Recent Posts
Routine duct cleaning keeps indoor air safe & extends HVAC system's life span
2/13/2025 (Permalink)
Routine duct cleaning is recommended to keep your indoor air safe, and your HVAC system running efficiently.
Dust, pet dander and other containments from everyday living are circulated through your ducts and can decrease the efficiency of your HVAC heating & cooling system, causing it to work much harder. Keeping the ductwork clean can extend the life span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which saves money.
Duct Cleaning can:
- Remediate Bacteria, Fungi and Mold
- Reduce Potential for Mold Growth
- Restore Peak Energy Efficiency
- Eliminate Offensive Odors
Since the ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality, keeping your ductwork clean should be a high priority. In most cases, the HVAC system has been operating for some time without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminants such as mold and irritating dust throughout your building or home.
These contaminants from day-to-day living are sucked into your HVAC system and recirculated throughout your home over and over. This causes a buildup over time inside the ductwork. This buildup can cause problems for people with asthma and other respiratory health conditions, auto immune disorders, and environmental allergies.
The EPA’s website states: “In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors.”
Cleaning your ducts can sweep away years of dust and dirt, helping to reduce potential for damage and health risks.
In some circumstances, such as after a fire, smoke or suspected mold growth, duct cleaning becomes an essential part of the cleanup process. This includes certain odors as well. In these cases a Duct Cleaning Professional can often restore the ductwork to pre-damage condition.
It is also recommended that you have the ductwork cleaned after buying a home or after a renovation. Just like carpet cleaning, having your ductwork cleaned should be part of your home maintenance routine.
Call SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E today to schedule a cleaning! 301-323-8862.
Clean dryer vents often to prevent a fire
2/13/2025 (Permalink)
Clean your dryer vent after each load for optimal performance and to prevent a fire.
It can take minutes, but can prevent a fire that may cost a life or more.
Some 34% of home fires are caused by failure to clean the vent in a clothes dryer. A lint fire is a dangerous possibility. To avoid the hazard on lint buildup, occasionally pull out the vent and clean. Thoroughly dry the lint screen with a clean towel. You can also use a vacuum to clean the lint trap filter.
SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E can help clean dryer vents and ducts that may have lint buildup.
The National Fire Protection Agency suggests cleaning the lint filter before and after each load. It is vital to clean your dryer vents every so often to ensure your safety.
Here are some signs that your dryer vent may need to be cleaned:
- Drying times are taking longer.
- Your dryer is getting hot when you’re using it and your clothes are being damaged.
- You can’t see any steam or head any noise outside your house at the wall vent when you run the dryer.
At SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we want to make sure you are taking the right precautions to avoid a house fire. In the unfortunate event you experience a fire caused by your dyer or any other appliances in your home or business, call us today at 301-323-8862.
We're here to help 24/7.
Spring is near, but be prepared for unexpected storms!
2/13/2025 (Permalink)
Blue sky and balmy weather are nice, but stay prepared for late-winter surprises!
Freezing temps and snow one week, 50+ degrees the next!
That's weather in our DMV - DC, Maryland & Virginia! Balmy weather one day; frigid to near-freeze temperature overnight. To wear a sweater or not. To bring in the plants or not…
The weather can be unpredictable, as many of us here in the Washington, D.C.-Maryland region have experienced a time or two. Remember the heavy April snowfall over a decade ago? And the wind gusts of 20-30+ mph every now and then?
While we can’t predict when severe weather hits, we can always plan for those unexpected storms to minimize injury to ourselves and damages to our properties. A viable plan of action for storms, floods, tornadoes, even fires, can save lives and costly repairs in the aftermath of severe weather that can occur, even within the same day.
Mark Twain said it best: “In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.”
Preparing an emergency kit to keep on hand is a great start to advance planning for storms. Some items to include, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are:
- A battery-operated flashlight, a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio, and extra batteries for both
- An emergency evacuation or shelter plan, including a map of your home and routes to safety from each room
- A list of important personal information, including:
- telephone numbers of neighbors, family and friends
- insurance and property information
- telephone numbers of utility companies
- medical information
- A 3–5 day supply of bottled water and nonperishable food
- Personal hygiene items
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- A first-aid kit, which may include:
- non-latex gloves
- assortment of adhesive bandages
- antibiotic ointment
- sterile gauze pads in assorted sizes
- absorbent compress dressings
- tweezers
- scissors
- adhesive cloth tape
- aspirin packets
Being prepared & proactive for storms and severe weather can save lives and minimize costly repairs to damaged property. Oftentimes we have little if any time to prepare for an approaching storm. For families with young children, a mock emergency drill may be a fun yet helpful activity. Show them where to go; where emergency supplies are stored; and make sure everyone in the family knows where & how to turn off the water, gas and electricity in your home.
Preparedness and swift response may save a life or two!
When all’s settled and you find your damaged properties needing cleanup & restoration, call us – SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Laurel and Greenbelt NE Beltsville E at 301-323-8862.
We are the area’s water & storm damage restoration experts and are always “Faster to any size disaster.” Large or small, we will restore your water-damaged property, residential or commercial, with efficiency and detail.
We are IICRC-certified with decades of experience in restoration
12/30/2024 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Laurel Greenbelt & our Rockville-Olney franchises take pride in our well-certified team w/ decades of fire & water restoration experience.
SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E and our parent franchises, SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North, have decades of fire and water restoration experience in helping our customers, and we pride ourselves in having one of the most well-trained technicians in the business.
SERVPRO® specializes in the cleanup, restoration and reconstruction of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event, as well as mold and biohazard mitigation. 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.
Here are some of our Certifications:
- IICRC - Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification
- OCT - Odor Control Technician
- RRP - Lead-based paint Renovation, Repair and Painting
- AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
- HST - Health and Safety Technician
- ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
- SRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
- CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
- RRT - Carpet Repair & Reinstallation Technician
- WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
- ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program
All our four SERVPRO® franchises - Rockville-Olney, Silver Spring North, Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E - are IICRC firms. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.
IICRC Certified Firms must:
- Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
- Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
- Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
- Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
- Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.
The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals. Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.
Our office phones are staffed 24/7 for emergencies. Call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez in Prince George's County or in Montgomery County for help with your restoration needs.
Take these precautions to ensure your daycare is safe!
12/27/2024 (Permalink)
Whether you manage a daycare or send your kids to one, we know your top concerns are their safety & well-being. SERVPRO Laurel & Greenbelt can help.
At SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we knows it’s important to make sure your commercial property reaches a high standard when it comes to a clean and safe environment for your clients, employees, etc. Quite often, we help daycares in the Laurel, Greenbelt, Beltsville, College Park and surrounding areas reach these standards.
It’s very important to ensure your smallest customers are safe and healthy at all times, especially during this still-pandemic time and especially since children are more susceptible to common issues such as mold, as well as bacteria pests such as rodents can leave behind, for instance.
Maybe you own or manage a daycare. Maybe you are considering starting your own daycare, or maybe you are a parent considering which daycare to enroll your child in.
Here's a checklist of what a daycare should include to provide the safest environment possible. Please note this list focuses on a few security measures, emergency safety measures, as well as cleanliness measures. There are many other factors involved with regard to a daycare facility; they can be investigated in more detail on the web.
Here are a few:
- Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers must be present and in excellent, working condition
- Windows in every classroom to provide fresh air and an emergency exit
- Clean sleeping area, play areas and toys (including carpets and upholstery, which can easily become soiled at daycares!)
- All cleaning supplies must be locked away
- Electrical outlets must be covered
- Strict hygiene procedures (important when changing diapers)
- Any necessary safety and cleanliness certifications (state and/or county, depending on local laws)
- Regular health and cleanliness inspections
- Documented emergency evacuation plans
- Mold-free
- Any expired food the center provided must be discarded
- Professional pest removal is needed if you suspect or know there are pests in the building. Mouse traps present a danger, especially to small hands that like to get into everything!
- Pests can carry diseases, bite children, and leave trails of bacteria behind
- Fire drills are necessary in preparing for a smoother evacuation in an unfortunate event when an actual fire might take place
- Similar to drills for potential earthquakes or storms, especially if the region is prone to these acts of nature
- Locking gates at the top and bottom of any stairs
- Exterior locking doors
We have worked around Prince George's County, Maryland and beyond to ensure local daycares are clean and safe places! Whether involved with mold remediation, restoring flood damages, or performing a general cleaning, we make it a priority to keep the children in our community safe and healthy.
If you have any cleaning & restoration needs at your daycare facilities, don’t hesitate to give SERVPRO Team Gutierrez a call today.
How to protect your home to minimize water damage
12/27/2024 (Permalink)
Any home, including apartments, is prone to water damages, especially during huge storms & flooding. Be prepared to help minimize damage.
Any home is prone to water damages, especially during huge storms that carry heavy rains and flooding. And while we cannot predict Mother Nature and her wrath, we can prepare as best we can to take precautions to keep us safe and to lessen the damages that flooding can cause.
For example, if you live in a low-lying ground adjacent to a river, or floodplain, it’s no surprise that your property is subject to flooding.
The American Red Cross offers these suggestions, in addition to checking with a professional to:
- Raise your furnace, water heater and electric panel to floors that are less likely to be flooded. An undamaged water heater may be your best source of fresh water after a flood.
- Install check valves in plumbing to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home. (As a last resort, when floods threaten, use large corks or stoppers to plug showers, tubs, or basins.)
- Construct barriers such as levees, berms and flood walls to stop floodwater from entering the building (if permitted by local building codes).
- Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage through cracks.
- Use sand bags when flooding is expected. It takes two people about one hour to fill and place 100 sandbags, creating a wall 1 foot high and 20 feet long. Make sure you have enough sand, burlap or plastic bags, shovels, strong helpers, and time to place them properly.
If a flood is expected, some communities will offer free sandbags to residents. Be sure to watch or listen to the news so you can access these resources.
The American Red Cross also offers these tips to help Protect Your Family:
- Talk with your family about what to do if a flood watch or warning is issued. Discussing floods ahead of time helps reduce fear, especially for younger children.
- Ensure that every member of your family carries a Safe and Well wallet card.
- Make sure you have access to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) radio broadcasts:
- Find an online NOAA radio station
- Search for a NOAA radio app in the Apple Store or Google Play
- Purchase a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA radio in the Red Cross Store
- Find out if you are located in a floodplain, which is considered a Special Flood Hazard Area. If so, you are still eligible for flood insurance. Check with your city or county government (start with the Building or Planning Department) to review the Flood Insurance Rate Maps, published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Find out if local streams or rivers flood easily.
- Keep insurance policies, documents and other valuables in a safe-deposit box. You may need quick, easy access to these documents. Keep them in a safe place less likely to be damaged during a flood. Take pictures on a phone and keep copies of important documents and files on a flash drive that you can carry with you on your house or car keys.
The American Red Cross and the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) offer great resources for storm and fire prevention and response. Visit their webpages for more information:
www.cdc.gov/floods/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/
www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/flood
Finally, when you are ready for storm damage cleanup and remediation, you can rely on SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Laurel and of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E. We are the area’s water & storm damage experts, as well as mold remediation and restoration. Large or small, we will restore your water-damaged property, residential or commercial, “Like it never even happened.”
Call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862.
Best to call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez when it comes to water damage restoration!
12/27/2024 (Permalink)
Water damage can lead to further problems if not taken care of swiftly. SERVPRO Team Gutierrez has the manpower & equipment to respond quickly.
When a flood or any other water events like supply line break or pipe break destroys your home or business, it's crucial to act quickly by acquiring professional flood restoration services, like those offered by SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt/Beltsville. Cleaning up water damage involves more than just drying and wiping the residue away.
Additionally, delaying makes the damage worse because the water will seep into the walls, furnishings, floors, which may result in mildew and mold growth. Water mitigation can be devastating, but when one gets professional services, restoring the home becomes easier and you can put the traumatic event behind.
Water damage mitigation
Water/flood damage is the destructive process that occurs when water gets into a building. This can be caused by a pipe break, supply line break, or floods after heavy rains. Water in a home or water in a business can cause damage like oxidation of metal (rust), rotting wood, composite building materials delamination, and microbial growth. Immediately water seeps into the building materials, a chemical reaction begins to occur hence breaking down the strength of the material. In case water cleanup and drying aren't done immediately, the stability of the structure can be compromised. This makes the flooded home unsafe for human occupancy. Sometimes the effect just comes from a simple pipe break.
Restoration Solutions
The first step for handling flood damage when you have a flooded home is emergency mitigation. This involves locating the cause of the problem (be it a pipe leak or a supply line break) and eliminating the problem. The next step in managing water in home or water in business damage would be assessing the water damage and any dangers to humans. All these services are to be handled by licensed and trained water cleanup professionals. What follows is the drying and dehumidifying of all the affected areas.
After our SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Laurel & Greenbelt/Beltsville assesses the property, equipment as well as other items to know if the contents can be restored are brought in. Mold mitigation services may be necessary as they help get rid of any microbial growth associated with a flooded home.
Once the structure is safe for occupation, your family or employees can get back to their normal operations.
Reasons to get professional help
Rapid restoration
Tackling the task of restoring your flooded home or business after flood damage can be slow and exhausting. This increase the probability of further damage especially when the cause of the problem, like supply line break or pipe break, hasn't been addressed. By working with SERVPRO®, water damage mitigation becomes manageable. The water cleanup and drying process is handled efficiently and quickly by flood damage professionals with the right equipment.
Preventing mold and mildew
In case you have experienced mildew or mold after water in home or water in business, you know how hard it is to get rid of the problem. Prompt water and flood damage restoration can reduce the chances of mold growth.
Insurance issues
When you have water or flood damage coverage, the mitigation firm will assist you to deal with the needed procedures and forms. Here at SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt/Beltsville, our team can help to document the losses they so that they can get the proper settlement from the insurance company.
Although hiring restoration experts may cost a bit more, the expenses can't compare to the costs incurred if you do nothing or decide to handle the restoration by yourself. Oftentimes there are problems beyond the wet surface that the non-professional eyes cannot see. It's always best to call a professional when it comes to water damage!
SERVPRO Team Gutierrez restoration professionals are always Here to Help®.
Different mold mitigation methods for different surfaces
12/27/2024 (Permalink)
If not treated properly and efficiently, mold can lead to other problems in the home, and to your health. SERVPRO Team Gutierrez can help!
Mold is often undetectable in homes until it has become a significant problem. Not every type of mold has that distinctive, ‘musty’ odor and if the growth started behind a wall or in the attic, the smell is not noticeable until the mold has grown into a large colony of spores.
Restoring a home due to the effects of mold damage is a task that needs a professional service. SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt/Beltsville have trained crews on 24-hour notice to support our neighbors and customers. We have some of the best-trained personnel in the industry to safely remove & remediate mold from the property.
The technicians first determine the type of surface infested. This inspection decides both the cleaning methods needed and how much time may be required to complete the job. We usually divide surfaces into porous, nonporous and semi-porous categories.
Porous surfaces are typically building materials and fabrics; drywall and upholstery for example. They are often cleanable, but if the mold is very thick or has grown into the material, we dispose of it. Our cleaning methods for these surfaces involve vacuuming them with special HEPA filters that catch tiny amounts of loose mold, even a single spore.
After vacuuming, we move on to using spray bottles with an antimicrobial cleaner and foaming agents to dampen the surface. Wetting loosens the mold and allows technicians to remove it with cloths and sponges.
Nonporous surfaces are the easiest to clean. This category includes metal and glass tabletops, as well as marble and smooth stone kitchen countertops. In many cases, we can remove the mold with dry cloths and sponges. Technicians wipe down the surfaces from top to bottom to prevent accidentally leaving spores at the top or along the sides. If the mold layer is thick, we vacuum it first before dry wiping.
Semi-porous surfaces (concrete and wood decks for example) require methods not acceptable on other surfaces. Affected surfaces may need sanding to wire brushing and other abrasive tools to dig out the mold. The cleaners we use on these surfaces would mar or otherwise destroy glass and metal surfaces. If mold has penetrated the surface of the wood or concrete, technicians may have to sand them down by hand or with a power sander to remove it.
Returning your home to its pre-mold condition is not a quick or easy set of processes. SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney, Silver Spring North and SERVPRO of Laurel/Greenbelt-Beltsville have years of experience in helping our customers through each step, to put you back into your home.
Call SERVPRO® Team Gutierrez in Prince George's County or Montgomery County today to set up a free assessment.
What are your Goals for 2025?
12/20/2024 (Permalink)
Completing smaller goals make way for the completion of larger & more challenging tasks. SERVPRO Team Gutierrez wishes you a successful 2025!
Do you manage or own a business? As we approach 2025, you most likely have many goals for your business!
Oftentimes, getting smaller tasks completed will make way for the completion of the larger and more challenging goals!
Tackling smaller projects, such as signing your company up for a volunteer opportunity in your community, can become one of the stepping stones leading you towards a more long-term goal of creating more camaraderie between your employees, for example.
Here are some more tips and recommendations for bettering your business in 2025:
* Grow as a team! Get to know your employees or co-workers by having a monthly group lunch, going on a weekend hike with your team, or hosting a holiday game night after work. As relationships grow, employees will become more apt to help one another not only achieve personal goals, but also goals for the prosperity of the company!
* Do you have a goal of refreshing your office space in 2025? That can be a daunting task, especially if it needs a complete makeover. Start small! Buy a few hardy plants to decorate your office with. Replace a piece of furniture or two at a time so you can stay within budget. Run a quick vacuum over your property once a week to avoid a messy and stained floor at the end of the month. It’s the “little things” you do that can really add up!
Sometimes, it’s hard to stay focused on all your goals. When you’re running a business, there are a million things going on, so other priorities can get in the way of achieving your goals. However, forming a habit is said to take 21 days. That’s three weeks!
If you dedicate 30 minutes a day towards doing research, planning, etc. for your goal, it will become a habit you soon won’t even think twice about! Plus, stay on top of your goals by getting organized! Purchase an agenda book where you can write down what you need to get done for the day. Seeing it visually will help!
Don’t forget to take care of yourself! You are a busy individual with a lot of responsibility. Make sure you allow yourself time to recharge.
Here at SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, Team Gutierrez helps many businesses in and around Prince George's County, MD. Whether we’re called for water damage restoration, cleaning service, mold remediation, etc., we are always here to help lift a load off your shoulders! Call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez today.
We wish you and your company a fantastic and successful New Year!
Winter checklist for your commercial buildings
12/20/2024 (Permalink)
Preparing your commercial property for winter is an essential part of maintaining your facilities.
Preparing your commercial property for winter is an essential part of maintaining your building(s)! As you know, harsh winter weather can take a toll on your property, so make sure to check off each of the items below before our Maryland winter weather goes into full swing:
-Check your building’s winter inventory! Do you have all the necessary winter snow removal supplies such as a salt spreader and snowplow? Are they in good repair? Make sure these items have adequate fuel, too!
-If you do not plow your own snow, see that you establish a contract with a snow removal service company.
-Make sure your building is safe for customers! This means removing snow from walkways and entrances, adding slip-resistant flooring as shoes tend to get wet from snow this time of year, and ensuring all areas of your building are well-lit. During the winter, we see less daylight, so it is crucial to ensure good lighting for the safety of all!
-Clean snow piles from the roof or hire a professional company to do so. Also, check for loose shingles or any other damage to your roof that can be caused by the high winds or ice that winter brings.
-Keep the building temperature above 45 degrees Fahrenheit to protect plumbing (mainly to avoid frozen pipes). Regularly check both interior and exposed pipes. Insulate pipes and seal cracked ones to avoid broken pipes.
-Inspect your HVAC system. Look for cracks and leaks and listen out for any strange sounds originating from the system. The wintertime can give your system a real workout!
-Check for large icicles, especially when in harm’s way. Icicles can become quite heavy and very dangerous. Be sure to remove large icicles that have the potential to fall on someone or onto a car.
-Prevent power outages in your building by investing in backup generator(s) and inspecting nearby powerlines and the surrounding trees. Weak tree branches often cause outages by falling onto telephone poles and powerlines.
We hope you stay safe and are prepared for Winter 2024-25, which kicks off Dec 21!
SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Laurel & Greenbelt/Beltsville is Here to Help® 24/7 should you need cleanup & restoration from storm damages.
24/7 Emergency Service