Georgia Basement Floods!

3/18/2023 (Permalink)

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Columbus, GA  and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

Crime Scene & Trauma Clean Up

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians follow OSHA and EPA protocols to help transform an unsafe environment back into a clean, safe home or business. Their first focus is always safety, since crime or accident scenes may involve bloodborne pathogens, harmful chemicals, and other dangers. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals will always treat your property and the people involved with the greatest empathy and respect in the face of trying circumstances.

Crime Scene and Trauma Cleaning Services

• Fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals
• Tear gas and pepper spray residues
• Fire extinguisher residue
• Blood, bodily fluids, and tissue remnants

Common Trauma and Crime Scene Scenarios

Crime Scene Residues

From fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals to tear gas and pepper spray residues, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can clean and restore your property after a crime scene investigation.

Bloodborne Pathogens

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals remove and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accident, trauma, crime or death. Trained SERVPRO Franchise Professionals clean, disinfect and deodorize the structure.

Methamphetamine Labs

SERVPRO realizes many of the chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine are volatile and can leave harmful residues throughout a structure. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals follow federal and state guidelines to properly clean all surfaces.

Did you know: Homeowner Polices can assist/cover these type of claims. 

Mold Infestation?

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

Do you have Mold? Have you asked yourself if it's due to the moisture in my home?

• Keep humidity levels as low as you can—no higher than 50%--all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. Humidity levels change throughout the day as changes occur in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so check the humidity levels more than once a day.
• If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source.  Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
• Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans, which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
• Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
• Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding.
• Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.

Call SERVPRO of Columbus 706-568-1934

• Visual Mold Inspection (Call for Pricing)
• Mold Testing (Call for Pricing)

Small Leaks?

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

You may have a small water damage and not even know it. In situations like this with appliances that are big and difficult to move or see behind, its possible to have a small leak. 

Now in this photo everything looks normal. If you take a closer look you can see that baseboard has swollen and pulled away from the wall. The baseboard being made of wood, expands when being subjected to moisture. 

We understand that you can not always look behind big appliances or know exactly what to look for. This is why we have experienced professionals ready to help serve you 24/7 to help find potential damage.

Ask about our Emergency Ready Profile to help equip you with the knowledge and information to help during an unexpected disaster.

Why Us? We will Help with your Insurance Claim!

11/4/2022 (Permalink)

When you experience an unexpected disaster in your home, you may not know how to handle it. After the shock is over, your first thought is “How am I going to pay for this?”. This is a common question homeowners ask themselves given the high cost of repairing water, fire, mold or trauma damage. Good news for you, our team of professionals is here to help eliminate that concern.

Here at SERVPRO of Columbus, Ga 

set ourselves apart from other restoration companies by how well we work with your insurance company. Our dedicated team of professionals understands the insurance industry. From knowing how the claims process works, to getting your claim submitted and your repairs covered. Many of our team members have a background in the insurance industry.

As one of the largest restoration and damage remediation companies in the country, we work with hundreds of insurance companies to help our customers get their claims processed quickly and fairly. Many insurance companies know that SERVPRO handles losses professionally and often recommend us to their policyholders.

Removal of Graffiti

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Tagging, Artwork, or sadly unwanted Graffiti is sometime not a welcome on Public or Personal Property. Below are a few help tips to assist with the removal. 

Glass

Scrape off the graffiti with a razor blade, or try paint thinner and rinse the glass clean.

Masonry 

Options include sand blasting or power washing. Chemical graffiti remover may also be effective for removing graffiti.

Fiberglass/Aluminum Siding

Sparingly apply paint remover to the surface, and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Vinyl Siding

Small amounts of chemical solvents work well to remove graffiti. Care should be taken not to remove the vinyl.

Metal

Apply solvents and rub it out with sandpaper or steel wool, which works well. Power washing is another option.

It’s best to remove graffiti by testing a small area using your selected method to see how well the process works.

Drying Hardwood Floors - No Problem!

10/28/2022 (Permalink)

When a water damage happens, flooring usually takes a load of the damage. Carpet can usually be salvaged as well as tile on concrete (Depending on CAT of Water). Wood flooring is something completely different. It depends on the wood. If its a laminate and what's underneath. 

With this job we were able to get to it in time before the wood started to buckle (when the wood expands and starts to life up), cupping (when the sides of the wood plank start to rise), crowning (when the center of the plank rises).

This machine uses heat and air movement to get the moisture trapped under the wood that normally a fan wouldn't be able to get. 

When you have a water damage do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Columbus/ S, Muscogee. Even if you aren't sure if moisture is present. Call us for a moisture inspection. 706-568-1934

Smoke or Soot

9/29/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Columbus will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 706.568.1934

SCHOOLS OUT.... Sanitation is IN!

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

Now that School is out! COVID is still out there! Call our office for a Deep Cleaning and Sanitation for your classrooms, school buses, and sporting complex.  

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

Kitchen/Food Areas
Bathrooms
Schools/Classrooms
Offices
Retail Spaces
Water Fountains
Shelving/Racks
Sales Counters
Carpets and Rugs
Stair Handrails
Elevator Cars
Playground Equipment
Fitness Equipment
Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Columbus, GA 706-568-1934

Water Damage Impacts Insulation and Building Materials

6/9/2022 (Permalink)

When water damage strikes the water can impact and damage the structure of your home, the contents, and the materials within your home. 

Insulation is one building material that can be greatly impacted by water. When some insulation gets wet, like fiberglass or expanded foam they can be dried out and possibly saved. But blown insulation that gets wet loses it's R-value or ability to insulate and should be replaced. R-value measures how well building insulation can prevent the flow of heat into and out of the home.

Key Things to Inspect:

• Water Stains
• Puddles of Water
• Wet Floors or Drywall
• Perform a Moisture Check
• Call the Experts 

If your residential or commercial property is affected by water damage from things like a pipe break, appliance failure or secondary damages from firefighting efforts SERVPRO of Columbus, GA is Here to Help!

Contact our office once your spoken with your insurance carrier. If you need assistance with filing a claim then let us know. 706-568-1934