Recent Posts
How We Help Local Businesses with Essential Restoration Services in Iredell County
10/9/2024 (Permalink)
Our crew can perform HVAC cleanings in addition to our core cleanup and restoration services!
Many people are aware that we assist homeowners with fire, water, and mold damage restoration, but not everyone knows that we also provide vital services to businesses and commercial properties. While fire and water restoration remain at the heart of our operations, we offer a variety of other services designed to support and protect businesses throughout Iredell County!
Sewage Cleanup: Sewage backups can be a significant problem for any business, especially for restaurants and healthcare facilities where maintaining a clean environment is crucial. Our professional team promptly addresses sewage issues, thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing affected areas to prevent the spread of harmful microbes and ensure the safety of your staff and customers.
Biohazard Cleanup: Biohazard situations can range from crime scenes and bodily fluids to accidental spills of hazardous materials. These incidents require specialized cleanup and disposal procedures. Our certified team is trained to handle these sensitive situations safely and efficiently, restoring your business environment to a safe condition as quickly as possible.
HVAC Cleaning Services: Over time, dust and contaminants accumulate in a business's HVAC system, leading to reduced air quality and decreased system efficiency. We offer comprehensive HVAC cleaning services to improve indoor air quality and enhance your system's performance, providing a healthier environment for everyone in your facility.
Whether your business experiences an unexpected emergency or simply needs routine maintenance, we're here to help. We've proudly supported numerous commercial property owners in Iredell County, and our team is available 24/7 to provide the services you need. If your business requires our assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to us at any time!
Understanding the Three Types of Water Damage and How to Safely Restore Your Home
8/1/2024 (Permalink)
Floodwaters are extremely contaminated, making them a Category 3 hazard!
Water damage can be a homeowner's worst nightmare, but not all water issues are the same. While the ultimate goal is to remove water from your home, the approach to cleanup can vary significantly depending on the type of water involved. Water damage falls into three categories: clean, gray, and black. Each category presents different risks and requires specific cleanup techniques, but SERVPRO of Iredell County in Mooresville, NC, is fully equipped and trained to handle them all.
Category 1: Clean Water
If you're dealing with water damage, the best-case scenario is Category 1, which involves clean water. This type of water is safe and typically comes from sources like a burst pipe or a leaking refrigerator line. Cleanup for Category 1 is generally straightforward, but it’s important to act quickly. If clean water is left untreated for too long, it can degrade into Category 2, making the situation more complex.
Category 2: Gray Water
When water contains a moderate level of contamination, it's classified as Category 2, or gray water. This type of water can cause health problems if not treated properly, so it requires more than just drying out the area. Gray water often comes from sources like washing machine overflows or aquarium leaks, and it needs a thorough cleaning process to ensure the space is safe again.
Category 3: Black Water
Category 3 water, also known as black water, is the most dangerous type. It’s highly contaminated and poses serious health risks. This water may come from flooding or sewage backups and requires specialized cleanup procedures. Our technicians use full personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow strict protocols to handle black water situations safely. In cases like these, vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or those with weakened immune systems, should evacuate the home until it’s been fully sanitized.
Expert Water Damage Restoration
No matter what type of water damage you’re dealing with, SERVPRO of Iredell County is here to help. We’ve supported thousands of homeowners and businesses in Mooresville through the restoration process after all kinds of water-related incidents. If your property has been affected by water damage and you need expert assistance, don’t hesitate to call us at (704) 872-7466!
Understanding Mold: Removal Versus Remediation
4/4/2024 (Permalink)
Mold growth like this can get out of hand, but mold remediation services would take care of the problem!
Dealing with mold in your home or business is a top priority to halt its growth and prevent further damage. However, confusion often arises when people seek assistance and encounter companies offering "mold removal" services. Unfortunately, this term can create misleading expectations and may lead to unnecessary expenses. It's crucial to understand the distinction and seek out a mold remediation company instead.
Mold Removal
The concept of mold removal typically entails two goals:
- Eliminating existing mold growth.
- Eradicating mold spores from the property.
However, the challenge lies in the ubiquity of mold spores, which are present both indoors and outdoors. Even though these spores are invisible, they can remain dormant until activated by moisture. Given their sheer abundance, it's practically impossible to entirely eradicate them from a property. Moreover, attempting such complete removal would be exorbitantly costly.
Mold Remediation
In contrast, mold remediation focuses on addressing active mold growth effectively. Since mold becomes problematic only when it's actively spreading, the primary objective is to target and halt its growth. Besides treating the mold itself, reputable mold remediation professionals, like ourselves, also tackle underlying moisture issues that contribute to mold proliferation.
To gain insights into our meticulous remediation process, visit our mold remediation page.
Restoring Your Home
Mold is a common issue faced by many households, but with prompt professional intervention, it can be swiftly resolved. If you reside in the Lenoir, NC area and suspect mold growth in your property, don't hesitate to reach out to SERVPRO of Iredell County at (704) 872-7466. We're here to help!
When SERVPRO is Called, Flood Water Damage is Reduced
11/13/2023 (Permalink)
Be Prepared For Storm Damage in the Lenoir area.
At SERVPRO, we pursue an aggressive strategy of mitigation, meaning we send out crews 24/7 as quickly as possible to respond rapidly to a scene and stop further damage from occurring. Some disasters rely on mitigation more than others, and flood damage is one of the more significant mitigation topics. We urge homeowners who have fallen victim to a flood to contact us as soon as possible, as a speedy response makes a big difference in how much time and money the situation ends up costing you.
When water floods an area, every nook and cranny are susceptible to significant water damage. If we can't respond quickly to a case of flood damage in Lenoir or the surrounding area, water will begin to work its way through cracks and corners into deeper regions of your home. In the worst cases, when the homeowner is away or unaware of the damage, it can even seep into and damage the building foundation.
Floodwaters breed mold, fungi, and present an environment for insects and microbes to expand in great numbers quickly. Early removal of floodwater is critical in stopping the growth and reproduction of these unwanted consequences. We will also need to initiate a thorough drying process to free the area from mold's grip, and pumping out water quickly is a vital first step to diminishing these effects.
Floods tend to open up areas to conditions that propagate further damage to the home, manipulating factors such as temperature, humidity, and air flow in the home. If we can respond quickly enough, we can set up equipment to control these variables before the flood ever gets a chance to disrupt the internal elements of the structure.
SERVPRO of Iredell County employs a strategy of mitigation to help prevent as much damage as possible to your home in the event of a disaster. If your home has been flooded, call us right away 24/7 at (828) 396-1070 so that we can respond quickly and begin to mitigate damage.
Water Damage in Your Business? SERVPRO is Here to Help
10/31/2023 (Permalink)
Count on SERVPRO for any Iredell area Water Damage Help
It's a regular part of many employees' work duties to maintain and clean their work area, and at times, the areas of other employees. Some situations fall outside of normal working conditions, and these need to have special rules. Allowing, or requiring, employees to clean up spills and messes is expected to a certain degree, but some situations surpass this.
If your Lenoir business has a case with commercial water damage, there are several reasons why you should bring in outside help, instead of having your employees rectify the watery mess. First is their safety during the task of cleaning up, but you should also keep in mind their experience in dealing with hazards such as this. Many times, it isn't only water that is causing problems, but microscopic organisms and inorganic compounds that the water might contain. These contaminants can create health and safety concerns and possible risks. Any injuries or illnesses resulting from cleaning up will be your responsibility.
You also have an obligation to your company. Having unskilled and unqualified people cleaning, restoring, and repairing commercial water damage at your site can leave the building lacking on many different levels. Some of these can become serious risks to the safety of others later. SERVPRO has the certified IICRC training and water damage restoration technicians to restore your structure.
Work done by unqualified or unlicensed people can also create havoc with not only your insurance agent but also with local code enforcement officers. Not only might you find that your employees are unable to complete even small portions of the work required to keep you in business, but you will be unable to provide the necessary paperwork to document the repairs that were needed, and performed, for your business to be re-approved by code enforcement. The same is also true with your insurance carrier when it comes time to file a claim for reimbursement. Better to call a business to keep you in business.
It's better to call an expert and experienced professionals with the required licensing and certifications who can handle any size disaster. When you have commercial water damage, it's time to call us, SERVPRO of Iredell County at (704) 872-7466. We'll get your business cleaned up and functional again.
Fire Damage? Here's What You Have To Do.
9/28/2023 (Permalink)
If your home has a fire, attaining high-quality fire damage restoration services is strongly recommended. If you don't take this important step, you could risk subjecting your property to structural damage and unwanted mold growth. There is a broad range of restoration services that these experts offer to get your home back in great shape.
The Four Major Fire Damage Restoration Techniques
In general, fire damage restoration companies in Lenoir will utilize four processes to restore your residential property. These methods include drying the home, the removal of unsalvageable materials, completing structural repairs, and thoroughly cleaning the HVAC equipment. Learn more about each process below.
Drying Your Home
One of your first priorities after a fire should be to dry the water damage left behind by the firefighters. Unfortunately, damp furniture, moist drywalls, and standing water all create the perfect setting for mold to grow and thrive within. Restoration specialists know this, and they use equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers to quickly dry your property.
Discarding Unsalvageable Materials
After a fire, many items are unsalvageable and have to be discarded. This is necessary to prevent further contamination and for your own health and safety. Your local disaster restoration company will check all materials in the affected areas and properly dispose of items deemed unsalvageable (always with the property owner’s permission, of course).
If you choose to use our team here at SERVPRO, we can also store and clean items that are considered salvageable. This allows you to save many sentimental items and eliminates the costs associated with direct replacement.
HVAC System Cleaning
During a fire, smoke and soot particles cover affected areas, including your HVAC system. Before you even consider turning on your system, it’s essential that your ducts are thoroughly cleaned. This prevents particles from recirculating through your home and reduces strain on your system!
Structural Rebuild
In many cases, fires do substantive damage to the structure of a home. As such, many homeowners need repair services to get their property back to its original condition. Luckily, some fire damage specialists—like our team in Lenoir, NC—may offer this service as a part of the restoration process.
Locally Owned Company with National Resources
If your home has a fire, you might face a difficult road to recovery. But calling a team of fire restoration experts can make the process easier to manage. If you live in the Lenoir, NC area, SERVPRO of Iredell County is your professional team. Now celebrating our 10th anniversary, we have the experience and expertise to make any fire damage “Like it never even happened.” If your home has a fire, call us today at (704) 872-7466!
Top Causes of Water Damage and How To Fix Them
8/21/2023 (Permalink)
This is not where you want to see water!
As many water damage restoration experts know, there are numerous situations that can expose your Iredell County home to the effects of water damage. Irrespective of which situation arises—a weather event or a mechanical breakdown—it's crucial that you hire a top-notch water damage restoration company, such as our team at SERVPRO of Iredell County.
Basements or Crawl Spaces
Basements are a very common place to have water damage. If your back and sideyard slopes have a negative grade, you can find your property subjected to water damage. In this case, excess lawn water or rain will flow toward your foundation rather than drain away from the base. Correctly grading your lawn can help prevent the need for extensive water damage repairs.
Pipes that leak or burst can also generate substantive water damage. To prevent this, the plumbing in the basement area should periodically be inspected for leaks.
Appliance Leaks
Broken or leaking appliances can generate unwanted water damage, such as dishwashers, toilets, or washing machines that leak or overflow. In some cases, this can be waste-filled, chemical-laden water which would make water removal the number one priority. Additionally, a refrigerator containing a water filtration system and ice maker may develop hose leaks from the water supply line. If these leaks remain unnoticed for extended periods of time, they can give rise to mold growth and damage to the walls, floors, and the foundation.
Other Causes and Effects Of Water Damage
In addition to water intrusion from the above instances, water damage can result from excessive humidity and leaky roofs. Water that enters your property from the roof indicates that quick repairs are necessary to stymie further issues. Similarly, excessive humidity can cause warping in your window frames, ceilings, flooring, floor joists, furniture, and walls. In a crawl space, it may be necessary to install permanent dehumidifiers and plastic poly to establish a vapor barrier.
It's important to minimize the effects of any water damage in order to prevent mold and structural damage. When moisture issues are not addressed, the structure can deteriorate, and mold growth can transform into an infestation. That's why a company with the knowledge, equipment, and experience—such as SERVPRO of Iredell County—should perform both water damage restoration and mold remediation.
A Recognized Water Damage Solution
If you find that your Iredell County property experiences water damage, the most effective solution is to hire a water damage restoration company to begin the cleanup, repair, and restoration process. In our case, we offer 24-hour emergency services, excellent customer service, and expedient remediation work that will return your home to a safe, sanitary condition.
As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Iredell County is close by and ready to respond to your water and flood damage emergency.
How to Prevent Water Damage in 5 Steps
8/15/2023 (Permalink)
Most Homeowners insurance policies cover basic water damage claims up to the purchased limit.
Most Homeowners insurance policies cover basic water damage claims up to the purchased limit.
But you know what’s a lot easier than going through the claims process? Preventing the water damage in the first place!
Check out these 5 suggestions for preventing water damage:
1. Be careful where you plant
Some plants and trees, like weeping willows, have pretty invasive roots. If you’re not careful, they’ll grow right into your sprinkler system, drainage field, pipes, and septic tanks. Plan before you plant to keep roots away from any water lines.
2. Clean out roof gutters
You know it’s on your to-do list anyway, so if you can, take a safe climb up to your roof next Sunday and check out your gutters. If you’re seeing lots of leaves, birds’ nests, sticks, and whatnot up there, your gutters may not be doing the job you hired them for. And on a rainy day, a clogged gutter can send water spilling into your home’s foundation, through the roof, or down to your basement. That could cause some serious water damage! So next time you’re doing some seasonal cleaning, make sure those gutters are clean. And if your gutters are too high, be safe and get a professional to check them.
3. Keep an eye on your water bill
With so many water pipes hidden behind walls and in the floors in your house, you might not know there’s a leak until the damage is done. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your monthly water bill. If you see it starting to creep up, or get one that’s uncommonly high, it’s a pretty good sign that you may have a leak somewhere.
4. Use a drain snake instead of unclogging chemicals
No matter how crazy clean you are, from your shower to your kitchen sink, clogs are going to happen. And chances are at some point in your life you’ve used one of those powerful chemical drain cleaners to get things moving again. But as convenient as they may be, most folks don’t realize those caustic chemicals are also eating away at their pipes (and they might not be too good for you either). If you rely on them a lot, you could be setting yourself up for leaks. That’s why owning a drain snake is a good solution to clear away clogs. They’re pretty inexpensive, you can get them at your local hardware store, and they can cut through most any clog you’ll have without damaging pipes or making your eyes red and teary.
5. Never pour grease down your sink
You’ve probably heard this before, but you should definitely avoid pouring grease down your kitchen sink. It doesn’t matter if you flush it with hot or cold water. It can still congeal and cling to your pipes, and could still cause some serious damage and blockage.
Some people use detergent to break up grease before pouring it down the drain…and that may help sometimes. But there’s no guarantee that it’ll keep the grease from sticking to your pipes, so why take the risk?
The safest thing to do is just to pour your grease in an empty can, and either let it sit or put it in the refrigerator. Once it hardens you can toss it in the trash and get rid of it. Done and done.
3 Typical Causes of Fire Damage to your Home
8/1/2023 (Permalink)
House fires can be highly destructive, but they can be prevented if you're aware of the most common causes!
Each year, many homes and businesses in the Statesville and Mooresville areas experience some kind of fire damage. In some cases, they have actual fires; in others, they have smoke and soot damage. These incidents can be expensive to clean up and restore, but they can also be prevented. There are many ways fire damage can occur, but we’ve identified at 3 of the most common sources.
- Cooking fires. Cooking-based fires are one of the most common causes of home fires each year. These can be further broken down into subcategories, but it’s important to practice fire safety in general. As a precaution, it’s highly encouraged that you never leave the kitchen unsupervised while in use.
- Electrical fires. We’ve worked on many homes that have experienced fire damage due to electrical sources. For starters, never use exposed wires, but it’s equally as important that you never overwork an outlet. Be smart with electricity, and you can reduce your risk of a fire.
- Heating-related fires. Heat is important to all of us, especially during the winter. But heating equipment—such as space heaters, candles, and fireplaces—can also start fires if they get too close to flammable objects. Keep heating equipment at least 3 feet away from such materials and that will substantially reduce your risk!
Fire damage can be stressful to navigate, which is why it should be prevented from occurring in the first place! If you do have a fire, though, our expert team can clean up and restore your property. You can call us anytime at (704) 872-7466!
Fire Safety Tips from the Iredell County Red Cross
8/1/2023 (Permalink)
Talk with all household members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
Did you know that if a fire starts in your home, you may have just two minutes to escape?
The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. 60 percent of house fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives.
Fire Safety Tips
- If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL for HELP.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
- Test smoke alarms once a month, if they’re not working, change the batteries.
- Talk with all household members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.