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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Why SERVPRO Blog Posts

Mold Defense

8/22/2023 (Permalink)

Defending against mold growth can feel like such a major feat to take on, but have no fear, your local mold specialists are on the case! However, just because we are on hand to help whenever mold should occur, we think you should be prepared to prevent mold on your own. Use these following tips to amp up your mold defense:

  • Keep the humidity in your home or business between 30-60%
  • Make sure your property has property drainage to keep water away from your building's foundation
  • Regularly inspect your plumbing and other appliances for any leaks. Water left to sit is mold's favorite food!
  • Keep your gutters and drains clear and free of any debris
  • Inspect your roofs, windows, and any other potential entryways for water. Perform maintenance ASAP when necessary
  • Immediately deal with water intrusions in your home
  • Never try DIY mold removal!
  • If your home experiences water damage, call SERVPRO of Howard County for immediate assistance, as improper mitigation of water damage can lead to secondary damages such as mold

Dealing with any damage to your home or business can feel so daunting, but that is what SERVPRO of HoCo is here for. Other mold cleaning services might not take the time to educate you and answer any questions you might have, but we know how important it is to make sure you understand the process your home is undergoing in such stressful times. We're the number one name in the disaster mitigation industry and we're here to help!

Taking Quick Action

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Howard County will arrive to your home or business quickly, trained and equipped to help people regain control of their lives.

Naturally people become distressed when they experience a loss. One of the most common fear is the loss of control. Our quick response can help ease this fear. 

SERVPRO's guideline is to respond to the insured to arrange service within an hour. SERVPRO of Howard County is always exceeding that guideline of an hour.  

The on site guideline is to be there within 4 hours. Again, depending on location, SERVPRO of Howard County is more than likely going to be there sooner than that to help.

Within 8 business hours of on-site arrival, a verback briefing of the scope will be communicated to the adjuster. 

SERVPRO works directly with the insured's adjuster and make the process of the claim work easy on the assured. SERVPRO can help with the whole process. 

Let SERVPRO of Howard County be there to help you get your life under control if a loss occurs in your home or business!

Unprecedented Times

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Howard County is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

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 Howard County (410) 465-7333

Candle Safety Tips

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

Never leave a burning candle unattended or lit while sleeping. If you are going to leave the room or go to bed, be sure to extinguish all candles first.

Never touch or move a burning candle. Never move a candle container when the wax is liquified.

Don’t burn a candle all the way down. For safety measures, stop burning a candle when there is ¼ inch of wax left in the vessel.

If burning multiple candles, place each candle at least three inches apart from one another. This is to ensure they don’t melt one another, or create their own drafts.

Extinguish a candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly. Before re-lighting, let the candle cool, trim the wick, and check for unwanted drafts.

Use extra caution when burning candles during a power outage. Battery-powered lights like flashlights are much safer sources of light during a power failure.

Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.

Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Do not place lit candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.

Where's the Mop At?

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Howard County is always ready when one thing leads to another.

The situation might look like this: You had a water loss and did not discover it for a few days. You might initially be tempted to call a team in that does water extraction, only when they do the extraction, you notice there is mold. They may not have the certification to remove mold. Then you call someone that does mold remediation but unfortunately, they have to demo the area. Well of course now you need a company to do the rebuild from that demo. Hopefully you're getting the idea how one thing can lead to another!

Here's the good thing. If your first phone call was to SERVPRO of Howard County, we can help with all aspects of the loss! No need for other companies. We have the teams that can do the work and take care of anything that is discovered along the way. 

We can do all those things mentioned as well as many other. We even do pack outs and storage  for clients!

Call SERVPRO of Howard County and know that we can be there for you no matter what happens, even if one thing leads to another! (410) 465-7333

Lifetime Learners

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

"The best advice I ever got was that knowledge is power" - David Bailey

It's always a beneficial thing to be a lifetime learner. SERVPRO of Howard County couldn't agree more.

Our crews are always learning. Learning new equipment, new techniques, etc. Our crew members have to always keep their credentials up to date every year and have to keep adding to their expertise.

SERVPRO of Howard County is so proud of the men and women that are called in to help people on some of their worst days. We are able to keep them informed ever step of the way. Our crews are able to help them understand the methods they are using, the chemicals they are using and why. The more they know, the more "super" powers they have! Next time you see one of our crew members, don't be afraid to ask them about their credentials.

A Trusted Name Across the Country

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has been around since 1967. Wow, right? That's 54 whole years of operation!

We all know those companies that come and go. They get a truck and put their name on the side and seem like a reliable enough company. Just because they have a name and a truck doesn't mean they have the background and expertise you want working on your home or business.

SERVPRO of Howard County is proud to be one of over 1,700 SERVPRO franchises Nationwide. SERVPRO has won more awards than we can even begin to list in this blog post, but please feel free to go to the company website and check it out.

SERVPRO has the trust of all the top Insurance Companies and is a trusted name all across the nation. We can help with your claim to make your situation as seamless as possible.

The real question should be "Why NOT use SERVPRO?" We're confident it won't be easy to add a reason to that list!

Why Use SERVPRO?

2/9/2022 (Permalink)

The ultimate question: Why use SERVPRO? In this short blog, we will attempt to answer that question in a quick and concise way!

Things don't always happen between 9 to 5 . You are going to want to call and be heard by a real person. SERVPRO of Howard County is open 27/7/365 days a year. We have a state of the art answering service so that someone can talk to you direct and then get you to the right person to help get this problem on the way to being solved.

All crew members receive the best training in the industry via IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification).

Restore vs Replace Philosophy

The drying and cleaning method allows us to save a lot more than replace. The benefits are cost effective, time saving and it helps to give the customer piece of mind. 

To hear even more reasons just give SERVPRO of Howard County a call and we can answer any of your questions.

The Fastest Around!

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Howard County will arrive at your home or business quickly with teams trained and equipped to help others regain control of their lives!

Naturally, people become distressed when they experience a loss. One of the most common fears a person can have is the loss of control. Our quick response teams can help ease that fear.

Within 4 hours is the guideline to be on site. Depending on the distance of the disaster location, SERVPRO of Howard County is more than likely going to be there sooner than that to help. Within 8 business hours of the on-site arrival, a briefing of the scope will be communicated to the adjuster. Here at SERVPRO of Howard County, we're always exceeding expectations.

SERVPRO works directly with the insured's adjuster to make the process of the claim easier for all parties involved. We're here to help with the whole process, form start to finish.

Let SERVPRO of Howard County be there to help you get your life under control if a loss occurs in your home or business. (410) 465-7333

Why NOT use SERVPRO?

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has been around since 1967. Wow, right? That's 54 whole years of operation!

We all know those companies that come and go. They get a truck and put their name on the side and seem like a reliable enough company. Just because they have a name and a truck doesn't mean they have the background and expertise you want working on your home or business.

SERVPRO of Howard County is proud to be one of over 1,700 SERVPRO franchises Nationwide. SERVPRO has won more awards than we can even begin to list in this blog post, but please feel free to go to the company website and check it out.

SERVPRO has the trust of all the top Insurance Companies and is a trusted name all across the nation. We can help with your claim to make your situation as seamless as possible.

The real question should be "Why NOT use SERVPRO?" We're confident it won't be easy to add a reason to that list!

It's Never Too Late

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

It's never a bad time to get your things organized and protected. Every day is a good day to plan ahead for the not-so-good things, fire damage, water damage, storm damage, etc.

Make sure you always have your building or business protected. Call SERVPRO of Howard County to lean more about our Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) that will help ensure your facility is ready for whatever happens at any given moment.

There are so many advantages of the SERVPRO ERP, here are a few:

  • No-cost assessment of your facility
  • A concise profile document containing on the most critical information needed about your business and building structure in the event of an emergency.
  • Provides facility details, such as shutoff valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information.
  • Accessible electrical
  • Establishes SERVPRO of Howard County as your franchise professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider

SERVPRO of Howard County is here to help get you prepared. Call us at (410) 465-7333.

Bringing Businesses Back to Business

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Howard County is dedicated to getting your business back up and running as quickly as possible and lays out a detailed plan of how we will get you there.

We will work when you need us to, to keep business interruption at a minimal.

SERVPRO of Howard County works for your company and works with commercial structures all the time. We know every business is unique and work with you for the best outcomes in the most timely matter. SERVPRO always has your best interest in mind. We will keep your updated daily throughout the process.

You can rest assured knowing our staff is awaiting your call and is happy to help you. (410) 465-7333 SERVPRO of Howard County is always Ready for Whatever Happens.

  • Small Office Buildings
  • Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
  • Apartment Buildings
  • Restaurants
  • Hotel/Motels
  • Small Retail Stores
  • Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
  • High-Rise Residential
  • Manufacturing & Industrial
  • Government/Military

Caring about Chemicals

3/5/2021 (Permalink)

We all know somebody who is affected by allergies, whether seasonal or something living in our home. Because of this, many of us are always searching to find ways to clean our homes naturally.

What happens though when we really have to disinfect, battle mold, or water damage, etc. We don't want to have to choose from using the right chemical to do the job and the safe chemical for our immune systems.

SERVPRO is so aware of the sensitivity of our clients and want to do our best with using chemicals that won't hurt or leave long lasting affects on our environment.

Benefect is the world's first government-registered hospital disinfectant using essential oils from plants.

This technology is used to kill germs without having any health impact on pets or humans.

This products is essential in our process at SERVPRO of Howard County. Please contact us with any questions about this product or any that we use.

More than a Mop

3/5/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Howard County is ready when one thing leads to another.

The situation might look like this: You had a water loss and did not discover it for a few days. You might just call a team in that does water extraction. Only when they do the extraction, you notice there is not mold. They might have the certification to remove mold. Then you call someone that does mold remediation but they have to demo the area. Well of course now you need a company to do the rebuild from that demo. I think you're getting the idea how one thing can lead to another.

Here's the good thing. If SERVPRO of Howard County was called we could have help with all aspects of the loss. No need for other companies. We have the teams that can do the work and take care of anything that is discoed along the way. 

We can do all those things mentioned as well as many other. We even do pack outs and storage  for clients.

Call SERVPRO of Howard County (410) 465-7333 and know that we can be there for you no matter what happens and if one thing leads to another.

Keep it Dry with the Right Equipment

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Howard County knows that using the proper equipment makes a difference. You can always count on us to have the right technology and equipment to get the job done!

For example, one of the most common losses is a water loss. Here is some information on the drying process. 

Psychrometrics is the study of the air and its properties. The properties of temperature, humidity and vapor pressure. Dew points are measured to evaluate air conditions in the structure. These measurements allow for SERVPRO of Howard County to create the proper atmosphere for the most effective drying.

There is a science to drying everything properly.

The detection equipment used is always the most current in the industry. 

Moisture Sensors, Moisture Meters, Thermo-hygrometers, Infrared Cameras, and Manometers are some the detection equipment.

Extraction Equipment, Air Moving Equipment, Dehumdification Equipment, Deodorization Equipment, and many others are all used in the drying process. 

When it comes to drying, we take it seriously!

Mitigation requires quick action.

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Howard County will arrive to your home or business quickly, trained and equipped to help people regain control of their lives.

Naturally people become distressed when they experience a loss. One of the most common fear is the loss of control. Our quick response can help ease this fear. 

SERVPRO's guideline is to respond to the insured to arrange service within an hour. SERVPRO of Howard County is always exceeding that guideline of an hour. Call directly to our office. 410-465-7333 and speak to a live person.  

Within 4 hours is the guideline to be on site. Again depending on location SERVPRO of Howard County is more than likely going to be there sooner than that to help.

Within 8 business hours of on-site arrival, a verback briefing of the scope will be communicated to the adjuster. 

SERVPRO works direcly with the insured's adjuster and make the process of the claim work easy on the assured. SERVPRO can help with the whole process. 

Let SERVPRO of Howard County be there to help you get your life under control if a loss occurs with you. 

SERVPRO of Howard County 410-465-7333

Call SERVPRO when clean up needs more then a bucket and a mop!

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

Many times people just don't know all that SERVPRO can handle.

Fact is there isn't much of any type of clean up that they can't. 

Here is a list of most of the Services.

Restoration:

Fire, Smoke and Soot

Water Removal and Dehumidification

Mold Mitigation and Remediation

Catastrophic Storm Response

Move Outs and Contents Restoration

Electronics and Equipment

Document Drying

Contents Claim Inventory Service

Air Ducts and HVAC

Biohazard and Crime Scene

Residential and Commercial Reconstruction:

Flooring Installation

Drywall & Finishing

Painting

Kitchens & Baths

Roofing & Siding

Windows & Doors

Electrical & Plumbing

If you have a question please call SERVPRO of Howard County for answers. 410-465-7333

SERVPRO has 50 years of knowledge and leadership in the cleanup and restoration industry.

SERVPRO'S track record of results has earned the trusts of the insurance industry, homeowners and business owners all over.  SERVPRO has been there for all. From the smallest of clean up to The Pentagon. 

SERVPRO of Howard County, we make it "Like it never even happened."

The right equipment can make all the difference.

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Howard County knows that using the proper equipment makes a difference. When time matters and it does when reducing claim loss expense, you can count on us to have the right technology and equipment to get the job done.

For example, one of the most common losses is a water loss. Here is some information on the drying process. 

Psychrometrics is the study of the air and its properties. The properties of temperature, humidity and vapor pressure. Dew points are measured to evaluate air conditions in the structure. These measurements allow for SERVPRO of Howard County to create the proper stmosphere for the most effective drying.

There is a science to drying everything properly.

The detection equipment used is always the most current in the industry. 

Moisture Sensors, Moisture Meters, Thermo-hygrometers, Infrared Cameras, and Manometers are some the detection equipment.

Estraction Equipment, Air Moving Equipment, Dehumdification Equipment, Deodorization Equipment are all used in the drying process. 

 When it comes to drying we take it seriously.

Call SERVPRO of Howard County. We are here to help. 410-465-7333

Because one thing can lead to another.

3/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Howard County 410-465-7333 is ready when one thing leads to another.

The situation might look like this: You had a water loss and did not discover it for a few days. You might just call a team in that does water extraction. Only when they do the extraction, you notice there is not mold. They might have the certification to remove mold. Then you call someone that does mold remediation but they have to demo the area. Well of course now you need a company to do the rebuild from that demo. I think you're getting the idea how one thing can lead to another.

Here's the good thing. If SERVPRO of Howard County was called we could have help with all aspects of the loss. No need for other companies. We have the teams that can do the work and take care of anything that is discoed along the way. 

We can do all those things mentioned as well as many other. We even do pack outs and storage  for clients.

Call SERVPRO and know that we can be there for you no matter what happens and if one thing leads to another. 

Why SERVPRO?

3/16/2020 (Permalink)

When your looking for a mitigation company you ask yourself so many questions when choosing a company. The problem is that when an emergency comes up we don't have time to interview companies. 

Good thing is that SERVPRO can be all of what you need. Just look to our website for any informtion you need. But just knowing our name is top in the industry might be all you need. 

Most people want a professional team. Any guy can show up in a van and tell you he can help you, but can he back it up with over 50 years of industry know-how? Does he certification to make sure the job is done right? We have warranties and all our crews are trained and background checked. You can rest easy knowing that we are The Professionals. SERVPRO works will all the top insurance agencies. We will work with your adjusters to make sure your are taken care of. 

SERVPRO has been around since 1967. As most people can tell you, longevity most often means stability.

You want a company that sets the standards and continues to learn the best practices. When you stop learning, your business will whither away and die. SERVPRO isn't going anywhere and won't stop learning the newest techniques.

With over 1700 franchies there is always someone to help your hometown.  SERVPRO of Howard County is proud to be here to help.

24/7/365 . Just call 410-465-7333

Be Proactive with Any Virus

3/13/2020 (Permalink)

As we see the possibilty becoming a reality. You can lean on on us at SERVPRO, even more. Our message of "We are here to help" has never been more true.

SERVPRO is helping to contain this new pandemic and mitigate the impact on our neighbors.

One of the widely known and one of the hardest hit facilities is in Kirkland, Washington. The SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team has been on site to control the situation. https://bit.ly/3aQh04K

It is important to note that the cleaning methods need to be more sophisticated and effective with this level of Bioremediation than just wiping hard surfaces with disinfectant. Health comes first and with the use of PPE and protective masks, our teams adhere to OSHA and CDC guidelines.

SERVPRO of Howard County  will use the fogging methods to more deeply disinfect. SERVPROxide, the hospital-grade disinfectant, is released from the fogger, and its particles adhere strongly to surfaces and objects. The procedure must ensure that all surfaces including walls, doors, floors, and ceilings are uniformly coated. Instead, we follow our initial fogging with a wiping of all surfaces followed by a further fogging round. It is an extreme and comprehensive disinfection process, which should be the norm when dealing with this magnitude of a virus hazard.

Our team is ready to assist with preventive or post-contamination.

In describing "Proactive," we would say that means as cleaning when no person is suspected of being exposed to COVID-19. It would be a smaller area of study since no verified case has been identified.

If there was exposure to anyone suspected of either testing positively for COVID-19 or being subjected to someone displaying symptoms in your facility, we call this "post-contamination" cleaning. In this situation, the scope of work and the required safety measures will increase.

Please contact SERVPRO of Howard County for any more information questions about actions that can help your facility. 410-465-7333

Sometimes the cure is worse then the symptom but not at SERVPRO.

3/29/2019 (Permalink)

I feel like we all know so many more people who are affected by allergies, if not ourselves. With that being said, most of us are always searching to figure out how to clean our homes naturally. 

What happens though when we really have to disinfect, battle mold, or water damage, etc. We don't want to have to choose from using the right chemical to do the job and the safe chemical for our immune systems.

SERVPRO is so aware of the sensitivity of our clients and want to do our best with using chemicals that won't hurt or leave long lasting affects on our environment.

Benefect is the world's first government-registered hospital disinfectant using essential oils from plants.

This technology is used to kill germs without having any health impact on pets or humans.

This products is essential in our process at SERVPRO of Howard County. Please contact us with any questions about this product or any that we use.

Most of the time one things does lead to another.

3/29/2019 (Permalink)

Roof leaks happen all the time . Most of the time home owners get the roof leak repaired and think that everything will then dry out and be fine. 

This usually isn't the case. You really need to have SERVPRO come out and read the moisture levels with state of the art equipment. If left unchecked many times moisture will cause mold to grow on the insulation and walls.This was the case with the picture your seeing. The owners had their roof leak repaired 3 weeks prior and then as time went by they saw mold growing.  By the time it can be seen on the ceiling it may have been spreading and growing for weeks. 

You want piece of mind that you are living in a safe environment. 

Give SERVPRO of Howard County at call 410-465-7333. We can give you that piece of mind that everything is okay or we can mitigate and get you back to breathing easy. 

Why use SERVPRO?

3/29/2019 (Permalink)

This is a tough one to answer but not because we aren't the best; it's just that the reasons are many.

But to name a few; here you go. 

Things don't always happen between 9 to 5.

You are going to want to call and be heard by a real person. SERVPRO of Howard County is open 27/7/365 days a year. We have a state of the art answering service so that someone can talk to you direct and then get you to the right person to help get this problem on the way to being solved.

All crew members receive the best training in the industry via IICRC. ( Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification).

Restore vs Replace Philosophy

The drying and cleaning method allows us to save a lot more than replace. The benefits are cost effective, time saving and it helps to give the customer piece of mind. 

To hear even more reasons just give SERVPRO of Howard County a call and we can answer any of your questions. 

Believe it or not broken pipes don't take a vacation in the summer and neither does SERVPRO.

3/29/2019 (Permalink)

Many people think they don't have to worry about broken pipes in the summer but that really isn't the case. Before leaving for that vacation you might want to turn off you water and drain the pipes just like you would in the winter.

There are many reasons for a broken pipe in the summer. Here are a few:

Invasive tree roots.(check out the picture)

Extended wet/dry spells ( this can make the ground shift and the extra pressure of this movement can cause problems with buried pipes).

Rust in Metal Pipes.

Wear and old age.

Hard Water.

Clogs.

Substandard repairs.

When a pipe burst; if you can, turn off the water supply at the main cut off valve when a pipe breaks.

Drain the water by running cold water in the sink and flushing the toilets.

Of course call SERVPRO of Howard County 410-465-7333 to help get your property dried out.

SERVPRO of Howard County is there for you year round. 

Because we are more then a pretty truck!

3/29/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has been around since 1967. Wow, right?!

We all know those companies that come and go. They get a truck and put their name on the side and you think they must be good . Just because they have a name and a truck doesn't mean they have the background and expertise you want working on your home.

SERVPRO of Howard County is proud to be one of 1700 franchises Nationwide. Did I mention that SERVPRO has won numerous awards? Too many to list here but feel free to go to the company website and check it out. 

SERVPRO has the trust of all the top Insurance Companies. SERVPRO can help with your claim to make your situation as seamless as possible.

I think the question should be "Why Not" use SERVPRO. I'm sure it will be hard to add a reason to that list. 

Keep learning, keep growing.

3/29/2019 (Permalink)

"The best advice I ever got was that knowledge is power"...( David Bailey)

It always makes sense to be a lifetime learner. SERVPRO of Howard County couldn't agree more. 

Our crews are always learning. Learning new equipment, new techniques etc. Our crew members have to always keep their credentials up to date every year and have to keep adding to their expertise. 

SERVPRO of Howard County is so proud of the men and women that are called in to help people on some of their worst days. We are able to keep them informed every step of the way. Our crews are able to help them understand the methods they are using, the chemicals they are using and why. The more they know the more "super" powers they have ;). Next time you see one of our crew members don't be afraid to ask them about their credentials etc.

We are here to help.