Water Classification

7/13/2022 (Permalink)

As a property owner,  you may have to deal with several water issues. Being a property owner in this area you should become familiar with the different levels of water classification.

1. Sanitary Water

Category one water is considered sanitary water. This water is the safest water to drink, cook with, and bathe with. Sanitary water is also commonly referred to as clear water, which is a reference to its appearance and an indicator that it is clean, meaning that it has not been contaminated by other sources.

2. Gray Water

Gray Water, category two, is not sanitary and can pose a risk of illness if you come into contact or consume this water. Typically, this water occurs in the event of appliance or toilet overflow, which means that it is contaminated by chemicals and sewage.

3. Black Water

Black water, category three, is the most dangerous of all waters and is likely the result of flood water. This water is formed by a mixture of rising rivers and overflowing sewers. With the high level of contaminants in this water, it is also toxic to humans and animals, causing illness and potential fatality if ingested. If you’re building is submerged in black water, it is best to avoid it and allow professionals to do the final cleanup process.

Flood water presents a serious risk to people, and when it reaches category three, black water, it should be avoided. As a owner, you should be aware of the various levels of water categorization to ensure both your safety and the safety of others.

For more information contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at 423-245-5552.

What is a Flood Cut?

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

What Exactly is a Flood Cut?

After flood damage impacts your home, our restoration technicians cut several inches above the water line or moisture level, and remove both the drywall and insulation. We try to keep the cuts at 2 or 4-feet to simplify hanging new drywall, which comes in 4x8 foot panels. After they clear the damaged materials and dry your home, they can replace the drywall seamlessly. They can also address any underlying issues found behind the walls.

What Are the Benefits of Flood Cuts?

    •    Prevents the spread of contamination since flood water is category three water, potentially carrying dangerous microbes such as bacteria and fungi.
    •    Allows access to areas behind the wall to view the extent of damage and adequately dry inside the walls.
    •    Cuts down on the damaged materials. Although it may seem counter intuitive to cut out part of the wall, it can save more of the drywall in the long run by removing the damaged parts.

For assistance after a flood, contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at 423-245-5552. 

Extreme Summer Heat

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

There are several things you can do to prepare for and prevent extreme heat for affecting you. If possible, stay indoors in air conditioning. Be sure to check on your pets who may be outdoors or bring them inside. Stay hydrated and limit alcohol and caffeine intake. If you must go outside, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, and be sure to apply sunscreen often. Pay attention to signs of heat exhaustion, which are heavy sweating; weakness; cold, pale, and clammy skin; nausea or vomiting; and fainting, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which is life-threatening. Signs of heat stroke are a high body temperature (103°+), rapid and strong pulse, and possible unconsciousness. If you think someone has heat stroke, call 911 immediately and move the person somewhere cool. Reduce body temperature with cool, wet cloths or a bath. Do not give a person with heat stroke fluids, and treat the situation as a serious medical emergency (CDC).

If you live in a humid climate, be aware of the heat index. The heat index factors in the humidity, which can make the temperature feel 15° hotter.Extreme heat is a serious danger. For more information on preparation and prevention, visit ready.gov or cdc.gov. 

Extreme Heat Safety Tips to Prepare Your Home

• Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.
• Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
• Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
• Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)
• Keep storm windows up all year long.

Is your Business Prepared?

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

Do your employees know what to do in the event of a disaster? Who do they call if they open in the morning and your business is flooded? What if the break room a microwave starts a fire?

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is here to help. We offer a free service called an Emergency Ready Profile. This is a file that we create for your business to keep in a central location that contains emergency contacts, utility company phone numbers, locations and pictures of the utility shut-offs for your building, and any special instructions that you would like to include. We will also attach tags to the utility shut-offs so that they are immediately visible.

Time is always a factor in these types of situations. Having a plan will help to ensure that the damage to your business is minimized.

After everyone is safe and any necessary emergency responders have been called, be sure to call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at 423-245-5552 so we can get you back open for business as quickly as possible!

Commercial Building Restoration

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Damage

Water damage can happen in many ways. Heavy rain, sprinkler line break, or there could be an overflowing toilet that causes damage in a structure. A frozen pipe could burst and cause extensive damage in the wintertime. A burst pipe or a leaking roof in a manufacturing plant can shut down the production line causing huge losses. Our goal is to minimize downtime and to get your business back up and running at full speed. 

Commercial Fire Damage

A fire in your commercial building can result in extensive damage. Even small, contained fires that are isolated and extinguished quickly can cause extensive damage. It's the smoke that travels seemingly everywhere that is the culprit and causes most damage after a fire. Smoke can get into the ductwork and quickly spread throughout the building. With fire and smoke damage, it's essential to hire fire restoration professionals that can quickly restore your business, warehouse, or retail space. 

If your business suffers a disaster call SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol at 423-245-5552. 

What to expect when you call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol with a water damage

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help 24/7/365

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol has the training and experience to help you through this tough time. 

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?
• What areas are affected and types of flooring?

Need Emergency Service? Call us at 423-245-5552

Know the Difference between Thunderstorm Watch and Warning

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

A thunderstorm is considered severe if it produces hail at least 1 inch in diameter or has wind gusts of at least 58 miles per hour. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people each year than tornadoes or hurricanes. Heavy rain from thunderstorms can cause flash flooding, and high winds can damage homes and blow down trees and utility poles, causing widespread power outages.

Do you Know the Difference?

Severe Thunderstorm Watch - Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning - Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property.

Every year people are killed or seriously injured by severe thunderstorms despite advance warning. While some did not hear the warning, others heard the warning and did not pay attention to it. 

Has your home or business been damaged due to a storm? Contact us today at 423-245-5552 for immediate assistance. 

Firework Safety

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

If not handled properly and safely, Fireworks can be extremely dangerous, causing bodily injury and even structure fires.

The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, and not to use any fireworks at home. They may be legal, but they are not safe.

Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and nearly 17,000 other fires.

If consumer fireworks are legal to buy where you live and you choose to use them, be sure to follow the following safety tips:

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks
• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
• Never light them indoors
• Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
• Never ignite devices in a container
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire
• Never use illegal fireworks

A Tip on SPARKLERS

Every year, young children can be found along parade routes and at festivals with sparklers in hand, but sparklers are a lot more dangerous than most people think.

Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.

Consider using safer alternatives, such as glow sticks, confetti poppers or colored streamers.

The best choice might be to grab a blanket and a patch of lawn, kick back and let the experts handle the fireworks show.

My Kingsport Basement is Flooded! What should I do?

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

Have you experienced a flooded basement? What steps should you take?

1. Practice Caution

First and foremost, make sure that it’s safe to step into the basement. If there are electrical appliances, or if the water has risen above the electrical outlets, it isn’t safe to even touch the water; an electrical current will be traveling through the water. Cut the power off at the main breaker if you can safely reach it.

2. Investigate for Water Source

There are numerous possible causes of excessive water in the basement. The source may not be immediately apparent; it could be a burst pipe, heavy rainfall, foundation cracks or a sewer backup.

3. Dry Affected Area

A wet/dry vacuum comes in very useful for removing standing water and small bits of debris. Once the standing water is eliminated, open windows and doors and run fans. Dehumidifiers can also be a valuable resource to use for a basement flood since basements are often poorly ventilated.

4. Discard Unsalvageable Materials

There will probably be materials that you wouldn’t expect to be deemed unsalvageable from a flooded basement. These could include drywall, carpet, wooden furniture and other porous materials. Any porous items that can’t be fully dried within 48 hours usually need to be discarded as it’s likely mold has already begun to grow.

5. Contact Professionals

Cleanup professionals will need to come to clean up and restore the major damage. Mold can begin to grow within 24 hours of the introduction to moisture. The professionals will make sure everything is dried and cleaned thoroughly and will return your home to its preloss condition.
A basement flood can result in large cleanup and restoration bills. Be sure to contact your insurance company to determine the extent of your insurance coverage.

We are available to help you any time of day or night. Call us at 423-245-5552

3 Reasons You Should Call SERVPRO for ANY Large Loss

1/16/2022 (Permalink)

1.  Many Franchise Locations

SERVPRO has over 1,700 franchise locations. This means that the closest professionals can arrive on site in four hours or less, which may be faster than other regional mitigation and restoration services. In the event of widespread damage from fires, flooding or storm damage, additional experts and equipment may report from nearby locations to assist in the cleanup and repairs.

2. National Corporate Support

The support of one of the nation's leading mitigation and restoration companies allows the local franchises to be better trained and equipped than most independent companies. Insurance jobs are only offered to locations that satisfy all the requirements of a 21-point Participation Agreement. This oversight and company-wide services such as the Claims Information Center elevate the standard of service and make SERVPRO the perfect choice in the event of catastrophic loss.

3. Industry-Leading Standards

This national corporation is also a certified training school for the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration. Each franchise must employ at least one technician who specializes in a particular area such as storm or fire damage to maintain certification. The IICRC requires technicians to obtain continuing education credits to ensure that professionals keep up with current best practices in the mitigation and restoration field. This means that the work performed by these employees will be up to the highest standards in the industry. Allowing for our customers to have the best experience possible. All of these factors enable SERVPRO to respond to catastrophic loss caused by fires, flooding or storms faster and handle them more effectively than independent mitigation or restoration companies. 

Winter Weather

1/14/2022 (Permalink)

BE PREPARED FOR WINTER

• Protect your pipes from freezing. Allow water to drip from faucets when temperatures dip below freezing. Wrap the outdoor faucets with an insulated faucet cover or towel.
• If leaving your structure for more than a few days, consider turning off the water supply. Have a designated person checking in on your structure. Keep your home or business at a moderate temperature.
• Leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes observing the status daily.
• Clear gutters of all debris, leaves and other objects that can lead to blockages causing roof damage and interior water leakage/damage. 
• Keep walkways and nearby storm drains clear of debris to alleviate flood hazard potentials.

Whether it is heavy winds, rain, freezing temperatures, sleet or snow, all these factors can cause costly damage. While we cannot control the weather, here at SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol, are here to help you take a preventative approach and help take the sting out of winter weather. 

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol Services Offered

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

We cover a range of restoration and cleaning services for your commercial or residential property.  When the unexpected happens, you can count on SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol to make it "Like it never even happened."  

Restoration
• Fire, Smoke and Soot
• Water Removal & Dehumidification
• Mold Mitigation & Remediation
• Catastrophic Storm Response
• Move Outs & Contents Restoration
• Electronics & Equipment
• Document Drying
• Contents Claim Inventory Service
• Asbestos Abatement 

Cleaning:
• Air Ducts & HVAC
• Biohazard & Crime Scene
• Vandalism
• Carpet & Upholstery
• Drapes & Blinds
• Ceilings, Walls & Hard Floors
• Deodorization
• Debris Removal
• Vandalism & Graffiti
• Trauma & Crime Scene
• Sewage & Toilet Overflow

No matter what your restoration or cleaning needs are, you can count on SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol to get things back into working order.  Give us a call today at 423-245-5552 to schedule. 

What to do When You Have Mold Growth

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

In as little as 48 hours, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business when there's a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. 

If you have a mold problem in your home or business, consider these DOs and DON'Ts until help arrives.

Do:

• Stay out of affected areas

• Turn off the HVAC system and fans

• Contact SERVPRO of SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol at 423-245-5552 for mold remediation services

Don't:

• Touch or disturb the mold

• Blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth

• Attempt to dry the area yourself

• Spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold

Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes in Your Business

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

Wintertime is a very worrisome time of year for many business owners, especially those who operate out of warehouse facilities. Thankfully, there are several ways you can help prevent frozen pipes  

1. Keep Doors Closed

While it may seem obvious, keeping doors, especially warehouse garages, closed during business hours can be one of the easiest ways to prevent a frozen pipe. Warehouses often have exposed water lines, and if these lines are not insulated properly, they can freeze and possibly burst, creating a significant amount of damage and expense.

2. Open Faucets a Smidge

When expecting cold or below-freezing temperatures, merely opening the cold-water supply on faucets nearest the exterior water lines can minimize the risk of a frozen or burst pipe. The moving water will not freeze as easily as standing water. 

3. Maintain a Steady Temperature

Likely, the best way to prevent freezing in your company’s pipes is to maintain a steady temperature, no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. While lowering the temperature of your business after closing or during extended holidays may seem like a fiscal responsibility, you may be putting your business at risk for water damage, which may lead to significant business interruption.

4. Have a Plan in Place

Lastly, if the worst happens despite your preventative actions, it may be a good idea to have an emergency plan in place. While you can and should create an in-house emergency action plan and checklist.

Winter Heating Hazards

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

The winter season is here and with it comes shorter days and lower temperatures. In an effort to keep our homes and workplaces cozy, many people use alternative heat sources like fireplaces, portable space heaters, and wood burning stoves. Did you know, heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths? According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment fires cause an estimated $1 billion in direct property damage annually. Keep the following safety tips in mind to help reduce your risk of a heating-related fire. 

• Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or a portable space heater. Have a three foot "kid-free zone" around open fires and space heaters. 
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacture's instructions. 
• Test smoke alarms monthly. 

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

7/13/2021 (Permalink)

Before you even reach for that fire extinguisher, make sure the fire is still in the incipient stage (the flames aren’t taller than you) and that it’s not threatening to block your evacuation route. If you’re good on both of those fronts, all it takes to effectively operate most fire extinguishers is remembering and executing the acronym P.A.S.S:

PULL the pin.

AIM the nozzle at the base of the fire.

SQUEEZE the handle to release the fire extinguishing agent.

SWEEP the nozzle from side to side until the fire appears to be out.

After executing the P.A.S.S. technique, don’t turn your back on the area of the fire as flames may still flare up. Remember to evacuate immediately and call 9-1-1 if the fire gets out of hand. 

Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep until fire is out!

Home Safety

7/9/2021 (Permalink)

Home fire safety should start with a working smoke detector and a fire safety plan. If you already have those in your home, though, you may consider a fire extinguisher as the next step in fire preparedness. A fire extinguisher works to put out a small fire by removing one of the three components of the fire triangle: heat, oxygen, and fuel. The most common fire extinguisher removes oxygen from a fire by smothering it in a dry chemical foam. In a way, it’s a high-powered version of pouring baking soda on a grease fire, which makes it particularly relevant in the kitchen. If you’re going to invest in a fire extinguisher to help protect your home and family—which luckily isn’t a huge investment, with most home units coming in between $10 and $40—you don’t want a one-hit wonder. The National Fire Protection Association recommends a multipurpose extinguisher, which works to suppress fires from ‘ordinary combustibles,’ grease fires, and electrical fires. On the market, this translates to a fire extinguisher that is ABC rated, such as a unit with a 3A:40-B:C rating, or the slightly smaller 2A:10-B:C rating. Units with these ratings can be found at almost any home improvement store. Once again, having a working smoke detector in each room of your home should be your first priority in home fire preparedness. Two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recommends checking the batteries in your smoke detector once a month, changing them at least once a year, and replacing the unit altogether once it is 10 years old. 

Tips for Staying Safe During A Storm

7/7/2021 (Permalink)

While the safest place to be during a storm is at home, if a sudden storm pops up when you are away, here are some tips for safety.

*Know your options for shelter. When you are made aware of a severe weather scenario and are safe at home, remaining there is the best thing you can do so you can wait out the storm. However, this is a luxury that will not always be present. If you are caught out in a storm, you can take shelter in your car as long as you can pull over safely and cut off your engine.

*Practice electrical safety. A lightning strike can hurt a structure in many ways, but the most common way is via a power surge. As the lightning travels through the home’s electrical system, the wires will become overwhelmed with charge and transfer that to anything plugged into an outlet. If you can, go through the area you are in and unplug everything before a storm. In general, it is best to also have surge protectors throughout your home and office.

*Avoid direct contact with concrete. Concrete structures are so sturdy in part because of how they are built. As concrete is poured around the metal, it creates a great structure—but also causes concern if there is lightning nearby. The metal in concrete can disperse electricity if the building is struck by lightning, so avoid touching these surfaces directly if possible.

*Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes. If you are out enjoying the day when a storm rolls in, make sure you are not rushing back out too soon and putting yourself in danger. Lightning Strikes can travel tremendous distances causing officials to urge people to stay inside for at least half an hour after the last clap of thunder.

If your home or business sustains storm damage call SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol at 423-245-5552.

Hidden Water Damage

7/2/2021 (Permalink)

1. Waterlogged Appliances

There are a few culprits that cause water damage. Toilets and sinks are used frequently, and even a small leak can lead to significant problems.

Search under sinks for standing water or water spots, signs that moisture has built up before. Also, look behind your toilet and sink, as well as the ceilings below them, for discoloration. If your toilet tank never stays at its waterline, that's an indication of some leakage.

2. Pooling Water = Wet Walls

Often, the simple act of hanging a picture can eventually make a pipe burst or even spring a small leak. Check for soft spots and discoloration in drywall to help locate any possible damage.

Another possible way to spot water in your walls is by investigating the floors below. Puddles or signs of flooding in the basement or the crawlspace of your home can mean you've got a leak. Investigate these quickly since damp drywall can create dangerous mold conditions that can be difficult to clean up.

3. Bubbles Everywhere

A small leak doesn't always get absorbed by wood or drywall. When water encounters a barrier, it will begin to pool. This leads to bubbles in the ceiling or walls and can look like the paint is melting away.

If these bubbles are punctured, you could have a huge mess on your hands. Even worse, it can become a safety issue due to buckling or collapse. Suppose you find signs of water damage in your home or business thanks to a pipe burst or another reason. Contact SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol at 423-245-5552. 

Shut Off Valves at Work

7/2/2021 (Permalink)

We have water shut off tags you can put on your water valves so they can be easily seen.

Many workplaces always call on the boss or the maintenance man when something goes wrong. What if they were home sick, or in a meeting and you need to locate the water shut off, where do you start? 

SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol can help commercial properties in planning for a water, fire, storm damage. How? with a free Emergency Response Profile created by your local SERVPRO franchise.  

By having a plan of action and including it into your regular training at your office you can minimize the cost if an unplanned event happens like a frozen pipe, fire, or anything. 

Some property managers use this as a tool to keep everything organized in one central location. 

Is your business ready for a disaster. Even a simple pipe burst can cause a lot of damage and headache. With a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile it can have the critical information to minimize damages, provide the resources for the employee's of the company, and provide property details and information. This is a FREE service that we provide to commercial properties. 

Make an appointment today to get started!

If the unthinkable happens, call your local SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol Professionals at 423-245-5552; 24/7 to help you avoid the cost and hassle of secondary damages.  We will help make it "Like it never even happened."

We're a IICRC Certified Firm

7/2/2021 (Permalink)

We're a IICRC Certified Firm

SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is an IICRC Certified Firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field is constantly changing with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol

SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

7/2/2021 (Permalink)

Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep until fire is out!

Before you even reach for that fire extinguisher, make sure the fire is still in the incipient stage (the flames aren’t taller than you) and that it’s not threatening to block your evacuation route. If you’re good on both of those fronts, all it takes to effectively operate most fire extinguishers is remembering and executing the acronym P.A.S.S:

PULL the pin.

AIM the nozzle at the base of the fire.

SQUEEZE the handle to release the fire extinguishing agent.

SWEEP the nozzle from side to side until the fire appears to be out.

After executing the P.A.S.S. technique, don’t turn your back on the area of the fire as flames may still flare up. Remember to evacuate immediately and call 9-1-1 if the fire gets out of hand. 

Smoke Damage Can Cause Major Issues After a Fire

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

Wet Smoke Effects After Fire Damage In Bristol Homes

Wet smoke can be a challenging situation for Bristol homeowners to overcome after a fire loss incident. Knowing all of the ways that this can affect your property can help you to understand how many residents might require professional assistance. Wet smoke is an effect generated from fires that burn at a lower heat, so instead of combusting quickly and devastating substantial areas of the house, the fire smolders and releases a thick and clammy residue across nearby surfaces, contents, and materials. 

Ultimately, there are two ways in which wet smoke can become insurmountable fire damage for Bristol homeowners. The first of these is the process needed to eliminate and clean the thick residue these situations can leave behind. Wet smoke is also more notorious for widespread odors, which also require specialized equipment and products to remove entirely. Both of these are effects that the average homeowner has not prepared to face. 

The risk of wet smoke residue is the effect that it can have on the surfaces surrounding your home. With a thick coating, conventional cleaning approaches cannot address these concerns, and most often, make them considerably worse. Smearing is a severe concern when cleaning up residues, and staining can result even days later from inadequately cleaned surfaces, contents, and materials. Many have entrusted our SERVPRO team with employing our advanced techniques to remove this harmful effect without widespread damages to your property in the process. 

Odors during these slower and lower heat exchanges can get trapped in surfaces and materials throughout the home, even those not directly in the fire’s path. To remove these odors entirely, professionals like our SERVPRO team have advanced products and cleaning agents, as well as intricate equipment that can address the neutralize odors encountered at a molecular level. 

Combating the damage to your home after a fire loss incident often requires at least partial assistance from dedicated and certified restoration specialists like our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol team. To make the effects of wet smoke fire losses “Like it never even happened,” give us a call today at (423) 245-5552.

Give us a Ring if you need Dependable Cleanup Services

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

We Provide Dependable Water Cleanup Services 

The hose on your large-size portable dishwasher came loose during the rinse cycle, and water now stands all over your kitchen floor. Contacting skilled and trained professionals, like us, as soon as possible can lessen damages to your property. Plus, quick action by you may also help lower restoration costs. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster and can restore your home when possible.

The water cleanup services SERVPRO provides in Bristol are efficient and reliable and can help in this type of situation. In this case, our crew may utilize mops, portable extractors, pumps, vacuums or wands to remove water fast. If necessary, we can employ trunk-mounted extractors to eliminate water quickly. The technicians may also utilize probes and sensors to detect hidden moisture from behind the lower walls and baseboards and from under the floor tiles. Wet materials can ruin your kitchen floor and sub-flooring. Plus, it can cause mold growth and rot, which makes calling us to do the job a wise decision.

Once our SERVPRO team removes all excess water from the premises, they can begin the drying phase of the restoration process. The techs can use various pieces of equipment such as heaters, professional air movers or high-velocity axial fans to force moisture from the structure, which helps enhance evaporation and dryness. Our crew members may also employ dehumidifiers to help bring down the level of humidity inside the affected area. This step can also help increase drying.

We set goals to get work fast during the extraction and drying phases, which can prevent further damages to your home. It is our policy to remove water and dry structures as quickly as we can. Whenever possible, you can trust our team to return your kitchen to its preloss state. We aim to make it look, “Like it never even happened.”

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is close by and ready to serve your area as well as surrounding cities that includes Blountville, Colonial Heights, Walnut Hill, and Blair Gap. Our teams are experts when it comes to water cleanup emergencies. Contact us 24/7 at (423) 245-5552 at any time of the day or night.

For more on Bristol, click here. 

Ready to Tackle Business Flood Damage

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Technicians are Ready to Tackle Your Business Damage Quickly

Timing is critical for a business taking flood damage, and mere minutes can make hundreds or even thousands of dollars' difference later on in the restoration and reconstruction process. SERVPRO's strategy when dealing with commercial flood damage is centered around mitigation through fast responses. With 24/7 customer support and technology such as our new ERP system, we are able to respond around the clock, quickly, to help cut off damage sources and make preliminary efforts at restoration before damage can get too serious. Here's what you can expect from a fast SERVPRO response to your flood damage call.

Immediate Damage Evaluation and Mitigation Efforts

When you first contact us about commercial flood damage in Bristol, our most immediate priority is to evaluate the extent and type of damage to the property. Our technicians will examine the building and any relevant floor plans or blueprints, shut off any pipes or pumps which may be causing the damage, find the most concerning damage spots and conditions, and begin efforts to extract water and dry out the area. These are all time-sensitive tasks, and the faster you can call us, the sooner they can be completed. Our newly-released Emergency Ready Profile system can help to expedite this process, allowing us to access critical information early on, and without hassle.

Follow-Up Restorations

A fast and early response can often precipitate an overall easier restoration process. Our technicians can set up drying equipment, halt mold growth before it gets a chance to start, and extract water before it can seep into deep recesses and cracks to cause even greater amounts of damage. Immediate responses and quick reactions can end up allowing us to spend less time on or even skip over certain restoration tasks, getting doors open quicker and costing you less.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is available around the clock to help mitigate damages for local businesses in need. Just give us a call at (423) 245-5552

Mold Growth in HVAC Air Ducts

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

Mold can grow in most areas of commercial buildings especially if they provide the right conditions. Its effects are dangerous for building materials, causing severe damage if left untreated. HVAC systems circulate mold around the building and provide the humid conditions it needs to thrive. HVAC cleaning is especially important for commercial buildings to prevent the growth of unwanted mold.

The Conditions for Mold Growth in HVAC Systems

You can find mold growth in the humid and dark areas of your HVAC system, such as:

• The drip pan
• The AC evaporator coils
• The air ducts

Mold thrives in moist environmental conditions where it can find a host with the right nutrients. The dust in the ducts provides mold with nutrients and the dark, humid environment gives it the preferable conditions to grow. If the drip pan and AC evaporator coil are not cleaned regularly, they can also provide fungus the essential conditions for growth. It is important to conduct routine HVAC cleaning to prevent these parts from becoming worn or damaged.

Mold Prevention for HVAC Systems
To prevent mold growth on HVAC systems, make sure the air filters are routinely cleaned or replaced. HEPA filters are capable of filtering out the smallest air particles, making them ideal for filtering mold spores. Regular professional HVAC maintenance is also an essential part of mold prevention. It is recommended that this be done twice a year for commercial buildings. Routinely inspect your HVAC system for mold on air vents. Cleaning vents regularly will also prevent additional mold particles from circulating through your HVAC system.
Regular HVAC cleaning is necessary for mold prevention for commercial buildings and should be done by a professional mold cleaning service at least twice a year. If you have mold damage in your building, it is likely the mold is traveling through your HVAC system. Good filtration and regular maintenance can prevent mold growth and make your commercial building a cleaner, health-friendly environment.

Red Wine Spill? Here Are A Few Tips

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

Red Wine Spill

You're entertaining at your home and before you know it, you hear a frantic yell and look just in time to see a friend spilling red wine on your carpet. Don't worry...try these tips. If the spill is too deep, call us for our professional cleaning services at 423-245-5552.

Tips to remove a red wine stain

• Blot up as much of the wine as possible and pour cool water on the stain.
• Cover it with salt.
• Boil water and pour over the stain.
• Prepare a mixture of half a tablespoon of white vinegar and one cup of water. Pour over stain and let it soak for a few minutes. You can also add a few drops of liquid detergent to the mixture. 
• It's always a good idea to test a small spot first to make sure it will not harm your carpet.

Basements Are Common Places for Flood Damage

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

Common Places For Flood Damage

The season when thunderstorms riddle the area is here. The weather can go from pleasant to disastrous very quickly. Any time severe storms hit our region, numerous problems can take place. Rainstorms this time of year can bring a lot of water in a short period of time. Excessive rain can flood your yard possibly causing water to enter your home. Basements seem to be a prime location for water because gravity pulls water into them. Window wells can fill up causing windows to start leaking from the seals. High-speed winds can also blow rocks or tree branches into basement windows causing water to flow into your house. In some cases, water can come in from door seals on the main level of the building and leak into the lower level basement.

Whenever water enters a structure due to a severe thunderstorm, the basement gets inspected for potential issues. Many cases of flood damage prove that problems with basements are common. Our SERVPRO technicians are experienced in dealing with several different issues relating to storms. However, when basements get affected, the negative effects can be more extreme than when water enters other levels.

Anytime excessive moisture enters a building the first thing our SERVPRO restoration crew does is repair the source of the structural leak. If the water comes in from lower door seals, then they get blocked off so that water cannot continue to enter. If the source of the damage is moisture coming in from a basement window, then we can first use a sump pump to extract water from the window well. After the standing water inside the well gets removed, we then board up the window so that rainwater cannot get into your home and create more problems.

If water enters your lower level either from a window or from above, the damage has the potential to be very extensive. When water comes from a window, our SERVPRO experts test the drywall and window frame for moisture from the point of entry down. If water enters your basement from the ceiling, then building materials from the top of the level down to the floor must get tested for moisture content.

The more water that enters your home after a storm the worse the damage can get. As soon as you notice wet building materials or contents after a storm, it is wise to call in the professionals immediately. For prompt 24 hour assistance, call SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol at 423-245-5552.

Firework Safety this Summer

6/7/2021 (Permalink)

With Summer Coming up, celebrate it safely!

Fireworks can be a festive and fun way to celebrate the holidays. In the United States, no holiday is more widely celebrated with the colorful displays of pyrotechnics than the Fourth of July.

However, each year in July, thousands of people - both children and adults - are injured by fireworks while celebrating. According to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission study conducted in 2006, emergency departments treated more than 9,200 firework-related injuries from June 16 to July 16 (2006). Sparklers accounted for one0third of the injuries to children under the age of 5 in the same time period. Children under 15 accounted for 36% of estimated injuries.*

Since a large percentage of the injuries from fireworks are related to illegally made fireworks, the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) encourages consumers to only use legal, approved fireworks. Of course, even then, the fireworks must be used as directed in a safe and responsible manner.

Though a professional fireworks display is the safest way to enjoy the aerial displays, the National Council on Fireworks Safety suggest the following tips for a fun, safe fireworks display.

SAFETY TIPS

• Only use fireworks outdoors.

• Be aware of and obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.

• Always have a bucket of water or hose nearby. If conditions are excessively dry, do not use fireworks.

• Alcohol and fireworks are a bad mix!

• Parents should pay special attention to children using sparklers. Sparklers can reach temperatures up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Children should not throw or play games with sparklers.

My Basement is Flooded! What steps should I take?

6/7/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding in a Basement

1. Practice Caution

First and foremost, make sure that it’s safe to step into the basement. If there are electrical appliances, or if the water has risen above the electrical outlets, it isn’t safe to even touch the water; an electrical current will be traveling through the water. Cut the power off at the main breaker if you can safely reach it.

2. Investigate for Water Source

There are numerous possible causes of excessive water in the basement. The source may not be immediately apparent; it could be a burst pipe, heavy rainfall, foundation cracks or a sewer backup.

3. Dry Affected Area

A wet/dry vacuum comes in very useful for removing standing water and small bits of debris. Once the standing water is eliminated, open windows and doors and run fans. Dehumidifiers can also be a valuable resource to use for a basement flood since basements are often poorly ventilated.

4. Discard Unsalvageable Materials

There will probably be materials that you wouldn’t expect to be deemed unsalvageable from a flooded basement. These could include drywall, carpet, wooden furniture and other porous materials. Any porous items that can’t be fully dried within 48 hours usually need to be discarded as it’s likely mold has already begun to grow.

5. Contact Professionals

Cleanup professionals will need to come to clean up and restore the major damage. Mold can begin to grow within 24 hours of the introduction to moisture. The professionals will make sure everything is dried and cleaned thoroughly and will return your home to its preloss condition.
A basement flood can result in large cleanup and restoration bills. Be sure to contact your insurance company to determine the extent of your insurance coverage.

We are available to help you any time of day or night. Call us at 423-245-5552

3 Main Differences Between Storm Damage and Flood Damage

6/7/2021 (Permalink)

3 Main Differences Between Storm Damage and Flood Damage

During a storm there may be damage done to your home or office building. While you may think that all storm damage is the same, this is not always the case. There is one very important distinction that should be made. This is that floods are considered to be a separate issue from other types of water damage that may occur during a storm. The following are a few differences between the two.

1. The Source of the Water

The first difference between storm and flood damage is the source of the water that enters your home or office building. During a storm, leaks can occur, allowing water inside. Even if the amount is significant, this is not considered to be a flood. Flood waters are those that rise up from the ground and enter the building from below. When trying to determine the type of water damage you have, this is probably the easiest way.

2. The Category of Water

Rain is classified as category 1 water, which means that it is clean and will not cause any significant harm to you. While flood waters may have risen because of the rain, they are classified differently. Once the rainwater begins to rise and mix with other sources, such as sewer water, it becomes category 3. This water is highly contaminated and should be avoided. Flood damage will require thorough sanitization.

3. Insurance Coverage

In most cases, water damage is included in most commercial insurance policies and residential homeowner policies. However, most flood damage is not and, if it is, coverage will usually be limited. If there are often floods in the area, it may be a good idea to invest in a separate flood policy to make sure that your property is covered during an emergency.
If your property has been damaged by flooding or anything else during a storm, you will likely need a professional to help.

Contact a local cleanup and restoration company to get your building back to its preloss condition as soon as possible.

We are available anytime day or night! Please call us at 423-245-5552 should the need arise. 

Water Damage Timeline

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Water Damage Timeline:

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

Please don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol immediately if you suspect any damage or have any questions. Contact us at 423-245-5552

Most Common Causes of Water Damage in your home or business

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

One of the most common causes of water damage in a home or business is burst pipes or ruptured appliance supply lines. These types of water damage incidents have many causes. Knowing and understanding the causes can help the homeowner or business owner take measures to prevent a water damage disasters. 

Excessive water pressure

Water pipes are manufactured to withstand a specified amount of internal water pressure. The specific water pressure rating is typically printed on the pipe. When the water pressure exceeds the pressure rating, the result is a burst pipe, a flooded mess, and damage to personal belongings and the structure.

Frozen pipes

In many parts of the US during the winter, temperatures plunge into the frigid zone, resulting in frozen pipes that burst and wreak havoc in many homes and businesses. In colder regions, adequate pipe insulation and heat tape are sufficient to prevent water pipes from freezing. 

Incorrect pipework and layering

Property owners are advised to hire a licensed, qualified plumber experienced in pipe layering to install pipework and the connections. Any error in the layering process can lead to incorrect subjugation of water pressure, resulting in a burst pipe. When a larger pipe is connected to a smaller pipe, the excessive pressure from the water can lead to a burst pipe.

Aging pipes

Metal and plastic water pipes have a definite life span. Proper maintenance can extend this lifespan a few years. Corrosion degrades metal pipes, making them susceptible to breaking. Over time, plastic pipes become brittle. When pipes become vulnerable, the slightest variations in water pressure can cause these pipes to rupture, potentially causing extensive water damage.

Clogs

Clogs are a common cause of pipe breakage. Internal accumulation of coagulated minerals can clog pipes. A major clog restricting water flow can cause incredible pressure that accumulates above the blockage and results in a burst pipe or leak.

Ground movements

Ground movement can rupture aging pipes and compromise newer pipes, which eventually leak or burst.

Improper pipe connections

Pipe connections are vulnerable weak links in any plumbing system. Improper pipe connections can leak or burst under extreme pressure. A trained and experienced plumber is worth the expense when plumbing installation and repairs are needed. 

Types of Water Damage from Burst Pipes

A burst water pipe can cause massive damage to a home or business. A burst pipe or ruptured appliance supply line can unleash a fountain of water at a rate of seven to nine gallons per minute, causing seen and unseen damage to the structure. The seen and unseen damage from burst pipes may include the following:

Damaged insulation and wiring

When cellulose, loose fill, or fiberglass become saturated and compresses, it loses some of its insulating value and must be replaced. Wet wiring can short circuit and cause a fire. Sometimes the entire wall must be ripped apart to remove and replace the compressed insulation and repair the soaked wiring.

Rotted structural materials

If unseen or left unchecked, water from leaking pipes can flow into the walls and under flooring before it is noticed. The structural damage can involve

• Warping, cracking, and rotting of wall studs
• Swelling, warping, and rotting of baseboards
• Rotting of wooden support beams and sub-floors
• Rusting of steel brackets that hold support beams in place (Rusting and compromised support brackets can lead to costly repairs that far exceed damage to plaster, drywall, and lathe.)

Mold

Even after all water-soaked materials have been dried or removed, mold can start to grow inside air ducts, walls, and even the subfloor. Mold is difficult to remediate and requires professional experience, training, and equipment, including personal protective gear (PPG), to safely and effectively mitigate. Mold cleanup is not a DIY project.

Water damage from a burst water pipe or a ruptured appliance supply not only disrupts life and causes stress, but it also can present serious dangers and health hazards. As soon as water damage is suspected or detected, call in a professional water damage restoration specialist to inspect and assess the situation before advanced secondary damage occurs.

For more information about water damage restoration in Kingsport / Bristol and the surrounding area, contact the office by phone at 423-245-5552

When a Storm hits, SERVPRO is Prepared

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is dedicated to storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are ready for whatever could happen. Our highly trained staff use expert equipment that is efficient to restore and preserve your property.

Our crews at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol are able to respond quickly with the right resources within a few hours to reduce any future damage. This is extremely important to assure that the property is dry in order to decrease the damage. Doing so will prevent further secondary damage, which ultimately reduces the restoration cost.

We have the right equipment and resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. Our highly trained professionals are ready to respond 24/7 to any storm or flood emergency.

We are part of a national network of over 1,600 Franchises with special Disaster Recovery Teams placed strategically throughout the country to respond to large scale events and disasters.

Need Emergency Services? Call us 24/7/365 at 423-245-5552

Choosing a Restoration Company

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

Why choose SERVPRO?  Why not just pick any other restoration company?  Let's consider this; if you find out that you have life threatening illness that requires surgery, would you not want the surgeon with the most extensive training, experience, and a reputation to be the best to get you back to good health?  Well, your property is one of the biggest investment you will make in your lifetime, so it is also very important to have a company with the knowledge, experiences and reputation that you can trust to return your property to its preloss condition.

Here are 3 Reasons to Use SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol

1. Training- SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol we never stop learning and improving our skills.  We are trained to IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) standards in fire and water cleanup, mold remediation. 
2. Equipment- Our technicians have the professional equipment and tools needed to completely clean and remove the effects of water, mold, soot, smoke, odor and more.  We keep up on all the latest technology and techniques used in the restoration industry.
3. Experience- SERVPRO is not some fly-by-night company.  They started over 50 years ago and currently have over 1,700 franchises nationwide. 

If Disaster Strikes call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol 24/7/365 at (423-245-5552)

How we train our Technicians at SERVPRO

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

Our technicians at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol are IICRC Certified and are required to maintain that certification. Our technicians are trained to look for damages that may not be visible to the naked eye and utilize state-of-the-art equipment to locate damages.

Our training program includes the following:

• IICRC Training
• Employee Certification Training
• Initial Franchise Training
• e-Learnings
• Continuing Education Classes

IICRC Training and Certification

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries. Our Professionals study IICRC standards and best practices in water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and other cleaning and restoration courses.

Employee Certification Training

The Employee Certification Training is a voluntary, self-paced program designed for SERVPRO Franchise employees. Certification is awarded after successful completion of course materials and an examination. Modules include:

• Crew Training
• Fire Restoration
• Water Restoration
• Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Initial Franchise Training

A 15-day hands-on course at the SERVPRO Corporate Training Facility is the foundation of the SERVPRO training program. This course is primarily for new Franchise owners and covers many restoration topics:

• Fire Restoration
• Water Restoration
• Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
• Mold Mitigation

e-Learnings

All of our staff have access to web-based training. This voluntary program is designed to be an ongoing, self-paced coaching series for a Franchise's employees. Video presentations and support materials are followed by a knowledge test at the end of each module. This keeps our technicians and office staff up to speed on industry standards and the professional quality you expect.

Employee Test Positive for COVID-19?

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

Protect your Employees from COVID- 19

Employees who exhibit symptoms at work or become sick during the day should immediately be separated from other employees, customers, and visitors and sent home. Employees who develop symptoms outside of work should notify their supervisor and stay home.

Sick employees should follow CDC-recommended steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Employees should not return to work until they have met the criteria to discontinue home isolation and have consulted with a healthcare provider.

Employers should not need sick employees to provide a COVID-19 test result or healthcare provider's note to validate their illness, qualify for sick leave, or return to work. Healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely manner. After following all the recommended CDC guidelines;

• Contact a SERVPRO Consultant for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned COVID Cleaning! We have developed expertise from cleaning up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable, including confirmed COVID-19 locations.
• Asses all areas used/accessed by the infected Employee/s
• Schedule a Covid Cleaning with your local SERVPRO provider (SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol 423-245-5552)

Workers without close contact with the person who is sick can return to work immediately after disinfection.

If more than 7 days since the person who is sick visited or used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary.

 Continue routing cleaning and disinfection. This includes everyday practices that businesses and communities normally use to maintain a healthy environment.

List of our Services

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

We cover a range of restoration and cleaning services for your commercial or residential property.  When the unexpected happens, you can count on SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol to make it "Like it never even happened."  

Restoration
• Fire, Smoke and Soot
• Water Removal & Dehumidification
• Mold Mitigation & Remediation
• Catastrophic Storm Response
• Move Outs & Contents Restoration
• Electronics & Equipment
• Document Drying
• Contents Claim Inventory Service
• Asbestos Abatement 

Cleaning:
• Air Ducts & HVAC
• Biohazard & Crime Scene
• Vandalism
• Carpet & Upholstery
• Drapes & Blinds
• Ceilings, Walls & Hard Floors
• Deodorization
• Debris Removal
• Vandalism & Graffiti
• Trauma & Crime Scene
• Sewage & Toilet Overflow

No matter what your restoration or cleaning needs are, you can count on SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol to get things back into working order.  Give us a call today at 423-245-5552 to schedule. 

Don't Let mold get you down!

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

Bathrooms and basements are habitually moist areas, vulnerable to mold growth, any moist area in the home can become affected. The below are examples of areas in the home that can breed mold if the ideal growing conditions are present.

• Drywall
• Ceiling Tiles
• Carpet
• Furniture
• HVAC ducts
• Roofing
• Paneling
• Wallpaper
• Below Sinks
• Areas around pipes

Mold can be seen in many different colors (ie. brown, green, and black) and often times appears as spots. Additionally, a musty odor may be present. While it is impossible to eliminate all mold spores in an indoor environment, the mold spores will not grow in the absence of moisture. Thus, controlling moisture is the key to preventing mold growth.

Remember the following:

• It's important to identify and repair water problems, such as leaks in plumbing or other structures that may lead to moisture buildup.
• Clean and dry areas of any leakage and water damage in the home within the initial 24-48 hours to prevent mold problems.
• Use of an air conditioner or air dehumidifier during humid seasons can help reduce the potential for moisture buildup.
• Avoid the use of carpets in humid basements and bathrooms.
• Using fans and maintaining good ventilation in the home can also improve indoor air quality and help prevent or control dampness.
• Add mold inhibitor products to household paints.
• Keep indoor humidity levels low (ideally between 30%-50%).
• Use bathroom fans or open bathroom windows when showering for air circulation.
• Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers and stoves, to the outdoors when possible.
• Adding insulation can reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (such as windows, piping, roof, or floors).

Please call us today, SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol 423-245-5552 to schedule a mold inspection. 

What to Watch out For During A Winter Storm

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

Frozen Pipes
Extreme cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and burst, due to water expansion. If burst, the resulting water damage can be extensive.

Outdoor pipes and pipes in unheated areas of the home can freeze if they are not properly insulated or if temperatures are severely cold. 

Most Common Areas for Frozen Pipes

Outdoor hose bibs
Swimming pool supply lines
Water sprinkler lines
Pipes in unheated or partially heated areas are also at risk of freezing, including:

• Basements
• Crawl Spaces
• Garages

Ice Dams
An ice dam is formed when snow melts unevenly on a roof and refreezes into a dam at the edge of the roof.

This standing water can back up under shingles, leak into a home, and cause significant water damage to ceilings, walls, and other areas. Ice dams can also tear off gutters and loosen shingles.

Roof Damage
Snow and ice can cause significant damage to your gutters and roof. The additional weight of snow and ice can even cause a roof to collapse. When there’s a cold snap, water can get into cracks and small spaces and expand when it freezes, causing larger cracks and more damage. The repetition of freezing and thawing cycles can cause small cracks to get larger.

Regardless of the type of storm, SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol can handle any size disaster, and can respond quickly with additional resources to take care of your damage right away.

Give us a call at 423-245-5552 for immediate assistance.

Every Commercial Property Needs an ERP! Here's the Reason Why

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

What is an ERP?

It’s simple! An ERP is an acronym for 'Emergency Ready Plan'. We know that every hour your workspace is down is business lost, so an ERP is meant to minimize time spent responding to a crisis. Knowing where your water main is or where your fire extinguisher is, can vastly change the amount of damage done to your space and reduce the amount you will have to pay for in terms of replacement. 

What does an ERP provide?

The ERP provides a one-stop shop for all information you would need for specific situations, like what to do if a fire or water damage occurs. It gives you the phone numbers you need to call and the steps to follow to minimize damage. In addition, our team will be able to take photos of the equipment listed in the directions. Need to turn off the water? You will be able to check the ERP and find the location with an accompanying photo to help you locate the water main. 

Business owners will have the chance to review their sprinkler and alarm systems in order to stay informed in the case of emergency.

When disaster strikes, it’s normal to feel stressed out and unable to act quickly. If you’ve never experienced a disaster before, it can be overwhelming. Our ERP is a quick way to solve an issue quickly, which can help business owners stay on top of the unpredictable. Give SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol a call at 423-245-5552 to schedule your complimentary ERP!

6 Common Causes of Toilet Leaks

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

Causes of a Leaking Toilet

A toilet isn’t a complicated piece of machinery. However, if you hear strange noises or notice water on the floor, you might find that it takes some trial and error to find the source of the leak. The problem could require a toilet repair or simply an adjustment. The first step is finding the cause of the leaking toilet. Here are a few:

1. Pipes

Water impurities can cause metal pipes to corrode and rust. Rusted pipes can eventually crack causing leaks around the toilet.

2. Bowl

Toilet bowls seem pretty durable, but an old toilet can develop cracks. A hairline crack may not be very noticeable unless you’re looking for it, but it can also leak. However, it’s important to act on it quickly because the crack can only get bigger.

3. Tank

Just as the bowl can crack, so can the porcelain of the tank. Most likely, if either develops a crack the whole toilet will need to be replaced.

4. Flapper

One of the most common causes of a leaking toilet is the flapper. The flapper is the rubber seal that opens the flush valve when the toilet handle is pressed. The flapper is responsible for keeping the water in the tank. Over time, the flapper can get worn due to mineral deposits from the water and toilet cleaners, causing it to warp. This will cause a continual leak into the bowl.

5. Flush Valve

When the toilet is flushed, the flush valve regulates the flow of the tank water into the bowl. When this assembly is faulty, it can cause an internal leak. In this case, the toilet might continuously run or you might hear dripping noises.

6. Fill Valve

The fill valve controls the flow of the water that refills the toilet tank after the flush. The fill valve can accumulate mineral deposits over time. These deposits can prevent the valve from completely shutting off.

It’s best to deal with a water leak as soon as you notice it. If your home sustains water damage from a leaking toilet, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at 423-245-5552

Water Damage in your Bristol Home

10/1/2020 (Permalink)

This is a photo of a couple of our air movers at work drying a home in Bristol after flooding.

Our SERVPRO Technicians Thoroughly Remediate Water Damage in Your Bristol Home.

If you happen to experience a water damage incident, you have to treat everything as an emergency. Contacting licensed restoration providers is highly recommended so that the damaged areas can be pre-inspected and mitigation measures put in place. A few dangerous situations to address at the time include deteriorated sub-floors, falling ceilings, and electrical hazards. Our technicians carefully examine damaged areas and check for standing water in crawl spaces, walls and floors below. A moisture meter is used to determine the extent of water penetration in your property. Drying wet surfaces is a crucial goal of the restoration, and for that to happen, technicians may position air movers to facilitate the flow of air. Based on the IICRC standards, the professionals determine the number and size of dehumidifiers to put in place. The work of the dehumidifiers is to move dry air into the affected areas and increase the rate of evaporation. 

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is here to attend to all your mold, storm, fire, and water damage disasters. Call us at (423) 245-5552 to learn more about our restoration and cleaning options. 

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

7/22/2020 (Permalink)

Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
• Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
• Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol today at 423-245-5552 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

Bristol Commercial Fire Damage 101

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

When an individual's business is subjected to fire, extensive losses can occur.

Commercial Fire Damage 101 in Bristol

Individuals who own businesses should know that natural disasters can have an adverse impact on the structural integrity and safety of the property. Unfortunately, Bristol commercial fire damage can cause business owners to lose valuable possessions. In many cases, these individuals are uncertain regarding what course of action they should take to get their business back in excellent condition. To ensure that your commercial property regains its original functionality and aesthetic appeal, it's a good idea to invest in professional remediation services. Learn more about Bristol commercial fire damage and how restoration services can help you by reading the short outline provided below:

Preventing Loss From Fire Damage
There are numerous actions you should take to prevent loss from Bristol commercial fire damage. The first step is to make sure that all of the staff are avoiding the premises. This is important because dangerous substances are released after the fire. Once all of the staff have vacated the premises, the cleanup process can start. Disaster control experts will optimize and expedite this process by removing unwanted odors and trash. They will also offer board-ups. Another step that will be taken during the commercial fire damage remediation process is the creation of short-term walls. These barriers will help prevent passersby, office staff, and criminals from attempting to enter the building and thereby harming themselves.

Another step of the cleanup and restoration process is protecting the business owner's ceiling with parcels or tarps. This work will help prevent the ceiling from a collapse resulting from gusts of wind, rainfall, or other mishaps. Water damage specialists will also work to help business owners recover and restore valuable possessions. Recovery solutions are available for all types of items, including outfits, furnishings, rugs, and gadgets. Commercial fire damage specialists will also utilize dry washing procedures to eradicate any trash or smoke that has adhered to clothing items and other materials.

Conclusion
When an individual's business is subjected to fire, extensive losses can occur. Additionally, the water damage generated from the extinguishing process can make the commercial property susceptible to an outbreak of mold and mildew. Finally, fires can adversely impact possessions and leave them in need of restoration efforts. To ensure that your business and properties can be salvaged and restored, it's important that you attain assistance from a team of trained fire damage specialists. The team to trust is SERVPRO. As a cutting edge company committed to offering customized remediation services that work, you can count on our specialists to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Call us now to schedule an appointment.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is locally owned and operated and we are proud to be part of this community. We are also part of a national network of over 1,650 Franchises with special Disaster Recovery Teams placed strategically throughout the country to respond to large-scale fire, water, and storm disasters.

When your commercial property or home has water damage from leaks or flooding, we have the experience and expertise to help. Give us a call. (423) 245-5552

Post Flood Damage Safety Tips for Your Kingsport Home

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Flood Water Damage

Kingsport Flood Damage Safety Tips

Floods are devastating, and dealing with one that damages your home can be a major pain. The big problem with floods is that the damage they cause can linger long after they are gone, so it's important to follow some post flood damage safety tips.

Cleaning up

Floodwaters that infiltrate your come can bring a toxic soup of sewage, gasoline, toxic chemicals and all kinds of pathogens. When you are doing flood restoration, you need to take safety precautions. If you have to wade into floodwaters to retrieve items or to help get the water out, make sure to wear protective clothing. And if you spend a significant amount of time in a room that has sustained flood damage, you should wear a respirator.

Throw out anything porous that came in contact with floodwaters. This includes carpet, upholstered furniture, large rugs, mattresses, paper items and even drywall. Clothing and small rugs that can be machine-washed are OK to keep, although they will need a thorough washing.

You have to make sure you thoroughly dry out the space to prevent mold growth. Ventilate the room and bring in large fans to run for at least 24 hours and longer if necessary. After that, you should use dehumidifiers to suck any remaining moisture out of the air. Before you do any restoration work, such as reinstalling drywall or carpet, use a moisture meter to make sure the room is free of moisture. If there is still moisture in studs, for example, it can lead to mold growth later on.

Once the area is fully dry, you should clean all surfaces thoroughly with a heavy-duty cleaner, preferably one that has bleach in it. This should include walls, floors, cabinets, counter tops and any solid-surface furniture that you salvaged.

Boil and treat your water

If you have a well, floodwaters may have infiltrated your water supply. Immediately after the flood, you should boil all water before drinking or cooking with it. As soon as possible, get your well water tested. If high levels of pathogens and particles are found, you will need to have your water source treated before you can safely use it again.

When your Kingsport home has water damage from flooding, we have the expertise and equipment to properly handle emergencies.

If you have questions about flood or water damage, call us today at 423-245-5552. 

Dealing with a Water Leak in Bristol

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Keeping out the Water Cuts Down on Water Damage

Initial Action for a Water Leak in Bristol

Having a water leak within your Bristol home can be an incredibly difficult thing to have to handle on your own. Water leaks can be either minor or major and can easily result in flooding and water damage. Flooding, in itself, can be damaging because of a large amount of items that can be ruined by the water. One of the best things you can do, and as long as it is safe, is to remove any items from the area that may get ruined because of a water leak. If there are expensive electronics within the vicinity, it is vital that you pick these up and remove them to a safer area.

The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to a flood or water leak is to protect yourself. If there is electricity within the area, make sure that you stay out of the water and contact a professional company like SERVPRO right away. You should always make sure that you and your loved ones are safe when doing this type of work. The last thing you want is to be in a dangerous area because there is a flood within your home.

If you can contain the water that is accumulating from the leak, this is something that you will also want to do. You can use towels, sandbags or anything else to keep the water at bay and to contain it to one specific area. Thus, you're decreasing the amount of water damage to the rest of your home. With less damage, it is beneficial to saving yourself a lot of time and money later on with getting these types of things repaired and restored to their original condition.

Once the leak and flooding have been contained it is vital that you contact the professionals at SERVPRO so that they can take care of the damage for you. They can deal with water damaged walls, flooring, furniture, cabinetry and other items that might have been affected by the flood or leak. Having the water damage repaired by the experts from SERVPRO means that all the water and moisture will be extracted from your home.  This water removal will prevent potential future problems caused by mold or mildew.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

We live and work in this Bristol community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is close by and ready to respond to your flood or water damage emergency.

We specialize in water damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business.  Call us
for help.  (423) 245-5552

How to Handle a Fire Restoration Job in Bristol

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

House Fire

How to Handle a Fire Restoration Job in Bristol

Coping with the effects of the house fire can be very taxing, particularly if you are uncertain about what you need to do to start the repair, clean up, and restoration process. There are a lot of things that need to take place after a fire, and it could be beneficial to know a few guidelines on how to deal with fire restoration tasks so that you can avoid risking your safety and further damaging your home. 

Contact Your Insurance Company for Fire Restoration

 After a fire has taken place, the first thing you should do is call your homeowner's insurance agent. He or she will be likely to send an insurance adjuster to your residence to assess the damages and come up with a cost estimate for repairs and restoration. Depending on your extent of coverage for water and fire damage, your insurance may actually cover all of your expenses.

Contact a Professional Restoration Company

After calling your insurance agent, you should call a professional restoration company like SERVPRO. We have the specialized licenses, team, equipment, and expertise to handle fire restoration, no matter how severe the damage is. 

Do Not Enter Your Home after a Fire.

Since it is common for fires to damage the structure of homes, you should not enter your home immediately after a house fire. Boards in your home may be fragile and brittle, and putting pressure on them can break them and cause injury to you. Additionally, it is likely that there is water damage from the attempts to put out the fire, which would have weakened the structure of the home even more. You could even be electrocuted if you go into your home, due to the large amounts of standing water in conjunction with electricity. It is highly recommended that you have a professional examine your home after such an event to make sure it is safe for you to enter. 

Fire and smoke damage is especially destructive. In many instances your Bristol property will also suffer from water damage from firefighting efforts. There are many steps that need to be taken after a fire, and several of these require specialized equipment that most homeowners will not have or know how to use properly.

If you experience Fire or Smoke Damage? Call the experts at SERVPRO today at 423-245-5552.

How to Estimate Fire Damage Costs in Kingsport

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Fire in Your House Requires Restoration

How to Estimate Fire Damage Costs in Kingsport

Going through events that lead to fire damage in your Kingsport home are traumatic and can change your life drastically. Besides all of the cleanup work that is needed, including getting rid of items that are no longer usable, it is also necessary for you to calculate the total fire damage costs. These costs will include everything from equipment rental, trash disposal, the cost of hiring professionals, and the restoration of damaged property. To make this multi-step procedure easier, hiring a professional to calculate fire damage costs is advisable.

Contact Your Insurance Company

After contacting your homeowner’s insurance company, an adjuster will be sent out to survey the damage in your Kingsport home. The adjuster will look at the extent of the fire damage, the approximate value of the home and other factors to calculate the exact cost of damage. The cost the adjuster comes up with only covers the value of your home and depending on your insurance coverage, it may cover the cost of hiring a fire restoration company to help. All other household items require estimated values for insurance reimbursement. 

Include Lost Possessions in Fire Damage Costs

Included in the fire damage costs are possessions damaged to the point that they are tossed. Hiring a professional restoration company, such as SERVPRO,  to help total up the costs of these items is a good idea. The homeowner's investment for this service is well worth the cost. These professionals have the expertise to salvage items and thus lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

Include the Cost of Repairs in the Total Fire Damage Costs

It is advisable to hire a professional to help calculate the cost of repairing and restoring your home after a fire. The list of repairing and restoring partially damaged items and removing the odor of smoke from the home and possessions is partial. The cost of repainting the home and the repairing of the roof are also on this list. If the home is high-tech or historical, this will affect the final cost of repair and replacement.

Fortunately, there are professional services that are available to help you calculate fire damage costs. After you have consulted your homeowner’s insurance company, get in touch with a professional fire restoration company--SERVPRO. Allow this company to work in tandem with your insurance company to assess and restore your home to its previous condition.

Locally Owned, with National Resources

We are proud to be an active member of your community. SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is locally owned and operated so we’re already nearby and ready to help Kingsport residents.

Faster to Any Size Fire Emergency

When fire and water damage strikes, a fast response is critical. We’re dedicated to responding immediately night or day to your Kingsport home. A faster response helps to prevent secondary damage and helps to reduce cost.  Call us.  (432) 245-5552.

Repairing Your Home's Flood Damage

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Storm damage can be devastating. Call SERVPRO to get started with the remediation process!

SERVPRO Cleans your Home Thoroughly After Flood Damage to Prevent Any Secondary Damage

If your home is ever flooded by either an internal water source or an external one, you will want to get the water removed as fast as possible. SERVPRO can assist you by using one of our trucks that can pump out the water, emptying your home of unwanted water quickly. After the majority of the water is removed, we will remove even more from the interior of your home with specialized equipment that can extract moisture from semi-porous materials such as paneling, drywall, or wood flooring.
 
We will make sure that flood damage becomes a thing of the past as we restore your home so that it is "Like it never even happened." As we are taking care of the increased moisture throughout your home, we will also be cleaning and restoring your belongings to a pre-flood state. Some items will need to be sent out for specialized service, especially electronics, and we will work closely with you on this aspect. A flood can be stressful enough without adding in unknowns such as where your things are going to and when you will see them again.
 
Structurally, a flood can create hidden damage in a home that won't show itself for months. At SERVPRO, we have learned through training and experience what unrepaired flood damage can do to a home. We do not want that to happen to yours so we will take the needed steps so you can avoid that headache in the future. Mold and bacterial growths, rotting walls and support beams, rusting or corroding metal fittings and moldings, and other problems can plague those who have had a flood long after everything is cleaned up. As we clean, we will prevent these problems, and also possible health problems by sanitizing areas that have become contaminated. We realize a flood is multi-faceted in the problems it creates, and we respond accordingly.
 
Calling SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 should be one of the first things you do post-flood so we can help you with the entire process of undoing the damage caused. Available 24/7 to meet your needs, we are always ready to assist you.

Flood Damage Solution In Kingsport

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Kingsport Flood Waters

Rely on the Expertise of SERVPRO to Help After Flood Has Damaged Your Property

When flooding is a part of the history of the area that you live in, you should consider it as a part of your duties as a property owner to plan for these types of situations. Obtaining the proper insurance and budgeting for some of the preventive measures that exist to assist you with preparation for a flood is only the beginning. However, it is far better than merely reacting to a crisis. It is our goal to inform you more about what to do when a water damage emergency hits and help you with getting back to normal, with the least amount of disturbance to your everyday lives.
 
We have expertly trained technicians who have experience in dealing with flood damage restoration near your Kingsport home. It is possible that the person who arrives to help you with your situation is someone that you already know within the community that you live, a neighbor, a friend or even a family member.
 
SERVPRO Franchises are locally owned and operated by people just like you. Our technicians go through rigorous training to learn the proper steps to assist with your recovery as promptly and professionally as possible. However, we can also help you prepare to combat the possibility before it ever occurs, limit the damage caused by flooding and even save more of your belongings in the process.
 
Our expertly trained technicians at SERVPRO offer you services that are unique to your situation and help you understand what you can expect; even during the worst possible conditions. We will be there to assist you through the entire process, from beginning to end and even provide you with any assistance you need filling out the proper paperwork to deal with your insurance company.
 
The restoration process at SERVPRO starts with your initial phone call. We will perform an inspection on your property and thoroughly explain what is needed to get you back on your feet. Then we will quickly and efficiently cover the steps of the action plan that we have described to remove any excess water and completely dry everything within the affected area. We can uncover those hard to locate moisture pockets that require specialized equipment to find. All of your household items get handled as if they were our own, and each restorable item is taken care of and returned to a quality pre-damage condition "Like it never even happened."
 
Our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol staff is waiting to assist you. Make the call today - (423) 245-5552

Understanding Water Categorization

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage

As a property owner,  you may have to deal with several water issues. While a toilet overflow is a simple issue to deal with, in this area you’ll probably have to deal with problems involving flood water. Flooding can cause not only significant property damage, but it also poses a potential health risk as well, and being a property owner in this area you should become familiar with the different levels of water classification.

1. Sanitary Water

Category one water is considered sanitary water. This water is the safest water to drink, cook with, and bathe with. Sanitary water is also commonly referred to as clear water, which is a reference to its appearance and an indicator that it is clean, meaning that it has not been contaminated by other sources.

2. Gray Water

Gray Water, category two, is not sanitary and can pose a risk of illness if you come into contact or consume this water. Typically, this water occurs in the event of appliance or toilet overflow, which means that it is contaminated by chemicals and sewage.

3. Black Water

Black water, category three, is the most dangerous of all waters and is likely the result of flood water. This water is formed by a mixture of rising rivers and overflowing sewers. With the high level of contaminants in this water, it is also toxic to humans and animals, causing illness and potential fatality if ingested. If you’re building is submerged in black water, it is best to avoid it and allow professionals to do the final cleanup process.

Flood water presents a serious risk to people, and when it reaches category three, black water, it should be avoided. As a business owner, you should be aware of the various levels of water categorization to ensure both your safety and the safety of your tenants. 

For more information contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at 423-245-5552.

Smoke Can Cause Major Issues After A Fire In Your Bristol Home

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

To make the effects of wet smoke fire losses “Like it never even happened,” give us a call today at (423) 245-5552.

Wet Smoke Effects After Fire Damage In Bristol Homes

Wet smoke can be a challenging situation for Bristol homeowners to overcome after a fire loss incident. Knowing all of the ways that this can affect your property can help you to understand how many residents might require professional assistance. Wet smoke is an effect generated from fires that burn at a lower heat, so instead of combusting quickly and devastating substantial areas of the house, the fire smolders and releases a thick and clammy residue across nearby surfaces, contents, and materials. 

Ultimately, there are two ways in which wet smoke can become insurmountable fire damage for Bristol homeowners. The first of these is the process needed to eliminate and clean the thick residue these situations can leave behind. Wet smoke is also more notorious for widespread odors, which also require specialized equipment and products to remove entirely. Both of these are effects that the average homeowner has not prepared to face. 

The risk of wet smoke residue is the effect that it can have on the surfaces surrounding your home. With a thick coating, conventional cleaning approaches cannot address these concerns, and most often, make them considerably worse. Smearing is a severe concern when cleaning up residues, and staining can result even days later from inadequately cleaned surfaces, contents, and materials. Many have entrusted our SERVPRO team with employing our advanced techniques to remove this harmful effect without widespread damages to your property in the process. 

Odors during these slower and lower heat exchanges can get trapped in surfaces and materials throughout the home, even those not directly in the fire’s path. To remove these odors entirely, professionals like our SERVPRO team have advanced products and cleaning agents, as well as intricate equipment that can address the neutralize odors encountered at a molecular level. 

Combating the damage to your home after a fire loss incident often requires at least partial assistance from dedicated and certified restoration specialists like our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol team. To make the effects of wet smoke fire losses “Like it never even happened,” give us a call today at (423) 245-5552.

SERVPRO Provides Comprehensive Restoration and Repair Services for Our Bristol Neighbors

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

When Bad Things Happen to Your Bristol House--Call SERVPRO for Recovery and Repair

When Bristol Needs Restoration Services – Count on SERVPRO

We did not want to stop at offering only half of our area the high-caliber restoration services residents have come to expect from SERVPRO. While we service large metropolitan areas including Bristol, we have dual certifications in both Tennessee and Virginia for homes and businesses that depend on our fast response and experienced approach when disasters strike.  Along with the core services like our water, fire, mold, and storm recovery, we also offer specialized restoration like biohazard cleanup, asbestos abatement, and other expert services.

Mold Damage
With mold spores existing in every environment around your home or office, many contend with mold damage in Bristol properties. We have multiple approaches that get designed to suit the specific needs of your home during this traumatic experience and aim to limit the spread of further damages whenever possible. Our SERVPRO team begins after the initial inspection and assessment to establish practical containment barriers with physical plastic sheeting and our advanced tools like negative air and ozone machines.

We know that you might get drawn into talk of mold removal but eliminating mold spores entirely from Bristol properties is impossible. Instead of offering you false promises, we can provide you state of the art remediation practices that can eliminate mold colonies and the growing organism in your house and works to address the primary cause of this colonization as promptly as possible. The only way to prevent recurrences is to address the moisture and dampness.

Our technicians of the remediation team have accreditations both in Water Restoration (WRT) and as Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians (AMRT) through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC.) With this experience, our professionals can address the layers of mold damage that exist in Bristol properties with practices like deodorization, air filtering, duct cleaning, and full reconstruction efforts when necessary.

Water Damage
Along with our ability to address mold concerns as they get located, we also have the roster of skilled IICRC-Certified technicians to address water damage in Bristol homes as well. Much like other loss incidents that could occur, water emergencies can have multiple origin points and sources, making it difficult for inexperienced home and business owners to address all of the effects of the incident thoroughly.

Our SERVPRO team has an eye for identifying these damages, utilizing sophisticated moisture content readers and discovery devices like infrared imagery to pinpoint dampness beyond walls, beneath floors, and above ceilings in Bristol properties. With a full understanding of the spread of these effects after the source gets repaired, we can work quickly along with our contracting division to offer a full-service approach to restoration and recovery.

Even a few hours waiting for water damage effects to get resolved in your Bristol home can cause substantial damage. We can arrive quickly with industry-leading drying and extraction equipment to get things back to normal. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, and that means being there for our customers quickly when minutes matter.

Storm Damage
Over the years, powerful weather events have taken their toll with storm damage to Bristol properties. From the remnants of devastating hurricanes like Florence in 2018 to other severe systems bringing hard winds, hail, and other crippling conditions for properties, our SERVPRO professionals can help. We offer wrap-around services, helping to save our customers money and time by being a one-stop shop for all restoration and recovery services a property requires.

With a full team of contracting specialists with a license (#67298) in General Contracting, Residential Contracting, and Commercial Contracting, no customer ever has to wait for useful temporary construction like board up and tarping services. These patches can prevent exposure to other damaging elements like precipitation, runoff, flooding, and animal infestations. With our involvement in a large loss recovery team, we can work to offer practical solutions to the often multiple structures affected at the same time by robust storm systems.

We know how quickly breaches in the exterior of your Bristol home or business can lead to a need for flood damage mitigation and water removal. Our disaster relief team arrives with the full measure of our powerful tools to begin extraction, drying, and intricate cleaning of your property as soon as emergency construction solutions get installed.

Fire Damage
Fire damage in Bristol homes can be a devastating force and one that requires immediate attention and mitigation to prevent from getting out of control. As much as many property owners might fixate on the structural damages that occur, this is only one small part of the equation. Our SERVPRO team must address multiple facets of fire loss recovery with every disaster we dispatch our professionals to, including:

•    Soot removal
•    Odor removal
•    Smoke residues
•    Structural integrity concerns
•    Ash and debris removal
•    Controlled demolition
•    Reconstruction and repair
•    Upholstery, fabric, and carpet cleaning
•    Content management
•    Insurance documentation

As a team of IICRC-Certified professionals with accreditations in both Fire & Smoke Restoration and Odor Control, we have become specialists in post-fire cleanup and content management in damaged Bristol properties. We have cutting-edge and industry-leading approaches to cleaning processes like soot and smoke residue removal, limiting potential smearing and staining to protect more of the damaged surfaces and construction materials from tear out and reconstruction.

We have a full team of certified cleaning technicians and fire loss experts that can remove damaged contents and personal belongings from your Bristol home and recover them in our SERVPRO facility using sophisticated approaches like ultrasonic cleaning tanks, ozone chambers, and other state-of-the-art restorative practices. Once restoration completes in the property, these same content management professionals can return these recovered items to their original positions.

We have always worked hard to be a name that those in Virginia and Tennessee could trust whenever disaster strikes. We have successfully managed the recovery needs of our customers, and helped to make emergencies of every size and severity “Like it never even happened.” Whenever disaster strikes your property, count on our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol team to help. Give us a call anytime at (423) 245-5552.

Stop Suffering Through Flood Damage Remediation in Your Bristol Business

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

Flood damage can be overwhelming being dealt with alone. Call the professionals at SERVPRO today for remediation assistance.

Commercial Flood Damage Technicians In Bristol Describe The Restoration Process

Severe weather can happen quite frequently in Bristol in the summertime. If the neighborhood your gift shop is located in gets hit by a severe thunderstorm, it could cause you to have to deal with excessive commercial flood damage. A couple of months ago, a tornado hit the ground in Tennessee and brought with it 85 miles per hour winds. Wind during a storm can also be quite a destructive force. 

When mitigating commercial flood damage in Bristol, our SERVPRO team follows strict procedures and guidelines. We know that storm-related issues can be costly to you and your insurance company and possibly cause your business a loss of revenue. Our procedures and techniques we use are approved by industry standards and are designed to return your gift shop to the way it was "Like it never even happened." 

When restoring problems with your property after a thunderstorm or tornado, our SERVPRO technicians know that the number one goal is to remove moisture as quickly as possible and reduce your company's loss of revenue the best we can. Restoration procedures require us to conduct four main steps. 

1. Initial Inspection and Hazard Mitigation 

When we first arrive at your place of business, we start by inspecting your building to figure out the extent of the issues. During this first inspection, we look for any potential safety hazards and eliminate them before any work begins. 

2. Extraction of Liquid Water 

Any time water makes its way into your structure; it is easier to remove it while it is still liquid before it evaporates into the air and soaks into your contents and building materials. We accomplish extraction by utilizing heavy-duty extractors and specialized extraction tools and extensions. 

3. Structural Drying 

Once all of the liquid H2O is removed from your gift shop's building materials and contents, we then take steps to speed up the natural evaporation and drying process. We do this by setting up air movers to circulate the air and dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the atmosphere. 

4. Final Cleaning 

During the last cleaning stage, we make sure your gift shop looks as good as it did before the storm struck. Final cleaning can also include cleaning all of the carpets and upholstered items in your store. 

If your gift shop in Bristol ever gets negatively affected by severe weather, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 any time of the day. 

Don’t Let Storm Damage to Your Bristol Home Get You Down

6/29/2020 (Permalink)

Flood damage remediation in Bristol can be overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO today for remediation assistance.

Storms Bringing Flooding to Bristol Neighborhoods Damage Many Kinds of Property

Storms lingering around the Bristol area can cause small streams to overflow and local lakes to crest. When natural bodies of water spill over into populated areas, severe damage can begin happening at a swift rate. 

Homes damaged by flooding and other storm activity in Bristol need prompt mitigation and restoration. Such work stops the damage from worsening and also makes it possible to live in these houses again. SERVPRO restores both the structure and the belongings for our local residents. Our contractor license number is 67298.

We have the resources to move your family's belongings out and to another location, including to our own warehouse. Helping your family recover from a disaster includes making life as comfortable as possible during the restoration phase. To reduce this period as much as we can, we bring all of the tools, including portable power sources. Many disasters take out power lines and poles, and flooding often causes this to happen. 

There are a couple of things you can do to help your family recover, as well. These include simple but effective measures that can make life immediately after any disaster less stressful. Basic toiletries after a disaster are essential, but many places sheltering families have these items on hand.

• Create email drafts for different aspects of your loved ones' lives. One might include an ongoing list of current medications and physician contact information for yourself and your family members, another draft for family, school, work, and insurance contacts, and a third for other relevant information. Saving these in draft format allows you to continually update them when needed.
• Have an emergency bag of vital but non-perishable essentials for your family. These things might include small activity items for younger children, a couple of extra bottles, complete with the ring and nipple for babies, sippy cups for toddlers, and an extra memory card, DVDs, and other electronic items for teens. A couple of changes of clothing that includes basics like underwear, and simple T-shirts and sweatpants or shorts can make things easier, especially the first couple of days after your family moves to temporary housing.
• Already have temporary housing in place for such events with a trusted relative or family friend. This allows your family a bit of breathing room and access to a more private telephone than you might otherwise have in a shelter-type situation. 

Call us at (423) 245-5552 so we can mitigate, restore, and rebuild your home, so it is “Like it never even happened.”

Our Professionals Discuss Our Water Removal Services For Your Kingsport Home

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

Take advantage of our training, and put us to work for you, call for more information (423) 245-5552.

Professional Water Removal Services In Kingsport

Removing water from your Kingsport property after experiencing water intrusions can be rather severe. Using a wet-dry vacuum and towels can be enough for small spills. However, larger areas require the attention of water removal specialists. Never leave water damage to chance; your family home deserves the best, so why settle for less.

It helps to pay close attention to water removal in your Kingsport area home. A small amount of moisture can cause massive problems down the road. Excess moisture often leads to damages to your walls, floor, framing, structure, and more. Working with a licensed professional who has all of the right equipment, personnel, and resources needed to tackle any size job can make a huge difference.

A small leak behind the dishwasher in your kitchen can lead to significant damage. Your cabinets, subfloor, countertops, and flooring all suffer if you fail to get the water out promptly. SERVPRO can provide you with water extractors, drying equipment, and the proper support 24/7. We make it easy to tackle emergencies and help keep your home dry, clean, and safe.

Our technicians use infrared water detectors that helps locate and remove excess moisture trapped in even the smallest hard-to-reach areas of your home. Our water extractors come in all shapes and sizes, making it possible to remove hundreds of gallons of water from your home within minutes. SERVPRO also has air movers with various attachments and technicians utilizing different drying techniques all working in unison to achieve quality results.

SERVPRO gives you access to professionals with full Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), who live in your local area. We are your neighbors, friends, or even family and enjoy providing emergency services you can count on to make things right. Our staff even helps you with the paperwork necessary to speed up the insurance claim process to ensure everything keeps rolling smoothly. Get the services, quality, and assurance you deserve.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol has an entire GREEN FLEET standing by to assist with your water removal and home restoration needs. Take advantage of our training, and put us to work for you, call for more information (423) 245-5552.

Foul Odors In Your Kingsport Home Are No Match For Our Fire Damage Experts

6/4/2020 (Permalink)

Our certified technicians stand ready to help you 24/7 and make your fire loss “Like it never even happened.”

After Fire Damage To A Kingsport Home, Does The Odor Ever Go Away?

Fire damage often comes with multiple layers of issues such as burned building materials and home contents, water or fire extinguisher residue and of course, foul odors from all of those factors.

SERVPRO was called to mitigate fire damage in a Kingsport home. The fire started in the kitchen when the homeowner's microwave oven caught on fire, and she opened the door to the microwave before the flames ran out of oxygen and extinguished. A fire extinguisher had been used to put out the fire, and the fine, powdery residue covered the area around the microwave. Although the homeowner removed the microwave, a strong odor permeated the kitchen.

Immediately on arrival, we contained the doorways and registers in the kitchen to inhibit the spread of soot throughout the home. Then we used handheld vacuums with HEPA filtration to clean up the fire extinguisher residue and soot from the cabinet surfaces. The cabinets over the microwave displayed smoke damage but no charring and were restorable through extensive cleaning.

Odor-causing soot particles can be smaller than the human eye can see, so we use specialized equipment such as our air scrubbers with HEPA filters to capture the particulate matter and assist in inhibiting strong odors left behind by the fire.

SERVPRO technicians engage in continuing education to stay on the cutting edge of the latest advances in the field of restoration sciences. When cleaning with our EPA-registered formulas is not enough to get rid of smoke odors, we have a diverse array of equipment to choose from such as ozone machines and Hydroxyl generators that neutralize odors at the molecular level.

In this case, thermal fogging was the solution chosen by our technicians. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to odors, and removal of odors requires the application of multiple approaches to eradicate them from the property and contents completely.

For assistance getting rid of fire damage and odors, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552. Our certified technicians stand ready to help you 24/7 and make your fire loss “Like it never even happened.”

For Fast Flood Damage Restoration in Your Kingsport Property

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

Heavy rainfall can cause flooding in your place of work.

Fast Commercial Flood Damage Restoration For Kingsport Businesses

As a property manager, your responsibility is to ensure a safe working environment for your customers and your staff. At certain times of the year, this responsibility can be especially challenging. Heavy rainfall can cause flooding in your place of work. These issues are time-consuming and can force temporary closure which is why opting for a local; qualified restorer is the right decision. We have local water technicians on standby in case you need emergency assistance.

One of the primary services we offer businesses is the restoration of commercial flood damage in Kingsport. Our call-lines never shut, meaning you can reach out to us in an emergency and arrange a service. Depending on the size of your business our experts can send round a single technician or an expert team led by an experienced crew chief. The faster we get to work the sooner you can get your business back, and we have found that communication is vital in this regard.

The commercial response units at SERVPRO have access to a wide range of equipment to get rid of standing water. The most appropriate method is by using a submersible pump that sends large quantities of flood water to a nearby sewer point. We can also mobilize truck-mounted extraction units when standing water levels drop below two inches and cannot be pumped efficiently. We the excess water gone, our next step is to assess the level of damage.

Water naturally migrates from the source of damage outward. In some cases, that can result in saturation of your subfloor, crawlspaces, fittings or wall cavities. Using thermal imaging cameras alongside moisture meters we can accurately assess the amount of liquid absorbed into hard floors or behind walls. These areas may not seem like a priority, but in humid conditions, damp spots can quickly result in mold growth.

The primary means of getting rid of residual moisture is by creating airflow. Drilling small holes beneath skirting boards or in non-visible areas of a cabinet allows us to access the inner cavities. From here, we can deploy rapid air-movers fitted with a flex hose to circulate warm, dry air into the cavity and ensure the property is thoroughly dry both inside and out.

Keep closures to a minimum after property damages. Contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552.

Fire Damage in Your Bristol Residence Can Call for Demolition and Water Removal Services

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

Don't let a fire friz you out, let SERVPRO tame the chaos!

Let SERVPRO extinguish your fire damage worries.  

Fires occur because of many reasons, including the spontaneous combustion substances with a relatively low ignition temperature like oily rags. Fires are among the most damaging events that occur in a home. They can cause significant smoke and soot damage. To deal with the destruction, using restoration services is essential.

If you have fire damage in your Bristol residence, the professionals at SERVPRO can assist you to deal with it. We can assess the damage and determine if the affected rooms are still structurally sound. It is not unusual to find seriously damaged structural components after a large fire. It may be necessary to remove ruined components and repair the affected areas so that you can continue to live in the home safely.

Our technicians can tear out the materials which are beyond repair while working carefully to avoid damaging your home further. We can remove the damaged items in preparation for reconstruction of the rooms by a residential construction contractor. We limit the complete the destruction of structural components so that your new construction efforts can be less expensive, and the work can be easier to complete.

SERVPRO franchise professionals have the appropriate equipment to concentrate on the damaged sections of a home. Once we are done with the demolition process, the affected areas can be ready for new materials. We place everything we remove in disposal containers and transport the waste from your property for safe disposal.

If there’s water from firefighting efforts or the sprinkler system, we can use different types of extraction equipment to remove it. Our extractors typically have a heater, pump, and vacuum system. These three components remain in use when cleaning upholstery and carpets. When mitigating water damage, only the vacuum system is required since we only use the extractor to remove water. We can use portable extractors to remove water from restricted areas. Our technicians then dry the water damaged areas using air movers and dehumidifiers.

When there is fire damage in your home, the skilled technicians at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol can make it look “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (423) 245-5552 for quick and effective fire damage restoration services.

We Get You Back To Business In Bristol After A Flood Damage Disaster

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

We have equipment required to deal with large flood damage disaster jobs. Call us right away we are available 24/7 to assist you.

How Does SERVPRO Handle Commercial Flood Damage in Bristol Restaurants?

This area of Tennessee experiences extreme weather patterns throughout the year, and commercial flood damage can happen with little warning. Whether the water loss is the result of a tree limb through a window letting rainwater pour in or groundwater from a flash flood, the damage should always have professional mitigation.

When our SERVPRO location cleans up commercial flood damage in Bristol eateries, we know every hour the business is not open is a loss in revenue and people are out of work. Our goal is to assist property owners in saving the highest number of contents and building materials through our restoration techniques and get them reopened as quickly as possible.

Safety is a significant consideration when cleaning up flood damage. Slip and fall accidents are a real possibility on slick, wet floors, and we ask property owners to stay out of water loss areas until we arrive. If the flooding is from groundwater which is also known as black water, you can expect to see our SERVPRO technicians in protective gear and using disinfectants for any areas they are working in to limit exposure to harmful elements in the water.

Since getting a restaurant reopened and operating, as usual, is our primary goal, we spend extra time doing several passes with our extraction wands — the more water we can remove from surfaces before setting up the air movers and dehumidifiers is vital to faster drying. Special controlled demolition techniques to remove damaged sheetrock may be necessary to allow wall cavities to completely dry.

We strive to cause as little disruption to a business as possible when mitigating damage from flooding. That is why we dry furnishings in place when it is feasible to do so. We place tables and chairs on blocks for drying or move them to another area.

Just because something looks dry, does not mean it is dry. We do not rely on whether or not surfaces appear dry. We take moisture readings before, during, and after drying to ensure the room meets the preset humidity goals. This action negates the formation of mold or foul odors as an aftereffect of water loss.

We know restaurants, in particular, are held to specific standards for cleanliness by the health department. After drying we wipe down all surfaces with our professional, EPA-registered formulas that not only disinfect but are antibacterial and antifungal solutions.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is available 24/7 at (423) 245-5552 to remediate commercial flood damage to your business location. We arrive quickly and work to restore as much as possible with our proprietary methods.

Why SERVPRO Is The Leader In Bristol Flood Damage Restoration

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

We have the equipment, experience and expertise to restore your home after a flooding disaster. We are available 24/7 so call us right away.

Flood Damage Experts From Bristol Describe Structural Drying Techniques

During the spring, thunderstorms tend to plague the Bristol region often causing issues with your property and house's structure. Many times flood damage goes unnoticed especially if it happens when nobody is present at your home. Several of the situations our SERVPRO technicians handle regularly involve incidences where the water has receded, but many of the house's contents and structural components are still wet. Damp materials inside a building can cause elevated humidity levels which can create a situation where moisture spreads throughout the home and affects more areas over time. If organic materials are affected during your flood damage scenario, then it is possible that mold can develop.

When working on most storm-related projects, our SERVPRO crew starts by extracting any water while it is still in its liquid form. However, if most of the water is gone once we arrive, then the focus of your flood damage project in Bristol changes to structural drying. During the drying process, we attempt to create an environment that speeds up the natural evaporation process. We do this by setting up large box fans and air movers to create air movement as well as implement dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels. If there is a large amount of moisture that has soaked into your building materials and contents, we can set up more dehumidifiers that will help pull moisture out of the affected items.

When it comes to dehumidifiers, our SERVPRO technicians have the option to utilize either a refrigerant or desiccant type machine. Refrigerant dehumidifiers pull wet air past a cold coil which causes the moisture to condense and turn back into a liquid. These systems work best to remove surface moisture and to dry wet materials that are moderately to highly porous and permeable by water and air such as carpet, pad, and drywall after flood damage.

Desiccant dehumidifiers pull wet air across a silica gel that attracts water molecules. These systems get utilized to help dry out materials that are dense and have low porosity and low permeability like hardwood floors, framing materials, and concrete. If your contents or building materials ever get wet after a storm, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 24 hours a day.

Kingsport Home Smell Like a BBQ Pit? Call SERVPRO for Smoke and Fire Restoration Services

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

The Scrabble Word for Smoke Cleanup in Kingsport? SERVPRO

Tackling Soot and Odor after Fire Damage in your Kingsport Home

When materials combust they release particles, gases, and aerosols into the surrounding environment. During a fire, gas like carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide can be lethal. However, once the materials have stopped burning they disperse into the surrounding atmosphere and no longer become a threat. What tends to remain are solid particles and aerosols in the form of soots and smokes. These can absorb odors, become an irritant if inhaled and are extremely small (.1-.4 microns); making them difficult to clean. Needless to say, after a house fire you need professional assistance to tackle odors and soot deposits.

A property that has signs of fire damage in Kingsport or the surrounding area can rely on us to get their home back to preloss condition whenever possible. The solutions are usually two stages, with the first relying on removing soots and the second tackling odors, which also involves restoring your indoor air-quality. SERVPRO can mobilize our local technicians adept in odor control and property remediation.

Smoke that settles on a surface, such as upholstery or table-tops, is considered soot. During the firefighting procedure, water can make soot set into porous materials- particularly fabrics. SERVPRO technicians can deploy a foam cleaning method which helps to draw soot from fabrics rather than risking permanent damage by scrubbing soots deeper into materials. Our Esporta washing system at our facility can be used for off-site cleaning when needed.

The odors that are left after a fire are often made up of particles from the materials that burned. These can quickly bond with sulfurs or chlorides and become an unpleasant reminder of the event. SERVPRO use air-scrubbers fitted with HEPA filters to remove these particles from the air. HEPA fittings filter air using charcoal and can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns (1 micron= 25,000th of an inch.)

If an odor remains after using air scrubbers, SERVPRO can fumigate the property using water-based thermal foggers. This equipment vaporizes solvents and releases them into the property. Since the vapor mimics smoke, it can help to find sources of odor and neutralize them. Foggers are typically non-harmful to inhabitants of the property.

A house fire can feel overwhelming, contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 for help.

Planning for the Unthinkable: Be Ready for Fire Damage in Kingsport

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

Fires are very destructive. Contact SERVPRO to prevent damage or when dealing with the aftermath of a fire.

Preparation and Taking Stock are Key Parts of Home Ownership

It is unlikely that any residents of Bristol will forget the heartbreaking events of the fall of 2016 when wildfires destroyed vast areas in the Great Smoky Mountains. No one wants the challenge of such of a disaster, but all of us can learn a lesson from the experiences of those who made it through that crisis. We suggest an assessment and development of a fire damage recovery plan with the help of our trained managers and our unique mobile app.
 
Both commercial and residential clients can take advantage of our expertise in preventing and preparing for fire damage in Kingsport. The aftermath of even a minor fire is stressful, and you as a homeowner are rarely experienced in the practical and emotional ramifications of such an event. We have built a rich knowledge base over the years of restoring fire damaged dwellings for other members of our community. Make use of our familiarity, training, and skills, and ready yourself for a problem you and we both hope you never encounter.
 
The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan and Profile (ERP) encourages you to take stock of your situation before a disaster happens. We help you assess your property and work out many of the logistics we need to master to deliver fast and efficient fire damage restoration if a blaze occurs. You assist us and also improve the odds of a successful fire restoration effort by creating a layout of your property, identifying the location of utility shutoffs, and clarifying a chain of command should you be unable to respond yourself.
 
You can designate another person to act on your behalf in the plan, helpful if you are injured or out of the area when the fire crisis occurs. This precaution is if you spend any time traveling or just as insurance if you think it possible you may have an issue with clarity of thought after a fire damages your property. Making decisions ahead of time helps SERVPRO follow a well-thought out plan rather than waiting for your instructions after a frightening event like a fire makes it hard for you to respond.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol wants to be certain our efforts always lead to the outcome you desire. Give us a call at (423) 245-5552 to schedule an assessment that will help us collaborate on an Emergency Ready Plan to protect and restore your property.

Our Technicians Explain Several Reasons Why You Need To Contact Us After A Water Damage Incident In Your Home

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

Just give our crew a call at (423) 245-5552 as soon as you realize there is an issue so we can come quickly and fix things for you.

Reasons Water Removal May be Needed For Your Home

Water damage in your home occurs when excess water starts to pool where it shouldn’t. Several factors can make this excess water, and therefore, contribute to damage to your structure. When you know what the potential causes are, you can take precautionary steps to help you avoid a water loss. You can also spot an issue once it arises and gets it fixed before it has a chance to do additional damage.

The faster you see a problem, the less work and extraction there is. Either way, water cleanup needs to be done and you should hire the help of a professional remediation company to do the job. SERVPRO staff is available to help you at any time with the experience and knowledge that you would expect from a reputable company.

A common cause of water damage in your home is broken hoses and pipes. Things such as aging pipes, a burst water main, or ice maker supply lines and washing machine supply hoses that fail certainly ruin your day. It is a good idea to purchase copper pipes and braided metal lines to replace the original ones, as they hold up much better so you can avoid accidents.

No matter what has happened, SERVPRO techs can help you get your home dry and back in its usual condition. We have various tools to help us get the water out, including moisture meters and sensors to find any hidden moisture, truck-mounted pumps to get rid of any standing water over a few inches deep, plus air movers and dehumidifiers to dry everything back out. We also work promptly, so we avoid additional damage being done to your structure, such as mold growth.

Another common reason for water damage in your home includes broken toilets and overflowing bathtubs. Children are big culprits, so your best defense is to watch them! Water is fascinating to children, especially when it is flowing over the toilet and tub rims.

Sewer backups, unfortunately, happen as well. Tree roots can invade and clog your drain lines. Using an enzyme drain treatment to flush out your lines every month during the spring and summer months when tree roots grow the most is a good idea to avoid this kind of catastrophe.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol can help you dry your home after a water damage emergency, no matter what type it is. Just give our crew a call at (423) 245-5552 as soon as you realize there is an issue so we can come quickly and fix things for you.

Why SERVPRO Is The Leader In Flood Damage Restoration

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

We have the equipment, experience and expertise to restore your home after a flooding disaster. We are available 24/7 so call us right away.

Flood Damage Experts  Describe Structural Drying Techniques

During the spring, thunderstorms tend to plague the region often causing issues with your property and house's structure. Many times flood damage goes unnoticed especially if it happens when nobody is present at your home. Several of the situations our SERVPRO technicians handle regularly involve incidences where the water has receded, but many of the house's contents and structural components are still wet. Damp materials inside a building can cause elevated humidity levels which can create a situation where moisture spreads throughout the home and affects more areas over time. If organic materials are affected during your flood damage scenario, then it is possible that mold can develop.

When working on most storm-related projects, our SERVPRO crew starts by extracting any water while it is still in its liquid form. However, if most of the water is gone once we arrive, then the focus of your flood damage project changes to structural drying. During the drying process, we attempt to create an environment that speeds up the natural evaporation process. We do this by setting up large box fans and air movers to create air movement as well as implement dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels. If there is a large amount of moisture that has soaked into your building materials and contents, we can set up more dehumidifiers that will help pull moisture out of the affected items.

When it comes to dehumidifiers, our SERVPRO technicians have the option to utilize either a refrigerant or desiccant type machine. Refrigerant dehumidifiers pull wet air past a cold coil which causes the moisture to condense and turn back into a liquid. These systems work best to remove surface moisture and to dry wet materials that are moderately to highly porous and permeable by water and air such as carpet, pad, and drywall after flood damage.

Desiccant dehumidifiers pull wet air across a silica gel that attracts water molecules. These systems get utilized to help dry out materials that are dense and have low porosity and low permeability like hardwood floors, framing materials, and concrete. If your contents or building materials ever get wet after a storm, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 24 hours a day.

Don't Let Rain Damage Your Home Our Crew Is Here To Help!

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

Contact us at our emergency services line, (423) 245-5552, which is answered 24/7, year-round.

When Rain Invades Your Roof And Causes Damaged Areas Throughout Your Home

During the spring months, our area receives a large amount of rain. While this precipitation benefits our lawns and gardens, small gaps in your roof can let this rain slip into your attic and cause problems. Gutters that have become misaligned can also send water up against your home, saturating siding and other sections of your home that allow moisture to pass through into your living space.

SERVPRO wants to assure homeowners that we have the proper equipment, skills and experience, and dedication to rid houses of water damage and its effects. We know how to use highly effective methods of mitigation to stop moisture from damaging unharmed areas of a home while restoring areas that already succumbed to the effects of exposure to moisture and water.

Because moisture travels easily and rapidly inside walls, this moisture can also end up behind cabinets, as well as underneath these structures. We use thermal imaging cameras to find such places. Cabinets are only one location that water tends to hide. We also find hidden water in other places.

Your walls that form a barrier against the outside contain insulation to keep the environment inside your home under control. When this insulation becomes wet, it loses the ability to keep warm air where you want it, allowing the energy to pass through the wall. Hollow walls inside your home that separate rooms and hallways often do not contain any insulation. The drying process for these walls occurs much faster because we do not need to extract any insulation.

Ceilings can also end up not only saturated with moisture but used as a holding basin for unwanted water. When moisture invades a ceiling, it can leave a stain. Discolorations can take a while to develop. A sudden change in a ceiling's shape, however, can mean water from a storm is pushing the center of the ceiling down with its weight.

SERVPRO technicians know which are the most effective ways for these situations. From drilling holes behind a cabinet, at the base of walls, or to drain a water-laden ceiling, as well as many other techniques that help restore homes and mitigate water damage to prevent further destruction, we use the latest in technology and restoration science to make everything “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol can help you protect your home from the many different effects of water damage. Contact us at our emergency services line, (423) 245-5552, which is answered 24/7, year-round.

We are Cleaning Experts

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO 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 Kingsport/Bristol 423-245-5552

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

Commercial Water Damage Cleanup

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

We Provide Fast Commercial Water Cleanup 

Your hardware offers customers a great place to browse and shop for items they may need to make various home repairs such as hammers, nails, furnace filters and so much more. There was a water breach in the storage room that flowed into the main area. Unfortunately, you are going to have to shut down your store due to the amount of water on the floor. We suggest that you call professionals like us to extract the water quickly and get you back in operation.

SERVPRO commercial water cleanup services in Bristol are reliable and can restore your shop when possible. Our team works fast to remove all standing water and can use industrial grade portable or trunk-mounted extractors, pumps, wands, and wet vacuums to do the job. Excess water might flow and penetrate areas such as behind walls and under flooring, which can cause damages if it left there. Our crew can utilize sensors and probes to find and remove hidden areas of moisture, which can help reduce the loss of property and materials.

It is essential for us to remove water rapidly. Plus, we may have to pack-out some of your merchandise in the affected areas. Water can damage your stock as well as items in the showroom, which can cost you money. Our crew strives to get you back in business as soon as we can and to lessen damages to your shop.

After, our skilled techs remove all standing water from the structure; they can start the drying phase. The team can use air movers, heaters or axial fans to eliminate moisture. They may also employ dehumidifiers to increase evaporation and to enhance drying. We know that for you to make a profit your business has to be open. You can depend on our techs to work fast so you can open your hardware and get back to servicing your many customers.

Our skilled and highly trained SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol commercial cleanup restoration team is nearby and can assist you with your water emergency. When possible, we can restore your business to its preloss state. Contact us 24/7 at (423) 245-5552.

Eliminating Conditions that Can Lead to Mold Damage in Your Home

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Remediates Mold Damage and Takes Steps to Prevent Future Mold Growth

A continuous state of elevated humidity is a primary cause of excessive microbial growth in Bloomingdale residences and can quickly increase the amount of damage that follows. Other factors, such as the presence of absorbent materials in the home can also play a role in how rapidly microbial growth occurs.

Whenever a residence in Bloomingdale sustains mold damage, one of the aspects examined inside the home includes the presence of water sources. Leaky water lines, past flooding events, and saturated ground near the home can all increase the amount of humidity the interior of the home experiences. SERVPRO technicians use moisture meters and other devices to locate the sources as well as areas where moisture accumulated. Once we locate these areas and sources, we can then resolve the situation that caused microbial growth to affect the home.

Mold remediation experts know that the existence of future invasive water can cause the microbial problem to return, rendering mold remediation efforts useless. Once we eliminate these sources, we can then begin removing mold-damaged materials, laundering and cleaning household items and furniture, and caring for the carpeting throughout the home. Walls that harbor mold, even if dormant, need cleaning and dried.

During our work, maintaining a set of controls to keep all mold contained safely, affects the overall outcome of our labor. This includes the use of plastic sheeting surrounding areas within the home, along with the use of our air scrubbers. Sending microbes outdoors helps keep them from entering other areas of your property.

However, ensuring that moisture sources no longer exist where they should not helps keep old from returning in full force. Effectively starving microbes, their population growth stays under control. Once we complete our remediation work, diligent homeowners know to keep an eye out for leaking water lines, loose connections, and other sources of moisture. Microbes do not need a great deal of moisture to begin growing again and causing future problems.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is always ready to serve those in our communities, including Blountville and Marilyn Hills. Contact us by calling our 24-hour service line at (423) 245-5552. Your family does not need to live with the effects of mold damage in your home.

How Flood Damage can Effect Your Kingsport Home

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

The Widespread Effects Of Flooding In Your Kingsport Home

Many disasters have impacted Kingsport homes throughout the last two centuries, and yet there are still many homeowners caught unaware by severe weather systems that result in flooding. From the moment that a disaster like this strikes your property, you need assurances that the situation can get resolved using a combination of experience and advanced equipment available to you through our rapid response team.

With flood damages in your Kingsport home, the longer that you wait to resolve the spreading effects, the worse they become. Taking care of the situation as quickly as possible is critical to ensuring that structural elements and the contents of your home can get salvaged from the impending damages. Our SERVPRO team is available 24/7 to help you mitigate your losses through a traumatic experience like flooding without requiring excessive tear out and reconstruction.

Much of the mitigation work that our experienced professionals can do for your flood-damaged home is a direct product of the investment our franchise has made to have the best possible equipment utilizing advanced technologies. These tools and machines like our truck-mounted pumps can extract water fast from your house with 300 psi draw to make short work of the pooling.

Improving the air quality in your home following widespread flooding is often an important step in protecting both our SERVPRO technicians and the occupants of the house. We utilize air scrubbers to capture particulates, debris, dirt, and mold spores circulating throughout the environment. Additionally, we utilize thermal imagery cameras to find moisture pockets in inaccessible areas to direct our professionals where drying equipment needs to continue getting used. With drier conditions, the likelihood of mold growth drops significantly.

Recovering from a flood in your home takes some critical steps on your end to secure the services of a team of professionals with the equipment and fast response to make a difference. Our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol emergency response team can react fast to your emergency to help you preserve the structure and the contents of your home from becoming irreparably damaged. Give us a call today at (423) 245-5552.

Water Damage in your Home

10/17/2019 (Permalink)

This is a photo of a couple of our air movers at work drying a home in Kingsport after a tree fell on it during a storm.

Our SERVPRO Technicians Thoroughly Remediate Water Damage in Your Home.

If you happen to experience a water damage incident, you have to treat everything as an emergency. Contacting licensed restoration providers is highly recommended so that the damaged areas can be pre-inspected and mitigation measures put in place. A few dangerous situations to address at the time include deteriorated sub-floors,falling ceilings, and electrical hazards. Our technicians carefully examine damaged areas and check for standing water in crawl spaces, walls and floors below. A moisture meter is used to determine the extent of water penetration in your property. Drying wet surfaces is a crucial goal of the restoration, and for that to happen, technicians may position air movers to facilitate the flow of air. Based on the IICRC standards, the professionals determine the number and size of dehumidifiers to put in place. The work of the dehumidifiers is to move dry air into the affected areas and increase the rate of evaporation. 

SERVPRO of kingsport / Bristol is here to attend to all your mold, storm, fire, and water damage disasters. Call us at (423) 245-5552 to learn more about our restoration and cleaning options. 

Be Ready for Late Summer Flood Damage in Bristol

8/6/2019 (Permalink)

We are always ready to help with your flood damages in Bristol

SERVPRO can help you get a head start on flood damage in Bristol.

It seems like we frequently hear that a storm in Bristol or other areas in eastern Tennessee is a “once every ten years” event. Last August, over two inches of rain fell in four hours, flooding homes and businesses. Extreme weather patterns show no signs of reversal, so it is not out of the question for your home to risk exposure to harm from both storm and flooding over the next several months.

When storm-related flood damage hits Bristol the water creates many channels into your home. Flash flooding over land and paved streets can slam into your house’s foundation, finding a way in through cracks, over door sills, and through lower level egress windows. If the storm features high winds, trees and utility poles can crush roofs and punch holes in siding. Straightline gusts peel shingles and blow horizontal sheets of rainwater into open windows and doors.

The damage done to your home can be extensive. You need a restoration company that can take you from the initial assessment to rebuild if needed. SERVPRO has this ability, with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained managers and technicians to handle all tasks needed to make it “Like it never even happened.”

With your home exposed to the elements, our crew’s first task is to secure damaged structures and cover holes. We tarp and board up the exterior as experienced managers assess the interior and plan an integrated strategy to bring it back to pre-flood condition.

Our trucks are fully stocked with commercial-grade equipment. Submersible pumps and high-efficiency water extractors begin the work of water removal, powered by generators on our trucks if required. Floodwaters are highly-contaminated, Category 3 fluids. SERVPRO team members are familiar with local regulations concerning containment and hazardous waste disposal and implement them. 

Cleaning with EPA-registered products is followed by disinfection with registered antimicrobials. This step inhibits the growth of any pathogens or molds left on surfaces by the flood water mixture. SERVPRO searches for trapped water with thermal imaging devices and releases it for containment using flood cuts or other controlled demolition. We dry out the space using professional-grade heated air movers and dehumidifiers, monitoring moisture levels continuously. Build-back of that demolition plus repairs to storm-damaged structures are final steps.

Relax and be confident that the multi-certified and licensed crews at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol can take care of every flood damage need. Call us at (423) 245-5552 as the water moves in. The sooner we mitigate and remediate, the more successful the outcome.

General Contractor License #: 67298

Residential Contractor License #: 67298

Commercial Contractor License #: 67298

To learn more about Bristol, click here.

Stop Suffering Through Flood Damage Remediation in Your Kingsport Business 

7/23/2019 (Permalink)

Flood damage can be overwhelming being dealt with alone. Call the professionals at SERVPRO today for remediation assistance.

Commercial Flood Damage Technicians In Kingsport Describe The Restoration Process

Severe weather can happen quite frequently in Kingsport in the summertime. If the neighborhood your gift shop is located in gets hit by a severe thunderstorm, it could cause you to have to deal with excessive commercial flood damage. A couple of months ago, a tornado hit the ground in Tennessee and brought with it 85 miles per hour winds. Wind during a storm can also be quite a destructive force. 

When mitigating commercial flood damage in Kingsport, our SERVPRO team follows strict procedures and guidelines. We know that storm-related issues can be costly to you and your insurance company and possibly cause your business a loss of revenue. Our procedures and techniques we use are approved by industry standards and are designed to return your gift shop to the way it was "Like it never even happened." 

When restoring problems with your property after a thunderstorm or tornado, our SERVPRO technicians know that the number one goal is to remove moisture as quickly as possible and reduce your company's loss of revenue the best we can. Restoration procedures require us to conduct four main steps. 

1. Initial Inspection and Hazard Mitigation 

When we first arrive at your place of business, we start by inspecting your building to figure out the extent of the issues. During this first inspection, we look for any potential safety hazards and eliminate them before any work begins. 

2. Extraction of Liquid Water 

Any time water makes its way into your structure; it is easier to remove it while it is still liquid before it evaporates into the air and soaks into your contents and building materials. We accomplish extraction by utilizing heavy-duty extractors and specialized extraction tools and extensions. 

3. Structural Drying 

Once all of the liquid H2O is removed from your gift shop's building materials and contents, we then take steps to speed up the natural evaporation and drying process. We do this by setting up air movers to circulate the air and dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the atmosphere. 

4. Final Cleaning 

During the last cleaning stage, we make sure your gift shop looks as good as it did before the storm struck. Final cleaning can also include cleaning all of the carpets and upholstered items in your store. 

If your gift shop in Blountville, Colonial Heights, or Marilyn Hills gift shop ever gets negatively affected by severe weather, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 any time of the day. 

Click here to see more about Kingsport. 

SERVPRO Provides Comprehensive Restoration and Repair Services for Our Kingsport Neighbors

7/15/2019 (Permalink)

When Bad Things Happen to Your Kingsport House--Call SERVPRO for Recovery and Repair

When Kingsport Needs Restoration Services – Count on SERVPRO

We did not want to stop at offering only half of our area the high-caliber restoration services residents have come to expect from SERVPRO. While we service large metropolitan areas including Bristol, we have dual certifications in both Tennessee and Virginia for homes and businesses that depend on our fast response and experienced approach when disasters strike.  Along with the core services like our water, fire, mold, and storm recovery, we also offer specialized restoration like biohazard cleanup, asbestos abatement, and other expert services.

Mold Damage
With mold spores existing in every environment around your home or office, many contend with mold damage in Kingsport properties. We have multiple approaches that get designed to suit the specific needs of your home during this traumatic experience and aim to limit the spread of further damages whenever possible. Our SERVPRO team begins after the initial inspection and assessment to establish practical containment barriers with physical plastic sheeting and our advanced tools like negative air and ozone machines.

We know that you might get drawn into talk of mold removal but eliminating mold spores entirely from Kingsport properties is impossible. Instead of offering you false promises, we can provide you state of the art remediation practices that can eliminate mold colonies and the growing organism in your house and works to address the primary cause of this colonization as promptly as possible. The only way to prevent recurrences is to address the moisture and dampness.

Our technicians of the remediation team have accreditations both in Water Restoration (WRT) and as Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians (AMRT) through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC.) With this experience, our professionals can address the layers of mold damage that exist in Kingsport properties with practices like deodorization, air filtering, duct cleaning, and full reconstruction efforts when necessary.

Water Damage
Along with our ability to address mold concerns as they get located, we also have the roster of skilled IICRC-Certified technicians to address water damage in Kingsport homes as well. Much like other loss incidents that could occur, water emergencies can have multiple origin points and sources, making it difficult for inexperienced home and business owners to address all of the effects of the incident thoroughly.

Our SERVPRO team has an eye for identifying these damages, utilizing sophisticated moisture content readers and discovery devices like infrared imagery to pinpoint dampness beyond walls, beneath floors, and above ceilings in Kingsport properties. With a full understanding of the spread of these effects after the source gets repaired, we can work quickly along with our contracting division to offer a full-service approach to restoration and recovery.

Even a few hours waiting for water damage effects to get resolved in your Kingsport home can cause substantial damage. We can arrive quickly with industry-leading drying and extraction equipment to get things back to normal. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, and that means being there for our customers quickly when minutes matter.

Storm Damage
Over the years, powerful weather events have taken their toll with storm damage to Kingsport properties. From the remnants of devastating hurricanes like Florence in 2018 to other severe systems bringing hard winds, hail, and other crippling conditions for properties, our SERVPRO professionals can help. We offer wrap-around services, helping to save our customers money and time by being a one-stop shop for all restoration and recovery services a property requires.

With a full team of contracting specialists with a license (#67298) in General Contracting, Residential Contracting, and Commercial Contracting, no customer ever has to wait for useful temporary construction like board up and tarping services. These patches can prevent exposure to other damaging elements like precipitation, runoff, flooding, and animal infestations. With our involvement in a large loss recovery team, we can work to offer practical solutions to the often multiple structures affected at the same time by robust storm systems.

We know how quickly breaches in the exterior of your Kingsport home or business can lead to a need for flood damage mitigation and water removal. Our disaster relief team arrives with the full measure of our powerful tools to begin extraction, drying, and intricate cleaning of your property as soon as emergency construction solutions get installed.

Fire Damage
Fire damage in Kingsport homes can be a devastating force and one that requires immediate attention and mitigation to prevent from getting out of control. As much as many property owners might fixate on the structural damages that occur, this is only one small part of the equation. Our SERVPRO team must address multiple facets of fire loss recovery with every disaster we dispatch our professionals to, including:

•    Soot removal
•    Odor removal
•    Smoke residues
•    Structural integrity concerns
•    Ash and debris removal
•    Controlled demolition
•    Reconstruction and repair
•    Upholstery, fabric, and carpet cleaning
•    Content management
•    Insurance documentation

As a team of IICRC-Certified professionals with accreditations in both Fire & Smoke Restoration and Odor Control, we have become specialists in post-fire cleanup and content management in damaged Kingsport properties. We have cutting-edge and industry-leading approaches to cleaning processes like soot and smoke residue removal, limiting potential smearing and staining to protect more of the damaged surfaces and construction materials from tear out and reconstruction.

We have a full team of certified cleaning technicians and fire loss experts that can remove damaged contents and personal belongings from your Kingsport home and recover them in our SERVPRO facility using sophisticated approaches like ultrasonic cleaning tanks, ozone chambers, and other state-of-the-art restorative practices. Once restoration completes in the property, these same content management professionals can return these recovered items to their original positions.

We have always worked hard to be a name that those in Virginia and Tennessee could trust whenever disaster strikes. We have successfully managed the recovery needs of our customers, and helped to make emergencies of every size and severity “Like it never even happened.” Whenever disaster strikes your property, count on our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol team to help. Give us a call anytime at (423) 245-5552.

Click for more about this area.

Smoke Can Cause Major Issues After A Fire In Your Blountville Home

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

To make the effects of wet smoke fire losses “Like it never even happened,” give us a call today at (423) 245-5552.

Wet Smoke Effects After Fire Damage In Blountville Homes

Wet smoke can be a challenging situation for Blountville homeowners to overcome after a fire loss incident. Knowing all of the ways that this can affect your property can help you to understand how many residents might require professional assistance. Wet smoke is an effect generated from fires that burn at a lower heat, so instead of combusting quickly and devastating substantial areas of the house, the fire smolders and releases a thick and clammy residue across nearby surfaces, contents, and materials.

Ultimately, there are two ways in which wet smoke can become insurmountable fire damage for Blountville homeowners. The first of these is the process needed to eliminate and clean the thick residue these situations can leave behind. Wet smoke is also more notorious for widespread odors, which also require specialized equipment and products to remove entirely. Both of these are effects that the average homeowner has not prepared to face.

The risk of wet smoke residue is the effect that it can have on the surfaces surrounding your home. With a thick coating, conventional cleaning approaches cannot address these concerns, and most often, make them considerably worse. Smearing is a severe concern when cleaning up residues, and staining can result even days later from inadequately cleaned surfaces, contents, and materials. Many have entrusted our SERVPRO team with employing our advanced techniques to remove this harmful effect without widespread damages to your property in the process.

Odors during these slower and lower heat exchanges can get trapped in surfaces and materials throughout the home, even those not directly in the fire’s path. To remove these odors entirely, professionals like our SERVPRO team have advanced products and cleaning agents, as well as intricate equipment that can address the neutralize odors encountered at a molecular level.

Combating the damage to your home after a fire loss incident often requires at least partial assistance from dedicated and certified restoration specialists like our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol team. To make the effects of wet smoke fire losses “Like it never even happened,” give us a call today at (423) 245-5552.

For more about Blountville click here.

Don’t Let Storm Damage to Your Kingsport Home Get You Down

6/28/2019 (Permalink)

Flood damage remediation in Kingsport can be overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO today for remediation assistance.

Storms Bringing Flooding to Kingsport Neighborhoods Damage Many Kinds of Property

Storms lingering around the Kingsport area can cause small streams to overflow and local lakes to crest. When natural bodies of water spill over into populated areas, severe damage can begin happening at a swift rate. 

Homes damaged by flooding and other storm activity in Kingsport need prompt mitigation and restoration. Such work stops the damage from worsening and also makes it possible to live in these houses again. SERVPRO restores both the structure and the belongings for our local residents. Our contractor license number is 67298.

We have the resources to move your family's belongings out and to another location, including to our own warehouse. Helping your family recover from a disaster includes making life as comfortable as possible during the restoration phase. To reduce this period as much as we can, we bring all of the tools, including portable power sources. Many disasters take out power lines and poles, and flooding often causes this to happen. 

There are a couple of things you can do to help your family recover, as well. These include simple but effective measures that can make life immediately after any disaster less stressful. Basic toiletries after a disaster are essential, but many places sheltering families have these items on hand.

• Create email drafts for different aspects of your loved ones' lives. One might include an ongoing list of current medications and physician contact information for yourself and your family members, another draft for family, school, work, and insurance contacts, and a third for other relevant information. Saving these in draft format allows you to continually update them when needed.
• Have an emergency bag of vital but non-perishable essentials for your family. These things might include small activity items for younger children, a couple of extra bottles, complete with the ring and nipple for babies, sippy cups for toddlers, and an extra memory card, DVDs, and other electronic items for teens. A couple of changes of clothing that includes basics like underwear, and simple T-shirts and sweatpants or shorts can make things easier, especially the first couple of days after your family moves to temporary housing.
• Already have temporary housing in place for such events with a trusted relative or family friend. This allows your family a bit of breathing room and access to a more private telephone than you might otherwise have in a shelter-type situation. 

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is always ready for that emergency when the Muddy Creek in Blountville breaches into nearby homes, the Reedy Creek near Bloomingdale flows into the streets, or Ft. Patrick Henry Lake overflows into your Colonial Heights neighborhood. Call us at (423) 245-5552 so we can mitigate, restore, and rebuild your home, so it is “Like it never even happened.”

Click here to see more about Kingsport. 

Our Professionals Discuss Our Water Removal Services For Your Bristol Home

6/21/2019 (Permalink)

Take advantage of our training, and put us to work for you, call for more information (423) 245-5552.

Professional Water Removal Services In Bristol

Removing water from your Bristol property after experiencing water intrusions can be rather severe. Using a wet-dry vacuum and towels can be enough for small spills. However, larger areas require the attention of water removal specialists. Never leave water damage to chance; your family home deserves the best, so why settle for less.

It helps to pay close attention to water removal in your Bristol area home. A small amount of moisture can cause massive problems down the road. Excess moisture often leads to damages to your walls, floor, framing, structure, and more. Working with a licensed professional who has all of the right equipment, personnel, and resources needed to tackle any size job can make a huge difference.

A small leak behind the dishwasher in your kitchen can lead to significant damage. Your cabinets, subfloor, countertops, and flooring all suffer if you fail to get the water out promptly. SERVPRO can provide you with water extractors, drying equipment, and the proper support 24/7. We make it easy to tackle emergencies and help keep your home dry, clean, and safe.

Our technicians use infrared water detectors that helps locate and remove excess moisture trapped in even the smallest hard-to-reach areas of your home. Our water extractors come in all shapes and sizes, making it possible to remove hundreds of gallons of water from your home within minutes. SERVPRO also has air movers with various attachments and technicians utilizing different drying techniques all working in unison to achieve quality results.

SERVPRO gives you access to professionals with full Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), who live in your local area. We are your neighbors, friends, or even family and enjoy providing emergency services you can count on to make things right. Our staff even helps you with the paperwork necessary to speed up the insurance claim process to ensure everything keeps rolling smoothly. Get the services, quality, and assurance you deserve.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol has an entire GREEN FLEET standing by to assist with your water removal and home restoration needs. Take advantage of our training, and put us to work for you, call for more information (423) 245-5552.

For more about Bristol click here.

Foul Odors In Your Bristol Home Are No Match For Our Fire Damage Experts

6/4/2019 (Permalink)

Our certified technicians stand ready to help you 24/7 and make your fire loss “Like it never even happened.”

After Fire Damage To A Bristol Home, Does The Odor Ever Go Away?

Fire damage often comes with multiple layers of issues such as burned building materials and home contents, water or fire extinguisher residue and of course, foul odors from all of those factors.

SERVPRO was called to mitigate fire damage in a Bristol home. The fire started in the kitchen when the homeowner's microwave oven caught on fire, and she opened the door to the microwave before the flames ran out of oxygen and extinguished. A fire extinguisher had been used to put out the fire, and the fine, powdery residue covered the area around the microwave. Although the homeowner removed the microwave, a strong odor permeated the kitchen.

Immediately on arrival, we contained the doorways and registers in the kitchen to inhibit the spread of soot throughout the home. Then we used handheld vacuums with HEPA filtration to clean up the fire extinguisher residue and soot from the cabinet surfaces. The cabinets over the microwave displayed smoke damage but no charring and were restorable through extensive cleaning.

Odor-causing soot particles can be smaller than the human eye can see, so we use specialized equipment such as our air scrubbers with HEPA filters to capture the particulate matter and assist in inhibiting strong odors left behind by the fire.

SERVPRO technicians engage in continuing education to stay on the cutting edge of the latest advances in the field of restoration sciences. When cleaning with our EPA-registered formulas is not enough to get rid of smoke odors, we have a diverse array of equipment to choose from such as ozone machines and Hydroxyl generators that neutralize odors at the molecular level.

In this case, thermal fogging was the solution chosen by our technicians. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to odors, and removal of odors requires the application of multiple approaches to eradicate them from the property and contents completely.

For assistance getting rid of fire damage and odors, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552. Our certified technicians stand ready to help you 24/7 and make your fire loss “Like it never even happened.”

Click here for more about Bristol.

We Get You Back To Business In Kingsport After A Flood Damage Disaster

5/28/2019 (Permalink)

We have sophisticated equipment required to deal with large flood damage disaster jobs. Call us right away we are available 24/7 to assist you.

How Does SERVPRO Handle Commercial Flood Damage in Kingsport Restaurants?

This area of Tennessee experiences extreme weather patterns throughout the year, and commercial flood damage can happen with little warning. Whether the water loss is the result of a tree limb through a window letting rainwater pour in or groundwater from a flash flood, the damage should always have professional mitigation.

When our SERVPRO location cleans up commercial flood damage in Kingsport eateries, we know every hour the business is not open is a loss in revenue and people are out of work. Our goal is to assist property owners in saving the highest number of contents and building materials through our restoration techniques and get them reopened as quickly as possible.

Safety is a significant consideration when cleaning up flood damage. Slip and fall accidents are a real possibility on slick, wet floors, and we ask property owners to stay out of water loss areas until we arrive. If the flooding is from groundwater which is also known as black water, you can expect to see our SERVPRO technicians in protective gear and using disinfectants for any areas they are working in to limit exposure to harmful elements in the water.

Since getting a restaurant reopened and operating, as usual, is our primary goal, we spend extra time doing several passes with our extraction wands — the more water we can remove from surfaces before setting up the air movers and dehumidifiers is vital to faster drying. Special controlled demolition techniques to remove damaged sheetrock may be necessary to allow wall cavities to completely dry.

We strive to cause as little disruption to a business as possible when mitigating damage from flooding. That is why we dry furnishings in place when it is feasible to do so. We place tables and chairs on blocks for drying or move them to another area.

Just because something looks dry, does not mean it is dry. We do not rely on whether or not surfaces appear dry. We take moisture readings before, during, and after drying to ensure the room meets the preset humidity goals. This action negates the formation of mold or foul odors as an aftereffect of water loss.

We know restaurants, in particular, are held to specific standards for cleanliness by the health department. After drying we wipe down all surfaces with our professional, EPA-registered formulas that not only disinfect but are antibacterial and antifungal solutions.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is available 24/7 at (423) 245-5552 to remediate commercial flood damage to your business location. We arrive quickly and work to restore as much as possible with our proprietary methods.

Click here for a list of recent job openings.

Fire Damage in Your Kingsport Residence Can Call for Demolition and Water Removal Services

5/16/2019 (Permalink)

Don't let a fire friz you out, let SERVPRO tame the chaos!

Let SERVPRO extinguish your fire damage worries.  

Fires occur because of many reasons, including the spontaneous combustion substances with a relatively low ignition temperature like oily rags. Fires are among the most damaging events that occur in a home. They can cause significant smoke and soot damage. To deal with the destruction, using restoration services is essential.

If you have fire damage in your Kingsport residence, the professionals at SERVPRO can assist you to deal with it. We can assess the damage and determine if the affected rooms are still structurally sound. It is not unusual to find seriously damaged structural components after a large fire. It may be necessary to remove ruined components and repair the affected areas so that you can continue to live in the home safely.

Our technicians can tear out the materials which are beyond repair while working carefully to avoid damaging your home further. We can remove the damaged items in preparation for reconstruction of the rooms by a residential construction contractor. We limit the complete the destruction of structural components so that your new construction efforts can be less expensive, and the work can be easier to complete.

SERVPRO franchise professionals have the appropriate equipment to concentrate on the damaged sections of a home. Once we are done with the demolition process, the affected areas can be ready for new materials. We place everything we remove in disposal containers and transport the waste from your property for safe disposal.

If there’s water from firefighting efforts or the sprinkler system, we can use different types of extraction equipment to remove it. Our extractors typically have a heater, pump, and vacuum system. These three components remain in use when cleaning upholstery and carpets. When mitigating water damage, only the vacuum system is required since we only use the extractor to remove water. We can use portable extractors to remove water from restricted areas. Our technicians then dry the water damaged areas using air movers and dehumidifiers.

When there is fire damage in your home, the skilled technicians at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol can make it look “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (423) 245-5552 for quick and effective fire damage restoration services.

 Click here to find out more about Kingsport Fire Department History.

For Fast Flood Damage Restoration In Your Bristol Property Call Our Experts At SERVPRO

5/6/2019 (Permalink)

Heavy rainfall can cause flooding in your place of work.

Fast Commercial Flood Damage Restoration For Bristol Businesses

As a property manager, your responsibility is to ensure a safe working environment for your customers and your staff. At certain times of the year, this responsibility can be especially challenging. Heavy rainfall can cause flooding in your place of work. These issues are time-consuming and can force temporary closure which is why opting for a local; qualified restorer is the right decision. We have local water technicians on standby in case you need emergency assistance.

One of the primary services we offer businesses is the restoration of commercial flood damage in Bristol. Our call-lines never shut, meaning you can reach out to us in an emergency and arrange a service. Depending on the size of your business our experts can send round a single technician or an expert team led by an experienced crew chief. The faster we get to work the sooner you can get your business back, and we have found that communication is vital in this regard.

The commercial response units at SERVPRO have access to a wide range of equipment to get rid of standing water. The most appropriate method is by using a submersible pump that sends large quantities of flood water to a nearby sewer point. We can also mobilize truck-mounted extraction units when standing water levels drop below two inches and cannot be pumped efficiently. We the excess water gone, our next step is to assess the level of damage.

Water naturally migrates from the source of damage outward. In some cases, that can result in saturation of your subfloor, crawlspaces, fittings or wall cavities. Using thermal imaging cameras alongside moisture meters we can accurately assess the amount of liquid absorbed into hard floors or behind walls. These areas may not seem like a priority, but in humid conditions, damp spots can quickly result in mold growth.

The primary means of getting rid of residual moisture is by creating airflow. Drilling small holes beneath skirting boards or in non-visible areas of a cabinet allows us to access the inner cavities. From here, we can deploy rapid air-movers fitted with a flex hose to circulate warm, dry air into the cavity and ensure the property is thoroughly dry both inside and out.

Keep closures to a minimum after property damages. Contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552.

Click here for more about Bristol.

Don't Let Rain Damage Your Bristol Home Our Crew Is Here To Help!

4/24/2019 (Permalink)

Contact us at our emergency services line, (423) 245-5552, which is answered 24/7, year-round.

When Rain Invades Your Roof And Causes Damaged Areas Throughout Your Bristol Home

During the spring months, Bristol receives a large amount of rain. While this precipitation benefits our lawns and gardens, small gaps in your roof can let this rain slip into your attic and cause problems. Gutters that have become misaligned can also send water up against your home, saturating siding and other sections of your home that allow moisture to pass through into your living space.

SERVPRO wants to assure homeowners that we have the proper equipment, skills and experience, and dedication to rid Bristol houses of water damage and its effects. We know how to use highly effective methods of mitigation to stop moisture from damaging unharmed areas of a home while restoring areas that already succumbed to the effects of exposure to moisture and water.

Because moisture travels easily and rapidly inside walls, this moisture can also end up behind cabinets, as well as underneath these structures. We use thermal imaging cameras to find such places. Cabinets are only one location that water tends to hide. We also find hidden water in other places.

Your walls that form a barrier against the outside contain insulation to keep the environment inside your home under control. When this insulation becomes wet, it loses the ability to keep warm air where you want it, allowing the energy to pass through the wall. Hollow walls inside your home that separate rooms and hallways often do not contain any insulation. The drying process for these walls occurs much faster because we do not need to extract any insulation.

Ceilings can also end up not only saturated with moisture but used as a holding basin for unwanted water. When moisture invades a ceiling, it can leave a stain. Discolorations can take a while to develop. A sudden change in a ceiling's shape, however, can mean water from a storm is pushing the center of the ceiling down with its weight.

SERVPRO technicians know which are the most effective ways for these situations. From drilling holes behind a cabinet, at the base of walls, or to drain a water-laden ceiling, as well as many other techniques that help restore homes and mitigate water damage to prevent further destruction, we use the latest in technology and restoration science to make everything “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol can help you protect your home in Morrison City, Colonial Heights, or Walnut Hill from the many different effects of water damage. Contact us at our emergency services line, (423) 245-5552, which is answered 24/7, year-round.

Click here for more about Bristol.

Why SERVPRO Is The Leader In Kingsport Flood Damage Restoration

4/22/2019 (Permalink)

We have the equipment, experience and expertise to restore your home after a flooding disaster. We are available 24/7 so call us right away.

Flood Damage Experts From Kingsport Describe Structural Drying Techniques

During the spring, thunderstorms tend to plague the Kingsport region often causing issues with your property and house's structure. Many times flood damage goes unnoticed especially if it happens when nobody is present at your home. Several of the situations our SERVPRO technicians handle regularly involve incidences where the water has receded, but many of the house's contents and structural components are still wet. Damp materials inside a building can cause elevated humidity levels which can create a situation where moisture spreads throughout the home and affects more areas over time. If organic materials are affected during your flood damage scenario, then it is possible that mold can develop.

When working on most storm-related projects, our SERVPRO crew starts by extracting any water while it is still in its liquid form. However, if most of the water is gone once we arrive, then the focus of your flood damage project in Kingsport changes to structural drying. During the drying process, we attempt to create an environment that speeds up the natural evaporation process. We do this by setting up large box fans and air movers to create air movement as well as implement dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels. If there is a large amount of moisture that has soaked into your building materials and contents, we can set up more dehumidifiers that will help pull moisture out of the affected items.

When it comes to dehumidifiers, our SERVPRO technicians have the option to utilize either a refrigerant or desiccant type machine. Refrigerant dehumidifiers pull wet air past a cold coil which causes the moisture to condense and turn back into a liquid. These systems work best to remove surface moisture and to dry wet materials that are moderately to highly porous and permeable by water and air such as carpet, pad, and drywall after flood damage.

Desiccant dehumidifiers pull wet air across a silica gel that attracts water molecules. These systems get utilized to help dry out materials that are dense and have low porosity and low permeability like hardwood floors, framing materials, and concrete. If your contents or building materials ever get wet after a storm, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 24 hours a day.

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Our Technicians Explain Several Reasons Why You Need To Contact Us After A Water Damage Incident In Your Kingsport Home

4/6/2019 (Permalink)

Just give our crew a call at (423) 245-5552 as soon as you realize there is an issue so we can come quickly and fix things for you.

Reasons Water Removal May be Needed For Your Kingsport Home

Water damage in your Kingsport home occurs when excess water starts to pool where it shouldn’t. Several factors can make this excess water, and therefore, contribute to damage to your structure. When you know what the potential causes are, you can take precautionary steps to help you avoid a water loss. You can also spot an issue once it arises and gets it fixed before it has a chance to do additional damage.

The faster you see a problem, the less work and extraction there is. Either way, water cleanup needs to be done in your Kingsport home, and you should hire the help of a professional remediation company to do the job. SERVPRO staff is available to help you at any time with the experience and knowledge that you would expect from a reputable company.

A common cause of water damage in your home is broken hoses and pipes. Things such as aging pipes, a burst water main, or ice maker supply lines and washing machine supply hoses that fail certainly ruin your day. It is a good idea to purchase copper pipes and braided metal lines to replace the original ones, as they hold up much better so you can avoid accidents.

No matter what has happened, SERVPRO techs can help you get your home dry and back in its usual condition. We have various tools to help us get the water out, including moisture meters and sensors to find any hidden moisture, truck-mounted pumps to get rid of any standing water over a few inches deep, plus air movers and dehumidifiers to dry everything back out. We also work promptly, so we avoid additional damage being done to your structure, such as mold growth.

Another common reason for water damage in your home includes broken toilets and overflowing bathtubs. Children are big culprits, so your best defense is to watch them! Water is fascinating to children, especially when it is flowing over the toilet and tub rims.

Sewer backups, unfortunately, happen as well. Tree roots can invade and clog your drain lines. Using an enzyme drain treatment to flush out your lines every month during the spring and summer months when tree roots grow the most is a good idea to avoid this kind of catastrophe.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol can help you dry your home in Bristol, Morrison City, or Blountville after a water damage emergency, no matter what type it is. Just give our crew a call at (423) 245-5552 as soon as you realize there is an issue so we can come quickly and fix things for you.

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Bristol Home Smell Like a BBQ Pit? Call SERVPRO for Smoke and Fire Restoration Services

3/26/2019 (Permalink)

The Scrabble Word for Smoke Cleanup in Bristol? SERVPRO

Tackling Soot and Odor after Fire Damage in your Bristol Home

When materials combust they release particles, gases, and aerosols into the surrounding environment. During a fire, gas like carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide can be lethal. However, once the materials have stopped burning they disperse into the surrounding atmosphere and no longer become a threat. What tends to remain are solid particles and aerosols in the form of soots and smokes. These can absorb odors, become an irritant if inhaled and are extremely small (.1-.4 microns); making them difficult to clean. Needless to say, after a house fire you need professional assistance to tackle odors and soot deposits.

A property that has signs of fire damage in Bristol or the surrounding area can rely on us to get their home back to preloss condition whenever possible. The solutions are usually two stages, with the first relying on removing soots and the second tackling odors, which also involves restoring your indoor air-quality. SERVPRO can mobilize our local technicians adept in odor control and property remediation.

Smoke that settles on a surface, such as upholstery or table-tops, is considered soot. During the firefighting procedure, water can make soot set into porous materials- particularly fabrics. SERVPRO technicians can deploy a foam cleaning method which helps to draw soot from fabrics rather than risking permanent damage by scrubbing soots deeper into materials. Our Esporta washing system at our facility can be used for off-site cleaning when needed.

The odors that are left after a fire are often made up of particles from the materials that burned. These can quickly bond with sulfurs or chlorides and become an unpleasant reminder of the event. SERVPRO use air-scrubbers fitted with HEPA filters to remove these particles from the air. HEPA fittings filter air using charcoal and can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns (1 micron= 25,000th of an inch.)

If an odor remains after using air scrubbers, SERVPRO can fumigate the property using water-based thermal foggers. This equipment vaporizes solvents and releases them into the property. Since the vapor mimics smoke, it can help to find sources of odor and neutralize them. Foggers are typically non-harmful to inhabitants of the property.

A house fire can feel overwhelming, contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 for help.

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Our Specialists Explain How To Prevent Secondary Effects After A Flood In Your Bristol Home

3/21/2019 (Permalink)

While there are many potential threats following a flood in your home, avoiding secondary effects like mold growth can help to protect your property.

Preventing Secondary Effects After Flooding In Your Bristol Home

There are immediate effects of flooding in your Bristol home, and there are circumstances and threats that can develop several days later when the damages persist on the property. A strong way to avoid these potential secondary effects that can occur later is to reach out to professionals like ours as soon as an emergency like this occurs. Our specialists are available 24/7 to respond to flooding emergencies with the experience and equipment to make a difference quickly in your damaged home.

While there are pressing flood damage concerns for your Bristol home, we also have to employ effective strategies to limit these dangerous secondary effects like mold growth that can threaten the property and its occupants. Our SERVPRO professionals have moisture detection equipment that can help us to identify the potential problem areas that require focused drying efforts. By alleviating this lingering moisture, the possibility of effects like mold growth can become substantially reduced.

When our crew arrives at your property, we work to remove the excess water from your damaged property using one or more of several advanced tools that we have stocked in our production truck. From gas-powered pumps and portable sump pumps to extraction wands and weighted extractors, we have all of the equipment to quickly remove excess water from carpeting and other materials throughout your house.

TO prevent situations like mold growth, our SERVPRO professionals must reduce the overall moisture content throughout the property as promptly as possible. Mold colonization cannot occur without damp conditions to facilitate the seating of mold spores in the environment. By reducing moisture content, our team can effectively limit possible fungal growth. We can ensure avoiding this concern by also spraying potentially exposed structural elements and materials with our antimicrobial solution. This spray makes materials uninhabitable to mold spores.

While there are many potential threats following a flood in your home, avoiding secondary effects like mold growth can help to protect your property and your family. Give our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol rapid response team a call anytime at (423) 245-5552.

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Removing Standing Water Under Your Bristol Home

3/11/2019 (Permalink)

Areas where torrential rains happen annually commonly see standing water, requiring water removal from your home.

Removing Standing Water

It is normal for a house to be built with a bit of space between the footer and the poured basement. When excess water collects under your home, however, it can create musty smells in your basement and seep through small cracks in the slab.

Areas where torrential rains happen annually commonly see standing water, requiring water removal from your Bristol home. In some soils, clay holds more water than in other soils. When it becomes saturated from heavy rains, this can create pools of water underneath your home. Standing water can also be the result of poor surface water drainage.

When standing water is a problem in your home, you need assistance from a professional water removal company like SERVPRO. We arrive at your home promptly to get all the water out from under your home and repair any damage that is present.

Prevent Standing Water
Surface water can run back toward your home when it is not diverted correctly from your foundation and structure. Downspouts which are not angled to move water away from your home and are not connected to a drain pipe make water run towards your home. Patios which are not angled away from your foundation cause water to collect under your home and lower spots in flower beds next to the foundation can also add to the problem of standing water under your home. Many issues can be created from standing water under your house if it is a problem which is reoccurring or if the area of standing water is large. Water should first be discharged, which usually requires a sump pump.

Standing Water Effects On Your Home
When standing water is a regular problem under your home, structural problems can pop up, and you can have a loss of foundation stability. The water can also lead to mold problems if left untreated. Mold affects the quality of your indoor air negatively. Water and moisture under a house can attract bugs as well, which may mean they can enter your home through a crack in the foundation.

SERVPRO can work with a foundation repair specialist to fix any damage to your foundation that the standing water may cause, along with helping you get the water out and drying the area thoroughly. If there is any mold growth, our technicians also clean that for you and sanitize the area with special cleaners.

SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is ready to help you with water removal from under your home. Just give us a call at (423) 245-5552 so we can quickly come to your home and prevent additional damage.

Visit http://www.bristoltn.org/ to learn more about the city of Bristol.

Planning for the Unthinkable: Be Ready for Fire Damage in Bristol

3/11/2019 (Permalink)

Fires are very destructive. Contact SERVPRO to prevent damage or when dealing with the aftermath of a fire.

Preparation and Taking Stock are Key Parts of Home Ownership

It is unlikely that any residents of Bristol will forget the heartbreaking events of the fall of 2016 when wildfires destroyed vast areas in the Great Smoky Mountains. No one wants the challenge of such of a disaster, but all of us can learn a lesson from the experiences of those who made it through that crisis. We suggest an assessment and development of a fire damage recovery plan with the help of our trained managers and our unique mobile app.
 
Both commercial and residential clients can take advantage of our expertise in preventing and preparing for fire damage in Bristol. The aftermath of even a minor fire is stressful, and you as a homeowner are rarely experienced in the practical and emotional ramifications of such an event. We have built a rich knowledge base over the years of restoring fire damaged dwellings for other members of our community. Make use of our familiarity, training, and skills, and ready yourself for a problem you and we both hope you never encounter.
 
The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan and Profile (ERP) encourages you to take stock of your situation before a disaster happens. We help you assess your property and work out many of the logistics we need to master to deliver fast and efficient fire damage restoration if a blaze occurs. You assist us and also improve the odds of a successful fire restoration effort by creating a layout of your property, identifying the location of utility shutoffs, and clarifying a chain of command should you be unable to respond yourself.
 
You can designate another person to act on your behalf in the plan, helpful if you are injured or out of the area when the fire crisis occurs. This precaution is if you spend any time traveling or just as insurance if you think it possible you may have an issue with clarity of thought after a fire damages your property. Making decisions ahead of time helps SERVPRO follow a well-thought out plan rather than waiting for your instructions after a frightening event like a fire makes it hard for you to respond.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol wants to be certain our efforts always lead to the outcome you desire. Give us a call at (423) 245-5552 to schedule an assessment that will help us collaborate on an Emergency Ready Plan to protect and restore your property.

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Remediating Mold Damage in Your Bristol Home

3/11/2019 (Permalink)

Mold is not always easy to detect, call SERVPRO to inspect your home for hidden mold.

SERVPRO uses different cleaning methods for each unique surface to remediate mold

Mold is often undetectable in Tennessee homes until it has become a significant problem. Not every type of mold has that distinctive, ‘musty’ odor and if the growth started behind a wall or in the attic, the smell is not noticeable until the mold has grown into a large colony of spores.

Restoring a Bristol home of the effects from mold damage is a task that needs a professional service. SERVPRO keeps a trained crew on 24-hour notice to support our neighbors and customers. We have some of the best-trained personnel in the industry to clean mold from the property and safely remove it from each home.

These technicians first determine the type of surface infested. This inspection decides both the cleaning methods needed and how much time may be required to complete the job. We usually divide surfaces into porous, nonporous, and semi-porous categories.

Porous surfaces are typically building materials and fabrics; drywall and upholstery for example. They are often cleanable, but if the mold is very thick or has grown into the material, we dispose of it. Our cleaning methods for these surfaces involve vacuuming them with special HEPS filters that catch tiny amounts of loose mold, even a single spore.

After finishing vacuuming, we move on to using spray bottles with an antimicrobial cleaner and foaming agents to dampen the surface. Wetting loosens the mold and allows technicians to remove it with cloths and sponges.

Nonporous surfaces are the easiest to clean. This category includes metal and glass tabletops as well as marble and smooth stone kitchen countertops. In many cases, we can remove the mold with dry cloths and sponges. Technicians wipe down the surfaces from top to bottom to prevent accidentally leaving spores at the top or along the sides. If the mold layer is thick, we vacuum it first before dry wiping.

Semi-porous surfaces (concrete and wood decks for example) require methods not acceptable on other surfaces. Affected surfaces may need sanding to wire brushing and other abrasive tools to dig out the mold. The cleaners we use on these surfaces would mar or otherwise destroy glass and metal surfaces. If mold has penetrated the surface of the wood or concrete, technicians may have to sand them down by hand or with a power sander to remove it.

Returning your home to its pre-mold condition is not a quick or easy set of processes. SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol has years of experience in helping our customers through each step to put you back into your home. If you need us, call (423) 245-5552 today to set up an inspection.

You can learn more about Bristol at http://www.bristoltn.org/.

How to Remediate Water Damage in Your Bristol Home

3/10/2019 (Permalink)

Don't stress about water damage in your home, call SERVPRO for help today.

SERVPRO Drying Out Water Damaged Bristol Homes

After an inside plumbing disaster, Bristol homeowners need more than simply using a water-vac to pull water off the floor, open the doors and windows, and rent a rug shampooer from the local big box store. To completely restore a home takes a professional restoration service.
 
Drying out a home with water damage in Bristol requires attention to four key factors that affect humidity. SERVPRO restoration specialists train to analyze each one, so they know which drying methods and equipment they need to use in each home. It all comes down to HEAT.
 
Humidity levels are determined by the level of water vapor in the air in a home compared its capacity. A level of 60 percent or higher indicates the air is saturated. That greatly slows evaporation and increases drying time. Specialists use dehumidifiers to reduce the humidity level in each affected room. Properly working dehumidifiers can lower the level up to 20 percent every 24 hours.
 
Evaporation is the natural process of water converting to vapor. With large amounts of water, it is very slow. Our SERVPRO specialists use pumps and smaller extraction devices to remove the bulk of the standing water. Once they get the amount to less than two inches in depth, the rate evaporation rapidly increases. They can also augment the rate of evaporation with dehumidifiers and using exhaust fans to increase movement, forcing saturated air outside the home.
 
Air Movement can also be increased using air movers to force warm, dry air throughout affected rooms and across damp surfaces like walls, tables, and countertops to gently increase the rate of evaporation as well. The combination of air movers and fans to increase air movement is also very useful to dry out clothing in a gentle manner which does not damage the fabric.
 
Temperature is also an important factor, especially in cold weather. Since the preferred range to dry home and property is 70 to 90 degrees, we try to engage the HVAC system if it is operational carefully. If not, then specialists use space heaters to raise the internal temperature. They carefully monitor the temperature in every affected room to keep it under 80 degrees on the first day; however, since a higher temperature can increase the humidity.
 
At SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol, we use every tool and method available to return every residence to a dry, safe condition for families to live in once again. If you have had a recent water issue in your home, call us at (423) 245-5552 to schedule a visit. We are here for you.

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SERVPRO Can Prevent Secondary Fire Damage In Your Kingsport Home

2/27/2019 (Permalink)

If you have suffered from a fire call our team right away and we will help you prevent secondary damages. We are available 24/7 for your restoration.

SERVPRO - Emergency Services Needed After Fire Damage In Kingsport Homes

Most fires in a Kingsport home are usually small and restricted to one area like the kitchen with smoke and soot spreading out into the nearby dining area. In a smaller percentage of fires, however, physical damage can be severe and require additional steps to secure the home from further damage to even begin repair and restoration.

SERVPRO restoration teams can provide a series of emergency services designed to prevent secondary fire damage problems in Kingsport homes. They extend far beyond just boarding up doors and windows, taking care to keep the interior safe for the owner to occupy where possible and for our technicians to work.

At this time of year, flooding can still be a problem. Most water intrusion comes from inside the home though, so our teams examine the homes to ensure the plumbing leading into the home is insulated. If it is possible to restore electric and gas service, technicians work closely with the owner and the utility company to help bring the lights back on and heat throughout the home.

As they help get utilities restored, other SERVPRO team members remove all damaged property for disposal. Quick removal allows our inspectors to perform a thorough exam of the structure and determine what the team needs to operate and what to start on first. It also eliminates the source of many odors left behind by the fire.

After removing the non-salvageable property, our teams set up exhaust fans to circulate the odor-filled air, forcing it outside the home. We do this to provide a better environment for our technicians, the owners, and insurance inspectors. Once the fans are in place, our teams remove property still restorable to an unaffected part of the home or another location for cleaning and repair.

At SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol, our goal is to return you to your home as quickly as possible after a fire. If this is your situation now, call us today at (423) 245-5552 to get started on the process to restore your home. Regardless of the size of the fire damage, we are here for you.

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Why Professional Mold Remediation is Necessary for Your Kingsport Home

2/12/2019 (Permalink)

With Tennesee's humid conditions, mold has a thriving environment to grow.

Professional Remediation Vs. DIY for Your Kingsport Home

Many Kingsport homeowners would argue that their methods of repairing and restoring damage to their home are as effective as the professionals could produce. While there might be instances in which this could be as effective or more money-saving, mold remediation is not one of these situations. There are some things that every homeowner should know about the differences between DIY mold removal and professional remediation work for their property.

One of the first concerns about mold damage that any Kingsport homeowner should have is the extent of the damage that they are currently facing. Even a small colony can spread quickly throughout a home and pose a significant risk to both structural integrity of the property and those that get exposed to the colony. This safety concern is one of the defining factors that should deter homeowners from DIY removal. Without the appropriate personal protective equipment and training, removal efforts could cause acute health effects.

DIY approaches encourage homeowners to use a harsh detergent like bleach and scrub over present colonies to remove them, but this can prove problematic as well for multiple reasons. The first of these concerns is that bleach can react adversely with certain types of mold and become more volatile. Another reason that this is less effective is that this approach only takes off surface mold, and does not remove the entire hyphae like the equipment our SERVPRO Franchise professionals use can.

Another concern is the spread of the organism. Homeowners do not have the available equipment to contain a spreading mold colony as our SERVPRO Franchise professionals do. With the use of air scrubbers, hydroxyl generators, and physical plastic sheeting barriers, we can effectively prevent the spread of the organism to new areas of the home while remediation and mold removal efforts get underway.

As tempting as it might sound to save money and take care of mold growth on your own, many homeowners find that the situation only ends up continually getting worse despite their efforts. Give our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol remediation specialists a call at (423) 245-5552 to make mold damage “Like it never even happened.”

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The Single Most Important Thing You Need to Know About Fire Damage Remediation in Kingsport

2/8/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage residues can be removed with our proven process. Contact SERVPRO right away for remediation.

Eliminating Fire Damage Odors From Kingsport Homes

With a wide variety of commercial and federal industry, Kingsport is a lively, growing community along the Holston River. Residents and homeowners have weathered economic downturns just as well as they have survived fires and other disasters. That is not to say, however, that restoring each home from a fire is a simple task.

One of the hardest types of fire damage in Kingsport to remove from homes are the odors left by burned materials and their residues. To fully eliminate them, every SERVPRO restoration team uses four different methods: Removal, Clean, Recreate, and Seal.

The quickest way to eliminate an odor in a home is to remove the source. Burned material is not repairable, so removing it must be accomplished immediately not just to remove odors, but as a safety issue inside the home as well. Technicians remove and demolish if needed, property before taking any other actions. After finishing, they install fans at entry and exit points to increase air circulation, further reducing odors.

Next, our teams clean the odor causing residues that smoke and soot leave on surfaces. While dry, powdery residues are cleanable with cloths, brushes, and a mild detergent, others require special cleaners and tools. Sprinklers and other firefighting efforts can spread wet, sticky residues from slower burning fires, then form very hard, thick layers once everything cools down. These thicker layers may even require an agitation device to break them free of the surfaces they cover.

For odors that penetrated surfaces, SERVPRO technicians recreate the same conditions to eliminate them. A smoke cloud of odor-causing particles can deeply penetrate wood, fabrics, and other property. Our teams use a thermal fogger and a strong deodorizing agent to create a second cloud which can go just as deeply into the property. The chemical agent bonds with the original odor-causing particles and neutralizes them.

In a few cases, sealing the property is an effective, and cheaper option. For milder odors in walls that were not otherwise affected by the fire, our specialists can coat the surfaces with a paint containing a deodorizing agent. Another circumstance where this is an option is sealing off the exterior surface of air ducts from leaking odors into the HVAC system and circulating through the entire home.

Our goal at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is to return every home to its original, pre-fire condition. That includes eliminating odors that can linger for months or even years. If your residence went through a fire but still is not home yet, call us at (423) 245-5552 today. We are here for you.

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Is Water 'Spilling' Damage to Your Bristol Home?

1/23/2019 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO before water permanently damages your hardwood floors.

Why SERVPRO Helps You Cope with Water Damage in Bristol Better

A water spill is a mixed bag of fortunes. On the one hand, it can lead to clean up in parts of your home that you never thought of cleaning since you occupied it. However, it is also likely to leave different kinds of damages that you have to work hard to fix. These damages range from staining of fabrics and deterioration materials like wood through warping, rotting, and microbial growth. Highly skilled technicians from SERVPRO can offer you services that reverse these damages or help you cope with the situation.  

Each case of water damage in Bristol is different depending on how the incident unfolds. If a pipe bursts when no one is home or a tap is left running, the water is likely to reach a vast section of the house ruining several contents. A small leak in a hidden part of the property might not cause such widespread damages, but since it might take time to notice, it creates a chance for microbial growth and rotting or other similar problems, which are harder to address. Our SERVPRO technicians, certified in different fields including ASD, Applied Structural Drying and Applied Microbial Remediation, allow us to respond to any situation that arises.  

Water has detrimental effects on almost every material when left submerged over extended periods. From our vast experience, we can anticipate different types of damage. In metals, the harm is limited to rust only. Organic materials like wood are damaged the most because they can warp, buckle, rot or develop mold. Wood also absorbs copious amounts of water, which can keep causing problems long after the initial incident. For example, failing to dry the lower side of floorboards can lead to cupping, and if not addressed, it can ruin the floor permanently. Using truck-mounted extractors and submersible pumps, our SERVPRO technicians can remove water before it causes severe damage. We also have specialized drying equipment like the injectidry system, which removes water from concealed spaces such as below floorboards.  

Some steps involved when fixing water damage are tedious or require special skills. For example, removing the carpet for drying or restorative cleaning is a tedious process. It also requires special skills to avoid damaging other fixtures like baseboards. Our SERVPRO technicians have the necessary tools and skills to remove and replace your carpet without damaging it.  

A water spill incident can be unbearable if not handled. Call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 to help you cope. We're Faster To Size Disaster.

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Does Your Long Island Home Struggle With a Mold Situation?

1/13/2019 (Permalink)

Regardless of the room that the mold infestation affects, contact SERVPRO for effective remediation and mitigation services.

Mold Remediation Specialists Discuss How to Control Microbial Populations in Long Island Residences

Long Island residences often succumb to mold infestations because of elevated humidity in the home. SERVPRO can remediate infested areas but helping you prevent such situations from affecting your home helps save you money and time.

Here are some ways that you can help protect your home from requiring mold remediation services in Long Island. Our specialists explain that prevention efforts on the part of the homeowner require less work while providing the best outcome. SERVPRO is always here for you when efforts begin too late or lapse and result in microbial overgrowth in the house.
 
Controlling the home's humidity level can mean microbes cannot grow. According to the CDC, humidity levels should remain below 50% in the residence. This can mean you need to use a dehumidifier during more humid periods. Some months become more humid than others, and during these, the humidifier might need to run continuously instead of only at certain hours of the day.
 
Two methods can help prevent mold growth by protecting walls and other surfaces. When repainting walls and ceilings, adding a mold inhibitor to the paint can prevent microbes from surviving once settling on the surface. Another method is to use mold-killing cleansers in bathrooms and kitchens.
 
Keeping your bathroom from retaining moisture happens more easily when a working ventilation system pulls moist air out of the bathroom and forces it outside of your home. Ventilation ducts should contain no extra bends or extra length that allow moist air to get trapped before exiting through the outside vent. Residents should also use exhaust fans to remove steam from the kitchen, as well. It is essential to allow the fan to run for a few minutes after all of the steam has left, to ensure such dampness is pushed out of the home altogether.
 
Eliminating components that hold moisture means fewer places exist for moisture, and mold, to hide. One primary culprit in retaining moisture and dampness in bathrooms is carpeting and padding. While getting out of the shower and standing on a warm, cushy surface appeals to many, achieving this with the use of bath mats also reduces moisture levels.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol wants to help your family through effective prevention methods that reduce humidity levels in your home and through skilled mold remediation where needed. Call us at (423) 245-5552, and we can provide you with more information specific to your property and how we can help you maintain it well.

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SERVPRO Keeps Commercial Properties Open for Business with Rapid Water Removal and Cleanup

1/2/2019 (Permalink)

Bristol Hotels and Commercial Buildings Rely on SERVPRO for Water Removal and Cleanup

Commercial Water Removal Gets Your Bristol Hotel Dried Out and Guest-Ready Fast

Not knowing when a disaster might strike can create severe problems for your hotel in the Bristol area. SERVPRO can help business owners recover quickly after a crisis. When water covers floors and makes a mess, safety also becomes an issue that can cause problems for guests, particularly those with mobility concerns.
 
Hotels and other hospitality-based businesses rely on their guests to keep their businesses vibrant, and when soaked and saturated, commercial water removal in Bristol can restore normal operations. SERVPRO knows that this needs to happen quickly, especially when bookings and current guests rely on your continued ability to provide their lodging when expected. We always consider the needs of both your staff and your guests as we perform extraction and drying services.
 
When the water's depth reaches more than a couple of inches high, we use our truck-mounted and portable submersible pumps. These pull the water out of rooms, halls, and other areas. However, these areas remain damp and prone to developing problems. Mold and odors can make your hotel seem unsafe and feel unclean. Specialists from SERVPRO can also contain both mold and odor-producing substances and help you maintain your hotel's interior environment's condition that keeps health effects to a minimum.
 
Part of how we control mold growth and the development of odors after a water incident is through the use of our highly effective air scrubbers. These scrubbers have HEPA filters attached that remove such particles from the air. As our air movers pull moisture out of surfaces, the moist air flows toward these air scrubbers. We also can use desiccant and LGR dehumidifiers to extract additional moisture from the air.
 
We continually monitor the progress we make in drying out your hotel. Our specialists use both infrared thermal imaging cameras that locate damp areas and highly accurate moisture meters that help us determine when an area is reaching an acceptable percentage of moisture, thus achieving the proper baseline.
 
We highly recommend area businesses request information about our Emergency READY Profile Plan (ERP) before a disaster happens. We can visit your enterprise offer suggests and key in vital information to if not prevent a mishap, at least mitigate its consequences. Because water can invade into the tiniest areas of your business and cause enormous levels of damage, the time saved by such a Plan can significantly reduce the expenses involved in recovering and restoring your business.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol provides water removal and extraction services to the businesses in and around Morrison City, Bloomingdale, and Walnut Hill. Call (423) 245-5552 to start recovering your business.

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Is Moisture Causing Mold Growth in Your Kingsport Home?

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

Without proper mitigation, mold is often a secondary damage after a water loss incident.

Lingering Moisture Can Cause Mold Growth in Kingsport

Many Kingsport homeowners work to clean up their houses on their own without involving professional cleaning and restoration crews unless it is evident they are necessary. The trouble with this determination for water loss incidents is that many homeowners do not realize when the situation has gotten out of their control and continues to be a problem once they think it has gotten resolved. Lingering moisture not only continues to threaten the construction materials, flooring, and other exposed materials but also opens the door for more health hazardous effects like mold growth.

In a matter of a few days, lingering moisture and dampness out of sight can allow for colonization and mold damages to begin in your Kingsport home. With the situation occurring out of your line of sight, this problem can grow and spread before it gets significant enough to breach the surface where you can see. Our SERVPRO technicians can respond quickly to mold growth that you discover in your home with the tools and expertise to remove these colonies fast.

With widespread mold growth through materials in your home, often the only effective solution is to remove these damaged materials and replace it with new ones. We utilize controlled demolition techniques to remove only the portions that have become affected by the spreading organism and spray the portions that get left with an antimicrobial solution to deter mold and fungal growth while the area gets thoroughly dried with air movers and dehumidification equipment. The area gets extensively checked with thermal imagery cameras to ensure that any lingering moisture gets addressed.

Once these damaged materials have gotten removed and the affected areas of your home have gotten dried thoroughly, our reconstruction contractors can get to work on reinstalling drywall, flooring, and other components requiring replacement.

While taking matters into your own hands can sometimes save you money, with water loss incidents, it is often better to trust our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol rapid response team to clean up the mess and dry up the damage to prevent effects like mold. Give us a call anytime that you need us at (423) 245-5552.

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Our Team Knows How To Help After Heavy Rains Cause Damage To Your Bristol Home

12/10/2018 (Permalink)

If a flood unexpectedly damages your home, never hesitate to get help.

Heavy Rains Can Cause Flood Damage To Your Bristol Home

When your city of residence is situated near both a river and a lake, heavy rainfall can lead to flood damage. As the riverbed swells and the lake floods, the excess water has to go somewhere. Unfortunately for you, as the water rushed through your city, it also rushed into your home.

Dirty and unsanitary water settled in both the entryway and recreational room causing flood damage in a Bristol home. The problem with floodwaters, and what separates flood damage from home-based water damage, is how contaminated the water that enters your home is. As the floodwaters rush through your city, there is no telling what they may pick up and begin to carry with them. It is not uncommon to find contaminants like bacteria, feces, biohazardous materials, and petroleum among the water.

It is essential for this reason not to try and deal with flood damage by yourself. The water could be unsafe for human contact. Getting in touch with a cleanup and restoration company, like SERVPRO, can result in your home getting the professional services that it needs while also keeping you safe from harmful materials.

When our SERVPRO IICRC-certified technicians arrive at your home, the first thing we can do is use industry grade wet-dry vacuums to remove the standing floodwater from your recreational room and entryway. Once the water is removed, SERVPRO can focus on removing any debris from your home as well as carpets. Due to the nature of carpets, they cannot be thoroughly cleaned once they have come in contact with black water and must be removed.

After the debris is gone, we can make flood cuts to the walls around your home, to ensure that further problems such as mold damage do not arise. From there, our technicians can set up drying equipment such as dehumidifiers and air movers to restore any damaged furniture to its previous state. After a thorough cleaning of your home to ensure that no bacteria from the floodwater lingers, SERVPRO can return your home to you.

If a flood unexpectedly damages your home, never hesitate to get help. Dial (423) 245-5552 on your phone to speak with SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol. We are open 24/7 and available to help you in your time of need.

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Bristol Property Owners Benefit from SERVPRO for Cleaning and Sanitizing Cluttered Structures

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Cleanup, Clear Out Debris, and Sanitize Bristol Homes with Safety and Empathy

Why Choosing SERVPRO for Hoarding Cleanup in Bristol Is Your Best Choice

Not every disaster to strike a Bristol home comes from the weather, or a fire started in the kitchen or elsewhere in the structure. Hoarding is an increasing problem for many families that require a professional cleaning and restoration service.
 
In Bristol, hoarding cleanup can be accomplished with residents still in the home or not. In each circumstance, SERVPRO cleaning crews work quickly to remove the accumulate unwanted property, clean the structure, and restore each home to a livable state.
 
In any situation, speed is important, but so is being understanding of the underlying issues. If the hoarder still resides on the property, our personnel understand that moving too fast can cause the person to stop all work and make the situation worse. Our crew leader works carefully with the hoarder and the people supporting him or her to move at the quickest, acceptable pace.
 
If the hoarder is no longer in the home, our personnel move faster, but still work carefully with relatives or whoever may be in charge. Although most of what we remove may go to a landfill, there are still items like furniture, photo albums, artwork that can be important to someone and require care in removing them from the home during the cleanup process. We can store off-site possessions and belongings until the time for returning has arrived.
 
In many of these homes, SERVPRO personnel discover mold and animal wastes. While mold is not usually a health problem, the presence of urine and feces may indicate the threat of the Hantavirus or another infectious disease. When this happens, our personnel don masks or other breathing gear. Technicians next spray the affected areas with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents to kill both threats and make them easier to remove.
 
Once they clear the home of the accumulated property, our technicians scrub the home clean and inspect it for possible damage requiring replacement. Although our office is not a contractor, we can perform minor repairs like replacing drywall for interior walls, stop previously unseen plumbing leaks, and repaint affected areas of the home stained by old food containers and the ink leeched from newspapers and magazines.
 
Cleaning up after a hoarder is not a quick process, but at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol, we try to make it as simple and empathetic as possible to everyone. If you need help returning your, or someone else’s home to a livable condition, contact us at (423) 245-5552 today.

Advantages for living here

Give SERVPRO a Ring When You Want Dependable Water Restoration Services

12/2/2018 (Permalink)

Our team will respond immediately when water damage strikes!

We Provide Dependable Water Cleanup Services In Bristol

The hose on your large-size portable dishwasher came loose during the rinse cycle, and water now stands all over your kitchen floor. Contacting skilled and trained professionals, like us, as soon as possible can lessen damages to your property. Plus, quick action by you may also help lower restoration costs. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster and can restore your home when possible.

The water cleanup services SERVPRO provides in Bristol are efficient and reliable and can help in this type of situation. In this case, our crew may utilize mops, portable extractors, pumps, vacuums or wands to remove water fast. If necessary, we can employ trunk-mounted extractors to eliminate water quickly. The technicians may also utilize probes and sensors to detect hidden moisture from behind the lower walls and baseboards and from under the floor tiles. Wet materials can ruin your kitchen floor and sub-flooring. Plus, it can cause mold growth and rot, which makes calling us to do the job a wise decision.

Once our SERVPRO team removes all excess water from the premises, they can begin the drying phase of the restoration process. The techs can use various pieces of equipment such as heaters, professional air movers or high-velocity axial fans to force moisture from the structure, which helps enhance evaporation and dryness. Our crew members may also employ dehumidifiers to help bring down the level of humidity inside the affected area. This step can also help increase drying.

We set goals to get work fast during the extraction and drying phases, which can prevent further damages to your home. It is our policy to remove water and dry structures as quickly as we can. Whenever possible, you can trust our team to return your kitchen to its preloss state. We aim to make it look, “Like it never even happened.”

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is close by and ready to serve your area as well as surrounding cities that includes Blountville, Colonial Heights, Walnut Hill, and Blair Gap. Our teams are experts when it comes to water cleanup emergencies. Contact us 24/7 at (423) 245-5552 at any time of the day or night.

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How Flood Damage Can Effect Your Bristol Home

11/15/2018 (Permalink)

With flood damages in your Bristol home, the longer that you wait to resolve the spreading effects, the worse they become.

The Widespread Effects Of Flooding In Your Bristol Home

Many disasters have impacted Bristol homes throughout the last two centuries, and yet there are still many homeowners caught unaware by severe weather systems that result in flooding. From the moment that a disaster like this strikes your property, you need assurances that the situation can get resolved using a combination of experience and advanced equipment available to you through our rapid response team.

With flood damages in your Bristol home, the longer that you wait to resolve the spreading effects, the worse they become. Taking care of the situation as quickly as possible is critical to ensuring that structural elements and the contents of your home can get salvaged from the impending damages. Our SERVPRO team is available 24/7 to help you mitigate your losses through a traumatic experience like flooding without requiring excessive tear out and reconstruction.

Much of the mitigation work that our experienced professionals can do for your flood-damaged home is a direct product of the investment our franchise has made to have the best possible equipment utilizing advanced technologies. These tools and machines like our truck-mounted pumps can extract water fast from your house with 300 psi draw to make short work of the pooling.

Improving the air quality in your home following widespread flooding is often an important step in protecting both our SERVPRO technicians and the occupants of the house. We utilize air scrubbers to capture particulates, debris, dirt, and mold spores circulating throughout the environment. Additionally, we utilize thermal imagery cameras to find moisture pockets in inaccessible areas to direct our professionals where drying equipment needs to continue getting used. With drier conditions, the likelihood of mold growth drops significantly.

Recovering from a flood in your home takes some critical steps on your end to secure the services of a team of professionals with the equipment and fast response to make a difference. Our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol emergency response team can react fast to your emergency to help you preserve the structure and the contents of your home from becoming irreparably damaged. Give us a call today at (423) 245-5552.

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Our State-Of-The-Art Extraction Equipment Will Restore Your Water Damaged Commercial Property In Bristol

11/6/2018 (Permalink)

Once materials inside your office get wet, humidity levels inside the building rise and create an environment conducive for mold growth.

Commercial Water Removal Experts In Bristol Talk About The Different Types Of Extraction Equipment

If the plumbing system ever fails inside your Bristol dentist office, you might come into work one day and find yourself knee deep in a murky liquid. Even if the problem is not that severe, prompt commercial water removal conducted by a professional company like SERVPRO can help reduce the amount of damage that occurs. Plumbing system failures happen more often than you may think and are responsible for the majority of moisture-related problems that occur in buildings. Joints in the plumbing can wear after time and develop slow leaks or pipes can break and lose a lot of water out of even the smallest cracks. If commercial water removal is not completed quickly, wet materials can turn into breeding grounds for harmful bacterias and molds.

Once materials inside your office get wet, humidity levels inside the building rise and create an environment conducive for mold growth. Conducting prompt commercial water removal to your Bristol dentist office can help prevent secondary damage like mold or issues caused by vapor in the air from occurring. The first step to removing moisture from contents and building materials is the extraction phase. During this step, our SERVPRO restoration crew uses industrially advanced equipment to remove both standing water and moisture that exists inside saturated, porous building materials.

Depending on each specific situation and how wet materials got, we can utilize different types of equipment designed for certain items and scenarios. For example, for tight areas that do not have an excessive amount of moisture we can choose to use a portable extractor to pull out water from carpet and other flooring materials. If the water is excessive, we can use a truck-mounted, heavy-duty extractor that has a much more powerful vacuum motor.

We also have a choice in what type of tool we use during extraction. For upholstered items like couches, we often use a handheld extraction wand. For thick carpets that are saturated, we can use a weighted extractor that the operator stands on so that his weight can get used to compress the carpet and allow more moisture to get pulled out. If you ever noticed standing water inside your dentist office, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 any day of the week.

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Our Professionals Are Ready 24/7 To Respond To Your Commercial Water Damage Emergency In Bristol

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

We suggest that you call professionals like us to extract the water quickly and get you back in operation.

We Provide Fast Commercial Water Cleanup In Bristol

Your hardware offers customers a great place to browse and shop for items they may need to make various home repairs such as hammers, nails, furnace filters and so much more. There was a water breach in the storage room that flowed into the main area. Unfortunately, you are going to have to shut down your store due to the amount of water on the floor. We suggest that you call professionals like us to extract the water quickly and get you back in operation.

SERVPRO commercial water cleanup services in Bristol are reliable and can restore your shop when possible. Our team works fast to remove all standing water and can use industrial grade portable or trunk-mounted extractors, pumps, wands, and wet vacuums to do the job. Excess water might flow and penetrate areas such as behind walls and under flooring, which can cause damages if it left there. Our crew can utilize sensors and probes to find and remove hidden areas of moisture, which can help reduce the loss of property and materials.

It is essential for us to remove water rapidly. Plus, we may have to pack-out some of your merchandise in the affected areas. Water can damage your stock as well as items in the showroom, which can cost you money. Our Crew strives to get you back in business as soon as we can and to lessen damages to your shop.

After, our skilled techs remove all standing water from the structure; they can start the drying phase. The team can use air movers, heaters or axial fans to eliminate moisture. They may also employ dehumidifiers to increase evaporation and to enhance drying. We know that for you to make a profit your business has to be open. You can depend on our techs to work fast so you can open your hardware and get back to servicing your many customers.

Our skilled and highly trained SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol commercial cleanup restoration team is nearby and can assist you with your water emergency. When possible, we can restore your business to its preloss state. Contact us 24/7 at (423) 245-5552.

Click here for more about Bristol.

The A - Z of Flood Damage in a Bristol Home

10/21/2018 (Permalink)

Our area can quickly flood during a storm. Call SERVPRO when you and your family are safe to start the water removal process in your home.

Making the Right Decisions When Your Bristol Property Experiences Flood Damage 

The danger is not completely gone after the water has gone down when your property experiences flood damage. Some risks set in when such incidents happen, and as a homeowner, you need to play it safe. Even when most of your contents look beyond hope, experienced technicians can restore most of your items. We can clean up, dry out, and perform some repairs to your Bristol home during the restoration process.
 
Some of the hazards that flood damage in Bristol brings along when it happens in your home include a weak foundation, shorting of the electrical system, cracking walls, sagging roofs, and floors. Our SERVPRO technicians perform an inspection to determine whether it is safe to re-enter the building. It helps both the occupants and our team to stay away from avoidable injuries.
 
When items such as mattresses and wallboard come into contact with the contamination, replacing them may be necessary. It is also crucial to clean up the mud and debris that the flood waters carry along. If some surfaces do not dry within 24 - 48 hours, there is a possibility that mold might start to grow. Since the secret of preventing the mold problems is cleaning and drying wet areas, our SERVPRO technicians use specialized techniques to perform the same. For instance, we can enhance air circulation in the building by setting up air movers and introducing space heaters to speed up the drying process. Placing dehumidifiers in the site can also address the high humidity problem.
 
Safety and personal protections are so important during the restoration work, and we want to look at some of the precautions that we observe. We disconnect your utilities - gas, and electricity - before entering the site. Our SERVPRO technicians use rubber gloves, high rubber boots, and wear respirators since the water may be contaminated with mold or sewage. Depending on the situation we are dealing with, we may use an N95 respirator, a half-face respirators, or a full-face respirator.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is a locally owned service provider with the equipment and resources to provide services at any time of the day. Whether you need commercial or residential cleaning and restoration services, call us at (423) 245-5552 for a stress-free process.
 
Click here for more about Bristol.

MOLD?? OH NO!! On Long Island, Call SERVPRO for Quick Remediation

10/3/2018 (Permalink)

Hidden Moisture Can Mean Mold Damage in a Kingsport Property--Call SERVPRO

How Mold Colonies Form in Your Long Island House

Perhaps one of the most troubling things about owning your Long Island home is the understanding that whatever happens to it is a responsibility that rests on your shoulders. With this in mind, you take the necessary precautions and preventative care to keep it safe from damages, but many homeowners still do not fully prepare for all of the possibilities. Mold growth is a situation that catches many people by surprise and can prove hazardous to ignore.

When it comes to mold damage, many Long Island homeowners do not understand what these are much less how the colony formed in the first place. The more that you can understand about the presence of mold inside of your house, the more prepared you become to deal with the situation as soon as you discover it. Our SERVPRO applied microbial remediation technicians are available 24/7 to help you overcome mold growth in your house.

One of the first points that you need to understand about mold is that every single home can be susceptible to this fungal growth. Cleanliness or clutter has no bearing on the colonization of mold spores, and the conditions to allow a colony to form rest exclusively in the presence of moisture in your house and a consistent temperature. Several situations could lead to lingering moisture and dampness concerns throughout various areas of your house, and naturally occurring mold spores in the environment have the means to seat and thrive in nearby surfaces and organic materials.

To overcome the colony, which continually weakens the materials to the point of being unsalvageable, is to act quickly. Our SERVPRO technicians can isolate the colony and get to work fast on removing the organism through advanced techniques or removing the material entirely should the damage be too severe.

One of the essential things to remember about mold growth in your home is that the situation does not get better on its own. Our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol remediation specialists can help you through every step of the process to remove the colony and restore your home to the way it used to be. (423) 245-5552.

Historical information on this area by clicking

How To Recover From A Water Damage Emergency In Colonial Heights With Help From The Professionals At SERVPRO

9/27/2018 (Permalink)

Proper water cleanup is essential in ensuring your home is restored and reduce additional damage.

Ensuring Proper Water Cleanup In Your Colonial Heights Home

Proper water cleanup is essential in ensuring your home is restored and reduce additional damage. You need trained personnel using specialized equipment to ensure that the restoration work in your home is done effectively and lower possible structural or health hazards. It is essential to understand how we work in Colonial Heights to return properties to their preloss condition.

Proper drying is vital during water cleanup in Colonial Heights. Some areas of your home may require specialized drying and our SERVPRO technicians have the expertise to meet those requirements. Attics and crawl spaces, for example, can be challenging to deal with because they are often difficult to access. The access door is usually small and passing through the equipment may prove challenging. If we encounter a scenario, we might have to perform minor demolitions and put in place appropriate submersible pump to remove the standing water before moving on to the next step. After that, our team determines the best way to dry the floor and its components.

Dehumidification is one of the procedures that we perform when drying your property. A flexible hose can be used as a duct to move air into inaccessible areas of your home when using a dehumidifier. The SERVPRO technicians often use a light gauge sheet metal that is cut to fit the Dehumidifiers’ outlet. Dry air is, therefore, able to reach inaccessible areas of your home ensuring proper cleanup and drying.

Document drying is critical when it comes to proper water cleanup. Wet documents need to be stored in a freezer facility to stop further damage and to give our team time to determine the drying procedure to use. Documents often require drying through sublimation, and it can be time-consuming, especially when the level of damage is extensive.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is a locally owned and operated company that is strategically located to help you with water cleanup emergencies. Call us at (423) 245-5552 to get trained personnel with adequate equipment to help you.

Click here for more about Colonial Heights.

Flood Damages Could Stop Customer Traffic to Your Bristol Retail Store

9/16/2018 (Permalink)

When your business location faces the effects of flooding after a storm, it is time to contact SERVPRO for mitigation services.

Team SERVPRO Offers Expertise and Equipment to Dry Out Your Store After Flooding

Running a retail location in Bristol means offering competitive prices and products that entice the everyday shopper, but it also means providing an atmosphere and environment that welcomes those customers into your store in the first place. While flooding throughout the area might affect multiple homes and businesses all at once, you have to focus on the impact that it has on the foot traffic into your own store as you combat the effects.

One of the first things that any business owner should keep in mind when it comes to battling commercial flood damages in Bristol is that most are inadequately prepared to restore these damages. With the widespread nature of the effects and how deeply water can penetrate into unseen areas and materials, finding professional restoration services like our SERVPRO team to help can ensure that the job gets done correctly.

Among the most pressing of concerns for the business owner posed with flood damages is removing the water and drying up the moisture and dampness. These effects can ruin the stock and supply of your store, not to mention adversely affect flooring, walls, and furniture within the affected areas. Our SERVPRO professionals respond quickly to your emergency, helping to mitigate the potential losses that you face when you encounter flooding in your store.

Flooding rarely only brings water into your storefront, however. Debris, mud, and any number of contaminants could travel along with this water that requires cleanup from professionals with the right equipment. Our SERVPRO professionals have the right tools and expertise to restore heavily soiled fabrics and surfaces, successfully restoring them instead of choosing the demolition and reconstruction route.

Flood damages can wreak havoc on the materials used to construct your retail location, not to mention the damage they could do to your profits by impacting the stock and supply within the store. Choose SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol restoration specialists to help you mitigate these losses by safely removing at-risk items and working quickly to restore your business. Give us a call anytime at (423) 245-5552.

Click here for more information on the city of Bristol.

Flood Damage Restoration In Colonial Heights

9/6/2018 (Permalink)

We are here to return your home to its original, clean, safe condition.

Flood Damage Restoration

Colonial Heights homeowners often deal with flooding. Usually, the intrusion is small and limited to garages and carports. Occasionally though, a storm drops an incredible amount of rainwater in area neighborhoods, running into living rooms, kitchens, and the rest of the homes.

Since this is Colonial Heights flood damage and not water damage, SERVPRO restoration teams deal with contaminated water issues. Since the source comes from outside the home, technicians know there could be animal feces and urine in the water, as well as the possibility of sewage from an overwhelmed sewer or septic tank system.

The restoration team sprays every water surface and nearby property with an anti-bacterial spray to reduce and eliminate the health risk to themselves and residents. After a few minutes, they bring in commercial water pumps and extraction wands to remove the contaminated water. If there is a functioning sewer entry point nearby, technicians pump everything directly into the sewer system. If a septic tank services the home, they pump it all into a tank truck. Once they complete the job or fill the tank truck, the team sends it to a water treatment plant for disposal or recycling.

With the water removed, SERVPRO technicians spray the now exposed surfaces with the anti-bacterial agent. Once it dries, they examine structural and personal property for damage and if the items can be restored or require disposal. Carpets soaked in contaminated water are not restorable to a 100% clean condition, and our technicians do not attempt it.

Drywall becomes fragile after absorbing a large amount of water, which makes it extremely difficult to clean, so it is much cheaper to replace affected panels. Team members quickly remove contaminated and damaged items from every home and place them in a waste container near the home.

Next, the restoration team examines any wood floors in the home. If the floorboards did not absorb too much water, technicians look under them for standing water and spray where needed. To dry the floor, they install air movers to force warm air across the surface. Technicians can control the temperature and direction to avoid cracking or splitting the wood while drying it.

If this describes problems you have in your home now, contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol today. Call us at (423) 245-5552 for an appointment. We are here to return your home to its original, clean, safe condition.

Click here for more about Colonial Heights.

Restoring an Area with Fire Damage Protects Your Colonial Heights Home

8/26/2018 (Permalink)

Regardless of the size of the fire, proper remediation ensures that secondary damages and odors do not continue in your home.

SERVPRO Technicians Remediate Fire Damage Including Any Remaining Odors

A small fire caused by a charger for a cell phone or other electronic device can leave a terrible mess in your Colonial Heights home. These small-sized items can quickly overheat and their plastic components can melt, exposing interior parts. Small flames can easily catch surroundings on fire.
 
SERVPRO handles both large and small disasters, so mitigating fire damage in Colonial Heights from small electrical fires is the safest option for homeowners to choose. We can handle the mess and make things look like they did before, just “Like it never even happened.” We use special equipment to help us remove the damage, clean areas covered in soot from the fire, and deodorize when needed.
 
A crew of highly trained technicians carry any materials or furnishings that burned during the fire out of your home for disposal. We cut drywall in a manner that makes replacing the damaged area as simple and easy as possible. Damaged paneling also requires removal. We cut all of these materials into smaller pieces so we can bag them up with little risk of them ripping them. We also double our bags to increase their strength.
 
Sometimes, upholstered furniture also ends up wearing a coating of soot, but we can clean these items with the use of gentle brushes and a vacuum. More challenging pieces might require wet solutions to remove tougher deposits. We also clean wooden furniture pieces of soot deposits. Our cleaning technicians quickly clean up hard and non-porous items, like knick-knacks, hard plastic items that show no signs of melted areas or other damage, and any other locations or belongings where soot landed and clung to during the fire.
 
Any sized fire can create smelly spots in your house. We can send an Odor Control Technician (OCT) who can rapidly eliminate the scent left in your home. Thermal fogging can work for homes of any size and it is a highly effective method. For weaker but still persistent odors, other methods can produce the desired effects for you.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol serves our beautiful region, including Blountville, Blair Gap, and Long Island. When residents' homes sustain fire damage and other disasters, we are always on call to mitigate the damage. Contact us at (423) 245-5552 for 24/7 service.

Click here for more information on the city of Colonial Heights.

Decontamination of Flood Damage in a Long Island Home

8/21/2018 (Permalink)

Don't Let Your Flooded Long Island Furniture Hang Around--Call SERVPRO for Cleanup and Restoration

SERVPRO Extracts Stormwater, Dries the Long Island Structure, and then Disinfects "Like it never even happened."

Flooding carried a multitude of different pathogen types into homes and businesses on Long Island. Satisfactorily eliminating this risk from all surfaces in your property requires the removal and disposal of some materials that suffer the most severe and destructive damage.

Long Island homes that sustain even slight flood damage need new carpets and padding, along with the drastic removal of soaked wall materials. These items can no longer remain in your home. They contain water, pathogens, and odor-causing molecules. Restoration of these items in a cost-effective manner is not possible, so SERVPRO's IICRC-certified employees pull them out of their locations. Then we bag them up securely and remove them so they can no longer spread contamination or damage other parts of your home, nor become a tripping hazard for our workers.
 
Cabinets and furniture not made of solid wood can suffer much, as well. These items swell and disintegrate quickly after exposure to standing water. We cannot repair these items to preloss condition, and they can only continue to disintegrate over time. Where we can, we block furniture with high-density foam or non-staining wood blocks to prevent the wicking of stormwater. Other surfaces, including porous fabric coverings on furniture, can become safely sanitary again when we use special germ-killing agents to clean them. Metal fasteners and hinges can rust and affect other materials nearby, so we protect these pieces of metal wherever we find them.
 
Thoroughly cleaning everything resolves one aspect of flood damage. SERVPRO technicians also remove the moisture that can continue to damage your home by causing high humidity levels, and degrade the indoor air quality IAQ as well as increases the probability of mold infesting your residence.
 
We use applicable dehumidification equipment designed to dry out your home through increased evaporation and subsequent extraction of airborne water vapor. We use all sorts of devices to make things dry again, including units that heat small areas of your home's interior which forces evaporation at a faster pace.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol has the tools and methods to clean up your home after it sustains flood damage. Call us at (423) 245-5552 so we can protect your Morrison City or Walnut Hill property from the effects of this and other disasters.

Where is this city in TN?

Why Does Mold Grow In Your Long Island Basement?

8/2/2018 (Permalink)

Mold spores exist all over your house and in the environment outside of your home as well.

Mold Damage In Your Basement

There are plenty of questions that people have about mold growth in their Long Island residence. With a plethora of bad information that can get found across the internet, it is important to get the facts straight about a discovery like this in your home, and the best approach to remove this fungal colony before it causes too much damage.

Since many of the instances of mold damages that our SERVPRO professionals encounter in Long Island homes gets uncovered in the basement, many homeowners are naturally curious as to the reason. Of all the places that mold growth could occur in your home, what makes the basement such a common location to find a colony?

Mold spores exist all over your house and in the environment outside of your home as well. These microscopic organisms are waiting for the conditions to get met so they can seat on materials and colonize. Basements often provide an essential component to this colonization with persistent moisture. This area of your home is continually under attack by the external water looking to force its way into your property. In cracks and crevices, and even through seeping into the concrete flooring from below, moisture finds a path inside the basement and provides a damp environment.

Another condition that basements tend to allow to aid mold growth is darkness. Do not assume that mold colonies require darkness to grow and thrive, but rather these areas provide better conditions for rapid expansion. Many varieties of household mold can spread more quickly in the dark, which in turn means a broader remediation area for our SERVPRO technicians.

Warmth is another condition that many basements have to offer mold spores, which can accelerate their growth rate. Since many homes have their furnaces in the basement, this persistent warmth throughout the months this is in use provides a continual breeding ground for mold spores if the moisture conditions already get met.

Better understanding the conditions required for mold growth and the likelihood that any basement could be at risk for colonization should help homeowners appreciate the need for regular inspections. You can usually quickly tell if mold is present by a musty odor or by physically seeing the colony. If mold is growing in your home, give our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol mold remediation technicians a call right away at (423) 245-5552.

Click here for more about Long Island.

The Benefits Of Professional Restoration When Your Colonial Heights Home Needs Water Removal

7/31/2018 (Permalink)

Water loss events in your home occur from multiple sources including natural disasters like flooding or disasters like appliance malfunctions.

The Benefits Of Professional Restoration

Water loss events in your home occur from multiple sources including natural disasters like flooding or more homemade disasters like appliance malfunctions. Overcoming the kind of high volumes of water that can end up in your Colonial Heights residence after an unfortunate circumstance like this can prove a challenge, but with professional restoration assistance, the situation is simpler to manage.

With water disasters in the home, many homeowners choose to attempt to clean up the mess on their own and do what they can to dry out the area. There are a couple of different reasons why home solutions are less effective than professional restoration for your Colonial Heights water removal and restoration work.

The first of these considerations is that most homeowners have very little idea about the reach of the damage that their home actually faces. While you can treat the issues that you can see, with high volumes of water present, a considerable amount of damage lies under flooring, in wall cavities, and above ceiling material. Our SERVPRO technicians employ thermal imagery to see beyond these obstructions to find lingering moisture and dampness.

Another thing to consider is the lack of the appropriate equipment to effectively restore your home following a water loss incident. Some substantial concerns require extraction tools that are much stronger than wet-vacs and portable sump pumps. With high volumes of pooled water, the most efficient approach is a truck-mounted pump from our SERVPRO fleet of vehicles.

One of the final considerations is the likelihood that your insurance company is going to encourage you to seek out the work of a professional restoration company rather than attempting to do the work on your own. This approach better guarantees the quality of the restoration and that the job gets finished efficiently and correctly.

You might not consider the ways that you can face water damage on your own in your house, as you can already appreciate the benefits of choosing professional assistance. No matter which side of the fence you are on, our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol water damage restoration technicians can help you to return your home to preloss conditions quickly. Give us a call anytime that you need us at (423) 245-5552.

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Overcoming Soot Damage in Your Bristol Residence

7/14/2018 (Permalink)

When you find yourself staring in disbelief at the fire damage in your home, it is time to contact SERVPRO for efficient remediation services.

Team SERVPRO Has the Experience to Eliminate Many Different Types of Soot Residues Remaining in Your Home After a Fire

Your Bristol home was not intended to stop fires before they spread to other areas of the house. In fact, most of the materials used for the construction of your home have the ability to catch fire and help it to spread throughout the structure. Unfortunately, this can spread the effects of this blaze all throughout your property and cause a lot of work for the professional restoration team that you choose to help clean up this mess.
 
Working to clean up the mess after the incident is over is no easy task, either. Most often the substantial effects that stand out are smoke and soot damages. These are common fire damages to Bristol homes, and they can often prove to be challenging to remove without the right equipment.
 
Fortunately, our SERVPRO professionals have the tools and expertise to help you through often widespread soot damages throughout your household. While the most concentrated of this effect can get found around the fires originating point where it burned the longest, this is not always the case. This matted debris and film from the combustion leaves a dark, often black residue on surfaces, furniture, flooring, and other materials.
 
Removing this residue requires multiple approaches. For wall surfaces, scrubbing with wet and dry sponges can often remove the bulk of the present film. Confined spaces like ductwork require high powered vacuums to get used instead.
 
Smoke damage often presents itself in the form of a harsh odor lingering in fabrics, carpeting and open spaces throughout affected areas of your house. Removal of this odor typically requires thermal fogging, a process that releases an unscented chemical compound into the environment and contents of the room to break apart odor molecules and leave no discernable scent behind.
 
There is very little that most homeowners can do alone to bring their homes back from the harmful effects of a fire. When you face these kinds of damages, seek out the professionals we employ at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol. We can respond quickly and get your home back to preloss conditions as soon as possible. Give us a call 24/7 at (423) 245-5552.

Click here for more information on the city of Bristol.

Kitchen and Bathroom Mold Remediation in Your Colonial Heights Residence

7/8/2018 (Permalink)

Finding mold in your kitchen or bathroom can cause you to panic. Call SERVPRO and let us handle the remediation.

Certified and Experienced SERVPRO Technicians Remediate Household Mold Infestations and Offer Tips to Help Prevent Recurrences

While you might have experienced mold growth throughout your life in various places, no homeowner wants to find this same occurrence in their Colonial Heights residence. The basement is often a common location for such an incident, as it is often difficult to keep this area completely dry throughout the better part of the year, but surprisingly, it is also common to see these colonies sprouting up in poorly ventilated rooms like bathrooms and kitchens.

Finding mold damages in your Colonial Heights home can be overwhelming to see, but even harder to combat on your own. While you might have seen sites online that encourage DIY methods for mold removal, the truth is that exposure to these colonies could cause health effects. This situation is always one that should get handled by certified, experienced professionals.


Fortunately, our SERVPRO applied microbial remediation technicians get uniquely trained to handle any variety of mold or fungal growth and the best approaches to remove this presence from your home completely. When we arrive at your home, our first step is to isolate the room where the colony has gotten located to prevent the spread of spores to new areas of the house.

With a bathroom or a kitchen being so heavily used, it is critical for our team of SERVPRO professionals to act quickly to remove a colony from where it seated. Often sanding and soda blasting can be two effective approaches, and in more challenging areas we often combine these efforts along with a penetrative antimicrobial solution sprayed on the colony. These efforts help our team to remove the entire organism, unlike DIY methods which often only remove the surface mold.

Finding mold growing in your home, especially in a heavily used area, is nothing that any homeowner gets prepared to find. Fortunately, with our training and expertise, our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol remediation technicians can help you to overcome this presence in your house and restore your home to its original condition. We are available 24/7, so call us anytime you need us at (423) 245-5552.

Click here for more information on the city of Colonial Heights.

Health Club Needs Help with Mold damage in Bristol

6/30/2018 (Permalink)

If your health club starts exhibiting mold damage or has the tell-tale musty smell, call SERVPRO for remediation before your members find alternative.

Team SERVPRO Arrives on the Scene Quickly to Help Keep Your Club Doors Open After a Mold Infestation

Workout spaces of many kinds enrich life in Bristol. Full-service complexes with pools, basketball courts, tracks, cardio, and weight areas contrast with boutique spaces that cater to yoga or women’s fitness. All of these enterprises can contend with microbial infestation because of high moisture and humidity levels. These businesses promote health and wellness and need to control any issues that create concern about safe and sanitary areas for their patrons to exercise. Our microbial remediation technicians can help.
 
When a musty smell and streaks of mildew greet members of your health club, the Bristol commercial mold damage requires professional remediation. Your daily faithful have other options in the area, so you need to manage the problem swiftly. Working with a mold abatement company that designs creative solutions permitting a portion of the facility to remain open gives your customers confidence that their loyalty to you and your motivational staff is well placed.
 
SERVPRO mold remediation crews receive thorough applied microbial technician training from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). We employ the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protocol during a project, showing beneficial results in eradicating current mold infestation and helping to inhibit future outbreaks.
 
An experienced project manager assesses the extent of the mold damage in your facility and then creates a plan to keep all safe and secure during remediation. The EPA procedure mandates a containment strategy to separate the affected area from spaces in your center that show no mold growth. Heavy plastic sheeting and negative pressure air scrubbers with HEPA filters isolate the mold-containing structures and fixtures. Temporary air ducts operating with the air scrubbers exhaust the air from the moldy sections as SERVPRO remediators scrape and soda blast the mold off surfaces.
 
We remove any surfaces extensively infested with mold hyphae, bagging these building materials with the mold debris removed and vacuumed from floors after the physical loosening and elimination of current mold colonies. SERVPRO is familiar with local hazardous waste rules and disposes of the bagged residues in compliance with their parameters.
 
As we concentrate on the moldy areas, other spaces in your health clue continue to operate. After we rid your business of the mold colonies, we treat affected areas with EPA registered disinfectants. To limit future mold growth on other surfaces in your business we use professional products that discourage the proliferation of tiny mold spores into expanding colonies.
 
Partner with SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol if your fitness center shows signs of mold growth, Call us at (423) 245-5552 to set up a consultation to craft a remediation plan.

Click here for more information on the city of Bristol.

When Water Damage Threatens Your Bristol Retail Store

6/13/2018 (Permalink)

When your retail location suffers from a water damage incident, contact the certified technicians at SERVPRO for efficient remediation services.

Our SERVPRO Technicians Understand the Need for a Quick Turn Around Remediating Damage to Your Busy Store

Your Bristol retail location lives and dies on the foot traffic and loyal local customers that it receives on a daily basis. Even at the most successful of times, something lurks in the shadows that threatens to close your doors and keep you from serving the community around you: a water loss incident. While you cannot predict how or when it might happen, this is something that is a legitimate threat that any business owner should prepare for in whatever way that they can. The more prepared that you are for the possibility of a water emergency in your building, the faster you can respond and get resolution.

From busted water lines to leaking sprinkler systems, your store can see all kinds of commercial water damage in Bristol that happens quickly and spreads out through the stock you have in the building. Combatting this damage is often something that business owners cannot do on their own, but fortunately, you do not have to. You can always depend on the experience and rapid response of our SERVPRO team to help you restore your business and get your doors back open again quickly.

When our team arrives at your store, we get to work on repairing the source of the problem that you faced if the situation has not already gotten repaired. Once this completes, we can evaluate the full scope of the damage and what needs to happen to restore your building and allow for customers to return.

From weighted extractors to remove water from saturated carpets to our SERVPRO injectidry system, removing the moisture and dampness from the incident is critical. Lingering moisture can allow mold growth to occur, which can significantly extend the time until you can return to business as usual.

Contending with water damages, whatever their cause, can seem overwhelming and stressful when you appreciate that lost time is lost profits. Our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol team of restoration specialists can respond quickly to your call and work as efficiently as possible in cleaning up the mess and preparing your storefront for its grand reopening. Give us a call anytime at (423) 245-5552.
 
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Inspecting Your Bristol Home For Damages After A Fire

6/5/2018 (Permalink)

When it comes to loss incidents, fire in your home can prove challenging to overcome.

Inspecting Your Home For Damages After A Fire

When it comes to loss incidents, fire in your Bristol home can prove challenging to overcome. Even without crippling structural damage, the effects of a recent fire can often be too far-reaching for the average homeowner to face on their own. Conventional cleaning efforts and general deodorization, for example, pale in comparison to the effectiveness of professional restoration services.

Reacting to the fire damage in your Bristol home can seem almost impossible. Once the extinguishment completes, you can get your first look at the effects of the fire and what you have to overcome to get your house back to the way it was. Fortunately, this is not a battle that you have to fight on your own. Our SERVPRO team gets trained to handle all manner of fire restoration, from soot clean up to deodorization to help make the steps towards getting your house to original condition more effectively.

Our estimator and project manager work to identify the full scope of the damage from the time that we arrive at your home. We survey every area, whether directly connected to the fire in your home or not. This thorough inspection ensures that all of the damage gets cataloged and that our SERVPRO professionals have the right equipment and strategies to contend with what they face.

This assessment of your damage gets delivered to the insurance company that covers your home. Most claims cannot get pushed through without a detailed itinerary of the work that needs to get done and a general estimated cost for materials and labor to restore the home to preloss conditions.

Whether the damage in your home was widespread or not, this process remains the same. Our professionals take great care in assessing the scope of the damage that your home faces so that no stone gets left unturned in the restoration process. You can trust our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol fire restoration specialists to work quickly to bring your home back to how it should be. Give us a call anytime at (423) 245-5552.

Click here for more about Bristol.

Packing Out Your Home During Water Removal At Your Colonial Heights Home

5/23/2018 (Permalink)

Whether a pipe burst in your plumbing or an appliance came disconnected unexpectedly, there are multiple reasons why you might require water removal.

Packing Out Your Home During Water Removal

While no one wants to think about the likelihood of substantial water damages in their Colonial Heights residence, it is often a wise practice to prepare for what you might do in the event that it occurs. While it would be customary to reach out to your home insurance company to begin the necessary steps to afford the repairs and restoration you require, it might also fall to you to get that same professional outfit at your home and getting to work on the problems that you face.

Whether a pipe burst in your plumbing or an appliance came disconnected unexpectedly, there are multiple reasons why you might require water removal services for your Colonial Heights home. The right team for the job is one that can respond quickly to these emergencies and work to keep the contents of your home, as well as its structural elements, from getting irreparably damaged as much as possible.

From the moment that our SERVPRO team responds to your call, we start working to determine the full scope of the damage that your home faces. Our technicians understand that water extraction is a critical component to the restoration your home needs, and employs pumps and wet-vacs (among other specialized equipment) to begin removing the water from the area.

If this affected area has contents which could become highly damaged by the present pooled water, packing out these items is a common practice of our SERVPRO team. This service takes these items to a nearby facility for concentrated restoration (where needed) and opens up the area inside of your home for the right personnel and equipment to get the water removed and the area thoroughly dried.

Once the moisture and dampness have all gotten eliminated with air movers, dehumidification machines, and other equipment, we can safely bring the removed items back into your home and place them how they originally were.

When you have substantial water damage in your home, time is of the essence to get the situation handled. You can count on the emergency response team that we have at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol. Our technicians are available 24/7 by calling (423) 245-5552.

Click here for more about Colonial Heights.

Flood Damage Restoration in Bristol

5/14/2018 (Permalink)

Finding your home flooded after a storm can be devastating. Contact SERVPRO for a quick response and thorough remediation services.

SERVPRO Technicians Offer Many Types of Services When Dealing With Moisture and Odors After Flooding

Stormy weather in Bristol can bring about excessive rain and high-speed winds. Rain can cause places in town to flood that can cause water to enter your home. High-speed winds can blow objects like rocks and branches into windows allowing rainwater to get inside the house.
 
Any time rainwater enters a building; pungent aromas can exist. A vital step in flood damage restoration in Bristol is the deodorization process. After moisture gets extracted and dried out of the structure, mildew-like smells can still exist from the rainwater.
 
When combatting odors, the first step our SERVPRO technicians take is to remove the source. If the source of unpleasant aromas is rainwater, then anything that got wet gets extracted and dried. If there are wet contents inside the home creating the smells, then they get cleaned and dried, or discarded.
 
In most cases, odors come from a variety of sources. To figure out every source and the specific methods to battle each smell would take technical equipment and extensive knowledge. Instead, we use multiple ways to combat the fragrances so that we cover all of the most common sources.
 
There are many industrially-approved methods that are proven to work with different types of malodor particles. For each practice used, there are specialized chemicals or equipment as well as specific application methods. Each technique is designed to get rid of unpleasant fragrances in different ways.
 
Some chemicals work as masking agents that cover up foul odors with more pleasant ones. These chemicals come as time release beads or product additives. Other methods are absorption or filtration agents that absorb moisture from humidity and some oils. An example of this is activated charcoal for air filtration systems.
 
Pairing agents are products that combine with odor particles causing them to fall onto a surface to be cleaned up. Pairing agents are often dispensed from an ultra-low volume fogger. Disinfectants and sanitizers are used to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. Most of these chemicals come in liquid form that can be sprayed from a pump or hand sprayer.
 
During most restoration projects that take place after a flood, deodorization takes place as well as disinfecting and sanitizing to prevent mold growth. For help with deodorization, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 any day of the week.

Click here for more information on the city of Bristol.

A Window Was Left Open And Caused Water Damage In Your Long Island Family Room

5/1/2018 (Permalink)

While accidents can happen, it is not good when they lead to trouble such as water damage.

Water Damage In Your Family Room

While accidents can happen, it is not good when they lead to trouble such as water damage. Your family room is a place where televisions, game systems, and other valuable belongings are stored. It is where your family gathers to spend time together. However, if a window gets left open during a severe storm, and water makes its way inside, you may find yourself with a room filled with water instead of your family.

Leaving the water damage in your Long Island family room for too long can cause further problems. Electronics can break when exposed to water, wood can warp, and furniture can become mildewy. When water damage impacts your home, it should be dealt with as quickly as possible, so extra damage cannot be done over time. Fortunately, this situation can be addressed professionally with a simple phone call.

At SERVPRO we strive to get to your home quickly after your call. Our employees can be there within hours. If there are any pools of water on your hardwood floors, we can extract them first so we may begin to dry out the structure of your home and your belongings. SERVPRO uses advanced trade-tools such as air movers, ventilation box fans, and desiccant dehumidifiers to reduce the moisture levels inside of your home.

We can create drying spaces based on the unique structure of your home. If we find a patch of your hardwood floor remains wet after the structure of your home has been dried, we can create a fix for that situation. A standard solution is to create a tent of polyethylene so that the dehumidifiers are removing moisture from the air in a concentrated space. Here at SERVPRO, if we hit a snag in our drying plan, we are determined to find a solution.

If an open window allows water to damage your home, do not hesitate. Phone SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552. Day or night, we can quickly arrive at your home to help return it to its pre-damaged condition.

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After A Fire Damage Takes Place In Bristol, Structural Components Require Cleaning

4/26/2018 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO technicians have the proper equipment to safely remove soot from all your personal belongings.

Say No To Fire & Soot Damage and Say Yes to SERVPRO Restoration Services

Smoke coming from a fire that accidentally started inside your Bristol home can travel throughout the entire house. Smoke leaves behind soot residues on just about every surface it contacts. Cleaning materials and contents are cheaper than replacing them and works well in many different cases.

The cleaning stage can be the most time consuming, yet most essential part of the process. During fire damage restoration in Bristol, all affected contents and structural components get cleaned and deodorized. Certain structural components inside your house require specific methods and chemicals to remove all of the soot residues.

When cabinets get affected by smoke, different methods get used on the finished and unfinished parts of the cabinet. Finished wooden surfaces get cleaned with dry sponges or wet cleaning methods. Surfaces such as the wood inside the cabinet that is not finished first gets wiped down with a dry sponge that collects the soils and soot. If soils still exist, we use denatured alcohol to remove the soot so that it does not soak into the wood.

Lighting fixtures are other items that are attached to the building's structure and are prone to collect soot. Before we clean light fixtures we pretest the chemical mixtures to make sure it does not damage the finish on the fixture. We then turn off the power and remove the entire fixture and clean every part of it.

Windows also are common places for soot residues to exist. Cleaning smoke damage from windows requires cleaning the glass, frame and any components. When our SERVPRO technicians clean smoke damaged glass, we use a low-alkaline glass cleaner to prevent streaking.

The draperies and rods around your windows get removed and taken down for soot removal and cleaning. Fabric draperies get washed in a washing machine and deodorized. The rods that hold the curtains get cleaned with wet cleaning methods that remove soot from all of the cracks and grooves.

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The various items inside a home get affected by smoke differently depending on things like what fuel was burned and how hot the fire got. Soot residues are composed of different chemicals so one method may not work for all affected areas. Seeking out professional help from SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol by calling (423) 245-5552 after a loss can save you a lot of time and money.

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Heavy Spring Rains Result in Blountville Flood Damage

4/15/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding can often be devastating. Contact SERVPRO quickly to remediate the damage to your home.

Team SERVPRO Efficiently Dries Out Your Property After Flooding

Historic homes in the Blountville area risk flooding during periods of relentless rain often seen in the late winter and spring. The area is tangled with many smaller streams and creeks that swell and overflow during the precipitation, adding to the threat of floods. Overwhelmed sewer systems also can send contaminated waters into basements, foundations, and crawl spaces. Professional assessment from a reputable flood recovery company is a wise plan.
 
Seeking the assistance of experts when flood damage invades your Blountville dwelling increases the chances of a successful and safe resolution. Our focus on premium customer service is second to none, and our crews are ready for all flood-related challenges because of the commitment our employees have to master IICRC training. Evaluating the quality of the water invading your home is fundamental to devising the most appropriate water removal, structural drying, and disinfection plan for your circumstances.
 
SERVPRO production managers assess the level of contamination of the flood waters inside your home, choosing the legally mandated method to contain and dispose of gray or black water. Gray water is slightly tainted, but flooding often confronts homeowners with black water, particularly if sewer back up in involved. Human and animal waste requires mitigation by technicians dressed in personal protective equipment, a service with which our crews have experience and training. If the flooded area of your home provides storage for paints and household chemicals, the need for expert hazardous waste management increases if they spill or are absorbed into the water.
 
Once SERVPRO crews pump and extract the water, we search for hidden recesses that contain moisture. Meters and scanners help, and if necessary we drill holes in masonry or remove sections of walls to release and capture the water. Drying goals determined by the levels of moisture and ambient humidity are achieved using our high-efficiency air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers. Thorough drying is a must to avoid microbial growth. We also use our training to apply registered disinfectants to inhibit any remaining risk posed by the pathogens the flood waters brought.
 
Take the opportunity to let the professionals at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol guide your through a flood damage restoration in your home. One call to (423) 245-5552 puts you in touch with all our years of experience and considerable flood damage recovery resources.

Click here for more information regarding the city of Blountville.

What to Do When a Dishwasher Leaks in Your Bristol Home and Causes Water Damage

4/8/2018 (Permalink)

Dishwashers are a necessary part of the modern home. Should yours fail and dump water onto your kitchen floor, contact SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Arrives to Assess and Then Dry Out Your Water Damaged Property

Water damage can quietly sneak up on you from leaks in your home without you ever being aware of it. When a situation like that arises, it can quickly cause a headache. However, the problem can become even worse when it is your dishwasher that broke and leaked water all over your kitchen floor while you were away at work. The liquid can end up sitting for the entirety of the day, and during that time it has free reign to soak into your floors, walls, and cupboards. Fortunately, there is qualified help near you to assist.
 
While you are away at work, the stagnant pool can cause water damage to your Bristol home. Excess water can encourage the growth of dangerous mold, cause rot, and weaken the structure of your residence. While the water might seem to be gone, the truth is that is has absorbed into your belongings and they are holding that moisture. However, our IICRC-certified technicians know how to tackle excessive moisture content and water damage.
 
SERVPRO is a leader in the restoration and cleanup services industry. Our technicians are equipped with advanced drying technology. Through the use of air movers, dehumidifiers, and axial fans, we can create an environment that encourages evaporation. An environment that is not too moist is essential for drying out your furnishings and belongings. Without the creation of an ideal environment, the water can just find something else nearby to sink into instead.
 
Once SERVPRO receives your call, we can send out our technicians immediately. Once at the scene, they can address the spots of your home that need to be dried and begin to work as soon as possible. We strive to get to work as quickly as we can because water damage, like other damages, is better addressed sooner than later.
 
When an appliance breaks in your home, call SERVPRO of the Kingsport / Bristol area at (423) 245-5552. We strive to return your home to its preloss condition as quickly as we can.

Click here for more information on the city of Bristol.

There is No Need to Panic After Experiencing Fire Damage in Colonial Heights

3/20/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke particles and soot settle on surfaces during a fire and SERVPRO removes during the restoration process.

SERVPRO’s Highly Trained Technicians Properly Clean Fire Damage

Despite the specialized fire prevention and detection systems that we have in our buildings, fire damage remains a top concern. It is also worth noting that different challenges arise from different fire situations. While we expect to remove the dirt that smoke residues leave behind, there are several processes that restorers perform to return your Colonial Heights home to its former state, and all that requires specific equipment and skills.

You need to treat all fire damage events in Colonial Heights as an emergency to prevent further damage. When our SERVPRO team arrives at your property, we perform a pretest and identify items we can replace, clean, and those that need further examination. From our inspection, it is possible to determine the scope of the loss and share with the adjuster, and after that schedule the estimated mitigation processes.

Given that smoke particles and soot settle on surfaces, removing them is necessary during the restoration. Our SERVPRO technicians know the behavior of smoke during a fire, and that makes it easy when finding the most massive smoke deposits. For instance, hot smoke settles typically around cold areas, and we usually find it near closed drawers, unheated rooms and outside windows and walls. Also, closing doors is not enough to stop the movement of smoke, and that is why our team always inspects all the rooms in the building.

There are a number of factors that determine the cleaning method we choose when cleaning surfaces and items. These include the amount of heat, the age of the surface, the moisture content, type of area, material type, air pressure and temperature change. For instance, it is hard to clean areas where the fire was too hot since in such cases the heat makes surfaces to become porous. Therefore, odors and residues can easily penetrate into those areas, and we might be forced to perform some refinishing once we complete the cleaning.

When water comes into contact with some smoke particles, odors may result. Where possible, our SERVPRO technicians remove the odor source and perform deodorization. When the smells are coming from cracks, we direct deodorizing fog or smoke into those spaces by using thermal foggers.

At SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol, We're Faster To Any Size Disaster whether it is storm, mold, fire or water related. Call us at (423) 245-5552 if you want your property to return to its preloss state.  

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The Right Call for Mold Damage in Your Colonial Heights Home

3/15/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can sneak up on you and spread rapidly in your home. Call SERVPRO to investigate the situation and remediate any damage.

SERVPRO Quickly Investigates a Mold Infestation Throughout Your Home

With the humid air through a significant part of the year, your Colonial Heights home might be more at risk of mold growth and fungal colonies than you know. The conditions necessary for mold growth in your home are only dampness and moisture combined with an increase in temperature. When these two conditions get met, spores in the air can find the nutrients and food they need to seat themselves on surfaces in that area and grow a thriving organism.
 
You would not be the first Colonial Heights home to experience mold damage, but too often homeowners believe that the problem is not severe, or it is something that they can remedy on their own. To be clear, it is widely understood that mold can cause health effects to you or your family coming into contact with the colonies, so it is something that should get handled promptly. Moreover, conventional cleaning methods are often ineffective for removing the entire hyphae, meaning that the colony itself could merely sprout forth again after a short time.
 
When our SERVPRO remediation specialists begin work on your home, we focus our efforts both on removing the present growth and identifying the source that fed the spores in the first place. Understanding where the source of the water is can aid our technicians in sealing off these areas and keeping conditions from allowing further colonies to grow again in this same area of your home.
 
With the latest techniques and equipment, our SERVPRO IICRC-certified technicians get to work quickly on isolating the area where the growth occurs and preventing these spores from spreading to new areas of your house. Once the colonies have gotten removed, dehumidification begins to pull all of the moisture from the area. It could get recommended, in very damp areas of your house, to run similar equipment indefinitely to keep spores from being fed and forming damaging fungal growths.
 
Discovering mold damage in your home does not have to be an overwhelming experience, nor do you have to handle it alone. Our experienced team at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is available to help you anytime you need us just by calling (423) 245-5552.

Click here for more information about the city of Colonial Heights.

Make The Correct, Informed Decisions Concerning Fire Damage In Your Bristol Area Home

3/8/2018 (Permalink)

Bristol Fire Damage and Prevention May Be Possible with the SERVPRO ERP Emergency READY Profile Plan

SERVPRO's ERP Plan Provides Fire & Smoke Support and Advice

In some cases, fire damage to your home may be unavoidable. Lightning could strike on or around your property; a neighbor could have a fire that spreads your way or a wildfire in the area could get out of control. Under these circumstances, it may be impossible to control the situation. 

However, there are still many steps you can take to limit the losses you suffer after fire damage strikes your Bristol family home. Having an existing relationship with a local fire restoration company can provide you with the best opportunity for recovery. Giving you access to the personnel, equipment, and resources necessary to mitigate fire hazards that already exist and the attention you deserve should a disaster occur.
 
A variety of fire hazards, such as those that arise from cooking, misuse, or negligence can be prevented by just changing your habits. Make the correct, informed decisions necessary to keep your home safe and help IICRC-industry certified technicians from SERVPRO protect your property the right way. Install fire-safety features throughout your home, including the smoke and fire alarms, fire doors, extinguishers, and fire resistant materials whenever possible.

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Fire potential still exists, regardless of what you do to prevent it. Get your family ready by creating a plan of action that each member of your family should follow to remain safe, obtain the proper insurance, and use every tool available to protect your investment the right way. SERVPRO works hard to limit any losses you might experience, by helping you eliminate existing hazards, and showing you how to minimize the effects of water, fire, and smoke damage in your home. 

SERVPRO's Ready Plan App helps provide accessibility to workers and gives pre-existing instructions that help get you back into your fire-damaged home, faster. By filling out an Emergency READY Profile, you gain access to expertly trained disaster mitigation and restoration providers, a no-cost assessment of your property and the ability to document critical information that helps reduce the stress involved in processing your insurance claim.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol stands ready 24-hours a day, 7-days a week to provide you with emergency cleanup and restoration services throughout the Blountville, Colonial Heights, Long Island area, call today. (423) 245-5552

Eliminating the Conditions that Can Lead to Mold Damage in Your Bloomingdale Home

3/2/2018 (Permalink)

Past flooding, leaking pipes, and saturated ground outside your home can all cause higher humidity levels in your home which can lead to mold growth.

SERVPRO Remediates Mold Damage and Takes Steps to Prevent Future Mold Growth

A continuous state of elevated humidity is a primary cause of excessive microbial growth in Bloomingdale residences and can quickly increase the amount of damage that follows. Other factors, such as the presence of absorbent materials in the home can also play a role in how rapidly microbial growth occurs.

Whenever a residence in Bloomingdale sustains mold damage, one of the aspects examined inside the home includes the presence of water sources. Leaky water lines, past flooding events, and saturated ground near the home can all increase the amount of humidity the interior of the home experiences. SERVPRO technicians use moisture meters and other devices to locate the sources as well as areas where moisture accumulated. Once we locate these areas and sources, we can then resolve the situation that caused microbial growth to affect the home.

Mold remediation experts know that the existence of future invasive water can cause the microbial problem to return, rendering mold remediation efforts useless. Once we eliminate these sources, we can then begin removing mold-damaged materials, laundering and cleaning household items and furniture, and caring for the carpeting throughout the home. Walls that harbor mold, even if dormant, need cleaning and dried.

During our work, maintaining a set of controls to keep all mold contained safely, affects the overall outcome of our labor. This includes the use of plastic sheeting surrounding areas within the home, along with the use of our air scrubbers. Sending microbes outdoors helps keep them from entering other areas of your property.

However, ensuring that moisture sources no longer exist where they should not helps keep old from returning in full force. Effectively starving microbes, their population growth stays under control. Once we complete our remediation work, diligent homeowners know to keep an eye out for leaking water lines, loose connections, and other sources of moisture. Microbes do not need a great deal of moisture to begin growing again and causing future problems.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is always ready to serve those in our communities, including Blountville and Marilyn Hills. Contact us by calling our 24-hour service line at (423) 245-5552. Your family does not need to live with the effects of mold damage in your home.

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Who To Call When Your Bristol School Suffers Fire Damages

2/28/2018 (Permalink)

Parents do not want their kids to return to a dirty, foul smelling environment after your school sustains a fire. Contact SERVPRO asap.

SERVPRO Technicians Prioritize Remediating Fire Damage at Your School

Fires to any business or commercial property can be devastating, but when it happens to a local Bristol school, there are many more problems that could arise. While any area business might have the clientele to think of when they get faced with a disaster that forces the doors closed for restoration efforts, when you are forced to close a school for even a short while, this is not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination.
 
While all the fires that typically happen in schools stay fairly contained because of the materials used to construct them and fireproofing efforts, nothing is a guarantee. With fire damage to a Bristol school, hundreds of families are impacted all at the same time, so getting the lingering symptoms of the fire under control and restored are paramount to functioning as a regular facility again.
 
Our SERVPRO team of restoration specialists have the tools and expertise to handle any sized disaster and work quickly to ensure that your doors do not have to stay closed a moment longer than necessary. With lingering fire symptoms and effects, certain combinations can be problematic to expose your usual maintenance team to, and many conventional cleaning practices are insufficient to clear out these effects entirely.
 
Even something as typical as a lingering odor from the fire can prove to be a noxious scent in the air that is challenging to be around for long. Fortunately, our SERVPRO professionals have the deodorizing equipment to alter the foul smell at a molecular level chemically. Our odorless compound used through the fogging machines can get used on hard surfaces, carpets, and furniture.
 
Cleaning the affected areas is another critical component of our restoration process, and with our scrubbers, we can use them in several ways. Depending on the severity of the smoke and soot damage, these scrubbers can get used dry, operating much like a vacuum with a brush. For more labor-intensive projects, a wet solution can get used with the scrubbers for deeper cleaning.
 
Fire in your school does not have to shut you down for long stretches when you know the right restoration company to call. Trust the experienced specialists we have at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol. You can reach our emergency response team 24/7 by calling (423) 245-5552.

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Structural Damage Can Result In Flooding To Your Bristol House

2/5/2018 (Permalink)

Flood damage to your Bristol home can often be the result of severe storm events.

Flood Damage To Your House

When severe weather strikes your Bristol home, you can get a sense of all of the things that were potential threats that you did not take care of when you had the chance. Low hanging branches or weak looking trees have been the primary culprit to much structural damage to homes, but one thing that their looming presence might not always bring to mind: water penetration and potential flooding.

As if the significant amount of structural damage done to your home was not enough after the storm finally subsided, this same issue has likely allowed untold amounts of water to enter your home unabated. Flood damage to your Bristol home can often be the result of such unfortunate severe storm events, and some steps need to be taken quickly to help prevent even more substantial damage from occurring.

Once you have called our experienced and professional SERVPRO restoration team, we can start formulating our unique strategy specifically for your home to bring it back to how it used to be before the damage occurred. The first thing that our team does when we enter a storm damaged and the flood-damaged house is to board up broken windows and holes in your home to prevent further elemental exposure that could weaken structural components or compound on the existing problem and make it significantly worse.

Extraction of the water is paramount to the success of our restoration effort. In cases of substantial flooding, we bring out a pump truck from our fleet that can pull large volumes from the floor much more quickly than with traditional wet vacs and portable pumps that we might also utilize. Drying and dehumidification are next on the list, entirely drying affected structural components and the contents of your home.

While construction is not something that our team ordinarily gets involved with, we can thoroughly prep the storm-damaged areas of your home for a construction contractor. Ultimately, this process allows you to get your home back to its normal conditions much more quickly because you are not waiting for that same contractor to demolish areas in need of replacement.

If you are dealing with any flooding emergency, be sure to contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol. Our experienced emergency responders can be reached anytime at (423) 245-5552.

Click here for more about the city of Bristol.

Water Damage Cleanup in Your Colonial Heights Home from Sink Overflow

1/26/2018 (Permalink)

An overflowing sink in your home can cause extensive damage and requires immediate professional restoration services.

SERVPRO Thoroughly Restores Your Home after Water Damage

An overflowing sink can create more than just a big wet mess in your Colonial Heights home. If it gets out of control or goes unnoticed for a while, it can result in severe water damage to your property and flooding inside your home. If it is in an upstairs bathroom, you are possibly looking at damage to the room underneath it as well.

Water damage like this to your Colonial Heights home is a big job and should be left to the professionals to clean up. With our experience and training, SERVPRO knows where to find any hidden moisture inside walls and ceilings. We have all the tools to get your home dry again, plus get rid of any additional damage, such as mold growth.

After arriving at your home, our first step is extracting any standing water. If needed, we have truck-mounted pumps to help us do this job. The water is removed, and we can then see if any materials in your structure need replacing.

SERVPRO techs also look for any hidden moisture. Using special infrared cameras and moisture detectors we can find any water that has made its way into walls and ceilings. This water is also cleaned up, and if we detect any mold growth, we clean that with solvents and disinfect the affected area.

Thoroughly drying your structure is also necessary, as pumps do not get rid of everything. We need to return the air inside your home to its normal humidity as well. Industrial dehumidifiers, fans, and air-movers help us to get your home dried out again. These machines are checked on a daily basis and moved when needed to ensure the fastest drying time.

Once the drying process is complete, our IICRC certified technicians use special cleaning agents and deodorizing materials to treat any areas of the home which were affected. Water may have damaged materials in your home such as subflooring or drywall. If needed, we work with a contractor to reconstruct the areas that need replacing to get your home to its preloss condition.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol understands how overwhelming any water damage can be in your home in Bristol, Marilyn Hills, or Blountville. That is why we are available at any time to help you out when you give us a call at (423) 245-5552.

Click here to learn more about Colonial Heights, Tennessee.

Planning for Common Causes of Fire Damage to Office Buildings in Colonial Heights

1/18/2018 (Permalink)

Colonial Heights Businesses Rely on SERVPRO Post Fire Damaging Events

SERVPRO Offers Advice and Software to Mitigate Fire & Smoke Damage

When fire damage strikes an office building in Colonial Heights, it can be both difficult and expensive to restore things back to how they were before the disaster. Typically, the best strategy to reduce costs associated with damage and disaster is to learn how to prevent calamities from happening in the first place. Understanding what causes most fires in local offices can help you to avoid them in the future and decrease financial risk to your business in the long term. Ask us about our ERP Program to protect and mitigate damages of all types to your enterprise.

Electrical Fires
With computers, printers, and other devices now ubiquitous in modern office buildings in Colonial Heights, fire damage from electrical fires is never far away. Devices can malfunction, short circuit, come into contact with fire, overheat, or otherwise begin to catch fire and become a disaster even if the fire stays contained. Even if sprinklers or fire extinguishers manage to quell the blaze, you may incur smoke damage, burns to nearby surfaces, and chemical contamination. SERVPRO can help to clean up the effects of electrical fires large and small. Quite often, water removal from a sprinkler system activation is itself a major cleanup event.

HVAC Malfunctions
In Tennessee, winters can get cold, and many offices are prone to fire damage from a malfunctioning or clogged heating system. Depending on the heating your building uses, any number of potential disasters could occur, many of which are typically large and difficult to contain. SERVPRO technicians are trained to identify and plan for all types of HVAC fires and know how to keep the situation under control. "Puff-Back" from heating furnace malfunctions needs professional cleanup and restoration so that the soot tags do not permanently stain surfaces.

Smoking
Smoking remains one of the most significant causes of fire damage in the country, even though smoking has recently decreased in popularity among all age groups. To best avoid smoke damage from nicotine and accidental fires, ban smoking from the entire building and enforce punishment against those who break the rules.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol has provided expert fire damage mitigation and restoration services to the local area for years. Call us 24/7 at (423) 245-5552.

Click here for data about this area

Removing Mold Damage In Long Island

1/10/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is a quiet threat which can affect every apartment, condo or house on Long Island.

Removing Mold Damage

Mold is a quiet threat which can affect every apartment, condo or house on Long Island. Usually, mold spores are inactive. In this state, they are no more harmful than common, household dirt. Inactive spores are in virtually every structure in the city.

Remediating the effects of Long Island mold damage is not a short or simple process. To ensure every residence is clean, owners need to engage a service specializing in removing mold. SERVPRO has a set of four procedures designed to contain mold, clean mold from the property, remove it, and dry the home.

The first procedure is to install mold barriers. Our technicians cover every entrance to the infested area with plastic sheeting and use negative air pressure to force loose spores in the quickest direction out of the home. Installation includes covering the air vents to prevent accidentally spreading the mold to other areas of the home. We also use the sheeting to create a clean room, if needed, for storing tools and protective gear.

Now, we clean the mold off surfaces. There are two types, non-porous like glass, plastics, and metal, and porous surfaces such as carpets, drywall, and fabrics. Non-porous surfaces are simpler to wipe down and clean. In many cases, SERVPRO can even do this inside the contaminated area. Our specialists remove most spores on these surfaces with a dry sponge or use an anti-fungal cleaner to dampen thick layers and then wipe them down.

Porous surfaces are more difficult to clean. If the mold has been in place for an extended period, it may not be possible to clean them, even with a strong detergent and a brush to agitate the surface, loosening the mold layers.

With both types of surfaces, we use vacuums with specially designed HEPA filters to trap mold spores after cleaning. For property we could not clean, we remove and dispose of according to state regulations along with the collected mold spores.

Our last procedure is to dry the affected area of the home and any property that we had to dampen to remove mold spores. Drying is necessary to reduce moisture which also reduces the chance of future mold growth. In most cases, we set up dehumidifiers to draw enough moisture from the air and surrounding property.

Cleaning and removing mold from your home can be a time-consuming and costly process. At SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol, we have more than twenty years of restoring homes to their original condition. For further information about our procedures, call us at (423) 245-5552 today.

Click here for more about Long Island.

Fabric Shop Needs a Fast Pack Out Before Water Removal in Colonial Heights

12/31/2017 (Permalink)

Fabric stores and other retailers can face water damage in the future. Should your store have a water damage emergency, call SERVPRO right away.

Our Water Damage Restoration Team Offers Many Services to Customers After an Incident

Any company in Colonial Heights can face the need for water removal. Pipes leak, windows permit rain to blow inside, and appliances malfunction. All of these problems and more cause water to soak into building materials and damage contents. Some types of businesses present special considerations when water intrudes, and we are up to the challenge.
 
Your fabric store in Colonial Heights requires commercial water removal after a pipe bursts in the common wall with a neighboring retailer. Because your store is full of fine fabrics and sewing supplies, your business needs an efficient and professional pack-out to minimize loss of your precious goods. Our crews are familiar with a thorough and proven protocol that creates a comprehensive inventory of your fabric, sewing machines and supplies, business documents, and more. Designated members of our crew pack up and move articles threatened by the moisture to a dry area of your property or an off-site space before your building receives necessary water removal and drying services.
 
Business owners depend upon SERVPRO’s full-service restoration approach to take care not only of the immediate problem but also issues that arise later if water is allowed to damage the goods and products you sell. We scale up our response upon entering your business, assigning workers to move vital items immediately so that other members of the crew can begin pumping and extracting the water. Throughout the process, we communicate with your insurance company to clarify what is wet or damaged and what has been removed until the store is dry and ready for business. Our communications form the basis for any successful insurance claims you make.
 
During the time that crew members are assessing moisture levels, scanning for hidden pockets of water, and releasing and clearing standing water, you can review and consider the condition of the items we packed out. Any of your goods that sustained some water damage can be identified and restored via proper laundering or dry cleaning techniques. You make decisions about your inventory not in a panic, but with calm and deliberation.
 
Meanwhile, the SERVPRO crew moves past the water extraction in your business to employing professional drying techniques to ready your space to reopen. Air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers are some of the tools our workers use to return your retail space to preloss condition. Once the space is ready, you refer to our inventory to reverse the process and move your products back to the shop.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol offers many kinds of help when your commercial space fills with water. Let us assist you to get your business back on track with a call to (423) 245-5552.

For more information regarding Colonial Heights, click here.

Local Creeks Can Cause Flood Damage To Homes In The Bristol Area

12/28/2017 (Permalink)

Bristol's two main creeks can overflow into residential areas whenever precipitation persists for too long a period.

Local Creeks Can Cause Flood Damage

Bristol's two main creeks can overflow into residential areas whenever precipitation persists for too long a period. Even with help from local and federal government agencies, revitalization efforts to clean Beaver and Sinking Creeks cannot rid the water of dangerous pathogens that exist in the waters. The evidence shows that E. Coli's presence remains strong, leaving Sinking Creek on the Impaired Streams 303(d) list. [1]

Residents near Bristol enjoy activities on the two creeks but know that their homes can suffer flood damage whenever their banks fail to hold them. Testing that shows high pathogen levels mean that flooding from either creek can pose severe threats to the health of those restoring homes and the families who return home upon completion of any necessary work. Technicians at SERVPRO understand the risks and keep their skills sharp when using personal protective equipment (PPE) and Universal Precautions while working.

Our goal is to leave your home looking “Like it never even happened.” while keeping ourselves protected from possible risks. The elimination of pathogens helps to ensure that your home's environment poses no dangers to you or your family. We achieve this by drying out your flooded home using methods taught by the IICRC.

As we eliminate soggy carpet and waterlogged wall materials, much of the floodwater comes out of your home, also. However, the air and other materials that we can dry out still retain a great deal of moisture. We use huge air movers, desiccant machines, and air scrubbers to remove this moisture from all areas of your residence.

Pathogens and other microbes require increased moisture in their environment to live and propagate themselves. Unable to obtain adequate water, any remaining microbes soon die. While the water we removed contained many of the pathogens, many remain behind in silt and mud. We also remove this debris, carried in by the flooding and then dumped into your home.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol hires employees who understand our community and the concerns of our citizens. We want to assist families affected by flood damage in any way possible, and restoring homes can help us reach our goals. Contact us for assistance with any disaster you and your family face by calling us at (423) 245-5552. SERVPRO is always ready and able to help you.

[1] https://wiki.epa.gov/watershed2/index.php?title=Sinking_Creek_Watershed_Rutherford_County,_Tennessee&action=edit

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An Answer For Mold Damage In Your Colonial Heights Home

12/8/2017 (Permalink)

There are a lot of reason for mold to develop in the attic of your Colonial Heights property that you might not be aware of until it is too late.

Mold Damage In Your Home

Many of us assume that mold only occurs in a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room, somewhere in your home with a regular water source. However, there are a lot of reason for mold to develop in the attic of your Colonial Heights property that you might not be aware of until it is too late.

Heavy rainfall, plumbing issues, and problems with appliances or inadequate maintenance can all cause severe problems in the attic of your Colonial Heights home that often lead to mold damage. Without accessing your attic on a regular basis, it can be easy for things to get out of control, causing structural damage, and leaving corrosion, rot, or mold to thrive.

SERVPRO technicians check more accurate, pinpointed locations for attic problems. Finding the source causing the problem and controlling water in your home is the first step of any mold remediation. With that said, there are some common causes of attic mold that warrant discussion.

A leaky roof can allow water into unprotected areas of your home below including your attic, walls, ceilings, floors, and basement. SERVPRO technicians take roof damage very seriously since even a small amount can wreak havoc on several areas of your home. Water tends to follow the least path of resistance, settling into the lowest area of your home.

Missing or improperly installed insulation can also have a severe impact, allowing moisture into your attic that gets trapped and produces mold. Poor installation can act as a vapor barrier while the wrong kind of insulation results in higher heating and cooling costs. Improper attic ventilation can also trap warm moist air inside, creating the ideal environment for mold to grow.

SERVPRO professionals can perform a full inspection of your attic space and introduce ideas and implement suggestions that give you control over the humidity level in your attic, basement, and home. Many of which improve your indoor living environment while drastically reducing the possibility of mold growth in your home and giving you more of a healthy, clean atmosphere to enjoy.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol has IICRC technicians standing by to answer your call, today. We can perform mold damage mitigation services and help you protect your property better (423) 245-5552.

Click here for more about Colonial Heights.

Trusted Water Damage Restoration Services in Blountville

11/30/2017 (Permalink)

Finding flooded areas in your home can be downright frightening. Contact SERVPRO for dedicated remediation efforts and restoration services.

Our SERVPRO Technicians Thoroughly Remediate Water Damage in Your Home

If you are a resident of Blountville and you happen to experience a water damage incident, you have to treat everything as an emergency. Contacting licensed restoration providers is highly recommended so that the damaged areas can be pre-inspected and mitigating measures put in place. Some of the dangerous situations to address at that time include deteriorated subfloors, falling ceilings, and electrical hazards.
 
Water damage in Blountville may lead to standing water on your property which has to be pumped out using appropriate pumps. Our SERVPRO technicians who operate in the area carefully examine the damaged area and check whether there is any standing water in the crawl spaces, walls, and floors below it. A moisture meter is used to determine the extent of water penetration in your property. During that process, the technicians move and block your furniture as required. Detaching the carpets and extracting water from the surface flooring also takes place.
 
After completing water extraction, treating the surfaces follows. Here, appropriate antimicrobial and deodorizing products are used to treat floors and carpets. Before treating a carpet, it is necessary to examine damages like visible mold, bad seams, and delamination. If the carpet cannot be salvaged because of too much damage, you may be advised to do a replacement. At this point, the SERVPRO technicians will also remove stains from your furniture.
 
Drying wet surfaces is a crucial goal of the restoration, and for that to happen, technicians may position air movers to facilitate the flow of air. Based on IICRC standards, the professionals determine the number and size of dehumidifiers to put in place. The work of the dehumidifiers is to move dry air into the affected areas and increase the rate of evaporation.
 
After finishing the job, our technicians from SERVPRO ensure that all supplies and tools that are not needed at the site are put away. Additionally, we make sure your property is ready for use by removing all the debris.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is here to attend to all your mold, storm, fire and water damage disasters. Call us at (423) 245-5552 to learn more about our restoration and cleaning options.

For more information regarding Blountville, click here

Keeping Your Daycare Open with Commercial Water Removal Services in Colonial Heights

11/14/2017 (Permalink)

Water from an overflowing toilet is always considered black water and highly contaminated, needing professional water removal services.

SERVPRO Thoroughly Sanitizes Your Commercial Space after Water Damage  

Daycare centers in Colonial Heights are hectic places with a great deal of responsibility for the protection and care of children. With this many children, accidents are bound to happen.

When a disaster develops after a child flushes a toy or other objects down a toilet, your Colonial Heights daycare needs commercial water removal. SERVPRO is Faster To Any Size Disaster, day or night, making us the perfect choice when you need us most. With water overflowing into your daycare from a toilet, things can go from bad to intolerable quickly. Even without solid waste in the toilet, water from backups is always considered black water, and highly contaminated. Local health regulations can require the closure of affected businesses until resolution of the situation.

SERVPRO wants to help prevent the closure of essential businesses such as yours. We know that without your services and facility, many families face unexpected problems finding suitable childcare arrangements, possibly hindering their ability to perform their work duties, snowballing as it affects additional businesses in our community.

We can assure you that not only do we remove the water invading your daycare, but also perform decontamination of the affected area. We earn IICRC certificates in Commercial Drying (CDS) as well as Applied Microbial Remediation (AMRT). Once we complete the work, things look “Like it never even happened,” and you can return to your regular routines.

Restoring a daycare after such an incident includes sanitizing all the toys, equipment, and furnishings near the affected bathroom. While it might seem to contain little risk, parents of young children appreciate the efforts made to provide a clean environment.

Also, odors often arise after an area is saturated, and our Odor Control Technician (OCT) can fix this situation quickly, as well. After an affected area is clean once again, odors can interfere with parents' perceptions of your facility.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol's technicians always strive to perform the work needed to ensure our customers receive the restorative work their businesses need. Locally owned and operated, we stay in tune with the needs of our local economy. Whenever our services, including commercial water removal, are required, we treat your business as an essential part of our community. Contact us at (423) 245-5552 for 24-hour services, every day of the year.

Click here for more information regarding Colonial Heights.

How Will Your Home Exterior in Bristol Resist Flood Damage?

11/3/2017 (Permalink)

Brick exteriors can protect your home against heavy floodwater, but can be very expensive to repair if cracked or damaged.

Four Home Exteriors and How They Hold Up Against Flood Damage

In some cases, flood damage in Bristol may damage your home's exterior much more than the interior. The flood may simply not work its way in, or may not reach far inside. Knowing how your home's exterior can withstand flood waters could be important in such a situation to determine what treatment it needs, from a light hosing-down to a much larger restoration project.

Vinyl

Vinyl siding remains one of the most popular home exteriors across the United States, and it overall provides excellent protection against flood damage in Bristol. While individual panels may crack, break, or tear off, they are often easy to repair or replace without doing much to the rest of the exterior. Most vinyl siding is also weather-resistant by nature and should be relatively easy to clean off and make right.

Brick

Homes with brick exteriors can resist greater volumes of floodwater but can be much more costly to repair if significant damage does occur. Repairing a cracked or destroyed brick exterior is much more time-consuming and costly than merely reattaching vinyl sides. Water may also work its way into the brick and mortar, potentially creating pockets that can expand and contract cyclically, causing damage over time.

Stucco

Stucco siding may be highly likely to chip and break in a flood and can be damaged in many of the same ways as brick exteriors. While stucco may be somewhat less costly to repair and restore than other types of siding, it is among the most likely to be damaged in a storm.

Metal

Metal exteriors are usually the ideal protection against a flood. They are thoroughly waterproof, usually resistant to the effects of water and oxidation, and can hold fast against debris and impacts. Metal exteriors rarely need more than a cleanup and repainting after a flood.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is a local company with national resources and backing that provides damage mitigation and restoration services to residents in the area. Give us a call at (423) 245-5552.

For to learn more about Bristol, visit http://www.bristoltn.org/.

Pack Out Alternative as Part of Fire Damage Plan in Colonial Heights

10/24/2017 (Permalink)

Rummaging through your property after a fire is overwhelming. SERVPRO technicians handle that and itemize your property for you and insurance claims.

SERVPRO Technicians Offer Many Options When Assessing the Scene After a Fire

When a fire causes significant damage in Colonial Heights, the immediate aftermath can be overwhelming to the homeowner. There are so many different issues to resolve in a short period that mistakes can be made, and solutions can be missed. Hiring a reliable restoration service helps sort and order tasks during this stressful time.
 
One way to manage a vital component to fire damage remediation in Colonial Heights is to participate in a pack out of documents and personal belongings. Our technicians receive specific and detailed training on how to implement a professional pack out. Working with our crew to accomplish a pack out is a wise way to divide fire damage recovery into manageable portions for you.
 
When SERVPRO packs out your home, expect all items to be removed to a safe and secure area for review at a later time. If there is an area on your property that is untouched by the fire and the remediation efforts such as a detached garage or another outbuilding we may stage the items there. In many cases, there is no clean space nearby, so we transport the items to an off-site spot.
 
Expect a detailed inventory to be developed by the SERVPRO workers as we box and remove the items. We create this paper chain of command to be able to locate needed items quickly and provide claim evidence for your insurance agency. Once the items are removed, you make decisions about the need and efficacy to restore any or all of them.
 
Since water damage commonly occurs during firefighting efforts, one of the first things to consider is whether documents and pictures should receive special treatment using a freeze-drying technique that removes water vapor after freezing items without permitting it to return to a liquid state. Although papers treated in this matter may still show some damage, it is an advantageous method to prevent the speedy destruction of wet papers that would be the result otherwise.
 
The upside of a pack out is to give you time when you can focus and not feel unduly rushed to sort through and determine which items to restore and which can be discarded. You also have information about coverage for the cost of restoring items and the probability of coverage of claims for the expense available from your insurance company when reviewing the packed out materials.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol provides a pack-out option for personal belongings during the fire damage restoration process. Ask about it when you call (423) 245-5552 to request a fire damage evaluation if you are curious about how this opportunity may benefit you.

For more information regarding Colonial Heights, click here

Heavy Rains Require Commercial Water Removal In Blountville

10/17/2017 (Permalink)

When heavy rains pour down on the Blountville area, adjoining commercial or municipal building sometimes share the unfortunate bounty.

Commercial Water Removal

When heavy rains pour down on the Blountville area, adjoining commercial or municipal building sometimes share the unfortunate bounty. Older structures with additions or passageways connecting one to another often see the building with an interior space further below ground than the others collect the runoff from many roofs. Our water removal crews determine the water pathways and make the best plan to evacuate the water from all sources.

As your family business grew, it stayed in place but annexed neighboring buildings. A complicated situation presents when several roofs or drainage systems spring leaks during torrential rains, and the water migrates mainly into one subterranean space. Not only do you need an expert Blountville water removal company, but you also must find a firm that can recreate the flow of water to ensure no hidden pockets of damaging moisture remain.

SERVPRO meets your needs on all counts. We have the technicians and the equipment ready to react quickly when a commercial space fills with water. If the power is out because of high winds knocking out the grid or for safety reasons, our trucks feature vehicle mounted equipment so the pumping and water removal proceeds immediately. In addition to self-contained extraction machinery, our project managers and highly trained crews are familiar with the ways water pools and hides when interconnected buildings are involved.

Expect multiple moisture level probes to be used by our workers in critical areas of the affected space as the water recedes, and the use of technologically advanced scanners to locate obscured water reservoirs. If the SERVPRO team does not remove all of the water, even in unexpected places, the structure and contents of your amalgamated commercial space are at risk of continued and secondary water damage. Wooden framing, metal supports, brick, concrete, and other materials are all vulnerable to deterioration and eventual collapse from residual water. Microbial growth is possible if water remains for more than 24 to 48 hours.

We find the water between walls, over ceilings, and along the edges of passageways and use proven strategies to remove it. Methods may include using wet vacuums with extended wands to pull water from above, drilling holes in mortar joints or at the bottom of walls to release moisture, or removal of wall panels or other structures to get at difficult to reach recesses. Once the standing water is gone, we then move on to efficient drying techniques to get your commercial spaces back to normal operating condition.

Rely on SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol to remove the water that collects anywhere in your business’s buildings after significant rains. One call to (423) 245-5552 brings an experienced and trained team to your aid fast.

For more about the city of Blountville visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blountville,_Tennessee.

Colonial Heights Flood Damage Restoration

10/9/2017 (Permalink)

Leaky pipes can cause flooding in your home. Should you find a leak, contact SERVPRO to repair and remediate the damage the leak may have caused.

SERVPRO Regularly Handles Flooding From BOTH External and Internal Sources

In spite of the recent news and the massive destruction we see on TV, most water damage to U.S. homes comes from more common sources. Leaky faucets, broken pipes, and improperly installed appliances like dishwashers cost Colonial Heights homeowners and insurance companies more than storms every year.
 
Flood damage to Colonial Heights and other Tennessee homes primarily affects the floors and personal property of a home. If the water rises higher than an inch or two, the surrounding walls are now at risk as well. Much of SERVPRO’s work centers on the floors and carpets of a house and lowering the inside humidity to reduce the risk of future damage by water or mold.
 
To return a home to its preloss condition, we start by removing the water. Our restoration crews use two machines to accomplish this; commercial grade water pumps and water extraction wands. We start with the pumps if the water is high enough. It usually takes our crews less than a day to complete this task.
 
Once we have the water level down to what remains trapped in the carpet or just barely visible on the surface of a wood floor, we change to the extraction wands. The smaller machine is designed to draw water out and not damage the surface of the wood or pull fibers from the carpet. After drawing out the water, SERVPRO technicians lift the carpet and remove the pad underneath. Carpet pads disintegrate quickly after being soaked in water and it cheaper to replace them than attempt to restore them.
 
As part of our crew finishes with the floors, other members check the moisture content of the air. If this humidity level is over 60 percent, we set-up a dehumidifier in the largest room. This machine draws up to 30 gallons of water from the air each day, and to boost the efforts of the device, technicians set-up exhaust fans to draw the damp air out of the house and force it outside. We continue this operation until we have the interior humidity as close to 40 percent as we can.
 
Failed plumbing and broken appliances are a greater risk to area homes than the Holston River cresting its banks. Call us today at (423) 245-5552 if you have a flooding problem or a question about what SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol can do for you.

For more information regarding Colonial Heights, click here

Inspect For Mold Damage This Fall in Bristol

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

Mold can hide or exist in plain sight. Regardless of the mold type, contact SERVPRO to figure out the cause and remediate the damage.

SERVPRO Technicians Find the Cause of the Mold Infestation Before Starting the Remediation Process

The hot summer months come to an end, and the leaves begin to fall. Moving into a new season is a perfect time to check for mold issues in areas of your home you may neglect. Our area can see some ice and snow during the winter, and if gutters, eaves, and shingles need maintenance, moisture pushes in and creates a perfect environment for mold damage.
 
Your home experiences all four seasons, exposing it to mold damage risk in Bristol. Before we move into the colder months, evaluate the musty smell you notice when you open the door to your attic. Ice dams from winters and early springs past may have created a pathway for water to invade and saturate rafters and studs right under your roof. Severe cases allow that moisture to seep into your living areas. Do you see dark staining on ceilings or walls? A mold inspection is in order.
 
Often the only sign you notice when mold damages your home is an earthy, unpleasant smell. SERVPRO responds by sending an experienced mold remediation technician to check out concerns. If mold is detected, we work with you to discover where the moisture mold needs for growth is intruding. Our workers determine how to manage the current infestation and make recommendations to eliminate the water problem.
 
SERVPRO is a multi-service restoration company, able to make repairs and remediate serious problems like mold. We follow EPA industry standards when containing, removing, and sanitizing areas suffering from mold outbreaks. Keeping the moldy material in place until safely removing it prevents spread to other spaces within your home. Physical barriers like heavy duty plastic sheeting and high-technology equipment like negative air pressure scrubbers assist us in this endeavor.
 
We restore the appearance of your exterior and interior after abating a broad range of damaging processes and work with other contractors hired to make specific repairs. Ice dams frequently trace their cause to poorly maintained or clogged gutters and drains. SERVPRO remediates the mold and pinpoints the reasons it plagues you. We help you complete or arrange for repairs that stop moisture from feeding mold spores in your attic.
 
Rely on SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol to investigate your potential mold issues. Our office staff at (423) 245-5552 schedules an appointment with one of our project managers at a time convenient for you.

For more information about the Bristol, Tennessee visit: http://www.bristoltn.org/

Science Project Mishaps Turn Water Damage into an In-Home Experiment for Bristol Households

9/15/2017 (Permalink)

Many projects can erupt and send water and other materials onto your ceiling and living room couches. Contact SERVPRO right away after damage.

Professionals Quickly Assess and Remediate Damage and Moisture Levels in Your Home

Science projects are part of almost every grade level's activities because learning about science is much more enjoyable and memorable with hands-on experience. Students in Bristol often prepare their projects at home. As these projects progress, accidents happen, unexpected chemical reactions occur, and little siblings and pets touch forbidden tools and models.
 
Parents can help protect their homes from water damage in Bristol during science project season by providing waterproof sheeting under the area used by their child. Inspecting for cracks, especially along seams, of aquariums, water bottles, and other containers intended for use can cut down the risk, but spills can still happen.
 
While water from bottles can ruin your floor quickly, water sprayed into the air can end up on ceilings and walls. If water is part of a projectile-centered project, furniture can also take a hit or two. We can help clean up any water damage caused by your junior scientist. Walls and ceilings, as well as carpeting, furniture, and other belongings all react to water in different ways. We have a SERVPRO technician for each one, providing homeowners with excellent protection no matter what happened.
 
Based on research and scientific developments, our protocols work well to eliminate damage-causing water. The process of earning our IICRC certificates in Water Damage Restoration (WRT) teaches us an enormous amount regarding the science behind water damage and the best methods we can use to mitigate the damage in someone's home. Experienced in using the equipment needed to restore a living room after an accident involving a science project or other water event, our employees quickly resolve the situation and prevent larger problems from developing.
 
When water is not cleaned up, secondary water damage becomes much more likely to happen. Mold is only one kind of microbe that can grow out of control in the presence of water and increased moisture. Stopping it before it can begin protects you from extra expenses.
 
Call (423) 245-5552 as soon as possible after a significant spill or accident. SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol responds to water damage emergencies in our community ready to take care of the problem, no matter how large or small.

For more information regarding Bristol, click here

Bristol Area Retail Stores Obtain Water Removal Services From SERVPRO

8/2/2017 (Permalink)

If your retail store or other property suffers a water damage event, contact the technicians at SERVPRO to remediate the damage fast.

Quick Response and Thorough Training in Dealing With Water Emergencies Sets Us Ahead of the Rest

Running a small retail outlet is rough enough without having to deal with water issues as well. A large spill on your property can lead to hundreds upon thousands of damage to stock and company assets, especially when you do not understand what to do during an emergency.
 
Retail stores throughout the Bristol area, rejoice. You have professional commercial water removal services available that help you manage emergency situations on your property, saving you from potential losses that have the ability to close your doors forever. A locally owned and operated company can provide you with these services and a whole lot more.
 
Whether your water problem occurs due to major weather systems, suppression system malfunctions, or plumbing issues, SERVPRO can help. We supply you with an entire team of professionals that understand how water affects assets in your store. Our technicians do everything they can to save products from water damage, moving them to a safe, dry location either onsite or in our warehouse.  
 
SERVPRO locates and repairs the source of the problem, then works with industrial-grade water extractors, air movers, dehumidifiers, and moisture detection equipment to ensure every area of your property gets the attention needed to return things to normal as quickly and efficiently as possible.  
 
It does not matter if a single department or the entire store becomes involved. SERVPRO has the resources and personnel necessary to provide you with a stress-free restoration process any day of the week, 24-hours a day. On top of that, we offer each customer the opportunity of receiving regular or specialty cleaning services that go beyond what a regular janitorial staff can provide.
 
We also give recommendations to help prevent future problems and help you develop a plan to implement safety precautions. Our technicians provide you with a safe, clean, professional work space that often exceeds any expectations you might have had before work began.
 
Contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol for more detailed information about water removal services available in your area, today. (423) 245-5552

For more information regarding Bristol, click here

The Bad Habits That Could Put Your Bristol Home At Risk Of Fire Damage

7/22/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO TIP--Prevent Bristol FIre Damage by Inspecting Your Electrical Appliances and Wiring

Diligence Prevents Fire Damage to Your Bristol Property

No one wants to think about the possibility of a house fire, but it is a genuine risk that every householder needs to consider. A fire in the home has the potential to cause untold damage. In some cases, the cleanup operation involves a full pack-out of your possessions while your home is restored to a livable condition again.
 
SERVPRO is on hand to help clean and deodorize your Bristol home after fire damage. It is nice to know help is at hand – but is there anything you can do to help prevent a blaze from breaking out? The answer is yes, there is. Several home habits are easy to fall into but increase the risk of fire.
 
Unattended food left cooking on the stovetop is one of the leading causes of home fires. A few seconds is all it takes for an unattended pan to catch fire and start a terrible blaze. That is why we recommend always watching your food and never leaving the pan unattended.
 
Electrical safety awareness reduces the risk of home fires. Do not leave power drawing electrical appliances on when you exit the house. Switch everything off and unplug it before you go out and also before you go to bed at night. Check appliance cords regularly. Worn or damaged appliance cords are a fire risk, so if you notice any damage, replace the cord at once.
 
Dryer lint is another common cause of house fires. Clean your lint filter regularly and do not forget to check the drum and vent. It is also a good idea to check your dryer hose for lint clogs at least once a year. SERVPRO offers a vent and duct cleaning service to keep the circulation of the heated air from your dryer exiting properly. Save on electricity and help prevent home fires by calling us in once a year to check, and service if needed.
 
We also advise you to be very careful when burning candles. One small candle can spark a massive blaze. Make sure your candle is in a sturdy holder on a flat surface away from children, pets, breezes and loose drapes or throws. Always extinguish a lit candle before leaving the room.
 
In the event of a fire, SERVPRO is here to help. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster and have equipment including powerful HEPA vacuums and Esporta washers at our disposal to remediate soot and smoke damage and restore your home and belongings.
 
For help with fire cleanup, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 for help.

Here is Bristol, TN

Fast And Timely Water Removal Can Reduce Damages In Your Overflowing Bristol Residence

7/6/2017 (Permalink)

When a pipe has burst apart, or a tub has overflowed, your home needs to have that excess water removed as quickly as possible.

Quick Water Removal Can Reduce Damages

SERVPRO is Faster To Any Size Disaster, and this quality provides many benefits for homeowners of waterlogged residences. When a pipe has burst apart, or a tub has overflowed, your home needs to have that excess water removed as quickly as possible.

Homes in Bristol that have excess water from disasters such as pipe failures and forgotten tubs dry out best when water removal services from SERVPRO are the first part of the entire process. Pumping out any water that is visible upon our arrival helps us gain a better visual so we can more easily assess the extent of the overall damage.

Larger amounts of porous materials require more aggressive drying methods than materials that are less porous. Our experience benefits homeowners in many different kinds of disasters that can damage a home by giving us insight into how best proceed in almost any type of situation imaginable, and overflowing toilets and tubs, exploding water heaters, burst pipes, and flooding from natural sources are only a few of those catastrophes.

Removing water starts the process, but then we need to move toward removing the moisture that has escaped into the air through evaporation. This moisture can find its way into every part of your home and create problems later unless it is captured and removed. Dehumidifiers, heaters, air movers, and even open windows can work wonders when used together. Moisture meters provide us with a beginning readings of areas in your home that are compared to later readings, showing us our progress in drying out your home.

When dry, remaining problems can still exist, such as unusual odors. This is because odors are caused by particles, that although tiny, produce smells when they have been disturbed. We can rectify this problem with odor control methods. Other problems that can remain behind include over-stretched carpeting, and we can fix that problem, also.

Because floors are always saturated in a situation where standing water exists, we take great care in ensuring that these surfaces are completely dry. This prevents warping of wooden floors and sub-flooring. Otherwise, walking in your home may soon become hazardous for your family and guests.

In situations that have left your home partially submerged, call us, SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552. We can begin water removal efforts so that your home is once again as it should be, perfectly dry. Accidents can occur at all hours of the day and night, and because of this, we are always available to take your call.

For more information about Bristol visit http://www.bristoltn.org/.

Dealing with Flood Damage Restoration in Bristol

6/28/2017 (Permalink)

Flood damage can be devastating. Call SERVPRO to remove the water and help you through dealing with the entire restoration process.

SERVPRO Technicians Make Flood Damage Remediation in Your Home Our Priority

It is storm season in Tennessee. Creeks rise, rivers flood, and homeowners get to clean up the mess. It is a normal part of living in our area, but there are times that the weather overwhelms and we all could use a professional hand to help clean up.

When it comes to restoring Bristol homes after flood damage, SERVPRO has the experience to get the job done. We have been in Sullivan County for many years and understand the needs of our neighbors and fellow business owners. When disaster strikes, we respond with a 24-hour response team that arrives and starts work before the sun starts to come out or before it can set.

Our crew leader quickly determines the specific needs and directs efforts. If there is a continuing source of water coming into the home, our first task is to stop it. Team members stack sandbags to create a temporary break while others start hauling out pumps and extractors to remove any standing water. If the storm has damaged the home’s plumbing system, we turn off the water main. In the case of roof damage, we secure the area by nailing down plastic sheeting or plywood panels if it is very severe.

After we remove the standing water, technicians begin extracting water from the carpets and wood floors. If possible, we try to consider the sub-floor to determine if there is further water intrusion underneath. It may not be possible to insert a pump or extractor, but we can also use air movers connected to a flexible hose to force warm, dry air into the space to speed up the natural drying process.

Above the floor, we lift the carpet and use the same air movers to dry it. Carpet pads are difficult to dry and usually disintegrate after becoming wet. We recommend disposing of them immediately to remove a source of moisture that slows down drying out the carpet.

As the carpet and floors dry, technicians test the air and surrounding walls for excess moisture. If there is too much present, we install dehumidifiers to draw water from the air and place air movers to force warm air across walls to dry them and hopefully avoid demolition and replacement costs.

There is rain expected in town and across Sullivan County this week. If you have already had problems with any previous flooding or want to try and get ahead of the next thunderstorm, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol today at (423) 245-5552. We are here to help.

For more information regarding Bristol, click here

From Start To Finish - Professional Fire Damage Restoration Services Available In Bristol

5/15/2017 (Permalink)

Charred Elements in a Bristol Home Require Fire Damage Restoration and Repair.

SERVPRO Restores Smoke & Fire Damage to Your Property

Most general contractor can dismantle, transport, and dispose of damaged materials or other contents found in your home after a fire. However, it takes true skill to eliminate smoke residue, clean and deodorize the entire structure and overcome specific challenges that make each situation we face unique.  

There are very few restoration companies that can say they handle your complete restoration process from start to finish. Most usually perform one function or the other and leave the rest up to you. When it comes to fire damage in your Bristol area home, you want someone who can do everything you need, while limiting your loss and recovering as much as possible.  
 
In most cases, fires that occur in your kitchen, living room, dining area, bathroom, or bedrooms provide technicians with repetitive actions that they face daily. These are sections of your home that often contain fewer complications and require easier solutions.  
 
What you want is a company, like SERVPRO that excels at dealing with fires that reach outside of common household areas such as your attic, basement, or crawlspaces. These areas provide restoration technicians with challenging circumstances that require a particular level of experience, execution, and expertise to overcome.   
 
As with most fires, heat causes smoke to travel throughout your home, rising to the highest section possible, your attic. Along the way, smoke residues and other particles settle onto various surfaces, including exposed timber used for structural framing in your attic.  
 
The longer these residues remain, the harder they are to dislodge, creating smoke odors and damaging a variety of materials, some that require extensive cleaning, fogging, and deodorization services that SERVPRO technicians provide. You can imagine that the tight, confined space available in most attics, makes this one of the biggest challenges for technicians with less experience.  
 
However, basements and crawlspaces under your home can be just as challenging. Fires produce huge amounts of ash and soot that, when combined with water used during firefighting efforts, provide additional challenges that any technician must understand how to handle correctly to protect your home properly.  
 
Thankfully, SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol has the edge over other companies when a fire reaches an area that restricts movement or poses specific challenges. Our technicians train hard to overcome situations just like this regularly, providing you with the services you deserve to recover quickly. Call Today. (423) 245-5552

Investigating Flood Damage In Bloomingdale Caused By A Ground Floor Pipe Leak

5/5/2017 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, we spend time helping customers recognize and deal with the warning signs of flood damage before it occurs.

Flood Damage Caused By A Pipe Leak

At SERVPRO, we spend time helping customers recognize and deal with the warning signs of flood damage before it occurs. However, unexpected incidents happen all the time, and it is not always possible to prepare for a residential leak. If water intrusion becomes an urgent issue, the best step is to call in the experts.

The secret to repairing flood damage in Bloomingdale homes is a familiarity with how water behaves. It is what our team can offer you; the knowledge of how different materials respond to flooding. Before we even turn up at your location, we have a good idea of what to expect and where to start the structural drying process.

The Scenario
Imagine a relatively common scenario. Flooding has occurred in a home because a ground floor pipe has burst or cracked and emptied water into the property. It is cold, clear liquid (likely free of bacteria), but it is covering the whole of the bottom floor with two inches of water. The efficiency and quality of the drying process, in this situation, depends on how quickly we can pump out the standing water and get fans, air movers, and dehumidifiers set up.

Soft Materials And Fabrics
Often, carpets turn out to be some of the hardest items to dry. It is because they are too large to lift up and out of the wet area. So, the SERVPRO technicians have to find a way to remediate them directly. The success of this is, once again, dependent on the fiber type and construction/manufacturing features.

Generally, it is more cost effective and causes less damage to leave the carpet where it is. However, what we can do is lift it up a few inches off the floor. It is a really effective way to dry because fans get directed underneath. They blow out cold, wet air and ensure that the most vulnerable parts (concealed subflooring) start drying first (from the inside outwards).

Hard Floor Coverings
Normally, we do not try to salvage floor coverings with a fibreboard construction, like laminate. They are highly permeable. So much so that the material can end up behaving like cardboard. It expands at a rapid rate and any adhesive qualities degrade. For this reason, it is not usually a cost-effective option to try and dry the covering.

On the other hand, if the leak has affected hardwood surfaces (block or plank), the rate of absorption is not such an urgent problem. Nevertheless, the drying capabilities depend on the fixing features, the age of the materials, the condition of the floor, the quality of the subflooring, and duration of water exposure.

Time is a crucial factor when it comes to drying any structural material. So, don’t hesitate to get in touch with SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol if internal flooding hits your home. Call us 24/7 at (423) 245-5552 for fast, reliable water damage repairs.

Prevent Water Damage To Your Bloomingdale Bathroom

4/18/2017 (Permalink)

Bathroom Leaks Lead to Bloomingdale Bathrooms Water Damage--Dial Up SERVPRO for Help

SERVPRO Suggest a Rapid Response to Mitigate the Effects of Water to Your Property

Water damage is a homeowner’s nightmare. Leaks, drips, and floods lead to water-logged carpets, broken furniture, and even structural issues. When it comes to leaks in the home, the bathroom is one of the riskiest areas. There are many potential sources of leaks including a malfunctioning toilet, a burst pipe, a damaged bath seal, or even a bath or faucet left to run and forgotten!
 
It is always best to prevent a leak if you can. Water damage to your Bloomingdale bathroom may be expensive and inconvenient to fix. That is why SERVPRO recommends taking steps to stop it from happening in the first place.
 
Check Your Bathroom Regularly
You can prevent water damage by regularly checking your bathroom. Take the time to look under the sink and inspect the floor around the toilet. Examine shower screens and bath seals for leaks and look out for cracked tiles. Repair any damages quickly – the longer you leave them, the more chance of a problem developing. Replace caulking if need be, always a bathroom problem.
 
Look For Signs Of Leaks
Visible water is not always the first sign of a leak. A musty or damp odor or discoloration to walls and ceilings are also potential signs. If you suspect a leak, it is important to put in a call to SERVPRO straight away. Our IICRC-certified teams use thermal hygrometers, thermal imaging, and specialized moisture probes to examine your home for signs of damp, leaks, and raised humidity.
 
Be Careful With Your Drywall
Damp drywall is a serious issue that requires swift remedy. Water leaks are quickly picked up by drywall and the porous material acts like a sponge, wicking up water and quickly becoming saturated. That leads to wet walls, waterlogged insulation, and damp baseboards or molding.

Softened or bubbled drywall is a sure sign of excess moisture. If in doubt do not delay – our technicians have all the equipment necessary to test your drywall for moisture. If there is a problem, we remove baseboards and insulation so we can thoroughly dry out the wall. Doing this yourself is not only time consuming it can also be costly. Let our experts take care of it – we put everything back “Like it never even happened.”
 
We use plastic sheeting to create a sealed environment for drying. Next, we use air blowers, axial box fans, and dehumidifiers to dry the surface and inside of your bathroom wall. Bathrooms are humid places, so getting the right dehumidifiers in place is vital. Our teams monitor the drying process at every step to restore your wall and minimize the risk of further damage.
 
Do not wait for damage to worsen. If you suspect an issue with water leaks in your bathroom, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 today for assistance.

Cleaning Up Attics And Basements After A Fire In Bristol

4/6/2017 (Permalink)

Fire cleanup in attics and basements are two challenging but also highly different tasks.

Fire Damage Cleanup

Fire cleanup in attics and basements are two challenging but also highly different tasks. Each carries a range of challenges and obstacles for SERVPRO technicians to overcome but in remarkably different ways. In many cases, the main areas of a home can be considered our comfort zones, where we see the fewest unique situations and are most practiced. However, we have the edge over other companies when the fire reaches above or below the main levels, as our technicians are trained to deal with these challenging areas.

Challenges In Attics
Perhaps the biggest general obstacle we have to contend with in fire damaged Bristol attics is smoke. Smoke tends to travel up through the home, and many fires dump the material and its residues into the home's attic. For the exposed timber that lines most American attics, this is a disaster, as smoke particles can penetrate deep into the material and prove difficult to dislodge. We often have to use our heaviest and longest thermal fogging programs in attics to remove all smoke smells and extensively clean surfaces by hand to get in a thorough clean.

Challenges In Basements
Basements can also feel the effects of smoke, but ash is a much more typical and burdensome factor. Fires produce large volumes of ash and soot, which can stain surfaces, clog pipes, destroy electronics, and emit a strong odor. It can also mix heavily with water, creating additional challenges for SERVPRO technicians. This material usually requires a heavy cleaning: we use various high-powered mixtures and solutions to scrub out every bit of it from the home, along with the same fogging machines used for attic smoke damage to remove odors that could otherwise last for years.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is a local provider of fire restoration and cleanup services. Whether the blaze is large or small, we have the resolve and equipment to get things back to normal as quickly as possible. Call us 24/7 at (423) 245-5552.

Hidden Mold in Bloomingdale Needs Professional Abatement

3/24/2017 (Permalink)

Don't let mold lurk in the corner. Call SERVPRO quickly to remediate.

SERVPRO Technicians Have an Arsenal of Assessment Tools to Find the Source of Your Mold Infestation

Every home has nooks and crannies within which to hide treasures, or, sometimes, to breed fungi and other nasty microbes. Musty and unpleasant smells often encourage you to spray air fresheners or other cover-ups and hope for the best. This superficial approach is not effective. Contact SERVPRO for a proper inspection and to devise a plan if mold is the culprit.
 
Resist the urge to try to manage mold damage in your Bloomingdale residence on your own. Although the health effects of molds can only be assessed by a physician, microbial colonies also damage the structure of and contents inside your home. Very specific protocols must be followed to remediate mold growth. An assessment of the causes that led to the mold proliferation is part of the comprehensive approach we take as mold recurs if the source of its food remains in place.
 
Mold needs moisture to activate and grow. Homes, offices, schools and other indoor areas harbor mold spores as a matter of course. The spores are also found outside and hitch a ride on pets, shoes, clothing, and the wind through your open doors and windows to infest your home. SERVPRO mold remediation experts receive special initial training and continuing education on the most effective and safe ways to isolate, contain, and remove fungal colonies. We do this while protecting unaffected areas of your home, sometimes with barriers and, in severe cases, with negative pressure ventilation.
 
The most important step after mold removal is to find the moisture and stop it from invading your home. Water moves in mysterious ways, and SERVPRO technicians are real detectives as they figure out where the problem resides. Ice dams, overflowing gutters, and ordinary roof leaks are common offenders. Slow leaks in plumbing or poorly vented appliances are also on the list of mold encouragers. On occasion, high ambient humidity within your home is the villain. An assessment of the conditions contributing to mold growth considers all potential sources. Then SERVPRO technicians go into action to eradicate the water to reduce the possibility of future mold growth and damage. Sealing gaps, reducing humidity, and repairing appliances are just some of the options.
 
Smelling something nasty? Hurry to contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol to have the odor checked out. The longer you wait to call the more difficult the remedy. Our dispatchers at (423) 245-5552 send out trained mold inspectors within hours.

Fire Damage In Bloomingdale

3/16/2017 (Permalink)

The truth is that smoke and soot contamination make up most of the cost damage when it comes to restoration and replacement of property.

Fire Damage Cleanup

The worst effects of fire are visual to most people. A charred roof or a burned out kitchen makes the heart skip a beat. The same is not true for the smoke residue which covers a living room wall or discolors the family sofa. The truth is that smoke and soot contamination make up most of the cost damage when it comes to restoration and replacement of property.

When it comes to restoring fire damage effects in a Bloomingdale home, SERVPRO follows four specific cleaning actions to loosen soils and residues from structure and property surfaces. They are mechanical, lubrication, chemical, and suspension and dispersion.

Mechanical Action
Agitation of the residue or soil is an effective way to loosen most of them from the surfaces they attach to when settling. Mechanical is the first action taken to pre-clean surfaces that have an excess of non-greasy, dry residues before applying water-based or solvent-based cleaners. It is necessary in some cases because depending on the surface, applying a liquid cleaner first increases particle absorption into the surface.

Lubrication Action
The goal here is to make the contamination slippery by breaking the connection between it and the surface. A lubricating detergent adheres to the soil and residues, making them slide off of the surface and into the cleaning solution.

Chemical Action
With this method, our technicians use a cleaner to change or alter the contamination. The conversion of the residue or soil helps break its connection to the surface; allowing for easier removal. Two of the products in our inventory are Natural Fabric Brightener and Shampoo Super Concentrate. When mixed, they are exceptional at removing stains from cotton fibers and wool carpeting.

Suspension And Dispersion
Suspension happens when a contaminant dissolves or emulsifies into one of our cleaning products. Dispersion occurs after the contaminant is agitated into the cleaning product and mixes completely with it.

Each of these methods is useful for a variety of surfaces and types of contaminants. SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol has decades of experience in using them to restore your home and property to its appearance before the smoke and soot. Call us at (423) 245-5552 today to get started with an initial inspection.

Supposedly Odd Uses Of Air Movers Actually Make A Lot Of Sense In Long Island

3/3/2017 (Permalink)

Office spaces often contain copious amounts of carpeting, which is usually among the most severely damaged materials in offices with water damage.

Air Movers

One of our most heavily-used and critical pieces of machinery is the air mover. Air movers are high-powered fans that can create directed, precision air currents in a room. Much planning goes into the arrangement and operation of these machines, and our technicians may change their orientations regularly to maximize efficiency in the drying process. You may even witness some unusual or seemingly damaging processes, but these are part of SERVPRO policy and are designed only to increase the speed at which we dry an area.

Floating Carpet
Office spaces often contain copious amounts of carpeting, which is also usually among the most severely damaged materials in Long Island offices with water damage. To dry large areas of carpet quickly, our technicians may commonly lift up two ends of the carpet and allow one or more air movers to pump air underneath it. This can seem risky or even detrimental to some onlookers, but it, in fact, helps to dry the hard-to-reach undersides of carpeting more efficiently.

Unusual Angles And Orientations
Some business owners get confused when they observe technicians setting up air movers in seemingly arbitrary positions or wrong directions. However, more often than not, this is to make sure a circular current is established in the room. If the air movers were oriented head-on at walls and other surfaces, they would only press the water further into the surface and worsen the damage. By setting up angular arrangements, we help to whisk away water droplets without causing further damage to the materials underneath.

Baseboard Removal
In offices with baseboards mounted along the walls, these may need to be removed during or even before air movers are set up. Water tends to collect beneath baseboard, whether it is made of wood or vinyl, and by removing it, SERVPRO gains access to some of the most inaccessible and often damaged parts of your walls.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol helps businesses of all shapes and sizes to recover from and get doors open as soon after disasters as possible. Call us at (423) 245-5552.

Help With Mold Damage Found In Your Colonial Heights Home

2/16/2017 (Permalink)

Mold growths often look like common dirt blotches but may develop into patches with many different colors and have a musty odor associated with them.

Mold Damage In Your Home

The battle against mold damage developing in your home is a constant one. Since mold is everywhere, in the air and on many surfaces throughout our environment, exposure is inevitable where moisture is present.

Damp, dark spaces within your Colonial Heights home are perfect breeding grounds for mold damage. However, controlling the sources of moisture found in your home can significantly increase your chance of avoiding these types of damages from developing in your house entirely. At SERVPRO we prefer to maintain a relative humidity level below 50%, promptly repairing plumbing leaks, damaged roofs, and windows. Thoroughly cleaning and drying any areas affected by flooding, properly ventilating your shower, laundry room and cooking area, all of which greatly increase your chances.

However, how do you know what mold even looks like if you have never seen it before? Mold growths often look like common dirt blotches but may develop into patches with many different colors and have a musty odor associated with them. If you find mold spores growing in your home, there is no reason to discover which type of mold you have. If you can see it, or smell mold, a possible health risk may already be present, requiring you to contact a restoration company, like SERVPRO, to deal with the situation properly.

A company with expertly trained remediation technicians can perform the proper services and repair the source of moisture causing the issue. The best thing you can do is have the mold removed and work on ways to prevent future growths from forming within your living space. SERVPRO technicians highly suggest seeking professional assistance with any area larger than 10 square feet. It is likely that you do not have the resources or experience to handle the larger contaminated areas on your own.

Contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol today for additional information or assistance regarding mold contamination in your home. We are here to help (423) 245-5552.

Flood Damage To Your Long Island Home Caused By Your Water Heater

2/2/2017 (Permalink)

A cracked water heater can cause significant flood damage to your property.

Flood Damage Restoration

You ignored the signs for too long, and now your aging water heater’s base cracked, and 50 gallons of hot water flooded your basement. You lined up a local plumber to replace the heater. SERVPRO fits your criteria for a flood restoration company “near me” to help with wet carpeting and furnishings.

Flood damage, when you have living spaces on all levels of your Long Island home, hits hard. Laundry facilities, heating and cooling systems, and an extra bedroom are all at risk when the water heater fails. We send a restoration team equipped to pump and extract water and then begin the drying cycle to your home. The earlier you call for assistance, the better when water threatens your furnace and electrical appliances. Our staff will determine first if it is safe to work in the flooded area and to shut off any electricity or natural gas that could cause danger during the water removal.

SERVPRO staff have the training to dry floor coverings in place. If the subfloor of your basement is concrete, we loosen the carpet to check the condition of the pad, depending on how long the padding was under water an effort may be made to dry it along with the carpeting. We pull and replace questionable pads even if the carpet can be dried. Air movers placed strategically reduce the moisture in the carpeting; often some aimed to dry under the carpet.

If a bedframe kept the mattress above the water, we operate dehumidifiers to dry the air. Wooden and plastic furniture withstand surface disinfecting with proper solutions. Any upholstered couch or chairs need water extraction with our professional wet vacs and then airflow and heat for further drying. Again the length of time the water had stood before we arrived is key. Mold grows in less than 48 hours if conditions are right. We can treat porous materials like padded furniture with disinfectants, but vigilance must occur for the tell-tale signs of a musty odor and mold bloom. If mold takes hold, we recommend disposal for safety.

Water flooding your basement is your cue to contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol for the best advice and assistance. Call (423) 245-5552 to dispatch a flood damage abatement crew.

Dangers Of An Overflowing Bathtub In Bristol

1/26/2017 (Permalink)

Water damage causes the most home insurance claims.

Water Damage Caused By An Overflowing Bathtub

Water damage causes the most home insurance claims. Torrential rains, bursting pipes and bathtub overflows are just a few potential causes for water damage. In fact, water damage is often caused by an overflowing bathtub. There are several reasons why this can happen, but no matter the cause, SERVPRO, a professional water remediation company, will need to step in to help you with the cleanup and restoration.

No matter the cause for your bathtub overflow and water damage, you should know the six major reasons why this event can cause damage to your home in Bristol.

Bacteria Growth
Even if the water is clean, it can still cause bacteria to grow that could be harmful. This threat can develop when a significant amount of time passes before you get it cleaned up. The bacteria can grow with warm temperatures and time.

Leaky Ceilings
If your bathtub is on the second floor, even if the overflow is quickly caught it could make small bubbles in your downstairs ceiling. Water could begin leaking, and you can have discoloration, with some expensive repair bills to go with it. If the amount of water is large, it could make your ceiling sag. Avoid entering the room if this happens, since more water or debris could fall and hurt you. Keep everyone out of the area until you have it fixed by an experienced technician from SERVPRO.

Wet Plasterboard
An overflowing tub can easily damage plasterboard. It can weaken so badly when wet that you cannot fix it, and must be replaced. This can be inconvenient and expensive. If there is a significant amount of water running down the walls, you should shut off the electricity. An electrician and plumber will need to check out the damage in this case along with SERVPRO professionals to ensure the leak is fixed and your home is safe and restored.

Ruined Flooring
Your floors can be ruined as well, especially wood or linoleum. This issue can be difficult to get your home insurance to pay for repairs.

Damp Carpets And Furniture
Water coming through the ceiling can damage appliances and furniture. Mold can start to grow in your furniture and carpeting and can create a bad smell.

Unsafe And Weak Subflooring
Subflooring that has been soaked by water will need to be replaced. This is the only way to ensure your home is dry. Even if it is not completely soaked, even the slightest bit of moisture can create damage. SERVPRO can help you determine if the flooring needs to be replaced, and do the repairs for you.

If your bathtub overflows, shut the source of the water off right away and give SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol a call. We understand how damaging water can be and will be out to your property as quickly as possible to prevent more damage. Contact us day or night so we can come out to your home and return it to its state before the accident - (423) 245-5552.

Remediation for Commercial Mold Damage in Bloomingdale Hotels

1/12/2017 (Permalink)

Mold in a Bloomingdale Hotel Needs SERVPRO for Remediation

Fungi Growth Can Be Mitigated by the Professionals from SERVPRO

Mold damage can affect any building, including hotels. As guests stay in one room or another, they can bring mold spores with them. These spores can initially come from their own homes, vehicles, or other locations. When someone shakes out their clothing to freshen them up after being in a suitcase for a while, mold spores can become airborne in a guest's room. This is particularly the case of luggage that has collected mold spores while being stored between uses. Mold spores will soon settle on surfaces in the unit, but if the air conditioning or heating is running at the time, those spores can enter the ducts and contaminate the rest of the hotel. Naturally, mold spores are endemic in nature and reducing moisture, and a food source are of paramount importance.
 
Some Bloomingdale area hotels have been found to have mold damage that may have been caused by mold spores that were introduced to the hotel's interior by guests' belongings. Because there is no possible way to control the introduction of mold spores when a multitude of people use any particular building, cleaning ducts, air conditioners and central heating and air systems on a regular basis is important. Mold and spores cannot be eliminated from any setting, but cleaning with HEPA filter-equipped vacuums can remove most of the microorganisms living in heating and cooling systems and their ducts.
 
SERVPRO can handle any size project and recommends that facilities, including hotels, have their air circulation systems regularly maintained to keep mold contamination under control. Mold can quickly begin to grow elsewhere inside a hotel, as guests use the pool and showers, leaving wet towels in locations that can easily accumulate moisture. Damp or even waterlogged areas are often not dried or cleaned to eliminate moisture by hotel cleaning personnel. We can also clean carpets that may be harboring mold and mold spores, further protecting a hotel from future mold damage. Spills on commercial grade carpeting in the corridors should always not just be wiped up, but also thoroughly dried.
 
SERVPRO is not only experienced and skilled in using our equipment, but also in working in a manner that will not affect your guests' comfort. We work as efficiently as possible, so the time required to complete the job is minimized. If air scrubbers are needed due to the discovery of high levels of mold, we'll ensure they're always placed in a manner that won't obstruct your hallways and bother your guests.
 
If you've noticed a musty odor in any area of your hotel, or simply want to begin a regular air cleaning to protect your business, call us, SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552.

Mold Damage Challenges in Bloomingdale

1/6/2017 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO to investigate the mold in your home or business.

SERVPRO Tailors a Unique Restoration Process Based on the Damage in Your Home

Most of the time, the first signs of a mold infestation in your home is a musty odor emanating from somewhere that you cannot quite locate. By the time you can see visible signs of a mold infestation, things are beyond your capabilities, and expertly trained professionals are required to deal with the situation appropriately. Attempting to tackle a mold situation on your own has the possibility of causing greater damage to your home that you many think. If you take the wrong approach to your situation, you can spread mold spores throughout your home without even realizing that you are doing it.
 
Use this opportunity to acquire the services of an expertly trained mold damage restoration specialist in your Bloomingdale home. We have several years of experience dealing with situations just like yours and provide you with the proper services to fit your unique circumstances. We will walk you through every step of our remediation process and get your mold damage under control. Contact our locally owned and operated franchise today.
 
SERVPRO offers many services to assist you with restoring your belongings and take great care to ensure your safety and the safety of the occupants of your property. Many mold-contaminated buildings offer a unique situation and must be properly handled to eliminate exposure. Our professional technicians perform a post-cleanup assessment and thoroughly inspect the level of contamination in your home before attempting our remediation process.
 
All of the services SERVPRO technicians provide include proper containment and control procedures to prevent the spread of microscopic spores throughout your home. We can assist with repairing plumbing leaks, clean off affected surfaces, properly remove and dispose of any infected materials and restore your property to a quality pre-damage condition.
 
If you insist on attempting mold remediation on your own, the professionals at SERVPRO recommend a few things to assist you with the process. Always locate and remove the source of moisture, drying all affected areas thoroughly. Scrub mold off of any hard surfaces with a quality detergent and water, making sure to dry the area completely. Ensure proper handling and disposal of any absorbent or porous materials that have extensive mold growth. They cannot be saved, don't try.
 
Avoid exposing yourself and others by properly cordoning off the affected area that you are working on and control the spread by wearing the proper protective equipment during repairs. If you are unsure or need advice on how to proceed, take a few minutes to contact us. We are happy to help you get started off on the right foot.
 
Call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol today to get the help you need. (423) 245-5552

Immediate and Later Benefits of Fast Mitigation Response Times in Bristol

12/14/2016 (Permalink)

Commercial damage can be devastating. Call SERVPRO to assess and remediate!

SERVPRO Technicians are Ready to Tackle Your Business Damage Quickly

Timing is critical for a business taking flood damage, and mere minutes can make hundreds or even thousands of dollars' difference later on in the restoration and reconstruction process. SERVPRO's strategy when dealing with commercial flood damage is centered around mitigation through fast responses. With 24/7 customer support and technology such as our new ERP system, we are able to respond around the clock, quickly, to help cut off damage sources and make preliminary efforts at restoration before damage can get too serious. Here's what you can expect from a fast SERVPRO response to your flood damage call.

Immediate Damage Evaluation and Mitigation Efforts

When you first contact us about commercial flood damage in Bristol, our most immediate priority is to evaluate the extent and type of damage to the property. Our technicians will examine the building and any relevant floor plans or blueprints, shut off any pipes or pumps which may be causing the damage, find the most concerning damage spots and conditions, and begin efforts to extract water and dry out the area. These are all time-sensitive tasks, and the faster you can call us, the sooner they can be completed. Our newly-released Emergency Ready Profile system can help to expedite this process, allowing us to access critical information early on, and without hassle.

Follow-Up Restorations

A fast and early response can often precipitate an overall easier restoration process. Our technicians can set up drying equipment, halt mold growth before it gets a chance to start, and extract water before it can seep into deep recesses and cracks to cause even greater amounts of damage. Immediate responses and quick reactions can end up allowing us to spend less time on or even skip over certain restoration tasks, getting doors open quicker and costing you less.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is available around the clock to help mitigate damages for local businesses in need. Just give us a call at (423) 245-5552.

Flood Damage Solution In Bristol

11/26/2016 (Permalink)

Bristol Flood Waters Need a SERVPRO Removal

Rely on the Expertise of SERVPRO to Help After Flood Has Damaged Your Property

When flooding is a part of the history of the area that you live in, you should consider it as a part of your duties as a property owner to plan for these types of situations. Obtaining the proper insurance and budgeting for some of the preventive measures that exist to assist you with preparation for a flood is only the beginning. However, it is far better than merely reacting to a crisis. It is our goal to inform you more about what to do when a water damage emergency hits and help you with getting back to normal, with the least amount of disturbance to your everyday lives.
 
We have expertly trained technicians who have experience in dealing with flood damage restoration near your Bristol home. It is possible that the person who arrives to help you with your situation is someone that you already know within the community that you live, a neighbor, a friend or even a family member.
 
SERVPRO Franchises are locally owned and operated by people just like you. Our technicians go through rigorous training to learn the proper steps to assist with your recovery as promptly and professionally as possible. However, we can also help you prepare to combat the possibility before it ever occurs, limit the damage caused by flooding and even save more of your belongings in the process.
 
Our expertly trained technicians at SERVPRO offer you services that are unique to your situation and help you understand what you can expect; even during the worst possible conditions. We will be there to assist you through the entire process, from beginning to end and even provide you with any assistance you need filling out the proper paperwork to deal with your insurance company.
 
The restoration process at SERVPRO starts with your initial phone call. We will perform an inspection on your property and thoroughly explain what is needed to get you back on your feet. Then we will quickly and efficiently cover the steps of the action plan that we have described to remove any excess water and completely dry everything within the affected area. We can uncover those hard to locate moisture pockets that require specialized equipment to find. All of your household items get handled as if they were our own, and each restorable item is taken care of and returned to a quality pre-damage condition "Like it never even happened."
 
Our SERVPRO of Kingsport - Bristol staff is waiting to assist you. Make the call today - (423) 245-5552

Commercial Water Removal in Bloomingdale

11/10/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Removes Water From Block Foundations After Commercial Damage in Bloomingdale

Storage Facilities and Warehouses Have Water Damage Needs

Flood damage can be a door closer to Tennessee businesses. Although we've had quite a few storms this year, plumbing failures still make up many of the damages to local offices and stores.

Water removal in a Bloomingdale commercial business is not necessarily a quick and painless process. Storage facilities aren't immune to this and SERVPRO knows how important it gets a warehouse or temporary storage area to be safe for customers again.
Cinder block construction of storage and warehouse structures present a unique set of problems when it comes to getting rid of water. Although it is simple to pump standing water, it is removing the excess moisture from inside these walls that can present a difficulty.

The open cells in the center of each block can retain a relatively large amount of moisture. Blocks that have been submerged for an extended period may have standing water inside. When this happens, the blocks eventually begin to 'sweat,' and the moisture slowly passes to the outside. Unfortunately, this can affect property and material stored inside the warehouse or individual unit if it is placed against the wall. To combat this, our technicians will drill a hole in the mortar joints near the bottom of an affected wall. This drains any standing water and will increase airflow through the individual blocks. Increased flow speeds up the 'sweating' or transfer of moisture from inside to the outside of the wall. Additional holes can be drilled to speed further along the process.

We ensure that moisture levels have returned to normal; our SERVPRO techs use a non-penetrating moisture meter throughout the process. Once a normal level registers on the meter, these holes can be easily filled in to return the wall to its original state.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol knows how important it is to keep the doors open and the lights on. Every business has its own problems when it comes to water damage. Storage facilities are no different. Call us today at (423) 245-5552 to begin restoring your business to its original state.

Repairing Your Home's Flood Damage in Long Island

10/30/2016 (Permalink)

Storm damage can be devastating. Call SERVPRO to get started with the remediation process!

SERVPRO Cleans your Home Thoroughly After Flood Damage to Prevent Any Secondary Damage

If your home is ever flooded by either an internal water source or an external one, you will want to get the water removed as fast as possible. SERVPRO can assist you by using one of our trucks that can pump out the water, emptying your home of unwanted water quickly. After the majority of the water is removed, we will remove even more from the interior of your home with specialized equipment that can extract moisture from semi-porous materials such as paneling, drywall, or wood flooring.
 
In Long Island, we will make sure that flood damage becomes a thing of the past as we restore your home so that it is "Like it never even happened." As we are taking care of the increased moisture throughout your home, we will also be cleaning and restoring your belongings to a pre-flood state. Some items will need to be sent out for specialized service, especially electronics, and we will work closely with you on this aspect. A flood can be stressful enough without adding in unknowns such as where your things are going to and when you will see them again.
 
Structurally, a flood can create hidden damage in a home that won't show itself for months. At SERVPRO, we have learned through training and experience what unrepaired flood damage can do to a home. We do not want that to happen to yours so we will take the needed steps so you can avoid that headache in the future. Mold and bacterial growths, rotting walls and support beams, rusting or corroding metal fittings and moldings, and other problems can plague those who have had a flood long after everything is cleaned up. As we clean, we will prevent these problems, and also possible health problems by sanitizing areas that have become contaminated. We realize a flood is multi-faceted in the problems it creates, and we respond accordingly.
 
Calling SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 should be one of the first things you do post-flood so we can help you with the entire process of undoing the damage caused. Available 24/7 to meet your needs, we are always ready to assist you.

Call SERVPRO if You Have Water Damage

10/17/2016 (Permalink)

If you are forced to deal with water damage inside your home, you probably feel overwhelmed.

If You Have Water Damage, Call SERVPRO

If you are forced to deal with water damage inside your home, you probably feel overwhelmed. The truth is, you might be feeling like you are in over your head because it's easy to find yourself in exactly that type of situation when you are dealing with a home that has been compromised by water damage. When you are in this kind of situation, you need someone that can help you right away. It's simply too much to think about if you try to handle everything on your own. That is why you need us at SERVPRO.

Dealing With What You Can See...And What You Can’t See

One of the most deceiving things about water damage is that it can look like everything is cleaned up and largely unscathed, yet there can be problems brewing that is not necessarily visible to the naked eye.

Finding an effective solution to the problem requires the use of proven techniques that are designed to get rid of the musky, dank odor that usually comes with any water damage. You also have to get rid of things like mold growth and other microbes through an extensive restoration process. If you have experienced water damage in your Colonial Heights home, it is imperative that you get the help you need as quickly as possible. At SERVPRO, you can call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We will extract the water, dry the entire structure and then use our proper restoration and sanitation techniques to ensure that you don't experience any problems related to the water damage from that point forward. We achieve these results by drying, dehumidifying and sanitizing everything, not just what is on the surface. We have years of experience in these techniques. Because of that experience, we can make your home look and smell its best while simultaneously restoring that safe environment that is so important to you and your loved ones.

Contact Us

If you have experienced any water damage, contact us at SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol anytime of the day by calling (423) 245-5552.

Fire Damage can cause Lingering Smoke Odors, but there are Solutions

9/23/2016 (Permalink)

Homes that have been damaged by a fire will also have a particular, and peculiar, odor to them.

Contact A Fire Damage Restoration Company To Remove Smoke Odors

There are many different parts to restoring a home after a house fire has blazed through it. Many times, areas need only a small amount of work, while other areas need to be completely gutted and rebuilt. At SERVPRO, we know that it isn't just a structural or aesthetic part of an area that we are rebuilding. We're also removing the aroma of burning materials as we work.

Homes in Long Island that have been damaged by a fire will also have a particular, and peculiar, odor to them. Technicians at SERVPRO are trained in the equipment used to remove this odor. From air scrubbers to ozone machines, we can have your odor problems under control quickly. There's no need to continue breathing in the tiny particles that cause the odors you're smelling. SERVPRO has the equipment needed to remove these particles.

We also understand that summertime heat and humidity can cause these odors to increase and that in the winter, the use of humidifiers, combined with the heat of your furnace, can mimic summer's environment. This can cause odors to resurface, making you uncomfortable at any time of the year. This can make it easier to remove the particles that create the odors, simply because they are now airborne and can be removed more easily. Other ways of deodorizing your home that can be done right after fire damage have been repaired and restored include fabric cleaning of upholstered furniture, cleaning of hard surfaces, repainting of walls and ceilings, and also injection of deodorizing chemicals into carpeting. At SERVPRO, we understand that there is more than one way a fire can create odor problems in a home, and we have more than one technique to eliminate those same odors.

When odors are still a part of fire damage in your home, call us, SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552. We are available to advise you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We want to make your home-sweet-home a reality for you again.

Dealing With Mold Damage in Tennessee

8/19/2016 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation In Bloomingdale Gets Fixed by SERVPRO

SERVPRO Certified Technicians Remediate Mold Damage Professionally and Safely

Water has to be removed quickly when flooding occurs. Even when the visible effects, such as standing water and warped flooring, has been eliminated and replaced, there is the hazard of mold spores. Please continue reading.

Mold damage in Bloomingdale homes is caused not just by pools of standing water, but in spaces, such as behind drywall, which has not been dried out properly. If a previously flooded area isn't taken care of, then mold will grow quickly. SERVPRO has the expertise and the equipment to help prevent breeding grounds for mold and remove it if needed.

If you're concerned about earlier flooding, we can inspect your home to determine if there may be any areas that need cleaning or may just require drying and dehumidification to prevent the growth of mold. If our inspectors discover any fungi, we will test further to see how far it has grown. In cases of obvious mold patches, we can immediately start the remediation process. Once the area of infestation is determined, our technicians have a variety of anti-fungal and anti-microbial cleaners at their disposal to scrub the area clean.

To make sure the process is thorough, your heating and air system will need to be scrubbed using specialized equipment and anti-fungal product filled foggers to destroy any trace of the infestation within the air ducts. All of the air filters will be replaced as well. If the source of the mold is within the walls, then that section of drywall or framing will need to be removed. If there is no mold, but an excess amount of moisture is discovered, our technicians will use a series of dehumidifiers and exhaust fans to clear out the wetness. These same units are also used to remove mold spores from your home by blowing outside using a technique called negative pressure. HEPA filtration systems are also used by our SERVPRO Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians (AMRT) to restore your home to its pre-loss condition "Like it never even happened."

With the weather like it is in Sullivan and surrounding counties, excessive moisture and humidity is almost the norm. If you are concerned about possible mold damage to your home, contact us here at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol today at (423) 245-5552.

Storm Restorers for Flood Damage

7/27/2016 (Permalink)

Flood Damaged Buildings

Our SERVPRO Technicians are Trained to Restore Damage with Specialized Equipment

Sullivan County, Tennessee has a history of heavy flooding. Nearby lakes, streams, and rivers can overflow their banks during extreme storms. Flood damage causes roads to close and causes damage to homes and businesses. Flooding leaves behind mud, debris and damage to the foundation of a building's structure. Due to the rush of water entering homes and businesses, moisture penetrates walls, ceilings, flooring, and basements. Within 24 to 48 hours, mold begins to grow exponentially, spreading everywhere.
 
Flood damage in Bristol, which is called the “birthplace of country music,” could be devastating to historic residential and commercial buildings, as well as their valuable contents. This is the time when you need professional flood damage restoration specialists. When you contact SERVPRO, without hesitation, we are pulling up to your flood-damaged site with the advanced equipment, tools, and experience needed in this crisis. We immediately begin to assess and inspect the damage so that we can customize a flood damage restoration plan for you.
 
We start working immediately to prevent further mitigating damages. Our SERVPRO flood damage processes include using powerful pumps and vacuums. Our specialized equipment is designed to measure each room's temperature, humidity and to find hidden water areas. Our air movers and dehumidifiers go a long way to dry your home or business. We are adept at cleaning and sanitizing whatever contents you direct us towards. Our goal is to save as much of your valuable belongings as possible. We would like to restore you to a pre-loss condition and not to destroy.
 
Our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is a locally owned and operated business within the community. We are available 24/7, including holidays with any flood damage emergency assistance you need. We are happy to serve our Tennesseans with all their flood, mold, water or fire emergencies. Call us at (423) 245-5552 to learn more about our services.

Water Damage 101

6/28/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol will respond quickly to your Bluff City water damage and make it "Like it never even happened."

101 Water Damage 

Water damage can describe any large number of possible losses caused by water intrusion into your business or home. No matter how it got there, water can be very destructive, causing the rusting of steel, rotting of wood, de-laminating of materials like plywood and the growth of mold, plus much more. 

Bluff City water damage can be imperceptibly minor and slow like water spots which could appear on your wall or ceiling, or they can be catastrophic and instantaneous like flooding. No matter how fast it happens, water damage is a huge contributor to the loss of property. 

Insurance Coverage 

Your insurance policy may or may not cover costs that are associated with water damage and the water damage restoration process. You should look at your insurance policy before a disaster happens so that you know what is covered and what is not. With floods, you will usually need separate flood insurance. Speak with your insurance agent if you are not sure what your policy covers. 

Remediation 

There are different water removal methods and remediation procedures depending upon the category of water. Because of the destructive nature of water, restoration methods heavily rely on how much water is involved, and how much time the water has been allowed to stay stagnant. Contacting a professional water damage restoration specialist, such as our team at SERVPRO, is the safest way to restore your property that has been damaged by water because our training and experience are extensive. 

Mold Growth 

Slight discolorations on your ceiling or walls might go unnoticed for an extended period of time, but they gradually spread and become more severe. They are often ignored even if they are noticed because it is thought that discoloration is a normal part of wear and tear in a home. However, mold spreads throughout a structure and when it does it can lead to serious health issues. If you suspect at all that you have mold, contact us at SERVPRO so that we can check it out for you. 

If you delay in calling us to help you with your water damage, you will wind up with additional damage to your building. It may cause things that could have been salvaged to no longer be viable; mold will begin to grow and quickly spread through the structure, plus you may wind up with a lot more structural damage than you would have had we been able to get out there in a timely fashion. This is why it is important to act quickly when you experience any water damage. Not only will your repair costs rise significantly, but you will also have much more loss than you would have. 

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

So when you experience water damage of any kind, do not hesitate to contact us at SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol by calling (423) 245-5552 any time of day or night. We will be to your property quickly so we can begin assessing the damages and work out a plan for remediation. 

Common Causes of Kingsport Commerical Fire Damage

5/25/2016 (Permalink)

When you're dealing with a commercial fire in Kingsport, SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol can respond and restore your home "Like it never even happened."

Common Causes of Commerical Fire Damage in Kingsport

In the United States, commercial fires are fairly common, meaning if you are a business owner in Kingsport, you might, unfortunately, experience commercial fire damage in Kingsport one day. The United States averages about eight thousand commercial fire occurrences every year. The nation sees around eighteen thousand injuries and three thousand fatalities with these annual fires, plus ten billion dollars or more in damages. Some of these commercial fires are out of anyone’s control, but a whopping eight five percent of commercial fires occur because of intent or error by someone. Therefore, it is always helpful for all who own or work in a commercial building to understand what the common causes of commercial fires are and how they can help to prevent them. 

Commercial Fires Common Causes 

The Kitchen  

Kitchen fires are usually associated with just residential fires, but they are the most common cause of any fire throughout the whole nation. Kingsport commercial fires which happen because of cooking are usually worker caused by the employee making food away from areas designated as kitchen areas. 

Electric 

People usually think that electrical fires are caused by electrician error, but this is not the case at all. Commercial fires in Kingsport are created because of a system which is overloaded or a building contractor who has not followed electrical coding. 

Boilers and Heaters 

This type of commercial fire occurs when heaters, boilers, and furnaces have not been properly cared for and lack the regular maintenance they should have. These fires also occur when the building is using these areas for storage. 

Smoking 

Even though smoking is not a leading cause of fires in the nation anymore, it still poses a threat. Commercial fires from smoking usually start in areas which have been designated for smoking or when the staff tries to sneak a smoke break inside the building somewhere. 

Arson 

Even though many times these fires happen in buildings which are left unused or are abandoned, they still will cause damage which is serious and will cost the owners of the building a large sum of money. 

Storage 

A lot of commercial fires start because workers and staff use storage methods which are improper. These methods generally place materials which are flammable in contact with a heating source, making the perfect setup for a fire to start. 

No matter the cause, Kingsport commercial fire damage can be quite devastating and costly to your business. To prevent any further damage, you will want to contact a professional company, such as SERVPRO, right away, so we can assess your damage and do the remediation you need to get your company back up and running as soon as possible. 

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

Contact us, SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol by dialing (423) 245-5552 any time of the day or night, and we will come to your property as soon as possible, so we get things back to normal for you. 

Piney Flats Water Damage - Five Things You Should Know About Water Damage In Piney Flats

5/5/2016 (Permalink)

If water damage strikes your Piney Flats home, SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol will be there to clean and restore your property!

Five Tips You Should Know About Piney Flats Water Damage 

Water damage in Piney Flats is a common problem that occurs in many homes, and if your house has been affected, you need to take immediate action. Fortunately, there are many renowned Piney Flats water damage companies that can handle the cause of the problem be it hurricanes, blocked drains or broken pipes. The signs of water damage can show up at any time, and it is advisable not to ignore them. A strange blemish of color or a soft spot inside the wall are some of the signs of water damage that can cause to subsidence of your home’s foundation. Here are some things you ought to know about water damage. 

1. You Are Not Always going to Notice 

After your house floods and you drain the water out, you often feel like everything is back to normal. However, this is not always the case since the signs of water damage are not always visible. Mold, decay, and even structural damage can be occurring beneath the surface, yet you are not aware. 

2. You Want To Catch It Early 

Water damage can spread fast and what was just as small spot can swiftly escalate into a large issue. When you suspect there has been water damage in your home even on a tiny scale, it is advisable to have a Piney Flats water damage do a survey. In so doing, they can reverse the damage very early in its progress. 

3. The Source Is Not Always Obvious 

The cause of the damage in your home is not always straightforward. In addition to all-out floods, there are also other small occurrences that can lead to water damage. Faulty pipes, rain, and cracks in the foundation can also damage your home. 

4. It Takes Experts To Fix It 

Handling water damage is not easy if you are on your own. It is always advisable to allow professionals to deal with damage repair. A restoration expert has the skills to survey the damage and give you an approximation of the work and costs. By doing this, you get a vivid picture of what is necessary to make your home safe and sound.

5. It Helps to Be Aware and Stay Informed 

One way to avert water damage and save money is by being aware of the environment you live in. Know what the pipes in your home are made of to determine how prone they are to leaks. It is also essential to be familiar with the climate and weather so that you know the appropriate preventive measures to take. 

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

For speedy and professional restoration after water damage, call SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol at (423) 245-5552. The company has dedicated restoration teams and equipment to clean your home in no time. 

Blountville Fire Damage - What to Do When You Have Blountville Fire Damage

3/29/2016 (Permalink)

Fire is something that most homeowners never think they will have to contend with, but fires can start for a wide range of reasons.

Fire Damage Blountville - What to Do When You Have Blountville Fire Damage

Call SERVPRO for Fire Damage in Blountville
Fire is something that most homeowners never think they will have to contend with, but fires can start for a wide range of reasons. For example, you may have a grease fire in the kitchen when you are cooking, lightning may strike your home during a thunderstorm, or you may have an electrical fire caused by a short in a wire. Regardless of the cause of the fire that has ravaged through your home, you may now be looking for service for Blountville fire damage.

The Extent of the Damage
Even a little fire in your home can cause considerable damage, and there are several reasons for this. First, a small fire can put off a significant amount of smoke, and smoke can pass through every room in your home to cause widespread damage. Second, firefighters' efforts to put out the smoke often include the use of water or a fire retardant agent, and both of these substances can cause damage to your home and furnishings. These substances can combine with ash and soot from the fire to leave you with a charred, muddy mess in the home. These types of damage are in addition to the destruction left behind by the fire itself.

Restoring Your Home
Regardless of how large or small, your fire was, you want your home restored to like-new condition as soon as possible. Restoring your home requires removing the ashes, soot, water and fire retardant agent from the space as a first step. Humidity levels may also need to be restored to normal through water remediation services. In addition, the fire damage and smoke damage throughout the home will need to be removed, and some of the home may need to be re-built because of the fire damage.

Why You Need Professional Services
Some homeowners might want to restore their home on their own, but there are good reasons why you need professional Blountville fire damage restoration services. First, you need to act quickly to remove the water from the home to minimize the risk of mold growth. Some sections of the home that are exposed to the outdoors because of the fire may need to be sealed for your protection. After the initial steps have been completed, you may need professional services so that the home can be restored in the most efficient way possible without lingering signs of smoke or fire.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is the company to contact for all your fire damage restoration needs. We understand the importance of responding to your request for service quickly, and you can rest assured that our local company has the equipment, supplies and manpower needed to get the job done right for you in the most efficient manner possible. Call us today at (423) 245-5552 for assistance with your Blountville fire damage restoration project.

Mold Damage Rogersville - The Mold Remediation Process

3/18/2016 (Permalink)

When mold is attacking the integrity of your home with odor and damage, remediation is needed.

Rogersville Mold Damage - The Mold Remediation Process

Mold is part of everyday life. When used correctly mold and mold spores have a lot of positive uses for food and medicine. However, when mold is attacking the integrity of your home with odor and damage, remediation is needed. Call a mold damage expert in Rogersville. There are four broad categories for mold remediation.
 

Remove and Dry Water Damage
After a flood or heavy water damage, mold can start to form. Water and floods should be cleaned up and dried thoroughly as soon as possible. An expedited cleanup helps prevent the spread and growth of new mold.
 

Quarantine Mold Growth and Spores
Using plastic sheeting and household duct tape, seal off areas that have mold or mold growth. A mold damage professional in Rogersville can help with a particular equipment like airlocks, filters, and suppression units.
 

Safe Removal of Mold and Clean-up
Mold removal is best left to mold damage professionals in Rogersville. These professionals begin the very complex tasks of safely removing mold from your home. Many steps are probable, but most likely they involve using a chemical solution to scrub mold away from all appliances, counters, and surfaces. All materials that are removable are put in sealed plastic bags for transport. Sealing the items is done when mold damage to items is so high they are unsalvageable. All dirt and debris must is removed with an approved vacuum cleaner and filter.
 

Complete Inspection and Future Monitoring
After an inspection and testing reveal that all mold has been safely removed, a mold damage expert in Rogersville returns periodically to monitor the future mold growth or mold spore activity in the home. These additional checks help prevent future spread of mold growth to dangerous levels.
 
 
 
When your home in Rogersville needs mold remediation Call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552. They respond quickly to address and remediate your mold problem.

The Value of Residential Fire Damage Cleanup in Kingsport

3/2/2016 (Permalink)

Smoke is basically fuel that didn't burn, made visible by the presence of small particles of carbon and other material.

Kingsport Fire Damage And Its Importance To Your Residential Home

It is important to get Kingsport residential fire damage cleanup services after a fire has caused harm to your property and belongings. After the fire has been put out, smoke and soot damage will remain. The proper cleaning techniques will need to be performed to make sure that your property is returned to the condition it was in before the fire. It is essential for these procedures to be done in prompt fashion because you want to know for sure that the structure of your home is secure before you go back into it.

Rely on Kingsport Residential Fire Damage Cleanup

Kingsport residential fire damage cleanup services can be a smart move after a fire has wreaked havoc on your home. The cleaning process will aid your home in its return to its former glory. It is important to do a thorough inspection to see what type of problems have occurred in your residential property. Your home will need to be cleaned from the top to the bottom with the right tools and products in every place that has suffered smoke damage.

The cleaning process will include floor mopping, and in some cases floor stripping, sealing, and refinishing will need to be done. Your walls and ceiling can be cleaned thoroughly to remove soot and to prepare them for repainting if it is necessary. Window cleaning is also an important part of the cleaning process. The inside of your windows are likely to be smudged from the smoke, so they should be cleaned well.

After a Kingsport fire, your ductwork should be looked at closely to see if smoke has damaged it. If it has, it is important for the situation to be remedied swiftly. Smoke clings to metal surfaces, so your entire system will need to be cleaned and disinfected to get rid of the lingering contamination.

Cleaning up your home is sure to be your top priority after a fire so that you can get back to living your normal life. It will be necessary to clean off soot from wood furniture, your upholstery, your electronic equipment, and much more. Everything that soot touches needs to be cleaned and sometimes sanitized. After that, your home will also need to be deodorized with unique products that will do more than just cover up the smell of smoke. You want to make sure that the smoke fragrance is completely annihilated.

You can trust SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol with all of your fire damage cleanup services. We are in a great location to serve your needs quickly after a fire has occurred so that your property can quickly return to its former glory.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is strategically located to respond quickly to your flood and water emergency event. When fire damage occurs in Blountville, Bluff City, or Mountain City, we have the resources and personnel to help. Call us today! (423) 245-5552

The Bristol Fire Department Demonstrates Fire Safety for the Holidays

12/9/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Says Please Be Safe During the Holiday Season

The Burn Boxes Built by SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol Make Bristol Safer from Fire Damage

Our local Bristol Fire Department demonstrated how Bristol fire damage can be averted. Assistant Fire Chief Jack Spurgeon hosted the event along with several of his first responders. He got it off to a fiery start with a live fire demonstration of a burning Christmas tree. The objective was to show how a  commercial or home sprinkler system could  save valuable property and protect your family.

SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is proud to have been involved in the construction of these burn cells as we contribute to the safety and well-being of our friends and neighbors in Bristol and Kingsport. Fire damage can be devastating anytime of the year. From our family to yours, please be careful as you enjoy the holiday season.

New Burn Cell Units Donated to the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department

12/1/2015 (Permalink)

Our team members worked hard all day!

The Bristol Tennessee Fire Department Gets New Burn Cell Units

Our professional team here at SERVPRO of Kingston/Bristol donated their services to build two new burn cell units for the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department. These units will provide live performance training for the firefighters and it will also give the fire department the opportunity to educate the local community on fire safety.

These two burn cell units will be used during the Fire Department’s Citizens Fire Academy. Assistant Chief Jack Spurgeon and his team will recreate different scenarios such as the benefits of using fire prevention tools and show how easy it is to spark a fire with household items. One important scenario Chief Spurgeon would like to show the community is the difference between having a sprinkler in a household versus not having one. The public will also have the experience to see what our firefighters go through on a daily basis.

Lowe’s of Kingsport, Cumberland Fire Protection, and Dalton Direct Flooring were among some of the donors that supported this amazing project as a way of giving back to our firefighters that risk their lives every day. We are so proud of the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department! Thank you for your sacrifice.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

When a fire occurs, time is of the essence. If your property or business experiences a fire loss, contact the fire and water damage restoration experts at SERVPRO. As a cutting edge company committed to helping our customers with our remediation services, you can count on us to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

 As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Kingston/Bristol is strategically located to respond quickly to your flood and water emergency event. Call us today! (423) 245-5552

5 Steps to Water Damage Restoration in Mount Carmel

11/24/2015 (Permalink)

10% of homes in the U.S. have leaks that waste at least 90 gallons of water per day.

Mount Carmel Water Damage Restoration Steps

 The Five Basic Steps Of Water Damage Restoration

Residential property owners who have experienced water damage in Mt Carmel know how challenging the matter can be. However, learning more about water damage and the restoration processes that can reverse it empowers homeowners to get their property back in pristine condition quickly. Learn more about the five basic steps of water damage restoration by reading the short outline provided for you below:

 1. Call A Water Damage Restoration Company.

 The first thing you should do upon recognizing signs of water damage on your Mt Carmel property is to call for help. If you don't contact a water damage restoration company immediately, you run the risk of weakening your property's structural integrity and exposing it to a mold invasion. In addition to contacting a restoration company, be sure to call your insurance agent. She or he will provide you with information regarding how to quickly and correctly file your claim.

 2. Property Assessment.

 After you call the Mt Carmel water damage restoration company, contractors will come to your property and complete a thorough assessment. The assessment is designed to provide the remediation specialists with a clear understanding of the extent of your water damages . Once this information is attained, the contractors will develop and implement a strategic plan to expedite and optimize the restoration process.

 3. Water Removal.

 After the strategic plan is drafted, the contractors will move forward with the water removal process. This process will involve the use of specialized, professional equipment like vacuums and power pumps.

 4. Drying And Dehumidifying.

 Once the water removal process is complete, the restoration specialists will move forward with the drying and dehumidifying work. Generally, your walls and floors will retain excess water. This water can cause swelling, warping, or the complete breakdown of your property. For this reason, your restoration team will work with skill and speed to eliminate all remaining moisture through the use of industrial equipment.

 5. Cleaning.

 The final step in the water damage restoration process is thorough cleaning. Your restoration team will offer a wide range of services to get your house in safe, sanitary condition. Some of the services offered will include disinfectant, antibacterial, and antimicrobial treatments. Deodorization and odor removal treatments can also be offered.

 When you find that your residential property is adversely impacted by water damage, it's time to implement the right solutions. The fast, effective solution is calling a team of excellent, expedient contractors to restore your property. As a team of IICRC-certified professionals, SERVPRO's technicians will quickly and correctly complete all of the work necessary to restore your home.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

 As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is strategically located to respond quickly to your flood and water emergency event. When water damage occurs in Mt Carmel, Blountville, or Bluff City, we have the resources and personnel to help. Call us today! (423) 245-5552

Safety First For Mold Remediation in Bristol

10/13/2015 (Permalink)

Water Damage Leads to Mold

Let SERVPRO Safely Remove Mold from Your Bristol Home

When a natural disaster strikes your residential home in Bristol, the result is often water damage. Once your home is inundated with water, you can find yourself dealing with a mold infestation. Often, homeowners will attempt to eliminate the mold bloom themselves. There are numerous reasons why this course of action will almost always prove ineffective and even possibly dangerous. Learn more about mold infestations and why they require professional remediation by reviewing the following article.

Mold Basics

Molds are fungi that are endemic in nature. These fungi appear in various colors, including orange, blue, dark green, and black. Mold also comes in various levels of toxicity due to the production of mycotoxins. Examples are toxigenic molds like Stachybotrys chartarum and pathogenic molds than cause many allergies. Prolonged or habitual exposure to mycotoxins can result, in the extreme, death.

Why You Need Professional Mold Removal Services

As mentioned earlier, homeowners seek to remove mold from their home without professional assistance. Don't make this mistake. Property owners are generally not able to determine how hazardous the mold removal process will be. There are many reasons why this work must be left to the professionals. For example, the general public is typically not able to distinguish between toxigenic and pathogenic molds. Additionally, most people do not have access to the specialized equipment and protective gear like HEPA filters, goggles, Hazmat protective clothing and more.

Another reason that you should avoid completing the mold removal process on your own results from the fact that mold spores can cause serious health challenges. Some of these health problems include:

• Respiratory complications
• Vision and eye problems
• Circulatory issues
• Skin conditions
• Discomfort
• Fatigue

It's also important to note that ongoing exposure to mold can cause neurological and mental symptoms. Some of them include:

• Confusion
• Shortened attention span
• Brain fog
• Disorientation
• Slowed reflexes
• Impaired learning ability
• Dizziness
• Shock
• Shaking

To avoid the onset of these symptoms, you should stay away from the mold and have it removed by professionals. These trained technicians from SERVPRO will seal off the areas affected by mold--containment--and even employ negative air pressure chambers to prevent cross-contamination. We will utilize disinfectants to sanitize and then fogging machines to deodorize your home in Bristol.

Let SERVPRO Help You

When your property in Bristol is infested with mold, it's time to take action. The team to call for fast and effective mold remediation services is SERVPRO. Our IICRC-certified technicians are highly skilled in recognizing and responding to your unique mold issues with expedience and efficacy. We're ready to restore your property to its previously safe state.

Locally Owned, with National Resources

We are proud to be an active member of Bristol. SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is locally owned and operated. Call us. (423) 245-5552

Kingsport Commercial Fire Damage 101

9/29/2015 (Permalink)

When an individual's business is subjected to fire, extensive losses can occur.

Commercial Fire Damage 101 in Kingsport

Individuals who own businesses should know that natural disasters can have an adverse impact on the structural integrity and safety of the property. Unfortunately, Kingsport commerical fire damage can cause business owners to lose valuable possessions. In many cases, these individuals are uncertain regarding what course of action they should take to get their business back in excellent condition. To ensure that your commercial property regains its original functionality and aesthetic appeal, it's a good idea to invest in professional remediation services. Learn more about Kingsport commercial fire damage and how restoration services can help you by reading the short outline provided below:

Preventing Loss From Fire Damage
There are numerous actions you should take to prevent loss from Kingsport commercial fire damage. The first step is to make sure that all of the staff are avoiding the premises. This is important because dangerous substances are released after the fire. Once all of the staff have vacated the premises, the cleanup process can start. Disaster control experts will optimize and expedite this process by removing unwanted odors and trash. They will also offer board-ups. Another step that will be taken during the commercial fire damage remediation process is the creation of short-term walls. These barriers will help prevent passersby, office staff, and criminals from attempting to enter the building and thereby harming themselves.

Another step of the cleanup and restoration process is protecting the business owner's ceiling with parcels or tarps. This work will help prevent the ceiling from a collapse resulting from gusts of wind, rainfall, or other mishaps. Water damage specialists will also work to help business owners recover and restore valuable possessions. Recovery solutions are available for all types of items, including outfits, furnishings, rugs, and gadgets. Commercial fire damage specialists will also utilize dry washing procedures to eradicate any trash or smoke that has adhered to clothing items and other materials.

Conclusion
When an individual's business is subjected to fire, extensive losses can occur. Additionally, the water damage generated from the extinguishing process can make the commercial property susceptible to an outbreak of mold and mildew. Finally, fires can adversely impact possessions and leave them in need of restoration efforts. To ensure that your business and properties can be salvaged and restored, it's important that you attain assistance from a team of trained fire damage specialists. The team to trust is SERVPRO. As a cutting edge company committed to offering customized remediation services that work, you can count on our specialists to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Call us now to schedule an appointment.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is locally owned and operated and we are proud to be part of this community. We are also part of a national network of over 1,650 Franchises with special Disaster Recovery Teams placed strategically throughout the country to respond to large-scale fire, water, and storm disasters.

When your commercial property or home has water damage from leaks or flooding, we have the experience and expertise to help. Give us a call. (423) 245-5552

Dealing with a Water Leak in Blountville

8/13/2015 (Permalink)

Keeping out the Water Cuts Down on Water Damage

Initial Action for a Water Leak in Blountville

Having a water leak within your Blountville home can be an incredibly difficult thing to have to handle on your own. Water leaks can be either minor or major and can easily result in flooding and water damage. Flooding, in itself, can be damaging because of a large amount of items that can be ruined by the water. One of the best things you can do, and as long as it is safe, is to remove any items from the area that may get ruined because of a water leak. If there are expensive electronics within the vicinity, it is vital that you pick these up and remove them to a safer area.

The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to a flood or water leak is to protect yourself. If there is electricity within the area, make sure that you stay out of the water and contact a professional company like SERVPRO right away. You should always make sure that you and your loved ones are safe when doing this type of work. The last thing you want is to be in a dangerous area because there is a flood within your home.

If you can contain the water that is accumulating from the leak, this is something that you will also want to do. You can use towels, sandbags or anything else to keep the water at bay and to contain it to one specific area. Thus, you're decreasing the amount of water damage to the rest of your home. With less damage, it is beneficial to saving yourself a lot of time and money later on with getting these types of things repaired and restored to their original condition.

Once the leak and flooding have been contained it is vital that you contact the professionals at SERVPRO so that they can take care of the damage for you. They can deal with water damaged walls, flooring, furniture, cabinetry and other items that might have been affected by the flood or leak. Having the water damage repaired by the experts from SERVPRO means that all the water and moisture will be extracted from your home.  This water removal will prevent potential future problems caused by mold or mildew.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

We live and work in this Blountville community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is close by and ready to respond to your flood or water damage emergency.

We specialize in water damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business.  Call us
for help.  (423) 245-5552

How to Estimate Fire Damage Costs in Bristol

8/13/2015 (Permalink)

Fire in Your House Requires Restoration

How to Estimate Fire Damage Costs in Bristol

Going through events that lead to fire damage in your Bristol home are traumatic and can change your life drastically. Besides all of the cleanup work that is needed, including getting rid of items that are no longer usable, it is also necessary for you to calculate the total fire damage costs. These costs will include everything from equipment rental, trash disposal, the cost of hiring professionals, and the restoration of damaged property. To make this multi-step procedure easier, hiring a professional to calculate fire damage costs is advisable.

Contact Your Insurance Company

After contacting your homeowner’s insurance company, an adjuster will be sent out to survey the damage in your Bristol home. The adjuster will look at the extent of the fire damage, the approximate value of the home and other factors to calculate the exact cost of damage. The cost the adjuster comes up with only covers the value of your home and depending on your insurance coverage, it may cover the cost of hiring a fire restoration company to help. All other household items require estimated values for insurance reimbursement. 

Include Lost Possessions in Fire Damage Costs

Included in the fire damage costs are possessions damaged to the point that they are tossed. Hiring a professional restoration company, such as SERVPRO,  to help total up the costs of these items is a good idea. The homeowner's investment for this service is well worth the cost. These professionals have the expertise to salvage items and thus lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

Include the Cost of Repairs in the Total Fire Damage Costs

It is advisable to hire a professional to help calculate the cost of repairing and restoring your home after a fire. The list of repairing and restoring partially damaged items and removing the odor of smoke from the home and possessions is partial. The cost of repainting the home and the repairing of the roof are also on this list. If the home is high-tech or historical, this will affect the final cost of repair and replacement.

Fortunately, there are professional services that are available to help you calculate fire damage costs. After you have consulted your homeowner’s insurance company, get in touch with a professional fire restoration company--SERVPRO. Allow this company to work in tandem with your insurance company to assess and restore your home to its previous condition.

Locally Owned, with National Resources

We are proud to be an active member of your community. SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is locally owned and operated so we’re already nearby and ready to help Bristol residents.

Faster to Any Size Fire Emergency

When fire and water damage strikes, a fast response is critical. We’re dedicated to responding immediately night or day to your Bristol home. A faster response helps to prevent secondary damage and helps to reduce cost.  Call us.  (432) 245-5552.

Basement Flooding: Prevention & Action Guide for Kingsport

8/13/2015 (Permalink)

Too Much Water Means a Call for Help

Action Plan for a Kingsport Flooded Home

Basements are susceptible to floods at any time of the year which could cause water damage to your Kingsport home. However, a good percentage of flooding occurs during the spring as a result of snow-melt and spring storms. Flooding may also occur during dry seasons as a result of blockages in the sewer system around the home. The following are some basic facts every homeowner should know about basement flooding:

• Keep roof gutters and downspouts clean and direct rainwater at least six feet away from the house’s foundation.
• Purchase and install an automatic energy generator that will provide the house with continual energy during blackouts.
• Install a sump pump that activates automatically to prevent water from collecting in the home or basement.
• Use a sealant to close cracks in the walls, floor, windows, and foundation of the basement to help prevent water damage.
• A porous pavement should be installed around the home to assist with the percolation and drainage of rainwater and thawed snow.
• Regularly review your home drainage system and plumbing to ensure that it is functioning properly

Homeowners should not attempt a flood cleanup on their own. Therefore, have the number of a water damage specialist such as SERVPRO-on hand. While you are awaiting their arrival, do the following:

• Disconnect the home’s electrical power, if possible. Avoid walking through floodwater as this could lead to electrocution.
• Avoid contaminated floodwater. However, if special circumstances require you to come in contact with it, use protective gear.
• If a sump pump is installed, wait for it to drain the floodwater if electricity can be safely restored to the home.
Attempt to dry out water damaged  upholstery and furniture as soon as is feasible. If they are wet for more than 48 hours, they should be disposed of since a mold risk exists.

When a flood occurs, time is of the essence. The best way for you to determine the full extent of the damages caused by fire, smoke, mold, water, and other disasters is to contact the water damage experts at SERVPRO immediately.

Locally Owned and Operated

We are proud to be an active member of this community. SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is locally owned and operated so we’re already nearby and ready to help Kingsport residents and business owners with any-sized flood and water damage emergencies.

Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our consultant will guide you through the crisis and may ask several questions to help us better understand the equipment and resources that may be needed.  (423) 245-5552.

How to Handle a Fire Restoration Job in Kingsport.

6/8/2015 (Permalink)

House Fire

How to Handle a Fire Restoration Job in Kingsport.

Coping with the effects of the house fire can be very taxing, particularly if you are uncertain about what you need to do to start the repair, clean up, and restoration process. There are a lot of things that need to take place after a fire, and it could be beneficial to know a few guidelines on how to deal with fire restoration tasks so that you can avoid risking your safety and further damaging your home. 

Contact Your Insurance Company for Fire Restoration

 After a fire has taken place, the first thing you should do is call your homeowner's insurance agent. He or she will be likely to send an insurance adjuster to your residence to assess the damages and come up with a cost estimate for repairs and restoration. Depending on your extent of coverage for water and fire damage, your insurance may actually cover all of your expenses.

Contact a Professional Restoration Company

After calling your insurance agent, you should call a professional restoration company like SEVPRO. We have the specialized licenses, team, equipment, and expertise to handle fire restoration, no matter how severe the damage is. 

Do Not Enter Your Home after a Fire.

Since it is common for fires to damage the structure of homes, you should not enter your home immediately after a house fire. Boards in your home may be fragile and brittle, and putting pressure on them can break them and cause injury to you. Additionally, it is likely that there is water damage from the attempts to put out the fire, which would have weakened the structure of the home even more. You could even be electrocuted if you go into your home, due to the large amounts of standing water in conjunction with electricity. It is highly recommended that you have a professional examine your home after such an event to make sure it is safe for you to enter. 

Fire and smoke damage is especially destructive. In many instances your Kingsport property will also suffer from water damage from firefighting efforts. We specialize in Bristol fire and water damage restoration, Kingsport fire damage clean-up,  Blountville smoke clean-up, Kingsport fire clean-up, Bristol fire restoration, Blountville fire and smoke damage and Kingsport fire restoration. There are many steps that need to be taken after a fire, and several of these require specialized equipment that most homeowners will not have or know how to use properly.

If you experience Fire or Smoke Damage? Call the experts at SERVPRO today at 423-245-5552.

Post Flood Damage Safety Tips for your Bristol home.

5/22/2015 (Permalink)

Water and flood damage.

Bristol Flood Damage Safety Tips

Floods are devastating, and dealing with one that damages your home can be a major pain. The big problem with floods is that the damage they cause can linger long after they are gone, so it's important to follow some post flood damage safety tips.

Cleaning up

Floodwaters that infiltrate your come can bring a toxic soup of sewage, gasoline, toxic chemicals and all kinds of pathogens. When you are doing flood restoration, you need to take safety precautions. If you have to wade into floodwaters to retrieve items or to help get the water out, make sure to wear protective clothing. And if you spend a significant amount of time in a room that has sustained flood damage, you should wear a respirator.

Throw out anything porous that came in contact with floodwaters. This includes carpet, upholstered furniture, large rugs, mattresses, paper items and even drywall. Clothing and small rugs that can be machine-washed are OK to keep, although they will need a thorough washing.

You have to make sure you thoroughly dry out the space to prevent mold growth. Ventilate the room and bring in large fans to run for at least 24 hours and longer if necessary. After that, you should use dehumidifiers to suck any remaining moisture out of the air. Before you do any restoration work, such as reinstalling drywall or carpet, use a moisture meter to make sure the room is free of moisture. If there is still moisture in studs, for example, it can lead to mold growth later on.

Once the area is fully dry, you should clean all surfaces thoroughly with a heavy-duty cleaner, preferably one that has bleach in it. This should include walls, floors, cabinets, counter tops and any solid-surface furniture that you salvaged.

Boil and treat your water

If you have a well, floodwaters may have infiltrated your water supply. Immediately after the flood, you should boil all water before drinking or cooking with it. As soon as possible, get your well water tested. If high levels of pathogens and particles are found, you will need to have your water source treated before you can safely use it again.

When your Kingsport home has water damage from flooding, we have the expertise and equipment to properly handle emergencies including Kingsport water damage, Bristol water removal, Mt Carmel water cleanup, Kingsport flood damage, Bristol flood cleanup, Mt Carmel flood restoration, Kingsport SERVPRO water cleanup, Bristol SERVPRO flood cleanup, Mt Carmel SERVPRO flood damage.

If you have questions about flood or water damage, call us today at 423-245-5552. 

Top 10 Tips for Preventing Mold after Your Kingsport Home is Water Damaged

5/20/2015 (Permalink)

Mold Damage

Mold can grow quickly in your Kingsport home.

When a flood has contributed to mold damage in a Kingsport home, due to either a serious water leak in the house or a natural disaster, mold can start to develop very quickly, sometimes in just a mere 48 hours. It is true that many types of mold are relatively benign, but there are other types that can cause health problems, such as irritation of the eyes, throat, and nose. Other common symptoms that mold can cause are respiratory problems, lethargy, headaches, and vomiting. To protect the health of everyone in the home, it is crucial to start thoroughly cleaning up as soon as possible after damage has occurred.

1. Keep doors and windows open to maximize ventilation and help air dry your home. If the power is working and you know it is safe, turn on fans as well to expedite the drying.

2. Remove and dispose of any wall to wall padding and carpeting. Wet carpets can take a very long time to dry, and the underlying floor will be ruined in the process.

3. Throw out any upholstered pillows, mattresses, and furniture. These are very difficult to clean properly and take too long to dry. These are ideal conditions in which mold can grow.

4. Any wallboard that has come into contact with water should be taken out. If it is wet, it will swell up and deteriorate, providing an environment in which mold can grow.

5. Throw away any wet papers and books that do not have value. Copy any important documents, and dispose of the originals if you can.

6. Mop up ceramic and vinyl flooring with a disinfecting cleaning solution. Ensure that any underlayment is properly dried.

7. Wash or dry clean curtains and draperies according to instructions given by the manufacturers.

8. Extract as much water from hardwood floors as you can, and do this immediately. Use dehumidifiers and fans to expedite this, but do not use heat, which runs the risk of warping the floor.

9. Remove and throw out any wet ceiling tiles. Let the area dry completely before putting in a new ceiling.

10. If the damage is severe, you may have to bring in a water remediation service, in order to dry your house out quickly. Keep in mind that in cases of water damage, the sooner you handle it, the higher the chance that you can stop mold from developing. 

We are trained Kingsport mold damage specialists who get started quickly to get your home or business back to normal, with specific training and certifications to handle your restoration needs including Kingsport black mold, Bristol mold removal, Blountville household mold removal, Kingsport mold removal companies, Bristol SERVPRO restoration, Blountville bathroom mold and Kingsport SERVPRO mold cleanup. 

We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is close by and ready to help with your mold-damaged property.

If you have questions about mold, call us today at 423-245-5552.