Rug Cleaning After a Fire

10/6/2023 (Permalink)

We offer a range of specialized cleaning methods:

• Bonnet Cleaning: A less aggressive method for short pile carpets.
• Hot Water Extraction: A deeper cleaning method for all carpet types.
• Deluxe Precondition and Rinse: Helps restore deeply soiled areas.
• Showcase Premier Cleaning: The most thorough cleaning method in the industry.
• Dry Cleaning: When color-fastness is an issue.

Call SERVPRO of Tampa Southeast today to restore your Florida property "Like it never even happened." We are available 24/7 for any restoration needs! For additional information, call (813) 694-9092.

Emergency Ready App

10/6/2023 (Permalink)

While SERVPRO is mostly known for residential water and fire restoration, it is essential to know that we can also handle commercial losses! Those losses go beyond just water and fire, though, as we remediate mold and provide general cleaning services.

We know when emergencies happen, there is a lot at stake -- especially at commercial properties! Why not have help at your fingertips with SERVPRO's Ready App!

Use this for your home and business as an owner, property manager, risk manager, and facility management. We will help you create an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) using the Ready App. It gives us access to critical facility information that helps speed up our response time.

If you want to help setting up an ERP, call SERVPRO of Tampa Southeast at (813) 694-9092, and we can have one of our marketing representatives come out and walk you through the process!

Is Your Small Business "Ready for Whatever Happens"?

10/6/2023 (Permalink)

Does Your Business Have a Plan for When Disaster Strikes?

Preparedness for an emergency is an essential part of a business operation plan because when business slows, it can cause loss of revenue and additional unforeseen expenses. Among many disasters, many businesses have a hard time recovering from the loss of income.

According to the Red Cross, 40 percent of small businesses suffer so greatly after a disaster that they shut down and never reopen. SERVPRO offers an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) free of charge to local businesses in the Tampa, FL area. SERVPRO ERPs offer several advantages to your business, including:

• A concise profile document of your business
• This contains the critical information needed in an emergency & saves time and money if ever needed.
• It only takes a little time to complete and doesn’t interfere with your business’s current projects.
• A description of your facility’s details (i.e., shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and important contact information)
• A comprehensive guide to getting you back into your building ASAP following a disaster
• This minimizes the amount of time your business is inactive since you’ll have an immediate plan of action.
• An established relationship with SERVPRO as your damage mitigation and restoration provider
• We’re close by, ready to respond, and available 24/7
• Identification of chain of command for work authorization within your company
• This expedites the process of beginning damage mitigation and restoration for your company, reducing downtime and costs.

SERVPRO ERPs allow your business to have a quick reference of what to do when an emergency happens and how to do it. Be assured that you’ve got a professional industry leader right nearby who’s “Ready for whatever happens.”

When Storms Hit Tampa Southeast, SERVPRO is Ready!

10/6/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Tampa Southeast specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we can respond quicker with the right resources. This is extremely important because a fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Storms

When storms hit Tampa we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of over 1700 franchises across the country as well as our elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Call SERVPRO of Tampa Southeast today! We are here to help.

How to Check for Roof Damage After a Storm

10/6/2023 (Permalink)

After a significant storm, it's a good idea to inspect your property for storm damage. Your home's main line of defense is your roof, and it takes a beating. Pay attention to things like dings in your gutters or tears in your window screens, which indicate hail damage. You may see missing tiles or other signs of roof damage from the ground, but most leaks don't represent a need for whole roof replacement. Usually, the leak is coming from something requiring minor roof repair. Find the source of the leak, stop it, and clean the water damage.

Find the Leak Source

During storms in Tampa, Southeast wind damage lets the rain into your roof. From the inside of your home, look for stains that indicate the source leak and areas needing roof repair. You may see water stains on your ceiling or coming down a wall. When you see that, get your flashlight and head to that area. Here are five familiar sources for a roof leak:

1. Vents and fans
2. Chimneys
3. Window dormers
4. Vent pipes
5. Unsecured nails and nail holes

Fix Water Damage

To complete your roof repair:

1. Start looking for materials damaged by water.
2. Check for discolorations and rotting wood and wet drywall and insulation.
3. When you find mold, remain careful and don't spread during cleanup.

A mold remediation professional can help create a containment area while working on the water and mold damage. If you haven't found mold, be sure to start drying any wet materials immediately. Mold can begin growing on wet damaged materials in as little as 48 hours. Complete drying is critical to preventing mold, and it may take longer than you realize. Specialists have monitoring equipment that they use to ensure materials are dry.

Water Damage Emergency Tips

10/6/2023 (Permalink)

When you're dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. SERVPRO of Tampa Southeast responds immediately and uses advanced equipment and techniques to remove the water. They monitor and document the process to verify your property dries.

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.
• Do activities that are safe for you to perform. Wet materials can be heavy. Be careful!
• Have A Water Damage Emergency? Call (813) 694-9092.

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 the ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

However, if disaster strikes, trust your local SERVPRO of Tampa Southeast to be by your side when you need us. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week- including holidays! 

Protecting What Matters: The Emergency Plan Every Parent Needs Before School Starts

8/8/2023 (Permalink)

Does your child know what to do?

Protecting What Matters: The Emergency Plan Every Parent Needs Before School Starts

8/8/2023

Do You Have a Back-to-School Family Emergency Plan?

No one likes to think that an emergency could happen to them, but the reality is that disaster can happen anytime, anywhere, including while your child is at school.

Even if you never end up needing your family emergency plan, it's best to be prepared—just in case. Having a detailed plan in place will give you everyday peace of mind, and—in the event of an emergency—could save lives.

Emergency Contacts

1. List 1-3 trusted emergency contacts who can pick up your child from school if you are unable to do so.

2. Confirm their availability and willingness to be emergency contacts.

3. Teach your child how to contact each person by phone.

4. Familiarize your child with each contact's appearance and vehicle.

Communicate with the School

1. Keep school up-to-date with who is allowed to pick your child up.

2. Provide correct contact information and identification for their records.

3. Inquire about the school's policies for emergency situations and designated pick-up areas.

Alternative Drop-Off Locations

1. Establish an alternative drop-off location in case emergency contacts cannot be reached promptly.

2. This location could be a trusted friend or family member's house, or another secure spot.

3. Familiarize your child with the alternate location's address and phone number to accurately guide authorities there.

Re-Evaluate Each Year

As your child ages, changes schools, or your family moves, it's smart to update your plan annually. 

Although we hope your family never experiences an unexpected disaster, if you do, SERVPRO® is available 24/7/365 for emergency service. Learn more here. Your family's safety and preparedness are paramount, and having a well-structured emergency plan is a crucial step in ensuring their protection.

How to Check for Roof Damage After a Storm

9/25/2022 (Permalink)

After a significant storm, it's a good idea to inspect your property for storm damage. Your home's main line of defense is your roof, and it takes a beating. Pay attention to things like dings in your gutters or tears in your window screens, which indicate hail damage. You may see missing tiles or other signs of roof damage from the ground, but most leaks don't represent a need for whole roof replacement. Usually, the leak is coming from something requiring minor roof repair. Find the source of the leak, stop it, and clean the water damage.

Find the Leak Source

During storms in Tampa, Southeast wind damage lets the rain into your roof. From the inside of your home, look for stains that indicate the source leak and areas needing roof repair. You may see water stains on your ceiling or coming down a wall. When you see that, get your flashlight and head to that area. Here are five familiar sources for a roof leak:

1. Vents and fans
2. Chimneys
3. Window dormers
4. Vent pipes
5. Unsecured nails and nail holes

Fix Water Damage

To complete your roof repair:

1. Start looking for materials damaged by water.
2. Check for discolorations and rotting wood and wet drywall and insulation.
3. When you find mold, remain careful and don't spread during cleanup.

A mold remediation professional can help create a containment area while working on the water and mold damage. If you haven't found mold, be sure to start drying any wet materials immediately. Mold can begin growing on wet damaged materials in as little as 48 hours. Complete drying is critical to preventing mold, and it may take longer than you realize. Specialists have monitoring equipment that they use to ensure materials are dry.

Mitigating Damage After a Storm

9/25/2022 (Permalink)

Many areas of the United States have experienced heavy winds and storms this year, and the strong, powerful winds can cause significant damage to your home. Wind damage can cause a range of destruction to your property, from broken windows and fallen tree branches to severe damage to the roof, garage, or car. Damage can be caused by strong winds or indirectly from the wind blowing debris into your house.

Wind Damage from Different Types of Storms

Thunderstorms are the most common source of wind and storm damage, but winds from hurricanes or tornadoes are stronger and can cause severe damage. It can produce many types of adverse weather such as lightning, hail, tornadoes, straight-line winds, flooding, etc. Thunderstorms are responsible for wind damage cases in the U.S. However, storm damage repair may be costly for hurricane or tornado wind damage. Billions of dollars are spent on wind damage repair and storm damage restoration each year; understanding the nature of wind damage can help you limit the amount of damage to your property and save on restoration and repair costs.

It's important to know when a storm is approaching your area and what type of storm it is so you know the potential and level of damage to expect. These wind damage facts will help you better understand the potential for wind damage and how to prevent it. Here are some steps you can take to minimize the risk of damage to your home when severe weather strikes.

Preventing Wind and Storm Damage

Most wind damage starts by flying debris either from plants or other structures unsecured. If a storm is approaching your area, make sure any potential debris in your homes such as patio furniture, toys, garbage cans, and other objects are either secured or brought inside. Secure your doors and windows to help minimize the potential storm damage to the home.

Roof damage reduces during the construction phase when the roof deck, shingles, or membrane is applied over the decking. A well-designed roofing system will anchor the trusses and decking to the walls and foundation to keep the entire roof from lifting off the building in a strong wind. Roofing material should latch to the deck.

Loosely connected shingles will lift from the deck. Siding damage reduces at the construction phase. Fastened siding isn't as likely to lift off a structure in strong wind. Building codes will likely direct the minimum standards for connections. You, your architect, or your contractor may decide to exceed these minimums for a stronger storm-resistant structure.

Falling trees and tree limbs are another significant type of damage to structures in a windstorm. Tree maintenance to remove dead limbs or identify and remove weakened trees will reduce the likelihood of structural damage.

Mitigating Damage After a Storm

Close any openings made in the structure by the wind. Roof openings and broken windows are the most common problem.

Keep a roll of plastic sheeting that cuts to size and nails over the opening. Your insurance policy will likely cover the cost of an emergency close-up. Contact your agent or claims center to report the damage and seek advice on how to proceed. Falling trees and tree limbs can open a structure with sudden violence. Tree on a structure is a severe personal and structural safety issue.

Trees, at times, won't shift positions. It can shift and cause serious injury to the unwary. Fallen trees may mask severe other safety issues, such as downed electrical wires. The wires may still be alive, and the tree itself energized. Contact your agent or claims center to report the damage and seek advice on how to proceed.

Suppose your home or business sustains wind damage during a storm. In that case, it is essential to contact a storm damage restoration professional as soon as the storm is over to help limit and repair the damage. SERVPRO of Tampa Southeast can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions. Our quick response will help prevent secondary damage and help reduce restoration costs.

Spring Cleaning? Don't Forget the Carpets.

9/18/2022 (Permalink)

When's the Last Time You've Had Your Carpets Cleaned at Your Home or Business? 

Spring cleaning brings visions of dusting off shelves, organizing closets, and decluttering from winter's hibernation tendencies. Although we don't want to admit it, most of us can't remember the last time we've had our carpets cleaned!

Our carpets are the most apparent offenders when we think about what makes our home messy or unclean. Unfortunately, according to some recent microbiology research, the average carpet is 4,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat! Gross! When broken down, that means there's an average of 200,000 bacteria per square inch. Sounds like we need to clean our carpets! And while it may seem like bacterial infections are the risk here, it is allergies.

Springtime brings a fresh onset of allergies, but one way to combat those is to have your carpets cleaned (we can help you!).

When shoes from outside and brought into the house, bacteria, pollen, and dust can be tracked into the carpet fibers. These allergens can later be kicked up into the air, causing household allergy symptoms. Not to mention thousands of dead human skin cells have settled into the carpet fibers, along with pet hair. This makes for a dust mite buffet, as dead skin cells are their primary food source. Dust mites can inflame allergy symptoms.

So what can you do? Vacuuming is essential, so be sure to do this at least weekly. This will help with the dust mites and the pet fur, but you need to get your carpets deep-cleaned for the best effect.

While you can clean them yourself with an at-home system, it's not recommended. Water that can be left behind from cleaning may form mold, which will further irritate allergy symptoms. When you're ready for a thorough spring cleaning, give us a call! We'll be over in no time to clean your carpets.