Pace, Milton, Navarre & Gulf Breeze Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

Mold remediation is performed on a Santa Rosa resident after tests show there is mold in the structure.

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Santa Rosa County for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Santa Rosa County specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today –850-939-4700

Water Damage Requires Expertise: Steps to Ensure You Choose the Right Restoration Provider

1/16/2023 (Permalink)

Team arrives at Santa Rosa County emergency call to administer water damage restoration with top-notch equipment.

Follow These Tips to Make Sure You Consider All Aspects of Your Needs as You Choose from Among Santa Rosa SW Water Restoration Companies.   

Water damage rarely gives its victims time for a deliberate response. One minute you are busy running your Santa Rosa business, and the next, you are splashing through several inches of water from a ruptured water heater or a burst supply pipe. Seasonal storms strike, and some years your number is up as you watch high winds and torrential rains deposit floodwaters inside your house, top-down, and bottom-up. As each minute passes, both the structure and contents of your business are taking a beating. The intensity of the damage is beyond your DIY skills. You must get professional help, but how to choose from among many alternatives?

Is the Location of a Water Restoration Company Important?

Some water restoration companies in the Pensacola area seem to have no permanent presence in the area, announcing their services with a knock on the door or a sticky flyer attached to your mailbox. Although you might jump at a chance to engage a restoration company at the height of your crisis, finding and partnering with a reputable local company is crucial.

• You can talk directly with management, not just a salesperson.
• You can check into the firm's reputation with your local BBB and talk with friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members who used the company's services in the past.
• You can ask to talk to recent customers or view local testimonials for a good sense of the company's results and work ethic.
• You can continue your relationship with a local restorer if questions or concerns arise after your project completes.

Is There One Crucial Feature Beyond Location that Separates High-Quality Water Restoration Companies from Also-Rans?

As you sort the water damage restoration options available to you, a deal-breaker is any indication that the company you consider lacks licensing or restoration training, especially no certification from theInstitute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Check to see if the company and its technicians have mastered this international restoration standards-setting organization's rigorous coursework.

At SERVPRO, we obtain certification for our business and our employees, update ourselves regularly, and avail ourselves of e-learning and continuing and advanced education courses:

• Initial Franchise Training at SERVPRO's Corporate Training Facility
• Employee Certification Training
• IICRC Training -- basic to master levels

Local and Appropriately Trained -- Check! What Else Should I Require When Choosing a Restoration Company?

Inquire at a minimum about two other key features:

Does the Water Damage Restoration Company Invest in Innovative, High-Quality, and Large Capacity Equipment?

Although the fundamental actions needed from a water restoration company are water extraction and structural drying, the tools with which technicians achieve these tasks can differentiate between a fast recovery and a long slog. Failing to remove the water and begin efficient drying within 24 to 48 hours risks secondary damage like mold growth and progressive deterioration of building materials. To facility fast progress, we stock:

Commercial-grade truck-mounted extractors with a holding tank capacity of 60 to more than 100 gallons, should containment and legally prescribed disposal become necessary

• Portable extractors that technicians can wear like backpacks, gaining access to confined spaces
• Negative pressure air systems can focus suction on wet areas of multi-layered wood floors and pull flooding out of building cavities when connecting hoses through drilled or cut holes -- reversing the pressure to positive to direct warm air into cavities for drying
• Significant inventories of air movers and several different types of dehumidifiers to achieve structural drying

Not surprisingly, all water restoration companies cannot offer the same services. SERVPRO of Santa Rosa County SW wants to earn your business through our training, experience, equipment, and commitment to our community.

Call us to schedule an assessment today!

Steps to Consider Before You Call Your Local SERVPRO Restoration Experts

1/16/2023 (Permalink)

Local resident called SERVPRO after trying DIY methods to remove water in the home.

When it comes to  experts, we are it! Still, there are times where you may be able to remedy restoration issues, and you deserve to know how to do just that when you can.

Storm damages, sewer line bursts, pipes leakage and other water damaging scenarios can cause really serious, long-term consequences. This damage can be toxic and cause mold growth. To avoid this, and other long-lasting complications, you can try the steps below on your own.

Timing is a huge factor in the success of DIY tactics. The sooner you can act, the better. This helps prevent a worsening issue and even more health challenges to you, your family and co-workers. From the moment you notice signs, get moving ASAP for best results.

The first thing you should do is disconnect the outlets in the area. Water and electricity can be a fatal combination, so make sure to disconnect all outlets the moment you discover water damage in your home. Even if it is not apparent that high impact damages are in store, the first step MUST always be this one. If this step is not prioritized, and you go into the home without disconnecting the outlets, electrical shock explosions can take place.

The next thing to do is to check for mold in the area. As most know, mold thrives in  moist spaces, so taking the time to inspect the entire home or building immediately is key. Here are a few common signs to look for:

• The prevalence of a musty, earthy smell
• Darkening of the grout in your shower tiles
• Wallpaper peeling
• Dark or colored spots on your walls

Most obviously, it’s important to dry the water out! Also was dry asap to prevent the damage from worsening. Leaving still water in any spaces, for any period of time, is a haven for germs and bacteria- weakening the structure of your home. A few ways that you can do this are using fans, dehumidifiers to dry out walls and carpets as well. 

Another thing you can do on your own is remove any damaged items. All too often, water damage will wreak havoc on the items inside the home as well. It’s important to inspect furniture, carpet, flooring, drywall and other items that are of no use and are holding moisture ongoing.

The last DIY tactic we recommend is to disinfect! Even if it seems a small area has the damage, you can’t be certain that bacteria has not reached other areas. We use the “better safe than sorry” method here and always suggest sanitizing the property with bleach as quickly as possible. 

If you attempt some or all of the above, and you are still not reaching a remedy stage, calling our crew in is a sure bet to getting a solution in place and restoring the routines you need to carry on life as usual. We pride ourselves on being both educational with tips and hands on when the help is needed. That is how we serve the Santa Rosa County community.