Your Business+ Mold = Dangerous

If you own a business or a home, here are some great facts!
In the 1970′s, sick building syndrome became apparent as groups of people displayed similar symptoms after having spent extended periods of time in buildings with poor air quality. Good judgement and immediate attention can correct the situation and save you money in the event of litigation. People most at risk include:
-Infants and children -Pregnant Women -Elderly -People with compromised respiratory systems or asthma/allergies -People with weakened immune systems.
While molds are found naturally in the environment, an overabundance inside buildings is undesirable for both aesthetic and health reasons. Experts disagree about the more controversial details of molds but all agree that if you have excessive mold, it needs to be removed.
If you or someone you know is experiencing problems with mold please call SERVPRO of Cayce/West Columbia & Lexington 803-755-9774
-Denea Duran

Water Leaks and Prevention Tips

Water leaks within a business can seep into flooring, carpets,baseboards and walls while moving throughout the structure, potentially creating mildew and staining walls. Quick action is critical in avoiding costly repairs ans expensive downtime. SERVPRO Professionals understand the water damage event can not only disrupt your facility, it can also interrupt day to day business functions-possibly closing the business and ultimately affecting your revenues.
Leak Prevention Tips: -Regularly check the following items for leaks:

Exterior

• Check roofing for deterioration.
• Check gutters and down spouts for blockage.
• Check basements and crawl spaces for moisture.

Interiors

• Check appliances in break rooms and cafeterias.
• Check sinks and toilets in restrooms.
• Check HVAC for leaks and blockage.

If you experience any water damage please call your SERVPRO of Cayce/West Columbia/ Lexington 803-755-9774
-Denea Duran

Do’s and Dont’s: Water Disaster

 How many of you know how to respond during a water damage disaster? Your first and most important step should be to call your emergency mitigation specialists at SERVPRO. The sooner we arrive on site, the more you and your insurance company save in restoration and construction services.
These emergency tips will assist you in taking the proper actions and precautions until WE arrive!

Do:

• Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
• When access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock, turn off circuit breakers in wet areas of the building.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting. 
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture should be relocated to a safe, dry place.
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors.
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors.
• Hang furs and leather good to dry separately at room temperature.

Dont:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist.  
• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards.
• Leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors to cause staining.
• Leave oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet wall-to-wall carpets to cause staining.
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet.
• Enter rooms where ceiling are sagging from retained water.

Contact us for 24 Hour Restoration Service: SERVPRO of Cayce/West Columbia/ Lexington 803-755-9774

-Denea Duran
Photo Credit:  Google Image

Are you really prepared??

If a natural disaster were to strike today would you really be prepared? If the answer is yes, then  CONGRATULATIONS!  9 times out of 10 a household is not prepared for a disaster. After my last blog, I wondered if I was prepared for a disaster. Living in California our teachers and parents prepared us on what to do in case of an earthquake.

“DUCK AND COVER.”

To be honest “duck and cover” is all that I am prepared for, which isn’t saying much. Here is a helpful list to get you and your family prepared!

Please go through this list and make sure that all of these items are in your emergency kit. You never know when an emergency can strike you or your community!

• Water—one gallon per person, per day (3 ­day supply for evacuation, 2­ week supply for home)
• Food—non­perishable, easy­to­prepare items (3­ day supply for evacuation, 2 ­week supply for home)
• Flashlight
• Battery­-powered or hand­crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7­day supply) and medical items
• Multi­purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area

Consider the needs of all family members and add supplies to your kit. Suggested items to help meet additional needs are:

• Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
• Games and activities for children
• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
• Two­-way radios
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
• Manual can opener

Additional supplies to keep at home or in your kit based on the types of disasters common to your area:

• Whistle
• N95 or surgical masks
• Matches
• Rain gear
• Towels
• Work gloves
• Tools/supplies for securing your home
• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
• Plastic sheeting
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Household liquid bleach
• Entertainment items
• Blankets or sleeping bags

The Danger of not having a Emergency Kit:

Though most households are located in reasonable proximity to an emergency respondent, access to an emergency kit is often critical in securing the health and safety of residents before help arrives. For those located a significant distance from emergency assistance, or homes that contain injury-prone children or older adults, an emergency kit is non-negotiable.

Now ask yourself are you prepared for a natural disaster to strike?

-Denea Duran

Content Credit: http://www.redcross.org

Drink Water to Give Water.

Commit to doing the 10 Days at 10days.cc

The 10 Days is a campaign where college students and communities across the nation will choose water as their only beverage for 10 Days. The money saved will go to provide 10 Rwandan communities with safe, clean water.

Join with us 10/10/11-10/19/11 and drink to give.

Sandy Hayden

Home Emergency Tips: Part 4

What to do until help arrives. 

It’s time for our last Home Emergency Tips entry. The way you respond after a home emergency can make a huge impact on the scale of the damage. Follow these tips to minimize water damage as much as possible in your home.

Water Damage

Do:

• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and table top items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and pillow cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
• Remove Oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpeting.
• Remove valuable paintings and art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Open and place luggage in sunlight to dry, if possible.
• Gather loose items, toys, etc. from floors.

Don’t:

• Leave wet fabrics in place; dry as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.
• Use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Use TVs or other household appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.