Why we are different.

3/27/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO tech soda Blasting a fire damaged wall.

SERVPRO of St. Mary’s and Calvert has been operating in St. Mary’s and Calvert counties since 1984. Since opening our doors we have always set ourselves apart from our competition in many different aspects but the one we take our most pride in is our experience.

Many people who enter the restoration industry only last fourteen months. Our production managers have been in the industry starting at 11 years, 13 years, 15 years, 18 years, 29 years, and 32 years with an have an extensive list of certifications. We are constantly investing in our employees with the latest training and certifications within our industry. The experience they have provides a positive outcome in almost all avenues of the job they are managing. Since the jobs run smoother, they can answer all questions the homeowner has. They understand the insurance aspects and have built relationships with many of the insurance agents in the Southern Maryland region.

 This knowledge and experience provides a better experience for our customers, insurance agents, and adjusters. Our experienced team is here to make it "Like It Never Even Happened".

The Dangers of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Southern Maryland

3/7/2023 (Permalink)

The Dangers of Lithium Batteries

Lithium Batteries are a power source for many day to day devices such as cell phones, laptops, toys, vapes, smoke alarms, and my other items. These batteries are known to store a lot of energy and if damaged or used improperly can cause them to catch fire. 

Some safety tips when dealing with Lithium Batteries

• Make sure they are listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
• Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Don't leave batteries charging overnight.
• Use proper charging cord.
• Do not charge on a flammable source such as furniture. 

If you are using the battery and notice any problems with it such as odor, change of shape, fluid coming out if it, smoking, increase of heat, and odd noises. Stop using the battery and device and move if to a safe place away from anything flammable and call 911. 

If you experience a fire on your home or property in St. Mary's or Calvert Counties give us a call today to make it "Like It Never Even Happened." 

Steps To Take If Your Pipes Burst In Your Home / Business

2/6/2023 (Permalink)

Caution Floor is Wet

When water freezes it expands in volume by 9%. This increase in pressure can cause your pipes to break at a weak spot causing water to come rushing out the break. Important steps to follow if you ever encounter such experience are:

Step 1: Locate your main water shut off valve and turn it off to stop the flow of water. 

• For houses on well water: if you are unable to locate your main water shut off, the other solution is to shut off your well in order to stop the water. 

Step 2: Call your most trusted restoration experts to analyze and start the restoration process to ensure no further damage, such as mold growth, occurs. 

Step 3: Call your plumber to fix your broken pipes. If you need assistance with locating a plumber SERVPRO will always guide you in the right direction. 

Do you sleep with the door open at night?

2/1/2023 (Permalink)

Closing the door can save your life.

When you go to bed at night, do you sleep with the door open? If you do you might want to think twice. Years of research conducted by UL's Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) have shown that simply closing your door at night could save your life if a fire is to occur. 

The research shows that a closed door is a safety barrier to buy you more time and protection from fire and smoke. The reasoning behind this is when you open a door during a fire it is giving that fire oxygen which will feed the fire and in return will cause that fire to expand. If you close the doors and windows to your home it will cut off the oxygen and contain the fire improving your chances of survival. Another benefit of closing your doors is if a fire does happen it creates a safer environment inside that room by greatly reducing entry of smoke, poisonous gasses, and temperature. 

It's extremely important for you and your family to have a plan if an emergency is to happen. Talk with your family come up with an exit plan and where to meet if a fire is to happen in your home. If you experience a fire remember SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties is always here to help. 

Don't Fall for Duct Cleaning Scams in St. Mary's and Calvert Counties.

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties Duct Cleaning.

Duct Cleaning Scammers are everywhere in St. Mary's County and Calvert County. They use a Variety of tactics to get you to fall into their trap such as cut rates, blow and go scams, and bait and switch. 

<h2-cut-rates">Cut Rates

That old phrase, "If it's too good to be true, it probably is," comes into play here. Illegitimate air duct cleaners love to outbid their competitors for offering "whole house duct cleaning" for $50 or $100. In some cases, these deals simply help them get in the door to upsell you for more work or do a quick and unthorough job before disappearing.

In other more sinister instances, particularly online, scams like these are a method to get your personal information. Never send a deposit, sign forms, or answer personal questions on the phone without verifying the air duct company as certified and insured. Real companies will not demand personal and financial data upfront.

<h2-blow-and-go-scams">Blow-and-Go Scams

This old scam has happened so many times that it's earned a nickname. Blow-and-go scams simply involve the company coming into your home, quickly vacuuming your vents, and hitting the road for the next house. Reputable experts should inspect all the various parts of your system, not just the vents themselves.

These scammers may also perform the bare minimum of work before alerting homeowners of the extensive and costly work they need to perform in addition to the base price. Be sure to research a company's name on the Better Business Bureau site and ask for recent customer testimonials to ensure the quality of the team's work.

<h2-bait-and-switch">Bait-and-Switch

Similar to blow-and-go, the infamous bait-and-switch adds unwanted services on top of what you already agreed to pay. While the advertised price may have looked like it included all your vents, the scammer may claim that the rate only covered a small part of the system. By the time the work is done, you're paying far more than originally expected. Always be sure to read the small print on flyers and ask cleaners to clarify their contracts before getting started.

You may encounter someone who "found mold" or "needed to apply a sealant or biocide" to your vents. While reputable contractors often offer biocides and sealants, the EPA has not registered either of these as necessary at this time. 

Always make sure that you have a full contract in writing before the work begins and report any bait-and-switch tactics to the Better Business Bureau immediately.

How do you find a reputable duct cleaner? Go to National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) which will provide you with a list of professionally certified duct cleaners in your area. SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties is NADCA certified. If you wish to have your ducts cleaned give us a call today at 301-862-9500 to have one of our technicians come out and give a FREE estimate.

Dirty Ducts can lead to fires in Southern Maryland

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

Before and After of Duct Cleaning

When thinking about fire prevention tactics, duct cleaning to prevent a fire from starting is probably not the first thing you would think about. Not to mention, ducts are typically hidden above the ceiling, so they are always out of sight. But there is more than just ducts above a facility’s ceiling. There are mechanical systems, structural elements, wires and anything else that would be hidden above the ceiling. And with work from insulation, fire-stopping as well as construction, dust can easily build up quick.

Accumulated dust can pose as a fire hazard. Dust is flammable and a fire can start from a spark of energy, or an extremely hot surface. The more dust build up there is, the more chances there are for a fire to happen. According to NFPA 654, annex D states that cleaning is needed immediately “whenever a dust layer of 1/32- inch thickness accumulates over a surface area of at least 5% of the floor area of the facility or any given room.” The same rule applies when it comes to cleaning a facility’s ductwork.

Although duct cleaning may not be the first thing you think about in fire prevention, it is important to clean your facility’s ducts. Not only does cleaning ducts help reduce the risk of a fire from starting, but it improves airflow in your facility’s HVAC system. All dust can be a fire hazard, and by cleaning your facility’s ducts, you are preventing dust from accumulating. By preventing dust from accumulating, you are ultimately helping to reduce the chances of a fire from starting.

If you have dirty ducts or experience a fire/smoke loss at your Southern Maryland property give us a call today at 301-862-9500. 

St. Mary's County and Calvert County Smoke and Soot Cleanup

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Cleaning of Soot

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 301-862-9500 for St. Mary's County or 410-535-4733 for Calvert County. 

Faster to your St. Mary's and Calvert Counties Water Damage Event

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

We are always here to help.

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 301-862-9500 for St. Mary's County or 410-535-4733 for Calvert County

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties

SERVPRO of St. Mary's and Calvert Counties specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Does Your Southern Maryland Home Have A Mold Problem?

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

In Southern Maryland, mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 301-862-9500 or 410-535-4733

Having a plan for when serve storms strike.

12/28/2021 (Permalink)

We are here to help.

Storms can bring devastation to our area. It is always important for you and your family to have a plan for when devastating storms are coming.  

• Write down emergency phone numbers and keep them on the refrigerator or near every phone in your house.
• Prepare an supply kit
• Locate the nearest shelter and different routes you can take to get there from your home. 
• Pet owners: Pre-identify shelters, a pet-friendly hotel, or an out-of-town friend or relative where you can take your pets in an evacuation. 

Gather emergency supplies.

During and after a storm, you may need supplies to keep your family safe and healthy. Remember that a storm could cut off your power and water supply. You also may not be able to drive because of damage to your car. Roads may be flooded or blocked.

That’s why it’s best to be prepared—stock up on everything you might need now. Be sure to prepare the following:

• Food and Water.
• Medical supply
• Emergency power (Generators) 
• Medical documents, wills, passports, and personal identification.
• A fire extinguisher. Make sure your family knows where to find it and how to use it! 

Get your car ready.

Make sure your car is ready before the storm hits.

• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Move cars and trucks into your garage or under cover.
• Always keep an emergency kit in your car.

If you don’t own a car, consider making plans with friends or family or call authorities to get a ride if you need to evacuate.

Get your home ready.

• Clear your yard. Make sure there’s nothing that could blow around during the storm and damage your home. Move bikes, lawn furniture, grills, propane tanks, and building material inside or under shelter.
• Cover up windows and doors. Use storm shutters or nail pieces of plywood to the outside window frames to protect your windows. This can help keep you safe from pieces of shattered glass.
• Be ready to turn off your power. If you see flooding, downed power lines, or you have to leave your home, switch your power off.
• Fill clean water containers with drinking water. You’ll want to do this in case you lose your water supply during the storm. You can also fill up your sinks and bathtubs with water for washing.
• Check your carbon monoxide (CO) detector’s battery 

Be ready to evacuate or stay at home.

Always listen to authorities regarding whether you should evacuate or stay at home.

If a storm is coming, you may hear an order from authorities to evacuate (leave your home). Never ignore an order to evacuate. Even sturdy, well-built houses may not hold up against a serve storm. Staying home to protect your property is not worth risking your health and safety.

You may hear an order to stay at home. If driving conditions are dangerous, staying at home might be safer than leaving.

• Keep your emergency supply kit in a place you can easily access.
• Listen to the radio or TV for updates on the storm
• Stay inside. Even if it looks calm, don’t go outside. Wait until you hear or see an official message that the hurricane is over. Sometimes, weather gets calm in the middle of a storm but then quickly gets bad again.
• Stay away from windows—you could get hurt by pieces of broken glass or flying debris during a storm. Stay in a room with no windows, or go inside a closet.
• Be ready to leave. If emergency authorities order you to leave or if your home is damaged, you may need to go to a shelter or a neighbor’s house.

Remember we are always here to help. Give us a call if you suffer from storm damage.