Sewage Cleanup and Restoration

7/28/2023 (Permalink)

There are three major types of contaminated water.

There are three major types of contaminated water. SERVPRO® will inspect contaminated water to determine the type of water and then plan the appropriate response to safely restore your home or business. The three types of contaminated water are: 

Category 1: "Clean Water" 

This is water from a clean source, such as a broken clean water supply line or faucet. If left untreated, category 1 water can quickly degrade into category 2 or 3 water depending upon such factors as time, temperature, and contact with contaminants. 

Category 2: "Gray Water" 

This water has a significant level of contamination that could cause discomfort or illness if ingested. Sources for category 2 water may include washing machine overflow, toilet overflow with some urine, but no feces, or dishwasher overflow. 

Category 3: "Black Water" 

This water is grossly unsanitary and could cause severe illness or death if ingested, and any contact should be avoided. Sources for category 3 water could include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth. 

Sewage backup should be considered an emergency and dealt with as quickly as possible. SERVPRO® the water damage restoration specialists with specific training and expertise to safely restore your home or business. 

Commercial Cleaning Services

7/27/2023 (Permalink)

You can rely on SERVPRO to make your workspace look its very best.

You don’t have time to worry about the common wear and tear that gradually soils your office. When grime, odor, and moisture challenges go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, you should call SERVPRO® for prompt service.  

SERVPRO® offers cleaning services ranging from cleaning restaurant hoods to removing biohazard contaminants. We have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business. Our cleaning services include the following: 

• Air Ducts and HVAC 
• Biohazard and Sewage 
• Trauma and Crime Scene 
• Carpet and Upholstery 
• Drapes and Blinds 
• Ceilings, Walls, and Hard Floors 
• Odor Removal and Deodorization 
• Vandalism 

Whether it’s removing an odor problem or deep cleaning flooring or carpets, you can rely on us to make your workspace look its very best.  

Odor Removal

7/19/2023 (Permalink)

The science of identifying and eliminating odors can be a tricky thing.

Has a nearby home or business had a fire that left you with soot or fire damage odor? We can help. As experts in deodorization, SERVPRO® is trained to identify and eliminate odors left behind after property fire damage. Masking and other shortcuts don't work when your odor problem is serious or persistent. 

SERVPRO® has the training and equipment to identify and eliminate these offensive odors. By identifying the cause of the odor, and determining the conditions where it contacts surfaces, the odor can often be removed over time without a trace. Our technicians have access to several odor removal products capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize any unpleasant odor thoroughly. 

The science of identifying and eliminating odors can be a tricky thing. Call SERVPRO® and leave the fire damage odor removal to us. 

Carpet Cleaning for Your Business

7/13/2023 (Permalink)

Our professional carpet cleaning can address moderate and heavy soil conditions in the carpets in your business.

Our professional carpet cleaning can address moderate and heavy soil conditions in the carpets in your business. How often you’ll need professional cleaning depends on soil build-up, traffic, type, and color of carpeting. A good rule of thumb would be to professionally clean your carpet every 12 months.  

The best advice is to clean carpets before they become totally saturated with soil. If you wait until the carpets look dirty, there’s a chance that the carpets may never be restored to their former appearance. Dirt builds up in layers, and when a carpet looks dirty, you are only seeing the dirt at the tips of the fibers. More dirt is hiding below the surface down near the base of the pile, causing damage to the carpet. When a carpet is saturated with dirt, the soil has already penetrated the crevices and has become firmly lodged. 

For professional carpet cleaning backed by state-of-the-art equipment, over 25 years of experience, and professionals trained to the highest standards, call SERVPRO®. 

The Right Equipment

7/5/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO understands that using the proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing claims loss expense.

SERVPRO® understands that using the proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing claims loss expense. When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. Learn more about the water mitigation equipment used by our team members! 

Detection Equipment 

• Moisture Sensors - Used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.  
• Moisture Meters - Used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate moisture readings that enables our team to monitor the drying process. 
• Thermohygrometers  - Measures both temperature and relative humidity. Capturing these two readings, we use a psychrometric chart to calculate specific humidity, dew point and vapor press. 

Extraction Equipment 

• Extractors - Used in cleaning carpets and upholstery and in removing water from floors following water damage. Extractors can either be truck-mounted or portable, allowing for greater access inside structures. 

Dehumidification Equipment 

• Refrigerant Dehumidifiers - Works similarly to air conditioners.  
• Desiccant Dehumidifiers - Uses chemicals, called desiccants, that readily absorb moisture from the air. 

SERVPRO® has the training, expertise and proper equipment to help with your water damage problem. If your commercial or residential property has an issue with water damage, call us today. 

SERVPRO® Insider – July 2023

7/3/2023 (Permalink)

Our new quarterly newsletter is here!

Our new quarterly newsletter is here! The SERVPRO® Insider gives an inside look at what SERVPRO® Team Miller has been up to!   

After a residential fire, homeowners can have a lot of questions. What belongings can be salvaged? How long does the construction process take? How do contractors work with their insurance company? SERVPRO® has you covered. Our project managers can help answer all of your questions throughout the restoration process. Take a sneak peek at what some of those answers to commonly asked questions are! 

Summer is here which means summer storms are on their way. We have some tips on how to prevent water damage in your home and a helpful reminder to get your carpets cleaned so they’re looking their best for your customers. We’re also sharing some fun photos from events our team has done in the past few months! 

Each newsletter comes with a special feature on the services that SERVPRO® offers. The service of this quarter: Mold Remediation. It can take less than 72 hours for mold to spread throughout your property, so being proactive is the best course of action. Our trained technicians run tests before starting the remediation process to ensure a safe and healthy form of restoration on your property. 

If you’d like to subscribe to receive our full quarterly newsletters, send us a request at marketing@rdmhc.com. 

Protecting Your Garden During Rainstorms

4/18/2023 (Permalink)

Although our gardens love a nice rain shower, too much rain can be harmful to all the plants.

Although our gardens love a nice rain shower, too much rain can be harmful to all the plants. After all the hard work you have done to manage your garden, do not let heavy rainstorms ruin it! Follow these tips to protect your garden during heavy storms:

Before Rainstorm:

• Remove damaged limbs and shoots – Removing dead limbs and shoots from your plants will help make them more streamlined and will reduce snapping and tangling.
• Add compost and mulch – Adding a couple of inches of compost to the top 8 to 12 inches of soil will help with drainage.
• Support taller plants – Push wooden or metal support into the ground and tie taller plants to it. This will help keep them stable against rain and strong winds.
• Drainage – Make sure there is a proper runoff that tilts away from your garden and make sure it is not blocked. Water collecting in your garden can be damaging to your plants, possibly drowning them.

During Rainstorm:

• Cover your most delicate plants – Use a waterproof tarp to cover your most fragile plants during heavy rainstorms. Make sure that the covering is not blocking water from draining because it can cause other plants to drown.

After Rainstorm:

• Check your vegetable roots – Once the rainstorm has stopped, make sure there are no exposed roots following soil erosion. If there are exposed roots, cover them with soil or compost before they dry out.
• Check your pots and planters – Pots and planters can easily become flooded if the drainage is blocked. Check them before, during and after rainstorms. You can always cover pots and planters if necessary.
• Pull weeds up by hand – The moist soil after rain means you are much more likely to retrieve the whole root without it snapping or breaking.

Need more tips? Go to The Plant Guide for more information on maintaining your garden during severe weather.

Always Prioritize Safety as You Grill

4/18/2023 (Permalink)

The risk of a grill fire is there every time you light yours up.

For us, enjoying summer is all about getting outside with family and firing up the grill, but safety is key to making sure this stays a fun activity. Grilling dangers are something many people do not discuss, but as with any open flame, the risk of a grill fire is there every time you light yours up. Fortunately, a bit of prevention goes a long way.

It is reported by the U.S. Fire Administration that grill fires occur at least 5,700 times every year, making them more prevalent than many realize. But grilling can be a fun and safe activity if you follow the proper fire safety protocols when you do it.

Keep Grilling Fun, Safe and Fire-Free

• Create a safe zone around your grill. It is convenient to place your grill in a spot close to your home but giving yourself plenty of surrounding space is important in case of flare-ups. Three feet is the recommended distance to have around your grill, free from wood, siding or any other flammable materials.
• Clean your grill grates often. By keeping your grill grates clean, you can keep the temperature inside your grill steadier and reduce the chances of a sudden fire starting. Built-on food particles can get extremely hot when the grill is in use, even suddenly igniting in some cases. A quick scrape after each grill session can go a long way in reducing this danger.
• Never leave the grill unattended. There is no safe way to ever leave a grill unattended, even if the lid is closed. Fires only take a second to start, so your best bet to circumvent damage is by always being nearby with a fire extinguisher just in case. Even for a quick break, it is best to have someone take over your grill station to keep a vigilant eye out.
• Inspect the grill regularly. The components of a grill are not made to last forever, and even if you are using yours regularly, you never know when something could finally give out. Before you ever light your grill, do a visual inspection to make sure everything looks like it is in good shape and there are no areas that could lead to a gas leak on your connectors.

SERVPRO Insider – April 2023

4/12/2023 (Permalink)

Our newest issue of our quarterly newsletter is here!

Our newest issue of our quarterly newsletter is here! The SERVPRO Insider gives an inside look at what SERVPRO Team Miller has been up to!   

Winter Storm Elliott swept across the Midwest in late December 2022. The Team Miller Disaster Recovery Team was dispatched to Kentucky when suppression lines broke in multiple buildings throughout the University of Kentucky campus. Learn just how much equipment our team utilized to get the buildings dry within a matter of days.  

We are highlighting some of our amazing #GreenTeam events where we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day within our communities! Also featured are articles with helpful facts about surviving thunderstorms and maintaining a home to prevent flooding basements. 

Each newsletter comes with a special feature on the services that SERVPRO offers. The service of this quarter: Specialty Cleaning Services. SERVPRO is more than just fire, water, and storm damage restoration. Our team offers specialty cleaning services like carpet cleaning, hoarding house cleanup, odor removal, and more. Take a peek to learn more! 

If you’d like to subscribe to receive our full quarterly newsletters, send us a request at marketing@rdmhc.com. 

Tips for Driving in the Rain

4/12/2023 (Permalink)

By employing these safe driving techniques, you can keep yourself and your passengers safe during spring drizzles and downpours.

Did you know nearly half (47%) of all weather-related car accidents — more than 700,000 a year — are due to rain? Read below for our tips on how to drive safely in the rain. Here are a few tips to help you drive safely in the rain:   

• Avoid pooling water. By splashing through puddles, you can impair your vision and other drivers’. Additionally, standing water often shields potholes and debris from view and it can reduce the effectiveness of your vehicle’s brakes.  
• If your car begins to hydroplane, do not brake, or turn the wheel abruptly as this may cause your vehicle to go into a skid or spin. Take your foot off the gas and keep the wheel straight until your car reclaims traction.  
• Increase your following distance. Slick roads, wet brakes and reduced visibility can lead to collisions. Give other vehicles plenty of room and brake early with reduced force.  
• Don’t use cruise control. It can cause your car to accelerate when hydroplaning and reduces driver attentiveness.  
• Drive along the tracks of the car in front of you. This allows the vehicle ahead to displace any standing water that’s on the road. 

By employing these safe driving techniques, you can keep yourself and your passengers safe during spring drizzles and downpours. Rainy roads can be dangerous, but if we all slow down and use extra caution, rainy days might be a little brighter.