Archived Blog Posts

Sept 12 is National Day of Encouragement!

Name: SERVPRO of Laurel and Greenbelt NE Beltsville E
Telephone: (301) 323-8862

9/9/2024 (Permalink)

Hispanic male points to messages on wall

Small gestures and words of encouragement can make someone's day or change their lives.

Sept 12 marks the annual National Day of Encouragement, and this year that’s this Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024! Its purpose is to encourage people to encourage others.

You never know how you can shape someone’s day or how you might be able to turn someone’s day around.

Were you ever having a rough day and a co-worker complimented you? Maybe a classmate told you that your presentation was great. Maybe a co-worker, sibling, or friend told you to keep up the great work. The gesture costs little to nothing, but it can impact someone’s day, week, or even life unimaginably. Check out the story in this link (talk about life-changing!):

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/alabama-woman-reveals-life-changing-advice-she-received-from-state-trooper-who-pulled-her-over-for-speeding-right-person-right-time/ar-AA1qbRaH

Here a few simple ideas on how you can encourage someone:

Write a simple note or send an email
Give them a small gift, such as a flower or notepad
Invite them to lunch and talk with them. A listening ear is all someone needs sometimes!
In an encouraging manner, share an advice on how they can stay on top of their goals

At SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Laurel and of Greenbelt/ Beltsville, encouraging team members to “Be the Best,” “Be a Game Changer,” “Do the Right Thing,” and “Be Positive” are our daily mottos. We’re confident you’ll be able to inspire and encourage someone every day!

A SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan can expedite service & save time and money

9/9/2024 (Permalink)

male and female looking at a computer tablet

Having a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile can save a lot of time, energy and money when disasters strike.

Did you know up to 50% of businesses afflicted by a disaster will never reopen? The statistic may be shocking, but what isn’t very surprising is that the vast majority of the surviving businesses had previously established a preparedness plan.

Disasters such as storms and flooding can strike at anytime, anywhere, and Prince George's County, Maryland is no exception. Unfortunately, all catastrophes cannot be prevented, which means it is imperative to have an emergency plan in place just in case an unexpected event occurs.

It's why preparation is key and can save a lot of time, energy and money: The SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Plan app works to prevent situations from escalating. The app, designed for commercial use, is marketed towards property and risk managers and towards business owners.

Some benefits of the app include:

An assessment at no charge
A Profile Document containing only necessary information geared for a time of emergency
A quick reference for you and your employees (especially if the owner/manager is away on a business trip, for example).
A free guide outlining important steps to take post-disaster
A connection and direct contact with your local SERVPRO

SERVPRO Team Gutierrez customers, including those in Laurel, Beltsville & Greenbelt are offered this service free of charge. After downloading the SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan app onto an electronic device, a SERVPRO team member will meet with the client to map the property they own or manage.

Mapping the territory includes, but is not limited to, making note of water pipes, crawl spaces and fire exits. Information such as the square footage of the building and photographs of the property are collected and stored in the app as well.

Although gathering and recording this information on the app may sound like a lengthy process, employees have noted they can finish the plan in about 30 minutes. Additionally, owners can go back into the app and add more detail or update over time. There’s nothing to lose, and everything to gain!

If you prepare for the future, you will “Save Early for Disaster Costs.” Utilizing tools to prevent damage, to prevent loss, and to prevent losing your business to a disaster, is one of the best ways to ensure the “health” of what you own or manage.

It’s simple, and it’s free. Save now to avoid large costs later. Download the application in the App Store or from the link below:

https://ready.SERVPRO.com/Home/MobileApp

Please feel free to call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E at 301-323-8862 with any questions you may have about the ERP.

We're also here 24/7 for any cleanup & restoration needs from storm, water, fire, mold or other property damage.

Campfire can bring family, friends together. But be safe!

8/29/2024 (Permalink)

This fall season, create memories by having a campfire with family and friends! Be sure to follow safety precautions so that everyone has a good time!

Kids are back in school and Autumn is just a few weeks away after Labor Day weekend. It'll be the perfect time to have a campfire with family or friends.

While enjoying spending time in the outdoors with your crew, it’s important to remember campfire safety, especially as dry foliage can be a serious fire hazard.

When leaves catch on fire, irritants are released into the air, which can cause respiratory problems. Additionally, campfires that aren’t properly prepared or maintained can cause huge issues such as burns or out-of-control fires, possibly developing into a forest fires.

Follow these important steps to keep everyone safe before and after the campfire, so that everyone can have a great time:

Selecting your campfire spot: Look for signs and follow rules! If the area has rules prohibiting campfires, find another area, and do not build your campfire in an area with dry and/or hazardous conditions. Watch out for tree branches, and be sure to make your fire at least 15 feet from any shrubs, bushes, trees and tents. Inspect the area, ensuring no flammable items are nearby. Do not build a fire if winds are strong.
Building your pit: If there’s no pit, you can dig your own. This website has great tips, along with pictures, on how to do so: https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety/how-to-prepare-your-campfire-pit
Building your campfire: For everyone’s safety, it’s always important to gather a bucket of water along with a shovel before starting up the fire. When gathering wood, do not cut a tree or an entire branch. Instead, gather small twigs, and sticks or pieces of wood you find on the ground (or which you purchase). Large pieces of wood should always be stacked upwind, away from the fire. Make sure you don’t collect sticks from an animal’s dwelling space. If you’re using matches to start the fire, make sure it’s cold before discarding (into your trash bag, of course). Once you start a fire, it must be monitored at all times. Adult supervision is required at all times. Children and pets must be closely and carefully watched.
Maintaining a fire: Once you are pleased with your campfire, add larger pieces of wood to keep it going steadily, but keep your fire to a manageable size. Do not let it get out of hand. Also, do not burn plastics, cans, or glass, as doing so can result in explosions, shattering, or the release of dangerous fumes.
Extinguishing your fire: If possible, allow firewood to burn to ash. Then, pour water on the fire. All embers must be completely soaked and dead (no red embers). Until the hissing sound stops, keep pouring water on the area. Remember, if it’s too hot to touch, it’s not yet safe to leave. Add more water, dirt, and/or sand until all materials are cool.

We hope these campfire tips are helpful and will keep you and your family & friends safe! Enjoy Autumn 2024 from your friends at SERVPRO Team Gutierrez, of Laurel and of Greenbelt/ Beltsville, Prince George's County, MD.

Commercial Fire? SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt/Beltsville is Faster to Any Size Disaster™!

8/29/2024 (Permalink)

Crew members in white hazmaz suits cleaning fire damage

Fire damage at your commercial property? Leave the cleanup & restoration to our well-trained and certified technicians at SERVPRO Team Gutierrez.

Has your commercial property recently experienced a fire?

Whether you manage or own commercial property, you know that fire loss can be extremely devastating and can have a huge financial impact. Not only does fire destroy property, furnishings, flooring and much more, but smoke also damages the property, leaving behind soot and strong, fiery odors.

Water damage is an additional loss after a fire. Firefighters must use significant amounts of water to extinguish such a fire. With water damage comes the chance of mold growth. This is why it’s important to have the water extracted and completely dried as soon as possible.

Whether you own an office building, retail or coffee shop, car garage, daycare center, museum, etc., dealing with the aftermath of a fire places a lot of responsibility on you, not to mention the stress. At SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, our certified technicians are highly-trained in all the areas aforementioned: fire, water and mold remediation & restoration, as well as biohazard cleanup and mitigation. Our tried-and-true process and equipment ensure that your property will be restored to preloss condition, “Like it never even happened.”

We also realize how stressful losses can be. When choosing SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, or SERVPRO Team Gutierrez, you can rest assured you're in good hands. Our crew chiefs communicate very closely with clients to answer any questions they may have.

We also realize you're anxious to return to your business. Lost time is lost revenue. We will make sure your business is up and running as soon as possible. If your business has experienced a fire, call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez 24/7 at 301-323-8862 and we will be there Faster to any size disaster™!

Are Your Classrooms, Daycares Safe for Back to School? SERVPRO can help!

8/16/2024 (Permalink)

school cafeteria with tables and black white tile floor

Our SERVPRO crews can deep clean & sanitize classrooms, hallways & other rooms on campuses and daycares to provide safe places for returning students.

Most area school students & staff, including those in Prince George's County & Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, return to class at the end of August.

For facilities managers, it's still important to make schools, daycares and places where students and faculty & staff will be spending their daytime learning and teaching and interacting with one another safe places.

SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E offer a variety of cleaning services, including fogging, electrostatic disinfectant spraying, and proactive cleaning. We have been helping businesses and residences stay safe and protected throughout the years and will continue to do so. Sanitized spaces give everyone a peace of mind.

Our services can be recurring, too! Get scheduled for a one-time cleaning, or make services recurring. To learn more about our services, or to schedule a cleaning, call us today at 301-323-8862.

Enjoy the BBQs, fireworks & fun, but be safe

6/13/2024 (Permalink)

Grilling is a major part of backyard gatherings in Summer. Follow these safety tips to avoid a fire.

Summer is just over a week away and is traditionally known for barbeques, picnics and of course, July Fourth fireworks!

While putting on a firework show at your own home may seem fun, there are many risks. If lighting fireworks is not legal in your residential area there could be a large fine. Moreover, keep in mind the potential dangers that could occur as a result of fireworks, such as severe burns, blindness and scars.

Kids should not be near or handling the firecrackers or rockets. Supervise children around fireworks at all times. To avoid the dangers of fireworks, enjoy a public fireworks display conducted by professionals.

If you choose to give your children sparklers, never leave children unattended with these. It is possible to get burned by the tip of the sparkler. Make sure your children do not point the sparklers towards themselves or others. Keep a bucket of water nearby for when your child is finished with the sparkler to ensure that the sparkler is no longer lit.

Take precaution for your pets, too! Leave your pets inside your home so there are no risks. Loud fireworks and unfamiliar places can be scary to pets.

And of course summer isn't summer without outdoor grills! Remember these tips when grilling:

Never grill in an enclosed area, as carbon monoxide could be produced.
Use caution when using lighter fluid on a barbeque. Do not add fluid to an already-lit fire, as the flame can flash back into the container and explode.
Make sure children are away from the grill.

Have fun this summer and stay safe!

Know who to call in the event you have fire or water damage in your home or business. Our emergency response teams at SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are here 24/7 to help! 301-323-8862.

Tips for returning to a flood-damaged home

5/28/2024 (Permalink)

Beware that your house may be contaminated when returning home after a flood or other natural disasters.

Water – one of life’s essentials, for without it, we simply cannot survive.

But flood and contaminated water – water from natural disasters, and from contaminated sources like sewage and overflowed toilets & such – are toxic and can cause numerous health hazards and diseases that can be fatal, if exposed.

With Spring in full swing and the Summer months just ahead, families will be vacationing and traveling away from home. Suppose there was a big storm with heavy flooding while you were away, and your home was flooded and you’ve returned to face standing water throughout the home.

It’s many homeowners’ worst nightmare. What to do?

For starters, the Centers for Disease and Control advises that, if possible, try to return home during the daytime so that you do not have to use any lights. Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches.

The agency also offers the following:

If you have standing water in your home and can turn off the main power from a dry location, then go ahead and turn off the power, even if it delays cleaning. If you must enter standing water to access the main power switch, then call an electrician to turn it off. NEVER turn power on or off yourself or use an electric tool or appliance while standing in water.
Have an electrician check the house’s electrical system before turning the power on again.
If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and leave your house immediately. Notify the gas company or the police or fire departments or State Fire Marshal’s office, and do not turn on the lights or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return until you are told it is safe to do so.
If the house has been closed up for several days, enter briefly to open doors and windows to let the house air out for a while (at least 30 minutes) before you stay for any length of time.
If your home has been flooded and has been closed up for several days, assume your home has mold.
If your home has been flooded, it also may be contaminated with sewage. Call a professional home inspector to check for contamination. If confirmed, have a licensed company remove & remediate mold and sewage. Our certified crews from SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are especially trained for such work, and are available 24/7 to help!

FOOD. The next step is to go through your home to discard perishable items and anything that has been contaminated with standing water. On top of that list is food; throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water; perishable foods that have not been refrigerated properly due to power outages; and those with an unusual odor, color, or texture. Unsafe food can make you sick even if it looks, smells and tastes normal. When in doubt, throw it out!

WATER. Food water can contaminate drinking water from your home’s faucets. Until the water is tested, use bottled or water that has been properly boiled to kill any contaminants.

Some contaminants from surface water can get into the groundwater and affect private drinking water wells and municipal water systems that use groundwater. The CDC suggests the following steps:

Follow local guidance on whether your water is safe to drink.
If you have a private well and live in an area with flooding, get your water tested before you use it.
Do not use water you suspect or have been told is contaminated to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula. Safe water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene includes bottled, boiled, or treated water.
Your state, local, or tribal health department can make specific recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area.

Until your power is restored after dryout, use generators and other electrical sources and equipment safely. Talk to your utility company about using electrical equipment, including power generators. Be aware that it is against the law and a violation of electrical codes to connect generators to your home’s electrical circuits without the approved, automatic-interrupt devices. If a generator is on line when electrical service is restored, it can become a major fire hazard. In addition, the improper connection of a generator to your home’s electrical circuits may endanger line workers helping to restore power in your area.

All electrical equipment and appliances must be completely dry before returning them to service. Have a certified electrician check these items if there is any question.
Never use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.

The next step is to prevent MOLD from the flood or storm water, by drying out your home. Follow these steps from the CDC:

If you have electricity and an electrician has determined that it’s safe to turn it on, use a “wet-dry” shop vacuum (or the vacuum function of a carpet steam cleaner), an electric-powered water transfer pump, or sump pump to remove standing water. If you are operating equipment in wet areas, be sure to wear rubber boots.
If you do not have electricity, or it is not safe to turn it on, you can use a portable generator to power equipment to remove standing water. Note: If you must use a gasoline-powered pump, generator, pressure washer, or any other gasoline-powered tools to clean your home, never operate the gasoline engine inside a home, basement, garage, carport, porch, or other enclosed or partially enclosed structures, or less than 20 feet from any door, window, or vent, even if the windows and doors are open. Such improper use can create dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
If weather permits, open windows and doors of the house to aid in the drying-out process.
Use fans and dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture. Fans should be placed at a window or door to blow the air outwards rather than inwards, so not to spread the mold.
Have your home heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system checked and cleaned by a maintenance or service professional who is experienced in mold cleanup before you turn it on. If the HVAC system was flooded with water, turning on the mold-contaminated HVAC will spread mold throughout the house. Professional cleaning will kill the mold and prevent later mold growth. When the service determines that your system is clean and if it is safe to do so, you can turn it on and use it to help remove excess moisture from your home.
Prevent water outdoors from reentering your home. For example, rainwater from gutters or the roof should drain away from the house; the ground around the house should slope away from the house to keep basements and crawl spaces dry.
Ensure that crawl spaces in basements have proper drainage to limit water seepage. Ventilate to allow the area to dry out.

The CDC and the American Red Cross 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 that monstrous task of cleanup and remediation, you can rely on SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO 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, with efficiency and detail.

Call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-340-1313.

Tips on how to recover flood-damaged items

5/28/2024 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to help dry out your flood-damaged items quickly.

If you’ve ever experienced a house flood, you might have lost a few items, or maybe you lost most of your possessions depending on the extent of the waters and how long you waited to dry your furnishings, accessories and trinkets.

If you want to salvage your goods after experiencing a flooding, it’s essential to dry items within a 48-hour time frame.

We offer some tips to help save your items:

Improve air circulation! Don’t contain the moisture. Instead, open windows and doors. If there are no windows or doors leading outside in the particular room, open closet and cabinet doors.
Turn on a fan! It can either be a ceiling fan, a floor fan, or both. However, please do not plug a fan into an outlet attached to a wall that is wet or has water behind it. That’s an easy way to get electrocuted.
Use a dehumidifier. These remove water vapor from the air. To be effective, it must be used in a contained area. Be sure to shut all doors and windows during use to prohibit more humidity from entering.
Use a sump pump. These remove water out of house or office through a hose or pipe. They’re useful when the floodwater level is more than a couple inches deep.
Got soaked items? Quickly take them out of your house and allow them to dry off in the sun. Keeping them indoors will ensure nothing ever dries up as their excessive moisture will travel to surrounding objects.
Try a wet-dry shop vacuum. Never use a regular vacuum cleaner. A shop vac is specifically made for wet conditions.

At SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we are water damage cleanup & restoration experts. With well-trained technicians and the latest state-of-the-art equipment, you can trust us to clean up and restore your property "Like it never even happened."

Give SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Laurel, Greenbelt & Beltsville a call today at 301-323-8862 if you have any questions or need water damage restoration. We are open 24/7 and here to help!

Be Prepared for Those Unpredictable Spring & Summer Storms

5/3/2024 (Permalink)

Spring & Summer storms can occur anytime. Be prepared!

SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E want you to be ready for summer storms. While we hope that summer just consists of vacations and sunny days, that is not always the case.

Spring or summer storms happen quite often in Maryland including Prince George's County. There are many possibilities of damage from storms, whether from wind, heavy rain, or lightning. Wind can cause structural damage to your home, heavy rain can lead to flooding and if lightning strikes on your property, it is at risk of a fire.

If you know a storm is coming, take these initiatives to ensure safety:

Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
Shutter windows and secure outside doors.
Unplug any electronic equipment.

During the storm, remain calm and be aware.

Use your battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials.
Avoid contact with cords.
Stay away from windows and doors.

After the Storm, BE SAFE! It may not be storming anymore but the damage can still affect you.

Never drive through a flooded roadway.
Stay away from storm-damaged areas to keep from putting yourself at risk.
Stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately to 911.

If you're caught off-guard to a dangerous storm that causes property damage, don’t stress, we have Emergency Response Teams 24/7 who are specially-trained to deal with the mess of a storm. Let us be the experts you need in your time of crisis. Give SERVPRO Team Gutierrez a call at 301-323-8862.

Do your health a favor by keeping your duct system clean!

5/3/2024 (Permalink)

Keeping your duct system clean not only keeps a healthy home, but saves money!

Dust, pet dander & other containments from everyday living are circulated through your ducts and can decrease the efficiency of your HVAC heating and 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.

“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," according to the EPA website.

Cleaning your ducts can sweep away years of dust and dirt, helping to keep our allergies at bay.

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 SERVPRO® 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 your duct cleaning! 301-323-8862.

Now is the time to prepare for a ‘turbulent’ 2024 Hurricane Season!

5/3/2024 (Permalink)

Weather forecasters are predicting a turbulent 2024 hurricane season. Prepare your family & property to stay safe and for quick response!

Meteorologists are predicting 2024 to be one of the most turbulent hurricane seasons on record, with 24 named storms and 11 hurricanes forecasted. Six of those hurricanes are predicted to reach Category 3 status or stronger.

“The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is forecast to feature well above the historical average number of tropical storms, hurricanes, major hurricanes and direct U.S. impacts," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva said in an accuweather.com article.

Jonathan Belles, a graphics meteorologist and writer for weather.com, wrote that bigger impact from the hurricanes is likely this year. “Forecasters are also worried about more landfalls this season due to a troubling setup for storm movement,” he wrote.

Unlike last season, “a stronger high-pressure system is expected to set up shop near Bermuda and the Azores, which should deflect more storms westward toward the Caribbean and the United States,” Belles wrote.

As a restoration company – SERVPRO® Team Gutierrez of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, as well as our flagship franchises in Montgomery County, SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North – is always prepared for disasters, and especially Hurricane Season that begins June 1 and ends November 30.

Now is a good time to prepare your family and your property to help keep you safe & minimize response time. The American Red Cross offers these Hurricane Safety tips:

Plan to Evacuate

If advised to evacuate, do so immediately and go to a safe place.
Know where you will go, how you will get there, and where you will stay.
Plan well in advance if you will need help leaving or use public transportation.
Mobile & trailer homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) cannot provide safe shelter from tropical-storm or hurricane-force winds.

Plan to Shelter Safely

Be ready to live without power, water, gas, phone, and internet for a long time.
Practice going to a designated safe shelter for high winds. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not likely to flood.
If you are in an area that is likely to flood, designate a location on higher ground that you can move to before floodwaters reach you.

Storm & water damage in your property can cause further damage if not mitigated swiftly and properly. That’s why our SERVPRO emergency response teams are on call 24/7 to help.

We have trained & experienced manpower, state-of-the-art equipment, and tried-and-true method to restore your property to preloss condition, “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call and see why our SERVPRO brand has been consistently ranked #1 by Entrepreneur magazine in the restoration services category for 22 years. 301-323-8862.

Let's keep our school campuses mold-free!

4/12/2024 (Permalink)

To keep our students safe, we must ensure their campus is mold-free!

Schools that have experienced water damage from incidents such as plumbing leaks, water overflows from toilets, or poor drainage of rainwater, are at risk of mold growth, which can take place within the first 48 hours of the accident.

If you can see its visible growth or can smell it (usually similar to that of something rotting), it’s an obvious indicator. After water damage, you can expect mold and in a school especially, it’s imperative to call professionals to come take a look as students’ and faculties’ health alike are at risk.

Yet there are other instances where mold isn’t caused immediately by a plumping issue, for example. Mold can grow behind paint, walls, under tiles, etc. and can grow there for years. Mold can be growing behind paint and begin appearing over it, but simply scrubbing the mold off the paint won’t solve the problem as only part of the problem was removed, and it will just grow back.

In these cases, remediation is necessary. Give SERVPRO of Laurel/Greenbelt-Beltsville a call today at (301) 323-8862.

We serve public and private schools throughout the Maryland, Virginia & DC region. Mold can pose serious health risks including fatigue, nausea, headaches and respiratory irritation, to name a few.

Our technicians are well-trained and seasoned in mold remediation and will have your classrooms and other school facilities mold-free and safe in no time!

Got MOLD? Leave it to your friends at SERVPRO Laurel & Greenbelt!

4/11/2024 (Permalink)

Mold exposure can be hazardous to our health. Leave it to our certified technicians for safe cleanup & mitigation.

We’ve all heard of black mold, but what exactly is it? And if your business or company headquarters have sightly signs of mold, they may discourage your customers and visitors.

One of the most obvious signs happens to be scent. Have you smelled something earthy or musty? Think of a late fall’s odor of rotting leaves or the smell of dirt on a rainy spring day.

Next, consider the environment in which you suspect the mold is inhabiting, and ask yourself the following questions:

Is the area damp?
Has the area previously been flooded?
Does it get little to no exposure to light?

Black mold feeds off water-saturated materials such as cotton, drywall, cardboard and wood. It even thrives off of damp dust and lint.

If the scent of the mold leads you straight to where it is festering, examine the color but don’t get too close. In color, black mold is typically greenish-black and a bit slimy. However, it can also appear grayish and powdery.

Note other molds may appear similar in color, so it is impossible to determine which breed of mold is growing in your property unless it is examined under a microscope.

At the end of the day, this examination is expensive and unnecessary because whether it is black mold or not, mold must be removed for health and sanitary purposes.

If you detect mold, regardless of its color or texture, call the professionals to have it removed.

SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are the area’s water & storm damage, and mold & mildew remediation experts. Large or small, we will restore your mold- and water-damaged property, residential or commercial, with efficiency and detail.

Call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884.

Spring is nice, but be prepared for those unexpected storms!

4/11/2024 (Permalink)

Blurry, rainy landscape with green truck

Get the home and yard ready for those unexpected storms!

Ahhh! Spring… Balmy weather one day; frigid to near-freeze temperature overnight. To wear a sweater or not. To bring in the plants or not…

Spring weather can be unpredictable, as many of us here in the Washington, D.C. 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, like the one our DMV experienced just over the weekend in late March.

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® of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E – 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884.

We are the area’s water & storm damage 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.

Let SERVPRO Laurel/Greenbelt take your facilities to the next level of Clean!

4/9/2024 (Permalink)

Crew members in black shirts clean glass windows in building

It's always important to keep commercial facilities such as businesses, hospitals & schools clean to protect everyone's health.

What the recent pandemic has taught the world is that clean and disinfected spaces, especially in public, continues to be key to keeping everyone safe and healthy.

With the country back to nearly 100 percent normal and most businesses and workplaces operating in person as usual, we want to remind our clients that it's still important to have buildings and facilities thoroughly cleaned to keep everyone safe from germs and other health hazards.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, SERVPRO® franchises throughout the country – including SERVPRO® of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E and SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North – are here to help keep your customers and employees safe with our commercial cleaning services.

We use a proactive viral pathogen cleaning program backed by our more than 50 years of experience in cleanup and restoration.

Our commercial clients include daycares, schools, government entities such as police & fire stations, hospitals, and condo & apartment buildings.

Give us a call today at 301-323-8862 and let our crews take your facilities to the next level of CLEAN!

We're about more than Fire & Water restoration: We provide Business Cleaning Needs

3/13/2024 (Permalink)

We do more than fire & water restoration: We provide business cleaning needs for commercial property owners and managers.

Accidents and disasters don't pick a date & time to occur; they can strike anytime, anywhere.

SERVPRO® of Laurel & SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E can help during those accidents with specialty cleaning for your commercial property (we do residential homes, too!).

Whether it’s duct cleaning, odor removal, graffiti removal, biohazard cleaning services… Let SERVPRO Team Gutierrez certified technicians handle these specialty cleaning projects for your business and commercial properties.

Providing Your Business Cleaning Needs

We have the equipment and experience to get the job done, whether you have a routine need, like air duct and HVAC system cleaning, or face a major emergency, such as biohazard and crime scene cleanup. Our professionals are skilled and work with the most advanced cleaning products and techniques to clean & restore your commercial property, so you can focus on work and growing your business.

Team Gutierrez can create a custom cleaning plan for the business or property owner, followed by our best-in-class cleaning and disinfecting services, and finishing with a certification they can share with their patrons and staff. Rest assured all our crew members and products adhere to Centers for Disease Control and local cleaning guidelines.

Call SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E today at 301-323-8862. We are locally-owned and operating for 44+ years, and always open & ready to help!

Large or Small, We Can Tackle Any Size Disaster

3/13/2024 (Permalink)

Large or small, here in PGC or out of state, our local SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt-Beltsville franchises can handle any size disaster.

Spring 2024 is well under way as residents in the Maryland, Virginia and DC region are enjoying the longer days and warmer weather.

And if you live in the area long enough, you know well the unexpected change in weather in any season. Yes, we're alluding to storms, those unpredictable springtime and summertime storms that usually bring with them high winds and heavy rains.

Large or small, here in Prince George's County or beyond, our local SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E franchises are equipped with resources and manpower to tackle any size disaster. It's one of the reasons our storm and emergency response teams are regularly trained and certified to be ready for such disasters, because time is of the essence when disasters strike, and it’s especially so for the people affected as well as other responders such as insurance companies.

Quick restoration means home & business owners can reclaim their properties and start to pick up the pieces sooner; for insurance adjusters, it means less claim payout since longer restoration time can mean insurance companies have to put their insureds into temporary housing and such. It’s a win for all involved!

But storm response also means that our crews perform their jobs with the care and compassion our customers need, especially at times of distress and uncertainty. The nature of our business as fire & water cleanup and restoration companies is such that we may be imposing on personal properties and belongings that are of great monetary & sentimental value to our customers.

SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, along with our parent franchises SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North, is a full-service restoration company that specializes in the cleanup, restoration & reconstruction of residential and commercial properties after a fire, smoke or water damage. We also mitigate mold and mildew, and biohazards from your home or business, as well as thorough cleaning with CDC-certified products.

For a free consultation, call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-340-1313. We are always here to help!

Safety tips to avoid kitchen fire

3/13/2024 (Permalink)

Follow the tips above to help prevent a kitchen fire

A majority of fires that take place in homes begin in the kitchen.

Who doesn’t like cookies, brownies & other yummy baked treats? Spending time baking and cooking in the kitchen, especially with family, is also a cherished pastime for many. This also means that, with every pie and each batch of cookies or brownies you make, there is a greater risk of a fire emergency.

Aside from calling 9-1-1, which should be one of your first moves, here are some quick tips for dealing with a fire emergency in your kitchen:

* Always watch your cooking; don't leave anything unattended

* Set a timer so that you don't accidentally burn something or forget that an appliance is being used

* If something on the stove catches on fire and it is small, cover it with a lid and turn off the burner

* Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen near your cooking area where it is easily accessible

* Add baking soda to a grease fire, not water

* Clean your appliances regularly so that grease does not accumulate and start a fire

* Clean and dust around and behind appliances, as dust accumulation can cause fires if it is close to electrical wiring

* Keep flammable objects away from cooking appliances, especially those things like tea towels and potholders

* Install a smoke alarm in your kitchen

* Test your smoke alarms and make sure they will work when you most need them!

* Keep these quick tips in mind and prevent a major fire damage emergency from taking place in your home!

For other tips or for fire and water cleanup & restoration, SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are here to help. Call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez 24/7 at 301-323-8862.

What To Do When Dealing With Fire Damage in Your Home

3/12/2024 (Permalink)

Restoring a home after fire damage is a difficult, emotional process. We can help with cleanup & restoration, and can provide other resources.

Life has enough interruptions and bumps along the way without the unwanted disaster of a house fire. The aftermath is almost as bad, but much longer-lasting. Even small fires can merit the use of a professional restoration company. Cooking fires that spread beyond the stove, barbecue grills that go haywire, and even small appliances that catch fire can cause damage to surrounding areas.

Small Fires Can Pose High Risks

While you should never pour water on a grease fire, nor on an electrical one, many times that is a person's first reaction. This can cause even more damage. Cooking fires and electrical shorts are common causes of Montgomery County fire damages. It can also create physical risks to people standing nearby.

With grease fires, baking soda should be poured into the skillet and any grease or oil that has caught fire outside of the cooking pan or skillet instead of water.

With electrical fires, the appliance should be unplugged if it can be safely done, but not by pulling on the cord. This can cause the cord to snap, leaving the plug without the cord still in the outlet. The power to the area where this is happening should be shut off at the fuse box as quickly as possible to eliminate the hazard.

After the Fire is Out, It's Time to Repair the Damage

When there has been a localized fire, you should have someone assess the damages for you. This can often help with insurance documentation. Landlords, if you are renting, will also appreciate the heads-up, and they can see the damage for themselves. It is every landlord's worst nightmare to have a fire or flood damage their properties. If they can see the amount of damage, they can rest easier knowing the extent of the repairs required. Fires do happen, through nobody's fault, and your landlord will know this.

Damage can range from blackened walls and countertops to heavily burned surfaces, electrical wires being damaged and requiring replacement, to floors suffering damage so severe they must be replaced to be safe again. Having experts assess and conduct the repairs needed can greatly facilitate insurance claims being resolved, as well.

Hopefully you will never have to experience a fire in your home, business or building, but if you have recently dealt with this catastrophe and need professional restoration to your residential or commercial property, give us a call today at 301-323-8862.

SERVPRO® of Laurel, as well as SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E and our parent franchise, SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney, is a full-service restoration company that specializes in the cleanup, restoration & reconstruction of residential and commercial properties after a fire, smoke or water damage. We also mitigate mold and mildew, and biohazards from your home or business, as well as thorough cleaning with CDC-certified products.

We are “Faster to any size disaster.” No job is too large or too small!

Spring is a Good Time to Plan for Summer Storms!

3/12/2024 (Permalink)

Spring is near and a great time to prepare for those unpredictable summer storms!

Spring is just a week away in the DMV with warmer weather and cherry blossoms in full glory, but here at SERVPRO® of Laurel and Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we want you to be ready for summer storms.

While we hope that summer consists only of vacations and sunny days, unfortunately that is not always the case. A summer storm happens quite often in Maryland. There are many possibilities of damage from summer storms, whether that is wind, heavy rain, thunder or lightning. Wind causes constructional damage to your home, while heavy rain can lead to flooding and if lightning strikes on your home or business, it is at risk of a fire.

If you know a storm is coming, think ahead & take these initiatives to ensure safety:

Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
Shutter windows and secure outside doors.
Unplug any electronic equipment.

During the storm, remain calm and be aware.

Use your battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials.
Avoid contact with cords.
Stay away from windows and doors.

After the Storm, BE SAFE! It may not be storming anymore but the damage can still affect you.

Never drive through a flooded roadway.
Stay away from storm-damaged areas to keep from putting yourself at risk.
Stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately to 911.

If you are caught off-guard to a dangerous storm during the night, don’t stress. We are a 24-Hour Emergency Service and we will make your storm-damaged home look “Like it never even happened.” Our team is specially-trained to deal with the mess of a storm. Let us be the experts that you need in your time of crisis.

Call SERVPRO® Team Gutierrez 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884. We are here to help!

SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt-Beltsville stand ready to help!

3/7/2024 (Permalink)

A bucket of cleaning supplies in glass office building

Count on the experts, SERVPRO Team Gutierrez, for cleanup & restoration needs!

Thank goodness the Covid pandemic is behind us although there are still small cases going around, safety precautions are always a good idea to help keep everyone safe.

SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE & Beltsville E want our customers to remember that we are certified specialists in cleaning services and continue to stand ready 24/7 to respond to any cleanup and restoration situation.

Our Crews Are Specially Trained

Our crew members are specially trained and certified to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have more than 40 years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work regularly performed by janitorial companies.

The CDC encourages cleaning of frequently-touched surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

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

Call Us Today to Make a Plan

For deep cleaning and sanitization, and restoration, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE & Beltsville E, (301) 323-8862. We are here for you 24/7!

Disasters call for swift response & efficient service!

3/7/2024 (Permalink)

Team members going over plans with a laptop

SERVPRO Team Gutierrez members go over the day's jobs.

It was this time in 2021 when Texas and surrounding southern states experienced an unprecedented disaster when the Polar Vortex brought freezing weather and historic damage such as pipe bursts and other water-related disasters to the local homes & businesses there.

But unprecedented disasters call for unprecedented response. Which is exactly what SERVPRO® of Laurel & Greenbelt NE-Beltsville E, and our parent franchises SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney did! Our crews from the Maryland franchises swiftly prepared, packed up and departed for Dallas, Texas to lend a hand to the massive cleanup and restoration efforts in the wake of the historic snow storms that devastated hundreds of lives and damaged thousands and thousands of homes and businesses throughout numerous southern U.S. states. Our local teams left for Plano, a suburb of Dallas, on in mid-February morning and arrived well over the estimated 24-hour trip due to treacherous road conditions in many stretches of highways.

Extreme cold weather, especially in states that aren't usually prepared for such conditions, commonly cause frozen pipes that result in water damage. In Texas, for example, the temperatures in many cities dipped below 20 degrees F the weekend of Feb. 13, 2021 when many celebrated Lunar New Year and Valentine's Day. Both indoor & outdoor pipes in thousands of homes froze due to improper insulation. The water damage can be extensive, as most homes in the south have attics and not basements, causing water to trickle down from the top and wreak havoc to ceilings and walls in addition to floorings, furniture and other household items.

Other areas in the homes where pipes are unheated or partially heated that are also at risk of freezing include crawl spaces and garages. State of emergency has been declared in the affected southern states, making it easier for residents to apply for federal aid to help pay for losses, repairs and other areas including salary loss due to inability to get to work. Insurance companies also are making it easier for policy holders to file claims, and restoration companies like SERVPRO also are doing what they can to make it easier for customers to file insurance claims, by making electronic claim forms easily available as part of their response process.

Another potential hazard to consider as the snow/ice begins to melt is damage to your roof and ice dams. An ice dam is formed when snow melts unevenly on a roof and refreezes into a dam at the edge of the roof, near the eaves. This dam prevents any further snowmelt from draining off of the roof. This standing water can back up under shingles, leak into a home, and cause significant water damage to ceilings, walls, and other areas. Ice dams can also tear off gutters and loosen shingles.

Snow and ice can cause significant damage to your gutters and roof. The additional weight of snow and ice can even cause a roof to collapse. When there’s a cold snap, water can get into cracks and small spaces and expand when it freezes, causing larger cracks and more damage. The repetition of freezing and thawing cycles can cause small cracks to get larger.

Natural disasters can strike at any time. Best to be prepared, and be sure to keep our SERVPRO Team Gutierrez's number handy for quick response. 301-323-8862.

Flames or Soot: Restoring a home after a fire can be stressful

3/7/2024 (Permalink)

Restoring a home after fire damage is a difficult, emotional process. We can help with cleanup & restoration, and can provide other resources.

SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E responded to a couple of fire-damaged homes in recent weeks. Restoring a home after fire damage is a difficult and emotional process. Not only are we here to help with the cleanup and restoration of your property, but for your family as well.

Flames can cause the most visible damage to your property but the most damage comes from the smoke and soot. Soot is a coating of fine, black dust created when substances are burned. Inhaling soot can cause health effects. It is important to our team that we get rid of all the after-effects of the fire - not only the damage but also the odor. Our expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.

Before restoration begins, our SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E expert will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will be based on which type of smoke damage there is. Below are the different types of smoke:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

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

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

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

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

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

Call SERVPRO® of Laurel or SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E when you are in need of cleaning after fire strikes. We know it is hard seeing your home in flames and we are here to restore it the best we can. A friendly member of our team is waiting at the phone lines to answer any questions you might have or to schedule a visit at (301) 323-8862.

Why IICRC-certified?

3/7/2024 (Permalink)

Rest assured our crews including technicians are certified in our industry, so we can provide service that meets or exceeds standards.

All of our crew members – project managers, restoration experts and technicians included – at SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, as well as our sister franchises of Rockville-Olney and Silver Spring North, are IICRC-certified.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification is recognized internationally as a knowledgeable industry voice and resource. It serves as an independent, nonprofit standard-setting and certification body, to set and promote high standards of ethics; and to advance communication and technical proficiency within the inspection, cleaning and restoration service industries.

The IICRC offers certifications in several categories of Cleaning, Inspection and Restoration. Additionally, there are Journeyman certifications available to those with advanced levels of recognition, which can be achieved by having several certifications in select categories and a minimum of three to five years of experience in the cleaning/restoration industry.

Here at SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, our technicians are IICRC-certified and continue their education and certification throughout their employment. As new certifications become available through the IICRC, steps are taken to ensure that our technicians are certified in the latest techniques and services. You can rest assure knowing that only the most qualified technicians will be sent into your business or home to restore and repair damage when you use our company!

Give us a call at 301-323-8862 with any questions or to schedule a free consultation. We are here 24/7 to help!

Keeping schools, daycares & other buildings SERVPRO-clean is good for public safety

2/16/2024 (Permalink)

When a structure is sanitized & disinfected as part of the CSC program, a window decal shield will be left at the structure.

Thank goodness we have moved forward since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020!

While Covid is still around and most of us are protected with multiple vaccines, those unprecedented times have made us realize the importance of keeping public facilities such as schools, daycares, hospitals, government buildings cleaned and sanitized. It's for everyone's safety.

SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E continue to provide the SERVPRO certified cleaning program designed to provide communities with a way to know that a structure has been cleaned, sanitized and disinfected to minimize harmful pathogens.

When businesses choose SERVPRO, their employees, customers and community can rest assured they’ve selected a higher standard of clean – Certified SERVPRO Cleaned (CSC).

At SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, as well as our sister franchises SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North, we continue with our disinfecting service as businesses small & large are in keeping their workplaces safe for employees and customers. Our crews use special equipment to provide this Covid cleaning; equipment such as the Electrostatic Disinfectant Spray, for example, and fogging devices are effective in covering even those harder-to-reach spots around offices and work environments. Our goal: to help keep our communities safe and protected.

How would you know if a business has had a SERVPRO-certified cleaning? If a structure is sanitized and disinfected as part of the CSC program, a window decal shield will be left at the structure, as well as a separate window decal that is dated by our crews to let everyone know when it was last sanitized and disinfected.

Our CSC program gives patrons and employees peace of mind that the space has been protected by SERVPRO, an authority on what it means to be clean.

Contact us today at 301-323-8862 if we can help. We are locally-owned and operating for 44+ years, and always open & ready to help!

Clean dryer vents often to prevent a fire

2/13/2024 (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® of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E can help clean dryer vents and ducts that may have lint buildup.

The National Fire Protection Agency gives us advice on how to keep your vents clean. Clean 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. If you do experience a fire caused by your dyer or any other appliances in your home call us today! 301-323-8862.

Routine duct cleaning keeps indoor air safe & extends HVAC system's life span

2/13/2024 (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 you money.

Duct Cleaning Can:

Remediate Bacteria, Fungi and Mold
Reduce Potential for Mold Growth
Restore Peak Energy Efficiency
Eliminate Offensive Odors

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.

Spring is near... but stay prepared for late winter storm!

2/13/2024 (Permalink)

Blue sky and balmy weather are nice, but stay prepared for late-winter surprises!

Our DMV region has enjoyed some balmy weather most of February... until the next cold snap next week when temps are to drop to the 20s overnight!

But that's weather in DC & Maryland! 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?

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

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 of Laurel and Greenbelt NE Beltsville E 24/7 at 301-323-8862.

Black, Gray or Clean Water: What's the Difference?

12/28/2023 (Permalink)

If you had flood water in your home or business recently, may have it checked out for toxic contaminants.

If your home has had a flood, you’d probably wonder how safe the water is before coming in contact with it.

Should you retrieve possessions from the puddles left behind? If you forgot to wear gloves and boots, will soap and water be enough to rid the germs from your hands?

Those are excellent questions.

First & foremost, you must identify the water source.

Clean water will not cause an immediate threat. It contains no contaminants and originates from toilet holding tanks, snow melt, rain, appliances such as a broken refrigerator, air conditioning units, etc.

Gray water contains chemical or biological contaminates, and therefore, may pose some health risk. It originates from washing machines, showers, sinks, aquariums, etc.

Black water causes an immediate threat due to the expected contaminants in it, including but not limited to, viruses, bacteria and protozoan. This water originates from toilets and floodwaters. Oftentimes after a flood, water collects soils, sewage, etc..., which contain harmful contaminants and explains why it’s marked as black water.

However, please note that as these waters sit, they can advance to a more serious level. For instance, after sitting for two days, clean water can turn into gray water. This is why water removal should be handled immediately.

Contact with contaminated water can cause vomiting, nausea, parasitic illness and fever.

If you’re not sure of the source, contact a professional.

If you’re dealing with gray or black water, it’s very important to get help as soon as possible. Keep in mind that if it’s clean water, and it’s been sitting for over 48 hours, it should be treated as a gray water problem.

At SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we are storm & water damage and biohazard experts. We will efficiently restore any water damage and carefully treat and disinfect your home, so you feel safe in it again.

Does your Laurel, Greenbelt or Beltsville area home or office need restoration or cleanup? We also have sister franchises that serve Rockville, Olney, Silver Spring North, Sandy Spring, Laytonsville and beyond.

Give us a call today at 301-323-8862 or 301-340-1313, and we will give you peace of mind!

Holiday & Christmas tree safety tips

12/28/2023 (Permalink)

Christmas trees are responsible for 240 home fires each year. Follow these safety tips to prevent such disasters.

Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show the holidays are a high-risk time for home fires. Christmas trees are responsible for 240 home fires each year, and other holiday decorations are the cause of another 1,170 fires.

Here are some tips to keep your home safe this holiday season:

•Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree.

•Keep trees at least 3 feet away from major sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, and direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process.

•Use lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights, to reduce drying of the tree.

•Always inspect light sets before placing them on the tree. If worn, replace with a new set.

•Do not overload electrical circuits.

•Always turn off the tree lights when leaving the house and before going to bed.

•Monitor the tree for freshness. After Christmas or if the tree is dry, remove it from the house.

•Install and ensure smoke alarms work inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home, including the basement.

If you have a fire, call SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt/Beltsville, 301-323-8862. We are here 24/7 to make it "Like it never even happened."

In Prince George's County, we serve Ammendale, Bowie, Burtonsville, Calverton, Glenn Dale, Goddard, Lanham, Greenbelt NE and Beltsville E.

Winter weather is coming. Are you prepared?

12/28/2023 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to winter-proof your property to prepare for cold weather.

Winter 2023-24 is under way, reminding us that it's that time of year to winter-proof our homes.

If you live in Maryland and haven’t already, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the warmer days in order to get your property ready for the colder weather coming our way.

Below are a few tips for keeping your property at its peak during the Winter season:

Seal gaps around door frames and windows to keep cold air from slipping in
Insulate pipes and hot water tanks to avoid freezing and to reduce heat loss
Check your drainage. To avoid saturation, and then the thawing of the soil near your property’s structure, add extra soil to the affected area.
Clean your gutters to avoid a backup and potential overflow.
Clean your chimney! Before you begin using the fireplace, have it inspected and cleaned, or else, many problems can arise.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and make sure they work properly. House fires most commonly occur in the winter months. While homes and offices are closed up tight during the winter to keep the cold air out, it also means carbon monoxide becomes more of a hazard.
Drain any outdoor faucets
- These faucets can develop a costly leak
- Faucets can also freeze over, sometimes splitting the water line, which can lead to a house flooding
Cover outdoor furniture to avoid damage from snow, hail, etc., but do so on a nice, dry day, so no moisture can become trapped under whatever you cover your furniture with.
Find your shovel or snow blower ahead of time. One of the last things you want to do in a snowstorm is crawl your way through piles of snow to your shed to retrieve such items.
Check your trees. Is there any risk it could fall on your home or building? Could one of its dead branches? Is a branch touching your property? If so, it’s a good time to chop off whatever necessary before snow and ice come
Check your attic
- Heats rises, so if you don’t insulate your attic well, the heat you’re paying for will rise right out of your home.
- Check for critters! Animals want a warm place to stay during wintertime. Just make sure it’s not in your attic or home in general!

Keep our SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E number handy in the event you have storm or water damage in your home or business during Winter. 301-323-8862. We have Emergency Response Teams stand ready to help.

Water stains on your ceiling? Our SERVPRO team can help!

12/12/2023 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez as soon as possible to get those water stains on your ceilings checked out!

Water stains aren’t something to ignore. Instead, they are indicators of an urgent matter!

If you see water stain(s) on your ceiling, you should request help promptly.

Water stains can mean:

Leaky pipe(s)
Old caulking
Problem with roof
Poor insulation

Whatever is above your ceiling is typically the source of the moisture issue. Is your property’s roof or a bathroom above the water stain? That may just be the source of the problem. However, if you cannot determine a water source above the stain, you may have a leaky pipe.

Water seepage from old caulking or piping in disrepair are other common sources of water stains. It’s very important that damaged or old pipes are replaced to avoid leaking or “sweating.”

After a snowstorm or even a rain downpour, water stains can show up on your ceiling. For instance, rain can leak through from the gutter. Therefore, you have a roofing issue upon your property.

However, if an ice dam forms on your roof and water is able to seep in, it’s a good indicator of a need to improve the insulation.

Sometimes, a professional may need to remove a portion of the ceiling, and possibly the wall, to completely restore and fix the affected area for good.

Remember, don't put off too long to deal with the stain! Applying a quick coat of paint over the stain can make a temporarily, cosmetic difference, but oftentimes, the stain will bleed right through the new paint.

Instead, call a professional to ensure the source of the water is correctly identified and handled properly. Ignoring the issue can lead to expensive repairs. It’s much better to catch the problem sooner than having to have sections of your ceiling teared down and replaced.

Call Team Gutierrez of SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E to have water stains in your home or office checked out. We are the area’s water damage experts and are always “Faster to any size disaster.” Large or small, we will restore your water-damaged property with efficiency and detail.

We are here 24/7. 301-323-8862.

Best to call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez when it comes to water damage restoration!

12/12/2023 (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 of Laurel & Greenbelt/Beltsville team 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 of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E Team Gutierrez is always here to help. 301-323-8862.

SERVPRO uses different mold mitigation method for different surfaces

12/12/2023 (Permalink)

Mold, if not treated properly and efficiently, 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 Rockville-Olney and our sister franchises SERVPRO of Laurel & 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 at 301-340-1313 in Montgomery County, or 301-323-8862 in Prince George's County today to set up a free assessment.

Safety tips to keep your Christmas season merry!

12/12/2023 (Permalink)

Lights and bright star on Christmas tree

Use these safety tips in your PGC residence or commercial building to make it a safe holiday season!

Christmas is less than 2 weeks away! Can you believe it?

During the winter holiday season, we notice a pattern of catastrophes, many dealing with Christmas trees. While they’re beautiful to look at, Christmas trees can cause a lot of issues if not properly taken care of.

To avoid hazards such as a tree fire, house fire, outlet overload, and even electrocution, follow the tips below to keep you and your family safe and happy during this 2023 holiday season!

Water your tree daily! A dry tree can quickly transform into a tree in flames.
Do not connect more than three strings of lights.
Got cords? Keep them away from heat sources. Do not nail or staple them either. Placing them under a rug isn’t a safe idea. Neither is completely shutting a door or closing a window with a cord running through it. This is a fire hazard.
Plugging in too many appliances can overload the outlet.
Before plugging in appliances, lights, yard decorations, etc., make sure your sockets are in good condition and that wires are not bare. Oftentimes, we use these decorations or particular outlets once a year, so it’s important to carefully inspect them.
Turn off and unplug any lights before going to sleep or leaving your home. Extinguish any candles before leaving the vicinity.
Cooking or baking for the holidays? Make sure to stay in the kitchen when doing so.
Use battery-operated candles instead of candles with actual flames.
Water and electricity do NOT mix well. Be careful your string lights are not touching or partially in the tree’s water bowl. Additionally, snow=water. Make sure you are dry when plugging in outdoor lights. Dry your hands from any falling elements such as rain and snow before dealing with electricity.
It’s cold! But be careful where you place space heaters. They should always be at least 3 feet away from furniture, etc. and even farther from Christmas trees.

We at SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/ Beltsville E wish you a Merry Christmas and safe holiday season!

For more fire safety tips, visit our website:

www.SERVPROlaurelgreenbelt.com/fire-damage-tips

IICRC-certified with decades of experience in restoration

12/12/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Laurel Greenbelt & our Rockville-Olney franchises take pride in our well-certified staff and 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 at 301-340-1313 in Montgomery County, or 301-323-8862 in Prince George's County today if we can help with restoration needs.

Take these precautions to ensure your daycare is safe!

12/5/2023 (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!)
- Take a look at what we have to offer for this topic: www.SERVPROlaurelgreenbelt.com/carpet-upholstery-cleaning
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
- We can help you prepare for the inspection you’re anticipating: www.SERVPROlaurelgreenbelt.com/commercial-cleaning
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 us a call today at 301-323-8862.

Our Promise: We're Here to Help 365 Days, 24 Hours!

6/26/2023 (Permalink)

Disasters don't wait. But our crews are here 24/7, 365 days to respond to any property damage emergencies.

Let's be real: Emergencies don’t wait to happen on a day that’s convenient for you. A house fire or an office flood won’t wait until your birthday is over or until Christmas Day comes to an end.

It's why we at SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E have to stand ready for when tragedy strikes, whenever that may be. It doesn’t matter if it’s Easter morning or New Year’s Eve. Life happens, and both the good and the bad come along with it.

At SERVPRO, we want to make sure whatever nature might throw your way, that we are here to help with the cleanup & restoration of your property! Whether it’s water damage, fire damage, storm damage, or an issue with mold, we are ready to help, and “Faster to any size disaster” at that!

That’s why we are here for you 24/7, 365 days a year. Facing a disaster can be terrifying, and dealing with its effects is very stressful. We hope to diminish some of that stress.

We know the importance of reliability. We are a very trusted and widely known company in Prince George's County, as well as Montgomery County, and have been in business for 43+ years. As a family-owned business, we pride ourselves on fast response, quality service and excellent customer care!

If you ever face a water or fire disaster, day or night, we are here to help, 365 days a year! 301-323-8862.

Clean Facilities Still Important to Keep All Safe

6/26/2023 (Permalink)

Give your customers the high level of clean they expect. SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt-Beltsville can help!

It's safe to say the majority of businesses and corporations small and large in Maryland have returned to operation at full capacity, though a number of federal agencies still allow employees t work from home. While that is great news for all, business owners and patrons are encouraged to continue to take safety measures and common sense when among large gatherings.

Owners and property managers of business shops and larger facilities may consider a professional, deep sanitization to further protect your customers and patrons. Our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program is a defensive cleaning program that gives your business a way forward by providing your employees & customers ongoing safety and assuredness. Our proactive viral pathogen cleaning program will help your business meet a higher standard of clean.

It's always important to keep public facilities safe for not only employees, but patrons and other visitors to your buildings.

Call SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E today at 301-323-8862 to schedule a free consultation.

Be Prepared for Those Unpredictable Summer Storms

6/26/2023 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to secure your property for those unexpected storms in Maryland.

Summer in Laurel, Beltsville and other parts of Maryland brings lots of sunshine and pleasant warm weather. It also offers a fair share of storms.

The NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) predicts a 30% chance of an above-normal Hurricane 2023 season, which runs June 1 to November 30.

Our Maryland region has seen recent storms with heavy rain and strong winds, causing trees and powerlines to fall in some counties including Prince George's & Montgomery counties. Lightning, thunder, flying debris and hail can also occur during these storms.

Just last week our emergency services team responded to a residential loss pertaining to a tree that fell on the side of a townhome during a thunderstorm. Our team tarped the affected area to prevent further damage to the home. This emergency tarping prevented other elements, such as rain and dust, from entering inside the cracks and openings of the siding, which the fallen tree caused.

Here are a few tips to make your property more secure during a storm:

Get your roof and foundation checked out. Are there any cracks in your roof? If so, call a professional to have it repaired ASAP.

Remove any tree branches that pose risk to breaking a window, for example. Getting a tree trimming before the summer storm season begins is a wise idea.

Invest in storm windows.

Bring all patio furniture, grills, etc. indoors before the storm hits.

Tightly secure outdoor items you cannot bring indoors.

Bring potted plants inside until the storm passes over.

If you have a garage, park your vehicle inside it before the storm hits.

If you must evacuate due to the storm, secure and board up windows.

We hope you find these tips helpful and wish you an enjoyable and safe summer!

SERVPRO® of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E is a full-service restoration company that specializes in the cleanup, restoration & reconstruction of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage. We also mitigate mold & mildew, and biohazards from your home or business.

Call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862 and let us help make it "Like it never even happened."

Conserving water in your home

3/27/2023 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to help save on your water bills, as well as our water resources!

Our crew members at SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E see a lot of aftermath from home flooding, which means a lot of wasted water. Excessive amounts of water leaking, bursting, or draining cause these floods.

We'd like to share some useful tips to help save on your water bill and at the same time, our valuable natural resources. Following these tips can also prevent a water catastrophe in your home:

Check your toilet for leaks (the old food coloring trick is a sure way to discover any)
Check for leaks in pipes and faucets, too
Do not leave you water running the entire time you brush your teeth, shaving or showering
Purchase water-saving appliances (a shower head is probably the cheapest and will save you)
Wait until you have enough clothes for a full load to do laundry
Position your lawn sprinkler in the most efficient way possible. Oftentimes, sprinkler water ends up watering the road or sidewalks, or your neighbor's yard!
Plant drought-resistant plants and trees
Use a broom, instead of a hose, to remove dust and dirt from your sidewalks, etc.
Reuse water when possible. You can water your garden instead of allowing a lot of the water you’ve used to flow down the drain
Capture rainwater! Invest in a water drum to catch water from gutters and downspouts

SERVPRO is the area’s water & storm damage restoration experts. Large or small, we will restore your water-damaged property, residential or commercial, with efficiency and detail.

Call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884 if we can help!

Count on SERVPRO of Laurel-Greenbelt to restore commercial buildings after storm damage

3/24/2023 (Permalink)

Storm damage in commercial facilities needs to be restored fast to prevent further damage. Count on SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt-Beltsville!

Flooding and water damage events occur frequently in the Northeast states, and Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. are no exception.

Commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. At SERVPRO® of Laurel or SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area - whether we’re dealing with a small water cleanup scenario or a large-scale event. 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 at 301-323-8862, and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO® of Laurel or SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E

SERVPRO® of Laurel or SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E specialize 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.

We are experts on Biohazard cleanup, and here to help!

3/21/2023 (Permalink)

Technician in white hazmat suit and masks

Exposure to biohazards can be unsafe to your health. Call SERVPRO of Laurel/Greenbelt for cleanup & restoration.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences. A failure to properly remove such substances can contribute to unhealthy and dangerous environments.

SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E have highly-trained technicians that can safely clean and remove biohazardous substances and dispose of them properly in accordance with OSHA and health regulations.

The decontamination process of a home or business due to trauma, sewage backups, chemical spills, hoarding or other biohazards can be both dangerous and emotional.

SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E can provide cleanup and recovery services for many biohazardous situations including but not limited to: sewage backups, crime scene residues, suicide/death accidents, blood cleanup, hoarding scenes, and animal waste/remains.

Biohazard emergencies don't always happen during the regular work week. That's why SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for your call. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night.

Call us at 301-323-8862 if you are in need of a biohazard cleanup.

Pandemic is over, but precaution is always good!

3/21/2023 (Permalink)

If you see this SERVPRO decal in businesses and commercial buildings, you can rest assured you're in clean and safe spaces.

While the pandemic is of much less concern over the past year with the wide availability of the Covid-19 vaccine, times are still not yet 100% safe as we still need to take precautions to keep everyone healthy.

It's still a good idea to keep surfaces in the home and business clean and free of germs. For businesses and commercial facilities where many visitors come & go, our certified SERVPRO Cleaned program is designed to provide communities with a way to know that a structure has been cleaned, sanitized and disinfected to minimize harmful pathogens.

The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program is a level of clean that goes beyond janitorial and carpet cleaning. It is “proactive viral pathogen cleaning.” When businesses choose SERVPRO, their employees, customers and community can rest assured they’ve selected a higher standard of clean - Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned (CSC).

At SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E franchises, we are still providing properties such as schools, daycares, restaurants and salons with our disinfecting service. Our crews use special equipment to provide this Covid cleaning; equipment such as the Electrostatic Disinfectant Spray, for example, and fogging devices are effective in covering even those harder-to-reach spots around offices and work environments.

Contact us today at 301-323-8862 or 301-340-1313. We are locally-owned and operating for 43+ years, and always open & ready to help!

How to Prevent Ice Dams Around Your Property

12/14/2022 (Permalink)

It's important to act immediately after spotting an ice dam on your property to prevent further damage!

You can take numerous actions to prevent an ice dam from forming on your property both before and after a snowfall. Whether you are concerned about a dam forming on your home or one forming on your building, you can follow these useful tips in order to prevent a catastrophe:

To stop an ice dam:

Keep your attic insulated

Improve ventilation, especially in the eaves and ridge

Prevent air leaks. Caulk any gaps or openings

Install an extra barrier under the shingles to prevent water from seeping into home or building

Seal and insulate ducts

Cold temperatures can sometimes have their way of forming a dam on your property despite following these tips. Be sure to:

Clear snow from roof after every snow shower

Clear gutters of any leaves, snow or debris

Clear around downspouts, too

However, your safety is your first priority! Snowy and icy conditions make everything more slippery and dangerous. Do not use a ladder or attempt climbing, as you could slide off the surface or the ladder. If you find it unsafe to remove an ice dam you spot on your property, for example, call a professional immediately!

Give us a call at SERVPRO of Laurel and Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E today if you have any questions or storm & water damage restoration needs. 301-323-8862.

What's the Difference: Gray or Black Water?

12/14/2022 (Permalink)

If you had flood water in your home or business recently, may have it checked out for toxic contaminants.

If your home floods, you’ll probably wonder how safe the water is.

Should you retrieve possessions from the puddles left behind? If you forgot to wear gloves and boots, will soap and water be enough to rid the germs from your hands?

Those are excellent questions.

First, you must identify the water source.

Gray water contains chemical or biological contaminates, and therefore, may pose some health risk. It originates from washing machines, showers, sinks, aquariums, etc.

Black water causes an immediate threat due to the expected contaminants in it, including but not limited to, viruses, bacteria and protozoan. This water originates from toilets and floodwaters. Oftentimes, after a flood, water collect soils, sewage, etc. which contain harmful contaminants, which explains why it’s marked as "black water."

Contact with contaminated water can cause vomiting, nausea, parasitic illness and fever.

If you’re not sure of the source, contact a professional.

At SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we are water damage and biohazard experts. We will efficiently restore any water damage and carefully treat and disinfect your home, so you feel safe in it again.

Take a look at our website for more details: www.SERVPROlaurelgreenbelt.com/sewage-cleanup

Does your Bowie, Burtonsville, Calverton, Laurel, Beltsville, Greenbelt, Lanham home or office need restoration or cleanup? Call us today at 301-323-8862, and we will give you peace of mind!

Quick water removal can prevent further damage

11/29/2022 (Permalink)

Quick removal of water in your home or business is crucial and can prevent further damages.

SERVPRO is “Faster to any size disaster,” and this quality provides many benefits for home and business owners of waterlogged properties. When a pipe has burst apart, or a tub overflowed, your home needs to have that excess water removed as quickly as possible.

Homes in Laurel, Greenbelt, Beltsville and throughout Prince George's County, MD that have excess water from disasters such as pipe failures and forgotten tubs dry out best when water removal services from SERVPRO are the first part of the entire process. Pumping out any water that is visible upon our arrival helps us gain a better visual so we can more easily assess the extent of the overall damage.

Larger amounts of porous materials require more aggressive drying methods than materials that are less porous.

Removing water starts the process, but then we need to move toward removing the moisture that has escaped into the air through evaporation. This moisture can find its way into every part of your home and create problems later unless it is captured and removed. Dehumidifiers, heaters, air movers, and even open windows can work wonders when used together. Moisture meters provide us with a beginning reading of areas in your home that are compared to later readings, showing us our progress in drying out your home.

When dry, remaining problems can still exist, such as unusual odors. This is because odors are caused by particles, that although tiny, produce smells when they have been disturbed. We can rectify this problem with odor control methods. Other problems that can remain behind include over-stretched carpeting, and SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E can fix that problem, also.

Because floors are always saturated in a situation where standing water exists, we take great care in ensuring that these surfaces are completely dry. This prevents warping of wooden floors and sub-flooring. Otherwise, walking in your home may soon become hazardous for your family and guests.

In situations that have left your home partially submerged, call SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E 24/7 at 301-323-8862.

We can begin water removal efforts so that your home is once again as it should be - perfectly dry. Accidents can occur at all hours of the day and night, and because of this, we are always here to help!

Time to Winterize Your Property, to Avoid Pipe Bursts & Other Water Issues

11/11/2022 (Permalink)

Got pipe burst or other water-related damages to your home or business? SERVPRO of Laurel is a phone call away. 301-323-8862

With Winter just weeks away, we are reminding our customers & friends to walk around your home and yard and take a few simple steps to winterize your property.

The below 30 temperatures can freeze exposed water pipes. In the event you have frozen pipes, take these steps to be safe and help prevent further damage:

First, find your home’s main water supply and shut it off.

Next, turn off your main electrical supply to reduce the risk of electrical shock and damage to circuits and electrical appliances.
If the water comes from a hot water pipe, shut the main valve to your hot water heater as well.
Call a plumber for help as soon as possible.
Your safety is most important. Please do not attempt potentially dangerous repairs. Be aware of submerged electrical outlets, appliances or chemicals that may be inside standing water.

The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) offers the following tips to winterize your pipes and doors & windows this winter:

Make sure to drain outdoor water spigots and winterize water pipes. You can winterize water pipes by locating your hose bib shut-off valve, which may be in a basement or crawl space, and turning it off at the source. For extra protection, purchase a Styrofoam cover that attaches over the outdoor spigots to keep them from freezing.
You may also want to shut off water to exterior faucets and drain sprinkler systems for extra protection against freezing pipes and water lines.
Heat lost through windows and doors can account for up to 30 percent of home energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To keep heat in the house, look for cracks or gaps in the exterior caulking, check seals around exterior door and add caulking or weather stripping as needed. While these do-it-yourself fixes can reduce heat loss, a professional energy assessment can provide additional insights into areas where you may be losing heat and recommend fixes. Call your utility company to ask about their services or get a recommendation for a pro.

Check out this article from the AARP website for more tips to winterize your home and save money:

www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-10-2012/8-ways-to-save-money-this-winter.html

In the event you experience pipe bursts and other water-related damages to your home or business property, SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E is available 24/7 to respond to water damage emergencies. We are a water & fire cleanup and restoration company and can help. Call us at 301-323-8862.

We're 'Faster to Any Size Disaster' because Flooding doesn't wait

11/10/2022 (Permalink)

Water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither does SERVPRO of Laurel/Greenbelt-Beltsville.

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E provide emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture and beyond. SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E crews arrive quickly and start the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning & restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 301-323-8862

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

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

Hours 1 - 24:

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

48 Hours to 1 Week:

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

More Than 1 Week:

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

About Us

SERVPRO of Laurel and Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E specialize in the cleanup, restoration and reconstruction of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Certifications

OCT - Odor Control Technician
IICRC Certified Firm
RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation
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

Conserving Water In & Around Your Home

11/10/2022 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to help conserve water around your home.

At SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we see the aftermath from home floods, which means a lot of wasted water. Excessive amounts of water leaking, bursting, or draining cause these floods. Our website mentions all the details on how we clean up and restore the flooded areas:

www.SERVPROlaurelgreenbelt.com/water-repair-process

In this blog, we will talk about water conservation. We hope to provide you with useful tips you can follow to save on your water bill and to our natural resources alike. Following these tips can also prevent a water catastrophe from occurring in your home:

Check your toilet for leaks (the old food coloring trick is a sure way to discover any)
Check for leaks in pipes and faucets, too
Do not leave you water running the entire time you brush your teeth, shaving or showering
Purchase water-saving appliances (a showerhead is probably the cheapest and will help cut your water bills)
Wait until you have enough clothes for a full load to do laundry
Position your lawn sprinkler in the most efficient way possible. Oftentimes, sprinkler water ends up watering the road or sidewalks
Plant drought-resistant plants and trees
Use a broom, instead of a hose, to remove dust and dirt from your sidewalks, etc.
Reuse water when possible. You can water your garden instead of allowing a lot of the water you’ve used to flow down the drain
Capture rainwater! Invest in a water drum to catch water from gutters and downspouts.

National Preparedness Month: Be 'Prepared, Not Scared!'

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

Be 'Prepared. Not Scared!'

September is National Preparedness Month. This year, ready.gov calls us to be “Prepared, Not Scared.”

Did you know you can:

Download applications on your phone for weather alerts and updates
Create a financial plan with consideration of a potential storm or other act of nature
Check to see your insurance’s coverage for damages caused by an act of nature
Learn more about how to protect your assets, potentially by investing in flood insurance
Take a course or independently research about how to ensure safety during a storm or other event

The list could go on as there are endless precautions one can take, in addition to the rapid increase of technology. With that being said, SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E make it easy for clients to be “Prepared, Not Scared,” as we stay up to date with the latest procedures and techniques to ensure your home or office is ready to face the potential natural force in its path.

Waiting for a storm to pass through before asking for help can have disastrous effects on your property and can leave you and your family overwhelmed.

It's important to know that creating a plan and taking preventative measures will impact your safety and your wallet for the better, but sometimes, these emergencies cannot be foreseen.

Luckily, SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E offer 24-hour Emergency Service provided by highly-trained damage specialists who are equipped with stellar knowledge and skill. You can rest assure knowing our SERVPRO teams will demonstrate their mastery over acts of nature. You can remain confident as we restore any damages on your property. Click here for details:

www.SERVPROlaurelgreenbelt.com/storm-flooding-restoration

Call us at (301) 323-8862 to plan for an emergency or if you have damage from an emergency that needs to be fixed.

Be ready for Hurricane Season!

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Let us set up a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan, or ERP, for you, so you can be ready for hurricane season & those unexpected storms.

Hurricane Season 2022 starts June 1. Are you prepared for a big storm? Now is a good time to have a plan – a SERVPRO Ready Plan – in the event of an unexpected natural disaster!

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration this week predicts "above-normal" activity again, calling for warmer than normal sea surface temperatures in the subtropical Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. Experts are predicting 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), 6 to 10 of those could reach hurricane strength with winds of 74 mph+, including 3 to 5 Category 3-5 major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher. The Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.

The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan, or ERP, is a FREE tool for property managers, risk managers and owners, both residential and commercial. It allows the user to create an emergency ready profile of their facility containing critical information to help speed up response time after fire or water damage. Help is then just a few clicks away.

Contact SERVPRO of Laurel and Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E at 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884 today so we can help you prepare your free ERP assessment!

Windy, Dry Weather Conditions Can Enhance Threat of Wildfires

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

Follow these NWS tips to help prevent a wildfire!

Spring brings lots of sunshine and beautiful flowering trees in full bloom all around us, but also warmer temperatures and oftentimes strong winds and dry conditions that can spark wildfires.

If you live in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. region long enough, you've likely experienced countless days of strong winds and dry conditions. It's common to receive warnings from the National Weather Service urging area residents to be careful with any source of ignition and to dispose of smoking materials properly during the warmer months.

In general, it's always wise to properly discard all smoking materials, as any dry grasses and tree litter can catch fire and that ignite will have the potential to spread quickly.

The NWS offers these safety tips:

Take ashes outside, away from the house and combustible material.
Put ashes in a metal bucket/container.
Always use a metal container; never use a plastic or paper bag.
Completely immerse the materials in water.
Clear an area for the container — possibly down to dirt, ruling out the possibility that grass could catch fire if it were knocked over.
Allow the contents to soak for at least a week.

Fire damage can have extremely catastrophic effects on your property. SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are the area’s fire & water damage experts and are always “Faster to any size disaster.” Large or small, we will restore your fire- and water-damaged property, residential or commercial, with efficiency and detail.

Call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862. We’re here to help!

BBQ Season: Enjoy, but be safe!

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

A fun bbq is a safe bbq. Follow these tips to help prevent a fire!

Spring is well under way and with nice, warm weather, who doesn't itch for those outdoor gatherings and grilling!

It's Barbecue Season, and while we want to enjoy a good barbecue with family & friends on our deck or yard, following some basic safety rules can help avoid disasters that would spoil the fun.

The local Fire & Rescue Service offers these tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
Keep children and pets far away from grills: declare a 3-foot "safe zone" around the grill.
With charcoal grills, only use charcoal starter fluids designed for barbecue grills and do not add fluid after coals have been lit. NEVER use gasoline!
With gas grills, be sure that the hose connection is tight and check hoses carefully for leaks. Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
All propane cylinders manufactured after April 2002 must have overfill protection devices (OPD). OPDs shut off the flow off propane before capacity is reached. OPDS are easily identified by their triangle-shaped hand wheel.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and have the grill repaired by a professional, if necessary.
Remember to keep your grill clean! Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.
Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto grill and catch fire.
REMEMBER: Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces such as tents, they pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.

(Learn more about fire safety by visiting https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcfrs-info/tips/citizens/grill.html)

Grilling and BBQ fires are not to be taken lightly. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), gas and charcoal grills cause an annual average of 1,500 structure fires and 4,200 outdoor fires in or on residential properties, resulting in a combined direct property loss of $29.8 million.

For more safety tips, or if you have fire & smoke damages to your property, call SERVPRO of Laurel and Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E today at 301-323-8862 for professional remediation and restoration services.

We are the fire & water cleanup and restoration experts!

Give Customers, Shoppers, Students... Peace of Mind with our SERVPRO Clean program!

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

Give your clients, shoppers, students & everyone else peace of mind by having your properties SERVPRO-cleaned!

With the country easing back into a somewhat normal life, and as a growing number of businesses and workplaces welcoming back their employees, and schools reopening doors to students & staff, it’s still crucial to have buildings and facilities thoroughly cleaned to keep everyone safe from the coronavirus and other health hazards.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, SERVPRO franchises throughout the U.S. -- including SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E -- are here to help keep your customers and employees safe, and also let everyone know you've chosen a higher standard of clean.

When you go with us, you’re choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned -- a defensive, proactive viral pathogen cleaning program backed by our more than 50 years of experience in cleanup and restoration. With an industry-leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions and remediation processes, we're helping businesses across the country open safely.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, these are currently known about Covid-19:

It is spread from person to person and happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet).
This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets.
Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials.
Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of Covid-19

Here at SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Laurel, we have seen a spike of Covid-contaminated facilities that we’ve treated in recent months. Just this week (early April), we are still being regularly called out to businesses large and small that had been contaminated by employees with Covid-19.

When called upon, our ready plan to get your workplaces cleaned & ready to open up again consists of:

A tailored cleaning program to meet your needs.

We will assign you a Cleaning Protocol Specialist who understands your business.
Programs are based on a range of factors: type of industry, business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touch points, foot traffic and congestion points.

Proactive and COVID-19 emergency response cleaning program.

Trained and experienced in biohazard cleaning and decontamination for porous and non-porous surfaces - always adhering to the highest standards set by the CDC.
EPA-approved products, including our proprietary cleaning agent SERVPROXIDE, a hospital-grade disinfectant that is NSF certified for direct food contact surface use.

A commitment to clean for your employees and consumers.

Leverage SERVPRO's trusted brand to reassure your customers and employees that you are taking the steps needed to keep your space at the highest level of clean.
Communication touchpoints include a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned window emblem, signage, marks for your digital footprint and more.

To schedule a consult for our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program, call 301-323-8862. We're here to help!

Spring is nice, but best not to get caught unprepared!

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

Best to be prepared for those unexpected Spring storms.

Ahhh! Spring… Balmy weather one day; frigid to near-freeze temperature overnight. To wear a sweater or not. To bring in the plants or not…

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

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 of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E – 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884.

Water removal in commercial buildings

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

No water job is too large or small for our certified restoration crews! We are 'faster to any size disaster!'

Water damage not only can force employers and landlords to shut down an office building, but can also cause damage that is not easily visible.

No matter the damage, a SERVPRO professional is usually necessary to remediate and repairs, even if you think the repairs are small. Water takes the path of least resistance, so it finds its way through building materials where the water eventually gets trapped and can create rot and mold growth.

Emergency water removal is the first step in preventing more damage to your property. Once the water is out, and the area has been dried by our technicians at SERVPRO of Laurel, we thoroughly inspect your property and figure out what has been affected. We can then focus our efforts on drying just what is damaged. This drying process can usually be finished in a few days and is monitored closely to ensure proper drying. Water damage can be from any of the sources below:

Failures In Your Plumbing
These events can release hundreds of gallons of water quickly into your office building. Malfunction can result from broken pipes, malfunctioning sprinkler systems, loose hoses and other plumbing sources.

Local Flooding
Flooding can come from sudden, heavy local rain falls. Downpours this intense can flood gutters, drains and down spouts quickly, and the overflow can cause severe water damage to your business.

Long-Term Moisture & Humidity
Small leaks usually hide and are overlooked, however, over time they lead to water damage problems that need repair. Ceilings, wall cavities, bathrooms, hallways and attics are the most susceptible areas to mold growth and wood rot from continued exposure. Basements and vented crawl spaces are also environments that can be humid, leading to similar water and mold issues.

Standing water can fast turn into damage that is more widespread if it is not cleaned up right away. Mold starts growing in as little as 24 hours after a water intrusion and can spread through your building and do much harm to the structural integrity, plus to the health of your employees and any equipment inside.

If you want a trusted, professional company to come out and assess water damage and to begin the restoration process, give SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E a call today, 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884.

Our powerful truck-mounted water extraction equipment and our specially-trained technicians are just what you need when a water disaster strikes your office building!

Got MOLD? Leave it to your friends at SERVPRO

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

Exposure to mold can be hazardous to your health. Call the professionals like SERVPRO!

If you see visible mold on your property, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread this mold infestation throughout your building, office, store, or other property. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores that become airborne and can circulate inside the building. This can create or worsen health effects for your employees, customers and you.

What to Do:

Stay out of affected areas.
Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
Contact SERVPRO of Laurel and/or SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E specialize in mold cleanup and remediation; in fact, it is a cornerstone of our businesses. Our crews are highly-trained restoration professionals who use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If you see signs of Mold, call us today: 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884.

Common problems to look out for in your commercial buildings

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

Hazardous problems in commercial buildings can be visible or invisible. Check out this list to help identify areas that may need attention.

At SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, we offer many commercial services. From office buildings and restaurants, to government agencies and malls, we solve problems anywhere from water damage to mold remediation and beyond.

We realize it’s important to keep your commercial property in the best repair possible. Your building, both on the outside and inside, is oftentimes the face of the company.

Below are some of the most common issues commercial properties face. You may want to take note of these issues and check your building for them. If you do come across any of these problems, it’s important to get them fixed immediately, as holding off can increase the problem (and cost).

Check for the following (or you may need to hire a professional to investigate for some of these):

Leaks: From roofs, to gutters, to serious moisture buildup, water leaks can cause an assortment of problems including mold growth and rotting
Asbestos: If your building is older than 20 years, you should have it inspected for asbestos, which if present, can cause effects on one’s health
Cracking: Could possibly be a sign of an underlying problem in the building’s structure
Fire and safety regulations: Make sure your building and property meet all standards regarding the current safety and fire requirements
Infestation of bugs or rodents: Yikes! No one feels to comfortable working in a building knowing it’s home to an abundance of rodents. It also doesn’t look pleasant to visitors or clients when ants or gnats are buzzing around or see a few rodent droppings. Additionally, pests can damage the wiring of a building.
High energy costs: Keeping your commercial building in good repair can help keep your energy consumption at a manageable level. Also consider installing energy-efficient lighting and appliances. Consider creating energy and water-saving campaigns throughout your building. Make colorful posters and have prizes for whichever floor most actively participates, for example.
Electrical faults: Dead outlets, melting wires and faulty circuits can cause fires. A trusted electrician should be called to check out the situation immediately.

How to protect your home to minimize water damage

4/1/2022 (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:

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/

https://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 of Laurel and SERVPRO 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 or 301-615-4884.

It's never too early to prepare for Autumn storms!

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

We can help prepare and protect your property this fall, as well as emergency cleanup & restoration of your water damage property.

If you have experienced storm damages to your property and had one of our SERVPRO of Laurel teams in your home or business for cleanup & restoration, then you know that we are good at what we do because we are always prepared.

We offer blogs on how to prepare for those sudden spring and summer storms on this site. Following the spirit of thinking ahead and early preparedness, we'd like to offer our customers some insight into Autumn storms.

As the heat of summer comes to an end, the humidity often mixes with the drier air of Autumn that’s on its way in. The encounter results in an increase of thunderstorms.

Gusty winds, heavy rainfall and lightning are among the most common characteristics of a thunderstorm. When a thunderstorm updraft has enough strength to carry water to an area with below-freezing temperatures, hailstones begin to form. When the hailstones become too heavy for the updraft to hold, they are released, and that is when hail falls to the ground.

Damages caused by the winds, rainfall, lightning and hail can have devastating effects on your property.

Post-storm damages are not limited to, but can certainly include water, fire, and even mold damages.

In the unfortunate event you've experienced any storm/water-related problems, either residential or commercial, SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E will get you back on your feet fast with our extensive knowledge and quick emergency response.

We can help prepare and protect your property this fall! 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884.

Water stains on your ceiling? We can help!

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

Water stains on ceilings may be indicators of an urgent matter. Call us to check things out!

Water stains aren’t something to ignore. Rather, they may be indicators of an urgent matter!

If you see water stain(s) on your ceiling, call for help promptly.

Water stains can mean:

Leaky pipe(s)
Old caulking
Problem with roof
Poor insulation

Water seepage from old caulking or piping in disrepair are other common sources of water stains. It’s very important that damaged or old pipes are replaced to avoid leaking or “sweating.”

After a snowstorm or even a rain downpour, water stains can show up on your ceiling. For instance, rain can leak through from the gutter. Therefore, you have a roofing issue upon your property.

However, if an ice dam forms on your roof and water is able to seep in, it’s a good indicator of a need to improve the insulation.

Sometimes, a professional may need to remove a portion of the ceiling, and possibly the wall, to completely restore and fix the affected area.

Remember, deal with the stain in a very timely manner! Applying a quick coat of paint over the stain can make a temporarily, cosmetic difference, but oftentime, the stain will bleed right through the new paint.

Instead, call a professional to ensure the source of the water is correctly identified and handled properly. Ignoring the issue can lead to expensive repairs! It’s much better to catch the problem sooner than having to have sections of your ceiling teared down and replaced.

Call SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E to have water stains in your home or office checked out. We are the area’s water & storm damage 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.

Call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862 or 301-615-4884.

How to Salvage Damaged Pictures After a Flood

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

Our technicians at SERVPRO® of Laurel/Greenbelt-Beltsville are trained to properly restore photos & other valuables damaged by water.

If you’ve experienced a flood in your home, chances are many of your belongings were damaged by the waters. Among your valuables, your photographs are likely one of your most personal and cherished items.

Whatever the loss, losing pictures to a flood can be one of the most devastating aspects. You feel powerless as these family heirlooms passed down for decades, or a priceless image is seemingly damaged and potentially lost due to the flood waters.

Don’t stress too much! There may be hope, as our technicians at SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are trained to properly restore your photos and other valuables.

There are plenty of tips on how to salvage your photos. Surprisingly, most can be cleaned and dried.

Follow the steps promptly to avoid damage. You should try to follow these steps within at most two days, or else they will begin to mold and stick together.

Gently remove the photographs from the water. If any pictures are stuck together, carefully separate. If they will not part easily, do not force a separation.
Using cold, clean water, rinse each side of the picture. This way, any dirt will come off.
On an indoor flat surface, lay down paper towels. Lay the photo, face-up, on the paper towel, and replace the paper towel (as it will get wet) with a dry one each hour, until completely dried.

If you want to want to put the drying process on hold, place the wet photos (after rinsing with cold, clean water) between sheets of wax paper before storing them in an airtight plastic bag in the freezer.

We at SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E can also help to restore your photos and other valuables. If you are concerned about water damage in your home (walls, floors, etc.), we will restore your home to you at ease, too. We are the water damage experts!

Give us a call 24/7 at 301-323-8862.

Our parent franchise wins TOP award from Contractor Connection!

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

From left, SERVPRO of Laurel/Rockville co-owners Michelle and Jorge Gutierrez, and Office Manager Megan Sweeney

Superb service and customer care are what we strive for here at SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, and of course, our parent franchise in Montgomery County, SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North.

We are thrilled for our parent franchise to have won the Crawford Contractor Connection Performance Excellence Award for our district, the highest honor within the industry network, plus The Golden Hammer Award for Top Performers across the country. The awards are presented each year to performance leaders based on overall excellence measured by estimate upload TIP, customer service scores, professionalism in communication, cooperation and overall POMS scores.

SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E joins SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney as among the 6,000+ contractors in the network, and represents the Tri-State District that includes Maryland, D.C., Delaware & Pennsylvania. SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney is recognized as a top performer in the region, having consistently scored high marks for:

*Quality of Service & Repairs

*Professionalism & Customer Service

*Timeliness of Response & Completion of Work

*Work Ethic

Click to watch the award announcement & recognition: https://fb.watch/61OwEyXJlw/

Contractor Connection, an industry leader in contractor managed repair and home improvement services, provides insurance carriers and consumers a national network of residential and commercial contractors that are vetted and managed for performance, quality, timeliness and customer satisfaction.

We are open 24/7 and here to help with any water, fire and mold damage cleanup, restoration & reconstruction, as well as HVAC & duct cleaning, and biohazards mitigation. Call us at 301-323-8862 so we can make your property "Like it never even happened."

Learn more about spring & summer storms in Maryland

3/30/2021 (Permalink)

Prepare your home before a storm to minimize damages.

While Spring & Summer seasons here in Maryland bring lots of sunshine and pleasant warm weather, they also give us a fair share of storms. The area often experiences thunderstorms that usually brings with them heavy rains and strong winds, causing trees and powerlines to fall. Lightning, thunder, flying debris and hail can also occur during these storms.

Our emergency services team at SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E frequently respond to trees that down onto roofs, windows and nearby structures at both residential and commercial communities. One of the first steps our teams take is placing tarps over the affected areas to prevent further damage to the home/building. This emergency tarping prevents other elements, such as rain and dust, from entering inside the cracks and openings of the roof, window, siding, etc... that fallen trees and other debris may have caused.

Here are a few tips to make your property more secure during a storm:

Get your roof and foundation checked out! Are there any cracks in your roof? If so, call a professional to have it repaired ASAP.
Remove any tree branches that pose risk to breaking a window, for example. Getting a tree trimming before the Spring & Summer storm seasons begin is a wise idea.
Invest in storm windows.
Bring all patio furniture, grills, etc. indoors before the storm hits.
Tightly secure outdoor items you cannot bring indoors.
Have a favorite potted plant? You will want to bring that inside until the storm passes over, too.
If you have a garage, park your vehicle inside it before the storm hits.
If you must evacuate due to the storm, secure and board up windows.

We hope you find these tips helpful and wish you an enjoyable and safe Spring & Summer!

How to Keep Your Pet Safe During a Storm

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

It's important to make sure your pets are safe and comfortable during inclement weather!

Pets can face a lot of anxiety amidst a storm.

If you know a storm is approaching, or see the first sign of one, immediately bring your pet indoors. Animals can become disoriented and panicky when witnessing intense conditions, and it’s not uncommon for them to wander away under these circumstances. Also, if a veterinarian has prescribed your pet any anxiety medication, this would be a good time to administer the medication.

It’s also important your pets wear ID tags, or better yet, are microchipped. If they do get lost, they will be much easier to identify and more quickly returned to you.

It’s very common for your pet to become frightened when they hear thunder or feel the house shake due to high winds. In case of emergency, in an instance where you have to pick them up and flee your home, be sure to remember their favorite hiding spaces. This way, you won’t waste time wandering around your home in search of them.

If you are leaving your home, it’s best to bring your pet with you. Create a list of surrounding lodging choices that are pet-friendly. See if you could drop off your furry friend at a friend’s or relative’s home, or call to see if any boarding kennels have space.

If you are staying home, keep your pets away from windows as much as possible. In a state of panic, your pet could either try jumping out (however, your windows should definitely be shut), or something may cause your window to shatter, sending pieces of broken glass everywhere.

In the event of heavy rains beginning to come inside your home, and it begins to flood, move yourself and your pet to the highest location inside your home. Your pet can take shelter in cabinets or shelving.

A few tips include moving your pet inside a room with no carpeting, in case of bathroom emergency, and having a fresh supply of water readily available, as you do not want your pet to dehydrate. Taking them to a veterinarian would be nearly impossible in the case of a serious weather crisis.

Additionally, make sure there are no poisonous substances or baits your pet can get ahold of. When taking shelter, your pet might either be in an unfamiliar room which you are not used to them being in, or they might get bored and begin getting into boxes, bins, or shelves. Again, if they consume something that will cause them to fall ill, it would be nearly impossible for you to bring them to the veterinarian.

Lastly, consider creating a first-aid kit for your pet. ASPCA has created a list of items you should include in your own kit. Check out their link: https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/saving-lives-shelter-health-poison-control/how-make-pet-first-aid-kit

For other tips or for fire and water cleanup & restoration, SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are here to help. Call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862.

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (301) 323-8862

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