Storms in Citrus Are No Match for SERVPRO

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Storm season is approaching faster than ever. SERVPRO of Citrus County specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost. We are open to our community 24/7, so we can be there when you need us.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Citrus we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today at (352) 522-1053

The Science Behind The Drying Process

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know there is actually a science behind the process of drying? Having the knowledge of psychometrics is essential to restoring a water damaged structure to its preloss condition.

While your initial reaction may be to grab a few towels to mop up the mess and place a fan or two around the damaged area, the team at SERVPRO of Citrus County is trained in the science of drying and follow strict industry-approved standards to help lower the chances of any secondary damages. If your business or home suffers a water damage, SERVPRO of Citrus County will:

• Inspect the building to detect every component that is wet, to help prevent secondary damage from happening.
• Measure how much moisture is in wet materials and monitor whether the materials are drying properly.
• Speed up Mother Nature by using professional drying equipment.

What exactly does it mean to help “speed up Mother Nature”? A wet building can often dry naturally because the environment always seeks equilibrium. When materials are wet, moisture will naturally move to drier air at the surface of the material–but only if the air is, indeed, drier. The only problem is, nature takes too long and secondary damages may occur while the building is drying out.

SERVPRO of Citrus County has the tools and equipment to help Mother Nature along, including equipment to help dry hardwood floors, tough-to-reach spaces inside walls, and much more. We also use state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, and a proven scientific process to help speed the drying of your home or business.

Tips to Prepare Your Business for a Flood

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Rainy season is right around the corner and with severe rainfall comes the higher potential for flooding in your business. If you do have a flood situation, SERVPRO of Citrus County is here to help. We are the drying experts and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are ways to protect your business from flooding. Here are some tips to get you started.

Know Your Area

Be aware of your surroundings. Do you know where your business lies? There are certain places that are more of a flood risk than others. These include coastal areas, sewer systems nearby, next to a body of water and property at the bottom of hill.

Learn more details about your home or business’ level of flood risk, including the type of flood zone it is in and, if available, the potential flood elevation. You can check FEMA’s online Flood Map Service Center at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home or visit the officials in your community who maintain the FEMA flood maps and elevation certificates. And remember, more than 25% of flood insurance claims come from properties that are not in an identified high-risk zone. All properties have the potential or flood damage.

Prepare

There are ways to help prepare your property for a flood. You can make several modifications to try and prevent any damage from occurring during a storm or flood.

Some of these include:

• Install check valves to help prevent sewer lines from flooding your drains.
• Install sump pumps with a battery backup.
• Elevate valuable equipment (furnaces, electric panels, water heaters, etc).
• Maintain proper water runoff and drainage. Properly maintain gutters, downspouts and splash pads.
• Improve lot grading. Determine how water flows or accumulates around your home, identify trouble spots.
• Reduce impervious surfaces around your home.

Choose the Best Water Restoration Company

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

When water damage happens, the faster the response, the better. An immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Water is particularly invasive, quickly spreading throughout your property and being absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, etc. Thankfully, SERVPRO of Citrus County has you covered. We are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, arriving quickly and starting the water extraction process almost immediately.

When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of damage.

We also have the most experienced, highly trained technicians available to help. During this stressful time, you need an expert to guide you through this crisis. Our customer-focused professionals will assess the residential water damage to your property. Then, we’ll help you understand the severity of the damage so you’re able to make the best decisions for the restoration of your home. Their training is focused on restoring salvageable items, accelerating drying time while documenting the entire restoration process.

Our highly trained people use the most advanced equipment to detect hidden moisture and extract standing water. This ensures we remove the water faster. We use a scientific approach to water removal and water cleanup that emphasizes monitoring and documenting the drying process from beginning to end.

We have more than 20 years of experience in repair and restoration so you can trust us to help you develop a water damage restoration plan to help ensure your home is clean, dry and restored to its pre-damaged condition.

We are also here to help you navigate the insurance claims process and coordinate the necessary paperwork for a quicker, easier experience.

We can handle both the initial damage mitigation and rebuilding the affected areas. Having one qualified company for the entire process can save time and money. 

We are the premier water damage restoration company in the U.S. and Canada. When you choose SERVPRO you can trust that your home or business is in good hands.

Mold Facts and Why SERVPRO is Your Best Option

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

You have most likely heard about mold damage in homes, or even noticed signs of fungal growth in your own home. It is a fact that at some point most householders find themselves facing a dark green or black patch of growth which they need to remediate.

We are all familiar with the unpleasant musty smell of mold. SERVPRO of Citrus County is your local remediation expert and we are also passionate about providing education to homeowners.

Here are 5 facts we think you should know.

1. Mold is already in your home whether you can see it or not. Many people do not realize that mold is everywhere. The fungus is a naturally occurring organism throughout nature. Because the spores are impossible to see with the naked eye, you do not always see mold’s presence, but it is there.
   
   
2. Moisture is the leading cause of fungal problems in the home. Mold requires water to grow, which is why it is common in basements, bathrooms, water heater areas, and laundry rooms. SERVPRO remediation experts have moisture probes and meters on hand to measure the dampness and pinpoint potential underlying problems.
   
   
3. Bleach does not kill mold. It is a popular myth that bleach is the best way to kill the fungus. However, bleach should not be your go-to remedy. The moisture content of bleach can make growth worse, and bleach only clears away the surface evidence but does not treat the underlying problem.
   
   
4. Mold can be useful. It was mold which helped Alexander Fleming develop Penicillin, which is one of the most trusted and commonly used antibiotics on the market today. There is even some evidence that ancient cultures such as the Egyptians used mold as a health remedy. Of course, even though mold can be useful, you do not want colonies growing in your home and that is why it is essential to call SERVPRO at the first sign of mold outbreak.
   
   
5. Dehumidification and proper ventilation are the best way to prevent mold. Investing in a dehumidifier and keeping the humidity in your home below 60 percent, if possible. We also suggest keeping your home well ventilated.

And if you encounter a potential mold scenario, feel free to contact SERVPRO of Citrus County today and we can give you the step-by-step process on what needs to take place at 352-522-1053. 

Mold in Commercial Buildings

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Having all the supplies and equipment available when mold is found within the walls during the removal of drywall. The following list are some of the primary items you may wish to have before attempting wall board removal, especially if you believe the area may have experienced a water leak in the past.

1. A HEPA vacuum to remove mold spores before attempting to move.
2. Heavy mil plastic to wrap pieces of mold contaminated wall board before moving to the outdoors.
3. Other precautions include; turn off central air systems since it may spread mold and mildew spores throughout the home, limit the movement of other Business occupants during the removal process and seal off the work area or room from other indoor living spaces. If there is visible amounts of mold found during a remodel project, you should consider hiring a mold remediation specialist such as SERVPRO of Citrus County

Burst Pipes and Flood Damage at Your Citrus County Business ?

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Whether you experience burst pipes or a significant leak overnight, the last thing you need to worry about is water flooding your Citrus County commercial building or office. Water damage not only impacts flooring and drywall, but it can also send contaminants throughout your building’s structure – this is especially true if you have chemicals and other biohazards in your building that the water may have taken on. The structural materials may also become compromised depending on the level of floodwater. SERVPRO is there for commercial properties that require water removal services and restoration!

Why would pipes burst and cause flood damage? There could be several reasons regardless of the type of piping your facility has, including copper, PVC, iron, and other kinds. These are some of the reasons a pipe could burst and cause flood damage:

• Corrosion –Many buildings will have metal piping, usually made with copper or galvanized iron. Even with the cleanest water, minerals can eat away at the galvanized coating and expose the iron. After this happens, the metal rusts and causes the inside of the pipe to become narrow. It can then become susceptible to pressure and fail.
• Pipe Movement –The clips or brackets securing pipes can loosen over time. If you turn off the water and hear a banging or knocking sound, this is known as a “water hammer.” The lines will often move around due to the sudden stoppage, weakening joints and parts over time.
• Water Pressure –Water pipes can only handle a certain pressure level. PSI that gets too high can cause the piping to burst along the side or at the weakest points.

When you notice a burst pipe at your facility or offices, shut off the water source and the electricity to that area to limit the danger. Then contact our crew at SERVPRO of Citrus County by calling (352) 522-1053, and we can get to work as soon as possible.

Air Duct Cleaning in Citrus County

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

Air conditioning systems and ductwork can be a breeding ground for contaminants and pollutants. HVAC systems operate like the lungs or respiratory system of the home or building. The benefits of servicing your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit include:

• Help to restore peak energy efficiency
• May help to eliminate odors
• Help reduce the potential for mold growth

Call Us Today!

Citrus County residents and commercial businesses can trust SERVPRO® of Citrus County to inspect, clean, and restore duct works and HVAC systems. We have the equipment, training, and experience needed to clean and maintain your HVAC system, “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 352-522-1053

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Lighting Safety Tips

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Citrus County restores storm damage every year in South Beach. Here are helpful information to keep people safe from lightning strikes:

• The safest location during lightning activity is a fully enclosed building with a roof, walls, and floor. Picnic shelters, covered patios, and other partially enclosed structures are NOT safe.
• If you don’t have access to a safe building, your next choice should be a completely enclosed vehicle, such as a car, truck, van, or bus. Convertibles or other soft-top cars are NOT safe.
• There is NO safe place to be outdoors during a thunderstorm with lightning, but if you absolutely can’t get to a safe building or vehicle, here are some last resort tips:

• Do not seek shelter under trees. They might help you stay dry, but they will significantly increase your chances of being struck by lightning.
• Do not seek shelter under partially enclosed buildings
• Stay away from metal objects such as fences and tall, isolated objects like poles since lightning typically strikes the tallest object
• If you are in an open field or clearing, the tallest object might be you! In that case, do not lie down, but crouch down with knees bent and feet together.

How to Avoid Clogged Drain Gutters

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

Have you checked your rain gutters on your home lately? Many types of water damage are preventable by conducting routine inspections maintenance of your home’s exterior. One easy and safe way to check your rain gutters for debris clogs is to fly a drone over your roofline. This way, you can avoid getting on a ladder more than necessary, and you will be able to see where the debris is, making easy work of the task. We offer these tips from the Insurance Institute of Business and Home Safety for maintaining your gutters and downspouts:

• Clean gutters and downspouts twice a year, ideally spring and fall, to prevent clogs that can cause water damage to your roof
• Keep trees trimmed and away from the roof to prevent leaves from clogging gutters
• If there is standing water, adjust the gutters, so they gently slope toward the downspout allowing water to drain
• Ensure downspouts funnel water away from the building to prevent water from accumulating at the foundation or entering the basement