Hurricane Season Is Upon Us

Name: SERVPRO of Edgewater / Deale-Churchton / Lothian
Address: 1446 Ritchie Highway, Arnold, MD, 21012
Telephone: (410) 867-3590

9/17/2024 (Permalink)

It is that time of the year again – the dreaded hurricane season. Do you know what you need to be prepared? Hurricanes can pose a serious threat to you, your family and property. These natural disasters produce winds ranging from 74 to 200 miles per hour. A storm with that much power can cause catastrophic damage and severe flooding. If your home or business sustains high winds or heavy rain the damage can be devastating. When the weather hits, you will want to be prepared ahead of time. Don’t wait until the storm hits to get your supplies together. Start now, so you can stay safe later.

Here’s a list of basic emergency supplies to have on hand:

Flashlights and extra batteries

Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries

First aid kit

Emergency food and water

Non-electric can opener

Essential medicines and supplies

If a storm or hurricane causes water or structural damage to your home or business, know that SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian is just a phone call away. Call 410-867-3590 today!

Water Moves Fast, We Move Faster!

8/7/2024 (Permalink)

We’ve all been there...Sitting at the kitchen table and someone spills a glass of water. Quick! Clean it up! How does that relate to water that spills out of a pipe? Is it so important to clean water from your property?

SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian offers 24/7 water mitigation services because of the importance of quick remediation. Here’s a timeline of how water can create damage in your Edgewater home or Deale business:

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.

When it comes to water in your property, the key to lowering your expenses and minimizing damages is get it cleaned quickly.

Before & After a Flood

8/7/2024 (Permalink)

Did you know that Edgewater is susceptible to flood damage? If you have lived in Edgewater for quite some time, you are probably well aware of this. Flood prone zones can cause severe damage to homes and businesses in the area. Whether the flood comes from a flash flood, natural flood, major river or tropical storm, the damage can be extensive. To stay safe from flood hazards, SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian has some tips for you to follow before and after a flood occurs.

Before a flood

Make sure your insurance policy covers flooding. Even renters are eligible for flood insurance.
Move furniture and valuables to higher floors as floodwater rises.
Keep the car gas tank filled in case you need to evacuate.
Stay informed about weather conditions, flash flooding can occur in only minutes!
Do not drive through flooded roadways. The road may not be there. Follow the instructions given by emergency officials. If told to evacuate, do so!

After a flood

Do not eat or drink anything that encounters flood water.
Follow emergency officials' instructions on safe water consumption. You may have to boil your water.
Clean and have electrical equipment checked before using.
Report broken utilities to the proper authorities.
Use flashlights, not an open flame like a candle. Candles are a fire hazard and could cause an explosion if they encounter flammable gases.
Watch out for snakes and other "stray" animals. Water will cause snakes to come out of the ground with nowhere to go. Many other animals may be abandoned and lost.
Remember, floodwaters sometimes take days to rise, even when the sun is shining. It can take days for floodwaters to make their way downstream. Do not underestimate the power and speed at which flood water can rise and destroy everything in its path.

If your home or business is affected by flooding or water damage, call our experts here at SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian and we’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Professional Commercial Cleaning Services Whenever You Need Them

9/20/2023 (Permalink)

Have you made some modifications to your business since the start of the pandemic? Or maybe you added some walls or changed out the carpet? Do you need some post construction cleaning done? Once the floors are down and the drywall is painted, it is time to remove the debris and dust to prepare the building to welcome your customers and employees back.

For business owners in the Deale area, trust SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian to provide professional cleaning services to give that building that extra shine. These services can include, but are not limited to:

Carpet/Floor prep and cleaning
Ceiling, walls and fixture cleaning
Deodorization
Air Duct Cleaning
Debris Removal (if necessary)
Window Cleaning

SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian can help you meet your deadlines by providing thorough post construction services in a timely manner. Call us to schedule a walk-through of your business to review recommendations at 410-867-3590! With over 45 years of restoration experience, our professionals can make any size disaster “Like it never even happened.”

Cigarette Fire Safety

9/20/2023 (Permalink)

We recently had an emergency call come in where the homeowner experienced a large fire loss due to a cigarette. We want to ensure smokers in the Edgewater area are smoking safely and understand the risks associated with smoking involving their house. It is important for smokers to know the steps they can take to keep themselves and their families safe from fire. Here are some tips from SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian that could help protect you or someone you know who smokes.

Smoke outside. Many things in your home can catch on fire if they come in contact with some like cigarette ashes.

Put cigarettes out ALL THE WAY. Do this every time. Do not walk away from lit cigarettes or other smoking materials.

Be alert. Do not smoke after taking medicine that makes you tired or drowsy.

Never smoke around medical oxygen. Medical oxygen can explode if a flame or spark is near, even if the oxygen is turned off.

Never smoke in bed. Mattresses and bedding can catch on fire easily. People also fall asleep often with lit cigarettes.

Put your cigarette out in an ashtray or bucket with sand. Use ashtrays with a wide base so they will not tip over and start a fire.

Smoking safely and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency could mean the difference between limiting damage to your home and losing everything. If you experience a fire loss, call SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian at 410-867-3590.

Tips for Before & After a Flood

8/7/2023 (Permalink)

Before a flood

Make sure your insurance policy covers flooding. Even renters are eligible for flood insurance.
Move furniture and valuables to higher floors as floodwater rises.
Keep the car gas tank filled in case you need to evacuate.
Stay informed about weather conditions, flash flooding can occur in only minutes!
Do not drive through flooded roadways. The road may not be there. Follow the instructions given by emergency officials. If told to evacuate, do so!

After a flood

Do not eat or drink anything that encounters flood water.
Follow emergency officials' instructions on safe water consumption. You may have to boil your water.
Clean and have electrical equipment checked before using.
Report broken utilities to the proper authorities.
Use flashlights, not an open flame like a candle. Candles are a fire hazard and could cause an explosion if they encounter flammable gases.
Watch out for snakes and other "stray" animals. Water will cause snakes to come out of the ground with nowhere to go. Many other animals may be abandoned and lost.
Remember, floodwaters sometimes take days to rise, even when the sun is shining. It can take days for floodwaters to make their way downstream. Do not underestimate the power and speed at which flood water can rise and destroy everything in its path.

If your home or business is affected by flooding or water damage, call our experts here at SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian and we’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

COVID Spiking Again! Need you Business Cleaned? Call the PROS!

8/7/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian professionals are uniquely prepared during this unprecedented time to clean and sanitize your business according to the protocols set forth by the CDC. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform daily. Although the pandemic is ending, it is important for businesses to feel safe in their own offices.

Here are 4 things that show how our cleaning is different than janitorial cleaning:

IICRC Certified. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the non-profit certifying body for the cleaning and restoration industry. Not only is SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian IICRC certified as a firm, but most members of our staff carry several IICRC certifications.

Cleaning Experts. The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables at a minimum. Most of our cleaning tactics will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform daily.

The CDC also recommends regular cleaning of the following areas/items:

Kitchen/Food Areas
Bathrooms in Schools/Classrooms
Offices
Retail Spaces
Water Fountains
Shelving/Racks
Sales Counters
Carpets and Rugs
Stair Handrails
Elevators and Escalators
Playground Equipment
Fitness Equipment

Cleaning Products. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line meet this standard and carry the EPA-registered emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Our proprietary cleaning agents, Benefact and Shockwave, are EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectants that have demonstrated effectiveness against viruses like COVID-19 on hard, non-porous surfaces.

We carry multiple hospital-grade disinfectants and provide our personnel with proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Not only does this protect everyone, but it also protects the building and people in it.

Cleaning Procedures. SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian technicians are experts in infectious disease cleanup and bio-hazard cleaning. We are a member in American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA). Our proven cleaning procedures and protocols have been used to clean and sanitize rhinovirus and norovirus in the past. We are implementing similar protocols, and we are "battle tested" regarding virus cleanup.

Bring the professionals in! Call SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian at (410) 867-3590.

Hurricane Ian on the Way! What to do in the Event of Disaster

9/27/2022 (Permalink)

Who remembers around this time last year when that pair of tornadoes rolled through southern Anne Arundel County causing devastating damage to homes, businesses and facilities in Annapolis and Edgewater? From uprooted trees to fallen power lines, plenty of damage was dealt. Immediately following this storm surge, our emergency response team was responding to calls and helping the community restore their homes. This year, Hurricane Ian is on its way so in response to the possibility of severe weather, we want to share some things homeowners can do in the event of property damage.

Remove dead branches from trees and remove dead trees shortly after the storm. Dead trees and tree branches can fall on cars and damage your roof.
Dirty or cluttered gutters are a common cause of drainage problems. However, drainage problems can also occur with patios and landscaping too. If you see puddles forming in your yard or on your driveway, this can be a sign of drainage problems. To better avoid water damage, get those drainage problems addressed before a storm strikes.
When was the last time you had your roof inspected? Ideally, your roof should be inspected and maintained on a yearly basis. Leaks in your roof can result in several levels of your home being affected.
Ensure you have a sump pump battery backup in place. These batteries can save you from having a real mess on your hands. A backup battery system is needed most often when heavy rains have resulted in a power outage, or the primary sump pump is overwhelmed by heavy water volumes during a rain event.
Know where your shut off valves are for your utilities. If you have a flood, for your safety, it is important to know where the shut off valves are locating both inside/outside your home.

When the weather strikes, we strike back harder. Call SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian if your home or business is in need of water damage restoration services!

Commercial Mold?

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deal-Churchton/Lothian specializes in mold remediation. It’s common for us to get calls from commercial building owners who have concerns with mold. Sometimes it seems even small water damages that aren't properly dried out have the potential to create ideal conditions for mold to grow, don’t let this happen in your building.

Here are a few things you can do to keep moisture away which will in turn keep the mold away:

Keep the humidity between 30-60 percent.
Provide for proper drainage away from the building foundation.
Regularly inspect plumbing and appliances for leaks.
Keep gutters and drains clear of debris.
Inspect the roof, windows and other areas where water might enter the building and perform necessary maintenance.

Respond to all water intrusions immediately.

Got mold? Contact us, SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deal-Churchton/Lothian at (410) 867-3590 for assistance after water damage or if you find mold. We are #Here2Help

Types of Smoke and Smoke Remediation