SERVPRO in Our Community!

7/13/2023 (Permalink)

With more than 50 years of industry experience, SERVPRO is a leader of fire, water, mold and other specialty cleanup and restoration services. Our network of more than 1,700 franchises has responded to property damage emergencies ranging from multi-million dollar large losses to those suffered by individual businesses and homes. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, SERVPRO has earned the trust of major insurance companies, commercial clients and countless homeowners. Below are the residential and commercial services we provide, including but not limited to:

Fire, Smoke and Soot Cleanup and Restoration 

Pretesting helps us determine what type of fire has taken place. Knowing the types of smoke and their behavior patterns are vital to proper restoration.

Water Removal and Dehumidification 

We identify the source and type of water, which determines the proper course of action. Drying equipment controls temperature and humidity, minimizing secondary damage.

Crime Scene, Biohazard and Vandalism Cleanup

We are trained to safely and effectively clean bio-hazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA and state and local health regulations.

Mold Mitigation and Remediation

We work to control and remove mold contaminants while protecting the health and safety of building occupants.

Contents Claim Inventory Service

Accurate inventory helps keep costs low and reduces job completion time. We can provide an itemized, room-by-room loss inventory. 

Air Duct and HVAC Cleaning

We can inspect your HVAC system and ductwork. Cleaning services can be provided to help restore peak energy efficiency, eliminate offensive odors and improve indoor air quality.

Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning and Care

We use the latest IICRC training as well as state-of-the-art equipment to remove entrapped soils from deep within your carpet's pile and backings.

Stain Removal, Stain Resistance Applications

Using IICRC standards for carpet as a guide, we will show you what cleaning option would be best for your carpet's level of soiling and explain the benefits of soil protection.

Odor Identification and Deodorization 

We will find the source of the odor and determine the best methods to neutralize and eliminate it.

Upholstery and Drapes: Wet or Dry Cleaning Methods

Fabrics are inspected and tested to determine the safest and most effective cleaning method. 

You have so much invested in your home. Choose SERVPRO to protect your most valuable asset! Your home is a reflection of you and makes an impression on all those who enter it. You invest your time, energy and hard-earned resources to maintain, protect and increase the value of your home. 

When you need work done on your home or business, you should expect the very best service at a fair price. We are committed to providing fire and water cleanup and restoration services, as well as top-quality professional cleaning services for your entire residential or commercial property. 

What SERVPRO Professionals Can Do for You

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

With more than 50 years of industry experience, SERVPRO is a leader of fire, water, mold and other specialty cleanup and restoration services. Our network of more than 1,700 franchises has responded to property damage emergencies ranging from multi-million dollar large losses to those suffered by individual businesses and homes. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, SERVPRO has earned the trust of major insurance companies, commercial clients and countless homeowners. Below are the residential and commercial services we provide, including but not limited to:

Fire, Smoke and Soot Cleanup and Restoration 

Pretesting helps us determine what type of fire has taken place. Knowing the types of smoke and their behavior patterns are vital to proper restoration.

Water Removal and Dehumidification 

We identify the source and type of water, which determines the proper course of action. Drying equipment controls temperature and humidity, minimizing secondary damage.

Crime Scene, Biohazard and Vandalism Cleanup

We are trained to safely and effectively clean bio-hazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA and state and local health regulations.

Mold Mitigation and Remediation

We work to control and remove mold contaminants while protecting the health and safety of building occupants.

Contents Claim Inventory Service

Accurate inventory helps keep costs low and reduces job completion time. We can provide an itemized, room-by-room loss inventory. 

Air Duct and HVAC Cleaning

We can inspect your HVAC system and ductwork. Cleaning services can be provided to help restore peak energy efficiency, eliminate offensive odors and improve indoor air quality.

Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning and Care

We use the latest IICRC training as well as state-of-the-art equipment to remove entrapped soils from deep within your carpet's pile and backings.

Stain Removal, Stain Resistance Applications

Using IICRC standards for carpet as a guide, we will show you what cleaning option would be best for your carpet's level of soiling and explain the benefits of soil protection.

Odor Identification and Deodorization 

We will find the source of the odor and determine the best methods to neutralize and eliminate it.

Upholstery and Drapes: Wet or Dry Cleaning Methods

Fabrics are inspected and tested to determine the safest and most effective cleaning method. 

You have so much invested in your home. Choose SERVPRO to protect your most valuable asset! Your home is a reflection of you and makes an impression on all those who enter it. You invest your time, energy and hard-earned resources to maintain, protect and increase the value of your home. 

When you need work done on your home or business, you should expect the very best service at a fair price. We are committed to providing fire and water cleanup and restoration services, as well as top-quality professional cleaning services for your entire residential or commercial property. 

Destroy Odors with Deodorization

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

Even a small fire can cause odors for years to come if the affected areas are not properly cleaned and deodorized. Fire, smoke and soot damage in your home or business can create unpleasant and potentially permanent problems.

As various materials burn, the smoke produced travels throughout the structure, leaving odorous residues and deposits on surfaces and in hard-to-reach places. Unless fast, professional action is taken, these residues and deposits can cause permanent damage to contents and may result in resurfacing odors.

With technicians certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC), SERVPRO franchise professionals provide specialized services that can rid your home or business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. We do not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; we seek out and remove the source of the odor. Once the source is found, SERVPRO's own proprietary line of cleaning products is used to treat and prevent the odor from returning. Any restorable item in affected areas will also be professionally cleaned and deodorized, including furniture, draperies and upholstery, electronics, art, flooring, walls, ceilings, HVAC air ducts and more.

Other odors that may require deodorization:

• Cigarette Smoke
• Pet Odors
• Decomposition
• Mold

Ask your SERVPRO franchise professionals to explain the various deodorization methods available and which one will work best for you. 

If you suffer a fire damage or some other accident and require deodorization services, contact us immediately. Whether it's fire, water or mold damage, or just a stubborn odor that refuses to go away, we'll help make it "Like it never even happened." 

Hoarding: A Serious Situation

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

According to The Mayo Clinic, "A hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs." Many people with a hoarding disorder do not find their habits to be a problem. Hoarded items are often things others would throw away or look at as junk or garbage, such as old newspapers, junk mail or packaging. 

Hoarding can lead to homes filled with extreme clutter to full capacity from years of accumulation, making living conditions unsanitary and crowded. Bugs, fleas, rats and other vermin may be present, at which point an exterminator would need to be called. At times, hoarding may spread to outside the home as well, to storage facilities, or even the garage or yard.

SERVPRO encounters hoarding situations in several different ways. Often, we are called for a fire or water loss and find the hoarding situation when we arrive on-site. We will communicate with the insurance company regarding their contents coverage, and after approval, contents can be packed out and possibly cleaned, dried and stored by us, or relocated to a storage facility so work on the fire or water loss can begin. 

Another way SERVPRO encounters hoarding jobs is through calls from landlords, case workers, real estate agents or family members, often after the death of a loved one. In these situations, we will see if we should look for any items of importance while we clean the job. Sometimes, family members will come and try to help the hoarder sort through their contents as well.

If you encounter a hoarding situation at one of your properties or wish your insureds, call us today. Each case is very different, and hoarding jobs are often sensitive situations, but we are here to help make it "Like it never even happened."

HERE TO HELP with Coronavirus

3/13/2020 (Permalink)

HERE TO HELP minimize the spread of germs.

SERVPRO professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

SERVPRO professionals offer cleaning services including the removal of biohazard contaminants. They have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business.

About Coronavirus

The CDC is responding to an outbreak of a respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has spread to 60 locations internationally (as of this publication), including cases in the United States. The virus known as “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”) is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person or through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Scope of Cleanup Protocol

SERVPRO professionals can perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfection where the customer states that there is no active known threat of COVID-19 contamination or exposure. The customer will be required to acknowledge that cleaning and disinfecting will only apply to the current state of the structure and contents. The structure would not be protected from future COVID-19 contamination if an infected person was to enter and occupy the building.

Cleanup Scope of Work and Planning

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables at a minimum. These same surfaces are mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces as well, including:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving and Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Cleanup and Disinfecting Procedures

Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of waste.

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar type organisms to COVID-19.

SERVPROXIDETM, SERVPRO’s proprietary disinfectant, is a hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2 on hard, non-porous surfaces. In addition, SERVPROXIDETM currently has dozens of EPA-approved claims including Feline coronavirus, Canine coronavirus, Staphylococcus (MRSA), E. coli, Salmonella, Rotavirus, Swine flu (H1N1) and more.

Porous surfaces that are not water-sensitive, such as carpet and other fabric material, cannot be disinfected but can be sanitized using SERVPROXIDETM.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

2020 Resolution: Plan Ahead

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

Contact us to establish your Emergency Ready Profile and be "Ready for whatever happens" in 2020.

With each new year, many people resolve to better themselves or some part of their life. This year, make a resolution to be READY. No one ever plans on a disaster or a water or fire damage to strike, but you can prepare for it. The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) will help ensure your business is "Ready for whatever happens" in 2020.

In the event of an emergency, the ERP can help minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action in place for your facility. The ERP is a comprehensive document containing critical information about your business, including emergency contacts, shut-off valve locations, and priority areas. The ERP also establishes your local SERVPRO franchise professional team as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. The ERP is a no-cost assessment; all it requires is a little time, making it a great value that could save you time and money in the future. 

Preparation is key to making it through any size disaster, whether it is a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood. Having a plan in place may help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive and get you back in your building faster following a disaster. Don't wait until disaster strikes, resolve to be ready by contacting your local SERVPRO franchise professionals today to establish your Emergency Ready Profile and be "Ready for whatever happens" in 2020. 

Call the Pros at SERVPRO!

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

We won't let you down!

SERVPRO of Altoona is a full-service, state licensed contractor and trusted leader in the restoration industry for the past 20 years. We are here for all your remodeling needs, kitchens, baths, even exterior work. It’s no fun when disaster strikes, but the full-service staff from our trained technicians to our experienced construction crew is at your fingertips to guide you through any situation. We are an IICRC certified firm, and our technicians are highly dedicated and educated in the field with the proper resources to get the job done quickly and efficiently. We provide a 24-hour emergency response service and we are always ready to respond immediately. We are also part of a national network of over 1,700 franchises. Our promise to you is, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Can Handle All Your Cleaning and Restoration Needs

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

The Duncansville Community Center was thrilled with the cleaning services we provided them.

Pictured is the Duncansville Community Center before and after we cleaned their bathrooms. SERVPRO employees are intensively trained in the technologies of cleaning and maintenance, providing the right answers to virtually every cleaning problem. From the smallest office to the largest mall, SERVPRO will customize a program to fit your needs. Below are the cleaning services that SERVPRO provides.

1. Floor Care

A complete program to keep all your floor surfaces looking new:

• Vinyl
• Terrazzo
• Marble
• Wood
• Concrete
• All other specialty floors

2. Furniture/Partitions Fabric Wall Coverings

Based on the type of upholstery, from everyday durables to expensive satins, we pre-test and select the safest method of cleaning. SERVPRO furniture cleaning methods include:

• Jet Extraction
• Dry Cleaning
• Showcase
• Combination (dry & wet)
• Shampoo

3. Carpet Care

Customized systems designed to extend the life and beauty of your carpets.

• Cleaning
• Maintenance
• Spotting
• Soil & Static Protection

4. Drapery Cleaning

Maintain Security! Draperies can be cleaned without ever leaving your windows. Don't submit your company to needless exposure from outside.

5. Acoustical Ceiling Cleaning

A safe, simple and effective way to maintain your ceiling's acoustical value and light reflection.

6. Fire Proofing

With SERVPRO's fire protection application, even a torch won't ignite valuable textiles and other porous materials.

7. Fire & Water Damage Restoration

For 30 years, SERVPRO franchises have led the disaster restoration industry with quality and 24 hour emergency service.

• Water Damage Cleanup
• Fire Damage
• Smoke & Soot Removal
• Deodorization
• Dehumidification Specialists

ADDITIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE:

• Janitorial Services
• Post Construction Clean-up
• Mildew Treatments
• Duct Cleaning & Sealing
• Wood Furniture Cleaning
• Wall Cleaning
• Masonry & Stone Clean-up
• Vandalism Clean-up

MARKETS SERVED

SERVPRO is proud to have been selected to provide cleaning services for a wide variety of building types, including:

• Commercial buildings
• Industrial plants
• Distribution centers
• Transportation terminals
• Hotels
• Government facilities
• Research facilities
• Schools
• Malls and other retail spaces
• Supermarkets
• Churches
• Construction sites

3 Reasons to Get Professional Carpet Cleaning

5/28/2019 (Permalink)

Hire the experts!

1. Health Benefits

Carpets trap dust particles, bacteria, and allergens found in the home, which have been linked to health effects. If these contaminants are not removed from the carpet, they can cause a plethora of health effects. Vacuuming alone cannot eliminate such contaminants. They can only be removed through professional grade products used to clean and sanitize your home, which are provided by a professional cleaning service.

2. Prevention

Professional carpet cleaning can help prevent numerous serious problems. It clears out infestations by dust mites. While you may not be aware of dust mites because they are microscopic, many homes have them. Dust mites may cause asthma and allergy exacerbations, and professionals have the products essential to eliminate such infestations. Also, carpets easily develop mold, especially in areas with high humidity levels. When moisture, such as rain and snow, is being tracked in the house, it gets driven into the carpet fibers and can cause mold to grow. Routine professional carpet cleaning can help prevent the growth of mold in your carpet.

3. Smell

Carpet tends to trap odors, especially if the homeowner has pets. Professionals can remove the toughest stains and odors from your carpet.