Water Damage Restoration in Potomac

11/8/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage can strike unexpectedly, whether from a storm, burst pipes, or a leaking appliance. In Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, and Silver Spring, SERVPRO is here to help you restore your home or business quickly and efficiently.

Why Act Fast?

Water damage can escalate rapidly, leading to mold growth and structural damage. Acting fast can save you time and money by preventing further issues. If you spot water damage, call us right away!

Our Services Include:

• 24/7 Emergency Response: We’re available anytime to mitigate damage.
• Water Extraction & Drying: Using advanced equipment to remove water and dry affected areas.
• Mold Remediation: If mold is present, we’ll handle the cleanup and prevention.
• Restoration: We restore your property to its pre-damage condition.

Why Choose SERVPRO of Potomac?

We’re local, reliable, and ready to respond quickly. Our certified technicians have the expertise to handle any water damage issue, big or small.

Call SERVPRO of Potomac at (301) 409-4776 for immediate water damage restoration. We're here to help, 24/7!

August Safety Blog: Lightning Safety Awareness

8/27/2024 (Permalink)

As we move through the summer months, storm season is still in full swing, and it's essential to remain vigilant when it comes to thunderstorm safety. At SERVPRO of Potomac, we know that lightning strikes pose a significant risk, and the National Weather Service has shared valuable tips to keep you safe.

The key takeaway is simple: “There is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area.” If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger of a lightning strike. The best way to protect yourself is by avoiding outdoor activities during thunderstorms and following the golden rule: "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!"

Unfortunately, many lightning-related injuries and deaths occur because people do not react quickly enough. Waiting too long to seek shelter puts you at unnecessary risk. Here's what you need to know to stay safe:

Tips for Staying Safe During Thunderstorms

• Have a Lightning Safety Plan: Always be prepared. If thunderstorms are forecasted, cancel or postpone outdoor activities, and keep an eye on weather updates.

• Get to a Safe Place: As soon as thunder is heard or the sky looks threatening, head indoors. Substantial buildings with walls and roofs, or hard-topped vehicles, are safe options. Avoid small shelters, sheds, or open vehicles like golf carts, as these do not provide adequate protection.

• Avoid Electrical Appliances Indoors: Once indoors, do not touch anything connected to electricity, including plugged-in appliances, corded phones, or plumbing. Cell phones and cordless phones are safe to use. Keep a distance from windows and doors.

Understanding Lightning Risk Behavior

The risk of being struck by lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches, reaches a peak when the storm is overhead, and decreases as it moves away. However, human behavior plays a crucial role in preventing lightning strikes. To minimize the risk:

• Seek shelter early: Don't wait for the storm to be directly overhead.

• Stay inside longer: Once indoors, remain sheltered for at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder or lightning strike.

Final Thoughts

By staying alert and following these safety guidelines, you can significantly reduce your chances of being struck by lightning. At SERVPRO of Potomac, we remind you that your behavior during a thunderstorm determines your risk level. When you hear thunder, seek shelter immediately.

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! Stay safe and protect yourself this storm season.

Mold Prevention and Awareness with SERVPRO

8/27/2024 (Permalink)

Mold is more than just an eyesore—it's a potential health hazard that can cause serious damage to your property. At SERVPRO of Potomac, we're committed to helping you stay informed and protected.

Mold thrives in damp, humid environments, making it essential to address any moisture issues in your home or business promptly. Leaky roofs, plumbing problems, or poor ventilation can all contribute to mold growth. The key to preventing mold is controlling moisture. If you notice any signs of water damage, act quickly to dry the area and make necessary repairs.

Regular inspections can help you catch mold early before it becomes a bigger problem. If you do discover mold, it’s important to address it right away. DIY solutions may not be enough, and improper handling can actually spread the mold further. That's where professional help comes in.

At SERVPRO of Potomac, our team is trained to safely and effectively remove mold, ensuring your property is clean and healthy. Don’t wait until mold becomes a serious issue—contact us at the first sign of trouble, and we’ll help you take care of it.

Keep your home or business mold-free with proactive care and professional support. Mold prevention starts with moisture control, and we're here to assist every step of the way.

Protecting Your Home from Water Damage and Frozen Pipes

11/7/2023 (Permalink)

Turn-Key in time for Tur-Key!

With the crisp autumn air settling in, it's the perfect time to prepare your home for the upcoming Thanksgiving festivities. SERVPRO of Bethesda, Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase / Silver Spring are here to share some quick tips to ensure your holiday season stays warm and worry-free.

Gutter Maintenance: Clean out your gutters to prevent clogs and ensure proper drainage. This simple task can help avoid water damage to your home's foundation and basement during autumn rains.

Seal Gaps and Cracks: Inspect your home for gaps and cracks around windows and doors. Proper sealing not only keeps your home cozy but also prevents cold drafts that can lead to frozen pipes.

Insulate Pipes: As temperatures drop, insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements and crawl spaces. This extra layer of protection can prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

Keep the Heat On: If you're away for Thanksgiving, don't turn the heat off completely. Keep it set to a reasonable temperature to prevent frozen pipes. This small measure can save you from significant water damage.

Check Appliances: Inspect your dishwasher, washing machine, and refrigerator for any leaks or signs of wear. A quick check now can prevent water damage and ensure smooth holiday preparations.

Outdoor Faucets: Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and shut off outdoor faucets to prevent water from freezing in the pipes. This helps avoid burst pipes and potential water damage.

Know Your Water Main: Familiarize yourself with the location of your water main shut-off valve. In case of an emergency, a quick shut-off can minimize water damage.

By taking these proactive steps, you'll create a cozy and worry-free environment for your Thanksgiving celebrations. If, despite your best efforts, you encounter any water damage issues, remember that SERVPRO of Bethesda, Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase / Silver Spring is just a call away. Wishing you a joyful and stress-free Thanksgiving season! Call us for any water damage or fire damage at (301) 972-3500!

Steps to Restoration After the Fire Trucks Depart

9/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready when the unfortunate happens!

When the fire trucks depart and the flames are extinguished, the journey to clean up and restore begins, starting with a crucial step – the board-up. SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase, Silver Spring offers this vital emergency service to safeguard your property. Firefighters often break windows and create openings in the roof to ventilate the structure, which releases smoke and heat. However, the board-up is essential to secure your property against theft and liability.

Swift Water Removal

Sometimes, alongside fire damage, properties also suffer significant water damage, which can nearly equal the impact of the fire itself. In some cases, fires are extinguished using water-based methods, contributing to the cleanup complexity. When water damage coincides with fire damage, swift water extraction becomes imperative.

The water removal process commences almost immediately to prevent mold growth. Our highly trained technicians employ advanced moisture detection tools and years of expertise to locate water trapped behind walls and beneath floors. Subsequently, dehumidifiers and air movers are deployed to eliminate residual water and complete the drying process.

Preserving Your Belongings

Upon arriving at your Montgomery County-area property, SERVPRO-certified professionals, easily identifiable by our marked vehicles and uniforms, embark on mitigation efforts designed to safeguard your property and its contents. Procedures such as pack-outs involve relocating at-risk furniture and belongings to our secure warehouse.

Pack-outs provide a secure environment for storing and restoring items until they can be returned to your fully restored property. By separating them from the structure, we gain a better opportunity to clean and restore the building. Items entrusted to our Contents Department undergo meticulous cleaning, disinfection, and deodorization to ensure their readiness for reintegration.

Our teams take special care in hand-wrapping and protecting large items like furniture and artwork. Smaller items are systematically sorted and packed into boxes. To maintain accurate inventory records, each item is photographed, labeled, and tracked through our proprietary software throughout the entire process.

Call the Fire Damage Restoration Professionals

If you experience a fire in your Montgomery County-area home or business, do not hesitate to call the fire damage restoration experts at SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase, Silver Spring. We respond promptly, day or night, 24/7/365.

With our knowledge, equipment, and dedication, we can eliminate all signs of fire and smoke damage, restoring your property to its pre-fire condition. As a trusted leader in the restoration industry for years, both business owners and homeowners turn to us to restore and repair their properties.

Cleaning and restoring homes and businesses affected by smoke damage requires specialized training, materials, and equipment. Insurance companies rely on SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase, Silver Spring to handle the job with precision. In times of fire or water damage, trust the professional restoration services of Bethesda/Potomac and Chevy Chase, Silver Spring to make it "Like it never even happened."

Be Prepared for Storms and Flooding

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

Storms and flooding can happen at any given moment. Be prepared!

Storms and heavy flooding are a common natural disaster in the Bethesda/Potomac and Chevy Chase/Silver Spring area. We can experience a range of weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, snowmelt, and occasional hurricane or tropical storms, which can all contribute to flooding storms.

According to the American Red Cross, floods cause more damage in the U.S. every year than any other weather related disaster. When facing a flood, prioritizing safety is crucial.

Here’s what you need to know to stay safe during and after flooding:

• If you approach flooded roads while driving, turn around and go another way. Get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.
• Stay away from floodwaters. If you are caught up on a flowing stream, and the water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way.
• Keep children and pets out of the water.
• Stay updated on weather forecasts and flood warnings. Listen to local authorities and emergency services for instructions.
• If authorities recommend evacuation, follow their instructions promptly. Have an emergency kit ready with essentials.
• Inspect your property for structural damage before entering. Look for cracks, holes, and other signs of instability.
• If your property is flooded, avoid turning electricity until it’s deemed safe by an expert.

When flooding strikes your home or business, contact SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and Chevy Chase/Silver Spring professionals. Even minor floods have the potential to cause major damage to a structure when not treated quickly and properly, and the cleanup is often an overwhelming task. SERVPRO is prepared to handle any sized disaster. Call us 24/7 at 301-530-7400. We are Here to Help!

Managing Mold in Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, and Silver Spring

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

Call The Team In Green!

SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring certified professionals have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Every mold situation is different, but the mold remediation process is the same. Water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. The following steps are an overview of SERVPRO’s mold removal process. 

Inspection and Damage Assessment 

Your property will be carefully inspected by one of our SERVPRO team of professionals for signs of mold using technology designed to detect hidden water sources.

Mold containment

Our team will follow various containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.

Air Filtration Equipment

SERVPRO certified professionals utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress. The specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air.

Removing mold and cleaning contents

Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments eliminate mold colonies to help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold infested materials, like drywall and flooring , may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth in your home or business. In addition, our SERVPRO certified professionals use different cleaning techniques to sanitize your belongings, including furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items. 

Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, restoration may involve minor repairs such as replacing drywall painting and installing new carpet. The restoration stage can also until major repairs such as reconstruction of various rooms and areas in your home or business.

At SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring we are the go to mold remediation experts. Call us at 301-530-7400 if you suspect mold damage in your home or business. 

Storm Safety Tips - National Preparedness Month

9/8/2022 (Permalink)

National Preparedness Month - Storm Ready

Storms can strike anywhere and at any time. According to the NOAA, weather incidents could result in nearly $15 billion in damages. 

Think about how different disasters could affect your Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, and Silver Spring property. Take the necessary steps to become informed and develop an emergency plan for before, during, and after an event for your family and pets. Read more to learn about basic emergency supply kit items you should have.

Basic Emergency Supply Kit

• First aid kit
• Water and non-perishable food for several days 
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Prescription medication and glasses
• Cash
• Can opener (Optional, if your kit contains canned foods)

We Are Here To Help

SERVPRO of Bethesda, Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring hope that with a little planning, you can help us approach disasters in a calm manner. A clear plan can reduce fear and anxiety during evacuation so that the process will not become chaotic and messy. Panic tends to exacerbate disaster outcomes, so always remember to keep yourself as collected as possible. 

Emergency Ready Plan

If your company requires assistance developing an emergency plan, let SERVPRO of Bethesda, Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring do it for you. We specialize in Emergency Ready Profiles, which help mitigate disruption and business interruption in the event of an emergency.

Learn More About Emergency Ready Profiles >

CALL US 

(301) 530-7400

Fire Damage in Bethesda/Potomac

6/20/2022 (Permalink)

Our certified technicians have extensive fire damage cleanup and restoration training to get your property back to pre-fire condition.

The extent of fire damage can range from minor smoke and soot contained to just a portion of the home to extensive structural damage that must be rebuilt. Once your home or business is deemed safe for entry, SERVPRO-certified technicians will inspect and assess the level of damage to help determine a plan. We will categorize your fire damage upon inspection into one of the three following categories:

• Minor Fire Damage – Just a portion of the building was affected by light to moderate smoke and soot. Restoration could include dry to wet cleaning and deodorizing walls, ceiling, floor, and personal property, with little or no repainting. Also, very few personal items need replacement.

• Medium Fire Damage – Moderate smoke and soot require more aggressive cleaning and deodorizing techniques to remove residue. More areas need repainting. The heat caused more extensive damage to surfaces and materials, which may require more items to need repair or replacement.

• Major Fire Damage – Severe fire damage to contents, finished surfaces, and even structural framing. Smoke has infiltrated most of the building, and emergency intervention like board-up of windows and doors, or roof tarping, is required. Personal property items will likely need to be moved out of the structure for cleaning off-site. All remaining surfaces will be cleaned and deodorized in preparation for painting and repairs.

SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring has the specific damage restoration training, personnel, and equipment to restore your home or business to its pre-existing state. If you need someone to help you with any fire, soot, or smoke damage, our certified technicians will be there to start the restoration process. For more information about what it takes to manage a puff back and prevention steps towards avoiding an expected disaster, please call us at SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring at 301-530-7400.

Water Damage in Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, & Silver Spring

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage due to a tub overflow from the 2nd level that affected 3 levels of the home

Thunderstorms occur more in the summer, and the likelihood of a water loss in your home or property increases. If you experience any water damage, we will help you understand the severity of the damage. So, you’re able to make the best decisions for the restoration of your home. SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring uses the most advanced equipment to detect hidden moisture and extract standing water.

What to Expect

When you call, a customer care specialist will ask questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions are needed to understand your needs, including how many trained professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Specialist will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage?
• Is there electricity and running water available?

Why SERVPRO?

SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring use a scientific approach to water removal and cleanup that emphasizes monitoring and documenting the drying process from beginning to end. From the initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician

ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician

CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician

CMT - Commercial Carpet Maintenance Technician

ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program

FCT - Floor Care (Hard Surfaces) Technician

FSRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician

HST - Health and safety Technician

IICRC Certified Firm

Master Fire & Smoke Restorer

OCT - Odor Control Technician

OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program

OSHA - 30-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program

RCT - Rug Cleaning Technician

RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation

RRT - Carpet Repair & Reinstallation Technician

UFT - Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician

WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician

Call SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring at 301-530-7400