Water Damage Process and Expectations

11/20/2024 (Permalink)

Many time things such as leaking pipes, burst sewer lines, and natural disasters can leave your home severely water damaged.  If your property is affected by water damage it is critical to identify the cause and act quickly to avoid further destruction.  Sometimes that water damage can occur from everyday appliances like a refrigerator or dishwasher.  Refrigerators often leak for a number of reasons but can cause serious damage to your kitchen flooring.  When and if that happens, SERVPRO of Kershaw and Lancaster Counties is available to help 24/7. 

Facing a water leak can be a very tedious task for a homeowner.  First the water would need the be soaked up as much as possible.  Then, any furniture or household items affected would need to be moved to a dry location.  Everything then needs to be dried out or thrown away depending on its condition.  SERVPRO is here to facilitate these tasks for you, all the while ensuring that water does not get an opportunity to penetrate your subfloor, damage floor covering such as linoleum, tile, or wood floor.  SERVPRO will also check carpeting, rugs, appliances, cabinetry, or any other area that requires water removal.  In addition, SERVPRO will also bring in water extractors, air movers and dehumidifiers and close off the area that is affected in order to efficiently remove and dry your water damaged areas. 

Our SERVPRO team is expertly trained and fully IIRC-industry certified to handle any restoration service necessary to return your home to its pre-water damaged state.  Qualified technicians will spend the time removing the water, as well as applying cleaning, drying and restoration techniques specific to your home or business, with the goal of ensuring a successful recover of property and structure.

How To Prevent House Fires

6/13/2024 (Permalink)

When it comes to fire safety it is always better to be prepared.  However what is even better is if you can prevent it from happening to you and your loved ones.  Below are a few tips in preventing a house fire and to keep you safe.  If you do find yourself the victim of a house fire, small or large, SERVPRO of Kershaw and Lancaster Counties are available 24/7 to help with the aftermath in cleaning and restoring your home and belongings.  We will take care of any items damaged by fire or smoke, and even be able to restore any soot damage done to the interior of the home, making it seem like “it never even happened.”

To help keep your loved ones safe here are 7 tips in preventing a house fire

1. Test your alarms.  It is recommended to check your alarms once a month by pushing the test button. You should also replace any smoke alarms that are over 10 years old, or if they don’t make a sound when tested.  Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home (including the basement if applicable). 
2. Identify fire hazards in your home.  Common kitchen appliances are often times the source of fires.  Items such as the oven, microwave, toaster, or dishwasher should only be turned on when someone is present in the home.  Other items such as a hair straightener, curling iron, electric blanket, and space heater should be used with caution as well.  Never leave an appliance like these on when not home.
3. Understand your home electrical system.  If you’re buying or remodeling your home, it’s important to have the electrical work inspected by a professional. After that, look out for exposed wires and frayed cords. Also, if you ever have frequent problems with your circuit breakers, a tingling feeling when you touch an appliance, discolored or warm wall outlets, flickering or dimming lights, or sparks from an outlet, call an electrician immediately.
4. Inspect your heat sources. Every year have a professional service your furnace. He or she will be able to identify if it isn’t working properly, which could prevent a fire. Using a space heater for even more warmth? Keep it away from items that could catch fire easily, like curtains and furniture. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have your chimney inspected annually by someone who is certified in chimney sweeping.
5. Prevent kitchen catastrophes. Find out what you can do to prevent fires in the first place (like cleaning crumbs out of the toaster and unplugging appliances when they aren’t in use). And, what to do if there actually is a kitchen fire.
6. Safely store combustible materials. Flammable products should always be kept away from heat. Designate a cool, dark cupboard or storage space for hairspray, and cleaning and garden supplies. Additionally, gasoline, kerosene and propane should be kept outside in the original containers.
7. Practice candle safety. More than just extinguishing the candle before you leave the house, make sure the wick is trimmed to ¼ inch in order to prevent a big flame.  Additionally, keep away from flammable materials, pets, never leave the room where the candle is burning, and make sure to extinguish around 4 hours of use.

When the Unexpected Happens, Our Biohazard Team Is Ready | SERVPRO of Southern Lancaster, Kershaw, and Fairfield Counties

2/21/2024 (Permalink)

When an unexpected biohazard happens in your home, Southern Lancaster, Kershaw, and Fairfield Counties is Here to Help®?. Call us now!

The unexpected can happen at any time, and oftentimes sensitive or traumatic situations can take us by surprise and leave all kinds of chaos in their wakes. A simple sewage leak at your business may not be discovered until morning, or a tragic accident happens at your home and you are left with a mess and an overwhelming amount of emotions. 

Our restoration team understands the emotional impact of experiencing situations like this, which is why we are proud to offer our biohazard cleanup services to every homeowner and business owner in the area. We are trained to handle unexpected and often dangerous situations like this. We will clean, sanitize and restore your space quickly with sensitivity in mind. 

When a Biohazard Team Is Needed

Minor spills or accidents can often be cleaned up by your janitorial staff, but larger situations or anything that is particularly dangerous should always be handled by professionals. Bloodborne pathogens, sewage leaks, chemical spills, hoarding scenes, and even animal waste or remains can quickly become hazardous situations if not handled correctly or quickly. 

Even fresh water can eventually become a biohazard if it is left to linger on your floor! Bacteria and other dangers could be lurking in any of these substances, so give us a call right away. 

We will get to work securing the area and then we will clean up and sanitize the space so everyone can stay clean and healthy. We will also tackle any structural repairs if the situation caused property damage.

Crime Scene Recovery

If an unexpected crime happens at your business or even at home, we will be there to walk you through the recovery process. Once the authorities have done all that they need to do in your home and have left the scene, you will most likely feel the shock of the situation and the gravity of what just happened. 

We are here to help you recover quickly, keeping the sensitive nature of your situation in mind. Oftentimes, crime scenes or accidents have blood or other hazardous contaminants remaining, and we can get to work cleaning up and sanitizing your space. We can also help remove any signs of the crime scene processing like fingerprint powder, pepper spray residue and fire extinguisher residue.

Our biohazard crew is here to see you through any sort of unexpected or hazardous situation. Call us day or night, and we will get to work so everyone can stay safe and recover faster.

Hazardous substances should always be cleaned up by professionals, like us. Contact SERVPRO of Southern Lancaster, Kershaw, and Fairfield Counties today.  

Discovered a Puddle in Your Home? Check These Places First | SERVPRO of Southern Lancaster, Kershaw, and Fairfield Counties

11/21/2023 (Permalink)

Don't let water damage hold you back from living comfortably in your home. Call SERVPRO of Southern Lancaster, Kershaw, and Fairfield Counties now!

Water damage can happen due to manmade accidents or because of the forces of Mother Nature. We use and rely on water to help us get through our days, but that doesn’t mean our pipes and gutter systems don’t come without risk!

A single water leak can have serious effects on your home and can lead to all kinds of issues like soggy walls, ruined carpet and even mold growth. 

As soon as you discover a mysterious puddle or a new water spot in your home, checking these areas below can help you track down the leak but also can help you address any repairs or maintenance tasks that need to be done. 

Your Appliances and Water Lines 

Many of us have multiple appliances in our homes that rely on water to function. Dishwashers, water heaters, ice makers and washing machines are all essential pieces of equipment in our homes, but they can all leak at a moment’s notice. 

If you walk by a certain appliance and notice the floor is wet, turn off the appliance immediately and locate the appropriate water valve and shut that off, too. Once the flow of water has stopped, you can investigate the reason and address the situation more calmly. 

Another location that can leak or even burst at any time are your water lines or pipes. A worn section of pipe or a crack or leak in the line can cause a slow drip that eventually turns into a huge gush when the pipe gives way. If you notice even the smallest drip coming from a pipe in your home, shut the water valve off and either fix the leak yourself or call in professionals.

When the Rain Comes in From Outside

The weather can change in an instant around here, and we can easily be surprised by heavy rain or strong wind when a storm comes to town. If the heavy rain starts to leak its way down your walls or you notice that your basement carpet feels wet, you might have a water leak somewhere in your roof or in your basement. 

Oftentimes, these issues stem from a clogged gutter system. If rain can’t flow down and away from your home through your gutters and downspouts, it will either back up onto your roof or will pour over the sides of your home and pool around your foundation. A simple gutter cleanout can help stop this issue from happening again. 

How Our Team Can Help
Even just a small amount of water can have a large impact on your home. Warped flooring, soggy drywall and ruined carpet can be really frustrating. Not to mention that mold can quickly start to grow if the water isn’t dried up fast. Our team will be there right away to help extract lingering moisture and address repairs.

We will clean, sanitize and repair your entire affected area right away. We are a trusted leader in disaster recovery, and we will help ensure that your water damage is completely reversed.

Water can cause extensive damage to your home. Our team at SERVPRO of Southern Lancaster, Kershaw, and Fairfield Counties is here to help.

Creating Your Family’s Fire Emergency Plan | SERVPRO® of Southern Lancaster, Kershaw, and Fairfield Counties

5/19/2023 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes, call SERVPRO of Southern Lancaster, Kershaw, and Fairfield Counties to help so you can focus on what matters most.

It may be hard to think about, but house fires happen every day across the country. Even if you do everything right and practice fire prevention as best you can, accidents happen and fire can spread quickly.

That is why it is important for you to create a fire emergency plan with your family and ensure everyone understands every detail. In the event of a fire, your family should be able to react quickly and efficiently in order to seek safety.

We explain how to create your family’s fire emergency plan below, so read on to get some great tips.

Go Over Escape Routes

If a fire breaks out in your main living area, chances are that there is a door close by that you could escape into. It won’t always be that easy, however.

Go through your house as a family and discuss each room as a group. Identify all of the exits and how to reach them quickly, and explain to your children how to open the windows in an emergency situation.

You should also go outside as a group and agree on a safe meeting location that everyone should gather at once outside. Ensure it is a safe distance away from your home, so consider a neighbor’s front yard or your mailbox across the street.

From there, do a practice evacuation! Even simply going through the scenarios once can help your children react faster in an emergency situation. You can even make a game out of it if you are trying to keep it light-hearted and less scary for your little ones.

Getting Out Safely

No matter how a fire starts, house fires can get out of control in minutes. If you are in the same room when the fire breaks out, find the nearest exit and call 911 as soon as you can.

The longer you stay in the room, the more the flames and smoke will grow and become more dangerous. Did you know that the smoke that fire produces is just as dangerous as the flames themselves?

Fire smoke contains toxic gas that can make you drowsy and disoriented. Even only a few deep breaths of the smoke can make you go unconscious. Stay low to the ground, and crouch or crawl out of your home if you have to.

Including SERVPRO in Your Plans

One of the most important parts about recovering from a house fire is choosing who will help you with your restoration. For us, we think the choice is easy!

Call us at SERVPRO of Southern Lancaster, Kershaw, and Fairfield Counties for a fast and thorough recovery. We specialize in fire damage restoration, and we can ensure that your home is returned to its preloss state quickly and efficiently.

We work hard to remove debris and clean soot from every inch of your home. After your space is clean, we can employ our deodorizers to remove the smell of smoke, and then we can get to work on your restoration. When we are done, you would never know your home suffered a fire! Call us to get the job done right.

Let SERVPRO of Southern Lancaster, Kershaw, and Fairfield Counties help you recover after a house fire. Call us today.

How Does SERVPRO Help with Large Commercial Losses?

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is a leading provider of commercial building restoration and cleanup services. They offer a range of services that can help businesses recover from losses due to fire, water, mold, or storm damage.

 When a commercial building experiences a loss, such as a fire or flood, it can be overwhelming for business owners and employees. SERVPRO can help alleviate some of the stress and quickly restore the building to its preloss condition. They have the expertise and equipment necessary to handle any size commercial loss, from small retail spaces to large industrial complexes.

 SERVPRO's services include water extraction and drying, smoke and soot removal, mold remediation, and rebuilding services. They also provide cleaning and disinfecting services, which can be particularly important in the aftermath of a fire or flood.

One of the key benefits of working with SERVPRO is their 24/7 emergency response. They understand that commercial losses can happen at any time, and they are always ready to respond quickly to minimize damage and get businesses back up and running as soon as possible.

 In summary, SERVPRO can help businesses recover from commercial building losses by providing comprehensive restoration and cleanup services. Their expertise, equipment, and 24/7 emergency response can make all the difference in minimizing damage and getting businesses back to normal as quickly as possible.

SERVPRO of Southern Lancaster, Kershaw and Fairfield Counties is the right choice for all Water Damage needs

4/26/2023 (Permalink)

When it comes to home water damage, choosing the right restoration company is crucial. And for residents in Southern Kershaw, Lancaster, and Fairfield Counties, SERVPRO is the top choice. With their years of experience and unmatched expertise, SERVPRO of Southern Kershaw, Lancaster, and Fairfield Counties is the go-to solution for all water damage restoration needs.

One of the reasons customers should choose SERVPRO is their prompt response time. Water damage can cause significant and lasting damage to a home if not addressed quickly. SERVPRO understands the urgency and has a 24/7 emergency response team ready to deploy immediately, ensuring that they arrive on-site promptly to start the restoration process.

Additionally, SERVPRO has a team of highly trained and certified technicians who are skilled in handling all types of water damage, from minor leaks to major floods. They use state-of-the-art equipment and advanced techniques to extract water, dry out affected areas, and restore homes to their pre-damage condition.

Furthermore, SERVPRO works closely with insurance companies to streamline the claims process for their customers, making it less stressful and more efficient. They provide detailed documentation and work with adjusters to ensure that homeowners receive the compensation they deserve.

SERVPRO's commitment to customer satisfaction is unparalleled. They prioritize communication and keep homeowners informed throughout every step of the restoration process, ensuring that they are fully informed and involved.

SERVPRO of Southern Kershaw, Lancaster, and Fairfield Counties is the top choice for home water damage restoration. With their prompt response time, highly trained technicians, insurance claim assistance, and commitment to customer satisfaction, homeowners can trust SERVPRO to restore their homes quickly and efficiently.

SERVPRO OF SOUTHERN LANCASTER, KERSHAW AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES: Your Trusted Partner in Fire Damage Restoration

4/26/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage to a building can be devastating, leaving behind a trail of destruction and disruption. When faced with such a challenge, it's crucial to have a reliable partner by your side to restore your property to its pre-fire condition. That's where SERVPRO OF SOUTHERN LANCASTER, KERSHAW AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES comes in.

SERVPRO OF SOUTHERN LANCASTER, KERSHAW AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES, is equipped with the expertise and experience to handle fire damage restoration with professionalism and care. Our team of highly trained technicians follows a proven process to effectively treat fire damage and bring your building back to life.

First, we conduct a thorough assessment of the extent of the fire damage. We inspect the affected areas, including the structure, walls, ceilings, and contents, to determine the scope of the restoration process. This helps us create a customized plan tailored to your specific needs.

Next, SERVPRO OF SOUTHERN LANCASTER, KERSHAW AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES employs advanced equipment and techniques to clean and remove smoke, soot, and debris from the affected surfaces. We use specialized equipment to neutralize odors and eliminate contaminants, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for the occupants.

We also takes care of water damage resulting from firefighting efforts. They use powerful extraction equipment to remove water and dry the affected areas to prevent mold growth and further damage.

Once the cleaning and drying process is complete, SERVPRO OF SOUTHERN LANCASTER, KERSHAW AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES begins the restoration phase. We repair or replace damaged structural elements, such as walls, ceilings, and flooring, to restore the building's integrity. We also work diligently to salvage and restore valuable contents, including furniture, documents, and electronics.

Throughout the entire process, SERVPRO OF SOUTHERN LANCASTER, KERSHAW AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES communicates with you, keeping you informed and updated on the progress. We work efficiently and effectively, minimizing downtime and disruptions to your daily operations.

SERVPRO OF SOUTHERN LANCASTER, KERSHAW AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES understands the emotional toll of a fire and the importance of prompt and professional restoration. We are available 24/7, ready to respond to your emergency needs with compassion and expertise. With our extensive experience and cutting-edge technology, SERVPRO OF SOUTHERN LANCASTER, KERSHAW AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES is your trusted partner in fire damage restoration, helping you get back to business as usual.

How is Mold Treated?

4/26/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO OF SOUTHERN LANCASTER, KERSHAW AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES, follows a thorough process for mold remediation. First, our trained and certified technicians conduct a comprehensive mold assessment, including visual inspections, moisture readings, and air sampling to determine the extent of mold growth and identify the source of moisture. Once the assessment is complete, SERVPRO OF SOUTHERN LANCASTER, KERSHAW AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES develops a customized remediation plan, which may involve containment of the affected area to prevent further mold spread, removal of mold-contaminated materials, and thorough cleaning and disinfection using EPA-approved antimicrobial treatments. We also address the underlying moisture issue to prevent future mold growth. SERVPRO OF SOUTHERN LANCASTER, KERSHAW AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES's advanced equipment, such as air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, and HEPA vacuums, are used to effectively remove mold spores from the air and surfaces. Throughout the process, SERVPRO OF SOUTHERN LANCASTER, KERSHAW AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES adheres to industry standards and guidelines, and conducts final testing to ensure that the mold has been properly remediated. Customer satisfaction is a priority for SERVPRO OF SOUTHERN LANCASTER, KERSHAW AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES, and we provide documentation and communication to keep clients informed throughout the mold remediation process.

SERVPRO of Kershaw and Lancaster Counties Marketing Manager, Kerri Rice named Ambassador of the Year 2021

6/16/2022 (Permalink)

Marketing Manager, Kerri Rice (pictured right) accepts her Ambassador of the Year for 2021 award.

On June 9, 2022, the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce held their annual Summer Soiree at Catawba Falls Events.  Our Marketing Manager, Kerri Rice was awarded Ambassador of the Year for 2021.  Kerri's attendance, participation, and volunteerism with the Chamber were all major components in her winning this award.

 Kerri has been involved with the Chamber for 2 years and in doing so has been able to be involved in many community events.  We look forward to what else she will be able to achieve!