Meet Kisha, Business Development Rep at SERVPRO

10/7/2022 (Permalink)

Kisha Edwards, Business Development Rep at SERVPRO

We recently spent some time talking with employees at SERVPRO of Iredell County to find out why they work for SERVPRO and how they feel they can help customers.

Click to watch the video of Kisha Edwards!

In this video, meet Kisha Edwards, our Business Development Rep. Kisha hit the ground running with us in June 2021. Kisha is enjoys building relationships with our customers and teams in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell Catawba and Iredell counties.

At SERVPRO of Iredell County, our cleanup and restoration team is always available to help you recover from water, fire, or mold damage. If you have an incident at your home in the Iredell County area, give us a call at (704) 872-7466!

Take Caution with Portable Heaters

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

These devices can generate a lot of extra heat, but if used improperly, can also create a serious safety hazard.

Winter is coming soon, along with bitter cold and freezing temperatures.  In an effort to keep living and working spaces cozy, many residents and employees turn to alternative heat sources. The most common form of alternative heat comes from portable space heaters. These devices can generate a lot of extra heat, but if used improperly, can also create a serious safety hazard.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating is the leading cause of home fire deaths. Almost half of these deaths occur during the months of December, January, and February.  Statistics show most of these fires also involved stationary or portable heaters.

When used as directed and maintained properly, space heaters can be used safely. When purchasing a space heater, make sure it has been evaluated by an independent testing laboratory; this will generally be indicated on the box or tag. Before operating the heater, read the manufacturer’s instructions. For more ways to minimize the risk of a heating related fire, review the tips list here:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from the heating equipment, like furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters, or central heating equipment according to local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Remember to turn off portable heaters when leaving a room.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
• Test smoke alarms monthly.

SERVPRO of Iredell County professionals are dedicated to restoring both the property and the lives of customers being helped. The number one goal is returning damaged areas and items to preloss condition, doing all we can to make it “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Works to Preserve Your Storm Damaged Possessions

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready to inspect your home affected by a storm and begin mitigating the losses you suffer.

Water kept pouring down, it moved around the side of the house and filled the entire area surrounding your home with water. It just wouldn't stop raining; everyone felt helpless. However, there was simply nothing anyone could do to prevent this event from happening. Even though most of the water is gone now, homeowners now face the task of cleaning up mud-soaked areas of their home and are hopefully dealing with their insurance companies to get some assistance in addressing their current situations. Just remember that it is far easier these days to find help during these types of situations; you're not alone.

We have several teams of highly trained technicians that specialize in performing storm damage repairs to your Statesville home. We're available to assist you at any time, day or night, and work hard to ensure that your home gets returned to a quality preloss condition. We'll even help you communicate everything to your insurance company and get the proper paperwork started for your claim. 
 
After our SERVPRO technicians arrive on site, we carefully inspect the entire area affected by the storm and begin mitigating the losses you suffer immediately. We identify any possible hazardous situations that could develop and limit them by turning off the electricity and checking for falling ceilings or deteriorated subfloors. Once we've performed this initial inspection and determined that the area is safe, we'll explain which services we plan to provide and answer any questions you may have. 
 
SERVPRO offers water removal services to pump out any standing water that still exists in and around your home. We use moisture meters and other equipment to determine the extent of water penetration within your flooring, walls, and crawl spaces; and extract as much water as possible. Your carpeting, furniture, and other personal belongings are all handled with great care and moved to a dry location where they can be properly taken care of to prevent secondary damages from developing. 
 
Our technicians at SERVPRO remove all furniture as quickly as possible to prevent stains from forming on your carpet. We'll then examine your carpet for damages and determine if it is possible to dry and reinstall them. But before we do, we treat the floor and back of the carpet with deodorizers and antimicrobials to help protect it from further damage. 
 
Once we've taken care of all of the standing water and your personal belongings, we position the proper drying equipment to begin fully drying the affected areas. We follow IICRC recommendations to use air movers that deliver a warm, dry rapid airflow to wet surfaces. There is a lot more to our services than described here and even more situations that we can assist you through. 
 
Give us a call at SERVPRO of Iredell County today, (704) 872-7466. We're ready to make your situation, "Like it never even happened."

3 Ways to Avoid Electrical Fires

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

An electrical fire can be dangerous, but in many cases, it can be avoided.

Although electricity is an integral part of our lives, it’s not something we should take for granted. In reality, electricity can result in safety hazards, such as a fire. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), home electrical fires claim the lives of approximately 310 Americans each year and injure around 850 more. Fortunately, many electrical fires can be avoided by taking safety precautions like the ones below.

• Routinely check your appliances and wiring. One of the easiest ways to prevent an electrical fire is to ensure electrical devices aren’t already at risk. Replace frayed wires and repair any device that overheats, shorts, or gives of sparks.

• Make sure the plugs match the outlet. If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

• Use extension cords and outlets wisely. An overheated wall socket can eventually become a fiery disaster. Use safe practices by not overloading extension cords or wall sockets.

An electrical fire can be dangerous, but in many cases, it can be avoided. If you do have a house fire, however, know that our local restoration experts are available 24/7. Call SERVPRO of Iredell County any time at (704) 872-7466!

Residential Water Removal Expectations

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

It is imperative that restoration efforts are performed promptly to mitigate any issues which could develop from secondary water damage.

Water Removal

It is undeniable that water damage is the worst nightmare for any property owner. Just a moment of water being present in the wrong place at the wrong time can totally demolish a whole building down to its foundation. There is nothing superficial about this kind of property damage. For one thing, water damage is multifaceted. Once it is found, it is imperative that the relative restoration efforts are performed efficiently and promptly to mitigate any issues which could develop from secondary water damage.

Potential causes of water damage and the need for water removal include leaky roofs, natural disasters, fire-fighting efforts, broken pipes, faulty appliances, foundation cracks, faulty sump pumps, and clogged toilets. Your Statesville home is a significant investment which needs to be protected, so you have to act quickly if a water disaster occurs and call the professionals at SERVPRO right away.

What You Can Expect With SERVPRO 
SERVPRO understands the importance of a rapid response when it comes to water removal. We come to your home as soon as possible after you contact us and give you a consultation and assessment of the damages. We create an accurate evaluation which includes the source and class of the water that is creating the damage, how much water has caused the damage, and how much time had elapsed before we were called in to help. We also have transparent communication in regards to a mitigation and restoration plan, making sure you understand everything that we are going to be doing.

The Bottom Line 
When it comes to water removal and water damage restoration, time is of the essence, and our SERVPRO team recognizes this. Our trained professionals are available to give you emergency water removal services at all hours of the day, to lessen any losses in your home. We take on every challenge with integrity, professionalism, expertise, reliability, and passion, as we work to establish your trust Our main goal, however, is to make sure you are completely satisfied, and that the entire process has as little stress for you as is possible.

SERVPRO of Iredell County are standing by and ready to help you in your time of need. When any water damage problem arises in your home, contact us at (704) 872-7466 so we can help remove the water and repair the damage.

The Effects of Standing Water in Iredell County

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

Standing water becomes a far larger problem if it is not dealt with in short order.

SERVPRO Technicians Respond Quickly to Prevent Possible Secondary Damage

Standing water is one of the most destructive forces in a flood. Although significant initial damage can occur from rampaging storms or unmitigated internal flooding, standing water becomes a far larger problem if it is not dealt with in short order. Fast water extraction through the industrial-grade pumps and extractors used by SERVPRO helps to avoid significant damage from mold, freezing in the winter months, and erosion and oxidation. These are some of the most devastating effects of standing water, and the top factors that make its removal an urgent task. 
 
Freezing 
 
If your home has taken flood damage in Statesville in the colder months of the year, it may be only a matter of time before the water freezes over and creates a much bigger problem. Most urgently, frozen water expands, cracking wood, concrete, rock, and even metal in your home. Furthermore, a layer of ice may form and coat your home. This ice can react negatively with many materials and force the replacement of otherwise easily restored items. 
 
Mold Growth 
 
In all months of the year, SERVPRO ends up in a race against the clock to remove standing water before mold growth can occur. Mold will almost always grow after a flood if water is not removed promptly. Mold remediation is an additional and time-intensive process to add to your home's restorations, so a fast response is critical to avoid more work in this vein. 
 
Oxidation and Erosion 
 
Simply having water on top of them causes many materials to degrade over time. Metals and especially iron can rust and oxidize, causing severe and sometimes irreversible damage to that metal and anything attached to it. Other materials such as concrete and drywall can be eroded quickly by the water, especially if it is particularly acidic (not uncommon in a flood). Getting the water out fast helps to avoid most of this type of damage, and we can usually handle restorations on the rest. 
 
SERVPRO of Iredell County is a local expert when it comes to flood damage. For our assistance and restoration services, call us 24/7 at (704) 872-7466.

Meet Beth Lawrence, Project Manager at SERVPRO

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

Meet Beth Lawrence, Project Manager at SERVPRO

We recently spent some time talking with employees at SERVPRO of Iredell County to find out why they work for SERVPRO and how they feel they can help customers.

Click to watch the video.

We recently spent some time talking with employees at SERVPRO of Iredell County to find out why they work for SERVPRO and how they feel they can help customers. In this video, meet Beth Lawrence, our Project Manager, as she tells us how SERVPRO of Iredell County can work to help customers restore their home or business after they have a disaster. Beth has worked with SERVPRO since 2013 and has served multiple roles during her tenure.

At SERVPRO of Iredell County, our cleanup and restoration team is always available to help you recover from water, fire, or mold damage. If you have an incident at your home in the Iredell County area, give us a call at (704) 872-7466!

What Should You Do After a Fire in your Statesville Home?

6/27/2022 (Permalink)

Fires can cause significant damage, but there are steps you can take to restore both your home and your belongings!

A house fire is one of the last things a person wants to experience. The situation is both physically and mentally exhausting, and if it’s your first encounter, it’s not always clear what to do next. For years, our team has helped house fire victims recover their homes and belongings. As local experts in the Mooresville community, we know the many things you and your family should do if you have a fire.

Contact the Professionals

Once you’ve called your local fire department and let your family know you’re safe, you should call the right professionals to get the restoration process started. At the very least, this will include your insurance company and your local fire restoration company.

You should first call your insurance company or your local agent. They will be instrumental in helping you cover costs and managing the multiple steps involved in the restoration process.

Ask your agent:

• What to do about the immediate needs of your home. This includes pumping out water and covering doors, windows, and other openings.

• Who else you should call. If you aren’t sure who to call for restoration and repair services, your local agent can refer you to somebody they have a trusted relationship with.

• What you need to do. Your life has been disrupted, and you agent can instruct you on the steps you should personally take to reclaim it.

You should also call a local cleanup and restoration company so you can restore your damaged home and belongings. These experts—like our team at SERVPRO of Iredell County—can extract water, clean up soot and ashes, and even restore many of your damaged belongings.

Ask your restoration company:

• What services they can provide. Not all cleanup and restoration companies are equal, so see what services they can provide, such as boarding up doors and windows, cleaning your belongings, and HVAC cleaning.

• If they can also repair your home. If possible, find a company that can do the entire restoration process—from mitigation to repairs. It’s often easier to work with one company versus several.

Re-entering Your Home

Once it’s safe, you’ll want to re-enter your home to inspect damages and see which of your belongings endured. Before you do so, consider the following:

• You should never enter the home until your fire department has said it is safe to do so.

• Fires can start again even if they appear to be out.

• Soot and dirty water left behind may contain things that could make you sick. Do not eat, drink, or breathe in anything that has been near the fire’s flames, smoke, soot, or water used to put the fire out.

Reclaiming Your Home

There are many steps involved in restoring your home after a fire, and it’s never easy. Fortunately, if you live in Mooresville, NC, you have access to our professional team of cleanup and restoration experts. So if you have a fire, put yourself in good hands by calling SERVPRO of Iredell County at (704) 872-7466!

Have an Emergency Ready Profile for your Iredell County Business

6/20/2022 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile provides you an immediate plan of action.

As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster, according to the latest industry research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind.

By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire or an area flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when

the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to ask yourself, “Are you ready for whatever could happen?”

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile is a start up approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference of important building and contact information. By working with SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile, your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster.  SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.

Why You Should Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

A duct cleaning removes contaminants and improves your system's performance!

When was the last time you had your home’s duct system cleaned? If you’re like most people, it’s been a long time — if it’s ever been done! A professional duct cleaning isn’t something many homeowners think about, but it can do wonders for your system. That’s why the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends you have your ducts cleaned at least once a year. SERVPRO of Iredell County has cleaned hundreds of duct systems, so if you’re on the fence, below are some things you should consider!

The Benefits of Getting a Duct Cleaning

1. You can reduce strain on your system. Over time, your air ducts accrue dust, dirt, and other contaminants, which can disrupt the airflow. To compensate for the reduced airways, your HVAC system has to work harder, which can result in higher energy bills and operational issues. A duct cleaning can clear the ducts to allow for a more efficient system!

2. Improve air quality. Nobody likes to breathe in stuffy, dirty air. A professional duct cleaning removes these particles from your system so it doesn’t continue to redistribute them around your house. This is particularly helpful if you have pollen, pet dandruff, or other allergens in your system.

3. Reduce or eliminate odors. Sometimes odors linger throughout your home no matter how much you clean. In such cases, the problem may stem from your duct system, which continues to circulate contaminants throughout your home. If you have this issue, a duct cleaning can either help or remove the problem.

Duct Cleaning Service in Statesville, NC

Your HVAC system is an essential part of your home, so without regular maintenance, it can experience problems when you need it most. If you do need a professional duct cleaning in the Hickory area, know that SERVPRO of Iredell County is a NADCA-certified facility. We use industry-standard practices to make sure your system is fully cleaned!