Fire Safety Precautions

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Fires are never an experience anyone truly wants to experience. The toll it can cause a family is insurmountable. As trained professionals, we have helped in numerous instances of fire losses, here are some tips we believe can help you!

Do the Following:

• Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as candles, stoves, and space heaters
• Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire; keep matches and lighters out of reach from them.
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Use flashlights when the power is out, not candles.
• If you are a smoker:
  • Smoke outside
  • Choose fire-safe cigarettes
  • Use deep, sturdy ashtrays and douse cigarette and cigar butt with water before disposal.

Do NOT do the Following:

• Leave burning candles unattended, even for a minute.
• Excessively use plug ins at the same time.
• NEVER smoke in bed, when drowsy or medicated, or if anyone in the home is using oxygen.

Ways to Guard Against Kitchen Fire

• Keep pets off cooking surfaces and countertops - fur is flammable! 
• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food.
• Stay in the house while simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food.
• Keep the stove area clean and clear of things that can catch fire such as pot holders, towels, curtains, bags, and other appliances.
• If you are cooking and a fire starts in a pan, slide a lid over the burning pan and turn off the burner. Leave the lid in place until the pan is completely cool as moving the pan can cause injury or spread the fire. 
• Never pour water on grease fires! 

If you experience a fire of any type, SERVPRO® of Augusta South can help you! For more information, or to schedule a consultation, give us a call at 706-843-1990.

Beware of Hurricanes

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and early forecasts are predicting another above-average year of storm activity this year! Being prepared will keep your family safe in the even you are faced with disaster.

Make a Plan

It is vital to your household’s safety to have a detailed plan organized ahead of time. Here are some guidelines to have when setting up a plan.

• Write down emergency phone numbers and keep them somewhere visible at all times, as well as programmed into your phone.
• Prepare an emergency supply kit
• Locate the nearest shelter and all the alternate routes you can take from your home.
• Pet owners: pre-identify shelters, a pet-friendly hotel, or an out-of-town person that can accommodate you when your household evacuates.

Gather Emergency Supplies

• Nonperishable food and water
• Medicine supply
• Emergency power sources such as flashlights (and batteries)
• Personal items
• Important documents such as medical documents, wills, passports, and personal identifications
• A fire extinguisher, and make sure your family knows how to use it!

Hurricane Watch vs. Hurricane Warning

A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible in a stated area. Typically, experts announce hurricane watches 48 hours before they expect the winds to start. A hurricane warning is more serious, it means hurricane-force winds are expected in the area. Experts normally issue these in 36 hours in advanced to give people in the area time to prepare for the storm.

Are you experiencing the aftermath of storm damage? Don’t stress, SERVPRO® is “Here to help. ®” Our trained staff can take your call at 706-843-1990, no matter the time.

Happy Father’s Day from SERVPRO®

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday, June 19^th! It is a chance to celebrate the men in your life, whether it be your actual father, father-figures, and other paternal bonds, honoring all that fatherhood entails. It is annually celebrated on the third Sunday in June.

History

To complement Mother’s Day, Father’s Day was inaugurated during the 20^th century of the United States. It was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910. It was first celebrated on June 19, 1910 – the same date it is this year! Her father, William Jackson Smart, was a Civil War veteran and was a single parent that took care of six children. After hearing sermon about Anna Jarvis’ Mother’s Day at Central Methodist Episcopal Church in 1909, she became motivated to have a similar holiday that honors fatherhood. Originally, she suggested June 5^th, her father’s birthday, the pastors, however, did not have time to prepare their sermons, and such the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday in June.

Unfortunately, the new holiday did not have much success initially. In 1913, a bill to accord national recognition of the holiday was introduced to Congress. Three years later, President Woodrow Wilson went to Spokane to speak in a Father’s Day celebration, and wanted to make it official. However, Congress resisted, fearing that it would become commercialized. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recommended that the day be observed by the nation, but stopped short of issuing a national proclamation, as two earlier attempts had been thwarted by Congress. In the year 1957, Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith wrote a proposal that accused Congress of ignoring fathers for 40 years while honoring mothers, thus singling out just one of the two parents. President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers in 1966. Six years later, the day was made a permanent holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.

Don’t let the grill get out of control this year for Father’s Day! But, if it does happen, SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Wilkes & Burke Counties is the one to call! Contact us at 706-843-1990, we are always ready to help.

Experiencing Sickness at Your Office? SERVPRO® Can Help!

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

A little over two years ago, the entire world as we knew it changed. Many businesses were forced to close down because of the coronavirus, a few have never been able to reopen. It has changed the way everyone goes about their daily lives, until recently. While some things appear to have gone back to normal and regulations have all but disappeared, it is still important to recognize that the virus is a part of our new normal, it has not gone away. With SERVPRO® there is no need to worry, as we offer services that can minimize the spread the potential threat of COVID-19 and other pesky viruses.

The Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned Program

Due to the coronavirus, we have developed the CSC Program, which is centered around our three C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify. Once scheduled, we will send a qualified and equipped team of technicians to fog every inch of your building. Additionally, they will wipe down and disinfect “high touch point” areas that include doorknobs, light switches, countertops, key boards, and the like. It is important to keep your customers and staff safe as much as you can.

Properties We Can Sanitize:

• Apartment buildings
• Hotels
• Universities and schools
• Manufacturing and industrial warehouse facilities
• Hospitals
• Churches
• Theaters
• Airports
• Office buildings
• Government establishments
• Personal homes 

If you would like to schedule a sanitization spraying, SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Wilkes & Burke Counties can help you. For pricing and scheduling, call our office team at 706-843-1990.

Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

History

In 1962 President John F. Kennedy issued a declaration for Peace Officers Memorial Day to be observed annually on May 15^th, and the week of the 15^th would be recognized as National Police Week. It pays tribute to the local, state, and federal peace officers who have died or disabled in the line of duty. President Bill Clinton would later make an amendment through Public Law 103-322 that directed the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff to honor the day of May 15^th. The event is sponsored by the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and it is implemented by the FOP Memorial Committee. The day honors fallen Officers across the nation and offers support to their surviving family members and officers.

How to Observe the Holiday

There are many ways organizations, private citizens, and government agencies can observe the holiday. The most common way is flying American flags at half-staff in memory of fallen officers. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall in Washington, D.C. features the names of more than 22,000 law enforcement officers (LEO) who have fallen in the line of duty.  Other events during National Police Week include an annual Blue Mass, Candlelight Vigil, Wreath Laying Ceremony, National Police Survivors Conference, Honor Guar Competition, and the Emerald Society & Pipe March Band and Service. The events normally draw in about 25,000 to 4,000 LEOs, their families, and other visitors. If you are posting on social media, please use: #PeaceOfficersMemorialDay.

Don’t forget to celebrate and thank your local Police Officers! SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Wilkes & Burke Counties wants to recognize these everyday heroes – thank you for your service!

Water Damage to Furniture

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Many things happen when a water loss occurs. Flooding can be a very stressful, messy situation. Determining what, if anything, can be saved is an enormous task and it truly depends on the type of furniture you have and the magnitude of the water damage. Solid furniture is less porous and therefore has a better chance of being salvaged than particle board or upholstered furniture. If you do experience a water loss, SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Wilkes & Burke Counties can aid with the restoration of your items.

The SERVPRO® Way

Our first step in restoring furniture is the inspection. SERVPRO® will examine and assess the furniture, taking plenty of photos and documenting the damage. Any furniture that cannot be restored will be separated immediately and the salvageable items will be moved to a dry area to prevent further damage. Then the area would be properly sanitized and dried to the IICRC standards to avoid microbial growth and the like from forming. Additionally, the type of water also has influence over how the piece of furniture can be restored.

Wooden Furniture

As previously stated, wood is less porous, thus giving it a better chance to be salvaged. However, have you ever placed a cup of cool water on a wooden table, leave it there for a few minutes, and when you come back to it there is a ring of water left on it. Water takes very little time to penetrate wooden furniture. On a much larger scale, extensive damage to wooden furniture is easily accumulated within hours of a water damage. If the furniture has been saturated for more than a day, it may be permanently ruined and need to be thrown out. Wood furniture also contains glue and bindings that keep them together, if they are soaked from the water, they will need to be properly restored at length which is a time and labor-intensive process.

Upholstered Furniture

There is a certain difficulty that comes along with upholstered furniture, they must be first cleaned and then dried to professional standards. Often pieces can be gently pressure treated using high temperature water that kills any bacteria or other pathogens present. After cleaning the piece of potential harmful microbes, the piece is then properly dried using SERVPRO® equipment, such as an air mover and dehumidifier. Air movers are strategically placed to pass dry air over and through the furniture, as the moisture then evaporates it gets pulled into the dehumidifier.

Mattresses

Like with upholstered furniture, the fabric absorbs moistures and fosters optimal conditions for microbial growth. It is often recommended that a wet mattress is discarded, as is may contain hazardous material. However, if the mattress was exposed to water for a very short amount of time, it may be able to be salvaged. SERVPRO® would first start by cleaning the surface of the mattress, then resting the mattress on blocks, and placing in the sun to thoroughly dry. An air mover may also be placed to speed up the drying process. If odor is noticed, it may be an indication of mildew. Mildewed mattresses must be handled by a professional, like SERVPRO®, to properly sanitize it, if there is a possibility it can be salvaged at all. If the odor persists after cleaning, the mattress should be promptly discarded. Unfortunately, if the box-spring or mattress has been fully submerged or has been sitting in stagnant water for a long period of time, the only option is to replace it. Microbial growth is inevitable with a soggy mattress and there is a risk that it has absorbed contaminants.

SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Wilkes & Burke Counties has certified technicians equipped with training and expertise to get the job done right. We can make the damage to your home and furniture “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call at (706) 843-1990.

Thank You Firefighters of Augusta!

5/4/2022 (Permalink)

This May 4^th, the world celebrates International Firefighters’ Day. It is a day to thank the local firefighters for all that they do and to remember those that have laid down their lives for the sake of the safety of their community.  May 4^th was designated for this honor when in 1999, a wildfire occurred in Victoria, Australia, tragically taking the lives of five firefighters. National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) is encouraging members of the community to take place this year, below are some of their recommendations!

Shine Your Light for Firefighters

The NFFF is asking the public to light their homes in “red” to celebrate International Firefighters’ Day and share with them on social media by using the hashtag: “#Shine4Firefighters”. If you see any buildings, bridges, and landmarks across the country, please share those photos as well! They are anticipating to beautiful red lights from the Philadelphia International Airport, the Navy Pier in Chicago, and the Helmsley Building in New York City to show their support.

Share a Thank a Firefighter Art

Another thing you or you child can do to show your support is make a card for the local firefighter station. A simple thing such as this can truly brighten someone’s day. NFFF has invited people to draw, color, and share your work with them by emailing a photo of your artwork to photos@firehero.org and if you are posting them to social media, please use the hashtag: “WeThankFFs”.

SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Wilkes & Burke Counties would like to thank the tremendous efforts of our local fire departments, as wells firefighters across the world. Your strength and bravery do not go unnoticed!

SERVPRO® of Augusta South Wants You to be Safe!

5/4/2022 (Permalink)

An Emergency Can Happen at Any Time

As emergency service responders, we have witnessed the tremendous toll an unexpected disaster can have on a household. Due to that, we have come to be well versed on the steps people can and should take to be prepared in the face of a catastrophe. Our biggest recommendation is to create disaster kit ready to go.  

Disaster Supplies Kit

It is recommended that a household should have at least one kit prepared in the even of an emergency, below are some items that can be vital to pack:

• One gallon of water per person for several days’ worth – for drinking and sanitization.
• Several days’ worth of non-perishable food.
• Battery powered radio and a NOAA Weather radio with tone alert.
• Two flashlights and batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Extra batteries.
• Whistle to signal for help.
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air.
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape in case sheltering in place.
• Tools like wrenches or pliers to turn off utilities.
• Manual can opener.
• Local maps.
• Cellphones with chargers and extra batter backups or battery banks.
• Prescription medications.
• Non-prescription medications.
• Prescription glasses and contact lenses.
• Infant formulas, bottles, diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream.
• Pet food and extra water
• Cash, checks, or traveler’s checks
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, bank records, saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container.
• Fire extinguisher.
• Sleeping bags or warm blankets for each person.
• Matches in waterproof container.
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
• Mess kits, paper cups, paper towels, and plastic utensils.
• Paper and pencil.
• Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children.

Maintain Your Kit

Once you have assembled your kit, it is important to maintain it regularly. You can do this by following these tips:

• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
• Keep canned food in a cool, dry location.
• Regularly replaced expired items as needed.
• Re-evaluate your needs every year and update the kits accordingly.

Kit Storage Locations

Since a disaster can occur anywhere, we recommend creating multiple kits. Preparing supplies for home, work, and vehicles is the best course of action to always keep you safe.

• Home: Keep the kit in a designated place and have in ready to go in a pinch. Ensure that all member of the household is aware of its importance and location.
• Vehicles: In the event of getting stranded, it is good to have an emergency kit in your car.
• Work: There may come for a time where you need to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water, medicine, and comfortable walking shoes that can be stored in a “grab and go” bag.

If you find yourself in need of water or damage repair, SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Wilkes & Burke Counties is ready and available to help in your time of need. You can contact us at (706) 843-1990.

Help! There is Contaminated Water in My House!

4/29/2022 (Permalink)

Water Damage is Common

Water damage is one of the most common and serious emergencies your property can experience. Whether the cause is from a storm, flood, weakened roof, HVAC leak, overflowing appliances, or sewage backups.  It can be overwhelming and distressing to address a disaster on your property, which can lead to procrastinating taking action. However, it is important to act quickly when it is a water loss to avoid further damaging your property or risking the health of the occupants. Our team at SERVPRO® features skilled IICRC-certified technicians ready to help and guide you through the steps you should take. 

The Categories of Water

According to the IICRC standards, there are three categories of water damage. Category 1 water includes “clean water” and are caused by supply lines. Typically, the water is fairly easy to dry by a professional restoration company and there is less likely to be harmful, secondary damage. The next category is “grey water”. It consists of water that comes from toilet bowls, discharge from appliances, and sump pump backups. With category 2 water, there is a possibility of microorganisms, which is the reason why immediate action and sanitization is necessary. Lastly, there is category 3 which is “black water”, or grossly contaminated, harmful water. This category is the most extreme and extensive, and requires instant mitigation.

The Do’s and Do Not’s of Categories 2 and 3 Water

• DO: Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage
• DON’T: Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily on damaged or wet areas
• DO: Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items
• DON’T: Use household fans to dry the structure, thereby spreading the contaminants.
• DO: Turn off the electricity in the home by switching off the circuit breakers and unplugging devices when it is safe to do so.
• DON’T: Turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminants in the air.
• DO: Shut off the water at the valves.
• DON’T: Use products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated area.

SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Wilkes & Burke Counties can handle any water loss you may experience at your home. Remember, we are “Here to help.®” If you are in need assistance, call us at 706-843-1990.  

A Stinky Situation: Commercial Sewage Backup

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

Help! There’s Sewage in My Building!

Arguably one of the worst potential threats to your business is the prospect of a sewage back up. It is normally unexpected, hinders daily business activities, the smell is atrocious, and is all around stressful to deal with. Immediate cleanup and sanitization of the affected property is necessary to minimize the potential risk for additional damage such as mold.

Who to Call?

As an IICRC Certified franchise, SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Wilkes & Burke Counties can help alleviate the distress of a water damage emergency such as this, by following IICRC Standard guidelines. Our qualified technicians will assess the damage on site and determine the best course of action to restore the damaged property to preloss condition.  Additionally, SERVPRO® can professionally deodorize the building, making the horrendous smell from the sewage a thing of the past by utilizing air scrubbers and proper chemicals. The pathogens from the sewage can be harmful and needs to be properly mitigated by your local SERVPRO® franchise.

Ways to Prevent Sewer Backups

• Install a backwater prevention valve with the assistance of a qualified plumber
• Do NOT connect sump pumps, French drains, and other flood control systems to your sanitary sewer—it is illegal!
• Properly dispose of grease by not pouring it down the drain
• Replace your line and tap with a new plastic pipe to prevent tree roots from entering it.
• Dispose of paper products properly by not flushing them down a toilet.
• Water sealing basements.

SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Wilkes & Burke Counties offer a quick response and stress-free service for all the potential disasters that a business owner my worry about. If your commercial building experiences a sewage backup, remember, SERVPRO® is “Here to help. ®” 

The Do’s & Don’ts of Clean Water Damage

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Contact us at 706-843-1990 if you have recently encountered an unexpected water loss, SERVPRO® of Augusta South is, "Here to help. ®"

The Potential Risks

Water damage can occur at the most unexpected and is always inconvenient. Apart from fire, nothing is more destructive to homes than water damage. This is because water losses can cause significant issues that may require replacement of destroyed property, repairs to part of the home’s structure, and even potential relocation of occupants for several days. Additionally, if water damage is not properly taken care of and dried out to completion, there could be further extensive damage in the form of microbial growth. Below are some simple things a homeowner can and cannot do to prevent further damage to their home, while keeping themselves safe, if the water is clean.

What You Can Do:

• Turn off the source of the water if possible or contact the proper utility department to stop the water source.
• Turn off circuit breakers for the wet areas of the building, ONLY if safe to do so.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and using a wet vacuum pump.
• Wipe excess water from wooden furniture AFTER removing electrical lamps and tabletop items.
• Raise furniture from wet carpet by placing wood blocks under the legs or use aluminum foil on the legs.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
• Move any paintings, art objects, computer, documents, and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to a safe, dry place to prevent moisture.
• Use wooden clothespin to keep furniture skirting off damp floors – it’s best to use wood as metal could potentially rust, further damaging the fabric.
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet flooring or carpet.
• Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at a regulated room temperature.

What You Should NOT Do:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist.
• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water – ALWAYS avoid electrical shock hazards.
• Leave books, newspapers, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpets or floors that may cause staining.
• Leave Oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet flooring as it could cause staining and harm the rug.
• Use you household, non-wet vacuum cleaner to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

If you are a new homeowner and have unfortunately experienced a water loss, SERVPRO® of Augusta South Burke & Wilkes Counties employ trained professionals that are well versed in water mitigation. SERVPRO® of Augusta South Burke & Wilkes Counties has the proper equipment, training, and ability to combat any water loss that a new homeowner may experience. Furthermore, SERVPRO® can assist new homeowners on the potential best steps they should take to prevent losses in the future.

Water Damage 101

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

The Most Common Causes of Water Damage 

Water is the most vital necessity for almost everything on the entire planet, but when it comes to home-owning it can be the most damaging. Water damage can affect buildings on many different levels. When water seeps into areas of your home that it shouldn’t be it causes many different issues. Water damage can cause warped flooring, discoloration of walls, mold and even foundation issues. Some of the most common causes of water damage are:  

Harsh Weather 

Thunderstorms, hail, and other natural disasters are primary perpetrators of water damage. When a home is left improperly defended, weather is a definite concern. Strong winds and heavy rainfall can cause potential damage to your roof, shooting rainwater directly into your home. Severe weather can even cause flooding, which can cause major losses if your home hasn’t been made flood-proof.  

Leaky Pipes 

Loose piping in a sink can leak enough water to damage any cabinetry and flooring around it. Broken pipes within walls can complicate water loss even further. Unattended water damage within walls can then create mold, which would mean the entire wall would then need to be removed and replaced.

Clogged Gutters 

A home’s gutter system is designed to draw water away from the property. However, gutters tend to get clogged with leaves, branches and other debris as time goes on. This stops rainwater from being able to flow properly through the gutters and away from your home. The water can then begin to build and seep through your roof, down the side of the home into the walls and can even pool and cause damage to the foundation.  

Blocked Drains 

Various drains within your home such as the kitchen sink, and bathtub can become clogged for several reasons. Hair, grease, dirt and even toys or utensils could block proper flowing channels. When left Un-immediately resolved, clogged drains can easily back up and cause a flooding disaster within your home.  

Leaky Water Heaters 

If your water heater is old and outdated, it is highly likely that it will spring a leak. The same issues can arise for poorly installed water heaters or even badly maintained ones. Often when a water heater leaks it is typically located in a basement where water can build up quickly.  

Washing Machine Water Supply Lines 

Your washing machine is fed by water supply lines that endure constant pressures. Braided stainless steel piping is one of the most secure forms of piping you can use attached to a washer. Problems typically arise when your washing machine has rubber or PVC supply lines. These types of piping wear out and rupture more easily, leading to quick water buildup when they do. 

SERVPRO® is Here to Help®

SERVPRO® of South Augusta is here to master any sized disaster. Locally owned and operated, we are open 24/7/365. That means that no matter the time your loss occurs we can quickly and efficiently get you back on track to preloss condition. When dealing with water damage we operate on a 1-4-8 System, which means that we are guaranteed to have come and scoped out the work and begin water cleanup and drying within 8 hours of notice of loss. At SERVPRO® we understand that time is of the essence when dealing with water damage. The longer the water sits, the more extensive and expensive the repair becomes. Preventing water damage from some of the examples above may be time consuming but can really help protect you from future damage offenses. We implore you to research some effective ways to protect your pocket and your home from dealing with water damage issues.  

Need Water Damage Cleanup Today? Give our SERVPRO® professionals a call at 706-843-1990 today to schedule a consultation. We’ll make that water damage a thing of the past! 

Suspect Mold? SERVPRO® Can Help!

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Mold, Safety and Sources

When mold starts to invade your home, dealing with the problem quickly and safely should be a priority. It can take less than 72 hours for mold to spread throughout your home, which may result in damage to your property. SERVPRO® responds quickly to your call to assess your situation. SERVPRO® professionals use advanced equipment and experience in mold mitigation to determine the water source of your mold problem. Then, we’ll work with you in the cleanup and restoration process with as little disruption to your family as possible.

Recurring Black Filters?

Are darkened, black air filters are a consistent problem? This could be from mold, candle soot, or other issues with the ducts. SERVPRO® has the capability and knowledge to assess your ducts, filters, and environment to help determine factors causing frequent filter issues. In addition to identifying issues, our team of experts can properly mitigate the issue(s) at hand and prevent further problems. Also, we can conduct air quality testing to help identifying the sources of microbes and darkened filters. One commonly misdiagnosed issue is candle soot. Consistent candle burning may waft soot towards the air filter can increase the frequency of needing to change your air filter if the candle is too close to the duct returns. To properly track how often filters are needed to be changed, start by writing the date of install on the new filter, this will help track the frequency.

What to do With Potential Mold Until Help Arrives

What to Do:

• Turn off the HVAC system, fans of other air moving equipment you have in your home.
• Restrict access to the area for pets, kids, and yourself. If the mold is contained in one room or an area that has a door, this helps to contain the potential mold threat.
• Attempt to determine the source, such as leaking water to help stop the continued mold affects.

What Not to Do:

• Do not touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• If you find the area wet, do not attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Do not spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold growth.
• Do not paint over it.

Need professional help? Call SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties for help at 706-843-1990. Our team is always ready to help rid your home of any threats. We are available 24/7/365 for immediate emergency help.

Everything You Need to Know About Tornadoes

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

What To Do Before Tornado Season Begins 

Tornadoes can be a scary environmental event, but that does not mean you cannot prepare yourself for one. Make sure that your home insurance is up-to-date and has a wide variety of coverage. Policies generally need to be updated if anything has been changed, added, or removed structurally in the home. Create an inventory of all the items in your home and store it either digitally or in a secure location. This is an important part when updating your insurance plan. 

If you live in an area that is prone to tornadoes, building a safe room or reinforcing a room in your home may be a great idea. If you are unable to build a safe room, pick an interior room like a basement or a bottom floor bathroom to take shelter in. You will want to prep your tornado room with supplies such as: 

• Water
• Batteries
• A flashlight
• Portable chargers
• Non-perishable foods
• Hygiene items
• Trash bags

Installing up-to-code storm shutters is the best protection for your windows. Installing impact resistant garage doors is an extra preventative step that can be taken as well. Older doors are weakened through time and usage, and garage doors are typically the first element of the house to fail. Secure all cracks in your home's exterior to prevent any water from getting in during the storm. Make sure you research other ways you can tornado-proof your home before tornado season begins. 

When is Tornado Season in My Area? 

In the southern United States tornado season is from March to May, while in northern America it is from late spring through summer. Although tracked tornadoes typically occur between 3-9pm, tornadoes can develop at any time in any location. It is a good tip to know that tornadoes can also cross water and are often accompanied by storms and wind. The most common threat to your home during a tornado is the potential for trees to fall on them. Be sure to prune the trees that are closest to your house, ensuring that wind passes through the branches more easily without knocking them over.  

What To Do When a Tornado Watch Has Been Issued  

Start by bringing in any loose exterior items such as patio furniture, or anchor items down safely. Bring any pets you have inside. Make sure to move furniture indoors away from any windows. Make sure your windows are closed and safely secured. Open windows will blow unwanted water and debris into the home. 

Make sure that any emergency items are easily within reach such as cell phones or battery-operated radios. Be sure to listen to updates about the tornado from a weather broadcaster and do not leave your shelter until a professional says it is safe to do so.  

Does Your Home Need to Be Restored After a Tornado? SERVPRO® of South Augusta is here to make “Like it never even happened.” Give our professionals a call today at 706-843-1990!

Mold In Your Commercial Business?

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO crew member dressed in full PPE prepping equipment to begin safe mold clean-up.

What Is Mold? 

Mold. The word by itself brings up unpleasant imagery, like a school sandwich forgotten in a backpack. Milk that no longer flows freely but comes out in chunks.  But when mold infests your house, the signs aren’t always so obvious. Even a spotless floor with gleaming storefronts may have mold lurking in unexpected places. For everything we hear about mold, you’re probably left wondering “why is mold bad”? Mostly because when mold grows it feeds on the materials it is growing on, which results in irreversible damage. This damage means all the affected materials must be replaced. 

Mold is a type of fungi that grows in multicellular structures called hyphae. Hyphae produce mold spores that are found indoors and outdoors. Even though mold spores are found everywhere, mold requires moisture to grow.  

Fun fact: According to studies done by the Environmental Protection Agency, mold can appear on any surface in the home, including paper, wood, carpet, and foods. The appearance of mold differs based on the species of mold it is, and the surface its latched onto. The colors may range from purple to green, and even black or white. 

Essentially, this makes determining a certain strain by eye very difficult. Luckily, technicians at SERVPRO® of Augusta are well trained in mold testing and have a quick return on answers for you.  

Signs You May Have a Mold Problem 

1. Musty/Rotten Smell

If there is a damp, musty odor emanating from flooring or walls, it is likely the stench is being caused by ‘mold volatile organic compounds’, or MVOCs. MVOCs are chemicals released during the mold life cycle.  

2. Contaminated Carpets

Carpeted areas and rugs are hot spots for becoming breeding ground for mold. Pay close attention to any spots, odors, or stains on the carpet. If you do happen to notice something out of the ordinary, be sure to examine both sides of the carpet and padding.  

3. Warped Walls

One of the most common reasons paint begins to bubble or appear distorted is because of moisture hidden in the walls. If your walls appear warped, first identify the source of the moisture, and then have the problem fixed before it breeds mold.  

4. AC Filters

If your air conditioning creates a musty smell when you turn it on, it’s possible you may have some leaking moisture issues. Make sure to use HEPA filters and regularly clean the unit and replace the filters to starve mold of its food sources- dust and moisture.  

5. Previous Water Damage

If you experienced previous water damage in your business that wasn’t properly extracted and cleaned, your mold source could be a responsive problem to that. Because fungi feeds on moisture, water damage left too long tends to lead to mold issues. 

Suspect Your Business May Have a Mold Issue? Give SERVPRO® of Augusta a call at 706-841-1990 to schedule a consultation and mold test today.  

Plumbing Overflow Led to Water All Over My South Augusta Home

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO water drying equipment placed around affected wet areas to dry water

What Are the First Steps to Do After Water Damage? 

Water emergencies are always sudden and take you by surprise. That is why SERVPRO of Augusta® has comprised a ‘Water Damage Preparedness List’ to help you get on track until professionals can arrive. Naturally, the first thing to do after a water loss is to figure out where the source of the water is coming from. If you cannot pinpoint the source, turn off your home’s main water supply until a professional can come examine the issue. Make sure you turn off any circuit breakers near where the water is collecting. You may begin excess water cleanup by mopping up as much water as possible.  

Next, contact your insurance agent. In most cases residential water damage is covered by homeowners' insurance. Speak to your agent to confirm your coverage and have them schedule an appointment to assess your home's loss. Your agent will likely suggest a water restoration company, such as SERVPRO, to help with clean-up, restoration, and reconstruction. 

How Can SERVPRO Help After a Water Damage Loss?  

SERVPRO has been an industry leading franchise for well over 50 years. What you can expect from your local SERVPRO is a timely, well-equipped team to lead you and your home back to preloss condition. Our crew will come out and assess the severity of damage to your home, explaining to you the extent of the damage and our plan of action so that you understand what is happening every step of the way.  

SERVPRO of Augusta uses a 1-4-8 system, this system ensures that restoring your home to preloss condition in a timely manner is a big to-do on our list. But what does 1-4-8 mean exactly? 

1^st hour: Within the first hour of initial contact our office team is gathering all information from you that’s been provided and assembling a crew to come out to your home. 

4^th hour: Within four hours of initial notification of loss, our SERVPRO professionals have gathered a scope of work at your property and are preparing to begin cleanup. 

8^th hour: Within 8 hours of loss, our crew members have placed necessary drying and cleanup materials and have begun to make that water damage "Like it never even happened."  

Ready To Get That Water Cleaned Up and Have Your Household Back to Normal? Give SERVPRO of Augusta a call at 706-841-1990 to schedule a consultation today!  

The History of St. Patrick’s Day

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

All About the Holiday

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on March 17th. The holiday signifies the importance of the loss of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland and their national apostle. The Irish have celebrated this holiday for over 1,000 years. St. Patrick’s Day falls during the Christian season of Lent, and many Irish families traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lent practices such as abstaining from eating meat would be waived, people would spend the day dancing, drinking and feasting on traditional Irish dishes such as bacon and cabbage.

Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain, where he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at 16 years old. Later in life he escaped bondage, but eventually returned to Ireland and was accredited for bringing Christianity to the people there. One of the most known legends about St. Patrick is how he explained the ‘Holy Trinity’ (God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a shamrock, which is an Irish clover.

Fun Fact: More than 100 St. Patrick’s Day parades are held across the United States, with Boston and New York hosting the largest celebrations.

When St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations First Began

People in Ireland have been observing the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick since the ninth or tenth century. Surprisingly, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade didn’t take place in Ireland, it happened in America. According to national records, a St. Patty’s Day parade was held on March 17, 1601, in a Spanish colony now known as St. Augustine, Florida. More than a century later, Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched in New York City on March 17, 1772, in honor of the patron saint.

Over the next 40 years, Irish patriotism among U.S. immigrants became more popular, prompting the rise of the ‘Irish Aid’ societies such as the ‘Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick’ and the ‘Hibernian Society’. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes and drums.

In 1848, New York Irish Aid societies decided to unite the parades to form one official New York City's St. Patrick’s Day parade. Today, that parade is the world’s oldest civilian parade and the largest that takes place in the U.S., with over 150,000 participants each year. Nearly 3 million people line the 1.5 mile parade route each year to watch the procession, which is a little over 5 hours long.

Fun Fact: When the great Potato Famine hit Ireland in 1845, around 1 million Irish Catholics began coming into America to escape starvation.

Leprechauns and St. Patrick's Day Celebrations Around the Globe

One popular icon of the holiday is the leprechaun. The Irish name for these figures is ‘lobaircin’ meaning “small bodied fellow”. The Irish people's belief in leprechauns originates from the Celtic folklore surrounding fairies. According to legend, fairies are tiny men and women who could use their magical powers to serve good or evil. In Celtic folktales, leprechauns were cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies. To celebrate the holiday, many people dress up as the wily fairies on St. Patrick’s Day as a part of the festivities.

Today people of all backgrounds and ethnicities celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, especially in the U.S. Although the largest celebrations take place in America, countries such as Ireland, Japan, and Russia have extravagant celebrations as well. In Modern day Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day has traditionally been known as a religious holiday. Up until the 1970s, Irish law dictated that all pubs be closed on March 17th. Today, the Irish government uses interest in the holiday to ramp up tourism to showcase Irish culture to the rest of the world.

Green Isn’t Just for St. Patrick’s Day, at SERVPRO® — We Rock it All Year Round! We are Here to Help® 24/7/365, give us a call 706-843-1990 today.

SERVPRO®’s Approach to Property Damage

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

‘Weather Proofing’ Your Home

Storms bring weather conditions that could pose a threat to your property. This could mean flood damage, microburst winds that threaten roof damage, and seasonally, Winter storms that bring icy weather conditions could mean trouble for your property.

Weather can be unpredictable, but seasonally there are ways to prepare your home for each season. For this Winter, preventative maintenance tips from our SERVPRO® team includes keeping your attic well insulated, preventing your pipes from freezing, and protecting your trees from microburst winds and freezing temperatures.  

What To Do . . . and Not Do After Water Damage

First, determining the level of safety after an unexpected water damage emergency, is to ask yourself if the home is safe enough to stay inside? Second, calling an emergency restoration company like SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties is important. Calling SERVPRO could mean the difference in helping to not expose your home to extensive damages caused by waiting too long to repair a water leak or remediate water damages. Secondary damages could include things such as the beginnings of microbial growth or expanding mitigation lines to other areas of your property.

Here are a few short tips to for your first actions when discovering water damage:

• Remove any excess water by mopping and discarding.
• Gather loose items from the floor and remove any wet textiles from your home.
• Wipe excess water off furniture, and clean and remove accessories.
• Turn air conditioning on high for drying in the Summer.
• Pick up any wet materials off the floor to salvage them.
• Don't use a regular vacuum to try to remove water.
• Don’t use any affected household appliances.
• Stay out of rooms with sagging drywall or ceilings.

SERVPRO is a One-Stop-Shop

Although knowing calling SERVPRO will help alleviate stress, storm damages can still be daunting. Another stress-reliever is that your local SERVPRO of Augusta South is what many call a “One-Stop-Shop.” What is a One-Stop-Shop? Our SERVPRO specializes in all things Restoration and Cleanup. Unlike other restoration companies, our franchise can complete your property’s restoration process from job start to full completion. That means our team can carry your job to full completion without needing to refer you to another contractor to complete necessary work in restoring the property to pre-los condition. With our experience, our teams are also capable in helping you to navigate the claims process and will work alongside your insurance company to help achieve a seamless restorative process. At SERVPRO, we are always here to make your property damage "Like it never even happened." ® Do you need emergency storm damage help? Our helpful team is ready to answer your call for crew dispatching at, 706-843-1990.

SERVPRO Can Help in the Aftermath of a Fire

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Need professional, emergency restoration repairs? Call our helpful team at 706-843-1990

SERVPRO Acts Quickly Against Fire Damage

SERVPRO® of Columbia County is open 24/7 with a helpful team of experts ready to help guide you through our restorative process, answer questions, and ability to dispatch a crew to help serve you. Need immediate emergency fire damage help? Call our team at 706-843-1990.

SERVPRO Fire Restoring Process

After a fire, calling SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties should be the first step towards professionally and quickly restoring your property. Our team of experts can help you better understand the SERVPRO process and expectations. Our team is certified and capable of working with your insurance to help you begin navigating the claims process for a faster, more streamlined process.

Next, our professionals have all necessary equipment and skillset to begin restoring your property quickly starting with an assessment for damages and determining the extent of fire, soot, and smoke damage. If your property needs temporary board up and/or roof tarping services, our team offers this service as a temporary solution until the structure is clear to begin the restorative processes by SERVPRO. Board ups help with securing the property and your belongings, while roof tarping helps to prevent would-be secondary damages. Then, we begin the restoration process through a series of water removal and drying processes as the property may have been affected from water through extinguishing the flames during the initial loss date, and removal of soot and smoke can begin.

Finally, cleaning and sanitizing the space for restoration repairs can begin for returning the property to preloss condition. The extent of repairs or re-building areas of your property has the potential to be minor. Our team can simplify the mitigation and restorative process of affected areas helping to save time and money.

Restoring your property after a fire is our main goal. As the leader in the restorative industry, we specialize in fire and water damage restoration, removal of soot and smoke, and can deep clean your property to help restore to preloss condition. Need professional, emergency restoration repairs? Call our helpful team at 706-843-1990

Taking Control Before Storm Damage Hits

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO ERPs can save you time and money when combatting Winter Storm Damage - Call to set your ERP appointment today at 706-843-1990.

Winter Storms Can Bring Disruption

Seasonal Winter storms can be unpredictable and can bring property damage. Should storm damages occur, SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties can help you on the path to being prepared and fix damages caused by storms. Exercising regular safety practices for Winter storms is always recommended, but one additional precaution you may not be aware of is an Emergency Plan curated by SERVPRO, called an “ERP.”

ERPs Lessen Damages for Your Business

Equipping yourself and your team with the accessibility and information hub such as the SERVPRO ERP offers a useful step towards creating an emergency plan specific for your business. An Emergency Plan can help your business stay equipped with valuable emergency information before a storm. The ERP helps in notifying your team of important locations for water shut offs, gas shut offs, insurance information, and more. SERVPRO crews also can have access to this important, time saving information so when and if you have storm damages, our crews can review the ERP to know exactly how to best respond to the damages before arriving on site.

Beyond the Storms

Beyond utilizing the ERP capability for responding to damages, the ERP has been found to be a useful tool for property managers, property owners, and maintenance professionals. The ERP has been modernized to not only be used as a tangible resource on site, but now as an app for mobile devices. The app access allows the ERP always should an emergency occur after-hours the same information in the tangible ERP can be shared amongst first responders and staff.

Want Help Planning Your ERP to better plan for potential Winter Storm Damage? Call our team to set an appointment with a SERVPRO representative – or for Emergency Help at 706-843-1990.

SERVPRO can help in the Aftermath of Fire Damage

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Prevention for the Workplace

As a small business owner, it is always beneficial to know ways to prevent fires in the workplace. Having an Emergency Plan in place will help you create a safer work environment for everyone that comes into your building. Having fire prevention methods in place can help your building combat a fire before it ever begins. 

These tips can help to save lives and should also raise awareness about fire safety and fire protection for your employees and customers. We advise you to educate your building occupants, or employees, to abide by these safety regulations to keep your business running safely.

1. Easily Accessible Equipment. Be sure to have fire protection equipment such as fire extinguishers, and control panels stored in a place that is easy to access. Don’t block fire sprinklers or alarms with anything, as this would prevent functionality of your equipment. 
2. Safe Storage. If harsh chemicals or flammable materials are present in your building, be sure to keep them stored in a safe place. Hazardous materials need to be in a dry, secure room that has good ventilation. It is also important to keep fire protection equipment near your storage area as well. 
3. Dispose of Waste Properly. Dispose of any hazardous waste in a metal container that has a lid, and make sure this container is properly labeled so there is no mistake in its contents or purpose. This will help to prevent fire hazards.
4. Maintain a Clean Environment. Be sure to keep maintenance services for all your fire equipment. Servicing your equipment keeps everything up to code, and ensures any machines are properly maintained which prevents overheating and damage. 
5. Precautionary Measures. Performing quarterly fire safety demonstrations can go a long way when it comes to building safety. Make sure to inform responsible parties how to react in case of emergency, how to use a fire extinguisher and any evacuation measures.
6. Keep a Clean Environment. When there is a ton of flammable clutter, such as paper or boxes, fires can spread at a more rapid rate. Clutter can also prevent faster evacuation practices. Keeping your building tidy, clean and clutter free will limit the danger of unnecessary fire hazards.
7. Designating Smoking Areas. Keep a designated smoker's area that is located a safe distance away from your building. Be sure to provide ashtrays, or safe alternatives for people to properly dispose of their cigarettes. This will keep your building safe from fires caused accidentally by lit cigarettes.
8. Have an Emergency Plan in Place. Emergency evacuation plans are important to prevent further damage in the state of a fire. It’s important that your employees know who to call for help, what to do, and what the next steps should be. 

In the state of an emergency, SERVPRO® is here to make it "Like it never even happened." If a fire occurs, give our team a call at 706-843-1990, we’re always Here to Help® 24/7/365.

SERVPRO Can Help to Identify Microbial Growth

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

What is Microbial Growth?

Mold or mildew is a microbial growth. Microbial growth can be visible or hidden but is usually first indicated through smell. Microbes can begin to grow wherever there is excess moisture and a steady “food source.” In commercial spaces, microbes can grow and spread due to leaks, undetected water damage, elevated humidity, or the presence of attractive food sources such as sheetrock, ceiling tiles or carpeting. 

Microbes will feed on any substance that contains carbon atoms, which is anything made up of organic matter. Many natural materials found in commercial buildings provide suitable foods for microbial growth and tend to thrive in warmer environments. Microbes also require high levels of moisture to grow at least 70% humidity, and most outbreaks occur in buildings where porous materials contain persistent amounts of moisture.

Signs That Your Business Has Been Threatened by Microbial Growth:

• Musty odors
• Noticeable moisture
• Visible mold or mildew
• Water stains in the building

The best way to identify if your property is experiencing growth, is to call SERVPRO® of Augusta to examine your property, help identify problematic areas, areas of contamination spread, and to mitigate. SERVPRO will conduct a visual inspection of your property, run moisture reading tests to help identify the cause, and conduct air quality tests. After inspections are complete, an extensive report will be created to provide information regarding areas of concern, types of mold present, along with the level of contamination. 

Microbial remediation involves an abatement process, this meaning the spores will be removed. However, it is best to conduct additional preventative steps to stop growth from occurring again in the future. SERVPRO professionals will inspect the premises, contain all areas of contamination and thoroughly treat the space. This process will remove all elevated levels of spore contamination your commercial property and help to give a concise procedure explanation on how to prevent growth in the future.

Think you have a microbial growth issue? SERVPRO professionals are Here to Help® 24/7/365. Give our team a call at 706-843-1990 to schedule a consultation today.

How to Stop Mold Growth After a Water Damage

1/1/2022 (Permalink)

Conditions For Mold Growth 

As weather changes and storm season rolls around, the potential for water damage increases as well, which could quickly result in a mold issue. Water in your home is a concerning thought for a good reason, because unattended moisture can lead to mold growth. Mold needs four things to grow: 

1. Moisture
2. Food (starch or sugar)
3. Temperature that ranges from 41°F and 104°F.
4. Oxygen

The conditions mold needs to grow is almost always met in indoor environments. The food that it needs can typically be found in the paper of drywall or even in water particles causing moisture in a wall cavity.  

Steps You Can TaketoPrevent Mold Growth 

Whether water damage is caused because of a storm or a leaky faucet, when water is trapped behind walls or paneling, the elements mold needs to grow will most likely be present. The best option is to take immediate action to mitigate the water damage to prevent mold from growing.

Start by cleaning and drying the areas that were subjected to water within 48 hours of initial damage. Afterwards be aware of any warning signs that there is mold growth, such as musty odors in the affected area. Make sure you check the exterior of the building regularly for accumulated mold water. If water is accumulating against the foundation, take extra precautions to drain water away from the structure. Keeping things dry is a key tip to prevent mold growth. 

Remove Damaged Materials 

If material is wet and can’t be completely dried, discard them and replace them with items that are more mold resistant. If you have wet insulation, replace it with new mold resistant insulation. When replacing drywall, consider selecting boards that contain mold and moisture inhibitors. All of these actions can be completed by SERVPRO® professionals from the Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties teams. Our teams are equipped with all necessary equipment, knowledge, training, and experience to expertly mitigate any issues brought forth by water damage and mold growth.

Disaster Often Strikes Unexpectedly.If you are concerned that you have a mold issue, give SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties a call today at 706-843-1990 for a consultation and expert advice.

New Year’s Traditions – How Did They Start?

12/22/2021 (Permalink)

The History ofThe BallDroppingonNew Year’s Eve

Every year as midnight approaches on December 31^st all around the world people stand around their tv to watch fireworks and the infamous ball drop-in Times Square, New York City. Butwhere did this tradition start? Answer:It started as a solution to the hazardof a large firework display. In cities all around the world, the first few seconds of the New Year are marked by fireworks, with the ball drop as an American tradition.

When Standard Time was created, time balls were invented so that sailors could adjust their timepieces while at sea. Using a telescope, sailors would watch the harbor for a time ball to drop at a specified time, usually noon or 1pm.

The first time-ball was installed in Portsmouth, England in 1829, with the U.S. Naval Observatory following suit in 1845. Shortly after, many towns and cities with a port took on the practice. One of these original time balls became an inspiration for a man named Water Palmer, who was the New York Times’ chief electrician. He decided that the timekeeping ritual would be an amazing finale to the city's end of year party.

In 1904 New Year’s Eve celebrations were held at the New York Times building. Previously, crowds would gather at Trinity Church in downtown Manhattan to hear the bells ring at midnight. The New York Times held massive fireworks display at midnight to lure more people North, but this proved to be disastrous when hot ashes rained upon the streets. In lieu of this, the New York Police Department banned fireworks, so it was up to the New York Times owner and publisher Adolph Ochs to find a new light display. He sought to combine the time ball with electricity to create an unforgettable New Year’s Eve event.

Creating The Electronic Time Ball 

Using Palmer’s unique design, Ochs hired the Artkraft Strauss sign company to create a 700-pound ball made of iron and wood. This time ball included 100 25-watt light bulbs attached to the surface. At midnight they released the time ball with a series of pulleys repurposed from the USS New Mexico battleship.

The ball was redesigned periodically as new materials and technology became available. Over decades, iron has been replaced by aluminum and LEDs have replaced incandescent light bulbs. Computer controls were later added in 1995. 

New Year’s Firework Safety Tips

However, you celebrate New Years with friends and family this year, SERVPRO® has a list of firework safety tips to help guide you through the celebration in the safest way possible. 

1. Fireworks that are packaged in brown paper are made for professional displays only. Avoid buying them.
2. Always have anadult handle fireworks, or have an adult supervisor, especially with small children operating sparklers.
3. Stay a safe distance away from fireworks once ignited.
4. Never point or throw fireworks at someone.
5. Never try to re-light fireworks that did not ignite.
6. Always keep a bucket of water or a hose handy in case offire and douse any fireworks with water after they have been set off before discarding them. 
7. Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
8. Never place your body over a firework device when lighting.
9. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before purchasing or using them.
10. Never shoot fireworks off in a metal or glass container.

SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties is open 24/7/365 in case of any emergency fire needs. Give us a callat706-843-1990 if you requireassistancetoday.

We Can Help in the Aftermath of Fire Damage

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

A house fire can be a devastating loss. Let SERVPRO help take back what was loss by calling our team of restoration experts- 706-843-1990.

What Can SERVPRO Accomplish?

At SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties, our primary goal is to restore your property to preloss condition.

What does Pre-loss Condition mean? Imagine how your home looked before the fire occurred. This assessment on how your home looked and smelled is our benchmark for how we want to restore your home. How your property looked and smelled is the benchmark and standard we will base our efforts of cleaning.

Common Indicators Your Home Has Had a Fire

Smell. When a fire burns, it creates the common smoke odor. This smoke odor is the toughest odor to rid, and lingers due to tiny, microscopic particulates that cling to every single surface in your home, including walls, furniture, clothing, and floors.

How We Get Rid of Smoke Odor. Each SERVPRO process is unique for every fire damage - Not one fire damage is the same. After a damage assessment, we can determine which fire restoration processes will need to be applied to restore the home to preloss condition.

One piece of equipment we commonly use for a fire is an “Air Scrubber.” Air Scrubbers are used in a fire to help extinguish fire particulates in the air space. Air Scrubbers use a two-stage HEPA filtration to remove the airborne particulates, in addition to a third filter to further remove odors from fires.

Additionally, crews are capable in restoring textiles such as uniforms and bedding using our Esporta Wash System. Crews are also trained in the art of restoring contents such as upholstered furniture, rugs, dishes, and much more.

Visually. After a fire affects your home, soot from the fire can travel to every inch of your home. Often, in smaller fires, surface level soot may not appear visible. However, if you sample an area such as a cabinet, table or a piece of furniture you will quickly see that the furniture has affected essentially every inch of the home.

How We Get Rid of Soot Damages. At SERVPRO, after we assess the space and indicate the amount of soot that has affected the home, a highly regimented process to rid the soot of the contents is selected. This often means that walls, floors, contents, and essentially every single item in the home will be cleaned appropriately with SERVPRO proprietary products to restore the items to preloss condition. We equip ourselves with the knowledge and tested process of “Wash, Rinse and Dry.”

“Wash” means to take SERVPRO products to wash the walls of soot. Next, we “Rinse” the walls with a SERVPRO cleaning agent, and finally hand “Dry’ the walls. All work is completed in preparation for painting. Painting with a Kilz paint after a fire helps to pus the home to the final step of restoration as well as lock in strong smoke odors that could linger.

Have You Experienced a House Fire? Our restoration experts are always ready to help. Call today for an assessment of your home and we can begin restoring your home to make your house fire “Like it never even happened.” 706-843-1990.

No Time to Deal with a Water Damage? Call SERVPRO Now

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

After a water damage, water is often exposed under multiple floor coverings. It is important to call the experts at SERVPRO to reveal these areas.

Combat a Water Damage Threat with SERVPRO

Managing a business is expensive. You spend not only financially, but also with your time. So, when a water damage or fire damage threatens your business, calling the experts in restoration for a quick recovery is vital.

Expert Advantage

SERVPRO has been in the restoration industry for over 50 years. With decades of serving, innovating, and combined years of experience amongst every franchise, at SERVPRO we have seen every disaster there could be both small and larger than life. Having an expert team means that the level of care, attention, and detail to the restorative process is applied to every loss we are called to help rescue.

What You Can Do Until Help Arrives

When you have a water damage, it is understandable to want to have the problem corrected immediately. However, as you wait for crews to arrive, there are measures you can take to help begin the process. Here are a few professional tips to help:

• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Gather loose items from floors.

Just as there are actions you can take to help after a water damage, there are things we recommend not to do:

• Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
• Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don't use television or other household appliances.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

Be safe when approaching a water damage, safety first! Our professionals specialize in residential water damage restoration, with training focused on restoring salvageable items, accelerating drying time while documenting the entire restoration process.

Need Water Damage Help for Your Business?

Call our team for help! We are always ready to answer the call to help 706-843-1990.

Burke County is Rich with History and Holiday Spirit

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

Need water damage help this season from SERVPRO? call our team for expert advice and help at 706-843-1990.

Burke County Then and Now

Records indicate that Burke County, Georgia has an extensive history as the area was first established in 1777. After its founding, the county was named after writer, defender of the colonies, and Parliament member, Edmund Burke. With growth in population and an establishment of commerce and infrastructure, Burke County continues to thrive. In present day, Burke County’s history is still acknowledged and celebrated. The celebration of Burke’s history rings even louder during the holidays.

Christmas Celebrations Spotlight Burke History

Christmas celebrations for Burke County and the surrounding are already kicked off for this holiday season. Patrons can plan to participate in many CSRA holiday functions, and one event in Burke County is gaining attention – Christmas on Liberty Square.

On December 3^rd, Christmas on Liberty Square starts the celebration at the historic courthouse where a guest speaker will signal the beginning ceremony, and activities will proceed. Activities are available for all ages and cater to many different interests. Caroling, food trucks, and a visit from Santa can be expected. Additionally, to spotlight small businesses, many of Burke’s local businesses are participating in holiday themed crafts, activities, and engaging patrons to showcase their services and products. Lastly, a laser light show will begin to conclude festivities at 8 p.m.

Growth in Burke

With growth in population in the Burke County area and a sprawling infrastructure, SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Wilkes & Buke Counties will offer Emergency Ready Plans. What is an Emergency Ready Plan (ERP)? ERPs are emergency plans tailored to your commercial property such as school, office building, and hospital, that help to mitigate the risks during an emergency. For example, should your building have an emergency water damage from a toilet overflow, your ERP will direct you to how to turn off the water and stop excess water from ruining your building.

Helping create an ERP for your building, is SERVPRO’s step towards making it "Like it never even happened." Simply by trying to prevent initial damages.

Have you experienced a Water Damage? Call our team for help at 706-843-1990. Our teams are always ready to answer your call for emergency water damage help!

5 Causes of Water Damage in your Commercial Business

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

How To Identify and Prevent Water Damage 

Water damage is an unexpected threat that can put a lot of stress on a business owner. It will cause you to potentially lose days or even weeks of productivity, and you could find yourself having to replace inventory and valuable equipment. 

Fun fact: The states with the highest incidents of water damage are California, Florida, Texas,New York,and Georgiatrailingvery closely behind.

If your facility has equipment that utilizes water, leakage is a danger you very potentially might face. Water heaters, air conditioners or anything that uses piping, gaskets or filters has the potential to leak. The easiest way to prevent water damage is to regularly maintain your equipment. If you notice issues that can be concerning (i.e. Rust, cracks or bulges), take preventive measures. Replace your water lines regularly and re-caulk and re-seal as issues present themselves.

Roofing, Pipes and Drains & LeakDetectionSystems 

Make sure you are checking your roof regularly. If you have a large mass of water storage on your roof, it’s only a matter of time before you have a huge water damage issue on your hands. Every inch of water equals around 5 pounds of weight. Over time the strain upon your roof will cause leakage or corruption of your roof entirely.

Fun Fact: On average, water damage will cost around $3,500.

Plumbing systems are extremely susceptible to clogs and damage. If a crack develops, even a small one, it could dump up to 250 gallons of water a day into your facility. Pay attention to outward signs of any moisture, rusting, cracking, or bulging. If you’re having plumbing work done go ahead and check for scale buildup. In addition, if your facility is exposed to low temperatures, keep your pipes always insulated to prevent freezing. Leak detection systems are very valuable as well. They can be relatively inexpensive and will sound an alarm if a leak is detected. Active leak systems will sound off an alarm and can stop a leak itself. If you have a sprinkler system, make sure to check for signs of damage or rust. Regularly replace sprinkler heads as issues surface.  

Fun Fact: Leaking roofs are the most common reason for water damage, especially in geographic areas that have a lot of freezing water, strong winds or hail.

Taking preventative measures may help decrease the risk of water damage to your facility, but of course will not eliminate them entirely. In case of water damage call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at 706-843-1990 and we’ll make it "Like it never even happened." 

Water Damage in Your Home Due to Excess Rainwater?

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

Standing water in this dining room affected the flooring and had to replaced. If your home experiences storm damage, call our team at 706-843-1990.

SERVPRO® Water Damage Process Overview 

When a water damage occurs in your home avoid the frustration of cleaning it up by yourself, let SERVPRO® professionals clean it up for you. The biggest key is to respond quickly to damage which reduces the damage and saves you money.

Our 1-4-8 Process makes clean up a breeze and has your home back to preloss condition in no time. The first hour you contact us about your loss we’ll arrange for a service technician to come out and get a scope of the issue. By hour 4, one of our highly trained technicians will be on-site starting the clean-up and drying process. Within 8 hours of arrival, a technician will verbalize what the scope of work entails. 

How We Proceed to Get the Job Done

First, we will check for moisture in your building, to do this we have to guarantee that the source of the leak has been halted. Next crews identify what kind of water and categorize the water damage to ensure that we are restoring your property based upon industry guidelines.

Crews inspect and test the damaged area and make sure there are no additional safety issues that need to be brought to your attention. Once a thorough checklist has been filled, we are ready to get to work! We use SERVPRO® equipment and cleaning products to ensure that water is cleaned up and that your home is restored to preloss condition. Once the damage is all cleaned up, our restoration team comes in and gets your home pieced back together. This is how we make the damage "Like it never even happened."® 

Have a Water Issue That is Out of Your Control? Give our office team a call at 706-843-1990 to set up a consultation today. 

Water Damaged Carpet in Hephzibah – SERVPRO Experts Can Revive Them

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

Experienced water damage from your bathroom toilet? The experts at SERVPRO can help remediate the water and restore your home FAST. Call 706-843-1990.

Why Water Damage Hurts?

Water Damages occur for various reason and can threaten the cleanliness and structural integrity of your home. Not only is water damage an immediate threat to your home or business, but if left, standing water can very quickly ruin your flood coverings such as carpeting, vinyl, linoleum, and hardwood floors.

See Standing Water? Here’s What to Do

Call the experts – SERVPRO of Augusta South crews for immediate water extraction at 706-843-1990.

If you are searching for a preventative measure and planning, know that standing water poses a massive threat to your home. Floor coverings can be deemed unsalvageable by waiting too long for water extraction, baseboards and sheetrock will swell from absorption of water, and your home’s furniture and contents will need expert restoration from our Contents Cleaning team.

What is Water Extraction?

At SERVPRO, our teams are equipped with the best in industry equipment to help restore your home to preloss condition. Pre-loss condition from a water extraction entail using either truck mounted, or portable water extraction machines that use high powered suction to remove unwanted water on any surface including carpets, hardwood floors, and more. This extraction process is vital to being able to later place drying equipment and restoring your property. The faster SERVPRO crews arrive with extraction equipment and begin mitigation – The faster your home can be begin the drying process with SERVPRO-grade drying equipment such as air movers / fans.

Why Does SERVPRO Use Fans?

Fans, or in SERVPRO terminology – “Air Movers,” help to dry a structure by blowing hot air over a surface to help water and moisture evaporate quickly from floors, carpets, and carpet padding. Air movers can always be used to centralizing drying action for cabinetry as well. Along with air movers, you will see a dehumidifier deployed in the drying space as it is customary for humidity levels to rise. To accelerate drying measures, dehumidifiers and air movers are used in conjunction with each other to speed the drying process.

Want More Information? Call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties to get your questions answered, ask for scheduling, or to have a crew dispatched to your home or business to help make your water loss "Like it never even happened."

Real Christmas Tree Fire Safety for Your Grovetown Home

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

NFPA Statistics Shed Light on Holiday House Fires

From 2014 to 2018, US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 160 home structure fires per year that began with Christmas trees, causing death, injuries and over $10.3 billion in property damage, (NFPA Research, 2020.)

Real Christmas Tree Fire Safety – Educate Yourself!

The first step to being safe from property damages and maintaining a safe environment for your family is to educate yourself and your family on the potential causes of tree fires in the home. For example, a few rules to abide by to avoid a fire is to never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace to dispose it. Oils from the tree can emit fumes and are highly flammable.

Additionally, decorative lights can get extremely hot to touch, which is turn affects the highly flammable trees. Cords, bulbs, and/or wiring is also a major cause for concern with dawning your tree with decorations.

Safe Alternative Decorations for Your Tree this Year

With highly flammable trees but the desire to decorate and beautify your tree, it can be discouraging to have a real tree – But there are safe alternatives.

If you desire your tree to be decorated with beautiful lights but can’t risk using unsafe bulbs that could ignite your tree, an attractive idea may be to use the new, innovative beam lights. Beam lights give the appearance of lights dawning your Christmas tree, without the safety hazard. The use of other classic Christmas tree decor such as popcorn strands, beaded garland, tinsel, and classic shiny ornaments can provide a trendy, retro aesthetic to your Christmas tree.

Holiday House Fire Affect Your Grovetown Home?

Our SERVPRO crews implore using safe alternatives to potentially faulty lighting on real Christmas trees – However, if your home has damage from a Christmas tree fire this year, we are available 24/7 – Yes, even on Christmas, to help answer your call for fire damage clean up for soot, smoke, and more extensive damages. Please call our office at 706-843-1990 to talk to an office team member for scheduling, and to reach our crews for immediate dispatching.

Augusta’s Flood History Sparks Precaution

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

With Augusta’s long history of downtown and surrounding areas becoming flooded due to a rise in water from the Savannah River, it’s no secret that flooding is a threat to many homes and commercial businesses in Augusta. At SERVPRO, we aim to help educate the public about steps, tips, and offer post-storm/flood damage restoration help.

Tips for Mitigating Potential Losses Before a Flood Occurs

With Augusta’s vulnerability to flooding, it’s important to know there are a few effective ways to limit your home and businesses risk to flood and storms. The following is a brief list of measures you can take before flooding occurs to mitigate potential losses:

• Find out what your property insurance policy covers and if it does not cover flood damage, buy additional flood insurance
• Keep valuables and insurance policies in a bank safe deposit box or at a secured storage site away from your residence  
• Locate electric panels, furnaces, water heaters, and other appliances in higher parts of your home that are unlikely to be flooded
• Move expensive rugs, furniture, and other valuable items to higher floors of your house
• Place sandbags around the perimeter of your property to divert floodwaters away from it
• Watch weather forecasts, know essential storm-related terminology, and have all your preparations completed before storms arrive

In each of these ways, you can often safeguard your property and gain some peace of mind in the face of potential flood-related disasters.

After floodwaters recede, it is important that you:

• Not return home until authorities say it is safe
• Contact a reputable flood damage cleanup & repair service as soon as possible
• Stay out of rooms with weakened floors or sagging ceilings
• Refrain from drinking your home’s tap water

At SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties, we care about protecting your property, and assure you and your family, we are always Here to Help.® Call us anytime, 24/7 - 365 at 706-843-1990.

Safe Halloween Fun in Thomson

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

The History of Halloween

Halloween is a Nationally recognized holiday that occurs every year on October 31st, which falls on a Sunday this year. The tradition began as the ancient Celtic festival Samhain where people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.

In the early eighth century Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as a day to honor all saints. “All Saints Day” adopted some of the same traditions as Samhain. The evening prior was known as ‘All Hallows Eve’, and then later renamed Halloween. As centuries passed, Halloween evolved into a day of fun activities for all ages, such as trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, and dressing up in favorite costumes.

• Did you know? Each year more than 29 million people will buy Halloween costumes for their pets.

A Deeper Dive into The Festival of Samhain

Halloween’s origins date back to about 2,000 years ago when Celtic people who lived in modern day Ireland, the U.K. and northern France celebrated their new year every November 1st. That date marked the end of summer and harvest and the beginning of dark, and harsh winters which they associated with death. The Celtic people believed that the night before the boundary between the world of the dead and the living became blurred and accessible. On the night of October 31st, it was believed that ghosts of their loved ones returned to earth.

Adding to the frustration of believing that this caused crop failure, the Celts believed that the presence of the spirits made it easier for Druids (Celtic priests) to predict the future. These “prophecies” gave them hope and comfort to hold onto during the long winters. 

To celebrate the event, Druids built huge sacrificial bonfires and wore costumes made of animal skins. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires which were extinguished earlier in the evening after the sacred bonfire burned out.

• Did you know? One quarter of all candy sold yearly in the U.S. is purchased for Halloween trick-or-treaters and parties.

Halloween Comes To America

Halloween was not celebrated in colonial New England due to the Protestants strict religious beliefs. Halloween was more commonly celebrated in Maryland and the southern colonies. Colonial Halloween festivities featured tales of ghosts and creation of mischief amongst neighbors.

By the 18th century, autumn festivals were common, but Halloween itself wasn’t widely celebrated. Towards the beginning of the 19th century, America had an increase in new immigrants, particularly Irish immigrants. These Irish immigrants helped popularize Halloween nationally.

Halloween As We Know It

By the 1920s and 30s Halloween had become a widely celebrated community focused holiday. This featured parades and town-wide parties and festivals. Around the 1950s Halloween began to be commercialized and targeted more towards children. Due to the huge increase in population due to the baby boom, parties moved from community centers to in classrooms or homes, where it was easier to accommodate the large numbers of children. Between 1920-1950 the activity of trick-or-treating was widely practiced, as it was an inexpensive way to celebrate with the community and also used as a bribe to keep neighborhood kids from playing tricks on people.

All this history is what made Halloween the American tradition that is known today. Annually Americans spend $6 billion on Halloween and it is the countries second largest commercial holiday following Christmas.

What to Remember This Year

Hopefully no tricks will be played to cause a n accidental fire, and party or jack-o-lantern candles are not left unattended. Should you experience a Halloween fire damage, give our team a call for help at 706-843-1990. We work 24/7 - 365 to help to make it "Like it never even happened."®

Don’t Let Water Damages Cost You

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Helps Combat Costly Damages

When water damages occur in your business, stress can arise from a multitude of things, including temporarily closing your doors while turning way potential revenue. At SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties we aim to work quickly and efficiently to reopen your businesses doors.

SERVPRO is Faster

Our teams are expertly trained in fire, water, biohazard, and mold mitigation with over 50 years in operation. All teams are trained under strict IICRC regulations. Our IICRC training allows our teams to have approval to work within your business for mitigation purposes as well as having the credentials to be able to complete work properly with supervisor from both a Field and Production Manager.

Our professional team is equipped with the knowledge and equipment to properly complete restoration servicing of all kinds, and all sizes. A few pieces of equipment you would initially see at your loss site should you need professional SERVPRO help as the following:

• Extraction Equipment. Extractors are used for cleaning water from carpeting and hard surfaces. Our extractors can be either truck-mounted or portable, allowing for greater access inside commercial structures.
• Air Moving Equipment. Air movers help to accelerate the drying process after a water loss. Should you experience a water loss, after standing water is extracted, the additional air flow helps to reduce drying time and increase moisture in the air space.
• Dehumidifiers or “Dehus” helping to extract the additional moisture in the air, acting as a sponge for the air space.

Not only do our teams have leading industry equipment, but we also follow a highly regimented 1-4-8 response system. “1” for 1 hour to respond to your call and receive a verbal brief on your loss. “4” for 4 hours to dispatch a team, arrive on site and begin work. “8” for 8 hours to give a verbal briefing to you and your insurance adjuster on the scope of work and current loss status.

Need SERVPRO help? Call our office for scheduling and to dispatch a team at 706-843-1990.

When Storms Strike, SERVPRO Can Help

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Augusta South - We're always Here to Help.® - Call 706-843-1990

Flooding from storms can be devastating in Grovetown - But, SERVPRO professionals can protect whatever possible.

When Grovetown home flooding occurs, it can be devastating for your home and family. Our teams can help restore your home and property after floods cause unfortunate damages. The teams are well equipped and trained with the best in our industry, and rapid response times aid in getting your home and life back on track.

Our trained crew chiefs and technicians professionals deploy professional help to reduce the devastation of flooding in the property in several areas, including: 

• Temporary Construction - Techs can utilize their expertise to identify structural concerns and address these situations immediately. Vulnerabilities in the exterior of the house can lead to continued flood damages. Board up and tarping are standard temporary solutions to these vulnerabilities. 

• Debris Removal – Debris, solids, organic matter, and mud can all get brought in with rising water levels and conditions like flash flooding. Removing these concerns through muck-out cleaning reduces concentrations of foul odors and potential contaminants. 

• Extraction – Our water restorers must deploy several powerful tools in our inventory if pooling water does remain. Mismanaged pooling can result in oversaturation of exposed materials and greater needs for tear-out and build back. We use our industry-leading inventory to manage standing water concerns in the property. 

• Controlled Demolition – Our team must determine what materials and structural elements have become too severely impacted to preserve. Sagging and deteriorating surfaces require removal and discarding for safe restoration in the house. 

• Content Recovery – Identifying damage to personal belongings, furniture, and other contents is vital in cleaning and recovering these items. Through on-site cleaning and off-site restoration solutions, we can salvage what matters most to you. 

How Long Will Flood Restoration Take? 

You may wonder how long will the process take? Every structure, storm, and situation is completely unique. At SERVPRO, we do have highly regimented processes to restoring a loss, but the severity of the loss is always very situational. Our crews follow these highly regimented processes as a means to restore your property as quickly as possible and implement order to a typically chaotic environment.

Need Grovetown Home Flood Damage Help? Our office team is available to answer your call and question, and crews are available 24/7 – 365 to be dispatched to your disaster! Call our teams at 706-843-1990 for help, or click Here for more information on water damages and the SERVPRO process.

SERVPRO® Esporta Works for You

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® crews efficiently pack, clean, re-pack, and store all soft-contents as part of the Esporta process.

What is an Esporta?

Our Esporta Wash System is our in-house soft contents cleaning system we provide to our customers in post-loss events. The Esporta helps to remove bacteria, viruses, odor, soot, grime, mold, bio waste and mildew from over 95% of all soft contents that are found in a home. Soft contents include but are not limited to coats, purses, leather goods, shoes, pet beds, drapes, and more.

Not only can our Esporta sanitize and restore your home’s soft contents, but the Esporta system also works quickly. Should you need a set of school and/or work uniforms for yourself and your family, our crews can gather your items and perform a 24-hour turn to help restore even a small amount of normalcy to your life.

How it Works

The Esporta system uses a complex formula of detergents and cleaning agents for restorative procedures for each item that goes through the Esporta process. Esporta cleaning agents are free from phosphates and solvents and are more sustainable than box-store detergents. Additionally, the Esporta is unlike washing machines you would find a in home or laundromat. The Esporta system does not work through agitation which can lead to wear of the textiles fibers.

The Esporta wash system is smart; the Esporta automatically manages washing parameters determined by what items are identified within the wash system and selects the necessary wash recipe needed to effectively clean and sanitize.

Sentimental Items Are Restored

Often after a fire or sewage, items that are sentimental are threatened to be destroyed. With the use of the Esporta system, SERVPRO® can help take back what you thought would be lost. Items such as wedding dresses, family quilts, and stuffed teddy bears passed down from generations; over 90% of restorative items cleaned by the Esporta are covered under your insurance police as it is most cost-effective to restore. . . Not to replace.

Want to Learn More about the Esporta Wash System?

There is a lot to learn with the Esporta and Esporta capabilities. Click here for more information and to watch Esporta Resource Videos!

Need Esporta servicing? Call our office for more information and scheduling at 706-843-1990.

Fall Fire Prevention

9/1/2021 (Permalink)

With cooler weather making its way through the October months, cooler weather means time to break away from the Southern heat and to enjoy time outside. Warming up next to a bonfire, cranking up your space heaters, and grilling out for friends and family while enjoying a college football game are all ways, we celebrate cooler weather. However, with fun comes the ever-present responsibility of making sure your fun weekend plans don’t turn into a SERVPRO® disaster.

To prevent a disaster, follow a few of these Bonfire Prevention Tips:

• Do not host a bonfire on windy days. Debris from the bonfire could escape the safety barrel and spark an untended fire.
• Keep a water hose or a bucket of water close by to quickly extinguish flames.
• Always tend to the bonfire while burning.
• When extinguishing your bonfire, first drown in water. Then, ensure that all embers are covered with water so they cannot reignite.

Space Heater Fire Prevention

Space heaters are great for smaller spaces or to add extra warmth to a room. Although, in many instances space heaters can become overused or used improperly and lead to potential house fires, over a thousand house fires a year are caused by space heater malfunction. To help prevent space heater related house fires this Fall, follow a few SERVPRO® Pro-tips:

• Never leave your space heater unattended. Electrical power strips can malfunction or draw too much power can easily spark a flame.
• Keep the space heater in the center of the space, or at least a few feet away from flammable objects.
• Place your space heater on a solid surface to avoid tipping risk.

Grilling Out, Not Burning Out

Cranking up the grill for a Saturday afternoon college football game is often a Southern tradition. Friends pile in the living room to watch the big screen, drinks are cheered on the back deck, the grill is rolling with burgers and hot dogs, kids run around and play with the dog – All fun, but all distractions. This Fall, be sure to enjoy your time in the cool weather but remember grill safety.

Here are a few SERVPRO® Tips to Aid in Preventing Grill Fires:

• Keep your grill a safe distance away from your house, at more than 10 feet.
• Keep decorations that could easily become a hazard away from your grilling zone.
• Have a working, inspected fire extinguisher on-hand.
• After turning off your grill, be sure to not leave unattended and close the grill lid to help cut oxygen flow to any potential flames.

If you experience an unfortunate house fire, please call our office for help  at 706-843-1990.

SERVPRO® Provides Top Level Water Damage Help for Thomson

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® equipment is used to dry kitchen cabinets through the use of our Injectidry system.

Quality Work from SERVPRO® Means Faster Dry Time

If you expect water damage relief from the experts, our SERVPRO® crews offer the fastest response times compared to other teams within our industry. Our crews are ready to arrive on-site to perform water extraction and cleanup. With over 1,900 franchises nationwide, your local SERVPRO® of August South / Burke & Wilkes Counties is always nearby to execute our vision of "Like it never even happened."® For decades our crews have completed quality work, and has earned the trust and respect of the insurance industry, resulting in our clients saving revenue each year through using our restore versus replace method.

SERVPRO® Process Makes Restoration Possible

SERVPRO® is consistent with each job as we utilize a unique process of highly regimented drying and monitoring procedures. We keep a detailed record of monitoring results from each loss we report and monitor daily, helping to track drying progress and use the monitoring results for each day to gain a better understanding as to how quickly your property is drying. Our crews also take daily monitoring information to make decisions along with your insurance adjuster on how much equipment needs to be placed or taken away after each day on the loss site. One important piece of the continued job process, is job filing and dispatching, this includes:

• SERVPRO® First Notice of Loss – When you notify our team of your water damage.
• SERVPRO® Authorization to Perform Services – When you authorize for our crews to begin helping and when we set job expectations.
• SERVPRO® Customer Information Form – Taking details of your property and identifying the point of contact.
• SERVPRO® Water Damage, Equipment Validation and Drying Report – This is a daily report on how the drying is progressing.
• SERVPRO® Certificate of Satisfaction – Our team receives a final review of how satisfied you, our customer is based on how professionally the loss process was performed by SERVPRO®.

Executing the Goal of Restoring Your Property

With our dedicated team, job file processes, and advanced equipment our confidence in restoring your property to preloss condition is unmatched. At SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties with a strong investment in a fruitful culture, consistent industry training for our crews, and equipping crews with the most advanced equipment, all factors help to contribute to our ability to serve and restore any size loss.

Got A Water Damage You Need Fixed Fast?

Call our office staff now at 706-843-1990 to schedule a consultation today.

Protect Your Home Before the Storms

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

After a storm, wall flood cuts are made by SERVPRO® crews, then, wet insulation is removed to avoid microbial growth behind sheetrock.

Warning Signs as a Homeowner Before the Storms

Severe storm damage annually makes landfall in our area between early June to late November. As a homeowner, it is vital to take precautions and preliminary steps to protect your property before storm arrival. Storm damage to be wary and prepare for include, but are not limited to, roof leaks and damages, foundation repairs, broken windows, invasive flood water that seeps in from excessive rain and overflowing creeks or rivers.

Be in the Know with SERVPRO®

Becoming geared in with your local Emergency Management Agency helps you to become more aware of impending storms. Your local EMA can provide details on storms, landfall timeframe and details, and emergency tips for avoiding storm damage to your property. To learn more about Burke County EMA Office Resources, Click Here!

Storm Damage Tips for Your Home:

• Brace/Reinforce entry doors for tornado winds.
• Clear your yard of debris, lawn chairs, and children’s toys that could during a storm, become a hazard.
• Use shutters to help protect your windows.
• Attach rigid form insulation or plastic sheeting around the outside of your first-floor walls. Water may intrude, but most silt with be kept outside.

Properly preparing for a storm, but more importantly performing routine maintenance of your home helps combat potential storm damages. Regularly clearing your gutters and downspouts helps to extend the life of your gutters and roof. Additionally, pressure washing can help prevent microbial growth, and securing entrance/exit points to your crawlspace helps keep your crawlspace clear and ready for potential drying after flooding.

Need Post-Storm Help? SERVPRO® is Here for You.

Have you and your family experienced storm damages and need help or advice? Please call our SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at 706-843-1990 for advice and scheduling.

How SERVPRO® ERPs Can Save Your Augusta Commercial Business

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

Does your facility need a free ERP? Call us for scheduling today at 706-843-1990.

ERPs Help Save BIG on Time and Money

On average, 50% of businesses close following a disaster. At SERVPRO® we have found that the practice to reduce interruption to your business, is for your local SERVPRO® representative to help you prepare for a disaster before it even happens. By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Profile, or ERP, you can minimize cost loss in categories of both the emergency loss and your business profits lost through having to temporarily close your doors to clients. Knowing what to do and having a plan of action in place for your business is a huge component for seamlessly transition from water loss to restored businesses. Whether the job loss is a small water leak, flooding in your surrounding area or a fire, SERVPRO® can make it "Like it never even happened."®

The Advantages of Having an Emergency Ready Profile in Place

An ERP does not take much time for our SERVPRO® Professionals to set up for you and will not take away from current business procedures. This no-cost evaluation of your facility will minimize the time that your business is inactive during a loss, saving you a future headache and minimizing job time and cost. In a state of emergency, your staff may find themselves confused and frightened, which is why SERVPRO® offers your businesses personalized ERP in app format. To ensure that your teams know what to do if disaster strikes, we encourage everyone in the facility to download the mobile ERP app. Having a quick reference of what to do, who to call, and in what order to do so is vital in making sure your business is Ready for Whatever Happens®.

Ready To Start An ERP For Your Business?

Give our office team a call at 706-843-1990 today to schedule a meeting with a SERVPRO® Representative today.

How SERVPRO® Helps Make Burke County Disasters Like it never even happened.

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Crews help to remove wet and damaged ceiling after a major water loss.

Need SERVPRO Now?

Call our team at 706-843-1990. When storm instances such as flooding, tornadoes and hurricanes hit our Burke County area, SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties is ready to answer the call. Our crews are only seconds away from being mobilized to your emergency.

Signs You Need SERVPRO Services

Having awareness of the current state of your property is vital. Knowing the current state of your property helps to determine any current structural issues that need to be addressed. This method of performing routine checks on your property helps in identifying structural issues that may have transpired due to a storm, fire or water damage incident. SERVPRO® can help with various structural issues such as fire damage, including soot residue and lingering smoke smells. Additionally, our crews have high capability of knowledge and training to carry out priority response measures in place for water damages such as a toilet overflows, burst pipes and/or flood damage.

Think you need SERVPRO® services? Here are key signs you should call for expert advice and action on your property’s current state.

• Standing water in your crawlspace.
• Flood water has entered from under your exterior doorways.
• Flooring in your home has shown signs of buckling, indicating moisture in your crawlspace.
• Mold growth has been identified on sheet rock, crawlspace, or behind wallpaper.
• A sewage incident that has occurred.
• Lingering smoke smells after a house fire.
• And more . . .

What SERVPRO® Can Do to Help

SERVPRO® crews are disaster experts. As leaders in our industry of Fire & Water Cleanup and Restoration, we aim to mitigate structural issues caused by the unforeseeable. Our expertly trained crews under IICRC certification help to make a disastrous situation "Like it never even happened."®

Need to schedule a crew for water damage help Burke County? Call our office team at 706-843-1990 today.

Flooding in Thomson, GA Could Mean Flooding in Your Home

7/2/2021 (Permalink)

After area flooding, this entire building was covered with sewage material. SERVPRO crews restored & sanitized the space back to preloss condition.

Flooding Looms Fear for Thomson Homeowners

The thought of flooding in the streets of your hometown Thomson can lead to worries about the future of your home. Heavy rains coupled with poor storm water distribution and drainage, could contribute to creating a threat against your home and your crawlspace. A moist crawlspace that lacks sunlight with our Summer’s hot conditions can lead to encouraging mold colonization and growth.

Recent News of Flooding in Thomson

In recent news, Thomson streets had flooded from extensive rainfall and blocked drains from debris. Although the city did its best to prepare, storm drain systems cannot prevent all threats when flooding is on the rise. As streets, parks, recreational fields, and sidewalks flooded, the danger of water intruding into homes was evermore present. The rainfall exposed many homes leaking roofs, inundated gutters, and unsecure crawlspace entrance and exit points. These factors all attributing to potentially damaging flooding impacts.

Mold in Your Crawlspace?

After the storms and flooding pass over our area, what the weather leaves behind can lead to potential mold and rot in your crawlspace. If you discover mold in your crawlspace, know that SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Wilkes & Burke Counties can help eliminate the mold and identify how to prevent future growth.

Tips for Caring for Your Crawlspace

Maintaining your crawlspace can help keep the environment and air quality healthy while simultaneously preventing mold and rot. A few regular maintenance duties can help prevent future issues, such as:

• Providing your crawlspace with proper ventilation.
• Securing entrance and exit points.
• Removing any debris, excess moisture, and poor insulation in the space.
• Installing a proper vapor barrier / moisture barrier to help implement a controlled environment.
• On a semi-regular schedule check your crawlspace for any changes.

Need Thomson GA Flooding Help from SERVPRO® ?

SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Wilkes & Burke Counties can help mitigate the effects of flooding. Our crews are committed to assuring your home is protected from future issues. If you find that your crawlspace is in needed of moisture remediation, or different measures like water extraction, our team is more than capable for handling any size disaster.

Have Questions?

Contact our office! (706) 843 - 1990

We can answer your questions, deploy a SERVPRO® crew for immediate emergency response to your home, discuss our processes in more depth, and scheduling.

Is It Possible to Start Restoration Hours after Fire Damage at Our Augusta Warehouse?

6/21/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO Production Vehicles Are Always Ready Ensuring the Fastest Response to Fire Restoration Requests

Properties with vast open spaces such as warehouses present unique challenges after fire incidents. The damage readily spreads to the walls, ceiling, and floor. The chances of items stored within the space igniting and worsening the outcome are also high. However, the possibility to clear up the affected areas and restore damaged sections in time can be an even more significant concern.

Carrying out fire damage restoration in Augusta warehouses requires several resources, including safety gear, waste management assets, and the necessary restoration equipment to help with cleaning and deodorization, among other processes. In most cases, delays occur because marshaling all the resources takes time. SERVPRO’s preparedness and experience handling many fire incidents help cut down the response time to respond and carry out the restoration.  

Our teams regularly respond to cases of:

• Fire damage restoration
• Fire and smoke damage
• Water & fire damage restorations

The response time might also be determined by human aspects such as the ability to deal with interested third parties. After a warehouse fire, an interested third party could be an insurance adjuster since the adjuster must approve issues like disposals of some materials or the use of specific restoration techniques. Our SERVPRO crew chiefs have vast experience working with adjusters, thus ensuring a smoother encounter.

After starting the restoration, you can expect results faster since our teams have all the necessary resources to expedite the work. For instance, we use pressure washers to strip off residues from vast surfaces such as walls. We also have elevated platforms such as cherry pickers which ease access when cleaning or tearing down materials.

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties can help mount a timely response in case of fire damage in any business setting. Call us at (706) 843-1990. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Ultimate Solution for Augusta Home Water Damage

6/8/2021 (Permalink)

Water supply lines account for a lot of water damage each year. Call SERVPRO at the first sign of moisture.

Bad Refrigerator Connections Could Damage Your Augusta Home

Appliances can be a staple of comfortable living in your Augusta home. Still, they can also be costly components to widespread water damage incidents or cleanup situations that require professional support. Our team has helped in many cases where appliances were improperly installed or failed in some capacity, which led to water that required fast cleaning to prevent structural concerns or worsening conditions.

The refrigerator in your home can be the cause of Augusta water damage incidents in multiple ways. The most common of these would be an issue with the connection that supplies the unit’s ice-making or freshwater functions. When a hose gets disconnected by moving the refrigerator, the fitting erodes against the appliance itself, or any other potential problem, that small line can begin steadily spewing out water to the floor. Our SERVPRO rapid response team can help.

Water damage is not as cut and dry as it might seem to many homeowners. From the moment that water gets exposed to construction materials, flooring, and other surfaces, it begins to saturate into these materials immediately. Preventing this phenomenon is impossible, but ensuring that the moisture gets removed entirely is the only safeguard to preventing additional effects like mold growth.

Our SERVPRO professionals can arrive quickly with the equipment to rapidly extract water from the affected areas to make drying efforts begin as promptly as possible. The faster our team can begin these efforts, the less likely it becomes that structural elements and flooring materials have to get removed and later replaced. The industry-leading equipment that we use can preserve them from unnecessary demolition with penetrative drying tools like our high-powered air movers, dehumidifiers, weighted extractors, and our injectidry system, which can dry out wall cavities where moisture has gotten detected.

While appliances might be a modern convenience available in almost every home, they can also cause issues. You can always count on our SERVPRO of Augusta South/Burke & Wilkes Counties team to arrive quickly to make the mess “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (706) 843-1990.

Who to Call for Fire Restoration Help? Make Your Call to SERVPRO

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

Pictured: A SERVPRO® Technician uses a dry cleaning sponge on the ceiling in preparation for paint.

Who to Call for Fire Restoration Help – Make the Call to SERVPRO

House fires in Waynesboro can occur for a multitude of reasons - Kitchens often being the source after recipes go wrong. Being experts in our industry, our crews are always available to help clean up the mess left behind. No matter the cause, know that SERVPRO® crews are equipped with industry-leading equipment and processes to restore your home to preloss condition. Our in-house restoration team helps to mitigate not only fire damage, but also the headache that could have accompanied the restoration process.

Right Equipment for the Job

Having the right equipment to accomplish the task of fire restoration is vital. At SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties we accomplish the job with the aid of the most advanced equipment our industry offers. For example, our teams deploy Air Scrubbers to each fire restoration job we acquire. We deploy the Air Scrubbers to accomplish a full-air exchange through using HEPA Air Filters while simultaneously refilter with clean, smoke odor-free air. An Air Scrubbers goal is to promote a safe, smoke odor-free environment for your home or business while our crews conduct the SERVPRO® process to restore your home’s structure and contents.

Attacking Smoke Odors at the Source

Our teams understand that by cleaning soot at the source, smoke odors will not linger. We are equipped with SERVPRO® products manufactured by SERVPRO®. Our products are safe for in-home use around children and pets and are effective in removing soot and smoke. Through our Wash, Rinse, Dry process our teams are a capable of restoring every home or business, of any size disaster. Our products achieve the stage of prepping for re-painting after a fire. Because the science behind cleaning a home or business affected from a fire can be complex, all fire restoration technicians undergo rigorous training at Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

Want to Learn More About the SERVPRO® Process? Explore our website for Fire Restoration by Selecting This Quick Link Here! Or, call our office at (706) 843-1990.

How Roof Damage Can Cause Flooding in Your Augusta Home

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

Storms can damage roofs, causing water damage to homes. Inspect your roof often for signs of wear and tear.

Roof Damage That Can Flood Your Augusta Home

Storm damages can leave you with expensive repairs and unknowns for your Augusta home. Even more pressing than the immediate structural concerns are the effects that could result from vulnerabilities in areas like your home’s roof. The temperature swings through the months, along with severe weather systems, can take their toll on shingled roofs, eventually prying off individual shingles or causing entire portions of your roof’s structure to fail.

Roof damages to your Augusta home can allow for many damaging effects to occur, but the most significant concern for homeowners is flooding. With vulnerabilities and penetration points in your roof’s structure, runoff and torrential rainfall can get inside the attic and upper floors of your home unabated. To resolve this situation, you need a team that can respond quickly with restoration and mitigation experience like our SERVPRO professionals.

From the time that our team arrives at your address, we can quickly determine the source of the damage that your home has sustained and work to provide immediate emergency repairs to prevent further penetration. Board up and tarping services can provide a temporary bandage to avoid additional exposure while the mitigation work gets underway.

With flooding situations, extraction is critical to begin right away to prevent penetration into materials yet exposed to the spreading water. We can utilize portable pumps and extraction wands to ensure that all the excess water gets removed from the affected areas to help in successful drying efforts to follow shortly after. Our SERVPRO Franchise professionals can also remove at-risk items during this mitigation as part of our pack-out process to protect your belongings until the home gets restored.

Roof damage requires an immediate response from trained professionals that have the experience and equipment to help. If your home has already gotten flooded from vulnerabilities in your roof, let our SERVPRO of Augusta South/Burke & Wilkes Counties rapid response team help you to make this disaster “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call anytime that you need us at (706) 843-1990.

Thomson Fire Safety in the Summer

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

Pictured: Soot outlines where pictures and paintings once hung in a residential dining room.

Keep You and Your Family Safe During the Holidays

With warm weather brings Summer fun. After the hot sun goes down on July 4th, traditionally, friends and families celebrate with a display of fireworks. With using fireworks, also comes responsibility. Learn what to watch for by overviewing these SERVPRO® Summer Fire Safety Tips. Tips could make the difference between a family fun holiday. . . or a disaster!

Firework Safety Tips from SERVPRO®

No matter the environment, it is SERVPRO®  smart to have the following close by:

• Keep an in-date Fire Extinguisher close!
• Assure that the ground, or material you activate fireworks from is clear and dry.
• Maintain a safe distance.
• Light each firework one at a time.
• Guarantee that each used firework is cooled by dousing in water before throwing into a trash bin.

Have You Experienced a Holiday Fire Damage Thomson?

SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties can help you discover a way to recover after a fire. We have the knowledge and processes in place to successfully restore your home after a disaster to make it "Like it never even happened."® 

Proven Success in Our Wash, Rinse and Dry Method

Our in-house structure and contents restoration team follows a highly regimented process to restore your Thomson home. SERVPRO® can manage to restore your home and your contents, including soft contents through our expert processes. Our "Wash, Rinse, and Dry" method has proven to be successful in restoring after a fire from soot and smoke damage. After washing and rinsing the structure with SERVPRO® products, we lastly dry the walls with dry cloths to prep for fresh paint.

Want to Learn More about our process? Please visit https://www.SERVPROaugustasouthburkewilkescounties.com/fire-smoke-damage-restoration 

Should Property Owners Handle Fire Damage in their Augusta Home After a Small Manageable Fire?

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

Cleaning soot and smoke are not DIY projects. SERVPRO can handle all of your fire damage restoration needs.

They Should Let Reliable Restorers Like SERVPRO Handle Fire Damage in their Augusta Property to Avoid Expensive Repairs 

The consequences of fire damage can go far beyond what is apparent on the surface. Smoke can permeate different surfaces and of your home. Therefore, it is vital to hire professional restorers like SERVPRO to get your home to its pre-fire state.

Where do SERVPRO restorers begin?

We start with an exhaustive inspection to determine the best way to approach fire damage restoration in your Augusta home. We inspect every surface, including the hard-to-reach areas using an advanced estimator’s test kit. Our technicians can use:

• Dry cleaning sponges 
• Steel wool
• Personal protective gear 

Soot is a highly acidic byproduct of combustion. If not removed properly, it can corrode metal and discolor glass, plastic, vinyl, and cloth. After evaluating your property, we separate salvageable items from unsalvageable contents. We can take salvageable items to our workshops until the restoration process is complete.

After a thorough assessment, we begin cleaning the affected area. Our restorers use unique but approved products to clean various surfaces. Since smoke and soot residues can settle on your ceiling, we can use the wall and all surface cleaner to clean your wooden furniture and ceiling. The primary target would be to eliminate all soot. 

Fire damage may take time for its effects to be visible. Contact SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke and Wilkes Counties to avoid costly repairs. Call us today at (706) 843-1990. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

How Can SERVPRO Help with Mold Removal in Augusta Homes?

5/11/2021 (Permalink)

Mold damage can occur in high traffic areas or in places like the attic. Inspect your home often for signs of mold.

With Efficient Removal Strategies, We Can Eliminate Active Colonization in Augusta Properties

Choosing professional mold damage remediation services can help get your home back to being a safe place. Mold exposure can cause health effects, requiring a fast response by experienced remediators. Other obstacles that our team must address after mold damage include:

• Damaged areas
• Mold colonization
• Overwhelming odors
• Damp/moist conditions
• Structural weaknesses

What Are the Best Methods to Remove Black Mold? 

Black mold removal or microbial growth in the attic is not uncommon for homes following storm damages and poorly managed water damage incidents. Attic mold removal and remediation in Augusta rely first on surface treatment strategies like antimicrobial cleaning and abrasive dry ice blasting. Controlled demolition can help when these initial options are ineffective.

When mold damage and its inevitable destructive presence impact your home or business, our SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties team can help make it “Like it never even happened.” We are with you through the entire restoration process, beginning with a phone call to (706) 843-1990.

SERVPRO Can Offer Water Damage Clean-Up in Thomson

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

Appliance leaks happen quickly and cause thousands of dollars of water damage each year. SERVPRO stands ready to restore your home.

Homeowners in Thomson Can Count on SERVPRO for Water Damage Restoration   

If your property becomes damaged from leaks, SERVPRO has the expertise and knowledge to restore your Thomson residence. We have many years of experience making all of the repairs from a water leak or spill of any size. Water damage to your Thomson home can pose threats in a short amount of time. 

Our team will arrive quickly with advanced equipment for efficient extraction and drying. We will get right to work to save you money and protect affected structural elements of your home or business from oversaturation and degradation.

Appliances Often are the Culprit Causing Water Leaks

If your dishwasher has leaked and spilled onto your tile floor, and you turn off the water line to your home and mop up the water, you may think the problem has been corrected. However, in a few days, you may find that your baseboards are still wet, and moisture has seeped in your walls, allowing mold to begin to grow, damaging building materials and causing terrible odors.

Sophisticated moisture meters are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards, and walls. Once the affected area has been mopped, air movers and commercial dehumidifiers are employed to dry out the house.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals monitor the drying process to ensure that your home is thoroughly dried to standard moisture levels. There is a marked difference made by using the proper equipment to reduce the cost to mitigate the damage. Our expert SERVPRO team members are familiar with all aspects of water removal that may be caused by

• Burst pipes  
• Leaky roof
• Overflowing water fixtures 

SERVPRO of Augusta South/Burke & Wilkes Counties can assist our neighbors in the event of a water emergency. Our team is available 24/7 to help. You can contact us at (706) 843-1990.

SERVPRO of Augusta South helps to Re-Open Evans Businesses Safely

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is always Here to Help. ®

Business Re-opening? We can Help!

As Thomson businesses continue to join the community through participating in soft re-openings, the responsibility to re-open safely lingers. SERVPRO of Augusta South performs as a critical part in successful, safe re-openings with the implementation of our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program. The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program enforces the cautionary approach to COVID-19 response while providing peace of mind to staff and customers.

Our knowledgeable crew chiefs and technicians have been certified to restore homes and businesses from water, fire, storm, biohazard, storm, and mold issues for many years. Now, as an extension of expertise, SERVPRO offers the CSC Program as a means to restore your property from the threat of COVID-19. SERVPRO of Augusta South crews are equipped with industry leading equipment and training necessary to provide the best service for disinfection servicing.

Is SERVPRO CSC Program Right for Your Business?

If you are concerned that your business might need disinfection servicing as a preventative method, we are Here to Help. ® Our crews can quickly assess the needs of your business and provide you with a tailored cleaning option for your business including, but not limited to:

• Preventative cleaning for this virus (one-time or repetitive plans)
• HVAC cleaning
• Carpet cleaning
• Mold and other microbial remediation
• Deodorization
• Advice concerning your cleaning needs.

3’s – Consult, Clean, Certify

SERVPRO’s Consult, Clean, Certify method helps to recognize the need of your business. The 3 C’s method is ideal for businesses hoping to re-open safely and identify with other businesses that have selected a higher standard of clean to protect against Coronavirus.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why we will tailor a disinfection plan that meets the exact needs of your business. Consulting helps to determine the level of interaction your business space experiences with outside factors such as size of space, amount of high-frequency touch points and foot traffic.
• Clean – This is the process your business will undergo for each disinfection service through protocols set forth by the CDC. Processes include cleaning of high-touch surfaces, cleaning of equipment, tools, and supplies within the workspace, and disposal of hazardous materials. Our response to confirmed cases of COVID-19 will be handled on a Priority Response basis.
• Certify – After your business has been “Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned,” we will equip you with collaterals to identify that you have selected a higher standard of clean through the CSCS program.

If you would like to learn more and how the CSC Program can help your business, Call us for an estimate! We are available 24/7/365, in the Thomson area at 706-843-1990.

SERVPRO of Augusta South helps to Re-Open Evans Businesses Safely

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is always Here to Help. ®

Business Re-opening? We can Help!

As Thomson businesses continue to join the community through participating in soft re-openings, the responsibility to re-open safely lingers. SERVPRO of Augusta South performs as a critical part in successful, safe re-openings with the implementation of our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program. The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program enforces the cautionary approach to COVID-19 response while providing peace of mind to staff and customers.

Our knowledgeable crew chiefs and technicians have been certified to restore homes and businesses from water, fire, storm, biohazard, storm, and mold issues for many years. Now, as an extension of expertise, SERVPRO offers the CSC Program as a means to restore your property from the threat of COVID-19. SERVPRO of Augusta South crews are equipped with industry leading equipment and training necessary to provide the best service for disinfection servicing.

Is SERVPRO CSC Program Right for Your Business?

If you are concerned that your business might need disinfection servicing as a preventative method, we are Here to Help. ® Our crews can quickly assess the needs of your business and provide you with a tailored cleaning option for your business including, but not limited to:

• Preventative cleaning for this virus (one-time or repetitive plans)
• HVAC cleaning
• Carpet cleaning
• Mold and other microbial remediation
• Deodorization
• Advice concerning your cleaning needs.

3’s – Consult, Clean, Certify

SERVPRO’s Consult, Clean, Certify method helps to recognize the need of your business. The 3 C’s method is ideal for businesses hoping to re-open safely and identify with other businesses that have selected a higher standard of clean to protect against Coronavirus.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why we will tailor a disinfection plan that meets the exact needs of your business. Consulting helps to determine the level of interaction your business space experiences with outside factors such as size of space, amount of high-frequency touch points and foot traffic.
• Clean – This is the process your business will undergo for each disinfection service through protocols set forth by the CDC. Processes include cleaning of high-touch surfaces, cleaning of equipment, tools, and supplies within the workspace, and disposal of hazardous materials. Our response to confirmed cases of COVID-19 will be handled on a Priority Response basis.
• Certify – After your business has been “Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned,” we will equip you with collaterals to identify that you have selected a higher standard of clean through the CSCS program.

If you would like to learn more and how the CSC Program can help your business, Call us for an estimate! We are available 24/7/365, in the Thomson area at 706-843-1990.

How Can SERVPRO Clean Up Augusta Warehouses After a Fire?

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

When Fire Restoration is Necessary, our Team can Help Augusta Businesses Get Going Again

Fires can be a devastating situation for Augusta area businesses. With many manufacturing facilities and warehouses in the city, a structure fire can take a destructive toll on the company. As leading fire restoration professionals for Burke and Wilkes Counties, we can provide efficient mitigation and recovery when you need it. Our team helps with:

• Fire damage restoration
• Smoke remediation
• Fire and smoke damage
• Fire damaged homes

When Can SERVPRO Professionals Begin Fire Restoration?

The start of fire restoration in Augusta businesses is vital. We have professionals available 24/7 to mobilize fast with our Green Fleet of service vehicles to provide mitigation and emergency services. From the application of our general contractor license for structural repairs to our initial concerns for indoor air quality (IAQ), we have a team of professionals ready and able to help the way your warehouse requires.

Can Job Scoping and Damage Assessment Benefit Fire Restoration? 

When our technicians first arrive to begin emergency services and mitigate fire and smoke damage, the necessary cleaning efforts get determined by a thorough inspection process. Our project manager or crew chief can walk through the warehouse with the owner to resolve the most immediate concerns and the most efficient approaches for eliminating multiple effects that fire exposure can leave behind. A thorough damage assessment maximizes the efficiency of later fire restoration by identifying several threatened areas of the facility and its contents. The damage assessment can find:

• Content damage
• Structural vulnerabilities
• Circulating airborne threats
• Lingering odors
• Water damages
• Surface smoke damage

Content Cleaning and Restoration Services

Protecting the contents of your warehouse must be a priority for responding technicians on our team. SERVPRO understands how fire effects can destroy stock and wares stored in the facility after prolonged exposure. Relocation can often prevent irreparable harm. When fire restoration is necessary for damaged contents and inventory, we can use our pack-out procedure to move them to our nearby facility. We have the advanced cleaning equipment to help, such as:

• Esporta Wash System
• Ultrasonic Tank
• Ozone Chamber

Are Fire Damage Repairs Necessary After Smoke Remediation?

With a general contractor license and skilled professionals, we can provide a wealth of positive services and actions to help with the reconstruction and repairs your property requires. Because we keep this work in-house, we can seamlessly transition from smoke damage removal and other fire restoration efforts to replacing removed materials. We can determine where build-back is necessary based on job scoping and the customer's priorities.

A fire incident in your warehouse or manufacturing facility could have far-reaching and costly effects on your business. Our SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties team appreciates our role in getting your doors back open and production back as soon as possible. We have experienced professionals ready to help 24/7 at (706) 843-1990.

SERVPRO helps with Water Damage in Thomson Homes

4/22/2021 (Permalink)

Pictured: SERVPRO Production Manager places air movers and dehumidifiers to begin to dry the structure after a water damage.

Drying after a Water Damage – Stay Informed!

SERVPRO of Augusta South can help to guide you on your path to regaining normalcy in your home after a water damage. Drying a home or commercial business can often be a complex process that expertly trained professionals from SERVPRO can handle. Believe you may have unwanted water or moisture in your Thomson home? Keeping an eye on your homes condition is important. Warning signs of water damage may include but are not limited to:

• Buckling / Warped flooring
• Musty odors
• Sounds of running water, but not visible.
• Moisture in your crawlspace
• Stains and spotting

How SERVPRO Can Help

After invasive water strikes your home, we can help! Water damage can occur from various sources: toilet overflows, loose pipe fittings, water heater leaks, and more. To remove unwanted, damaging water and moisture, SERVPRO professionals can react quickly to your call. Having a team with the swiftest response times could mean less extensive damage to your home’s structure and its contents such as furniture, clothing, and sentimental items. SERVPRO of Augusta South crews are always on standby waiting for your call and are equipped with industry leading tools and training to rid your home of water damage dangers using wet and dry vacuums and pumps. After extracting as much water as possible, our crews will often apply an anti-microbial to prevent potential future mold growth and begin the process of setting drying equipment to quickly restore your home to preloss condition.

Do You Believe You Have Water Damage?

If you believe you have an underlying moisture issue in your home, know that SERVPRO crews have moisture detection tools such as: moisture meters, moisture sensors, thermo-hygrometers, and thermal imaging cameras, all to help locate problem areas.

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties can provide you and your family 24-hour emergency water cleanup services. Call us at 706-843-1990.

Is a Leaking Roof from Storms in Grovetown Damaging?

4/15/2021 (Permalink)

Damaged and missing shingles can lead to water damage. Visually inspect your roof often for loose and missing shingles.

SERVPRO Can Help Restore Flood Damage in your Grovetown Home

A weather event can subject your home to high winds and heavy rainfall. In some situations, these can affect the house's structural integrity by breaking up roofing tiles or allowing rainwater to enter the upper regions and attic spaces in your property.

SERVPRO can help to recover your home and contents following storm damage in Grovetown. Attic spaces can be tough to restore due to inadequate access points, which creates difficulties in using conventional equipment like pumps or water extractors. SERVPRO technicians have the expertise to adapt drying equipment to suit smaller spaces like attics and lofts.

• Air-moving equipment can help to dry structural lumber beams in the roof of your home.
• Install temporary tarp to prevent further damage while a longer-term solution is implemented.
• Porous materials like sheetrock and insulation can often be dried or replaced with minimal expense by SERVPRO.

A leaking roof can lead to significant property damage. Contact SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties for storm flood damage at (706) 843-1990.

What Constitutes Efficient Water Damage Remediation for Augusta Residents?

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the equipment to target areas needing drying.

SERVPRO Conducts Expert Water Damage Repairs Using Augusta-based Technicians

One of the core principles of reducing property damage and preventing microbial growth is to tackle water vapor issues. When water evaporates, it increases the humidity inside a structure, leading to microbial growth issues. SERVPRO technicians use nationally recognized water remediation techniques to reduce loss.

Dehumidification is essential to correct water damage restoration for your Augusta home. Unlike water extraction, dehumidification is relatively inefficient at dealing with large bodies of water. We use a variety of methods to increase drying efficiency. One example is creating smaller drying chambers that allow dehumidifiers to become more effective.

• Closing entranceways or windows in affected areas can reduce the cubic feet of air passing through dehumidifiers.
• Partitioning the room using 6-mil polyethylene sheeting can further increase the efficiency of dehumidification. 
• Sealing off areas and continually reducing the space for dehumidification can further speed up the restoration process. 

Return your house to its preloss condition with minimal fuss. Contact SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990.

How Do Residents of Augusta Reduce Flood Damage Expense?

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

We are equipped to handle your flood damage. Call us today!

SERVPRO of Augusta Can Help to Limit Flood Expenses Through Effective Mitigation

Augusta is one of Georgia's principal cities that carries a global reputation thanks to its US Masters Golf Tournament, which attracts nearly 250,000 people to the area every April. However, the competition and its coveted Green Jacket tradition are just one small part of this bustling city that boasts fantastic natural scenery, local history, and boutique shopping. The region is famous for its southern hospitality, which guarantees an excellent mixture of restaurants, hotels, and tours. The local cuisine revolves around pit barbeques and other southern delicacies, ensuring that it attracts tourists throughout the year outside of the iconic Masters' tournament. 

Much of the local architecture in Augusta, GA, is listed on the register of historic places with the downtown district, particularly resplendent with buildings that pre-date the American Civil War. Some of the highlights in Augusta include its airy restaurants, hotels, and war memorials. A significant portion of the city was dedicated to its early agricultural history when mills were set up alongside the Savannah River. The Forks Area Trail System (FATS) is rated as one of the top mountain biking spots in the United States and has played host to the World Mountain Biking Summit several times during the past decades. 

• The Lady Antebellum Pavilion, located on the Evans Town Center Park, has retained a fantastic reputation for live music and events. The amphitheater plays host to up to 7,000 residents and visitors, which celebrates established and emerging artists in the South of the United States. 
• Southern cuisine has a reputation for its barbecue joints. The regional cuisine is best-enjoyed at Scoyners, a multi-generational, family-run business along Scoyners Way. Meat cuts are cooked for at least twenty-four-hours over hot coals before being served up to residents and visitors. 
• The Morris Museum of Art, located on 10th street, is one of the US' oldest galleries, with over 4,500 works across several rooms. The gallery covers a period from the eighteenth century to the modern-day. Alongside its permanent collection is an eclectic mix of contemporary artists and film screenings.

SERVPRO Can Operate a Comprehensive Flood Damage Restoration Solution for your Augusta Home

Flooding events can be dangerous, traumatic, and damaging. Often, flooding is the result of a severe weather event which can include flash-flooding or groundwater issues as well as:

• basement flooding
• burst pipes 
• emergency services water damage

SERVPRO technicians are trained to recognize the different effects these issues can have on your home and work tirelessly to mitigate loss or restore existing damages. We are available twenty-four-hours a day for residents during an emergency. Our call-out times are guaranteed to arrive within four hours of notification of loss. 

• Emergency procedures for flooding incidents typically involve boarding up the structure or removing water using industrial equipment. 
• Our drying programs can often run overnight using dehumidifiers and strategically deployed air-movers to encourage faster evaporation. 
• SERVPRO has a dedicated roster of technicians that can restore wood and metal framework and upholstery and flooring. 

To reduce losses after a flooding event, contact SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties for flood damage restoration at (706) 843-1990.

Hidden Moisture Pockets Cause Long Term Mold Damage in Augusta Homes

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

Mold situation out of control? Call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties to investigate and remediate the mold damage in your home.

Can Mold Infestations Occur in Cavities Between Floors After a Leak?

Water leaks or bathroom overflows can cause gallons of water to inundate a home, especially if the leak runs for several hours. Water spreads over the floors and flows to the lowest point, even the spaces between the floor and the room's ceiling below.

SERVPRO investigates mold damage in Augusta homes after a water leak, especially in cavities between floors. Our team removes excess water from carpets and other flooring materials as well as cavities. We deploy air movers and dehumidifiers to dry all areas properly.

The space between the floor and the ceiling below presents some unique challenges. As part of our investigation we:

• Drill weep holes in the ceiling below the leak
• We allow each hole to drain fully before adding additional holes to avoid ceiling collapse
• Drain water from all cavities between joists before drying commences
• Spray antimicrobial agents to prevent future mold growth in affected areas
• Check ceiling electrical outlets and lights for moisture

SERVPRO checks the subfloor for structural integrity as well as drying the cavity to avoid potential mold damage.

Contact SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties for mold damage services in Augusta and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (706) 843-1990.

Augusta Commercial Fire Damage and Smoke Residue

3/5/2021 (Permalink)

Has your home or business been affected by a recent fire? Our technicians are standing by to remediate your fire damage situation.

Why do Some Commercial Properties Require a Variety of Fire Damage Cleaning Methods?

Commercial properties, particularly those involved in manufacturing, utilize a variety of chemicals as part of their normal business operations. When these chemicals are heated or ignited, they can generate chemical-rich smoke residues.

SERVPRO technicians responding to Augusta fire damaged commercial properties are certified Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration technicians. We train our team to deal with many different chemicals, cleaning, and odor restoration methods. Understanding the chemical involved determines the cleaning agent that is used. For example:

• Light Oils may require water and detergents
• Heavier oils, such as motor oils, may require oil-based solvents
• Syrups may dissolve in water and detergents

Even the water used affects cleaning efficiency. Hard water containing calcium mixed with detergents generates salts in the water, slowing down the cleaning process and leaving scum. Thorough rinsing is needed to clean the affected item adequately.

SERVPRO can help commercial business managers with fire damage restoration of all types, including smoke residue cleaning.

Contact SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties for fire damage services in Augusta and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (706) 843-1990.

Water Damage Restoration in Augusta Buildings

2/28/2021 (Permalink)

Identifying Hazardous Materials in Water Damage Restoration Projects

Best known for hosting The Masters golf tournament every spring, Augusta has a metropolitan population of over 600,000 people. A fort was established in 1735, and the town was named Augusta in honor Of Princess Augusta of Saxe Gothe, who later became the mother of the British King, George III. The city is approximately two hours by car east of Atlanta. Besides hosting the masters, which draws over 200,000 visitors, the Augusta economy is primarily medical, biotechnology, and cybersecurity industries.

Residents of Augusta and visitors to the area enjoy many activities in the city, including:

• Augusta National Heritage Area
• Augusta Canal Discovery Center
• Riverwalk
• Phinizy Swamp Nature Center
• Augusta Museum of History
• Augusta National Golf Club

Augusta Canal Discovery Center & Augusta National Heritage Area

The canal runs for 13 miles and passes through three levels. The canal system was used to provide power for mills and electrical power in the city and feed the municipal water supply. The discovery center is an interactive museum documenting the history of the canal to the present day. Visitors can also take boat tours from the center.

Riverwalk

The Riverwalk is a city park that runs along the Savannah River on top of the levee protecting downtown Augusta. The trail has a total length of eight miles. There are several activities to enjoy along the way, including – the Augusta Market, the Morris Museum of Art, the Augusta Museum of History, the Jessye Norman Amphitheater, and the children's playground.

Phinizy Swamp Nature Center

The Phinizy Swamp Nature Park covers 1,100 acres of wetlands and woodlands in Augusta, Georgia. The park features miles of trails, educational resources, and access to rare wildlife. The park is a great way to spend a day enjoying nature so close to Augusta.

Augusta is a large city with many restaurants, bars, and unique things to do in the city. For example:

• Good Earth is an enclosed farmers market offering seasonal produce, plants, and goods throughout the year.
• Riverwatch Brewery and 2nd City Distilling Co are examples of several breweries providing unique food and craft beers.
• There are food tours available to enjoy and learn about local foods.
• The Imperial Theater, Miller Theater, Symphony Orchestra Augusta, The Bell Auditorium, and The Augusta players may be attractive to those who enjoy the arts.

Guidelines SERVPRO Follows When Managing Hazardous Materials

Many older buildings suffer water leaks due to old pipes and valves allowing water to leak inside walls. Construction materials used at the time of construction may contain hazardous materials such as asbestos or black mold inside the walls.

SERVPRO provides water damage restoration in Augusta residences and commercial buildings. In old buildings, we arrange for the removal of hazardous materials by qualified subcontractors. If you suspect materials with asbestos, do not disturb them. This means, do not:

• Break the material
• Cut or saw the material
• Drill or punch holes in the material
• Sanding or agitating the material
• Removing or moving the material

Contact SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties for water damage restoration services in Augusta and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (706) 843-1990.

ESPORTA Wash System Helps With Water Mitigation In Thomson

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

If you don’t act quickly, water damage can escalate. Contact our experienced SERVPRO team right away.

State Of The Art Cleaning For Water Mitigation

Many things can cause your home to flood, such as bad weather, a broken pipe, or a malfunctioning appliance.

When you need water mitigation in Thomson, it is essential to find a team that uses the best cleaning technology. Water can soak into all kinds of materials and textiles and cause them to become water-logged. Improperly cleaned items will be left smelling damp and might even become a breeding ground for mold.

One reliable cleaning option is the ESPORTA wash system. This unique system relies on hydraulic cleaning. It is gentler and more environmentally sound than many methods, yet it is highly effective. ESPORTA can help clean:

• Clothes, accessories such as hats and canvas shoes.
• Leather goods such as bags and jackets.
• Textiles such as blankets, bed linens, and towels.
• Personal items such as stuffed animals.

Our team will pack up your goods, send them to our facility for washing, and return them to you clean and dry.

For help with water mitigation, call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990.

Do You Need Help with Inventory after Augusta Flood Damages?

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

After your home suffers flood damage, you need a team of professionals to assist you with cleanup and inventory. Call SERVPRO right away.

SERVPRO Takes The Headache Out Of Inventory

Dealing with inventory is one of the most frustrating aspects of cleanup after flooding in your home.

If you need to claim insurance after flood damage in Augusta, you will need to provide an inventory of what was damaged. This can seem like a daunting task, especially when you are already dealing with the stress of flood damage.

Thankfully SERVPRO can help with inventory. Our Contents Claim Inventory Service includes:

• A preloss list.
• A note of the contents’ value.
• A detailed report on the damage.

Because we provide a detailed report, you have better evidence to take to your insurance company. We can also help provide photographic proof of loss, and in some cases, we can liaise with your insurance provider on your behalf.

SERVPRO’s philosophy is to restore and repair if we can and only dispose of items that are genuinely beyond salvage. Restoration and repair are usually cheaper than replacing items, so our process helps make an insurance claim.

For an inventory service you can rely on, call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990.

SERVPRO Helps with Fire Damage in Historic City of Augusta

1/25/2021 (Permalink)

Our fire damage experts can have your home back to its original state, “Like it never even happened.”

Old Buildings Need Special Care After Fire Damage

Augusta (which is officially known as Augusta-Richmond County) has a long and exciting history. Noble Jones first created the colony in 1736 to provide a defense line against the Spanish and French. In 1739 townspeople began constructing a road so people could reach Augusta on foot or by horse rather than by boat, and the town began to grow more quickly.

During the Revolution, Georgia was a major producer of textiles, paper, and gunpowder. It is also the home of the Southern Baptist Convention, which is one of the most prominent protestant denominations in the United States.

Augusta's Beautiful Historic Districts

With such a rich history, it is no surprise that Augusta is filled with wonderful historic districts that you will love visiting. Be sure to check out:

• Augusta Downtown Historic District, which is filled with notable buildings dating back to the civil war. You can visit many historical churches and the oldest synagogue in Augusta (Congregation of B'nai Israel Synagogue, founded in 1869.) You'll also find a wealth of historic homes, a courthouse, and post offices.
• Broad Street Historic District features 158 buildings that led to its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. You can see the Imperial Theater, which opened in 1918, and the Arte Moderne style Miller Theater and Vaudeville House. 
• Sand Hills Historic District is also known as Elizabethtown Historic District. It is a historic African-American area with community landmark buildings, historic residences and commercial buildings, and a cemetery.
• Summerville is an affluent district that used to be a separate village but is now incorporated as part of the city. Summerville was built in the 1870s and was initially famous as a summer resort for local people. However, as the village grew, it became popular for affluent people looking for a pleasant place to spend the winter. Today, visitors can see historic homes, a library, and an inn.
  
  

Historic Fire Rocked Augusta Residents

In 1916, a fire destroyed a swathe of Augusta buildings:

• The fire caused $10 million of damages.
• Three thousand residents were left homeless.
• Over 600 commercial and residential properties were destroyed.
• The 17-story Lamar building burned, and construction had to be re-started. 
• Multiple churches and schools burned down, and hundreds of hay bales were destroyed.
  
  

The fire was most likely started by an unattended iron in a tailor's shop.

SERVPRO Helps Fire Damage in Historic Homes

Because SERVPRO is a locally owned and operated franchise, we understand the Augusta community's unique needs. With so many historic buildings around, residents need a fire damage remediation team that understands the challenges of working on old buildings, such as:

•  Uneven floors or quirky walls and ceilings.
• Intricate moldings or carvings where soot can settle.
• Older plumbing or wiring that might not have caught up to modern standards.
• Old doors and window frames can be warped and damaged by fire or by swelling due to water from fire hoses.
• Older insulation, paint, or wallpaper that can be stained by smoke.
  
  

Our teams take everything into account when drawing up a fire damage remediation plan. For a fire damage service that cares, call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990.

Storms and Flooding Affect Thomson – SERVPRO® can help

1/15/2021 (Permalink)

Lightning from storms can affect properties and cause a fire like this storage unit complex

SERVPRO® of Augusta South Wilkes & Burke Counties has equipment and crews on standby 24/7 to take your call. Our crews and technicians have been trained and are IICRC Certified.

What is IICRC?

IICRC = Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, this certification is needed for potential SERVPRO® employees to begin restoring homes and businesses. To earn an IICRC certification, individuals must undergo numerous training courses and complete rigorous testing, to assure that they are ready and capable of restoring Thomson, GA homes like yours after a disaster.

Recognized Globally

IICRC certification is recognized globally and training is continuous. Crew chiefs and technicians are expected to constantly test and be well educated on advancements within the cleanup and restoration industry in knowledge and equipment usage.

With over 1,800 SERVPRO® franchises throughout the United States and Canada, high importance is placed on earning IICRC certification.

SERVPRO® Storm Teams

Storms may one day plague our Thomson area or the CSRA. It is important to know that you have SERVPRO® of Augusta South Wilkes & Burke Counties at your aid to help you and your property should you be affected by storms such as tornadoes and wind driven rain.

Tornadoes can affect your home through heavy wind-driven rain negatively impacting your roof and shingles. After storms, shingles and other pieces of roofing can be left missing and roofs suffer from leaks because of heavy wind-driven rain. SERVPRO of Augusta South Wilkes& Burke Counties is prepared to help connect you with the appropriate division within our franchise to help stop the leak and begin drying the roof structure.

Occasionally, after storms, roof leaks may not be immediately recognized. Water leaks may only be found once it rains or storms once again thus exposing the issue. Knowing when and how to quickly identify the leak is the first vital step to restoring your home.

It is customary for our crews to arrive, assess, and often temporarily help prevent your home from receiving further damage caused by storms. Thomson storms may take control of your home, but we are here to help guide you through the process of cleanup & restoration.

Recent Storm News Thomson, GA

Thankfully, Thomson is not normally afflicted with tornadoes and like storm events, however storms such as the 2007 Thomson Tornado can prove fatal, causing road closures due to fallen power lines and down trees. If you experience an issue with your property after a storm, Call the experts at SERVPRO® of Augusta South Wilkes & Burke Counties at 706-843-1990.

SERVPRO® Cleaning Products that Mitigate Smoke

1/14/2021 (Permalink)

Fire Damaged structures often need Air Scrubbers to help filter smoke particulates in the air space.

What Cleaning Products Should be Used After a Fire Damage in Your Thomson Home?

All products used by SERVPRO® crews and technicians are made by experts at our Head Quarters in Gallatin, Tennessee. We have specially crafted these products to fit any job, of any scale. There are many different types of cleaning products to use after a fire has taken place. For example:

• General Surface Cleaners
• Heavy-Duty Cleaners
• Glass Cleaners
• Liquid Crème Cleaners

Depending on the extent of damage to your Thomson home will depend on which type of cleaning solution or solutions would be required.

Types of Cleaners

General surface cleaners are typically used for all washable surfaces. For example, wall cleaning, appliances, hard surface furniture, and countertops. Wall cleanings are done routinely for fire and soot damaged homes and businesses.

Heavy Duty Cleaners are ideal for removing grease and heavily soiled surfaces. Heavy duty cleaners should not be used on highly polished surfaces. SERVPRO® professionals are trained extensively for when and how to use these products.

Our Glass Cleaners contains a combination of salt and other cleaning agents to prevent streaking. While our Liquid Crème Cleaners can be used on most all hard surfaces. The Liquid Crème Cleaner is a very thick liquid that contains tiny bristles to tackle all the stubborn spots that may be hard to remove.

Have Questions? Need Advice?

Believe you need these services for your home or business after suffering from a fire or soot damage? We are experienced and ready to help in Thomson. We are available 24/7 to take your call, 706-843-1990.

Don’t Miss Master the Trade: Master Your Money and Mindset for Investing in 2021 from the Comfort of Your Grovetown Home

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

Grovetown Residents Looking to Invest Smarter Can Benefit from this Virtual Investment Informational Event

It can sometimes be difficult to understand best practices for handling your money and making the most out of your finances. If you want to learn more about developing an investment mindset, you can sign up for the Master the Trade: Master Your Money and Mindset for Investing in 2021 virtual event. This is an event that is hosted by Invest with Teri, and it includes a wide variety of speakers that will go over the different ways to diversify and set out on a new path for financial growth. There are several asset classes for investing, and this virtual conference will set you up for successful trading in 2021.

• Date: Saturday, January 23rd, 2021
• Time: 11 am to 7 00 pm
• Where: Online event
• Cost: $99 to $299 depending on the ticket chosen

SERVPRO of Augusta South/Burke & Wilkes Counties is here to support residents and businesses alike. If you have flood damage in your commercial space, we have the equipment and manpower to clean up the debris and water promptly. This includes detailed inventory control and pack-out services. Call (706) 843-1990, and we can send out a crew as soon as possible. We are Faster to Any Size Disaster!

Quick Water Damage Help for Your Thomson Home Burst Pipe

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage can threaten local businesses as well. We are always Here to Help!

Cold Weather Can Mean Pipe Issues

Impending weather conditions can mean potential trouble for your home and your homes pipes. Preventing pipe bursts or various sized leaks may not be fully preventable. However, when disaster strikes, know that the professionals at SERVPRO® of Augusta South Wilkes & Burke Counties are here to help.

Thomson, GA Crews Are Standing By

If you have recently experienced a pipe burst in your Thomson home, calling SERVPRO® of Augusta South Wilkes & Burke Counties is vital to assuring that your property does not experience secondary damage due to standing water. The sooner our crews arrive on site, the sooner we can begin work and regain normalcy to your property. We have crews ready to work for you and countless pieces of equipment on standby waiting to help dry your home should you need us.

Pro Tip: Contact Your Insurance Company. Quickly contacting your insurance company for advice on determining if you need to file a claim is vital. Our professionals are familiar with essentially all insurance companies through managing countless insurance claim-related losses over the decades we have been operating in the CSRA.

Science Behind the Drying

When a Thomson home has water damage, we will need to act quickly. The faster we mobilize, the less likely your home is to experience secondary damage such as mold.

The process of drying is completed with the use of air movers. Air movers help push hot, dry air over a wet surface such as hardwood floors. This unwanted water is moved to an area of least resistance, the air. The excess moisture in the air is then pulled out of the structure’s environment through the placement of dehumidifiers.

Our Goal for You? Dry the area as quickly and efficiently as possible. We assure you an experience you can feel confident in.

Call Our Team at 706-843-1990 for SERVPRO® of Augusta South Wilkes & Burke Counties for water damage help Thomson, GA.

Augusta Families – Don’t Miss Puddle Ducks: Kids & Caregivers Club

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

When a fire strikes in your Augusta home, call us right away at (706) 843-1990. We will have a team ready to assist in no time.

Explore and Grow with Your Toddler in Augusta with this Monthly Caregivers Club

It is essential for parents and caretakers to have an opportunity to grow and explore with the toddler in their life. There are lots of wonders in nature, which is what the Puddle Ducks program works to uncover. This is a regular program taking place on the second Tuesday of each month, and it is a perfect way for everyone to get engaged while learning. This program takes place at the Phinizy Center & Nature Park, a location known for helping people connect with nature through research, education, and hands-on learning. Other toddler events are regularly scheduled throughout the calendar year.

• Date: January 12th, 2021, and recurring the 2nd Sunday of each month
• Time: 10 am to 11:30 am
• Location: Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, 1858 Lock & Dam Road, Augusta, GA
• Cost: $5

SERVPRO of Augusta South/Burke & Wilkes Counties supports community education and the preservation of local wildlife. As a homeowner, if you suffer from a fire in your home, you need a team to come in to tackle your fire damage restoration needs. By calling us at (706) 843-1990, you can have a crew at your door within hours to get to work and make it, “Like it never even happened.”

Water Damage Repair Calls for Skilled Restoration Technicians to Ensure Your Augusta Property Receives the Best Treatment

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

Don't let moisture take over your home. Call the professionals at SERVPRO, We're Faster to Any Size Disaster!

Calling Trained IICRC-Certified Water Damage Repair Professionals from SERVPRO To Your Augusta Home Ensures Fast, High-Quality Results

Located on the central Eastern side of Georgia state, Augusta is part of Augusta-Richmond County. It is also on the Savannah River’s fall line and its navigable portion’s head within the state’s piedmont area. The city itself was named after Saxe-Gotha Princess Augusta (1719-1772. When the 2012 United States Census was taken, Augusta-Richmond County had a population of about 197,872 – this did not include the unconsolidated cities of the region, Blythe and Hepzibah. 

Augusta remains the principal city within Augusta-Richmond County in the Metropolitan Statistical area. Augusta alone had a population of 580,270 during the 2012 U.S. Census, which made it the second-largest metro region and third-largest city within the state of Georgia. It is also the 116th-largest city within the United States. On an international level, Augusta, GA, is known for being the spring host to The Masters golf tournament each year.

Digging Deeper into Augusta, Georgia’s History and Background

Indigenous peoples had inhabited the area along the river in Augusta for many years. They relied on the river for water, transportation, and fishing. Augusta was known for use by the Native Americans as a crossing zone along the Savannah due to the location on the fall line. Just two years after Savannah was founded, the troops were sent into the upper region of the Savannah River in 1735. This expedition was headed by Noble Jones, who also created a settlement that doubled as a line of defense against French or Spanish invasion along the coastal areas.

While the Black Belt within Piedmont was developed for thriving cotton cultivation, Augusta quickly developed as a notable market town. The cotton gin invention made it more profitable to process short-staple cotton. This is a cotton-type that is very well-suited to the upland portions of the region. Years ago, the cotton plantations in Augusta and the surrounding areas had been manned by slave labor, where countless slaves got shipped into the Deep South from the Upper South. 

Within the mid-20th century, Augusta was the site of many civil rights demonstrations. A mentally disabled teenager named Charles Oatman was killed in an Augusta jail by his cellmates in 1970. A protest stemming from his turned into a riot that included about 500 participants, and half a dozen black men were found shot in the back and killed by police. Entertainer and singer James Brown were asked to come into the area to make a plea to quell tensions, which turned out to be a success. 

Taking in the Sights and Attractions in Augusta, Georgia

There are many wonderful places to see and things to do in Augusta. Whether you want to take in some local history or you want to get out to enjoy nature, there is something wonderful and memorable for everyone. Some of the top attractions in the region include:

Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History – Located on Phillips Street, this museum is right in the middle of the Historic Laney-Walker District, which is also near the initial site for the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute. This museum is driven to educate visitors while promoting the legacy of Lucy Craft Laney through literature, leadership, arts, history, and various programs and exhibits. 

Westobou Gallery – You will find this beautiful gallery located on Broad Street, where it houses a broad range of exhibitions throughout the year that includes local, regional, and national artists. There are also special viewings during the Westobou Festival. This gallery is open to the public, and admission is free, making it an excellent way to spend the day with family or by yourself for an adventure.

Augusta Canal National Heritage Area – Situated on Greene Street, this natural destination offers access by kayak, canoe, bicycle, or foot. Visitors have the option of watching wildlife or fishing from the banks. There is even the ability to take a guided tour on the water while riding on a replica of a canal cargo boat.

Meadow Garden – If you are looking for a lovely estate with an exciting history and a beautiful setting, you will enjoy Meadow Garden on Independence Drive. This was the home of one of the youngest people to sign the Declaration of Independence, a man named George Walton. This museum and historic house has been open for public viewing since 1901 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a National Historic Landmark. Tours are also available each week, Tuesday through Saturday.

Along with top attractions, many of the hottest dining spots in Augusta, GA, include:

• Frog Hollow Tavern
• Honey from the Rack
• Whiskey Bar Kitchen
• Abel Brown
• Bonefish Grill
• Boll Weevil
• The Bee’s Knees
• French Market Grille

Augusta Residents Can Trust SERVPRO to Handle Water Damage in a Fast, Efficient Manner – Call 24/7 for Prompt, Reliable Service!

A faulty appliance in your home, such as a water heater or dishwasher, can pose quite a problem in terms of damage. The longer that you wait to clean it up, the hidden moisture can bring about secondary damages and the onset of potentially harmful mold and mildew. SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, including nights, holidays, and weekends, to handle all of your water removal and restoration needs. We are Faster to Any Size Disaster, and our crew arrives ready to get to work!

Water damage repair in Augusta is best left to skilled professionals. Because water moves along the path of least resistance, you need to look for it in various places. You must call us for repair and restoration if you notice:

• Water pooling
• Water that has infiltrated your drywall
• Saturation of your carpeting or upholstery
• Moisture that made it behind a wall or into another confined area

With our powerful pumps and moisture detection tools, we never leave any problem areas behind. When you know that you need reliable water damage repair, there is no team quite like SERVPRO of Augusta South/Burke & Wilkes Counties. Call us at (706) 843-1990 to have a crew dispatched to your property as soon as possible.

Treat Yourself to a Holiday Play at Augusta’s Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre.

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

Attend a Viewing of the Exciting New Play “Dashing Through the Snow.”

As the holidays swiftly approach, we are all looking for ways to get into the festive spirit.  With this in mind, Augusta’s Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre, located in Fort Gordon’s Performing Arts Center, is showing the holiday-themed play “Dashing Through the Snow.”  The seasonal play covers the various comical hijinks that occur at a country inn in Texas.  Those wishing to see the show should consider the following information:

• Showing times are at:  8PM on December 11th and 12th; and 3 PM on December 13th
• Regular ticket prices, including dinner and the show, are:  Civilians - $53; Retirees, Seniors (65 & Older), and Active-Duty Rank E-7 & Above - $50; and Active-Duty Rank E-6 & Below and Students with ID - $40
• Other ticket options include:  Coffee, Dessert, and Play - $35; and Play Only - $28
• For tickets and additional information, call 706-793-8552  

During this festive season, as we enjoy quality time with our families, remember to remain mindful of potential holiday-related fire dangers.  With that said, SERVPRO of Augusta South/Burke & Wilkes Counties provides highly effective fire and smoke odor remediation.  Call us anytime at (706) 843-1990 for assistance.

Our Professionals Help You Through the Process of Cleaning After Thomson Fire

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

Crews begin cleaning this home's ceiling of soot after a kitchen stovetop fire.

After a house fire, you may find yourself needing help from a professional cleanup and restoration company like SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties. Our franchise is experienced in Fire & Water Cleanup. We specialize in assuring that the home or business and its contents are restored to preloss condition.

Seasonal Fires

The Winter months bring an increased risk to home and business owners. Fires more than likely start in the kitchen or from stoves and fireplaces. Learn More from the American Red Cross Here. Keeping yourself informed is the best way to protect yourself from devastating fires. Reacting quickly and accepting aid from your city’s American Red Cross division are helpful tools. Additionally, connecting yourself with a local restoration franchise can be helpful, SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties.

Being Aware of Soot and Fire Damage

After SERVPRO® arriving and inspecting your property affected from fire damage, our professionals can identify your needs and explain the process on cleaning. Damaged items can often be cleaned by SERVPRO® crews on-site or brought to our warehouse for cleaning and safe storage. Many property owners that have experienced a small fire may not see soot damage unless surfaces are wiped. After wiping, they can easily spot all affected areas needed to be cleaned. Through working with your insurance, SERVPRO® guarantees our process of cleaning can bring your property to preloss condition and rid it of soot and smoke debris and smell.

Wash, Rinse, Dry

SERVPRO® has many methods for cleaning property affected by fires in Thomson, one of which is the washing, rinsing, and drying method. Wash is to take SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties produced products and wash the walls from top to bottom. Once “washed,” we use a secondary SERVPRO® product to “Rinse” the wall of the previous products from top to bottom, and lastly take a dry cloth to dry the wall to prepare the wall for fresh paint.

Does your Thomson home have the lingering smell of soot or smoke from a fire? Call us today to get professional help or visit our website for a consultation.

Experience One of Grovetown’s Most Popular Holiday Traditions.

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

Come to See Grovetown’s 46th Annual Holiday Parade.

One of Grovetown’s most enduring traditions is its yearly holiday parade.  It is such a long-lasting part of the local community, in fact, that 2020 marks the forty-sixth year the event has taken place.  The parade features, among other things, marching bands, holiday-themed floats, and a special appearance by Santa.  If you plan to come and watch the festive spectacle, remember the following information:

• The event starts on Saturday, December 5th at 10 AM and continues until 12 PM
• It begins at the Grovetown Campus of Augusta Tech, located at 3500 John Huffman Way
• The parade follows the same route it has for the past three years; from Augusta Tech, it goes down Horizon South Parkway, turns right onto Wrightsboro Road, and ends at the Walmart Neighborhood Market

Your helpful neighborhood SERVPRO of Augusta South/Burke & Wilkes Counties is proud to announce this fun, family-friendly event.  Also, as a fellow local business, we would like to remind you to remain vigilant against potential water-related issues.  With that said, we are always here to help if you ever need water damage restoration work done.  Call us anytime at  (706)-843-1990.

The Augusta Area is Especially Prone to Flooding

11/28/2020 (Permalink)

Since its Founding, Augusta has Suffered Several Serious Flooding Events

Augusta’s location on the Savannah River has been both a blessing and a curse since its founding.  The river the “Garden City” is situated on, along with the Georgia Railroad, has given it easy access to both the continent’s interior and the East Coast, making it a crucial transport point.  This waterway has also provided the necessary resources to fuel the community’s industrial development and economic growth.  As a result of all this, by the mid-1800s, Augusta had become one of the most important urban centers in the American South.  At the same time, though, the river has often represented a major source of economic loss.  Both the region’s particularly heavy rainfalls and the city’s specific location on the waterway have made it especially prone to catastrophic flooding.            

The Benefits of Being on the Savannah River

Initially, the easy access the river provided to coastal shipping at Savannah made Augusta a transportation hub for area agricultural products.  Then, in 1845, the city’s regional importance was greatly enhanced by the establishment of the Augusta Canal and opening of the Georgia Railroad.  These two major developments transformed the community into a burgeoning southern industrial and transportation center.  The canal facilitated commercial travel around the local falls and powered several mills, factories, and war industries during the Civil War.  At the same time, the railroad effectively linked the city, via the Tennessee River, to the Mississippi River.  This all made transporting goods from America’s interior, through Augusta, to the East Coast much more efficient and cost-effective.

The Hardships Caused by the River

Georgia’s second-largest city, Augusta, is prone to severe flooding because of its location.  It is situated on the Savannah River at the Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line, where the more elevated Piedmont region meets the Atlantic Coastal Plain.  So, whenever storms hit, all excess upland water rapidly drains down onto our prosperous community below.  The effects of this unfortunate positioning are only exacerbated by the fact that the river drains an area with some of the heaviest rainfalls in North America.  Heavy springtime rains and those from tropical storms and hurricanes, which move up the Atlantic Coast between June and November 30th, are often the culprits of our serious floods.  As a consequence of these often unpredictable deluges, local residents and business owners often suffer substantial losses.           

Tips for Mitigating Potential Losses Before a Flood Occurs

Although the Augusta area is more vulnerable to flooding than other places, there are effective ways to limit your risks of suffering catastrophic damage.  While some of these may seem obvious, there are others you may not have considered.  The following is a brief list of measures you can take before flooding occurs to mitigate potential losses:

• Find out what your property insurance policy covers and if it does not cover flood damage, buy additional flood insurance
• Keep valuables and insurance policies in a bank safe deposit box or at a secured storage site away from your residence  
• Locate electric panels, furnaces, water heaters, and other appliances in higher parts of your home that are unlikely to be flooded
• Move expensive rugs, furniture, and other valuable items to higher floors of your house
• Place sandbags around the perimeter of your property to divert floodwaters away from it
• Watch weather forecasts, know essential storm-related terminology, and have all your preparations completed before storms arrive

In each of these ways, you can often safeguard your property and gain some peace of mind in the face of potential flood-related disasters.

What to Do During a Flood

As floods are occurring, it is paramount that you remain both calm and alert.  Although natural disasters can be quite traumatic, you need to remain calm so you can successfully work through various related problems as they arise.  At the same time, you need to remain ever aware of your situation as it unfolds.  Here are some tips for avoiding flood hazards:

• Vigilantly monitor emergency information sources like NOAA Weather Radio, local radio and TV stations, and the Ready Georgia app
• Stay away from downed power lines
• Never drive around barricades or through standing water
• Avoid all contact with floodwaters
• Follow the instructions of local officials

If followed, this advice should help keep you safe during a flooding event.

What to Do After Floodwaters Have Receded

After floodwaters recede, it is important that you:

• Not return home until authorities say it is safe
• Contact a reputable flood damage cleanup & repair service as soon as possible
• Stay out of rooms with weakened floors or sagging ceilings
• Refrain from drinking your home’s tap water

With all that said, your local SERVPRO of Augusta South/Burke & Wilkes Counties is always here to help you recover from flood damage.  Call us anytime at (706) 843-1990.

How is SERVPRO Different from Other Augusta Flood Damage Remediation Services?

While there are several flood damage cleanup and restoration companies in Augusta, few have the expertise or specialized high-tech equipment that SERVPRO does.  It is both of these superior attributes that enable our company to go above and beyond what other services can do.  Our specific training and gear include:

• Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training
• Technicians individually trained and certified in Applied Structural Drying, Applied Microbial Remediation, Water Damage Restoration, and Odor Control
• State-of-the-art water extraction, drying, microbe-eliminating, and odor-neutralizing equipment and chemicals, including:  powerful water extractors; wet vacs; air movers; high-velocity box fans; various kinds of dehumidifiers; Injectidry systems; thermal and ultra-low volume foggers; and a wide array of commercial-grade disinfectants and antimicrobials

Utilizing all of these cutting edge resources, SERVPRO of Augusta South/Burke & Wilkes Counties is usually able to successfully remediate your flood damage and return your home to its pre-flood condition in record time.  So, whenever you are faced with flood-related issues of any magnitude, remember that there is a high-quality neighborhood service that is always ready to help you.  Call us anytime, day or night, at (706)-843-1990 for assistance.

Race Other Teams in a Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Augusta

11/27/2020 (Permalink)

A Self-Guided Learning Tour That Combines Adventure and a Scavenger Hunt for Augusta Residents

Spending time outdoors can be a great way to enjoy the sights and sounds of Augusta. However, wandering randomly around might not be the most satisfactory way to do it. Moving around doing challenging yet fun activities is likely to make the experience more memorable. You can take part in the Puzzling Adventures™ on November 21st or other convenient dates since it is a self-guided tour. The event features different locations and puzzles. It is perfect for almost everyone, including old and young people. You can participate individually or in a group.

The event is exciting because:

• Participants can create teams and race each other
• It is a self-guided tour, so participants can choose when to participate and where to start the adventure. Most starting points are located in or near a parking garage for maximum convenience
• The adventures are made to be stroller or wheelchair friendly and are crafted to be both entertaining and informative

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties helps Augusta homeowners complete fire restoration conveniently. We also provide useful information that can help limit secondary damages. Call us at (706) 843-1990.

Home Lesson to Move You from Zero Investment to Real Estate Success in Augusta

11/12/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready to assist you and your multiple properties.

Augusta Entrepreneurs Can Learn Great Tips to Invest Locally or Nationwide

Investing in properties is one way to secure a better financial future if done correctly. It is also a realistic way of breaking from the limitations of a W2 job. Various obstacles like limited cash and lack or overload of information prevent most people from taking the plunge. Taking part in the webinar dubbed Wholesaling Real Estate in Augusta, GA, can help you clear any doubts you may have on whether real estate is for you. 

It is a free event that can benefit you in different ways, including:

• Revealing proven strategies that you can use in any part of the country
• Showing you tax code write-off's real estate offers you
• Showing you ways to start with minimal capital

The webinar is suitable for those new to real estate. It is also helpful for those with some experience and wants to move to the next level. You can follow the webinar on your phone or computer, starting from 7 AM on November 18th, 2020.

If you own several properties, you can count on SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties to help you manage water damage should your Augusta properties be affected. Call us at (706) 843-1990.

Have Storm Damage in Thomson? We Can Help!

11/6/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties are ready to serve you should you experience storm damage in Thomson

Assessing Damage to Your Thomson Home or Business

Storms may not produce a large amount of rain; however, wind damage may be enough to affect your home and cause water damage. High winds can lift shingles, and when combined with wind driven rain could mean roof leaks. Water leaks from roof damage may hide in attic cavities that you may not initially see. Spotting weak areas on your home or businesses roof can mean the difference between identifying issues then fixing it quickly, or extensive damage. Call SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties experts to be your guide on assessing damage and restoring your Thomson home from water damage. We can search with you to identify leaks, areas of concern, assess vents and fans that may be prone to leaks, and windows. All of these could pose a potential problem for leaks from storms.

Preventing Damage to Your Home

You cannot completely protect your home from storm damage, but you can take preventative measures. After a storm rolls through your area, you could experience damage to your home or business from flooding or wind damage. Wind damage and storm damage can occur sometimes simultaneously. One step towards creating a safer environment is to relocate or rid the area of loose debris that could harm windows, exterior, and roof.

Pro Tip: Thomson homes at risk for storm damage may need to store away their outdoor furniture and potted plants when expecting strong winds.

Restoring Your Home or Business with SERVPRO

Our processes for approaching a water loss is first, timeliness. We work with a 1-4-8 System, with connecting with you in less than an hour. Reporting to the loss site within 4 hours to arrive on site to start the restoration process through extracting’, setting equipment, and other necessary first-steps. After on-site arrival, 8-hours to communicate with your insurance company and receive a verbal briefing for scope of storm damage help Thomson work.

Pro Tip: Visit the NOAA webpage to get further information about future threatening weather and protecting your home or business.

Need help from SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties? Call us at 706-843-1990

Are Homes Total Losses After Flood Damages?

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

We understand how seriously flood water can impact your home. No matter when you make the call, we have technicians who can assist you.

Natural flooding can be devastating for Grovetown homes, but our SERVPRO professionals can protect whatever possible. 

When natural flooding occurs in Grovetown homes, it can be devastating for the structure and its occupants. With severe weather concerns common to the area, multiple families can get impacted by a singular natural disaster. With the likelihood of storm and flood damages throughout the region, we have a growing roster of experienced technicians ready to mobilize quickly when these disasters damage your house. 

Because flood damage in Grovetown homes impacts so many areas of the property, multiple emergency services must begin as soon as our SERVPRO team arrives. Our rapid response technicians can work through several initial tasks that employ both our Water Restoration Technicians (WRT) and a group with building experience. These these professionals can help to reduce the devastation of natural flooding in the property in several areas, including: 

• Temporary Construction - Techs can utilize their expertise to identify structural concerns and address these situations immediately. Vulnerabilities in the exterior of the house can lead to continued flood damages. Board up and tarping are standard temporary solutions to these vulnerabilities. 

• Debris Removal – Debris, solids, organic matter, and mud can all get brought in with rising water levels and conditions like flash flooding. Removing these concerns through muck-out cleaning reduces concentrations of foul odors and potential contaminants. 

• Extraction – Our water restorers must deploy several powerful tools in our inventory if pooling water does remain. Mismanaged pooling can result in oversaturation of exposed materials and greater needs for tear-out and build back. We use our industry-leading inventory to manage standing water concerns in the property. 

• Controlled Demolition – Our team must determine what materials and structural elements have become too severely impacted to preserve. Sagging and deteriorating surfaces require removal and discarding for safe restoration in the house. 

• Content Recovery – Identifying damage to personal belongings, furniture, and other contents is vital in cleaning and recovering these items. Through on-site cleaning and off-site restoration solutions, we can salvage what matters most to you. 

Can Relocating Damaged Belongings Help? 

The management and inventory of damaged contents in your flooded home can reduce the overall loss for customers. Because so many homeowners have one-of-a-kind treasures and keepsakes, not everything has a monetary value for replacement. We emphasize content management through relocating at-risk items upon arrival. When moved to our nearby SERVPRO facility, our cleaning technicians can offer several techniques to return these items to preloss condition, including: 

• Cleaning – Surface cleaning strategies employ several abrasive and agitative methods ranging from brushes to media blasting. We can remove soils and residues to restore the vibrancy of your belongings. 

• Deodorization – Flooding introduces decaying matter, sewage, and other substances into your home and to its contents. Time spent in the ozone chamber can neutralize harsh odors trapped in porous contents. 

• Storage – With a climate-controlled facility, we can keep your belongings safe from the elements for days or months, depending on how complex and involved the restoration and recovery process is for your flood-damaged home. 

How Can SERVPRO Prevent the Spread of Water Damage? 

• Water Removal – Removing surface water is among the first logical steps in slowing the spread of flood damage throughout a property. Using various extraction methods ranging from submersible pumps to wet vacuums, we can prepare the property for cleaning and drying to come. 

• Drying – Multiple tools play a role in moisture management and drying after a flood. Because oversaturation can be such a concern, controlled demolition must often precede the placement of air movers and dehumidification tools. 

• Containment – By installing wood framing covered with thick poly-sheeting, we can establish clear drying zones. With these areas enclosed, regulating airflow, temperature, and humidity become easier. 

• Monitoring – Using sophisticated tools and technologies, our professionals can monitor moisture pockets and the progression of drying practices in a home after a flood. By understanding a migration path, we can stop the spread and manage moisture concerns.

How Long Will Flood Restoration Take? 

There is no singular timeline for flood restoration and recovery. With our SERVPRO team's fast response to post-disaster cleanup, we can begin mitigation actions to reduce total restoration times and possible losses. Because each situation is unique, some homes suffer more significant exposure to potential contaminants and bacteria after flooding than others. Between controlled demolition and reconstruction necessary in these cases, a property's overall recovery time could extend. 

Specific practices implemented at the right times can be time and money-saving actions for customers. Mitigation is an entire phase of water and flood restoration devoted exclusively to reducing overall property loss through swift actions that lessen the severity of specific conditions. SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties (706) 843-1990.

How SERVPRO Products Provide Thomson Fire Damage Help

10/29/2020 (Permalink)

These 3 SERVPRO of Augusta South products are frequently used to restore your home after a fire, often helping to prepare walls for fresh paint.

Benefits to Using SERVPRO Products

SERVPRO of Augusta South understands that fire damage can at times be a traumatic experience. Let the professionals protect one of your most valuable assets, your home. After SERVPRO of Augusta South professionals determine the level of severity of a fire loss at your home, crews will arrive on site equipped with SERVPRO-made products to restore your home to preloss condition.

Products SERVPRO crews utilize for cleaning your homes structure and contents:

• SERVPRO Wall and All Plus #352
  • This product is a boosted chemical ideal for washing your homes walls from soot and grime, while retaining the walls integrity.

• SERVPRO Fire Star #356
  • Fire Star product is noted to be one of strongest cleaners on the market. It is designed and tested primarily for the removal of heavy smoke damage from metal and painted surfaces.

• SERVPRO Industrial Cleaner #357
  • The SERVPRO Industrial Cleaner is excellent for removing heavy grease and soils. This product is primarily used for carpet cleaning for restorative purposes from fire damage.

These three products are the most frequently used chemicals by SERVPRO of Augusta South crews for use at a fire loss. Each product has a unique purpose for cleaning your home from fire damage. SERVPRO products have been created, tested, and distributed for cleaning to “prepare for painting.” These products of cleaning help to deodorize and ensure that new paint will adhere properly to the surfaces.

SERVPRO of Augusta South professionals are extensively trained and certified using SERVPRO-produced products and are very familiar with like-branded products. You can feel confident knowing that SERVPRO crews have the knowledge base of when and how to use these products and will use these practices to restore your home after a Thomson fire.

Do you need fire damage help Thomson? Let us help you begin to restore your home and life. Call us, SERVPRO of Augusta South at (706) 843-1990

What are the Main Threats of Mold Growth in an Augusta School Dorm?

10/25/2020 (Permalink)

Mold damage to your campus needs to be handled quickly. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for professional remediation and mitigation services.

Augusta has many institutions that can become threatened by microbial growth.

With prestigious institutions throughout Augusta such as Paine College and Augusta University, thousands of students must make use of available room and board at these campuses every year. With mismanaged water losses and being an active area for storm and flood losses, dorms can be at risk for destructive forces like microbial growth.

When you consider the necessary steps for mold removal in Augusta campus structures, you can realize that professional remediation has specific focuses to address active colonization. The removal of all mold is impossible, as spores exist naturally in nearly every environment waiting for the ideal moisture and temperature conditions to seat and grow. Once colonization begins, there are three primary obstacles for our remediation specialists, including:

• Volatile Organic Compounds – Perhaps one of the most hazardous aspects of mold growth in a dorm is the health effects that this organism can present to those exposed. 
• Structural Deterioration – With housing for hundreds of co-eds in one building, spreading mold organisms can have a widespread impact on structural integrity. This can displace many students. 
• Harsh Musty Odors – While you might be able to manage surface mold concerns quickly, deodorization is necessary to control the musty odors that colonies can generate. 

How Can the Spread of Mold Colonies Get Limited in the Structure?

Containment is a vital effort when our remediators first arrive. With physical barriers created with plastic sheeting and wood frames to applying negative air chambers, we can limit active colonization in the dorm. 

Without immediate action from competent professionals, mold and microbial growth can spread quickly and unabated in campus structures. Our SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties team can help with experience and a fast response when you call (706) 843-1990.

Click here for more information about Augusta.

SERVPRO Can Help You Take Control After Fire Damage

10/20/2020 (Permalink)

A large electrical fire spread through this beautiful custom-built home’s attic, causing severe fire damage.

Don’t Let a House Fire Damage Take Control of Your Life

Because a Grovetown house fire can be a traumatic experience and varies in levels of severity, it is vitally important to select the right fire restoration company to carry you through the entire delicate process. SERVPRO does just that. With certified crew chiefs and technicians, advanced equipment, and processes for restoring your home after a fire incident, SERVPRO is always ready to serve you.

The SERVPRO Difference in Fire Damage Help

We SERVPRO professionals’ hand-carry our client’s through the entire fire damage restoration process and make performing excellent customer service a priority. We exceed customer service standards through the following:

• Conducting Expert, Thorough Inspections
• Communicating Openly with Our Clients
• Minimizing the Extent of the Loss
• Using our “Restoring vs. Replacing” Mentality
• Promptly Identifying Restorable Items
• Producing Quality Restoration

For fire damage restoration, we follow a 1-4-8 process for timeliness in responding to your needs.

1-Hour to respond to your needs and assure that help is on the way; 4-Hours from the notice of loss to be on-site and start restoration services, and 8-Hours to verbally brief the appropriate party of the scope of work to be conducted to restore your Grovetown home to preloss condition. We offer pretesting of restorability from your fire damaged contents, as well as deodorizing your home after fire damage and soot have overtaken your home.

Using Local Resources for Fire Prevention

Local Grovetown Fire Departments have taken the initiative to educate the Grovetown community about fire prevention tips for Fire Prevention Week 2020. In addition, the Red Cross provides expert information about Grovetown house fire prevention that you could find useful. Click Here to Learn More about house fire prevention, and tips to lower the negative impact a fire could have on you, your family, and your home.

Need Help? Have Questions?

SERVPRO of Augusta is available 24/7 for fire damage help. Call us at (706) 843-1990 to be on your way to having your home restored quickly!

What Other Damage Should Clients Be Concerned About Besides Damage from the Fire?

10/15/2020 (Permalink)

There are many concerns when you have a fire damage, let SERVPRO ease your mind.

There are Many Items to Be Concerned About After Your Thompson Fire Damage. 

Whenever there is a fire, most clients are naturally concerned about the fire's damage in their Thomson homes. Depending on the fire's location and how quickly the fire was brought under control by the fire department, there can be secondary damage as well.

SERVPRO has over 150 years of experience providing fire restoration services to Thompson area residents and business owners. We also offer water and storm-related services to our clients. Whenever there is a fire, the damage from the fire can be extensive. However, there can also be secondary damage that must be considered in restoration plans.

Potential secondary damage, in addition to burning, scorching, and melting, can include the following:

• Water damage
• Mold growth and removal
• Smoke odor throughout the home
• General cleaning required to remove soot distribution throughout the home

Our fire restoration team can assess the damage after the fire is contained and provide an estimate regarding the restoration required to return your home to its original condition, "Like it never even happened."

What Are the High Priority Items Clients Should Remove from Their Home After a Fire?

Fleeing a fire is always the highest priority to keep everyone safe and unharmed. However, there are several items most people are going to need after the fire. The fire department can determine if it is safe to re-enter the home to retrieve important documents and other items you may need. SERVPRO can also assist our clients in recovering anything they may need. For example, the following are often on a clients list:

• Identification – driver's license, passports, health cards, credit cards
• Insurance documents, home title or deed information
• Phone numbers for contacts – personal and utility
• Records for prescriptions and account information for banks
• Unique items for children and anyone with health issues
• Pets and any items needed for your pet, including food and medicine

Call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties (706) 843-1990 to help with the fire restoration of your home.

What Do Business Owners Need to Remove Water in Their Facilities?

9/24/2020 (Permalink)

For Fast Water Damage Mitigation--Call SERVPRO in Grovetown--We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Grovetown Business Owners Need Professional Restoration from SERVPRO

What Are the Initial Actions Needed to Clear Out a Commercial Operation?

On arrival to any Grovetown business, SERVPRO begins with the following steps:

• Shut down the water if not yet accomplished.
• Quickly inspect the building to determine the most impacted areas.
• Remove standing water with large pumps and commercial-grade extraction wands.
• Open all windows and doors possible to increase natural air circulation and evaporation (weather permitting), then augment both using a series of air movers throughout the structure and dehumidifiers in areas with the high humidity levels.

How Quickly Can Restoration Teams Remove the Water?

The speed of commercial water removal in Grovetown businesses depends primarily on the size of the facility and how much water is trapped inside. For example, a light industry facility may have less than an inch over the floor, but the large size of the building requires additional time to make certain every square foot is taken care of professionally.

The extra steps needed for residential carpets, however, are not needed for most business operations. Even in office settings, commercial carpeting does not have a pad underneath that quickly absorbs water. That allows our restoration specialists to avoid spending the time needed for lifting the carpet, removing the pad, and then drying both the carpet and the floor underneath.

What If Some of the Water Came Out of a Backed-up Sewer Line?

If this happens, restoration specialists spray a powerful anti-bacterial cleaner over any standing water, pools, and affected surfaces. After removing the water, they spray the now exposed surfaces again before removing the non-salvageable contaminated carpeting.

To learn more about SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties commercial restoration efforts, call (706) 843-1990 today. We are here to help you reopen for business as quickly and safely as possible.

Can SERVPRO Stop Color Bleeding On Rugs During Water Removal?

9/14/2020 (Permalink)

Thomson Homeowners Do Not Want To Replace Rugs After Water Removal.

A rug is an excellent accessory in any Thomson home. From traditional-style rugs, like Grandma might have to fun and colorful rag rugs, a floor covering can make a difference to your home's atmosphere.

Unfortunately, rugs are among the items that can get damaged during a water incident. Whether the water is from inclement weather or an indoor leak, it is disheartening to see your possessions soaked. People who need water removal in Thomson want to know that the remediation team will take good care of their belongings.

Will I have to replace my rug after water removal?

Every water removal situation is individual. However, SERVPRO of August South / Burke & Wilkes Counties emphasizes restoration over replacement. We understand that you don't want to trash your prized possessions, nor do you want to spend more money than necessary.

There are cases where it is impossible to save rugs, such as floods, where raw sewage is present. However, we can clean, dry, and restore your favorite floor coverings in many cases, leaving them, "Like it never even happened."

When should I call SERVPRO?

Call us as soon as you find a leak or flood in your home. No job is too big or too small for our teams, and it is better to call sooner rather than later. The longer you leave water standing, the greater the risk of fungal growth, and the less chance we have to save your belongings. We are available 24/7, so do not wait.

 Is there anything I can do while I wait for SERVPRO?

If it is safe for you to do so, we recommend:

• Removing books, magazines, or any other colored objects from wet rugs as these can cause staining
• Placing wooden blocks or squares of aluminum foil under wooden furniture legs to protect against rust stains
• Moving the rug away from the wet carpet beneath

You can also mop or blot up excess water from the rug or carpet's surface, but please do not attempt to use a household vacuum or any other electronic device. Only carry out these tasks if the room is safe for you to enter with no sagging ceilings or other visible risks.

How does SERVPRO extract the water?

The first step in saving your rug is to extract water from the rug and the carpet or floor beneath it. Our technicians use a range of extraction tools, including:

• Free-standing pumps which are portable and can be used throughout your home providing there is a source of electricity
• Truck-mounted pumps which are suitable for larger volumes of water or where there is not a source of electricity (because they run off the truck's fuel)
• Light wands which are ideal for removing water from the surface of glued-down carpet
• Self-propelled and stationary extraction tools to pull water out of the carpet

What can you do to stop color bleeding?

We make sure your rug is clear of any colored items that could spread pigment onto it, and we keep it away from furniture that could stain it. We removed water consistently and evenly, to protect the rug and leave the pile undamaged. 

We train our technicians to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards, so you can rest assured they are up to date on the latest industry techniques for water removal and remediation.

What about cleaning my rugs?

Our teams can certainly help you with cleaning. Before we clean, we carry out a series of tests to determine: 

• The type of fibers
• The colorfastness of the rug
• The type and level of soiling
• Any pre-existing stains or damage and how they might affect cleaning

We test for color bleeding on multi-colored rugs. We try an inconspicuous area and watch for bleeding, including color running at the end of drying, as some color does not run until the fiber is nearly dry. We test every color in the rug before commencing the next stage.

If the rug is one color, we test for color loss before we clean.

Can you help with drying too?

Yes, once the rug is clean, we dry it. We have air movers, portable heaters, and dehumidifiers on hand to hasten drying. We can also hang the carpet to let air circulate and encourage it to dry faster. If you are concerned about lingering damp smells, we can apply deodorizing products to the rug, and we can also use air scrubbers to clean the air in the room.

If you are concerned about your rugs getting water damaged, call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990.

We Are Knee-Deep in Floodwater -- Who Can Help Remove It Fast in Augusta?

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

Post-Storm Floodwater Removal in Augusta Completes Quickly When SERVPRO Arrives with a Trained Team and the Appropriate Equipment

Torrential rains sweep and train across Georgia toward Augusta, fueled by different extreme weather systems, including hurricanes, tropical storms, and tropical depressions. When several inches of rain falls during a short period, the ground cannot absorb the moisture fast enough. Saturated landscaping near your foundation and the potential for overland floods combine to confront you with several inches of contaminated fluids in your lowest levels.

Is It Important to Remove Flood Waters Promptly?
Floodwater removal in your Augusta home is an urgent matter. The need for speed raises your stress levels because no homeowner is ready to rid a property of significant amounts of excess water without professional help. Why is it critical to prioritize water removal?

    •    Water is a corrosive substance, rapidly causing the swelling and distortion or break down of many common building materials including:
    -Drywall
    -Insulation
    -Laminate flooring
    -Unfinished wood (subfloors and framing)
    -Metals
    -Ceiling tiles
    •    Water also contributes to mold growth. Moisture left unabated for 24 to 48 hours can incubate a nasty mold infestation.
    •    Floodwater is nearly always contaminated with chemicals, organic debris, and sewage backup. Human pathogens in the sewage can place your family at risk of grave illness.

What Can I Expect from Professional Floodwater Removal Services?
SERVPRO proudly proclaims: We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster. Our rapid response means our trained technicians are on-site within hours with all the floodwater extraction and containment equipment on hand in our signature green trucks. Pumps and truck-mounted extractors make short work of flooding, and out portable units permit technicians flexibility needed to enter and remove water in tight spaces.

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties gains your confidence with our prompt and well-prepared crews and inventory of commercial-grade flood removal equipment. Call (706) 843-1990 to set up an appointment now.

Who Should I Call to Clean Up and Restore My Flood-Damaged Home?

8/25/2020 (Permalink)

It doesn't take long for flooding to damage your home. Call SERVPRO for fast and complete remediation.

Your Best Choice Would Be to Contact a Reputable Augusta Flood Damage Remediation Service Like SERVPRO.

Every year, Augusta’s spring rains bring with them increased flooding risks.  The heavy rains swell the Savannah River and many nearby lakes and ponds.  Sometimes this excess water leads to troublesome flooding that affects area homeowners.  Whenever this nightmarish scenario does happen, it often suddenly, and without much forewarning, leaves residents with feet of standing floodwater in their homes and tens of thousands of dollars in damages. Floodwaters are generally contaminated with human and animal wastes, various carcasses, associated harmful microbes, and toxic chemicals, which must be quickly and professionally removed.   

Why Is Your Neighborhood SERVPRO a Good Flood Damage Cleanup and Restoration Company to Call?

There are several reasons why your local SERVPRO is an excellent Augusta flood damage remediation service.  These reasons include everything from our customer satisfaction ratings to our extensive industry training and experience.  Some of the many impressive characteristics of SERVPRO are:

• We have a perfect 5-star customer satisfaction rating on Google Reviews and Facebook.
• Our company’s specialty is water damage restoration, particularly that related to flooding.
• Combined, our technicians have more than 150 years of experience in the restoration industry and are knowledgeable in every aspect of it.
• We are an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-certified firm and the organization individually trains our professionals in every relevant cleaning and restoration topic.
• Our firm is locally owned and operated and has access to all the high-tech resources of a national network of over 1,700 franchises.
• We are centrally located in your area, offer fast 24-hour emergency service, and are ready to serve you 365 days a year.

These professional traits enable us to handle most flooding clean ups and restorations effectively and limit your damages and costs.  Since we are located near your residence, we can be on-site and start work more quickly, which allows us to employ temporary mitigation efforts, like boarding-up measures and tarping, sooner. 

What Specialized Training Do SERVPRO Technicians Have?

Company professionals are highly trained and take both in-house and IICRC courses.  They also periodically take continuing education classes to refresh their knowledge and skills.  Collectively, our technicians are certified by the IICRC in basically every flood damage remediation topic.  These certifications cover:

• Applied structural drying
• Applied microbial remediation
• Water damage restoration
• Odor control

Such credentials indicate our experts’ ability to successfully address and resolve any flood-related issues you may be experiencing.

How Does SERVPRO Clean Up and Restore My Flood-Damaged Home?

Our company is methodical and employs a well-planned, time-tested procedure for handling your flood damage in Augusta.  This procedure involves six steps that are initiated when you contact us for help.  When you call us, we ask you several questions to assess your situation and determine what resources and manpower are necessary to complete your job.  Then, generally, within four hours of your call, we inspect your property and assess its level of impact.  If possible, we attempt to locate floodwater entry points and prevent additional water from entering your home.  Our technicians also identify potential safety hazards, like lead and asbestos, and develop a plan of action to resolve your particular flooding issues.

Once our experts determine what needs to be done, they get to work removing standing water, drying your residence, disinfecting it, and neutralizing odors with commercial-grade disinfectants.  The third step in our six-step process is extracting standing floodwaters from your home.  Depending on the situation, we do this with truck-mounted and portable extractors, submersible pumps, and wet vacs.  Next, we dehumidify and dry your residence with the right ratio of state-of-the-art dehumidifiers-to-air blowers.  Once our drying goal has been met, company technicians further cleanse your home with disinfectants and deodorants dispersed via advanced foggers.  Finally, if necessary, we do restoration work like drywall installations, flooring repairs, painting, and room reconstructions.     

What Should I Do After a Flooding Event to Limit Damage?

In the aftermath of a flood, there are some key things you can do to limit related damage.  Once you have ensured there are no electrical issues and that your home’s power is turned off, you can do or avoid doing the following things to lessen the impact of flooding on your property:

• Remove loose objects from floors.
• Take colored rugs off your flooring.
• Put artworks in a dry, safe place.
• Remove wet fabrics from accessible surfaces around your residence.
• Refrain from attempting to use any electrical device in your home
• Stay out of rooms with sagging or buckling ceilings.

All these measures should help to limit your potential flood-related losses and make it easier for remediators to do their job when they arrive.

So, if you are ever unfortunate enough to experience the effects of flooding, call your friendly neighborhood SERVPRO of Augusta South/Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990 for help.

How Quickly Can Restoration Be Accomplished After a Fire?

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

You can count on our professionals with state of the art equipment to quickly restore your property so you can return safely after a fire incident.

SERVPRO Response Teams Can Speedily Restore Your Grovetown Residence.

Is Restoration One-Size-Fits-All, or is There a Plan Specific to my Home?

Grovetown fire damage restoration is different for each home, depending on what burned and the temperature of the fire. These two factors determine much of both the type and extent of the damage. Especially important for our response team leader is to determine which emergency services are needed for each structure. These include: 

• Board up damaged doors, windows, walls, and even the roof. This action preserves the home form trespassing, vandalism, weather, and intrusions from animals and insects.
• Remove water. Homes often have standing water left by fire-fighting efforts. Team members use extractors to draw out the water and install air movers and fans to dry property. 
• Establish electrical support. If the fire compromised residential power, team members bring in a portable generator from our equipment inventory for continuous, 24-hour power for light and heat.
• Begin deodorization. Fire odors can linger for weeks if untreated, so response teams remove all burned property from the home as quickly as possible to eliminate the source of these malodors. 

When Do Response Teams Begin Cleaning? 

Immediately. To help the homeowner in temporary quarters, our facility can wash and dry large amounts of clothing to remove one more concern off their list. Inside the home, initial efforts are to remove as much of the soot particles as possible to avoid further damage to property.

Is That Everything?

Each home has items that owners may need to send to an expert for cleaning, artwork, and electronics, for example. SERVPRO does not restore these items but can move them to an undamaged part of the home or transport them to our facility until the specialist can pick them up.

For more information on what SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties can do for your home, call us today at (706) 843-1990. We can build a plan for your home here, Augusta, or other towns in our area.  

Learn more about Grovetown.

Why Is Moisture Testing an Important Part of Mold Removal?

8/7/2020 (Permalink)

Moisture Testing Matters for Mold Removal in Augusta

Augusta homeowners want to keep their homes safe, healthy, and pleasant in which to live. A mold-free home is more delightful than one with spore growth and can even impact the sale price if you ever desire to move.

Those looking for mold removal in Augusta might not realize the importance of moisture testing, or why it is an integral part of the SERVPRO remediation process.

Why does moisture testing make a difference in mold removal?

Mold is microscopic and can thrive in any place with moisture, and a material it can use as food, such as fabric or drywall. That is why testing for the moisture is such a vital part of the mold removal process. If we only remove visible mold, we might miss hidden spots where colonies are growing or provide ripe breeding grounds for potential growth.

Moisture testing helps us draw up a thorough mold remediation plan that pays attention to hidden nooks and crannies.

What hidden places might need mold removal?

It is easy to see mold growth on walls or ceilings, but it can also grow:

• Under carpets
• On walls underneath paint or wallpaper
• In heating vents or HVAC systems
• Behind appliances
• Inside wall cavities or in drywall
• What methods of moisture testing are there?

Our teams use the following methods to test for dampness:

• Moisture sensors to test for moisture in carpets and padding or pooling on the floor below them
• Thermal imaging cameras to assess moisture in building materials
• Moisture meters can measure the actual level of moisture in materials such as wood
• Thermo-hygrometers measure humidity levels in the air

What does SERVPRO do with this information?

Our technicians use the recorded information to design the most effective mold removal plan for your property. With the information to hand, we can examine hidden areas and carry out mold remediation wherever necessary.

We also train our technicians to clean and dry materials wherever needed, using a range of cleaning methods, extractor fans, air movers, and dehumidifiers.

After completing the mold removal process, we use air scrubbers and deodorizing products to remove moldy smells and leave your home fresh.

If you are looking for effective mold treatment, call SERVPRO of August South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990.

More about Augusta.

Can A Home In Augusta Inventory Help If You Need Water Removal Services?

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

Home Inventory Matters For Augusta Homeowners Seeking Water Removal Services

Many people living in Augusta have experienced the frustration of water seeping onto a carpet or into an attic. There are lots of ways for water to enter your home, from broken gutters to leaking appliances, or even tree roots interfering with water lines.

When it comes to water removal in Augusta, residents are naturally worried about their precious possessions. Some items, such as family memorabilia, are irreplaceable, while others such as iPhones or iPads will not fare well if they get wet. Some furniture and clothing can be salvaged from water damage if you take action quickly enough.

How does a home inventory help?

For most homeowners, there comes the point where they have to liaise with their insurance provider about getting compensation for damaged goods. Having a home inventory helps immensely in the case of water removal. After all, if an insurance person asked you to list your possessions right now, could you do it? Most people cannot recall everything they own. A home inventory makes it easy to talk to insurers, and also helps you discuss the situation with the SERVPRO team when they arrive.

Keeping an inventory makes it much easier for you to assess what has been lost or damaged, and how much it was worth.

What should a home inventory include?

A home inventory is a list of everything in your home and its value (if you do not know the exact amount you can make an educated best guess.) For example, your list should include:

    •    All of your appliances including kitchen appliances, washers and dryers, and phones and tablets
    •    Your clothes and shoes and also accessories such as jewelry
    •    Entertainment items such as books and DVDs
    •    Personal items such as photo albums and keepsakes
    •    All your furniture

Do not forget about miscellaneous items such as knick-knacks, storage boxes, children's' toys, home office supplies, kitchen utensils, and anything stored in your attic or basement.

What is the best way to get started?

Making a full inventory can seem daunting, so we suggest you start small. Pick one single area of your home and begin there. For example, SERVPRO advises you to start with a kitchen cupboard, or a shelf in your closet, or a collection of similar items such as all your books.

If you pick one small area, you will finish it quickly, and that will motivate you to move on to the next area. You will have a full inventory before you know it!

What sort of information should I keep in the future?

It is a good idea to add new items to your inventory as soon as you purchase them. That way, you keep on top of your list and do not have to face adding scores of items at a time. When you buy a new thing for yourself or your home you should take note of:

    •    What you bought
    •    The make or brand, and the model if applicable
    •    How much you paid
    •    A description of the item
    •    The serial number if it's an electronic item

When you are completing your home inventory, try to add all of those details for the items you already own, to the best of your ability. When you purchase a new item, be sure to note down all these details in your inventory. The best way to store your list is in a spreadsheet on your computer or the cloud – keep regular backups that you can access even if something happens to your device.

Should I tell my SERVPRO technicians about my inventory?

Your inventory can help you communicate with your SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties team. If your SERVPRO technicians need to talk with your insurance adjuster, your inventory will help facilitate that conversation. If our team needs to work in a room with easily damaged items or electronics, your list can help us know what to look out for.

You can rest assured our team will be mindful of every item on your inventory. We use a range of extractors, wands, pumps, air movers, and dehumidifiers to remove water and dry your home and belongings. Every water removal project begins with an assessment of your home and the damage. Our team will put together a water removal plan that is perfectly suited to the situation.

If any of your belongings require further cleaning, you will be relieved to know that our teams have a wide range of spot cleaning solutions, extract and rinse technology, and foggers at their disposal. We remove water, dry out your home and belongings, and deodorize to get rid of any lingering damp smells and leave your house “Like it never even happened.”

If you need help with water removal, give SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties a call at (706) 843-1990.

How Do I Dry and Restore My Augusta Salon After a Water Leak?

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

A Leaking Sink Fixture can Damage Cabinetry, Flooring, and Other Exposed Materials in Your Salon  

With many of the stations in your Augusta salon featuring their sinks and respective fixtures, the possibility of an accident or natural deterioration of these elements is more likely than you might think. While you cannot account for the disasters that could occur, you can have a plan to resolve these situations as they happen. With the fast and confident response of our SERVPRO team, we can implement mitigation tactics as soon as we arrive to reduce the spread and severity of water loss incidents and reduce the destruction that migrating water can allow. 

There are situations where even our fast response does not negate the need for water damage repair in Augusta properties like yours. Because we have a group of in-house contractors that can restore your salon's look and feel after water emergencies, we can offer a comprehensive experience with every loss incident we address. Often with persistent leaks or breaks in fixtures, the immediate materials like cabinetry, countertops, drywall, and wood flooring can be sensitive to saturation. 

What Steps Are Necessary to Repair Damaged Engineered Wood Flooring?  

As with any wood flooring or other materials exposed to standing water or migrating moisture, we remove this dampness before demolition occurs. If structural deterioration has begun, drying the material is a wasted effort. If attempting moisture removal, there are specific tools that we will use in these situations: 

• Positive Pressure Systems
• Floor Mat Drying System
• Centrifugal Air Movers 

Removal of engineered wood flooring is only necessary for the areas where the worst damage has occurred. A thorough assessment of the flooring material can determine a dry line to note what portions of wood plank must get removed and later replaced after drying completes. 

Every water loss situation is different, so our SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties team responds quickly to reduce this threatening condition's spread and saturation. Contact us anytime you need us at (706) 843-1990. 

More about Augusta.

Are Professional Flooding Recovery Companies Looking Only for Big Jobs in Augusta?

7/17/2020 (Permalink)

Clients of Large Buildings and Small Condos Are Relieved when SERVPRO Arrives to Mitigate Local Augusta Area Flood Damage

SERVPRO Commits to Helping Augusta Residents Reaching Out to Our Team for Assistance with Flood Water Removal for Spaces Large and Small

When a storm rips through your Augusta neighborhood, yours might not be the only dwelling with weather-related flood damage. If you are concerned that we are likely to take a hard pass on your disaster in favor of more substantial jobs, never fear. We are a local disaster recovery firm with connections to a nationwide network of other restoration professionals. Our ability to scale up and down our response ensures we give your circumstances the attention needed to make it “Like it never even happened.”

How Can Flood Damage Response Be Streamlined?

One of the ways we can manage multiple flood water removal projects in Augusta is to send fully-stocked service vehicles to each site. Although every flooding disaster presents a bit differently, our training and experience permit us to predict with some accuracy what tools, products, and equipment will be needed for flooding extraction. Our project manager assesses the situation for safety issues. At the same time, our crews secure the building with boards and tarps if indicated by the severity of the damage and the need to protect the interior from the elements.

What Does Flood Water Removal Involve?

Once our manager has a firm grasp of the needs at your home, the SERVPRO crew receives direction to commence emergency services, including:

• Careful punching of holes or sawing of flood cuts to release hidden water located using moisture detectors and/or infrared imagery
• Pumping and extraction of the floodwaters into holding tanks for appropriate disposal
• Cleaning of soiled surfaces and disinfection with EPA-registered products
• Structural drying using data gathered from wet areas and dry materials in other areas of your home to set goals and monitor progress

The high-quality, scalable resources of SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties are on offer to all our customers, residential and commercial. Call (706) 843-1990 for an evaluation of your circumstances and an ongoing plan.

Fire Restoration Services in Augusta that You Can Count On

6/28/2020 (Permalink)

Your fire damage is no match for our skilled team at SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties.

Calling SERVPRO to Your Augusta Home Puts Skilled Fire Damage Technicians On the Scene and Ready to Work

Fire is undoubtedly a devastating force, which leaves behind a mass of charred debris and damaged belongings. Having a fire in your home might be a significant blow, but it does not have to be a lost cause. Calling in the help of trained and IICRC-certified technicians to your Augusta home gives you the prompt, professional service that you deserve. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, and we are ready to help you overcome the devastation with our proven methods.

What Happens After the Fire is Out?

No matter how the blaze started, once the flames get extinguished, you need the first responders to deem it safe for entry. Once called, our team will come to your property to assess your fire damage in Augusta so that we can put a detailed plan in place. Even though everything might feel overwhelming, know that our team of professionals has been through training to work fast so that we can restore your home to the way that it used to be before the fire.

Our SERVPRO team follows guidelines for the major principles of cleaning up after a fire, including:

•    Inspection of the fire-loss zone: Our crew begins where the fire originated and then moves through the interior to see how far the smoke and soot traveled.
•    Identification of residues within the home: One property can contain a variety of residues. Because of this, our restoration team selects the best products and cleaning methods to remove each residue present
•    Determination of what surfaces need attention: Each surface impacted during a fire event must be treated according to which products and techniques are safest to use. Our skilled technicians work carefully to preserve every surface. However, some materials may be unsalvageable due to the level of damage or the inability to handle the cleaning process.

There are different elements of cleaning (TACT) that go into cleaning your interior after a fire. Several areas that we look at so that we can effectively remove residue include:

•    Temperature
•    Agitation
•    Chemical Action
•    Time

There will be several challenges throughout the cleaning process due to the manner that heat from the flames, moisture, oxygen, and gases mingle to create smoke residue. The materials that burned will also play a major role in how our crew proceeds. Our methods and planning allow us to adjust so that we can approach your fire damage project in the efficient and quickest way.

What Methods are Used for Cleaning?

Some of the soiling throughout your interior after a fire may be water-soluble, yet others will require cleaning using solvent-based products. It is essential that we also consider the surface material, as some may become damaged by solvents or water.

The three steps that we use are:

•    Washing – We may apply cleaning agents to the surface with agitation to penetrate the soiled area to facilitate removal.
•    Rinsing – Residues are then rinsed away with a cleaning solution. This step is dependent on factors like airflow, pressure, agitation, and others for material penetration and extraction.
•    Drying – Any leftover moisture and leftover residue get removed while heat, airflow, and low humidity help ramp up drying times. We use equipment such as fans and air movers to create natural air movement throughout the loss zone.

Some items benefit from immersion cleaning techniques. During this process, materials get immersed in a specialized cleaning agent. A technician controls the temperature and the amount of the cleaning product, along with the length of time that the material gets fully immersed.

We also have ultrasonic cleaning, which is a process using sound waves to put out millions of tiny vapor bubbles. As the bubbles collapse, they make the residue easier to remove.

What About these Foul Odors?

Our goal with any fire damage project is to ensure that we leave your interior “Like it never even happened.” In order to do so, we use a broad range of EPA-registered cleaning and deodorizing agents. Some of the products that our Green Fleet comes stocked with includes:

•    Odor counteracting beads
•    Deodorant granules or pellets
•    Water-based odor counteractants
•    Water-based wet mist deodorizers
•    Solvent-based thermal fog deodorizers
•    Water-based thermal fog deodorizers
•    Sealers

In many fire loss events, our crew may have to use layers that include multiple deodorization techniques. Some odors within your home might call for direct spraying or fogging while others call for activated oxygen. We always take stock of the situation to adjust the equipment and products used to achieve our goals.

Your fire damage is no match for our skilled team at SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties. Give us a call at (706) 843-1990, and we have crews standing by for 24/7 emergency service.

What Should I Do if My Bathroom's Carpets Got Wet?

6/18/2020 (Permalink)

For Water Mitigation in Your Bathroom in Augusta Call SERVPRO.

Any of the rooms inside your Augusta home that have plumbing running in and out of them could suffer from a leak. Once H2O leaks from a pipe, it can follow gravity and affect your floors close to the source first.

What does water mitigation mean?

Water mitigation procedures in Augusta have to do with preventing further damage to the home as a result of the leak. For example, extracting your bathroom carpets and implementing rapid applied structural drying or ASD procedures can prevent further issues from occurring in your home.

What are water damage restoration services?

Restoration services have to do with repairing and restoring all of the problems that occurred as a result of the leak in your bathroom pipes. For instance, if your carpets got wet and its backing separated from its fibers or delaminated, then it would have to be removed and disposed of and then replaced at the end of the process.

What all takes place during the restoration and mitigation process?

Initial Inspection- The first step to the mitigation phase is to thoroughly inspect your entire property to figure out where the moisture went. We also take temperature and relative humidity readings to see if the environment is conducive to rapid drying.

Develop a Plan- Once we get moisture level reading, we then figure out what we can do to remove moisture from your structural components. If humidity levels are high, then we can set up more dehumidifiers. If the temperature is too low for drying, then we can turn the heat up in your building.

Dry Out The Structure and Restore Damaged Items- The main goal of the mitigation procedure is to remove moisture as quickly as possible so that no more issues arise. Once moisture levels are back to normal, we can then take steps to restore your home like re-install your carpets.

If the carpets in your bathroom ever get wet after a water leak, call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990 24/7.

Learn more about Augusta

What Is a Reputable Company to Call for Fire Restoration in Augusta?

6/11/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has well-qualified technicians and state-of-the-art products and equipment to restore your home and contents after a fire.

Industry-Leading Training and Equipment Are Why SERVPRO Is the Reliable Choice for Victims of Fire Damage in Augusta

The kitchen is the most common room in Augusta as the ignition site for a household fire. Residues produced by a kitchen fire are unique, usually consisting of dehydrated foods and cooking oils or grease rather than the ash or black soot seen with wood or electrical fires. As a coating, this protein-based residue is thin and nearly colorless, but tightly adhered. It also has a stench because of the chemical changes during the high heat, rendering the proteins and oils rancid.

How Can Workers Remove the Protein-Based Residue and Restore the Space?

Protein-based fire restoration in Augusta requires an analysis of the characteristics of the residues and the surfaces damaged. Because the soiling is oil-based, we need to match the residues with oil-based cleaners, often called solvents. The surfaces we consider for treatment with the solvent must be able to withstand the solution, so we pre-test to ensure soil loosens without unduly damaging the surface.

What Other Options Are Available?

The science concerning the chemical bond between the protein-based soot and the contents and structural components soiled is complicated, why SERVPRO sends our technicians through rigorous training at the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Our technicians consider the following when applying the elements of cleaning:

    •    Temperature
    •    Agitation
    •    Chemical Action
    •    Time

If the Chemical Action of the Solvent Alone Is Inadequate, What Can Be Done?

Our technicians manipulate other elements to try to achieve the desired breaking of the bond between the residues and surfaces. Dwell time adaptation is possible, although careful monitoring of the surface is mandatory to avoid damage. High temperatures might respark the fire, so we often look at increasing or modifying the agitation. Abrasive tools or additives can use mechanical impetus to loosen the grime. Loose objects can be placed in ultrasonic tanks at our production facility, permitting the powerful jets of bubbles and bursts of hot solution to dislodge the coating.

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties has well-qualified technicians and state-of-the-art products and equipment to restore your home and contents after a fire. Call us at (706) 843-1990 for an assessment.

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 South / Burke & Wilkes Counties today at (706) 843-1990 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.

How Can I Manage Water Damage at My Augusta Store To Limit Long-Term Inconveniences?

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

Augusta Commercial Properties Rely on SERVPRO's Advanced Equipment for Water Damage Mitigation

Your Local SERVPRO Can Tailor Solutions to Match the Problems You Encounter After Water Loss Incidents

A burst water pipe at your Atlanta clothing store can have severe implications, apart from leaving wet surfaces. If it is a specialty shop such as a military surplus store in the Augusta area, the problem is more complicated because many of the items in your stock are harder to replace should the water damage them severely. Even a minor issue such as unaddressed moisture remnants can worsen some characteristics associated with military surplus stores such as unusual odor.

What are the significant problems likely to affect my store after a water pipe bursts?

Water damage incidents in Augusta are usually unique depending on the circumstances of each loss, such as:

• The location of the breached pipe
• How long it takes to perform the restoration
• Whether it is a clean or greywater loss
• The type of materials affected

For a clothes store or other similar business, the loss is likely to be from a clean water pipe, so soiling is not likely to be a principal concern. However, most of the spaces around the store are likely to be packed with materials of a porous nature such as clothes, shoes, rucksacks, and other fabric materials.  Shelves, separation walls, and other structures are also likely to contain porous wooden materials and composites. From previous experiences, our SERVPRO technicians identify moisture management as the biggest headache that you are likely to face after a water loss incident at your shop.

How do I respond to a water spill to minimize long-term effects?

Several steps are necessary to control a water spill at your store. The most significant step is to stop the water source since the amount of water that flows into the facility can determine the level of damage you have to address. Stopping the water source may require a couple of steps.

• Shutting off the main supply line
• Opening some faucets to release water remaining in the pipes
• Sealing the leak point temporarily using rubber and a clamp

Once the water stops flowing, it is easier to focus on saving your valuables and structural components. If there are pools of water on the floor or other surfaces, extracting them fast can help positively change the course of the loss. Our SERVPRO crews can help with such extraction since we have many state-of-the-art water extractors, including truck-mounted ones, in case there is abundant water to remove.

Moving out the clothes, and other articles you have on display helps ensure a smoother restoration process. Many of the fabrics may be wet, especially if the burst pipe was in an elevated location, such as the ceiling. Improper handling during moving can lead to soiling or staining when different clothes mix. Our crews can help in separating the wet items from the dry ones. We also have materials such as plastic bags that can hold wet materials during transfer.

What happens when a pipe concealed behind a wall leaks?

In most cases, the burst pipes are hidden inside wall cavities or the ceiling. The water released affects surrounding materials such as drywall, ceiling tiles, and insulation. Performing controlled demolition helps in accessing the damaged pipe and removing wet materials. Our technicians have a variety of tools that make such demolition easier and safe.

Drying all affected materials can present several challenges. Taking too long creates an opportunity for mold development, yet some tasks such as drying concrete floors tend to be slow. Our SERVPRO technicians are certified in ASD, Applied Structural Drying, so we can use different approaches to expedite the process.

Concrete is naturally porous unless it is sealed, so it absorbs significant amounts of moisture, though slowly. If not properly dried, mold readily develops on its surface. Alternatively, it can release the moisture back into the air causing high humidity levels inside your store. Using advanced dehumidification systems such as desiccant dehumidifiers and regularly monitoring the drying process is one way our teams help you overcome obstacles such as drying wet concrete surfaces and other structural materials in your store.

What main factors influence moisture management?

When a professional team handles the restoration of your store after water damage, proper management, and adjustment of the drying process is possible depending on the perceived effectiveness. The main factors that influence the outcome include:

• The type of equipment used
• The placement of such equipment
• The amount of equipment used

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties can commit the necessary resources to restore your Grovetown or Thomson business to its preloss state after a water loss. Call us at (706) 843-1990. We're Faster to Any Size Disaster.

What Kind of Secondary Damage Can You Expect After a Delayed Response to Flood Damage?

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

Trust the experts at SERVPRO with your homes flood damage. We have the tools and knowledgeable technicians to get the job done.

SERVPRO’s Highly-Qualified Team Is Familiar with the Long-Term Consequences of Flood Damage in Augusta -- We Have the Resources to Respond Successfully

Although you would heed the advice to contact flood water removal professionals immediately and quite willingly if the emergency occurs when you are far from your Augusta home, following the recommendation is impossible. Whether the floodwaters are storm or rising-waterway related, when you return to a lower level full of silty, smelly fluids, you need help, not a lecture.

Why Is Rapid Removal of Flooding Best Practices?

When flood damage in Augusta ripens for hours or days before mitigation and remediation efforts begin, the consequences are largely predictable. The longer restoration efforts delay, the more profound the damage and higher the expense to effectuate solutions.

• Drywall wicks the floodwaters up above the flood line, exposing the building material to deterioration--swelling, bulging, crumbling.
• Laminate floors hold up poorly, the veneer separating from the base, ruining the materials.
• Carpeting and padding absorb the fluids, stretching, and weakening, increasing the risk of adhesive failure and delamination of fibers from the backing.
• Hardwood and subfloors, as well as wood framing and supports, begin to absorb the fluid, the processed, and unfinished wood products in the sublayers and framing faring worse because of the lack of relative density and protective finishes.
• Metal fasteners tarnish and rust. 
• Appliances and HVAC system housing might take on water and begin to corrode, while electronic or mechanical switches short out, an electric hazard created as well.
• Contents, including everything from furniture to documents and photos to clothing and household goods, become saturated and begin to disintegrate in many cases.

Is It Impossible to Recover When Water Removal and Drying Comes Late?

SERVPRO invests in both the best training and the most innovative and effective equipment. Our managers and technicians complete rigorous coursework developed by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), mastering strategies that can transform spaces devastated by even advanced flood damage back to preloss condition. Our equipment is specialized and powerful, able to extract copious amounts of water fast, and our drying inventory is capacious enough to provide the air movement, temperature adaptations, and dehumidification needed for any scale of damage.

What About the Unintended Outcomes of Delay--Secondary Damage?

You might be wondering if your entire home will need rebuilding after a tardy response to water damage. One of the considerations is that floodwaters are already evaluated as Category 3 water, the most contaminated, by definition. As time passes, the contaminants do increase. Some materials suffer severe damage and need to be removed and replaced. Others can be remediated:

• Padding and, nearly always, carpeting must be pulled up and disposed of as hazardous waste. We help with this challenging task, removing water not to save the floor covering for reuse, but to lessen its weight and reduce the humidity in the space.
• Warped hardwood can make a comeback if water extraction gets underway as soon as possible. Wanded extractors and negative pressure floor mats can pull most of the liquid out, and then drying can bring the moisture content in the wood back to the average of approximately 10 percent for refinishing. The subfloors must be dried as well, and inspection might suggest that some plywood sheets might need replacement.
• Structural drying using air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers can reduce the swelling of structural joists, beams, studs, and other supports. We sometimes work with engineers who might recommend selected reinforcement with new materials.
• Worried about microbial growth? We address this with aggressive cleaning using EPA-registered products after the water evacuates. Follow up with EPA-registered disinfectants inhibit regrowth of infectious pathogens. Because our crews are at risk of contact with hazardous agents, technicians wear personal protective equipment (PPE), usually throughout the project.

What About Mold Growth and Damage?

It is nearly impossible to make it through a delayed-response flooding event without some mold involvement. Mold spores are present in all spaces, including your flooded home. If 24 to 48 hours pass, the spores use the now widely available water to fuel their rapid growth and multiplication. We help manage this secondary damage in several ways:

• We can choose to use a preliminary broadcast treatment of EPA-registered antimicrobials to treat the worksite before tasks begin.
• We are on the lookout for mold throughout the mitigation and remediation of your flooded property.
• If we observe colonies and spreading, we add a mold remediation phase to the overarching flood recovery plan. Certified mold remediators contain, remove, and lawfully discard moldy materials. Post-cleanup, we apply EPA-registered antimicrobials to affected and adjacent surfaces to inhibit mold rebound. 

What is the benefit of reaching out to SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties for help with complicated flood damage scenarios? Our experienced and talented team can transform chaos back to “Like it never even happened,” when given the call at (706) 843-1990.

I Need to Remove Water From My Augusta Home, What Should I Do

5/14/2020 (Permalink)

Hire a Company that Offers Water Extraction and Drying Services in Augusta

Many complex systems feed into your house, and they keep everything running smoothly. An example is the water supply lines. Without water, you cannot cook, wash dishes, or take a shower, among other things. Unfortunately, a big spill or burst pipe can cause severe water damage in your house.

How can SERVPRO help?

To solve the issue, you need to contact a company that provides water cleanup services in Augusta. To guarantee the results you want to see, our team uses the most advanced restoration equipment to extract the water. To remove the water, we can use wet/dry vacuums and pumps. Water extraction helps speed up the drying process. We extract as much water as possible from affected surfaces.

Why it is crucial to act quickly

You should not wait when you notice water in your home. The most significant problem with water damage is not the standing water itself, but the moisture, which is conducive to mold infestation. It maybe necessary to remove and replace drywall and insulation. It is also essential to inspect your home’s frame for damage. Brick homes are less susceptible to water damage compared to wood houses, but rising waters can still ruin them. Our SERVPRO team can remove damaged materials properly to prevent mold development.

Do I need to use pack-out services?

Depending on the severity of the water intrusion, several inches of water might have pooled on the floor. Your possessions could get damaged. Apart from offering water removal and drying services, we also provide pack-out services to ensure that the possessions of a customer are secure and safe. Our certified technicians can determine what is salvageable and what needs to be thrown away. We can take the salvageable items to our facilities for thorough cleaning and restoration.

How can I know that my house is dry?

If there is a lot of moisture in the air, materials take longer to dry. After removing the water, we dry a home using air moving and dehumidifying equipment. We also use different moisture detection tools to check the moisture in building materials and contents of a house. They include:

    •    Moisture meters
    •    Thermo-hygrometers
    •    Moisture sensors
    •    Thermal imaging cameras

After using these devices to check for moisture, we can adjust the drying equipment if it is necessary to ensure your home is dry.

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties provides 24-hour emergency water cleanup services. Call us any time you need water restoration services at (706) 843-1990.

For more about Augusta click here.

Why Should I Call for Expert Help After a Fire in Augusta?

4/28/2020 (Permalink)

Calling SERVPRO to Address Fire Damage Your Home Incurred in Augusta Helps You Regain a Sense of Normalcy Faster!

Nobody wants ever to think that their home could catch fire, but these emergencies, unfortunately, happen from time to time. In order to get your life back to normal, hiring professional restoration technicians is the right choice. There are many ways that SERVPRO works to ensure your home is safe and livable once again, so calling us for an initial assessment is the best first step.

How Soon Can I Call After the Fire?
After the emergency responders finish up on the scene and they give the okay for entry, you can start to assess the damage. This is the perfect time to call us for help with fire damage in Augusta so that our team can start to formulate a plan for restoration. We know how important it is for you to get back into your home and living comfortably, so be sure to:

    •    Call your insurance agency. This should be the first call that you make right after you call 911, and first responders arrive on the scene.
    •    Hire us as your mitigation crew. We can make sure that the proper steps are followed to bring your home back to preloss condition.
    •    Never touch anything immediately after the fire. It is vital that everything is adequately assessed, documented, and recorded.

Why Do I Have to Worry About Water Damage After the Fire?
Any water that is used to put out the fire can start to penetrate the walls and floors throughout the impacted area. Our skilled technicians have to remove this water and then dry the structure completely to help thwart mold growth as well as wood rot. Water migrates and follows the path of least resistance, and our team of water restoration technicians (WRT) is trained to follow this path to address it quickly.

We can take a look for hidden moisture pockets using equipment such as:

    •    Moisture Meters – find the amount of moisture content in materials, which helps our technicians determine whether or not your structure is dry.
    •    Moisture Sensors – find the levels of moisture within soft materials using sharp, penetrating probes.
    •    Thermo-Hygrometers – Measure the relative humidity and temperature within the impacted space.

How Do You Address Soot Build-Up?
Soot from a house fire can start to stain and saturate your upholstery as well as other porous materials. In order to restore your interior, our team may combine a variety of techniques, equipment, and chemicals to salvage carpeting, draperies, linens, and furnishings properly.

Will the Smoke Odor Ever Go Away?
The unfortunate truth about smoke with any fire is that it easily penetrates just about anything within your home. We work to ensure that your rugs, furniture, structural materials, and personal belongings are thoroughly cleaned to eliminate odorous smoke particles. Smoke often damages the ducts of your HVAC system during a fire, which can trigger foul odors each time that your furnace or air conditioner is turned on. We must work to clean up and repair damaged ducts so that there is no lingering smoke damage.

With some fire loss situations, our SERVPRO technicians may have to employ the use of ozone treatments to help mitigate smoke damage. This is a process for treatment that involves tenting in a targeted area or the entirety of the structure. Chemical sealers can also be used to fix smoke that has penetrated drywall, air ducts, and flooring.

Different Types of Smoke
The level of cleanup necessary after a fire may also have to do with the type of smoke that developed. For example:

    •    Fires that are fast-burning and extremely hot usually results in a dry smoke that features a powder-type residue. This is a smoke type that is often easier to clean up than others.
    •    Slower-burning, smoldering fires will often generate wet smoke. This type of smoke is often sticky and includes odor-causing particles that bond with surfaces, making it challenging to address.
    •    Any fire that involves petroleum products often puts out lots of soot. This soot damage is easy to detect on hard surfaces that are lighter in color but may be difficult to detect in fabrics and carpeting.

Fire Damage Restoration is Never a DIY Project
It can be devastating enough to have a fire in your home, so the last thing you want is lingering soot and smoke damage. Our IICRC-certified technicians know how to address these things, as well as the potential for mold and mildew growth that would otherwise happen if moisture is left to fester. Our restoration team is trained and ready to go with our Green Fleet loaded with all of the best equipment and products in the business today. All visible surfaces are cleaned thoroughly, odors are neutralized with advanced technology, and disinfection wraps up the project to make your home “Like it never even happened.”

Call us at SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990 if you need fire damage restoration. We will send out a team as quickly as possible for emergency service, and we are available 24/7.

For more about Augusta click here.

Whom Should I Call If My Augusta Home Has Flood Damage?

4/16/2020 (Permalink)

Augusta Residents Should Call SERVPRO to Assess and Remediate Damage After a Flood

Discussions of climate change are frequently in the news. Our planet seems to be getting warmer, while hurricanes and flooding seem to occur more often. When we are at risk of water coming into our homes, we need to be ready to act. Having a professional team of technicians at our service is priceless when an emergency occurs. At SERVPRO, we are here for you when you need us.

Is it safe to clean floodwater on my own?
Floodwater is not the same as water coming from a broken washing machine or a leaky faucet. Whenever water comes into your Augusta home from nearby rivers, creeks, or the street, it brings bacteria and wastes with it. Our technicians wear protective personal equipment (PPE) to safeguard us against any health threats associated with microorganisms now in your home. When you call us, you can rely on our knowledge and experience to clean and disinfect your home. Once we extract the water, we proceed with the disinfecting and sanitizing process. Thankfully, our industry-grade equipment allows us to target items and areas of your home with different cleaning solutions. Examples of equipment and techniques available to our trained staff include:

    •    EPA-approved cleaning solutions
    •    Foggers to permeate all areas of your home with disinfectant
    •    Containment materials to isolate affected areas of your home and prevent cross-contamination

When undesirable water comes into your home, you should not take it lightly. If you don't eliminate its traces, you leave yourself vulnerable to mold and other biohazards, compromising your health and that of your family. Allow us to give you expert advice at this time and help you assess the damage and its consequences.

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties is in your neighborhood to help you through tough times. Call us at (706) 843-1990 and let us leave your home, “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Augusta click here.

What Happens to Belongings During Fire Restoration in My Augusta Home?

4/2/2020 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

We Have a Content Management Team for On-Site and Off-Site Cleaning of Your Possessions

After a fire, your Augusta home does not look the way that you are accustomed to seeing it, and this can often override the importance of what happens to your belongings. Our responding SERVPRO professionals understand that mitigation and fire recovery encompass more than the structure, but what makes your house a home – like your belongings, possessions, and treasures.

On-site cleaning strategies can help our SERVPRO teamwork through fire damages in Augusta homes without costlier services. For heavily soiled belongings, however, we do offer pack-out services that transport these items to our nearby warehouse facility for focused cleaning and restoration attention. We can safely protect these contents until fire restoration completes, and they can get returned.

What happens to items taken to the warehouse?
    •    Immersion soot removal cleaning
    •    Ozone chamber deodorization
    •    Drying of water-damaged items
    •    Safe storage

Whether on-site or off-site, our SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties team cares for what matters most. Give us a call at (706) 843-1990.

For more about Augusta click here.

Need Water Removal from Your Thomson Office? Hire SERVPRO!

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

From Court Houses in Burke to Small Offices in Thomson, SERVPRO Provides Water Cleanup, Disinfection, and Restoration

Thomson Commercial Water Damage has Silver Lining

Commercial water damage from a leak that went to a gush overnight can dump a large amount of water in a Thomson area office in a short time. The danger of slip and fall accidents, shock, and other elements means the business should not reopen until cleanup and restoration services are complete.

When a local Thomson temporary staffing office had commercial water damage, a decision the office manager made to switch from document storage for clients and workers in cardboard bank boxes to plastic containers made the cleanup go even faster.

Scoping to Determine Loss Area

Water has the potential to migrate rapidly and seep into the subfloor and behind baseboards in short order. The techs use their advanced detection equipment to locate the exact span of the water loss within the office, so when the extraction phase starts, nothing gets left behind.

Water Extraction and Prepping for Drying

The removal of the water from the floors assists in lessening the drying time, that is why SERVPRO techs often spend extra effort on this step. The techs took the industrial carpets with rubber backing to another area for cleaning and drying along with the documents stored in the containers. The desks and chairs got placed on blocks to dry in place, so after drying, there would be no delay in reopening due to moving furniture back in.

Advanced Drying Equipment Makes the Difference

Because of the time spent moving as much embedded moisture as possible, the drying and final wipedown go rapidly. SERVPRO techs utilize centrifugal air movers in tandem with dehumidifiers to completely dry the loss area and monitor the progress carefully to ensure drying goals get attained within the timeline scheduled.

Everything In Its Place

The organized move out process that the techs perform assists in setting up the office exactly how it was before the water loss event. This service element eliminates the potential for confusion and inability to find items when the office reopens for business as usual.

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990 restores properties with commercial water damage to their preloss condition rapidly with their experience and state-of-the-art equipment to make it "Like it never even happened."

Cleaning the Structure of your Thomson Home after Fire Damage

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage is very serious, let SERVPRO help your Thomson home fire damage.

Following a house fire, you may be in a total state of shock, and then grateful that everyone within the home was okay and not hurt. After this initial shock, it is essential to contact professionals that can help you gather the right information for insurance companies while restoring your home, making sure everyone is safe.

It is critical to attack the fire damage to your Thomson home head-on to ensure your home is restored quickly to its preloss condition. Depending on the severity of the fire, professionals may need to provide emergency services right away to make sure there is no more damage to the property, that the worksite is safe, and to get the home ready for mitigation and restoration work. 

After the property is secured and safe, SERVPRO fire restoration specialists go about the business of cleaning the contents and structure of your home. They often remove contents to clean them in an offsite secured facility, while the structure (the actual building) undergoes restoration. Restorers inspect every surface of your home to understand how to best clean it. 

Some surfaces in your home require dry cleaning for non-washable surfaces, including non glossy surfaces. These surfaces may get damaged by using a water-based cleaning product and wet cleaning. A standard tool for dry cleaning are sponges that contain no chemical cleaning products. They work by causing friction on the soil and then absorbing into the sponge. Technicians use firm pressure to clean soot off of surfaces adequately.

Other surfaces, typically including glossy surfaces, oil-based, and greasy residues, require aggressive wet-cleaning techniques. It is essential to pretest an area, make sure that the surface is washable. Wet cleaning usually has three steps: wash, rinse, and dry. Technicians use a bucket of cleaning solution such as SERVPRO's specially formulated Wall and ALL Surface Cleaner (#351) to wash the area, and then rinse the same area with clean water before drying. 

For 24/7 assistance, contact SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

To find out more about Thomson, click here.

Water Loss Event In Your Thomson Home

2/29/2020 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO Address Your Thomson Water Loss Event with Professional Water Extraction

If you have carpeting throughout your home and water damage occurs on any level, your carpeted floor is vulnerable. Our skilled technicians at SERVPRO focus on restoration first before replacing, so we work hard to ensure water is removed, and proper drying is in place to eliminate lingering moisture.

Extraction tools come in all shapes and forms, but when it comes to water extraction in Thomson, we may use submersible pumps to remove water, followed by a wet vacuum of some kind. We have a variety of wet vacuum attachments that allow us to successfully extract the water to get your property back to normal promptly. Just like we would dry a hardwood floor with a squeegee extraction tool, we employ the use of light wands to remove moisture from the top level of your carpeting, as well as the carpet padding below.

SERVPRO light wand technology is exceptionally successful in removing moisture and excess water from both carpets and carpet padding. However, when the water is more than an inch deep, we utilize powerful pump extraction equipment to bring the water down to a level that is much more manageable.

Not only is the light wand too excellent for removing moisture from glued carpeting, but they are helpful in other ways. SERVPRO technicians can place stationery equipment in a carpeting room to force the moisture up to the surface level. A weighted extractor helps to remove the moisture, and the light wand vacuum attachment rounds out the job so that drying is completed.

When we move through the steps for proper drying, we assess the relative humidity in the space, making sure that air movers and dehumidifiers get placed strategically to promote efficient drying times. We understand that humidity, airflow, and temperature all play a role in drying, so we monitor these things carefully to ensure the best result.

Do you need help with water extraction? We are here to help at SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties. Give us a phone call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we can send out a team as quickly as possible to perform an assessment.

For more about Thomson click here.

Carpet Wands Can Protect Subflooring of Your Thomson Home

2/19/2020 (Permalink)

Professional Equipment and Rapid Response is a Must for Thomson Home Water Removal 

Efficient responses can help to reduce the overall property loss in your Thomson residence after a substantial water damaging incident. Removal techniques vary based on the severity of the damage inside the house, meaning that any one of dozens of practical extraction tools can get used in a home to reduce standing water concerns. When carpet saturation is a concern, we must also address this situation with extraction solutions.

The fibers of carpets can quickly absorb standing water, so it is difficult to accurately determine by sight the pressing need for water removal in Thomson homes. When water becomes such a threat that it exceeds the surface layer of carpeting and into the padding below, the underlayment and subflooring materials become threatened by the migration. While it is not ideal to replace any of these layers, carpeting included, it can be much costlier to have to replace supporting structural elements like OSB board and plywood or joists as well.

To protect both the flooring material and any underlying surfaces, it is crucial to inform our SERVPRO professionals about the loss incident as quickly as possible. We can mobilize our restoration technicians to begin mitigation as soon as the team arrives, reducing the spread of water through the structure and preventing further property losses.

Weighted extractors can help to force moisture out from both the padding and the carpet layers, though in some situations, it can be equally useful to utilize carpet wands. These attachments get hooked into wet vacuums or extractors. They can remove a fair amount of moisture from the carpet fibers, and might be the only extraction necessary when it gets decided that the padding is getting replaced by our in-house contractors.

With more than 150 years of combined experience in the restoration industry, we can offer up time and money saving solutions during water loss incidents. You can count on our SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties team to make water emergencies “Like it never even happened.” Call us anytime at (706) 843-1990.

Want to see more about Thomson?

How SERVPRO Cleans Fire Damage in Thomson

2/1/2020 (Permalink)

When fire damages your school, call SERVPRO. We have the man-power and tools for fire damage cleaning and restoration.

Effective Cleaning for Fire-Damaged Thomson Schools 

From the unruly student that sets a fire in a trash can in the shop rooms on the first floor of your Thomson high school to an electrical overload in the cafeteria area that sparks a flame, your priority in any fire situation is the safety of your students and faculty. Once the areas have gotten cleared, first responders can put out the fire and turn the school back over to you. The property management and school board have likely already reached out to the insurance company and encouraged you to secure professional restoration. 

A critical advantage to the construction of your school is its built-in fire resistance features that often leave professionals like our SERVPRO team addressing only smoke and fire cleanup in Thomson schools. Concrete blocks are not able to sustain a flame without an accelerant, and that is partly why the rooms of your school's construction consist of concrete masonry units with fire retardant wool insulation around openings hidden in the blocks and lentils in shared walls. 

What this means for your school is that fire damages often stay localized to their origin point, and do not carry the same destructive weight as it might in a home. Smoke and soot are still concerns if organic materials like woods and plastics were in the path of the fire. Our SERVPRO professionals have several potent products that can address soot residues on surfaces like painted block walls, including chemical agents, to dissolve this residue to allow for rinsing with pressurized water. 

Addressing smoke damage often means combatting lingering odors that can get left behind in the affected rooms. If the area remains mostly sealed off from the rest of the school after a fire, smaller deodorizing units like thermal foggers can often handle the present conditions by dispersing a vapor that can neutralize smoke odor molecules. 

You cannot predict how or when a fire can happen in your school. However, you do have a reliable way to contact experienced fire restoration professionals to get the institution back to normal. Should you want to make fire losses, "Like it never even happened," give our SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties team a call today at (706) 843-1990. 

More about Thomson.

Storm and Floods Compromise Thomson Homes--Contact SERVPRO for Advice, Cleanup, and Restoration Services

1/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Removes and Replaces Storm-Damaged Building Elements and Fixtures in Thomson Area Homes Only When Necessary.

Why You Need Quick Flood Damage Restoration for Your Thomson Home

Many potential disasters can ruin your home, but floods are the least predictable when it comes to the destruction they can cause. Some property owners can salvage their houses, even if they have to discard some appliances, furniture, carpets, and curtains. Others incur thousands of dollars in repairing their flood-damaged homes.

When your Thomson home has flood damage, mold may also develop behind walls and other areas where moisture is not visible. Apart from causing water damage, flooding can also increase the risk of a fire through:

•    Leaking above-ground gas tanks, containers, or lines.
•    Electrically charged water.
•    Attempts to use electrical appliances that have come into contact with water.

After a flood, your safety and that of your family is critical above everything else. It is, therefore, essential to inspect the property to avoid risking your health or your life by entering an unsafe property. SERVPRO advises securing professional assistance. Some structural destruction to your house can be clearly visible, while other damage may need close inspection. Some of the losses you can look out for include:

•    Warping and distortion of structures like floorboards.
•    Wood rot in the end grain of wooden structures.
•    Termite damage because wet wood entices them (longer-term impact)
•    The visible undermining of your home’s foundation like the erosion of the ground at its base.
•    Damp plaster, wallboard, insulation, and paneling.

You can also hire a professional to inspect these structures thoroughly as well as other structures like the HVAC system, walls, ceilings, air ducts, and electrical systems.

Drying out your home after flooding is essential because it can prevent mold growth and help preserve many structural components and contents. You can rely on SERVPRO to remove the water quickly. We can use powerful water extraction equipment to remove the floodwater and dispose of it following local regulations and guidelines.      

Our team can also remove and discard debris. We can carefully remove all contaminated porous materials and place them in 6-mil polyethylene bags. We can construct a decontamination chamber and move solid waste like bags of carpet and carpet pad as well as drywall into it. Within the chamber, we can bag them again to cover any contamination of the original bag’s surface. After double-bagging the waste, we can move it into the unaffected area and then place it inside a dumpster or close to the work vehicle.

Flooding usually disrupts sewage disposal systems, chemical spillage, and overflow of toxic waste sites. Therefore, the floodwater that entered your home may contain bacteria, chemical toxins, and sewage. Our SERVPRO team can clean and decontaminate your home to eliminate these toxins. We can wash, disinfect, and dry salvageable items like those made of porcelain, glass, and plastic.

After a flooding incident, you need assistance to restore your home to its preloss state. Call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990 for prompt restoration services. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster

Some Cleaning Products that Mitigate Smoke Deposits from Fire Damage in Thomson

1/17/2020 (Permalink)

No matter when you make the call, we have technicians who can assist you.

SERVPRO's Methods For Clean Up After Fire Damage In Your Thomson Property

The sudsing action of your usual household cleaners for floors, dishes, and clothing comes from additives put into the product by the manufacturer. Many times, extra soapsuds do nothing except create a sense of assurance that the product is working adequately for the job at hand in your Thomson home. When you have a bigger, messier job, SERVPRO uses cleaning products specially formulated to address precise needs caused by different disasters or incidences.

One such job that SERVPRO helps many homeowners in Thomson with is fire damage, and cleaning up the smoke deposits that easily fill such homes. While soap and water work well for removing soot from your hands, this happens partly because of the lack of time the soot stays on your skin, the pliability of your hands, and the running water used to rinse all of the grime down the drain.

When our technicians clean up fire damage, we divide the work between different teams. Each group of reconstruction, mitigation, restoration, and cleaning team members all work with specific tools to do their work as efficiently as possible. Our cleanup crew members rely on different cleaning products when removing soot from walls, ceilings, floors, and the variety of belongings your family owns. Not all of these products produce foamy suds, but we know from experience that they produce results that consistently please our customers.

We consider more than the suds produced by a cleaning product when we choose it for any particular aspect of the work required. We also look at the pH and the abrasiveness of the product. Sometimes we need a highly acidic cleanser or one with extra abrasive power.

Textiles that absorb soot need brushed and vacuumed first, and then checked for stains. For upholstered furniture with smoke residue, we finish cleaning with our Fabric Rinse and Color Set. Having these available is especially helpful when removing soot from upholstery made from natural fibers. High-alkaline cleaning products can cause these fabrics to be yellow.

Some surfaces, like flat-finish-painted walls, respond well to dry sponge treatment. Acoustical tiles need to be sprayed down with a solution of peroxide that clears away smoke deposits. Brick and stone need a stronger cleaner on the acidic side of the pH scale. Wire bristle brushes help reach into rough surfaces, or towels and squeegees to remove soot from smooth stone.

These are only some of the cleaning products that the fire damage restoration technicians from SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties use when cleaning up residential properties in Waynesboro and Washington. Call us at (706) 843-1990 for specialized mitigation services after any disaster.

Learn more about Thomson.

Get Quick Water Damage Restoration in Your Thompson Home After a Burst Pipe

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

Our experts at SERVPRO will respond quickly to reduce your chances of water loss to your property

Frozen water pipes can ruin your Thompson home, when pipes freeze, the water in them can fail to flow or slow to a trickle. Pressure in the pipe from expanding ice can cause the pipes to burst, leading to water damage. A burst pipe can spill several hundred gallons of water every hour.

When you discover that a pipe has burst, you should take immediate action to stop the leak, such as turning off the main water supply line. It is also essential to call SERVPRO to prevent additional water damage in your Thompson residence. Our technicians have the training, equipment, and experience required to solve the issue quickly. Pipes can freeze because of the following reasons:

   Poor insulation

   Fast drops in temperatures

   Thermostats that are set too low

Apart from causing inconvenience, a burst pipe can also lead to costly destruction in your property if the situation is not handled quickly. Prolonged contact with water can cause damage to carpeting and drywall. It can also cause other issues like:

Mold growth on both soft and hard surfaces. 

Rotting or softening of wood or other organic materials

The particles or minerals in the water can cause stains when it seeps into porous material like wood. 

Microbes in the water can multiply. 

Mold and bacteria can cause unpleasant odors.

These secondary issues are costlier to fix or remove from your property than the initial water and moisture. Our SERVPRO team responds quickly to emergency calls to ensure that further problems do not develop. We can examine the affected areas thoroughly and come up with the right restoration plan.

We can extract as much water as possible from your home so that we do not have to spend much time evaporating and dehumidifying the remaining moisture with drying equipment. Our team can use different types of extractors, such as electric submersible pumps, deep extraction tools, and light wands to remove water from the flooring. Removing moisture from a property is crucial. Our team can dry hardwood flooring, plaster walls, and carpeting, among other surfaces using air moving and dehumidifying equipment.

We may also remove movable ruined items such as drapes, furniture and throw rugs and take them to an offsite location for thorough cleaning and restoration. Our crew can sanitize and deodorize such items before returning them to your home. We can also sanitize your home using antimicrobial treatments.

If a pipe burst has caused water intrusion in your Augusta, Grovetown, or Waynesboro home, call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990 for quick restoration. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Find out more about Augusta.

Get Reliable Storm & Flood Cleanup in Thomson

12/29/2019 (Permalink)

Thompson your flood damage can and will take over, let us assist you through every bit of the damage.

SERVPRO knows what your Thompson flood damage will need.

Georgia homeowners know how to be prepared for storm damage to their homes. Still, they may be surprised to know how costly storms can be for homeowners each year. According to 2013 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data, wind damage alone from storms causes $626.8 million in property damage. Lightning contributes to $23.9 million, and flash flooding causes a staggering $956.9 million in property damage costs. 

If your Thomson residence requires storm and flood cleanup, certified SERVPRO technicians are always available to come to your home and initiate the cleanup process. If severe storms and related disasters have caused power outages in your area, technicians can provide their own power sources for sump pumps and extraction tools to ensure that you get the deep clean that your home requires.

Filing Claims After Storm Damage

• Handling fallen trees on your property. Many insurance policies do not offer coverage for full tree removal, even after storms, except for the parts that interfere with structural repairs. Coverage amounts for this type of removal are limited, so keep that in mind when you file your claim and prepare to make repairs.
• Dealing with premiums after filing a storm damage claim. An adjuster can help you determine whether a storm damage claim is the best option for your situation. If you have received a claims-free discount on your premium, you might lose that benefit when you file.
• Adjusters are ready to help. These professionals work with you to speed up the insurance claims process while ensuring that you receive the compensation you need to repair and replace items and structures on your property after a disaster.

SERVPRO Removes Water Fast

SERVPRO technicians have a variety of tools for extracting water and preparing a home for disinfection and drying after storms and flooding have occurred. These pieces of equipment include portable, back-mounted extractors, electric or gas-powered submersible sump pumps, and truck-mounted pumps. All of these remove water with a trio of systems that work together to prepare the home for drying. Heating, pumping, and vacuuming are all critical systems, but the vacuum component is the most instrumental in water extraction. 

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties serves the community by being Faster to Any Size Disaster.  You can call (706) 843-1990 today for swift disaster cleanup.

To learn more about Thomson, click here.

When a Leaking Dishwasher Hose Causes Commercial Water Damage in Thomson

12/21/2019 (Permalink)

When this commercial kitchen experienced water damage, we were able to quickly dry the water. We have the equipment. Call us today!

Did a Leaking Dishwasher Pipe Cause Commercial Water Damage in Thomson?

Many small businesses provide a lunchroom where their employees can relax having lunch, or perhaps a coffee, while on their break. Some even offer appliances such as a microwave, a fridge, a cooking appliance, and even a dishwasher. It is not uncommon to fill the dishwasher, start the dishwashing cycle before heading home. Imagine finding water all over the floor the next morning, including the office areas. No one can work until the water cleaned up, and the area dried.

SERVPRO can respond to commercial water damage situations in Thomson in less than 4 hours on a 24 / 7 basis. We understand the importance of keeping your business open and protecting the contents from damage from water leaks.

Water leaking from a pipe can spread to office areas quite quickly. Kitchen floors covered with tile or linoleum, helps the water migrate to other areas of the building. Carpeted areas can soon absorb the water as it spreads across floors. Water may also wick into office furniture and walls, causing further damage.

SERVPRO has water extraction devices for use in situations like this one. After shutting off the source of the water, we can vacuum up surface water from the hard surface floors. Office furniture can be placed on blocks to protect it from any further moisture that remains. We use portable water extraction vacuums in corners and hard to reach areas.

We can deploy weighted water extraction equipment that squeezes the water out of the carpet and padding while it vacuums the water from the carpet. One of our SERVPRO technicians guides the machine to remove water from every area. His weight adds to the weight of the device to help compress the carpet to squeeze every bit of water from the carpets.

We introduce air movers and dehumidifiers to help absorb remaining moisture, dry the area, and return humidity levels to normal levels.

Call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990 for 24/7 service. We proudly serve Thomson, Grovetown, and surrounding areas. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

More about Thomson.

Our Professionals Discuss The Steps For Effective Fire Damage Cleanup In Thompson

12/15/2019 (Permalink)

Steps for Effective Fire Damage Cleanup In Your Thompson Residence

Home fires are relatively common. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), fire departments in the U.S.A respond to about 354,400 home structure fires every year. The NFPA collected this data between the years 2013 and 2017.  After a fire, smoke, soot, and charring can affect walls, appliances, and flooring, among other structures and contents.

A fire incident can leave you confused, not sure where to begin. Performing fire damage cleanup in your Thompson residence is a daunting process. Thankfully, you can seek assistance from SERVPRO franchise professionals. We can handle any magnitude of fire damage to restore your home to its preloss condition. Our technicians have experience and are equipped with the right equipment to perform activities such as:

    •    Deodorizing smoke odor: Smoke can travels to hard-to-access areas quickly, leaving a smell behind. Our experts can use equipment like thermal foggers to remove the odors. This equipment heats deodorizing agents into a mist, which mimics the behavior of smokes. The mist travels to the areas where the smoke went to eliminate the odor, “Like it never even happened.”
    •    Cleaning and restoring contents: There are valuables that you cannot restore with home remedies. Depending on the severity of the fire loss, our crew can restore items like furniture, clothing, and drapes.
    •    Removing smoke residues: Our experts can remove smoke residues from every corner of your residence to provide a healthy living environment for your family.

Depending on the magnitude of the fire loss, there is a possibility of recovering structures. Different surfaces require different cleaning strategies. Our restorers can identify salvageable materials and clean them effectively.

    •    Wood Floors: Our team of experts can use cleaners to remove smoke residues from your hardwood floor. The cleaners can eradicate smoke residues from floor finishing.
    •    Carpets: The water used to fight the fire can stain fabric surfaces if not removed on time. During the restoration process, we can use high-tech equipment and cleaning solutions that remove all stains and spots from wool carpeting and fabrics.
    •    Glass and windows: During the fire incident, smoke and soot can settle on many surfaces, including on glass and windows. We can use glass cleaners to remove all smoke residues on both the window frames and glass.

SERVPRO’s team of experts can also complete the delicate task of removing ash from your appliances, electronics, and other affected items. Since our experts understand how difficult it is to lose your possessions, we can take the appropriate steps to restore then to their original condition where possible.

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties is a premier fire restoration company.  Call us today at (706) 843-1990 for dedicated fire damage cleanup services in Augusta, Grovetown, and Waynesboro.

For more about Thompson click here.

SERVPRO Offers Tips for DIY Water Loss Cleanup in Augusta--But We Are Always Available to Help

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Suggest to Atlanta Homeowners that Advanced Equipment Is Often Needed for Water Removal from Leaks

Mistakes to Avoid When Performing Water Removal in Your Augusta Home

Plumbers do their best to ensure that plumbing systems work well so that buildings do not sustain water damage. However, cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and burst. Most areas of your house cannot withstand high moisture levels. If a water loss mishap happens, it can cause stains on the drywall and other porous surfaces.

If the water leakage is large, it can even cause the drywall to crumble. After experiencing water damage in your Augusta home, taking care of the situation immediately is essential. The more time you take before starting the clean-up, the more destruction your home can suffer. You can use some DIY techniques to handle the situation. However, you should avoid making some mistakes such as:

    Not protecting yourself

Standing or pooling water can be dangerous for several reasons. Slipping and falling can place you in an emergency situation of your own. Moving heavy furnishing out of harm's way may cause physical pain or injury. Remember that soaked upholstery can be very heavy.

    Using inappropriate equipment

Using towels, mops, and wet/dry vacuums may not be sufficient to dry out your home. Moisture can accumulate in subflooring and drywall, and only moisture detection equipment can detect it. Long-term damage to porous materials can occur due to improper drying. To dry your home, you need to use tools like air movers to increase circulation and evaporation rates along with dehumidifiers.

    Ignoring the details

As you are cleaning up your home, do not ignore essential details. Remove carpets and rugs to dry outside in the sun and keep your furniture safe. Check all the rooms so that you do not leave any water in them. Look out for stained ceilings and drywall since this is a sign that moisture is still in these surfaces.

Using DIY techniques to clean up after water damage can be a challenge. If you doubt your ability to handle the cleanup process yourself, it is advisable to call SERVPRO franchise professionals. We have the experience, human resources, and tools to manage this task efficiently, safely, and quickly. Our restorers can dry your home to reduce humidity levels and eliminate excess moisture. We can also remove contaminated materials and dispose of them appropriately.

Water damage can make your home susceptible to other issues like mold infestation. This makes it necessary to use industrial-strength cleaning products that can clean the affected surfaces thoroughly to prevent future problems. Our SERVPRO crew can use EPA-certified products to eliminate biological contaminants from your house.

After a water loss incident in your Grovetown, Thomson, or Waynesboro residence, SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties can assist you in restoring it to its pre-damaged state. Call us at (706) 843-1990 for restoration services. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Your Best Guide to Commercial Flood Damage Remediation in Thomson

11/22/2019 (Permalink)

Controlled Demolition Makes Drying in Thomson Café Efficient

Few teams have the comprehensive approach to flood recovery that our SERVPRO team can offer Thomson commercial properties. Because of how quickly these damages can spread throughout your small storefront, many of the exposed materials in your cozy café can become susceptible to the standing water and potential contamination that exists with natural rising floodwater.

In many situations, effective recovery of flood damage to Thomson businesses like your café means the use of tactics like controlled demolition and build back. Not only can these approaches quickly remove potentially contaminated surfaces and materials, but it can also work to provide fast access to structural supports and framing to protect it from flood exposure. Direct pathways to metal framing of the drywall can help to clean these surfaces and protect them with biocides and sporicides.

Because your café is a smaller size, standing water can migrate throughout the open floor plan quickly. Direct exposure to faux hardwood flooring can be a challenge for even our experienced biohazard recovery and general contracting teams. Without visible damage to the planks of the flooring, and no clear indication of water penetration into the subflooring and supports beneath the floor, quick disinfection can protect this flooring from requiring removal after flooding.

With more than 150 years of combined construction experience in the building trades, our team can work to remove any overly saturated and irreparable portions of construction materials, flooring, ceiling materials, and even furniture. Exposed fixtures like booths, tables, chairs, and your wood countertop for the coffee bar can all remain at risk for contamination without controlled demolition of the damaged materials and proper containment barriers to limit exposure to new areas of your café.

Your customers depend on you to take care of your small coffee shop as efficiently as possible after emergencies like flooding occur. Because We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, give our SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties team a call anytime that you need us at (706) 843-1990. Our team of water restoration specialists and general contractors can offer comprehensive solutions to flood damage threatening your business.

Click here for more about the city of Thomson.

We Provide Fast Stormwater Removal In Thomson

11/17/2019 (Permalink)

Stormwater Removal in Thomson Gets Fast Help

Georgia gets intense storms all year round, and damage to homes is not unusual from wind, rain, and flash floods. Some fast action by homeowners such as mopping up water or moving furniture out of the water loss area assists in lessening the loss. Exposure time is a crucial factor for limiting the restorability of numerous types of objects in the home.

Stormwater removal in Thomson properties begins both inside and outside the residence. SERVPRO technicians inspect homes with damage allowing rainwater into the house and make any necessary temporary repairs such as boarding up windows or tarping over a damaged roof.

Tracking Water Migration Paths
When water enters a home, it can wind up in a lot of areas. Technicians use different types of moisture detection equipment to trace the migration path and determine if the water ran within walls, floor joists, or under flooring, so the appropriate extraction and drying configurations are set up.

Attics with Water Need Special Handling
Depending on the type of insulation in the attic and length of water exposure, the technicians can remove the fiberglass insulation using a specialized attachment on their vacuum to collect the insulation for drying outside the home. To inhibit the growth of mold, the application of an antimicrobial sealant on sheetrock and wood beams is a common practice.

Walls and Ceilings
In the case of walls and ceilings, SERVPRO technicians halt the wicking process in sheetrock using flood cuts. This controlled demolition action neatly removes damaged sheetrock and readies it for drying and repairs. When water affects ceilings, using weep holes allows for both drainage and more airflow for drying.

Stormwater Affected Carpet and Furnishings
When rainwater saturates carpet or furnishings, as long as extraction and drying efforts begin within 24-hours, the potential for restoration is often high. This salvaging pertains to rainwater, not groundwater, which holds contaminants requiring disposal of the flooring material. SERVPRO technicians have specialized extraction equipment to work on carpet and upholstered furnishings.

Stormwater removal should happen as quickly as possible. Call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties at (706) 843-1990. The technicians are available 24/7 because We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

For more about Thomson click here.

Why SERVPRO is Your First Choice for Fire Damage Recovery in Thomson

10/29/2019 (Permalink)

Meeting Tight Timetables for Effective Fire Damage Recovery in Thomson is Why SERVPRO Demonstrates Consistent Success 

If you and your family do face the challenge of fire recovery in Thomson, stress and worry might arise because assessment and project planning and implementation must occur quickly. Our residential customers rarely have personal experience with the phases, steps, tasks, and activities necessary to make the mess and confusion “Like it never even happened.” We continuously prepare for efficient fire mitigation and remediation, why we receive positive feedback from our clients. 

The Fire Recovery Clock Is Ticking 

Coping with the aftermath of fire damage in Thomson brings into sharp focus how rapidly smoke and fire residues can set permanent deterioration processes in motion. Some surfaces discolor within hours or days. Structural supports like metal and wood tarnish and weaken as days and weeks go by without professional attention. Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained team knows that harm intensifies and costs rise when abatement of corrosive fire residues delays. The crew sent to your home is poised to act as soon as a preliminary assessment completes, our technicians’ experience and fully-stocked service vehicles demonstrating why We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

Building Integrity Relies on Swift Interventions

Cleanup of firefighting water and soot residue needs to progress as quickly as possible. During combustion, fuels create soot when materials burn incompletely. Soot residue and volatile vapors are spread by rising and expanding air, eventually adhering to surfaces throughout your home. Soot residue is unlike ordinary soiling, creating difficulties in dissolving and removing dependent on the materials burned and the conditions during the burn. The targeted training our Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) master from the IICRC is why SERVPRO rapidly and reliably matches various soots to appropriate and effective cleaning techniques and products. 

Clearing the Air 

Floating fire damage residues impair air quality and expose your residence to the risk of persistent odors. Mechanical removal of the airborne material is essential to improving air quality and minimizing odor, why SERVPRO employs up to date negative pressure air scrubbing technology. HEPA filters pull contaminated air through and trap toxic odor-bearing particles. We also make use of innovative equipment like thermal foggers, ozone machines, and hydroxyl generators to neutralize smoke odors at the molecular level. 

Reliably rapid response and use of research-based industry best practices are why SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties delivers premium fire damage mitigation and remediation. Call us at (706) 843-1990 to schedule an evaluation immediately after the firefighters release your residence for restoration.

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We Are Prepared To Restore Your Thomson Home 24/7

10/22/2019 (Permalink)

This air scrubber recycles the interior air through HEPA and activates charcoal to cleanse the air of the smoke odor left after a fire.

SERVPRO Can Provide Fire Debris Removal Services for Your Thomson Home

A fire could leave a much larger mess than expected in your Thomson home and may leave you in need of fire debris removal services. Finding your home on fire, no matter the size of the blaze, can cause anxiety for any homeowner. The aftermath could be incredibly overwhelming because there is no time to prepare yourself for the damages in your home. For this reason, if a fire broke out in your house, it is essential to reach out for help immediately.

In this scenario, immediately calling for local Thomson fire debris removal and remediation services to your home could cut down on the overall expense of the restoration. Let's say that your kitchen suffered the most damage after a faulty electrical socket caused the fire inside your home. In particular, imagine that the cabinetry and countertops are beyond salvaging. They were reduced to little more than debris left behind by the flames. Furthermore, your kitchen would also be covered in ash and soot, which would also need to be cleaned up.

At SERVPRO, we know and understand how nerve-wracking facing home-damaged can be. We also know how time-sensitive some fire damages can be inside of your home. To ensure your satisfaction, and to do the job right, SERVPRO bases our schedule around yours. Whenever you need us, 3 am or 3 pm, our technicians can make their way to your home with a van-full of advanced equipment designed for the job.

When our technicians got to your home, we could immediately go inside and investigate the damages. Our highly certified technicians could demolish the countertops and cabinetry that are unsalvageable immediately, throwing away the debris and clearing the clutter from your home. Furthermore, because the hypothetical fire was electrical in nature, the drywall behind the counters could have also been profoundly affected. SERVPRO can demolish that as well and clear out the insulation to expose the frame of your home.

Lastly, our technicians are also certified to rebuild your home in a situation like this. We could call in a trusted electrician to fix the wiring issue and then rebuild once the job is done. Once finished, we can paint, and then return your home to you, "Like it never even happened."

When disaster strikes your home, never wait. Get in touch with SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties by phoning (706) 843-1990. No matter the time, or the place, our techs are ready to help.

See more about Thomson.

Let Our Crew Save Your Home In Thomson

10/17/2019 (Permalink)

Why Thomson Homeowners turn to SERVPRO Restoration Services when Property Damages get out of hand

The impact of a property disaster is not just a financial one. Many Thomson homeowners lose possessions that cannot be replaced as well as finding it difficult to maintain the commitments of their everyday life while repairs take place. SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties has an award-winning leadership team that can bring your property back to pre-damage condition before the disaster with little inconvenience to the homeowner. We specialize in restoration services related to fire, mold, water, and storm damages while operating with a restore over replace mentality that could salvage precious items or documents. Professional services begin with a quick phone call to our 24-hour emergency line.


Fire
There are many potential fire-hazard items in your home environment. Some are easy to spot, like open flames on the stove or a fireplace. Others may be harder to carry out regular maintenance on, these may include old wiring inside walls or faulty appliances and electrical equipment. Unfortunately, keeping on top of all fire hazards in the home is near impossible, which is why house fires do happen. The best insurance policy is to make sure you have a professional restoration service on hand to conduct the necessary repairs and limit losses.


The level of fire damage in your Thomson home can range from minor to moderate, to severe. However, the principle of restoring your home afterward remains the same. SERVPRO technicians are experts at preparing a damaged site for restoration services with a can-do attitude and a range of connections with third-party contractors and insurance adjusters. Our goal is to ensure you get your property back to its preloss condition so you can get back to your everyday life quickly.

 
The preparation of a job site can be an essential task in moderate to major losses. High-temperature fires can cause damage to the structure of your home that must be removed, repaired, or replaced to maintain the integrity and prevent persistent odors. SERVPRO technicians can remove and dispose of charred items in the home as well as perform light carpet cleaning, deodorization, and hazard neutralizing services to allow contractors to enter the site quickly. Often drying, cleaning, and controlling indoor atmosphere can save lots of expenses during home restoration in Thomson and could prevent permanent damages from occurring.


Water
The scale of loss water damage in your Thomson home depends on how quickly you remove the water, clean, and dry the property. The timeframe is especially essential when dealing with carpets, which can sustain permanent damages if wet for a period of seventy hours or more. Our local water restoration technicians (WRT) can perform the necessary steps to mitigate against further losses while providing thorough removal and drying services to the structural components of your property.


Carpets are naturally absorbent and become up to 50% weaker when wet. Thin fiber carpets may need to be floated- a process of detaching the affected material, drying underneath using an axial air mover, then replacing and cleaning it using professional-grade carpet cleaners. Thicker fibers can usually remain in place while SERVPRO technicians use a heavy water extractor, which both vacuums excess moisture into a storage tank and uses weight to squeeze excess moisture from the carpet itself.


Beneath the carpets in your Thomson home are carpet pads. These porous foam materials absorb water quickly and can break apart if moisture content levels get too high. SERVPRO can remove these pads, cutting them up into smaller pieces, then placing them into waterproof bags for disposal. Once your carpets are thoroughly dry and treated with anti-microbial chemicals, we can replace the carpet pads along with the carpet to make the damage seem “Like it never even happened.”


Storm
Hurricanes are among some of the most dangerous and destructive natural weather events to occur in the US. There are several preventative measures that SERVPRO recommends you take during storm seasons, including securing windows or doors, reinforcing garage doors, elevating valuables to upper floors, and putting in place flood barriers to prevent rushing water from entering your home. However, even with these measures in place, storm damage in your Thomson property can require professional loss recovery services.


Being ankle deep in water at three am in the morning can be overwhelming for even the most industrious of homeowners. SERVPRO operates out-of-hours restoration services for precisely this kind of emergency and can help to limit the losses sustained in your Thomson property. Leaving a situation like this overnight is a risk that could end up costing you permanent damages. We can arrive promptly to perform the necessary steps to prevent those damages, but you can assist by removing any small possessions to the upper levels of your home before our arrival.


Mitigating losses involves performing a series of steps that control damages until greater attention can be given to the affected area. Blocking furniture involves placing blocks underneath larger immovable items, like sofas, to raise them above the standing water level. This process also prevents dyes from running from wet fabrics and causing staining on carpets or flooring below. SERVPRO restoration services can then perform the water removal and drying tasks quickly without having to worry about permanent damages being sustained to your personal property.


Mold
The detection of mold in your property does not always require professional restoration services, although it is preferable given that microbial growth can be stubborn and keep returning without comprehensive remediation. Light mold growth around windows or walls may be possible to remove using household cleaning solutions and scrubbing with steel wool or other tenacious scouring materials. However, sometimes, mold damage in your Thomson home may be occurring inside the walls, not just on the surface level.


You can check for mold inside walls by using two methods. The first is to remove a section of drywall and inspect underneath- although you can risk damaging a water pipe or electrical wire, causing more hassle than it was worth. The recommended method is to smell electrical outlets in the home. These have direct access to your wall cavities, and you may notice a musty odor emanating from these areas of your Thomson home. If you do suspect mold inside walls, you must enlist professional restoration services as wall demolition may be needed to restore the home properly.


Drywall is a porous material and is often considered non-salvageable once an infestation has taken hold. SERVPRO can perform controlled demolitions of drywall to gain access to wall cavities and remediate mold issues. To prevent the spread of mold spores that can become airborne during demolition, we can create a containment area and apply negative air pressure during service. In large loss scenarios, dehumidifiers can be deployed to control humidity and prevent mold from germinating overnight.


SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties is a premier restoration service for when fire, mold, storm or water damages get out of hand. Contact us using our 24 hours operated call line at (706) 843-1990.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomson,_Georgia

How SERVPRO Remediates Water Damage in Thomson

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

This picture is from a water remediation job in Augusta. We had to remove the flooring to complete the drying process before restoration could begin.

Debris Removal and Cleanup After Thomson Water Damage

With more than 150 years of combined restoration experience in our esteemed team of professionals, we have become a trusted name for water restoration in Thomson and surrounding areas. As fast as these situations can get out of control, it becomes more apparent how vital a ‘one-stop-shop’ for mitigation, restoration, and reconstruction is for your compromised residence. Our SERVPRO team has unique training to handle both the controlled demolition and skills necessary for debris removal as well as the necessary cleaning efforts required after a disaster.

Experience and knowledge of industry standards drive us to address even water cleanup in Thomson homes with enthusiasm and confidence. We know that the only path to making water loss incidents “Like it never even happened” for your home is through our premier cleaning services. We have an entire division of qualified professionals accredited through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) in various facets of cleaning and recovery.

Debris removal is a process overseen by our highly experienced construction professionals. As a comprehensive provider, these professionals can not only address controlled demolition needs for the house but also work to reconstruct and repair water damages fully once mitigation work completes. We offer a seamless transition between mitigation tasks like rubbish removal, drying, and extraction to fully remodeling compromised portions of your home to your precise specifications.

We have a full line of cleaning products, antibacterial agents, and deodorizers that can work to better the look and function of your property after water staining, residues, and other debris concerns. Our team of cleaning technicians works alongside the efforts of other restoration professionals in your home to provide an efficient and cost-effective water recovery solution.

As overwhelming as water loss situations can become, we have a team of qualified professionals to oversee the vital cleaning phase. You can count on our experience and industry-leading equipment whenever you need it. Give our SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties team a call today at (706) 843-1990.

Learn more about Thomson here.

We Get You Back In Business In Thomson After A Flood

9/25/2019 (Permalink)

When stormwater enters through a hole in the roof, water damage is often the result. We have state of the art equipment to begin repairs right away.

Seasonal Storm Flood Damage Challenge the Pledge of Commercial Property Owners to Remain Open in Thomson

When the Thomson area is in the path of extreme weather, including tropical depressions and storms or even hurricanes, the ability of your restaurant to remain open can lift the spirits of the entire community. Prepare for the challenges of high winds, torrential rains, and the resulting flooding in collaboration with our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained team.

A Community Landmark

Generations of families count on your Thomson restaurant come flood damage or fair weather. As your neighbors, family, and friends regroup after the violence and fear engendered by the storm, a warm and welcoming place to gather, compare notes, and plan is much appreciated. Creating an agenda to avoid most substantial harm and rapidly remediate your property is your gift to the community.

Our Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) Helps You Help Others

Long before hurricane season contact SERVPRO to begin the process of developing your individualized Emergency Ready Plan and Profile (ERP). We send an experienced project manager to inspect and evaluate your physical layout. Our seasoned supervisor looks for the strengths and the vulnerabilities of your dining destination. Because of our considerable experience in the disaster recovery industry expect us to make recommendations that could minimize the effect of flooding on your business.

Adapt to Limit the Effects of a Potential Flooding Crisis

Raising equipment and moving food inventories above flood levels are options to investigate. Installing a sump pump system and sandbagging can help limit standing water. Ensuring roofing and gutters are secure and draining away from the building perimeter also improve outcomes if several inches of rain falls over a short period or throughout several sequential “training” storms.

Share Details with the ERP App

Give us more information about your operations and priorities by completing the individualized Profile. Clarify that SERVPRO is your restoration company choice. Designate agents among your employees or other individuals to act for you if distance or other circumstances prevent you from taking charge immediately.

Let SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties help you keep the coffee hot and the nourishment coming despite flood damage in the area. Call (706) 843-1990 now to schedule an ERP assessment in anticipation of stormy weather.

See more about Thomson.

We Provide Thorough Assessments To Thomson Homes After A Flood

9/19/2019 (Permalink)

The carpeting and the soaked drywall have been removed in a "controlled demolition" after flood damage struck this home.

Recovery without Flood Coverage in Thomson Homes

Much of the work that our professional restorers can offer Thomson homes after any loss incident can often get partially or entirely covered by homeowner insurance. Flooding is one of the exceptions to this, as many standard policies do not include flood coverage, especially in areas less prone to this disaster. With every home potentially at risk for these natural disasters and flooding following structural damages, you need to know how to address these threats even without the proper insurance coverage.

Insurance companies are not always forthcoming with the services that they can help to afford, which might include debris removal or even flood water removal for Thomson residences. As vague as a policy might be, the most effective approach that homeowners can take is to reach out to your insurance adjuster or agent directly. You can usually reach a representative 24/7 unless you have a local provider with strict office hours.

This call can give you an idea if any aspects of flood damage recovery get covered by your policy. Our SERVPRO team can arrive quickly to your emergency to provide a thorough assessment and estimate of the repair and restoration costs. We can work with your insurance provider when necessary to coordinate which recovery options are out of pocket expenses for our customers. A general estimate of the proposed restoration cost can also help you to determine if utilizing insurance coverage is cost-effective, as many property owners still must initially afford a deductible.

Our SERVPRO team can help to work with our customers to meet specific budgetary confinements when possible without cutting corners on the quality result you expect. Our ability to keep your costs lower hinges on our fast response to emergencies to contain the damaged areas and to begin vital mitigation efforts that can protect installed construction materials from requiring removal and reinstallation.

Many homeowners throughout the Greater Augusta area do not have flood coverage on their home insurance. Despite this fact, our SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties team can still help whenever disasters strike. Give us a call anytime that you need us at (706) 843-1990.

See more about Thomson.

We Have Advanced Equipment To Restore Your Thomson Home After A Fire

8/28/2019 (Permalink)

The air scrubber was set up to recycle the interior air through HEPA and activate charcoal to cleanse the air after a fire struck.

How Thermal Imaging Cameras can Help Mitigation after a Fire Damages a Property in Thomson

One of the first things people want to do when they experience a fire inside their Thomson home is to throw some water on the blaze. While this is most effective at the beginning stages, especially when directing the water at the bottom of the fire instead of the top of the flames, it doesn't work for all fires.

Kitchen fires that start when cooking oil or grease ignite in your kitchen in Thomson creating fire damage to large areas partly because they do not respond as hoped when water gets dumped on the fire. The splattering of oil also helps the fire spread. This can start a massive explosion. Because of hotspots' ability to restart fires after firefighters leave the scene, they often pour massive amounts of water into a house. 

While we are not looking for hotspots themselves when we start mitigating a house, we do want to know where excess amounts of water might exist. Water left behind after fire damage can also cause damage of its own, in addition to the visible fire damage you see. It can affect places that escaped the fire, including electrical outlets and your heating and cooling system. 

When imaging of these components show cooler temperatures, our building services team knows to inspect these units. Early repairs can prevent system failure and also subsequent fires from overheating related to corrosion. Heating systems that develop cracks can also put your home at risk of carbon monoxide leaks. Running the system while checking for elevated temperatures can show us where problems exist before they can worsen.

Electrical systems might show either a cooler area right after a fire if it remains soaked, or an increase in temperature when several appliances are using a significant amount of current. Either situation can indicate damage that we should repair before your family experiences problems during normal use.

In addition to locating still-damp areas in your home after a fire, our team at SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties can help homeowners in Waynesboro, Washington, and Wrens perform post-fire mitigation, restoration of damaged areas, and additional work on your property to ensure things return to preloss condition, “Like it never even happened.” Call our 24-hour services line at (706) 843-1990, so we can start the process of getting your family back home and comfortable again.

See more about Thomson.

A Primer on How to Remove Water From Thomson Homes After Appliance Failures

8/22/2019 (Permalink)

Water Removal in Thomson is a Team Effort 

When your Thomson home experiences water damage from plumbing leaks, overflowing tubs and sinks, or appliance malfunction the damage can be widespread. Structural components and contents are all in the path of destruction, and a fast and integrated approach is needed. Our experienced water loss crews arrive within hours of your first call, ready to assess and plan for efficient and comprehensive water evacuation. 

Fully Stocked Trucks Avoid Delays 

Although we take care to individualize your Thomson water removal plan to reflect the specifics of your disaster, our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training and on the job experience give us a general context for future jobs. Our signature green service vehicles stock the water removal equipment needed to pump or extract large or small quantities of liquids on demand. We listen to your questions and explain how we intend to employ restoration industry best practices to your water removal needs. Our goal always is to return you home to preloss condition, creating a work plan that balances all these variables. 

Water Removal Basics 

Once the crew chief communicates the plan, SERVPRO technicians are on it without delay, evacuating water swiftly. If water is more in-depth than two inches, we place submersible pumps to move water out rapidly. As the depth diminishes we switch to wanded extractors, pulling fluids off surfaces. Because water can migrate through cracks and crevices, we use thermal imaging cameras to locate hidden water caches in building cavities. If trapped water is a problem, controlled demolition techniques like flood cuts or weep holes release the fluids for collection and disposal. 

Water Removal Includes Structural Drying 

We record moisture levels of wet building materials with sensitive meters. We monitor and record the numbers throughout the project, the data forming the basis for an effective drying plan. Our crew members sample moisture levels of similar structural components in non-affected areas of the building, collecting and comparing them to the damaged spaces.  These measurements help to determine a reasonable drying goal. Drying equipment also stocked on SERVPRO trucks for immediate use is positioned for optimum moisture removal effect, operating until we meet the mark. 

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties prepares to assist with your water removal needs with highly-qualified employees and easily accessible and effective equipment. Call us at (706) 843-1990 day or night to schedule an assessment and follow through.

More about Thomson.

Thomson Property Has a Water Loss? Just Call SERVPRO for Fast Restoration

8/6/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO on the Water Loss Scene! What a Relief that We Make House Calls in Thomson! Why Everyone Loves SERVPRO!

Why Advanced Training Helps SERVPRO Deal with All Classes of Water Damage in Your Thomson Home

You probably consider water loss incidents as either simple enough to handle on your own or too extensive, thus necessitating the involvement of a professional restorer. However, water damage can present some complexities beyond how big or small the entire incident is. The advanced training our water restoration technicians receive helps them deal with any class of water loss.

Water Intrusion Point
The incident that leads to water damage in your Thomson home can start at any point whether it is the roof, walls, or close to the floor. When focused on the volume of water spilled, it is easy to miss other crucial aspects of the loss, such as the intrusion point. High intrusion points can affect more materials, even when involving limited amounts of water. Such a case is likely to fall under class 3 water loss category in which the loss covers almost the entire area. In such situations, our SERVPRO technicians try to work fast to save more items.

Lead Time Before Discovery
In ideal situations, the restoration process should start immediately after the spill happens. However, if the home is unoccupied or the leak starts in a concealed section, some time might pass before discovery, thus delaying restoration. When time passes, the water can ruin materials with low permeance such as hardwood floors. Conventional restoration procedure might not reverse the damage left effectively. In such cases, our SERVPRO technicians take extra steps such as using drying chambers to control the drying rate of drying, thus minimizing chances of warping, buckling, and other permanent damages to the floorboards.

 Odors and Water Losses
After a water spill, additional problems such as odors or microbial growth can develop primarily if the stagnant water sits over extended periods. Odors can persist even after restorative cleaning because some odor particles penetrate deep into materials. Using equipment such as ULV foggers which atomize deodorizing agents, our SERVPRO technicians can eliminate stubborn odors.

To deal with water loss incidents conveniently, call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties to help. You can reach us any time at (706) 843-1990. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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Thomson Property Owners Benefit from the Large Arsenal of SERVPRO Restoration Equipment

7/27/2019 (Permalink)

Need a Doctor of Restoration Services in Thomson? SERVPRO Makes House Calls!

Why SERVPRO Includes Air Scrubbers as Part of Our Water Damage Mitigation Equipment in Thomson

Leaky pipe joints and connections, appliances with old fittings, forgotten sinks that overflowed, and many other situations can leave damp areas inside your home in Thomson. During mitigation and restoration work, we use several different types of equipment that target specific features of your property, including the contents.

The increased presence of newly-activated microbes is why SERVPRO uses air scrubbers while mitigating and restoring homes in Thomson suffering from water damage. In addition to cleaning the air of these organic contaminants, the removal of ruined materials, carpets, and other activities can cause the amount of dust to increase inside your residence. This increase of indoor pollutants continues during the restoration process while our building services crew finishes the final touches to your home.

A significant portion of the dust created during mitigation comes from cutting materials away from their installation site and packaging them for easy removal. The tearing out of drywall means your home's air ends up with paper dust from the facing and backing sheets, as well as the gypsum itself. Paint dust can also become airborne. Sanding dried joint compound before painting also produces dust.

When our activities are likely to produce airborne debris, we also use vacuums equipped with HEPA filters to capture the particles before they degrade the indoor air quality. Carpets, especially those with water damage, can throw a large amount of dust, mites, dander, and broken carpet fibers into the air when we pull them and the padding underneath out. We often use plastic sheeting to build on-the-spot containment chambers inside the house we are mitigating. However, air scrubbers play a crucial role in keeping the air clean for us, and eventually, for your family. The HEPA filtration system can snare particulates as small as 0.3 microns, about 150 are needed to equal the width of a human hair. Pretty small!
 
Our SERVPRO technicians take a holistic approach regarding water damage mitigation; there is more to the service than just extracting water and removing the dampness. We ensure that the IAQ indoor air quality is within safe levels, unpleasant odors have been eliminated, and your contents and structure are safe and secure.

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties also covers Waynesboro, Washington, and Wrens. Call us at (706) 843-1990 for the latest in technological advances that we put to work for all our water damage customers.

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We Are Available 24/7 For Your Thomson Water Damage Disaster

7/17/2019 (Permalink)

We have the equipment, training, and water damage experience to restore your commercial property to pre-damage condition.

Getting Water Mitigation Started Quickly for Your Thomson Theater

Aging theaters, like what you manage in Thomson, have a specific charm that cannot get replicated in modern construction. With your building maintaining many of its original construction materials and structural elements, you are mindful of any situation that can threaten the aesthetic appeal or function of the property. Water damage can be a particularly devastating challenge for your maintenance or custodial departments to overcome without getting the mitigation work started quickly.

Knowing how severe water damage in your Thomson theater has become can be a substantial challenge without the discovery devices and moisture content equipment available to our SERVPRO team. We know that a working understanding of the damage and water effects can help in the placement of capable drying equipment and even extraction efforts when the property requires it.

While you might not have substantial plumbing networks weaving throughout your entire property, there is a concentration of pipes present around your bathroom areas and concession stands in the lobby outside of the auditorium. When water loss incidents occur in this area, they can threaten multiple flooring types, including the plush carpeting present in the lobby, or the terrazzo tile work on the floors and splashes of the bathroom areas.

With these areas and materials at risk for pooling water damage and a tight schedule of performances and events set to occur in the facility, our SERVPRO team can help with fast mitigation and recovery efforts. We have a deep inventory of extraction and drying tools that can get employed immediately to prevent the unnecessary tear out and reinstallation of carpeting and tilework affected by the early stages of water pooling.

The old theater you manage in the area is historically significant, and protecting its original materials – including its flooring – should be a priority in the event of a disaster. Let our SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties rapid response team help you to make water loss incidents like this “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call anytime you need us at (706) 843-1990.

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We Can Save Your Flood Damaged Home In Augusta

7/16/2019 (Permalink)

You can reach our experts at (706) 843-1990 any time.

Cleaning After Flood Damage In Your Augusta Home

Flooding events are not just highly destructive but also pose high risks when they affect your home. Restoring your Augusta home to its preloss state is possible, but it requires sufficient skills and resources to deal with the destruction and risks. We offer professional flood damage mitigation that lightens the burden for you.

Flooding incidents ruin properties in many ways, including soiling and structural destruction. When the flood damage in your Augusta home involves groundwater, only the primary issue is soiling and contamination. While it is painless to extract the water that collects in ground floor rooms and basements, in many cases, sludge is left requiring additional steps. Our SERVPRO teams use advanced equipment such as pressure washers or simple tools like shovels to deal with the slurry.

Contamination is a severe threat when property floods. It is not possible to save porous materials affected by the water even when physical damage is minimal because of the contamination - contents such as carpets and upholstery fall in this category. It is also necessary to remove building materials such as insulation and drywall. Our SERVPRO technicians make flood cuts six inches above the waterline for easier removal of building materials and water trapped in the wall cavities. We also remove carpets and other porous contents for proper disposal.

Flooding and the cleanup processes that follow leave many sections of the property wet. The relative humidity is also high within the house after the incident, which can lead to other problems like mold. Various drying steps can help restore the property to its preloss state. Our SERVPRO technicians manipulate elements such as heat and air movements to expedite the drying process. We can also create drying chambers by dividing expansive areas with plastic sheets to quicken drying. We rely on various advanced equipment such as:

    •    Air Scrubbers

    •    Dehumidifiers

    •    Air Movers

    •    Floor Drying Systems

For peace of mind when dealing with the dirty task of restoring the flood-damaged property, call SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties. You can reach our experts at (706) 843-1990 any time.

For more about Augusta click here.

Who Wants to Handle Fire Damage Remediation Alone in Grovetown?

6/28/2019 (Permalink)

Getting your Contents back to Pre-loss Conditions after Fire Damage in Grovetown

Property fires can be catastrophic. However, fires are frequently contained and extinguished with minimal structural damage. The majority of issues concern removing smoke residues, dealing with odors, and ensuring possessions are restored without the need for expensive replacements. We operate a restoration service dedicated to the safe removal of soots, smokes, and odors using local technicians that understand the emotional toll that a home fire can cause. 

Our compassionate restorers are available to assist with the restoration of fire damage in Grovetown and the surrounding area. SERVPRO technicians operate with a restore rather than replace mentality that can rescue sentimental possessions and bring your home back to its preloss condition; allowing you to get on with your everyday life. 

Contents usually sustain damages in the form of soot, smoke staining, and odor contamination. Fabrics are at particular risk due to the porous nature of the material. SERVPRO ensure that contents are treated sensitively by conducting a pre-test. Pre-tests pay attention to the type of material, natural or synthetic, as well as the type of smoke that has soiled the material. 

The results of a pre-test can be valuable in terms of limiting further damages and restoring to a preloss condition. Some materials may suffer damage to the finish if subjected to corrosive chemicals. However, to restore fittings effectively, it may be necessary to remove the finish through soda blasting to remove soot deposits before professionally refinishing after the successful removal of soiling. 

Denser items like drapery rods or light fittings can benefit from immersion cleaning. When a material is deemed robust enough to be subjected to full immersion in cleaning solvent, SERVPRO can use ultrasonic cleaning methods to remove stubborn soot or discoloration from metals or synthetic materials. We can perform immersion cleaning at an offsite facility before returning it to your home as good as new. 

Professional contents restoration can help you to avoid expensive replacements. Contact SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes at (706) 843-1990. 

Click here to see more about Grovetown. 

Call Us For Help When Your Augusta Property Experiences A Water Damage Disaster

6/20/2019 (Permalink)

Give our crew a call anytime that you need our expertise and experience at (706) 843-1990.

Air Purification Options For Water Damaged Augusta Properties

Environmental cleaning is an important step to substantial water loss recovery for Augusta homes. There are multiple reasons that air purification and monitoring should occur regularly throughout this restoration process. Our certified professionals can help to maintain indoor air quality and remove threats with our expanding inventory of filtering equipment and air purification machines. The faster that this purification can begin, the better protected our technicians and the occupants of the house can be against potential agitators and hazards.

While many layers of damage exist when your Augusta home requires water cleanup, an often-overlooked aspect by unprofessional restoration teams is the indoor air quality. While there are less direct concerns like you might find with fire and mold damages, water loss emergencies can lead to threatening air contamination from dust, debris, mold spores, and other particulates.

With substantial loss incidents occurring in the house, often controlled demolition and reconstruction are necessary steps that must happen to return the property to preloss condition. The removal and replacement of these construction materials can generate considerable dust and debris. To keep our SERVPRO professionals from needing to wipe down every surface and exposed area extensively, we can limit the spread of this airborne dust with the use of filtering equipment like air scrubbers and negative air machines.

With the saturation of materials like carpeting and other flooring materials, the persistent moisture and dampness can lead to an influx in the volume of active mold spores in the area. Mold colonization occurs in moist conditions, and the days following a substantial water loss incident can be an ideal time for mold growth to occur. Hydroxyl generators and ozone machines can both run the air through HEPA filters to capture mold spores as small as 0.3 microns.

Air quality is an often-overlooked aspect of water loss recovery, but one of the many steps our SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties team takes to restore your property fully. Give our crew a call anytime that you need our expertise and experience at (706) 843-1990.

For more about Augusta click here.

When Your Augusta Home Has Water Damage Issues, Call Our Experts For Help!

6/7/2019 (Permalink)

Give our professionals a call anytime you need us at (706) 843-1990.

The Fast Solutions For Drying Your Augusta Home

We know that there are options for you when water loss incidents occur in your Augusta house. Many homeowners seek to correct these conditions on their own, ensuring that they do not have to waste time or money on professional restoration services. Unfortunately, with how quickly these effects can spread throughout your home, it soon becomes impossible to determine the full spread of these damages without sophisticated and advanced equipment like our professionals have.

It may not seem like a risk to allow moisture, saturation, and other water damage to persist in your Augusta residence, but it is. Our SERVPRO professionals have seen the damaging effects of water saturation on structural elements, construction materials, and the contents of properties. We can appreciate not only the vital need for fast drying of water damages but your need to have drying done thoroughly and efficiently.

Choosing SERVPRO is a wise decision because we invest our reputation into advanced and state-of-the-art equipment to help us overcome water loss incidents, but also to determine the spread of these effects to ensure that we have successfully removed excess moisture and potentially damaging conditions. We have multiple moisture content readers, including probing units, as well as infrared and thermal imagery cameras to identify moisture pockets in wall cavities, ceiling spaces, and into flooring.

We have multiple units that can efficiently dry your home as well. With our base units that are vital to every drying effort like our air movers and desiccant or Low Grain Refrigerant (LGR) dehumidifiers to our specialized equipment like our Injectidry system, drying mats, and weighted extractors, we have all of the tools to protect your property.

While there are many reasons that choosing our SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties team is a wise decision, to many homeowners it comes down to the equipment that we can offer to provide fast and cost-effective water restoration. Give our professionals a call anytime you need us at (706) 843-1990.

Click here for more about Augusta.

Our Technicians Are Ready 24/7 To Restore Your Waynesboro Business After A Water Damage Disaster

5/22/2019 (Permalink)

A broken line soaked the drywall with water throughout the night, we removed the sheetrock along with the water and restored it right away.

Fast Water Removal in Waynesboro Gets Thrift Store Back to Business

Every business with a water heater has the potential to need water removal from their premises if the seal fails or there is a leak. Imagine the amount of water from a thirty or forty-gallon tank could mean for your business.

SERVPRO received a late night call for water removal in Waynesboro from a thrift store. A water tank in a utility closet had leaked throughout the back part of the shop. The owner was concerned about being closed for any length of time.

Our technicians arrived quickly and used portable pumps with wand attachments to extract the water from the linoleum flooring quickly. The industrial carpets outside the closet and employee common areas were removed for drying and disinfecting as they were made of rubber and did not absorb water.

After the water was removed, our technicians set up air movers, and instead of the cold coil dehumidifiers, we chose to use desiccant-based dehumidifiers. As the air movers cause moisture to rise from surfaces, these machines attract it to a rotating wheel coated in a solid material such as a silica gel or activated alumina. As moisture collects on the wheel, it is deposited into a damp air collection port, and the wheel turns to collect more. It is a very effective process for removing moisture quickly.

Mold is always a concern after a water intrusion. Once the area is dry, our technicians carefully wipe down all surfaces with our professional strength antifungal and antibacterial cleaners that leave surfaces sanitary and deodorized. SERVPRO technicians also take moisture readings after drying to ensure there are areas of residual moisture. In this case, the soft moisture meter indicated mold should not develop.

Once completed, SERVPRO technicians walked the shop owner through the restored areas to ensure she was pleased with our service and make sure all concerns were addressed before she reopened for business.

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties is available for commercial water removal 24/7 by calling (706) 843-1990. Our emergency response teams arrive quickly and work to make the water loss in your business, "Like it never even happened."

Innovative Readiness Training Scheduled for June 15-22 click here for more information.

Our Fire Damage Experts Can Remove Foul Odors From Your Augusta Home

5/6/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the advanced tools to address these effects and to make all of the fire loss effects “Like it never even happened.”

Equipment Used To Remove Fire Odors From Augusta Homes

While many effects could follow a fire in your Augusta home, many property owners have the hardest time making peace with the widespread odors that could permeate into materials and affect broad areas of the property even far from the ignition point. After first responders and firefighters have left the scene, it is imperative to get restoration professionals to your address quickly to begin mitigation work that can save you money and time on the recovery steps to follow.

Our team has the tools and the experience to handle all of the fire damage effects that your Augusta home might see, but to protect your house against all of the damage it could experience, containment strategies need to get implemented immediately. Our SERVPRO professionals have several machines that can work to begin filtering the air to reduce effects like odors and contaminants. Additionally, our professionals can install physical containment barriers to prevent effects like odors from freely moving throughout the house.

As restoration professionals that seek to go the extra mile for the customer when disaster strikes, we arrive with many deodorization options. Between our array of equipment and effective cleaning agents and sprays, we can improve the aesthetic appeal and smell of affected areas in your house.

The equipment that we use to address lingering odors in the property is among the most sophisticated and advanced in our inventory. We have UV and thermal fogging equipment that offers a portable option for our technicians to address odors in open areas of the property. Also, these units can safely address odors trapped in soft materials and fabrics. We can utilize units like hydroxyl generators and ozone machines to filter the air with its onboard HEPA filter.

Odor threats can spread throughout your home after a fire and can make comfortable living difficult, even if it does not force your family to relocate. SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties has the advanced tools to address these effects and to make all of the fire loss effects “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call anytime at (706) 843-1990.

Click here for more about Augusta.

You Can Call Our Fire Damage Experts 24/7 To Restore Your Augusta Home To Pre-Damage Condition

4/25/2019 (Permalink)

Cleaning Up Box Fan Fire Damage In An Augusta Home

As the Georgia summer draws ever closer, the weather is turning balmy and, while pleasant, it may be time to start breaking out fans to stay cool on warm, sunny days. When your trusty old box fan overheats and catches fire in your living room, however, it can leave you with more to worry about than just keeping your home from heating up during the summer.

If an overheated box fan has caused fire damage in your Augusta residence, certified SERVPRO technicians stand ready to assist you. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, and strive to restore your home to its preloss condition. Both SERVPRO employees and franchise owners undertake extensive training and educational programs that cover fire and water damage restoration, as well as carpet and upholstery cleaning. These programs ensure that every SERVPRO technician and franchise owner knows the ins and outs of all kinds of residential and commercial disasters and how to mitigate damage from them.

When SERVPRO technicians come to assess the damage, the first step is to clean up soot and residues left over from the fire. When electronic appliances burn, the plastics and rubbers can melt and create hard-to-clean stains that require thorough scrubbing with EPA-registered cleaners to eliminate.

After cleaning, our team can use an Ultra Low Volume wet fogger to deodorize your living space. This piece of equipment emits a mist of deodorant particles that are 8 to 15 microns in size to penetrate areas affected by odor-causing residues. Hand pump sprayers can directly deodorize porous surfaces with deodorizing chemicals emitted at 50 psi. This approach is useful for spots of carpet that were particularly charred by fire.

SERVPRO of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties is available for disaster cleanup 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need our services to clean up after disaster strikes in your home, give us a call today at (706) 843-1990, and we can ensure that home is restored. “Like it never even happened.”

Click here for more about Augusta.

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/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.