How Does Exposure to Water Affect Building Materials?

1/3/2022 (Permalink)

Recent commercial water damage to carpet in Newark, Ohio.

Water damage affects various building materials in different ways. From crumbling drywall to swelling wood, here are a few of the affects that exposure to water can have on common building materials. 

Drywall 

Water can begin to penetrate drywall within hours. This material may react in several ways, including 

• Disintegration 
• Swelling 
• Supporting mold growth 

Drywall that has been exposed to water may need to be torn out and replaced.  
 
Flooring 
Wood flooring and carpeting respond to water damage differently. Wood floors are particularly vulnerable after water permeates the polyurethane coating. You may observe some of the following effects: 

• Cupping 
• Swelling wood 
• Splitting planks 

Solid wood flooring may be restored through several methods, such as 

• Sanding 

• Scraping 
• Refinishing 
• Removing and retrofitting planks 

Regardless of flooring type, wet subfloors may need to be replaced. Moist concrete at the base should also be completely dry prior to restoration. 
 
Carpet exposed to clean water from a supply line break may be dried if the damage is quickly discovered and mitigated. If carpet remains saturated for hours or days or is initially exposed to contaminated black water, it should be torn out and replaced. 
 
Metal 
Metal may become discolored and begin to corrode within days or weeks of exposure to water. Rust-proof coatings may provide some protection. 
 
Wood 
Untreated wood may become stained within minutes or hours of exposure to water. Wood may start to split, swell, or warp within hours or days. Depending on the type of wood, duration of exposure, and structural significance, these components may need to be replaced. 
 
Take action to mitigate water damage as soon as it occurs at your business in Newark, Ohio. First, contact a plumber for water damage related repairs. Next, call SERVPRO® of Licking County at 740-587-0938.  Our highly trained experts can advise you about swelling wood and which building materials can be safely restored or will need to be replaced. 

Licking County Business Owners Recommend SERVPRO®

10/20/2021 (Permalink)

When you hear the SERVPRO® name some people think of that one time we helped their friend with their flooded basement, or when we helped their mom with a mold situation. Our SERVPRO® of Licking County’s name is associated with many remedied disasters at homes within our community. Homeowners are not the only ones who sing the praise of SERVPRO® though, business owners alike know the name: SERVPRO® of Licking County. We respond to any size disaster, whether it be a small family home or an enormous commercial warehouse, we’re there regardless to offer our decades old expertise to ensure any damage looks "Like it never even happened."

In fact, we have a happy customer from Newark, OH who stated we ‘proved that [our] slogan is more than just clever marketing’. Not to mention the assistance rendered in Worthington, OH where we had another more than satisfied customer claim ‘with the strongest confidence and without reservation that [they] highly recommend SERVPRO® of Licking County’.  

If you are a business owner in the midst of picking up the pieces after a disaster, stop and call SERVPRO® of Licking County so we can do it for you. Our heroes will be there before you know it to restore your business while you run it. Give us a call today at (740) 587-0938 so we can help.

SERVPRO® Never Forgets About Our Commercial Folks

10/12/2021 (Permalink)

As a cleaning and restoration company, SERVPRO® often comes to mind when you are in need of a silver lining after the devastation of a natural disaster. Our heroes take pride in being those individuals you rely on in those times of need, every hour of the day and every day in the year, for home and business owners alike. However, rest assured knowing that SERVPRO® also wants to tackle the jobs you may not want to have to worry about yourself. Has your walk-in refrigerator seen a couple hardy spills? Noticing dust build up on your light fixtures or ceilings? Is your entry way carpeting looking worn, hardwood or tile floors looking dull? SERVPRO® vehemently has you covered with Commercial Cleaning Services! Our heroes undergo award winning-training in services that have been trusted for over 40 years and in over 100 exclusive cleaning products. You’ll want to host a Grand Re-Opening and cut that red ribbon like you’re opening your doors for the first time knowing that your establishment is Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned. Call today at (740) 587-0938 and visit us online at SERVPROlickingcounty.com.

What's That Smell? Commercial Odor Removal and Deodorization

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

As experts in odor removal and deodorization, SERVPRO® of Licking County Professionals are trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors.  There are many different sources both inside and outside your home or business that can cause unpleasant odors.  Masking with room freshener and other short cuts don’t always work.  When your problem is serious or persistent, we’re here to help. 

SERVPRO® of Licking County has the training and resources to identify and eliminate most offensive odors.  By identifying the cause and determining the conditions in which it contacts surfaces, the odor can be removed without a trace. 

SERVPRO® has developed several products and processes that are used to specifically target the type of odor present. 

The science of identifying and eliminating odors can be a tricky thing, so give SERVPRO® of Licking County a call at 740-587-0938 and leave the situation to us. 

New Year's Resolution: Emergency Ready Profile

1/1/2021 (Permalink)

Make Your Resolution Count 

Now that it is 2021, people are either making their resolutions or already have them planned. Quite a few individuals choose to work out more or to spend less money. As a business owner, you can make a resolution that could help for years to come. 

SERVPRO offers businesses a service called an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP). Consider making your New Year’s resolution getting prepared with an ERP. Listed below are a few advantages of an Emergency Ready Profile: 

• No cost assessment of your facility. 
• Contains the critical information needed in the event of an emergency. 
• A guide to help you get back into your building quickly following a disaster. 
• Establishes SERVPRO of Licking County as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. 
• Identifies the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
• Provides facility details such as shut off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information. 
• Can add your facility’s current contingency plans to your SERVPRO Ready Profile. 

The ERP is also accessible online using your computer or tablet. Simply download SERVPRO's free Ready Plan app to access this information anytime. The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) will help ensure you and your businesses are "Ready for whatever happens."

Think about the potential disasters that could affect your business. Now ask yourself this question: Are You Ready?

Call 740-587-0938 Today for a No Cost Assessment of Your Facility!

Ways To Prevent Commercial Losses

12/7/2020 (Permalink)

According to State Farm’s Guide to Assisting Small Business Owners In Reducing Loss, here are a few ways that you can prevent Commercial Losses:

Fire Prevention

-Ensure smoke detectors are installed according to manufacturer’s guidelines.

-Test smoke detector batteries monthly.

-Store flammable liquids in their original container.

-Allow ventilation when using flammable liquids to reduce risk of fire injury or illness from vapors.

-Get sprinkler systems professional inspected annually at minimum.

-Be sure that your business has the right type, size, and number of fire extinguishers by calling your nearest fire department to assure you have the protection you need.

-Ensure that your employees are trained to locate and use your fire extinguishers.

Water Damage Prevention

-Replace any leaking or old appliance or equipment that uses water to avoid major water damage, like water heaters, air conditioners, ice makers, or washers.

-Replace any ruptured water supply lines, frozen pipes, or clogged drains.

-Ensure roofing is not deteriorated or damaged to decreased possibility of water entering the facility and causing damage to the interior.

-Have flat roofing inspected for pooling water or issues with the surface of the roof.

-Insulate exposed pipes to avoid water damage and freezing pipes.

-Avoid putting solids or grease down your drain.

-Install a water leak detection system to alert you when there are potential water leaks in the building.

Read more from the article here: https://static1.st8fm.com/en_US/content_pages/1/pdf/us/Loss%20Control%20for%20Business.pdf

When the need arises call SERVPRO of Licking County for all your commercial cleaning and restoration needs. Because when you experience a fire, water or mold damage in your facility, you need fast response and the expertise to get the job done right, ensuring your business can get back into operation as quickly as possible.

Call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938.

Post Construction Cleaning & Restoration

10/5/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Helps Ensure Your Finished Projects Always Look Their Best

Once the floors are down and the drywall is up, it’s time to remove the debris and dirt in order to lay carpet, paint and decorate. Our team at SERVPRO of Licking County can provide the debris removal services to prepare the building for interior design. 

Structural integrity, materials, labor, safety, customer satisfaction and deadlines - the list goes on and on when building a commercial facility. The bottom line, however, is you are responsible for getting the doors open on time. You want the facility to look its best when the doors open. We can help you meet your deadlines by providing thorough post -construction services in a timely manner. These services include:

• Post-Construction Cleaning
• Dehumidification and Drying
• Deodorization
• Air Duct Cleaning
• Carpet Cleaning
• Debris Removal (if necessary) 
• Final Cleaning
• Emergency Response Restoration and Cleanup Services 

During the construction phase a building can trap moisture. Excessive moisture could result in mold growth. If you think one of your projects may have a moisture issue, rely on us to provide the help you need eliminating moisture and preventing the potential for mold growth. 

To schedule Post-Construction Cleaning or Restoration Services at your commercial facility call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938.

Restoring Your Licking County Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

9/25/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at Licking County commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Licking County

SERVPRO of Licking County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a 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.

Meet Our Crew: https://www.SERVPROlickingcounty.com/employee-photos

Carpet Cleaning at Your Commercial Facility

9/14/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Licking County, our team has specialties other than mitigation and restoration. We also specialize in cleaning and one thing our team knows how to clean is carpets for your commercial businesses!

Dirty carpet isn’t something any business wants to have. It looks unprofessional and unkept. Luckily, our SERVPRO team is only a phone call away and will come in to clean your carpets.

We offer two different carpet cleaning methods for commercial facilities. 

• Hot Water Extraction: A standard cleaning method for most carpet types. This method does include the pre-spray & traffic lane cleaner and deodorization. 
• Showcase Cleaning: The most aggressive thorough cleaning method offered. This includes shampooing the carpet followed by the hot water extraction. 

To schedule carpet cleaning services at your commercial facility call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938.

Odor Removal in your Commercial Facility

8/16/2019 (Permalink)

Keep it Fresh!

Have you ever wondered how your customers feel when they enter your facility? Most commercial property owners strive to offer a comfortable and welcoming facility for their customers. The happier and more comfortable the customer is, the longer they will stay and more likely they will be to return. 

In addition to a clean, neat appearance, your facility should also have a clean smell. Unpleasant odors in your commercial property have the ability to negatively impact your business. Odors are good or bad based on individual perception. It is important to ensure that your customers have a positive perception of your facility. 

SERVPRO is widely known for being the leader in fire and water damage cleanup and restoration but we also offer many other services. Our team at SERVPRO of Licking County is also trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors. These odors can come from a number of sources both inside and outside a structure. Masking and other shortcuts don't work when your odor problem is serious or persistent.

We have 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 unpleasant odors thoroughly. 

The science of identifying and eliminating odors can be a tricky thing, so give us a call at 740-587-0938, and leave the restoration to us. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

Filtration Soiling

6/7/2019 (Permalink)

Are you wondering why the carpet is appearing to turn gray or black along the edges of the room?

Have you noticed black lines forming along the walls, under doors, around air vents, or along the edge of the stairs? If so, it is likely that an issue called filtration soiling is occurring.

Filtration soiling occurs when the air is being forced into the room at a higher rate than it can escape through the ventilation system. When air pressure and currents encounter a restriction, the air will seek alternative escape routes. These routes typically include porous surfaces such as carpet, flooring, ceilings and walls.

When the air passes through a surface such as the carpet, the carpet acts as a filter to the air. Any pollutants in the air are trapped by the carpet and cause the carpet to turn gray or black in that area. The lighter the carpet, the more visible this will be. Common pollutants that contribute to filtration soil include: cigarette smoke, candle smoke, cooking oils, fireplace ash, dust, etc.

Discoloration of the carpet caused by filtration soiling can be very difficult to remove. If this type of soiling has occurred, it is best to let the professionals at SERVPRO of Licking County handle it. In some extreme cases, it may not be possible to fully remove all traces of the soiling.

One way to prevent filtration soiling is to regularly inspect the duct work in your property. As the air is forced through the ventilation system, it picks up whatever dirt is in the ducts, and carries it throughout the building. Also, be sure to change the filter on a regular basis, as recommended by the type of filter used. The filter traps a good portion of airborne pollutants, preventing them from traveling through the duct system and out into the building.

Benefits of servicing your HVAC unit include:

• Helps to restore peak energy efficiency.
• May help to eliminate offensive odors.
• Helps reduce the potential for mold growth.

If filtration soiling has impacted your property or you would like to have your duct work cleaned as a preventative measure, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

Vandalism Cleanup

6/3/2019 (Permalink)

Vandalism is the intentional damage and defacement of property without the owner’s consent. It can range from relatively minor pranks to malicious destruction of property. It is unimaginable to think that someone would deliberately cause harm to your business, but the reality is there are many people that do partake in this behavior.

As a business owner or property manager, vandalism is a feared situation that no one wishes to encounter. If the property damage is not addressed in a timely manner, it can cause permanent damage to the structure. If your property or business was a victim of vandalism be sure to report it immediately to your local police department.

Seeing your building vandalized can be upsetting and leave you feeling clueless on how to begin the clean-up process. SERVPRO of Licking County is trained to clean and restore your property quickly and effectively, allowing you to resume your daily activities. If you should fall victim to vandalism, allow SERVPRO of Licking County to help you with the following services:

• General cleaning and graffiti removal
• Brick, stone, and concrete cleaning
• Odor removal and deodorization
• Debris removal
• Water damage restoration
• Fire damage restoration
• Mold damage restoration
• Contents cleaning

If vandalism has impacted your home or business, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

Commercial Restoration and Cleaning Needs

5/15/2019 (Permalink)

From Carpets to Catastrophes 

You don’t have time to worry about the everyday wear and tear that progressively soils your office. When cleaning and restoration challenges exceed the scope of your regular janitorial staff, call in SERVPRO of Licking County to make your workspace look its very best.

SERVPRO of Licking County offers a variety of services to help with your commercial cleaning needs:

• Fire, Smoke and Soot Cleanup and Restoration
• Water Removal and Dehumidification
• Crime Scene, Biohazard and Vandalism Cleanup
• Mold Mitigation and Remediation
• Contents Claim Inventory Service
• Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning and Care
• Ceiling and Wall Cleaning
• Deodorization
• Air Duct & HVAC Cleaning
• Upholstery and Drapes: Wet or Dry Cleaning Methods
• Stain Removal, Stain Resistance Applications

When the need arises call SERVPRO of Licking County for all your commercial cleaning and restoration needs. Because when you experience a fire, water or mold damage in your facility, you need fast response and the expertise to get the job done right, ensuring your business can get back into operation as quickly as possible.

Call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938.

SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile

5/4/2019 (Permalink)

No One Plans On A Disaster, But You Can Plan For It  

According to FEMA, around 40 - 60% of small businesses never reopen their doors after facing a disaster. Even knowing that, most small businesses haven’t put in the time to create an emergency response plan so that they can minimize the impact of a disaster. As a leader in restoration and disaster prevention, the professionals at SERVPRO have your business’s best interest at heart. One of the ways they are looking out for your business is through Emergency Ready Profiles. The creation of an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) allows you to work with a qualified representative to develop a plan of action for when disaster strikes.

Knowing what to do and who to call in advance and having a plan in place may help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive and gets you back in the building following a disaster. Planning ahead speaks trust to your clients and employees. In the event your business is affected by a disaster, you don't necessarily have to be.

The ERP is also accessible online using your computer or tablet. Simply download SERVPRO's free Ready Plan app to access this information anytime. The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) will help ensure you and your businesses are "Ready for whatever happens."

Think about the potential disasters that could affect your business. Now ask yourself this question: Are You Ready?

Call 740-587-0938 Today for a No Cost Assessment of Your Facility!