How does SERVPRO’s duct cleaning process work?

2/14/2017 (Permalink)

Duct Cleaning

How does SERVPRO’s duct cleaning process work?

• We run our brush up each duct to break away any dirt, dust, or debris, then the vacuum collects all of the loosened dirt and debris. 
• We elephant fog with a wintergreen deodorizer and an EPA registered disinfectant called “Sporicidin” that is commonly used in health care facilities. 
• All vent covers are taken down and cleaned.
• Filtration includes 1st stage 18" x 24" x 2" disposable pleated filter, 2nd stage 18" x 24" flexible permanent electrostatic air filter and 3rd stage 18" x 24" x 6" certified HEPA filter, providing efficient filtration with maximum air flow even when dirty. 
• SERVPRO guarantees that this is the most detailed and top of the line duct cleaning you will find. 

Clean your ducts, vents, and air unit to ensure better air quality and to prevent fires at your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Athens for a free estimate at 706-549-3366.

Residential and Commercial Services

1/17/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Athens and SERVPRO of Monroe, Madison & Monticello provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster.  We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 –706-549-3366

Residential Services

Whether your home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services.

•  Commercial Water Damage Restoration
•  Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Why should I choose SERVPRO of Athens, Ga for my water damage clean up?

1/12/2017 (Permalink)

Why should I choose a professional restoration company for water intrusion/ damage?

• Homeowners should not risk doing the work themselves as there may hidden water or moisture that may go undetected to the untrained eye. Taking into account that mold growth can occur in as little as 24-48 hours in the presence of moisture, undetected water damage can pose long term problems if not properly handled.
• Due to the potential hazards associated with water-related damage, moisture and water should be handled by properly trained and equipped professionals to ensure complete and necessary drying to prevent future harm, extensive structural damage and possible contamination.
• Improper cleanup could hinder property resale value.
• Professional restoration companies have essential tools and techniques to measure moisture in the area to ensure proper and complete drying in a timely manner.
• Water technicians should be fully aware of water or moisture-related characteristics to locate leaks or water damaged areas that may otherwise go unnoticed.
• Homes and other properties are large and often expensive assets. Why run the risks associated with improper drying, deodorizing and disinfecting which can lead to potential secondary structural damage? Help protect your property’s value by calling upon a Professional.
• According to a “Residential Water Claims” article on the International Risk Management Institute website, restoration companies and contractors are often an asset in a water claim situation. The article states, “a major concern in today’s insurance climate is the problem of mold and mildew. When most restoration companies deal with water claims, every effort is made to prevent any problem with mold and mildew.” Restoration companies are in the business of salvaging rather than replacing, which could serve as a benefit to the insurance company.

Why should I choose SERVPRO of Athens, Ga for water cleanup and restoration?

• SERVPRO of Athens, Ga recognizes the necessity for prompt and accurate response and offer 1-4-8 Response Guidelines to help minimize additional, secondary or permanent damage and contamination. In addition, SERVPRO of Athens, Ga is available for emergency response 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Knowledge and training are key elements in effective water removal and moisture damage. SERVPRO of Athens, Ga applies their industry knowledge, training and understanding of hoe relative humidity, temperature, vapor pressure and air movement influence drying conditions.
• Powerful and professional equipment is essential for proper mitigation and efficient restoration of water damaged areas. SERVPRO of Athens, Ga is outfitted with state-of-the-art industrial grade equipment and products to measure the extent of moisture saturation and offer proper drying, deodorizing and disinfecting of water damaged areas.
• SERVPRO of Athens, Ga offers content restoration to restore water damaged contents and personal belongings. Often when water damage occurs, personal possessions are also damaged by water or moisture. SERVPRO Technicians work diligently to try and return personal contents to preloss conditions.
• SERVPRO of Athens, Ga works with insurance, real estate, contracting and property management companies to offer complete file management, estimates and detailed explanations of work, including status updates, changes and feedback to keep companies fully aware of a property’s drying, cleaning and restoration status. At SERVPRO of Athens, Ga, we know you want quality information and proof of results. SERVPRO technology is designed to support your efforts!
• Timely mitigation is key to the restoration process. Restoring property is the SERVPRO Professional’s first priority. You will appreciate the immediate response, and you will know everything possible is being done to limit the damage. Even if a loss is below the deductible amount, fast action helps assure the event will stay small!

Happy Holidays

12/7/2016 (Permalink)

To all of you, Happy Holidays and Best Wishes from your friends at SERVPRO.  Thanks for choosing us, we are always here to help.  Throughout the holiday season, we will be available in your time of emergency. 

Ways to prevent and prepare for fires or other disasters.

11/21/2016 (Permalink)

“I never thought it could happen to me,” people often say after they are in a fire, hurricane, or other emergency or disaster. While you may take comfort thinking that an emergency will never happen, this thinking really is not very helpful. Instead, take control now by planning how you will prevent or manage in an emergency.  

Here are some ways that all people, including those with disabilities, can help prevent and prepare for fires and other disasters or emergencies. 

Fires at home
Thousands of Americans die or are injured in home fires each year. Many of these fires could have been prevented. Here are ways to do just that:

• Smoke detectors. Put smoke detectors on each level of your house and also outside each bedroom. It is best to have two types of detectors (ionization and photoelectric) as each works in a different way. Test all smoke detectors once a month and change batteries twice a year. Many people do this when they reset clocks in the spring and fall. Replace smoke detectors when they are more than 10 years old.
• Fire extinguisher. Keep fire extinguishers in both your kitchen and garage. The best kind to get for home is labeled “ABC” or “BC.” These extinguishers are useful for small fires as they work just a short while. Learn how to use a fire extinguisher and make sure the pressure is at the right level.
• Fire blanket. These are blankets made to smother (put out) fires. They are useful for most types of kitchen fires. When you use the blanket, fold part of it over your hands to prevent getting burned.
• Rope/chain-link ladder. People use these types of ladders to safely exit from an upper story window. Plan how to use this type of ladder and make sure your children know what to do as well.
• Fire safe box. Put important and valuable items in a “fire safe” box that will not burn in a fire. Items may include family photos, financial records, identification cards, and other important papers.
• Nonflammable material. Use nonflammable materials (that cannot burn) outside and inside your house. These include nonflammable roof tiles, gutters, siding materials, insulation, furniture, and home decorations. 
• Sprinkler system. If you are building a new home or fixing an old one, think about adding a sprinkler system (water sprinkles from the ceiling in a fire). Find out whether you can include the cost of a sprinkler in your mortgage.

Common fire hazards and ways to prevent them
Some parts of your home are more prone to fire than others. Here are ways to prevent some common types of fire hazards.

Cooking

• Stay in the kitchen at all times when you are cooking.
• Point the handles of pots and pans toward the back of the stove.
• Keep sleeves and towels away from heat and flames.
• Smother a grease fire with a pan lid, baking soda or fire blanket. Do notput water on a grease fire. Call 911 and leave right away if the fire is out of control.

Space heaters

• Make sure all your space heaters have a UL mark (meaning they have been tested by Underwriters Laboratories).
• Place heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn (such as papers).
• Turn off a space heater when you leave the room or go to bed.
• Choose space heaters that have automatic shut-off valves, heating guards, and other safety features.
• Put the correct fuel in a liquid heater. Never fill the heater with gasoline or other substitute fuel.

Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves

• Once each year have a service person inspect and clean your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
• Always use a metal mesh screen and leave the glass doors open.
• Put hot ashes in a metal container when the fire is done. Soak these ashes with water and put the container outside your home.
• Do not leave fires unattended (without someone nearby). Make sure the fire is out before you leave or go to bed.

Electrical outlets, appliances and wiring

• Put electrical cords over (not under) rugs and carpets.
• Make sure that cords to your appliances are intact, not frayed.
• Use a heating pad or electric blanket, but not both at the same time. Replace these items when they are more than 10 years old.
• Do not overload (use too many) wall sockets, power strips or extension cords.
• If you live in a house that is more than 30 years old, have an electrician check the inside wiring to see that it is up to code.

Trees, leaves, bushes, and other landscaping

• Clear away all dead wood and dry leaves within 30 feet of your home.
• Compost fallen leaves rather than burn them.
• Trim all tree branches so they are at least 20 feet away from chimneys.

Other ways to protect your home in a disaster

• Make a disaster plan. This includes knowing who to contact and where to meet in an emergency. 
• Create a kit with emergency supplies and first aid kit. This includes food, drinking water, flashlights, batteries, and medications. 
• Make a list of important phone numbers and put this list where you can quickly find it (such as on the refrigerator). This list should have emergency phone numbers including 911 and numbers for your local fire department, volunteer or rescue squad, and poison control center. Call 911 if there is an emergency and you are unsure what to do.
• Organize a “personal support network” of people who can provide extra emergency help. This may include family members, friends, and neighbors who can assist you before or during an emergency.
• Tell your local emergency agency and fire department if you have a disability.
• Check your home insurance policy. Make sure it is current and find out what disaster costs insurance will cover (pay for).
• Plan more than one way to escape from your house. Make sure all these ways are free of clutter.
• Know how to shut off valves for gas, oil, water and the home’s main electrical supply. Put tags on these valves so you can quickly find them.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector or one that detects both carbon monoxide and smoke. Also install a radon detector (radon is a type of gas that may cause lung cancer).

Plan now how to manage in any disaster. These plans may someday help you reduce the risk of injury, death, and property damage. 

Damaged Materials

12/18/2015 (Permalink)

Removal and disposal of damaged materials is an integral part of water and fire damage restoration. This can include demolition of affected structural materials such as tile. Hardwoods, drywall, wood containing materials (baseboards, trim, and cabinetry) or carpet and pad that are wet due to a water damage from a clean water source are usually dried in place using specialty equipment. Although partial demolition is necessary on most water damages, our technicians work diligently to ensure that all materials that can be restored to a pre-loss condition are salvaged. In cases where materials come into contact with contaminated water only the affected portion will be cut away and disposed of, reducing the costs incurred and the amount of materials to be replaced.

Happy Holidays!

12/1/2015 (Permalink)

Happy Holidays from the staff at SERVPRO of Athens.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification

10/29/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Athens and SERVPRO of Madison, Monticello & Madison are each a Certified Firm with The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. We are proud to meet all of the IICRC standards for certification, including employing Individually Certified Technicians.

To gain IICRC status as a Certified Firm, SERVPRO of Athens and SERVPRO of Madison, Monticello & Madison must demonstrate Proof of Insurance, maintain a written Customer Complaint Policy with documented follow-up, provide on-going Education and Training leading to Certification for all Technicians and must abide by the IICRC Code of Ethics.


SERVPRO of Athens and SERVPRO of Madison, Monticello & Madison are committed to:

Presenting accurate information to Consumers and conducting business with honesty and integrity.

Having a Technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

Having a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

Maintaining liability insurance for protection in the event of an accident.

Maintaining a written complaint policy inclusive of post-complaint correspondence.

SERVPRO Corporate is an approved school with
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification
for the following IICRC Certification courses:

• Applied Structural Drying
• Carpet Cleaning Technician
  
• Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician
  
• Water Damage Restoration Technician
  
• Upholstery and Fabric Technician