Signs You Need Mold Remediation in Your Tarboro Home

4/6/2023 (Permalink)

Mold remediation for your property is no DIY project. SERVPRO has the knowledge and understanding for all phases of mold restoration.

Mold growth can be a serious problem in your Tarboro home. Not only can it cause health issues for you and your family, but it can also damage the structural integrity of your home. Mold thrives in damp, humid environments and can grow quickly if not addressed promptly. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the signs that you need mold remediation by SERVPRO of Rocky Mount & Tarboro in your Tarboro home.

1. Visible Mold Growth The most obvious sign that you need mold remediation is visible mold growth. Mold can appear as black, green, or white spots on walls, floors, and ceilings. It can also grow on fabrics, such as curtains and upholstery. If you see mold growing in your home, it's important to have it inspected by a professional restoration company like SERVPRO of Rocky Mount & Tarboro.

2. Musty Odor Another sign that you may have mold growth in your home is a musty odor. Mold has a distinct, earthy smell that can be noticeable even if you can't see any visible mold growth. If you notice a musty smell in your home, it's important to have it inspected by a professional.

3. Water Damage If your home has experienced water damage, such as a flood or leak, it's important to have it inspected for mold growth. Moisture can create the ideal conditions for mold to grow, so if your home has been exposed to water, there's a good chance that mold could be growing as well.

4. Allergic Reactions If you or your family members are experiencing allergic reactions, such as sneezing, coughing, or itchy eyes, it could be a sign that mold is growing in your home. Mold spores can cause respiratory issues and allergic reactions, so if you're experiencing symptoms, it's important to have your home inspected for mold growth.

5. Stains or Discoloration Stains or discoloration on walls or ceilings could be a sign of mold growth. If you notice any discoloration or staining, it's important to have it inspected by a professional restoration company like SERVPRO of Rocky Mount & Tarboro.

In conclusion, if you notice any of these signs in your Tarboro home, it's important to contact SERVPRO of Rocky Mount & Tarboro for mold remediation services. Our team has the expertise, experience, and equipment needed to safely and effectively remove mold from your home, while minimizing the risk of cross-contamination and further mold growth. Don't wait until mold becomes a bigger problem. Contact us today for a consultation.

Who Do You Call When Property Damage Occurs in Rocky Mount?

3/7/2023 (Permalink)

If you've experienced property damage due to water, fire, or mold, choosing the right property restoration company is critical to getting your life back to normal as quickly as possible. Here are some reasons why customers should choose SERVPRO of Rocky Mount for property restoration:

1. Quick Response Time: SERVPRO has a 24-hour emergency response team that is always ready to respond to your call. The faster they arrive, the quicker they can begin the restoration process and minimize the damage.
2. Industry Expertise: SERVPRO technicians are trained and certified in the latest techniques and equipment for property restoration. They are knowledgeable in water, fire, and mold restoration techniques and can handle any situation.
3. Comprehensive Services: SERVPRO offers a wide range of restoration services to help you recover from any type of property damage. From water and fire damage to mold remediation and more, they can help restore your property to pre-damage condition.
4. Advanced Equipment: SERVPRO uses advanced equipment and techniques to ensure the most effective and efficient restoration possible. They use state-of-the-art equipment for water extraction, drying, and dehumidification, as well as specialized equipment for fire and smoke damage.
5. Insurance Coordination: Dealing with insurance after a disaster can be overwhelming. SERVPRO can help you navigate the insurance process and coordinate with your insurance provider to help ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.
6. Trusted Reputation: SERVPRO has been in the property restoration industry for over 50 years and has built a reputation as a trusted and reliable provider. They have helped countless customers recover from disasters and can help you too.

In summary, choosing SERVPRO of Rocky Mount for property restoration can provide peace of mind during a difficult time. Our quick response time, industry expertise, comprehensive services, advanced equipment, insurance coordination, and trusted reputation make us a top choice for property restoration. We can be reached anytime at (252) 977-9444.

How Professional HVAC Duct Cleaning Can Benefit You

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

Having your ducts cleaned and the HVAC system serviced regularly can keep it running more efficiently and substantially longer.

Having your HVAC ducts cleaned may not be a typical concern during life’s day-to-day, but central ventilation systems directly affect indoor air quality. Having an expert regularly service and inspect the motor, filters, coils, and other parts will ensure the system is running efficiently.

Five Benefits of Professional Duct Cleaning

HVAC ducts can be cleaned in a variety of ways, but not all are as effective enough to be considered satisfactory by SERVPRO standards. Our technicians are Here to Help® and have the training and commercial equipment necessary to provide the professional results you deserve and expect.

1. Improved Air Quality

Many ventilation systems pull in a wide variety of contaminants, such as dust, microbes, mold spores, and pollutants. Once these contaminants make their way inside your home, there's usually not enough airflow to circulate them back outside. Dirt and dust can build up throughout your ventilation system, causing wear and tear resulting in inefficient operation and unnecessary damage.

2. Mold Prevention

Heating and cooling ducts provide conditions that are great breeding grounds for mold growth. When you schedule routine professional maintenance, excess moisture and the organic materials that create that welcoming environment for mold spores are cleared away. Duct cleaning and disinfection steps may also prevent unpleasant musty and mildewy odors, as well as future mold growth.

3. Reduced Heating and Cooling Bills

When your ventilation system is kept clean and well-maintained, the airflow remains consistent, components don't have to work as hard, and the system has an easier time maintaining the desired temperature. When the machinery runs smoothly and doesn't have to work harder than necessary, operation costs are lower, and you save money on your utility bills.

4. Longer Equipment Life Span

Any type of debris in the heating and cooling system can affect the motors, fans, and other moving parts. This causes grinding and wear that damages those parts. In addition to this direct damage, the entire system will wear down more quickly because of the increased workload as the airflow is impacted. Routine repair and maintenance can greatly extend the service life of the system overall and can prevent a costly total system replacement.

5. Pest Prevention

Adequate ventilation requires openings that allow for sufficient airflow. Unfortunately, this may also mean that pests have easy access to the ducts. The screening that prevents them from entering these ducts can become damaged and worn as it's exposed to natural elements and fluctuations in temperature. Routine inspections and professional cleaning can catch damage early, and keep insects and rodents from getting in.

SERVPRO of Rocky Mount, NC, has the specialized equipment and advanced technology necessary to thoroughly clean and repair your heating and cooling system. Our crews have been trained in cutting-edge duct cleaning techniques to ensure your satisfaction. Call us today at (252) 977-9444 to schedule your next duct cleaning appointment.

Do You Have Water Damaged Documents? SERVPRO Can Help!

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Keep your Documents Safe by Following these Tips.

No matter how many precautions you take to protect it, your Rocky Mount, NC, commercial building is always susceptible to water damage. Unfortunately, water and excess moisture can result from many different occurrences, most of which are out of your control, including:

• Flooding from heavy rain
• Fire sprinklers activating
• Water pipe bursting
• Roof leaking

It doesn't help that most of your contents are probably not waterproof. It doesn't take much water to inflict severe damage on some materials, particularly paper-based items like essential documents and irreplaceable photos and artwork. Fortunately, all hope is not lost for some of these priceless materials, thanks to SERVPRO and its state-of-the-art document restoration techniques.

What Are SERVPRO's Restoration Methods for Water-Damaged Documents?

Time is not your friend when it comes to the mingling of water and paper-based materials. Every second counts, and SERVPRO's skilled technicians and industrial equipment go to great lengths to restore anything possible. These extraordinary document drying methods include:

1. Proactive Digitizing

To avoid as much devastation as possible from a water disaster, you can hire SERVPRO's professionals to digitize your photographs and important paper documents before anything happens to them. Digitizing can allow you to go completely digital to save on physical storage space in your office by decreasing the number of paper files.

They can also simply serve as backup copies. You should keep the digital copies in an off-premises location, including the cloud, to ensure their protection in the case of a disaster at your commercial building.

2. Vacuum Freeze-Drying

SERVPRO's vacuum freeze-drying is a unique process called sublimation that vaporizes solids (i.e., ice) so that the liquid state can be avoided. This method is beneficial because standard drying methods must concentrate on drying liquids, which is what initially caused the damage to the documents. Paper dried using a traditional document restoration method will often incur additional water damage during the restoration process.

The National Archives and Records Administration approves this method. The Library of Congress uses vacuum freeze-drying to dry the one-of-a-kind historical documents and books that it houses.

3. Cleaning and Gamma Irradiation Disinfecting

Gamma irradiation is an excellent technique SERVPRO water damage restoration professionals use to sterilize paper-based materials. Materials that have come into contact with toxic chemicals or sewage will benefit from the gamma irradiation disinfecting process.

4. Deodorizing Using Archival MicroChamber Paper

After thoroughly drying water-damaged paper-based materials, technicians use a deodorization process. This technique uses Archival MicroChamber paper to eliminate lingering musty odors or other foul smells (e.g., smoke). This unique paper is constructed from 100% cotton and is also helpful in removing odors from photographs. Often, technicians will also use activated charcoal to remove odors.

5. Re-jacketing

If you've ever had a book severely damaged by water, you know the frustration and devastation of seeing it fall apart before your very eyes. SERVPRO's technicians can not only completely dry a book, but also put a new cover on it to keep it bound.

SERVPRO offers several outstanding document restoration services that can be beneficial if your business endures a water disaster. Its talented technicians are ready and willing to help at a moment's notice.

Things You Need To Do After a Pipe Break

3/8/2022 (Permalink)

If you do not know what to do After a Pipe Break, just follow These Tips to prevent Water Damage.

Bursting pipes are not something you want to come home to. Whether the burst from cold, corrosion or a clog, there are a few things that you need to do quickly to minimize the damage.

6 Steps to Minize The Damage After a Pipe Break

1. Turn Off Your Water Main

Rather than wait to find out which pipes are causing the problem, turn off your water main to avoid further damage. Once you have the water off, you can look for the break.

2. Drain the Water

Before you fix broken pipe, you have to make sure that it is not still under pressure. Open your taps up to drain the water out of the system. If your pipes burst because they are frozen, turn your heat on to warm the pipes slowly.

3. Call in a Professional

Depending on the type of break and where it is, you might need a plumber to fix the pipe. Once the plumber is done, it is time to start thinking about cleanup. It is very important to fix any water damage as soon as possible. You can do this by calling a professional water remediation company in Rocky Mount, NC.

4. Dry the Area

The water remediation professionals will bring in pumps, fans and chemicals that remove and dry your home. Bursting pipes can cause more problems if the area is not properly dried. It will eventually cause issues like mold and mildew that can cause health effects to your family.

5. Remove the Debris

The water remediation company will normally remove anything damaged during the leak and properly dispose of it. They understand the laws in your area and will make sure all materials are taken to the proper location.

6. Fix the Damage

Some remediation companies also fix anything that was damaged by the water. All water-damaged drywall and flooring will need to be removed and replaced.

Bursting pipes are not the end of the world. A professional cleanup company can help you get back to normal faster.

Why You Need To Worry About Water in Your Crawl Space

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

A wet crawl space in your Rocky Mount, NC home can be dangerous for you and your family.

The crawl space of a home is often out of sight and mind, but it is a foundational element of your home, so it should be on your radar. While it might not seem like a big deal, a wet crawl space can have dire consequences for your home and family, primarily if it floods frequently. The crawl space contains the structural supports of the house and has direct access to its flooring beams. Consistent flooding can result in several issues, including:

• Mold
• Rot
• Sinking
• Foundation cracks
• Structural integrity issues
  

A flooded crawl space is no laughing matter. You should contact a water mitigation company in Rocky Mount, NC, as soon as possible to resolve the problem.

The Problems With a Wet Crawl Space

How often does your crawl space flood? A crawl space that experiences frequent floods can eventually lead to more significant concerns.

While water and moisture are not uncommon in crawl spaces, the maintenance of any water depth is problematic. See, under your house is the perfect environment for mold growth; it is dark, damp, and humid. While some people might not worry about mold under their house, it is concerning because mold can begin accessing other parts of the home through woodwork, gaps, vents, etc.

A musty odor is often the first sign of mold. When you can smell mold, it is a sign that it is reproducing and growing. You should contact a mold remediation specialist as soon as possible.

Water under your home can also lead to rot and soil displacement. Wood rot can lead to weak flooring and supports, threatening collapse. Soil displacement threatens the very foundation of the home, causing sinking and cracking.

Combatting Flooded Crawl Spaces

There are several steps a homeowner can take to prevent water from collecting under their house. First, you can install a sump pump to pump out excess water. Second, you can assess the slope of your yard. A yard should slope toward the street to prevent pooling against the foundation of your home. Third, you can examine the eaves and gutter, ensuring they are clean and working correctly. Finally, you can contact a remediation expert to look into the causes of your flooding problem.

When To Hire a Professional

The crawl space can become wet after heavy rains, but it shouldn’t flood. If you notice water sitting under the house and pooling, you should call for a property assessment. A remediation professional will assess things like a slope to determine the cause of the water problem.

If using SERVPRO, you can have a rough assessment within eight hours of contacting the company. The best part is the company is always open and promises a response time of one hour, on-site in four.

A wet crawl space is not normal, and if it is left alone, it can lead to several significant and potentially severe structural problems. Mold, rot, and sinking are only three of the threats water in a crawl space presents. SERVPRO has an excellent reputation for disaster response and can fix your crawl space concerns.

What Is Category Three Water Damage?

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

The category of the water damage will determine how to clean your Rocky Mount, NC home.

Did you know that home floods are categorized as one of three types of water damage? The degree of damage is based on contamination level. Water damage can originate from various sources. These sources include everything from a leaking water supply line to an overflowing toilet to flooding rain. Each variety will require vastly different restoration techniques.

Category 1 water, classified as "clean water," is relatively harmless for humans, such as an overflowing bathtub, faulty appliance, or broken water pipe.

Category 2 water, classified as "grey water," contains enough biological, chemical, or physical contaminants to pose a significant risk to humans. This water could come from a leaking dishwasher, a failing sump pump, or an overflowing toilet bowl (e.g., containing only urine but no feces).

Category 3 water, classified as "black water," is highly unsanitary and severely threatens humans. This water can originate from situations such as a flooding river, a sewer backup, or ground surface water. Grey water that hasn't been removed quickly enough can turn into black water after a short time.

It's essential to know how to classify the water damage you have in order to know which steps to take to clean it safely.

How Does Cleanup of Category Three Water Differ?

First and foremost, if you suspect that your water is category 3, you must keep people and pets away from it at all costs. This degree of contamination makes it critical to take proper measures to remediate the damage as soon as possible. High contamination means a vital need to hire water damage restoration experts. They have the professional equipment and expertise for safe, efficient cleanup.

1. Completing a Detailed Assessment of the Damage

The restoration technicians will always create a detailed evaluation of the damage. This assessment will help guide them on the best course of action to restore the affected area thoroughly.

2. Wearing Personal Protective Equipment

Technicians are required to wear PPE when dealing with black water. This equipment not only protects their safety during the sewage cleanup process but also guards your family and the unaffected areas of the home from possible cross-contamination. You will see your technicians wearing PPE such as hair coverings, protective glasses, respirators, waterproof coveralls, gloves, and boots. They'll remove this PPE whenever they leave the area and replace it when they return to work.

3. Removing Water and Contaminants

Technicians will remove all standing water and contaminants as quickly as possible. They'll also remove porous building materials, such as drywall, that they can't salvage.

4. Cleaning and Sanitizing

With category 3 damage, completing proper cleaning and sanitization is vital. Technicians will use their professional equipment and industrial-strength cleaning products to clean and sanitize the entire affected area.

5. Drying

Finally, the professionals must dry everything as quickly as possible. Quickly drying the affected area and contents will prevent mold growth and more extensive damage from water and excess humidity. The technicians utilize industrial-grade drying equipment, such as fans and dehumidifiers.

When your home in Rocky Mount, NC, sustains water damage, the moisture itself is bad enough. Black water adds another level of seriousness. Now you know how to identify category 3 water and what to expect from the restoration process.

Can Wet Wood Items Be Saved After a Flood?

7/30/2021 (Permalink)

Hardwood Flooring.

Because of its porous nature, wood can be particularly susceptible to water damage. Problems such as swelling wood, rot, discoloration and mold can make it difficult to salvage some wood items. However, quick action can increase your chances.

Saving Wood Items After Water Damage

Hardwood Flooring

Flooring that is made from real wood can often be dried out and repaired. Several steps should be taken to save hardwood flooring:

• If the source of the water is a broken pipe or supply line, have water pipe repair done.
  
• Use a mop or wet/dry vacuum to remove water or push it out of your home through a nearby door.
  
• Open doors and windows and run fans and dehumidifiers to accelerate drying.
  
• Apply disinfectants to kill bacteria and reduce mold growth.
  
• Consider contacting a water remediation company in Rocky Mount, NC, to quickly and safely remove water.
  

Baseboards and Subflooring

Baseboards and subfloors are often constructed from multi-density fiberboard. This material does not hold up to water well and you will often find swelling wood in these areas. Most of the time, you will need to replace these materials. Wet baseboards and subfloor should be removed as soon as possible to avoid additional damage to hardwood flooring or drywall that may be able to be salvaged.

Wood Furniture

Much like flooring, furniture that is constructed from real wood is more likely to be salvageable than furniture constructed from fiberboard. Wet furniture should be removed from your home and air-dried. Some furniture may need professional repairs to fix loose joints caused by water exposure. The furniture may also need to be refinished due to discoloration.

Swelling wood and wood items made from composite materials that don't resist water well usually require replacement. However, many real wood items can be salvaged if quick action is taken. A professional inspection may be necessary to determine whether structural damage exists after extensive water damage to your home.