire-damaged property. The portability of the machine allows us to address even widespread concerns without having to pack-out materials to our nearby facility.

We also have capable equipment for deodorization and solvents and detergents for cleaning residues and sediment left behind after fire losses. We have a full-service contracting division that can handle debris removal and controlled demolition during mitigation. Our removal of soot residue protects the affected material from the acidic composition of these carcinogens, and with tools like chemical sponges, we can make fire losses “Like it never even happened” for Augusta homes.

We know how quickly all disasters can leave your home looking far from ordinary. Our prompt response to every emergency can help. We have IICRC-certified technicians accredited in every niche of the restoration industry, and our SERVPRO of Augusta team is ready to help whenever you need it. Give us a call anytime at (706) 750-0200.

Click here to learn more about Augusta. 

Grovetown Homeowners Rely on SERVPRO for Water Damage Restoration

10/1/2019 (Permalink)

Big Water Loss or Small Water Loss--SERVPRO Has the Equipment for Recovery in Grovetown

Water Damaged Walls in Your Grovetown Home?  (CHANGED YOUR TITLE)

When your walls are wet, there is a clear warning sign of damage. Water cleanup services extract water quickly to reduce the risk of structural damage. Sheetrock absorbs and reacts to water in different ways, and it is essential to know what to do when your walls have been damaged by water.

Before starting the SERVPRO process of water cleanup in your Grovetown home, it might be useful to learn how drywall responds to water. When damage has occurred, water has wicked up into the cardboard backing, a cellulose (wood) product. The wall can continue to absorb water until the integrity of the structure is at risk. Typically, the damage is only cosmetic, and with drying the building material can be salvaged. If the sheetrock panels are crumbling or beyond salvaging, we can perform a "flood cut," a controlled demolition of the lower portion of the wall. This cut is done several inches above the water mark.

After cutting off all sources of water into the home that are creating the spillage, the water cleanup and drying process can begin. SERVPRO deploys advanced drying equipment and techniques no matter how big or small the size of your spill is. Of course, this may mean simply a mop and bucket. Water can get into the walls cavities for a variety of reasons, and knowing the source can mitigate damage to the unaffected areas of the structure.

Some common reasons for water damage in the walls include:

- Burst or leaky pipe

- Water intrusion from the roof

- Water incursion from the crawlspace

- Faulty appliance

- Broken HVAC unit

Each instance of water damage is different. SERVPRO IICRC Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification technicians can use best practices to minimize the harm to your home, contents, and personal possessions.

The drying process requires patience and the strategic placement of dehumidifiers and industrial-grade air movers to remove the moisture remaining after our wet vacs and extractors have eliminated any pooling water. We monitor this service with moisture meters and infrared camera imagery to ensure that standard moisture content levels have been restored to the previously wet materials.

Avoid costly repairs to your walls, and contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 for quick and efficient water cleanup services. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Here is Grovetown

Electrical Fire Damage in Your Grovetown Home May Necessitate the Removal of Smoke Residues

9/30/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO will be there for you and your Grovetown home fire damage.

Electrical faults are a leading cause of fires in homes. Electrical fires can happen because of faulty appliances and improper use of electrical outlets. Old wiring inside walls can also become worn or frayed, causing sparks and shorts that may ignite. To prevent such fires, ensure that a certified electrician does all the electrical work in your home.

If you experience fire damage in your Grovetown residence, hiring experts who can restore it to its pre-damaged condition is critical. A fire can ruin your belongings and also char the ceilings, walls, and floors. SERVPRO franchise professionals can assist you in performing fire damage cleanup. 

A fire might have only caused damage to a part of your home, but smoke may have traveled to all the rooms. After the smoke settles on the surface as residue, we usually refer it to as soot. Soot is a byproduct of incomplete combustion, and it can contain a combination of soils, metals, acids, dust, and chemicals, based on the substances that a fire has burned. 

Soot residues may comprise different types of acids because sulfides and chlorides mix with moisture to form acids or humidity in the air. Acidic soot residues can cause corrosion and discoloration if they remain on surfaces for a long time. Some types of soot and more challenging to remove than others. Our technicians can effectively clean different residues, including:

• Wet smoke residues 
• Fuel oil smoke residues
• Dry smoke residues
• Protein smoke residues

Our Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technicians (FSRTs) use different cleaning methods to eliminate different residues. It is easier to remove dry smoke residues than it is to remove dry smoke residues. Less aggressive cleaning procedures are adequate for removing dry smoke residues. Dry cleaning methods involve the use of specific counteractants specific to the kind of fire that occurred. Wet cleaning involves applying detergent solutions to fire-ruined textiles, and we may soak them first. We can clean the ceiling and lighting fixtures using low pressure steam cleaning. Our SERVPRO technicians also remove and dispose of all contaminated materials correctly. 

When a fire leaves soot in different parts of your home, SERVPRO of Augusta is the right restoration company to hire. We can make the damage look “Like it never happened.” Call us anytime at (706) 750-0200 for quick remediation. 

To learn more about Grovetown, click here.

We Offer Tips For Flood Damage Restoration In Augusta

9/10/2019 (Permalink)

We can arrive swiftly with skilled technicians and use our advanced drying equipment to minimize the further damage.

Top Things to Know About Commercial Flood Damage in Augusta

For business owners, your property is one of your most substantial assets, and when it receives water damage, the professional and financial setback caused closure during cleanup can hurt the revenue flow and the reputation of your business.

The certified experts at SERVPRO put together a list of tips for Augusta property owners with commercial flood damage. Securing your building and saving as much of the contents as possible is a priority, and there are actions business owners can take to limit loss.

Regular Inspections Prevent Loss

It is a good idea to implement a property inspection program regularly. Seemingly small issues such as clogged gutters cause water to back up onto the roof and erosion causes damage. Drainage is another concern; make sure the grade around the building directs water away. 

Look for Leaks

The intense storms in this part of the state cause wind and hail damage that leave roofing vulnerable to leaks. Tell employees to report signs of water on ceilings or walls immediately, so repairs happen as fast as possible. 

Groundwater Requires Professional Handling

You do not know what is in flood damage and until SERVPRO professionally tests it, humans should avoid contact. When their technicians mitigate this type of water damage, they set up staging areas, containment and wear protective clothing to stop cross-contamination during flood water removal and cleanup.

Actions to Halt Further Water Damage

SERVPRO technicians use their moisture detection equipment to trace the migration path of the water. They determine the extent of water wicked into sheetrock and how much requires removal. This action also assists in the creation of weep holes and other drainage methods to expel water and allow greater airflow during drying. 

SERVPRO Has Access to Advanced Equipment

To get the business cleaned and prepped for any needed repairs, a thorough extraction of water must occur. The wet/dry vacuum used by the cleaning crew may be great for small spills, but groundwater removal requires industrial-grade power and equipment such as submersible pumps or portable pumps. These work far more efficiently to remove the water thoroughly and in doing so, lessens the drying time needed. 

Mold May Set Up Home in Your Business

In as fast as 24-hours, and once established, mold colonies spread quickly anywhere there is an excess of moisture and something to consume such as sheetrock. SERVPRO technicians use preventative measures to inhibit mold growth as well as the application of antimicrobial sealers to areas of the home after remediation of mold to ensure no regrowth occurs.

SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 handles any size commercial flood damage wholly and quickly so your company does not remain closed long, and you can get back to the business of being in business.

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We Discuss Tips For Making The Water Damage Restoration Process Easier In Your Augusta Home

9/5/2019 (Permalink)

Tips For Making Your Augusta Water Damage Restoration Go More Smoothly

Water damage is a situation that most property owners can expect to deal with at some point. The scale of the loss may range from a small amount of water on a bathroom floor to a whole house flood. Due to the nature of water to migrate into hard-to-reach areas, it is smart to engage professional restoration services.

There are some actions homeowners can take to lessen the stress during water damage mitigation of your Augusta home. Before help arrives on-site, limit loss to essential papers and books by removing them to a clean, dry area either in another part of the house or outside the property to a safe place.

Give your carpet a chance
If the carpet receives damage from water, it often has the potential for restoration if you act quickly. Stain from furniture leeches into wet carpeting and leaves a permanent stain. Raising furniture on blocks or removal outside the worksite area inhibits the chance of stains. This allows the water extraction process to go even faster when SERVPRO technicians arrive.

Watch out for electrical hazards
If the water loss occurred in an upstairs area and light fixtures have water in them or around electrical outlets, avoid turning on any lights or using appliances in the vicinity. If there are any signs devices are compromised with water, wait until the technicians arrive. SERVPRO team members know how to work safely in these situations.

Hardwood flooring may not be a loss
On a case by case basis, the SERVPRO technicians clean and restore hardwood flooring affected by water. Since wood swells after exposure to water, the flooring may look buckled or warped. The restoration process involves using specialized drying methods such as drying mats and equipment to remove moisture from the wood, reduce swelling, and lessen any visible distortion. Before technicians arrive, using rags or mops to pick up as much water as possible assists with turning around the destruction to the floor.

SERVPRO of Augusta handles water damage of any scale. Just call us at (706) 750-0200, and our emergency response team arrives within an hour because We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

For more about Augusta click here.

Call For Local Augusta Flood Damage Remediation Services

8/31/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO wants to be there to take away your worries when it comes to your Augusta water damage.

Our technicians have the passion and training to assist your Augusta water damage.

There are many situations which can cause flood damage to your home. Severe storms, snowmelt, and overflowing rivers are just a few of the things that can cause flood damage to any given home. However, due to your unique geographic position, your home is far more likely to experience flood damage from a severe storm or an overflowing river. 

A severe storm swept into the city of Augusta and caused flood damage to many homes, including yours. The weak spot of your roof allowed rainwater to drip and pool in your attic. Sometimes water damage inside of an attic can go unnoticed for some time. However, in the case of your home, the floodwaters left a very noticeable water stain on the ceiling of your office. While the stain may be unpleasant to look at, it certainly helped you find the damage right away, which allowed you to reach out for help just as quickly. 

When you contact SERVPRO, we immediately begin to assemble a team of our expertly trained water damage restoration technicians (WRT) to send to your home. We specialize in water damage remediation and work around your schedule. Whenever you need us, day or night, weekend or day, we can send technicians to your location. Our techs come to you equipped with advanced technology to fight the damage inside of your home effectively and swiftly. Our entire goal revolves around restoring your home, "Like it never even happened." 

Upon arriving, our SERVPRO technicians can get to work straight away. We can remove any insulation that has been soaked through and then throw it away for you, so you do not have to be exposed to the material. After, we can set up a drying environment inside of your attic, using devices designed to encourage evaporation. Some devices our technicians may use to remove any standing water and dry out your attic include...

-Heaters

-Dehumidifiers 

-Wet/Dry Vacuums

-Extractors 

-Ventilation Fans

-Air Movers

Using these devices in conjunction allows for an environment that reduces excess moisture quickly. In some cases, it only takes a few days to finish the job. Once finished, and after we have used an antifungal agent to minimize the chances of mold, we can help you contact a contractor who can install new insulation. 

If you need urgent flood damage restoration services, do not wait. Get in touch with SERVPRO of Augusta by calling (706) 750-0200. No matter the time or day, we are open and ready to take your call. 

If you would like to know more about Augusta, click here.

Secrets To Fixing Flood Damage Fast For Your Martinez Business

8/14/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial Flood Damage Martinez – Burst Water Main Floods Local Business

The last thing our client expected was a flood from a burst water main. With water shooting several feet into the air, the street quickly flooded, and water poured in the front door of our client's commercial business office. Fortunately, the staff had a few minutes warning and were able to shut down and disconnect computers as well as move emergency power supplies onto desks and filing cabinets. The employees also removed as many office files as possible before the water came in the door!

SERVPRO responded immediately to this commercial flood damage event in Martinez. Our teams understand how important it is for commercial businesses to regain operational status after an event like this one. Receiving customers, processing orders, and customer support can come to a standstill while the office is out of commission.

We quickly assessed the situation and brought in equipment to vacuum up the water and dehumidifiers to remove moisture. All of the desks were raised and placed on blocks. The chairs were moved to a dry area along with any other easily moved items. Since this was water from a water main, there was a limited amount of contamination. The dehumidifiers ran for several days along with the air conditioning which dried the carpeting completely. There was no damage to the underlying floor, which was concrete.

While the office was clearly out of commission for several days, employees pitched in, contacting customers to provide information about the service situation. SERVPRO provided updates to the client regarding the cleaning process and helped the customer understand how long the office would take to be restored. We also provided the appropriate documentation needed to submit insurance claims for the flooding.

The client acted quickly and reduced the impact of the flooding significantly. However, with flooding, there is a danger of short circuits and electrocution. Always verify that it is safe to enter a flooded room. Disconnect the electrical system first. The professionals at SERVPRO take all of the required safety precautions to protect the client, their products, and inventory.

Call SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 for 24/7 service. We serve Grovetown and surrounding areas. We help commercial clients recover from flood damage. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Click here to see more about Martinez.

Professional Residential Water Cleanup And Restoration For Grovetown Homeowners

8/9/2019 (Permalink)

We know how important the structure of your home is after water damage, but we also know how important your Grovetown belongings and furniture are.

SERVPRO can be there every step of the way for your water damage in Grovetown.

While a strong, Summer storm can result in a large amount of rain falling on our community, most Grovetown residents have to deal with water intrusions from far more mundane sources like a cracked inlet pipe or a split hose leading into a clothes washer.

When the intrusion source is from inside the home like these examples, Grovetown water cleanup is a little less complicated. Here, there are no contaminants such as from an outside flood, so SERVPRO specialists do not have to spend time and effort on eliminating a potential health risk before starting to remove water in the home.

After team members use pumps and other water extraction devices, cleanup begins. Since water renders paper into a soggy mess in less than an hour, they dispose of all papers, magazines, and even photographs that were affected by the water. If the owner wants a particular photo or document preserved, team members can keep it out of the trash, but restoring it requires a specialist trained with that skill.

Wood can be almost as vulnerable as paper. A maple or cherry wood dining set is pretty sturdy, but if left in water overnight or longer, the varnish or other finishes on the feet and legs begin to soften and dissolve. That leaves the exposed wood vulnerable to splitting and cracking. To prevent or at least ameliorate the effects, SERVPRO specialists carefully draw water out of the affected table and chairs using a dehumidifier.

Once the wood is back to its original condition, specialists carefully remove the finish. They can sand down cracked or split areas and use a filler to smooth the appearance and then cover everything with new varnish or another veneer. If the piece is old enough to be an antique, the homeowner’s insurance company may prefer using a professional restorer, so the team leader checks on that possibility before performing any work.

At SERVPRO of Augusta, we are proud to serve not only our local community but also that of Martinez and the surrounding areas. For a quick response to all of your water and other restoration needs, call us today at (706) 750-0200, 24/7. We are here for you. 

To learn more about Grovetown, click here.

Sustained Summer Storms Mean Augusta Flood Damage

7/29/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO will always be eager to help you through your Augusta flood damage.

We are always a phone call away for your flood damage in Augusta.

Augusta is frequently in the path of extreme weather systems. Dumping voluminous amounts of rain and generating wind speeds of nearly 80 miles per hour, storms seen already this summer have set the stage for residents to be watchful and wary when the weather changes. If your home suffers significant harm and water invades, lose no time in calling on professional flooding mitigation and remediation services.

Flood damage in Augusta during the hot months can be overwhelming. Our team of Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained managers and technicians prepare for the flooding season and are eager to help you overcome a disastrous situation. Because of our rigorous training, experience, and inventory of state-of-the-art flood mitigation and remediation equipment, we are uniquely qualified to come to your aid.

Expect our crew to arrive as soon as possible with an experienced project manager or crew chief leading the way. A swift and accurate assessment of the damage follows, resulting in a comprehensive and personalized restoration plan. The SERVPRO service vehicles waiting outside have a full complement of water removal and structural drying equipment onboard, along with power generators, cleaning and disinfecting products, and a range of moisture detection tools. We also have materials to secure your property if storm damage affected the exterior’s structural integrity.

Our SERVPRO technicians get to work, ticking off the task on the plan. Pumps and extractors evacuate the floodwater, by definition Category 3 and dangerously contaminated. We follow local rules for containment and disposal of the fluids removed. Thermal scanning leads us to any hidden caches of floodwater, which we access for removal with controlled demolition methods like flood cuts or weep holes. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of affected surfaces with EPA-registered formulations complete next.

Moisture readings provide the data needed to determine drying goals. Heated air movement facilitated by positioning drying equipment appropriately helps drive water from wet structural components into the air as vapor. Evaporative and desiccant dehumidifiers each have their place in condensing or absorbing the vapor for lawful disposal. After meeting drying goals, SERVPRO can help with repairs and rebuilding, offering wrap-around restoration.

Call SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 after the storm passes. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, and pledge to return your home to pre-flooding condition quickly and professionally.

If you would like to learn more about Augusta, click here.

Our Technicians Discuss What You Need To Do During A Fire In Your Augusta Home

7/15/2019 (Permalink)

Whenever you need assistance with the fire damage inside your home, never wait.

What You Should Do During A Fire Damage Emergency In Your Augusta Home

It's an unpleasant experience for any homeowner when a blaze causes fire damage to their property. It's essential to have a fire extinguisher in your home, which is not expired, just in case an emergency should happen. Using a fire extinguisher can help limit how much damage happens inside of your home until the firefighters arrive at the scene of the blaze.

Fortunately, the fire damage in your Augusta home was not catastrophic. An electrical surge in your living room caused the outlet, which your window air conditioner was plugged into, to catch on fire. Thankfully for your quick and calm reaction, the fire did not have much time to grow past the contained area of where the outlet was located.

Even if the fire damage inside of your home is minimal, and contained to just a surface or two, it is wise to call for professional help. Here at SERVPRO, we take every job seriously, large or small, and always rush to arrive at the job site. Our fire damage restoration technicians (FDRT) can get to your home within a couple of hours of your initial call, equipped with advanced technological equipment to fight the fire damage.

In order to combat the fire damage inside of your home, our SERVPRO FDRT can use a variety of techniques and devices to remove odors, surface char, excess water, and soot, such as:

    •    C02 blasters or sodium bicarbonate blasters

    •    House-formulated cleaning solutions

    •    Handheld HEPA vacuums or Air Scrubbers with HEPA filters

    •    Wet/Dry Vacuums

Here at SERVPRO, we firmly believe in removing as much evidence of the fire as possible so that you can return to your home in its pre-fire state. Remember, the best method of minimizing damage inside of your home during an emergency is to remain calm and call for help as soon as possible.

Whenever you need assistance with the fire damage inside your home, never wait. Get in touch with SERVPRO of Augusta by calling (706) 750-0200. We're open 24/7 and ready to help.

For more about Augusta click here.

Augusta Water Woes? SERVPRO Takes Away Spills and Stains

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

Water Removal and Drying for Augusta Homes and Businesses--SERVPRO Has the Techs and the Equipment

How Fast Response Helps after Water Damage in Your Augusta Home

Whether there is a leaking roof or a burst plumbing line that releases water into unwanted areas of your home, a quick reaction is an essential strategy to help fix the resultant water damage. There are many dynamics in a water loss incident, so fast response can mean different things, not just the extraction of water. Working with a professional restoration company avails the resources necessary to expedite every aspect of the restoration process.
 
One of the problems likely to occur after water damage in your Augusta home is microbial growth. If left to proliferate, mold and other microbes can cause severe damages that are more challenging to deal with than the initial water spill. Removing any standing water and excess moisture from the structure fast helps prevent such problems. Speed is essential because mold colonies can start developing within 24 – 48 hours after the spill. Our SERVPRO technicians bring a wide array of equipment in our green trucks to the loss site to help expedite the process, including:
 
     Wet Vacs
 
     LGR dehumidifiers
 
     Centrifugal air movers
 
     Structural Cavity Venting systems
 
Stains affecting carpets, upholstery, and fabric items such as drapes often happen after water damage incidents. A speedy response can help either prevent stains or help ease the removal process. Relocating any objects such as area rugs, furniture, and other possessions lying on carpets immediately, can help prevent the formation of stains. UFT, Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician certification helps our SERVPRO team utilize the best stain removal strategies, including performing spot cleaning when the affected items are still wet.
 
Another problem likely to affect your property after a water spill is the development of bad odors. The odors can develop whether it is a clean water loss or otherwise, especially if the water is left to stagnate for long. Apart from extraction, our SERVPRO technicians also take other steps such as dehumidification to remove any traces of excess moisture preventing bad odors. But, if they persist, we can apply both mechanical and chemical processes for their elimination.
 
To respond fast enough to water spills, call SERVPRO of Augusta to help. You can reach us any time at (706) 750-0200. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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Augusta Homeowners Clammer for SERVPRO to Rescue Their Flood-Damaged Properties!

6/12/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Provides Advanced Equipment for Flood Water Removal in Augusta Homes and Businesses

SERVPRO Handles Heavy Flood Damage in Augusta Homes

When flood damage occurs in a home, the faster the removal of the water, the less the potential for loss. It is suggested that immediate professional cleanup can mitigate the damages exponentially.

Our SERVPRO location handled flood damage to an Augusta home after a heavy rain that encompassed much of the first floor. Groundwater entering a home is a category 3 or black water event and carries a rating as a biohazard for cleanup. Contaminated water can contain chemicals, pesticides, debris, vegetation, pathogens, and fecal matter.

The homeowner advised our emergency response team before arrival on site that the electricity was off in the home, so we brought our generators to power our equipment for the mitigation. There was little standing water left on the property, but the carpeting in all rooms retained water and were too heavy to move without extraction to lighten them. These contaminated porous floor coverings were not salvageable, and we discarded them. We also removed other affected contents in the home that were not restorable due to exposure to black water.

Once we removed the water from the flooring, we measured how far up into the sheetrock the moisture wicked and we cut about six inches above the waterline using a controlled demolition technique known as "flood cuts." This action allowed a more substantial amount of airflow into the wall cavity, so complete drying occurred more rapidly.

Mold is a significant concern after damage from flooding in a home. One of the ways we inhibit mold growth is to set a drying goal for the water loss areas between 40% to 50% humidity. Thus, the moisture content in the air does not support spore growth. When our technicians set up air movers in the home, we use the force of the air movers to pull any remaining moisture to the surface where it is then captured and ported away with dehumidifiers.

Once our detection equipment confirmed the attainment of drying goals, SERVPRO technicians cleaned, disinfected, and performed the necessary odor control procedures to get the property prepped for rebuilding. We then gave the homeowner and adjuster a record of the actions taken and a list of repairs and restorations needed to return the home to its preloss condition. Because our SERVPRO company offers full-service restoration and rebuilding with many contracting licenses, we can provide a seamless transition from water removal to a scenario "Like it never even happened."

We know flood damage is a stressful situation for any homeowner. Contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200, and we can mitigate the loss and make your home whole again.

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Call Us Right After A Fire Has Occurred In Your Augusta Home

6/4/2019 (Permalink)

Give our experienced team a call anytime that you need us at (706) 750-0200.

Debris Removal Solutions For Your Fire-Damaged Augusta Home

Immediately following the extinguishment of a fire in your Augusta home, once first responders have deemed the property safe enough to re-enter, homeowners are often unclear as to what their next step should be. With so much work to get done to bring your house back to its original condition, it can be damaging to avoid getting mitigation and recovery started immediately. Even still, homeowners often choose to reach out to their insurance provider instead of our restoration specialists first, and there are a few reasons why that might be a mistake.

After extinguishment, many effects exist that must get cleaned up, and fire removal services for your Augusta home is not something that your insurance company can give you. Debris removal is a critical component to recovery after a fire loss incident, and this begins with a thorough inspection of the home to determine what elements and construction materials can stay installed and which must get removed and replaced by our competent professionals.

Our SERVPRO technicians have extensive experience in spot testing materials like drywall and wood to determine the extent of their damage and to determine if restorative actions are possible. This assessment, even the structural testing, and evaluation are all components of detailed documentation and evidence that your insurance provider expects before they can begin the process of filing a damage claim for your household.

The professionals that we dispatch to your fire-damaged home arrive with the expertise and the equipment to begin controlled demolition quickly. By pinpointing specific portions of materials and areas of your house to get repaired rather than rebuilding much larger surface areas, we can save our customers time and money on the reconstruction that follows from our experienced contractors.

We know that there are many obstacles after a fire loss incident, but you can count on our SERVPRO of Augusta specialists to help you through every phase of recovery and restoration. Give our experienced team a call anytime that you need us at (706) 750-0200.

Click here for more about Augusta.

Hey Augusta! Need Some Mold Removal--Done Right? Call SERVPRO!

5/22/2019 (Permalink)

Moldy Bathroom in Augusta? Why Not Call a Premier Company for Remediation? SERVPRO

SERVPRO Mold Remediation Cleans and Restores the Bathroom Ceiling in No Time for Augusta Homes

The need for mold remediation is common because colonies can occur anywhere there are three essential elements: moisture, optimum temperatures for growth, and food. A source of nutrients can consist of building materials, wood, and items such as books or papers are commonly affected. Organic compounds containing cellulose are readily available to mold spores.

We were called to perform mold remediation on a home in Augusta that had a broken exhaust fan and each long, hot shower taken in the home resulted in warm, moist air trapped in the attic area. Not realizing the mold was coming from a mechanical issue, the homeowner had sprayed the few mold spots he had seen on the ceiling with bleach, and when they disappeared, he assumed the problem was handled, until he started smelling a musty odor.

Why call SERVPRO? Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified technicians are specially trained in the restorative trade to bring a property back to preloss condition and minimize replacement costs to property and contents whenever possible.

Our applied microbial remediation technicians (AMRT) inspected the bathroom ceiling and found the issue was a broken exhaust fan. Mold colonies were actively growing in the area. The bathroom was contained by placing plastic over the doorway and vents. We also shut off the HVAC to stop any further spread of mold spores during the cleanup.

The technicians gently abraded the mold colonies with scrapers and used a small handheld vacuum with a HEPA filter to minimize the chance of cross-contamination. After the mold colony damage was removed, disinfected and deodorized, SERVPRO techs vacuumed and fogged the ductwork with an antifungal agent to exterminate dormant mold spores that could activate and grow if exposed to moisture. Once our cleanup was completed, the homeowner was advised of the suggested repair needed to the exhaust fan so the cycle would never repeat itself.

SERVPRO of Augusta is proud to serve our local community with mold remediation services. We are available 24/7 when you need us at (706) 750-0200.

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When You Plug Fire Damage Into Your Augusta Home

4/29/2019 (Permalink)

Augusta Fire Damage from Destructive Electrical Fire Gets Fast Mitigation

When it comes to everyday items causing fire damage, extension cords are in the top ten. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates over 3,300 residential fires per year. When you have a fire in your home, it needs to be addressed quickly to minimize loss.

Fire damage in an Augusta home was caused by misuse of an extension cord. The homeowner was running a television, air conditioner, dehumidifier and toaster oven on a couple of strung-together extension cords. The ungrounded outlet in the wall got overheated and caught fire which was extinguished quickly but there was a large amount of damage to deal with when our technicians arrived, and the electricity was off.

Our technicians arrived on the scene soon after the initial call and brought our portable generators to run our equipment. The room where the fire occurred was quickly contained to stop any further spread of soot or odors. The damaged drywall was removed using controlled demolition techniques. Items in the room were inspected and removed if they were too damaged for restoration. Residual water from extinguishing the fire was quickly extracted. So the property could be dried, cleaned and disinfected.

Lingering fire odors remained in the room, so air scrubbers were used followed by the application of thermal fogging to neutralize odor-causing particulates completely. Once the remediation from the fire was completed, suggestions were made by our technicians for the completion of the restoration with the replacement of the damaged structural components. Our building services division was able to rebuild the damaged wall for the homeowner and install new grounded outlets to avoid a repeat of this scenario.

SERVPRO of Augusta is available to mitigate fire damage to your property 24-hours a day at (706) 750-0200. Our certified technicians have the equipment and expertise to handle any amount of damage and "We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster."

Augusta was first settled in 1736.  Read more here.

Our Experts Provide Fast Water Removal Services In Augusta

4/18/2019 (Permalink)

Call on the Professionals for Fast Water Removal in Your Augusta Business

Water loss is devastating, capable of ruining structural components and contents in an affected Augusta business. A rapid recovery from disaster is the key to retaining the clients and customers who depend on your goods and services. Unlike other business challenges where a slow and steady approach is the best course, water demands immediate mitigation. Our technicians are well-trained and equipped to assess, plan, and put into action a recovery strategy within hours of your first call.

Speed and skill are both needed for water removal from your Augusta business. Our team arrives fast and quickly evaluates the situation. We determine the source of the water inflow if in question, making sure supply lines are shut down or other emergency measures put in place. Then our IICRC-trained crews swing into action to evacuate the water and dry out the structure.

SERVPRO service vehicles stock the pumps and extractors needed for rapid water removal. If electricity is temporarily unavailable gas motors and truck-mounted and powered equipment prevents delays. We are experienced in managing massive water losses, scaling our response to your particular scenario.

Assessing for water contamination is part of our job, and we know how to handle all categories of water from clean, to gray, to black safely and according to local regulations. SERVPRO crews don personal protective equipment (PPE) if indicated and contain gray and black water for appropriate disposal. To ensure we remove water that migrated into cavities and recesses, we use thermal scanning devices and moisture metering tools to locate hidden pooling.

Flood cuts allow access to areas behind walls. We use them to release trapped water and to permit effective structural drying. Once we remove all standing water, SERVPRO crews determine drying goals based on moisture measurements. High-efficiency air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers create an environment that forces moisture out of structural components and into the air as vapor. The vapor is captured by evaporative or absorbent technology for permanent removal from your commercial building.

Trust SERVPRO of Augusta to offer fast and professional water removal services for your business. Call us day or night at (706) 868-5441 so we can devise a plan that makes a disaster “Like it never even happened.”

The City believes that community partnerships will both enhance and significantly improve the community's awareness and pride in parks click here for more information.

Call Our Crew If You Discover A Mold Infestation In Your Augusta Home

4/13/2019 (Permalink)

To make mold damage “Like it never even happened” in your home, give our SERVPRO of Augusta mold remediation specialists a call today.

Is DIY Mold Removal Enough For Your Augusta Home?

While every Augusta homeowner does not want to take part in activities that throw away their hard-earned money, some disasters that impact your home require trained professionals with specialized equipment to restore and recover thoroughly. Mold growth might seem like something that you can handle on your own with a little bit of internet research, but in truth, much of these methods get designed to only target specific types of mold and rarely have the penetrative power to remove an active colony completely.

Many  homeowners in Augusta mistakenly believe that DIY mold removal is as effective as mold remediation. Our SERVPRO team cannot offer “mold removal” as this term is misleading to our customers. Mold spores exist naturally throughout every environment that we encounter throughout the day, making it impossible to remove the presence of mold from your property entirely. Moreover, to attempt to do this is unnecessary.

Mold remediation is a process that isolates active colonization within your property and prevents it from spreading further. Experienced SERVPRO technicians work to remove this spreading organism that has seated into organic materials and surfaces through penetrative methods like soda blasting, sanding, and antimicrobial solutions. If these methods are ineffective, we can also choose to remove the affected material and reconstruct the area.

Another way that mold remediation can differ from DIY mold removal is with disinfection and deodorization of exposed areas and materials. Colonies emit a musty odor as the organism spreads and grows. This odor can penetrate materials, fabrics, furniture, and other contents of your home. Removing this harsh scent entirely requires advanced equipment like our thermal foggers. These machines can release a dense chemical compound that breaks up odor molecules, leaving no discernible scent behind.

While you might wonder if mold remediation is worth it, consider the dangers and risks that you allow for inadequate colony removal. To make mold damage “Like it never even happened” in your home, give our SERVPRO of Augusta mold remediation specialists a call today at (706) 750-0200.

Click here for more about Augusta.

You Can Put Your Faith In Our Crew To Restore Your Augusta Home After A Fire

2/12/2019 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Augusta, our goal is to return each home to its original, pre-fire condition.

Cleaning And Restoring Fire Damage In Augusta

Augusta homeowners enjoy the spectacle of The Masters and other golf tournaments every year. No matter how many times they can meet past winners and smile at the whole thing, certain events like a house fire can take it all away in minutes. Fortunately, most physical damage from fires in the home is usually limited to one or two rooms with the majority of the restoration directed at cleaning.

SERVPRO restoration teams use four methods designed to clean and remove fire damage residues from Augusta homes, loosening them and other soils from affected surfaces. Chemical, Lubrication and Mechanical actions, along with Suspension can take care of all but the worst residue problems.

Technicians use chemical agents to alter the residue. In most cases, a team member uses a liquid or powder cleaner that breaks down the residue layers, making them easier to remove using cloths, sponges, or brushes when needed. Agents for this type of action include shampoos for carpeting and bleach solutions that work on fabrics like clothing, drapes, and upholstery.

For hard surfaces, SERVPRO specialists use specialized detergents to lubricate them. This action makes the surfaces slippery, so that additional removal actions cause the residue and other soils to break away and become absorbed by, or “slide” in the detergent solution. The reaction is also called emulsification.

For thicker layers or to simply prepare surfaces for chemical and lubrication actions, specialists also use mechanical brushes and other devices to agitate the residues and other soils. Depending on the type of surface, some liquid cleaners can cause particles left by smoke to absorb into them. That makes mechanical action the only option for a small number of items. Mechanical action works exceptionally well on dry, non-greasy residues.

Suspension is a cleaning action that traps the residues in the cleaning agent after removing it from the surface. It is similar to lubrication, but suspension only happens when residues and other soils dissolve into the cleaning agent.

At SERVPRO of Augusta, our goal is to return each home to its original, pre-fire condition. Regardless of the size of the fire, cleaning and removing smoke and soot residues requires a professional agency. If you need our services, contact us at (706) 868-5441 today.

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SERVPRO Professionals Will Restore Your Augusta Home

1/18/2019 (Permalink)

Our experts can restore your home interior when water damages carpet.

Efficient Drying for Your Water-Damaged Augusta Home

With water emergencies that begin to spread throughout your Augusta home, you need assurances that professional, certified professionals can arrive quickly with the equipment to help. Often water incidents can affect materials far below the surface level, which often leads to inadequate drying efforts when homeowners attempt to restore damage like this on their own. Our rapid response team can arrive quickly with the industry-leading tools to make a positive difference for the house.

Understanding some of the equipment that our technicians have at their disposal when they address water damage in your Augusta home can showcase our ability to take care of this damage fast. As with any water loss incident, regardless of its size and severity, drying is a critical element to the mitigation and restoration of the property. Our SERVPRO response team has several machines and tools for quick drying and extraction work to protect as much of your property as possible during this disaster.

Extraction and drying efforts go hand-in-hand, and we have advanced equipment designed to remove excess water damage from the affected areas quickly. Our SERVPRO Green Fleet arrives with a truck-mounted pump, gas-powered pumps, portable electric pumps, wet-vacs with extraction wands, and rolling weighted extractors that allow us to be entirely prepared for wherever pooling water might linger.

When it is time to begin drying efforts, our professionals have many tools that can help to make this process easier and more efficient as well. We rely heavily on our air movers, which are high-powered fans that blow hot air and displace moisture in materials, carpeting, and other surfaces throughout the affected areas. Their use gets combined with machines like our LGR dehumidifiers and desiccant dehumidifiers to pull out moisture from the environment for easy removal.

Drying out your home after it has experienced water damage is not something that homeowners alone do adequately. Moisture can penetrate deeply into materials and structural elements, and without proper cleanup and drying, can lead to worsening conditions like mold growth. Give our SERVPRO of Augusta water restoration specialists a call today at (706) 868-5441

Spend the day at the Augusta Museum of History click here for more information.

A Simple & Easy Way To Prevent Water Damage

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

In serving the people of our city, we are often directly involved in some of the most stressful times of our customers' lives.  Our job is to make it "Like it never even happened," and to walk with you through each step of the restoration process. 

Unfortunately, we sometimes find that water damage could've been prevented.  One great way to prevent water damage is to make simple upgrades to the plumbing supply lines to your sinks, toilets, washing machines and ice makers. 

Over time, plastic and rubber materials can dry-rot and lose their structural strength that is needed to withstand the water pressure being exerted on them around the clock.  

ACTION:  Invest in "braided" supply lines at your local do-it-yourself retailer.  The cost is just a few dollars per line, and you can outfit your entire home for far less than the cost of your insurance deductible, should an old line decide to break.  Furthermore, you will have the peace of mind that you've put your best foot forward in preventing a water damage loss that might otherwise create a very stressful time in your life!

SERVPRO of Augusta . . . Your Local Commercial Restoration Partner

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

There are many reasons to quickly restore a commercial business to its normal daily operation after a water or fire loss.  The reason that is most prevalent on the minds of company stakeholders is simple:  profitability.  The longer a business remains idle due to a loss, the faster that losses from lost opportunity will mount.  It is critical to respond quickly. 

SERVPRO of Augusta is a large-loss team that routinely mitigates water and fire damage losses in office complexes, medical buildings, university buildings, large hotels and other commercial structures throughout Augusta.  Whether you are in need of board-up services, commercial drying, or the mitigation of massive amounts of water from a factory floor, we have the knowledge, equipment and proven expertise to deliver fast, proven results for our commercial customers. 

Don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Augusta for your Commercial Restoration needs.  Call (706)868-5441. 

Avoid Water Damage In Augusta This Summer!

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

Ahhhh, school is out and the summer months have arrived with an excitement that now fills the air!  It's also a great time to take necessary precaution when it comes to protecting your home from a water damage loss. 

If you live in Augusta, you know that the temperatures can skyrocket to 100+ degrees Fahrenheit on any given summer day! This can bring stresses to any plumbing components that are located in your attic space.  It is fairly common to see hot water heaters and water heater pipes fail when temps in the attic push into the 140-150F degree range.  

We recommend having a plumber to inspect your hot water heater and its plumbing connections.  Protect your home from water damage by making sure your hot water heater is tuned up and healthy!  Have a great summer, Augusta!

Serving Augusta . . . With Excellence!

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

Every day is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our customers and bring a sense of calm and structure to situations that sometimes seem unbearable to them.  In many cases, their homes are flooded, or have been damaged by fire or mold.  Below is a review we received on social media last month . . . 

Monica Gross said "The team was very professional and always available for questions, even after the clean up was done. Sean came to check on the house every day until everything was dry, and continued to make himself available as things moved along with the insurance claim afterwards. I hope I never need this kind of service again, but if I do, I know who to call: SERVPRO of Augusta." 

This is one of many similar reviews that we receive on a regular basis.  Our hope is that if you have this type of need, that you will trust us as your restoration family.

Duct Cleaning

2/3/2016 (Permalink)

Dirty air return

Have you thought about the areas of your home that you can't see that may need cleaning during your "Spring Cleaning" venture. An area that most folks do not pay attention to is the heating and air conditioning unit. Duct cleaning can be essential to the longevity of your A/C unit as well as an improvement to the air quality inside your home. It is worth the investment to every home. We provide this service whether it is on a home we are cleaning from smoke damage, mold or just age.

Stress and Disruptions

1/27/2016 (Permalink)

A home or business fire can be a very stressful event for the property owner. Damage to personal belongings and the contents of the building is just one concern. Timely mitigation is the key to controlling damage, while reducing downtime and recovery cost$$$! We understand how disruptive fires can be for business owners, tenants and even customers. That is why SERVPRO offers 24 hour emergency response. Don't proscatinate on making the call to start the mitigation process. A rapid response cuts loss of time and money. SERVPRO will help limit damage and get your home or facility back in operation quickly.