Black Mold? Safer to call the professionals!

4/10/2024 (Permalink)

Mold exposure can be hazardous to our health. Leave it to our certified technicians for safe cleanup & mitigation.

We’ve all heard of black mold, but what exactly is it? And if your business or company headquarters have sightly signs of mold, they may discourage your customers and visitors.

One of the most obvious signs happens to be scent. Have you smelled something earthy or musty? Think of a late fall’s odor of rotting leaves or the smell of dirt on a rainy spring day.

Next, consider the environment in which you suspect the mold is inhabiting, and ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the area damp?
• Has the area previously been flooded?
• Does it get little to no exposure to light?

Black mold feeds off water-saturated materials such as cotton, drywall, cardboard and wood. It even thrives off of damp dust and lint.

If the scent of the mold leads you straight to where it is festering, examine the color but don’t get too close. In color, black mold is typically greenish-black and a bit slimy. However, it can also appear grayish and powdery.

Note other molds may appear similar in color, so it is impossible to determine which breed of mold is growing in your property unless it is examined under a microscope.

At the end of the day, this examination is expensive and unnecessary because whether it is black mold or not, mold must be removed for health and sanitary purposes.

If you detect mold, regardless of its color or texture, call the professionals to have it removed.

SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North are the area’s water & storm damage, and mold & mildew remediation experts. Large or small, we will restore your mold- and water-damaged property, residential or commercial, with efficiency and detail.

Call us 24/7 at 301-340-1313.

Let SERVPRO Rockville take your facilities to the next level of Clean!

4/9/2024 (Permalink)

It's always important to keep commercial facilities such as businesses, hospitals & schools clean to protect everyone's health.

What the recent pandemic has taught the world is that clean and disinfected spaces, especially in public, continues to be key to keeping everyone safe and healthy.

With the country back to nearly 100 percent normal and most businesses and workplaces operating in person as usual, we want to remind our clients that it's still important to have buildings and facilities thoroughly cleaned to keep everyone safe from germs and other health hazards.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, SERVPRO® franchises throughout the country – including SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North and SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E – are here to help keep your customers and employees safe with our commercial cleaning services.

We use a proactive viral pathogen cleaning program backed by our more than 50 years of experience in cleanup and restoration. 

Our commercial clients include daycares, schools, government entities such as police & fire stations, hospitals, and condo & apartment buildings.

Give us a call today at 301-340-1313 and let our crews take your facilities to the next level of CLEAN!

Grill Season: A Safe BBQ is a Fun BBQ

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

A safe bbq is a fun bbq!

Spring is well under way and with nice, warm weather, who doesn't itch for those outdoor gatherings and grilling!

It's Barbecue Season, and while we want to enjoy a good barbecue with family & friends on our deck or yard, following some basic safety rules can help avoid disasters that would spoil the fun.

The fire chief of the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service of Maryland offers these tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
• Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets far away from grills: declare a 3-foot "safe zone" around the grill.
• With charcoal grills, only use charcoal starter fluids designed for barbecue grills and do not add fluid after coals have been lit. NEVER use gasoline!
• With gas grills, be sure that the hose connection is tight and check hoses carefully for leaks. Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
• All propane cylinders manufactured after April 2002 must have overfill protection devices (OPD). OPDs shut off the flow off propane before capacity is reached. OPDS are easily identified by their triangle-shaped hand wheel.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and have the grill repaired by a professional, if necessary.
• Remember to keep your grill clean! Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.
• Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto grill and catch fire.
• REMEMBER: Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces such as tents, they pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.

(Learn more about fire safety by visiting https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcfrs-info/tips/citizens/grill.html)

Grilling and BBQ fires are not to be taken lightly. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), gas and charcoal grills cause an annual average of 1,500 structure fires and 4,200 outdoor fires in or on residential properties, resulting in a combined direct property loss of $29.8 million. 

For more safety tips, or if you have fire & smoke damages to your property, call SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney and Silver Spring North today at 301-340-1313 for professional remediation and restoration services. 

We are the fire & water cleanup and restoration experts, and can make your property damage "Like it never even happened."

Spring is nice, but best to be prepared!

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

Get your property ready for those unexpected Spring & Summer rain storms!

Ahhh! Spring... balmy weather one day; frigid to near-freeze overnight. To don a sweater or not. To bring in plants or not...

Spring weather can be unpredictable, as many of us here in the Washington, D.C. region have experienced a time or two. Remember the heavy April snowfall over a decade ago? And the wind gusts of 20-30+ mph every now and then, like the storm our DMV experienced just over the weekend at end of March 2023.

While we can’t predict when severe weather hits, we can always plan for those unexpected storms to minimize injury to ourselves and damages to our properties. A viable plan of action for storms, floods, tornadoes, even fires, can save lives and costly repairs in the aftermath of severe weather that can occur, even within the same day.

Mark Twain said it best: “In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.”

Preparing an emergency kit to keep on hand is a great start to advance planning for storms. Some items to include, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are:

• A battery-operated flashlight, a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio, and extra batteries for both
• An emergency evacuation or shelter plan, including a map of your home and routes to safety from each room
• A list of important personal information, including:
  • telephone numbers of neighbors, family and friends
  • insurance and property information
  • telephone numbers of utility companies
  • medical information
• A 3–5 day supply of bottled water and nonperishable food
• Personal hygiene items
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• A first-aid kit, which may include:
  • non-latex gloves
  • assortment of adhesive bandages
  • antibiotic ointment
  • sterile gauze pads in assorted sizes
  • absorbent compress dressings
  • tweezers
  • scissors
  • adhesive cloth tape
  • aspirin packets

Being prepared & proactive for storms and severe weather can save lives and minimize costly repairs to damaged property. Oftentimes we have little if any time to prepare for an approaching storm. For families with young children, a mock emergency drill may be a fun yet helpful activity. Show them where to go; where emergency supplies are stored; and make sure everyone in the family knows where & how to turn off the water, gas and electricity in your home.

Preparedness and swift response may save a life or two!

When all’s settled and you find your damaged properties needing cleanup & restoration, call us – SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney and Silver Spring North – 24/7 at 301-340-1313.

We are the area’s water & storm damage experts and are always “Faster to any size disaster.” Large or small, we will restore your water-damaged property, residential or commercial, with efficiency and detail. 

Windy, Dry Weather Conditions Can Enhance Threat of Wildfires

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

Warm weather & dry conditions can spark a brush fire that can affect property. Take precautions!

Spring brings lots of sunshine and beautiful flowering trees in full bloom all around us, but the warmer weather and oftentimes strong winds can create dry conditions that can spark wildfires.

If you live in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. region long enough, you've likely experienced countless days of strong winds and dry conditions. It's common to receive warnings from the National Weather Service urging area residents to be careful with any source of ignition and to dispose of smoking materials properly during the warmer months.

In general, it's always wise to properly discard all smoking materials, as any dry grasses and tree litter can catch fire and that ignite will have the potential to spread quickly.

The NWS offers these safety tips:

• Take ashes outside, away from the house and combustible material.
• Put ashes in a metal bucket/container.
• Always use a metal container; never use a plastic or paper bag.
• Completely immerse the materials in water.
• Clear an area for the container — possibly down to dirt, ruling out the possibility that grass could catch fire if it were knocked over.
• Allow the contents to soak for at least a week.

Fire damage can have extremely catastrophic effects on your property. SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO® of Silver Spring North are the area’s fire & water damage experts and are always “Faster to any size disaster.” Large or small, we will restore your fire- and water-damaged property, residential or commercial, with efficiency and detail.

Call us 24/7 at 301-340-1313. We’re here to help!

Got MOLD? Leave it to your friends at SERVPRO Rockville-Olney!

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO recommends professional cleanup of mold infestation. Call us at 301-340-1313.

If you see visible mold on your property, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread this mold infestation throughout your building, office, store, or other property. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores that become airborne and can circulate inside the building. This can create or worsen health effects for your employees, customers and you.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North for cleanup & mitigation.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO® of Silver Spring North specialize in mold cleanup and remediation; in fact, it is a cornerstone of our businesses. Our crews are highly-trained restoration professionals who use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If you see signs of Mold, call us today at 301-340-1313.

We do more than Fire & Water restoration: We provide Business Cleaning Needs

3/13/2024 (Permalink)

We do more than fire & water restoration: We provide business cleaning needs for commercial property owners and managers.

You work hard every day to build your business, so the last thing you need to deal with is a disruption to your daily functions. But accidents -both large and small - can happen at any time. SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & SERVPRO of Silver Spring North can help during those times with specialty cleaning for your commercial property.

Whether it’s duct cleaning, odor removal, graffiti removal, biohazard cleaning services… Let SERVPRO® Team Gutierrez certified technicians handle these specialty cleaning projects for your business and commercial properties.  

Providing Your Business Cleaning Needs

We have the equipment and experience to get the job done, whether you have a routine need, like air duct and HVAC system cleaning, or face a major emergency, such as biohazard and crime scene cleanup. Our professionals are skilled and work with the most advanced cleaning products and techniques to clean & restore your commercial property, so you can focus on work and growing your business.

Team Gutierrez can create a custom cleaning plan for the business or property owner, followed by our best-in-class cleaning and disinfecting services, and finishing with a certification they can share with their patrons and staff. Rest assured all our crew members and products adhere to Centers for Disease Control and local cleaning guidelines.

Call SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & SERVPRO of Silver Spring North today at 301-340-1313. We are locally-owned and operating for 44+ years, and always open & ready to help! 

SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North Stand Ready to Help in Any Situation

3/7/2024 (Permalink)

Count on the experts, SERVPRO Team Gutierrez, for cleanup & restoration needs!

Thank goodness the Covid pandemic is behind us although there are still small cases going around,  safety precautions are always a good idea to help keep everyone safe.

SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO® of Silver Spring North want our customers to remember that we are certified specialists in cleaning services and continue to stand ready 24/7 to respond to any cleanup and restoration situation.

Our Crews Are Specially Trained

Our crew members are specially trained and certified to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have more than 40 years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work regularly performed by janitorial companies.

The CDC encourages cleaning of frequently-touched 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

Call Us Today to Make a Plan

For deep cleaning and sanitization, and restoration, call the experts today – SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO® of Silver Spring North – (301) 340-1313. Team Gutierrez is here to help 24/7!

Keeping schools, daycares & other buildings SERVPRO-clean is good for public safety

2/16/2024 (Permalink)

When a structure is sanitized & disinfected as part of the CSC program, a window decal shield will be left at the structure.

Thank goodness we have moved forward since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020!

While Covid is still around and most of us are protected with multiple vaccines, those unprecedented times have made us realize the importance of keeping public facilities such as schools, daycares, hospitals, government buildings cleaned and sanitized. It's for everyone's safety.

SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North continue to provide the SERVPRO certified cleaning program designed to provide communities with a way to know that a structure has been cleaned, sanitized and disinfected to minimize harmful pathogens.  

When businesses choose SERVPRO, their employees, customers and community can rest assured they’ve selected a higher standard of clean – Certified SERVPRO Cleaned (CSC).  

At SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North, as well as our sister franchises SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we continue with our disinfecting service as businesses small & large are in keeping their workplaces safe for employees and customers. Our crews use special equipment to provide this Covid cleaning; equipment such as the Electrostatic Disinfectant Spray, for example, and fogging  devices are effective in covering even those harder-to-reach spots around offices and work environments. Our goal: to help keep our communities safe and protected.  

How would you know if a business has had a SERVPRO-certified cleaning? If a structure is sanitized and disinfected as part of the CSC program, a window decal shield will be left at the structure, as well as a separate window decal that is dated by our crews to let everyone know when it was last sanitized and disinfected.  

Our CSC program gives patrons and employees peace of mind that the space has been protected by SERVPRO, an authority on what it means to be clean.

Contact us today at 301-340-1313 if we can help. We are locally-owned and operating for 44+ years, and always open & ready to help!  

Team Gutierrez stands ready for storm damage response large or small

2/16/2024 (Permalink)

Our crews at SERVPRO Team Gutierrez are always ready to respond to storm damage of any size. Count on us!

Disasters call for swift response.

Which is why our crew chiefs & teams at SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North stand ready for when & where help is needed.

Extreme cold weather, which can strike anytime in the Northeast including Washington D.C., Maryland & Virginia, can cause frozen pipes that result in water damage. The water damage can be extensive, such as those in tall buildings that can cause water to trickle down from the top and wreak havoc to ceilings and walls in addition to floorings, furniture and other items.

In homes, where pipes are unheated or partially heated, are also at risk of freezing. 

Another potential hazard to consider as the snow/ice begins to melt is damage to your roof and 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, near the eaves. This dam prevents any further snowmelt from draining off 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.

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. 

Our SERVPRO experts offer these suggestions: 

What you can do until help arrives

After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety.

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

What To Do After Flooding

• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Gather loose items from floors.

What Not To Do After Flooding

• Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don't leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
• Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don't use television or other household appliances.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.