Recent Posts

Protecting Your Home from Water Damage and Frozen Pipes

11/7/2023 (Permalink)

Male employees using green restoration equipment to remove water overflow Turn-Key in time for Tur-Key!

With the crisp autumn air settling in, it's the perfect time to prepare your home for the upcoming Thanksgiving festivities. SERVPRO of Bethesda, Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase / Silver Spring are here to share some quick tips to ensure your holiday season stays warm and worry-free.

Gutter Maintenance: Clean out your gutters to prevent clogs and ensure proper drainage. This simple task can help avoid water damage to your home's foundation and basement during autumn rains.

Seal Gaps and Cracks: Inspect your home for gaps and cracks around windows and doors. Proper sealing not only keeps your home cozy but also prevents cold drafts that can lead to frozen pipes.

Insulate Pipes: As temperatures drop, insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements and crawl spaces. This extra layer of protection can prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

Keep the Heat On: If you're away for Thanksgiving, don't turn the heat off completely. Keep it set to a reasonable temperature to prevent frozen pipes. This small measure can save you from significant water damage.

Check Appliances: Inspect your dishwasher, washing machine, and refrigerator for any leaks or signs of wear. A quick check now can prevent water damage and ensure smooth holiday preparations.

Outdoor Faucets: Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and shut off outdoor faucets to prevent water from freezing in the pipes. This helps avoid burst pipes and potential water damage.

Know Your Water Main: Familiarize yourself with the location of your water main shut-off valve. In case of an emergency, a quick shut-off can minimize water damage.

By taking these proactive steps, you'll create a cozy and worry-free environment for your Thanksgiving celebrations. If, despite your best efforts, you encounter any water damage issues, remember that SERVPRO of Bethesda, Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase / Silver Spring is just a call away. Wishing you a joyful and stress-free Thanksgiving season! Call us for any water damage or fire damage at (301) 972-3500!

Steps to Restoration After the Fire Trucks Depart

9/10/2023 (Permalink)

A picture containing the rooftop of a commercial building in Washington, DC affected by fire damage SERVPRO is ready when the unfortunate happens!

When the fire trucks depart and the flames are extinguished, the journey to clean up and restore begins, starting with a crucial step – the board-up. SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase, Silver Spring offers this vital emergency service to safeguard your property. Firefighters often break windows and create openings in the roof to ventilate the structure, which releases smoke and heat. However, the board-up is essential to secure your property against theft and liability.

Swift Water Removal

Sometimes, alongside fire damage, properties also suffer significant water damage, which can nearly equal the impact of the fire itself. In some cases, fires are extinguished using water-based methods, contributing to the cleanup complexity. When water damage coincides with fire damage, swift water extraction becomes imperative.

The water removal process commences almost immediately to prevent mold growth. Our highly trained technicians employ advanced moisture detection tools and years of expertise to locate water trapped behind walls and beneath floors. Subsequently, dehumidifiers and air movers are deployed to eliminate residual water and complete the drying process.

Preserving Your Belongings

Upon arriving at your Montgomery County-area property, SERVPRO-certified professionals, easily identifiable by our marked vehicles and uniforms, embark on mitigation efforts designed to safeguard your property and its contents. Procedures such as pack-outs involve relocating at-risk furniture and belongings to our secure warehouse.

Pack-outs provide a secure environment for storing and restoring items until they can be returned to your fully restored property. By separating them from the structure, we gain a better opportunity to clean and restore the building. Items entrusted to our Contents Department undergo meticulous cleaning, disinfection, and deodorization to ensure their readiness for reintegration.

Our teams take special care in hand-wrapping and protecting large items like furniture and artwork. Smaller items are systematically sorted and packed into boxes. To maintain accurate inventory records, each item is photographed, labeled, and tracked through our proprietary software throughout the entire process.

Call the Fire Damage Restoration Professionals

If you experience a fire in your Montgomery County-area home or business, do not hesitate to call the fire damage restoration experts at SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase, Silver Spring. We respond promptly, day or night, 24/7/365.

With our knowledge, equipment, and dedication, we can eliminate all signs of fire and smoke damage, restoring your property to its pre-fire condition. As a trusted leader in the restoration industry for years, both business owners and homeowners turn to us to restore and repair their properties.

Cleaning and restoring homes and businesses affected by smoke damage requires specialized training, materials, and equipment. Insurance companies rely on SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase, Silver Spring to handle the job with precision. In times of fire or water damage, trust the professional restoration services of Bethesda/Potomac and Chevy Chase, Silver Spring to make it "Like it never even happened."

Be Prepared for Storms and Flooding

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

A picture containing emergency vehicles, grass, tree, outdoor, field Storms and flooding can happen at any given moment. Be prepared!

Storms and heavy flooding are a common natural disaster in the Bethesda/Potomac and Chevy Chase/Silver Spring area. We can experience a range of weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, snowmelt, and occasional hurricane or tropical storms, which can all contribute to flooding storms.

According to the American Red Cross, floods cause more damage in the U.S. every year than any other weather related disaster. When facing a flood, prioritizing safety is crucial.

Here’s what you need to know to stay safe during and after flooding:

  • If you approach flooded roads while driving, turn around and go another way. Get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.
  • Stay away from floodwaters. If you are caught up on a flowing stream, and the water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way.
  • Keep children and pets out of the water.
  • Stay updated on weather forecasts and flood warnings. Listen to local authorities and emergency services for instructions.
  • If authorities recommend evacuation, follow their instructions promptly. Have an emergency kit ready with essentials.
  • Inspect your property for structural damage before entering. Look for cracks, holes, and other signs of instability.
  • If your property is flooded, avoid turning electricity until it’s deemed safe by an expert.

When flooding strikes your home or business, contact SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and Chevy Chase/Silver Spring professionals. Even minor floods have the potential to cause major damage to a structure when not treated quickly and properly, and the cleanup is often an overwhelming task. SERVPRO is prepared to handle any sized disaster. Call us 24/7 at 301-530-7400. We are Here to Help!

Managing Mold in Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, and Silver Spring

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

A picture containing people cleaning out and remediating mold damage Call The Team In Green!

SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring certified professionals have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Every mold situation is different, but the mold remediation process is the same. Water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. The following steps are an overview of SERVPRO’s mold removal process. 

Inspection and Damage Assessment 

Your property will be carefully inspected by one of our SERVPRO team of professionals for signs of mold using technology designed to detect hidden water sources.

Mold containment

Our team will follow various containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.

Air Filtration Equipment

SERVPRO certified professionals utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress. The specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air.

Removing mold and cleaning contents

Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments eliminate mold colonies to help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold infested materials, like drywall and flooring , may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth in your home or business. In addition, our SERVPRO certified professionals use different cleaning techniques to sanitize your belongings, including furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items. 

Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, restoration may involve minor repairs such as replacing drywall painting and installing new carpet. The restoration stage can also until major repairs such as reconstruction of various rooms and areas in your home or business.

At SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring we are the go to mold remediation experts. Call us at 301-530-7400 if you suspect mold damage in your home or business. 

Storm Safety Tips - National Preparedness Month

9/8/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding clean up after Hurricane H National Preparedness Month - Storm Ready

Storms can strike anywhere and at any time. According to the NOAA, weather incidents could result in nearly $15 billion in damages. 

Think about how different disasters could affect your Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, and Silver Spring property. Take the necessary steps to become informed and develop an emergency plan for before, during, and after an event for your family and pets. Read more to learn about basic emergency supply kit items you should have.

Basic Emergency Supply Kit

  • First aid kit
  • Water and non-perishable food for several days 
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Prescription medication and glasses
  • Cash
  • Can opener (Optional, if your kit contains canned foods)

We Are Here To Help

SERVPRO of Bethesda, Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring hope that with a little planning, you can help us approach disasters in a calm manner. A clear plan can reduce fear and anxiety during evacuation so that the process will not become chaotic and messy. Panic tends to exacerbate disaster outcomes, so always remember to keep yourself as collected as possible. 

Emergency Ready Plan

If your company requires assistance developing an emergency plan, let SERVPRO of Bethesda, Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring do it for you. We specialize in Emergency Ready Profiles, which help mitigate disruption and business interruption in the event of an emergency.

Learn More About Emergency Ready Profiles >

CALL US 

(301) 530-7400

Fire Damage in Bethesda/Potomac

6/20/2022 (Permalink)

Our certified technicians have extensive fire damage cleanup and restoration training to get your property back to pre-fire condition.

The extent of fire damage can range from minor smoke and soot contained to just a portion of the home to extensive structural damage that must be rebuilt. Once your home or business is deemed safe for entry, SERVPRO-certified technicians will inspect and assess the level of damage to help determine a plan. We will categorize your fire damage upon inspection into one of the three following categories:

  • Minor Fire Damage – Just a portion of the building was affected by light to moderate smoke and soot. Restoration could include dry to wet cleaning and deodorizing walls, ceiling, floor, and personal property, with little or no repainting. Also, very few personal items need replacement.
  • Medium Fire Damage – Moderate smoke and soot require more aggressive cleaning and deodorizing techniques to remove residue. More areas need repainting. The heat caused more extensive damage to surfaces and materials, which may require more items to need repair or replacement.
  • Major Fire Damage – Severe fire damage to contents, finished surfaces, and even structural framing. Smoke has infiltrated most of the building, and emergency intervention like board-up of windows and doors, or roof tarping, is required. Personal property items will likely need to be moved out of the structure for cleaning off-site. All remaining surfaces will be cleaned and deodorized in preparation for painting and repairs.

SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring has the specific damage restoration training, personnel, and equipment to restore your home or business to its pre-existing state. If you need someone to help you with any fire, soot, or smoke damage, our certified technicians will be there to start the restoration process. For more information about what it takes to manage a puff back and prevention steps towards avoiding an expected disaster, please call us at SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring at 301-530-7400.

Water Damage in Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, & Silver Spring

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage due to a tub overflow from the 2nd level that affected 3 levels of the home

Thunderstorms occur more in the summer, and the likelihood of a water loss in your home or property increases. If you experience any water damage, we will help you understand the severity of the damage. So, you’re able to make the best decisions for the restoration of your home. SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring uses the most advanced equipment to detect hidden moisture and extract standing water.

What to Expect

When you call, a customer care specialist will ask questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions are needed to understand your needs, including how many trained professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Specialist will ask several questions:

  • Your name and contact information
  • Your insurance information
  • The street address of the water-damaged home or business
  • When did the flooding or water damage occur?
  • What caused the water damage?
  • Is there electricity and running water available?

Why SERVPRO?

SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring use a scientific approach to water removal and cleanup that emphasizes monitoring and documenting the drying process from beginning to end. From the 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.

AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician

ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician

CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician

CMT - Commercial Carpet Maintenance Technician

ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program

FCT - Floor Care (Hard Surfaces) Technician

FSRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician

HST - Health and safety Technician

IICRC Certified Firm

Master Fire & Smoke Restorer

OCT - Odor Control Technician

OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program

OSHA - 30-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program

RCT - Rug Cleaning Technician

RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation

RRT - Carpet Repair & Reinstallation Technician

UFT - Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician

WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician

Call SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring at 301-530-7400

When a Storm Strikes, SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring Are Here for You

5/31/2022 (Permalink)

Be prepared for unexpected storms that can damage property.

Planning is the best thing you can do to mitigate storm damage. A recovery plan will help you act immediately and prevent further damage from occurring. Read more to learn about the benefits of choosing SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring as your restoration company.

We Are One Call Away 

Storm damage can cause both structural damage and water damage. Whether you have minor storm damage or something larger to deal with, our certified technicians have the experience & equipment needed to clean up and restore your home, business, or commercial building and help get your life back to normal following storm damage.

Highly trained Certified Professionals 

Our certified professionals specialize in residential & commercial water damage restoration, with training focused on restoring salvageable items and accelerating drying time while documenting the entire restoration process. We adhere to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) industry guidelines, and we offer classes and online learning tools to provide our customers with the utmost customer service experience.

Available 24/7

SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring is locally owned and operated. Our customer service representatives are ready to take your call, day or night. We have a network of strategically positioned storm teams on standby should a disaster strike near your Montgomery County property. Our water mitigation teams are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Trust SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring

We have more than 45+ years of experience in repair and restoration, so you can trust us to help you develop a storm damage restoration plan to help ensure your home, business, or commercial building is dry, clean, and restored to its pre-existing state. Therefore, we will do everything to work with you and complete your restoration without hassle.

If you have experienced storm damage or want to learn more about our services, call us at 301-530-7400

Commercial Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services

5/27/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring provide Montgomery County residents with commercial carpet and upholstery cleaning services. There are many reasons why you may need your commercial carpet and rugs cleaned, including dust, dirt, pet hair, and the daily traffic of family life. There are several more factors to take into consideration when deciding the best time to have your carpet professionally cleaned.

Professional Carpet Cleaning by SERVPRO helps:

  • Reduce the effects of wear, especially in high-traffic areas 
  • Reduce the spread of germs, bacteria, diseases, and mold
  • Extend the life of the carpets
  • Remove stains and spots already present 
  • Restore the natural, clean appearance and texture of the carpets

Eliminate Pollutants

If you do not clean your carpet regularly, the foot traffic and other conditions make the area an unhealthy indoor place. For best practices, vacuum low traffic areas in your commercial building at least once a week. The lobby and hallways of a commercial building require routine vacuuming because of the higher levels of soil. 

Faster Carpet Drying

SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring uses high-powered fans to speed up the drying process. Cleaning carpets takes a certain amount of time depending on the size of the area and the sort of cleaning we are doing. SERVPRO has five different carpet cleaning processes for different types of carpet fiber and degrees of soiling.

Holds the Value Longer

Professional carpet cleaning promotes a healthy work environment and freshens the appearance of your building. In addition, commercial carpet cleaning increases the longevity of your carpet. To prevent the slow destruction of your carpet, schedule regular carpet cleaning services. It is much easier to upkeep your carpet than to pay for complete replacement. 

Hire SERVPRO for Professional Carpet Cleaning

Our certified technicians’ goal is to clean carpets, rugs, and upholstery to your satisfaction to restore them to their original appearance. Our Disaster Recovery Team applies more than 45+ years of experience in carpet and upholstery cleaning projects of all sizes. To learn more about our professional carpet cleaning services and how we can help promote healthy work environments & keep your buildings sparkling, call SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring at 301-530-7400 or 301-588-2240.

Electrical Home Fires in Montgomery County

5/25/2022 (Permalink)

Prevent electrical fires by using your home's electrical system properly.

SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring want Montgomery County residents to know that by taking precautions, electrical fires may be prevented when using electricity in the home. According to ready.gov, you can help prevent electrical fires at home simply by using your home’s electrical system properly. Certain items can expose you and your family to the risk of fire, such as:

  • Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old, or damaged appliance cords immediately.
  • If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
  • Immediately shut off, then professionally replace light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.

Fire Safety Tips

  • Make digital copies of valuable documents and records like birth certificates.
  • Install good-quality smoke detector alarms and fire extinguishers. Contact your local fire department for assistance on proper use and maintenance.
  • Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your residence.
  • Repair and replace loose outlets as soon as you notice them.
  • Call a qualified electrician who follows the National Electrical Code to look over your home.
  • Do not run cords under floor rugs, which could generate excessive heat.
  • Check cords for excessive heat or exposed wires. If a device makes strange noises or operates improperly, do not wait until the cord catches on fire.

SERVPRO of Bethesda/Potomac and SERVPRO of Chevy Chase/Silver Spring experts understand your unique set of problems when faced with fire damage and can respond immediately to your call. Our certified professionals have the expertise and equipment needed to get the job done to your satisfaction as quickly as possible. Call us at 301-530-7400.