Reasons You Should Clean Your Ductwork

7/13/2023 (Permalink)

It is important to clean your air ducts regularly.

The air quality in your home or business is important. Keeping dust, pollen, pet dander, and other irritants out of the air you or your customers breathe involves more than changing the air filter(s). What about your air ducts? Contaminants collect in the duct system too, and regular cleaning of the air channel is important.

Energy Consumption

Dirty HVAC systems consume more energy than clean ones. Older ductwork starts leaking and not only do irritants enter through cracks, but air escapes too. Dirty ductwork also impedes airflow that drives up energy bills as much as 20 percent. Plus, dirt stresses your system causing frequent breakdowns. Clean ductwork helps lower your utility bill and helps your HVAC unit last longer.

Smelly Air

If someone in your home or business smokes, an odor hangs not only in the air but in the ductwork. Likewise, if you burned something on the stove, the smoke must go somewhere. These smells and other household odors collect in the ductwork and get circulated five to seven times per day, on average. Odors continue to plague your home or business long after you remove the offensive item(s).

More Reasons

Mold and mildew grow in your duct system especially if your home or business suffered recent water damage from flooding or foundation cracks. Renovations and repair often lead to contaminants settling in your air system, and newly built homes need the air ducts cleaned before occupancy.

Call the Professional

Air duct cleaning is not an easy job. It needs special vacuum hoses and tools to reach throughout the system. This is not a do-it-yourself task.

Contact your local HVAC company and schedule a professional cleaning. Have your system cleaned every three to five years and more often if your family suffers from severe allergies or asthma, includes a smoker, or you have pets that shed a lot.

Make sure you contact a certified HVAC technician for ductwork cleaning. Another helpful idea is to buy a high-quality air filter like the ones sold at home improvement stores. Look for pleated filters costing around $15. Not only do these last a little longer, these filters also catch

more debris, including bacteria and viruses, before you breathe it in.

Source: https://www.hewnandhammered.com/

We Support Schools

7/13/2023 (Permalink)

Rows of empty school desks sitting in an empty classroom.

Children are precious and should be able to learn in safe, clean environments within our schools. Along with the local first responders, we stand behind and support our school systems in the event an emergency strikes.

Our local school systems can depend on us at SERVPRO for fast, effective service in the event of a fire, water, or mold damage.

Our 24/7 emergency response services provide mitigation, cleanup, and restoration services to reduce recovery costs and to help ensure minimal interruption to curriculum and better opportunities for learning in the classroom.

Schools see other kinds of interior and exterior damage that are not necessarily caused by natural causes. Our local SERVPRO also provides expert cleaning for emergencies or special needs exceeding routine janitorial capabilities, including stain removal, upholstery and drapery dry cleaning, indoor air quality, and vandalism cleanup.

Our Franchise Professionals are trained to clean and sanitize building materials, surfaces, and contents following restoration industry standards, using professional cleaning products and EPA registered cleaners and disinfectants.

SERVPRO - What Makes Us Different:

- 24/7 Emergency Services and Response Time

- Over 1,700 Franchise Nationwide

- Serving America Since 1967

- Trusted by homeowners and business owners

- Nationwide Disaster Recovery Team

We are proud to serve our local school systems!

We Support Schools

7/13/2023 (Permalink)

Rows of empty school desks sitting in an empty classroom.

Children are precious and should be able to learn in safe, clean environments within our schools. Along with the local first responders, we stand behind and support our school systems in the event an emergency strikes.

Our local school systems can depend on us at SERVPRO for fast, effective service in the event of a fire, water, or mold damage.

Our 24/7 emergency response services provide mitigation, cleanup, and restoration services to reduce recovery costs and to help ensure minimal interruption to curriculum and better opportunities for learning in the classroom.

Schools see other kinds of interior and exterior damage that are not necessarily caused by natural causes. Our local SERVPRO also provides expert cleaning for emergencies or special needs exceeding routine janitorial capabilities, including stain removal, upholstery and drapery dry cleaning, indoor air quality, and vandalism cleanup.

Our Franchise Professionals are trained to clean and sanitize building materials, surfaces, and contents following restoration industry standards, using professional cleaning products and EPA registered cleaners and disinfectants.

SERVPRO - What Makes Us Different:

- 24/7 Emergency Services and Response Time

- Over 1,700 Franchise Nationwide

- Serving America Since 1967

- Trusted by homeowners and business owners

- Nationwide Disaster Recovery Team

We are proud to serve our local school systems!

Have a Crime Scene to Clean Up?

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Close-up of crime scene tape with a cleanup crew in the background.

After the police have finished processing a crime or accident scene, the cleaning and restoration process can begin. Many times, crime and accident scenes have blood and other biohazard contaminants. SERVPRO can respond immediately and has the specialized training, protective equipment, and experience to safely clean trauma and crime scenes.

SERVPRO technicians follow OSHA and EPA protocols to help transform an unsafe environment back into a clean, safe home or business.

Crime Scene and Trauma Cleaning Services

Fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals
Tear gas and pepper spray residues
Fire extinguisher residue
Blood, bodily fluids, and tissue remnants

Crime Scene Residues

From fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals to tear gas and pepper spray residues, SERVPRO can clean and restore your property after a crime scene investigation.

Bloodborne Pathogens

SERVPRO can remove and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accident, trauma, crime or death. Trained SERVPRO team members clean, disinfect and deodorize the structure.

Methamphetamine Labs: We do that too!

SERVPRO realizes many of the chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine are volatile and can leave harmful residues throughout a structure. SERVPRO franchise professionals follow federal and state guidelines to properly clean all surfaces.

(source: https://www.SERVPRO.com/resources/specialty-cleaning/trauma-crime-scene-cleanup)

Properly Disinfecting Your Workspace

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Worker cleaning desk workspace.

Many germs and virus are found on the surfaces in your workplace and home. It is important to keep all your work surfaces clean, especially during a pandemic or emerging disease event. Work surfaces that should be cleaned and disinfected regularly include telephones, computer equipment, and other frequently touched surfaces. Be sure that any cleaner you use is safe to use and will not damage office equipment. Use only disinfectants registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and follow all directions and safety precautions indicated on the label.

How long can viruses and germs live on surfaces in the workplace?

Influenza virus can survive on surfaces and still infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on the surface.

What kills viruses and germs that live on surfaces in the workplace?

Most viruses are destroyed by heat (167-212°F). Several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodine-based antiseptics, and alcohols are effective against human viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length of time.

If a disinfectant product is not available, you can clean surfaces with a chlorine bleach solution made by adding 1 tablespoon of bleach to a quart (4 cups) of water; use a cloth to apply this to surfaces and let stand for 3 – 5 minutes before rinsing with clean water. (For a larger supply of disinfectant, add ¼ cup of bleach to a gallon [16 cups] of water.)
Wear gloves to protect your hands when working with strong bleach solutions or strong disinfectants.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

Germs and viruses spread when someone touches something that is contaminated and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air and carry viruses with them. A person can become infected by touching a surface where these droplets land before touching their eyes, mouth, or nose. Frequent hand washing prevents virus transmission from infected surfaces.

(source: https://www.dhs.gov/employee-resources/disinfect-your-workspace)

Cleaning Tips for Classrooms

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Picture of a classroom after it has been cleaned.

In East TN you find yourself knowing everyone. Especially if you are a teacher. So we wanted to give all you educators out there some tips on keeping that classroom save and sanitized.

Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Know the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting.

Use the right product for the task:

CLEANING removes dirt and most germs. Use soap and water. Choose green cleaners certified by a third party such as Green Seal or EPA’s Safer Choice. In the classroom, cleaning is the focus.
SANITIZING reduces germs to safe levels, for example in food service environments. Food code regulations have specific requirements for sanitizers in the cafeteria and kitchen.
DISINFECTING kills most germs, depending on the type of chemical, and only when used as directed on the label. In schools, custodial staff use disinfectants and sanitizers regularly only in high-risk areas – nurse’s office, bathrooms, cafeterias, kitchens, drinking fountains, sink and door handles, and athletic facilities, preferably when students are not present. Overuse does not provide any additional protection and can expose students and staff to harmful chemicals. Students should never use disinfectants. Disinfectant wipes shouldn't be used to clean hands. This includes Clorox wipes. If students are helping to clean:
They should only use soap and water.
Fragrance-free baby wipes could be used for quick cleaning.
Most store-bought cleaning products are not safe for children to use.

(source: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/333-218.pdf)

Commercial Structure Damage Caused By Mold

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Mold on ground by radiator.

Mold primarily grows because of indoor moisture and spreads on your walls, furniture, floor, carpet, etc. It can cause significant damage. The reason is that wherever mold grows, it weakens that structure, and eventually, it rots. As a result, it can cause heavy structural damage. So, below we will discuss some of the dangerous aspects of mold and how it damages buildings.

Building material and structural components

Wherever mold grows, it causes irreversible damage. It’s because when mold grows, it feeds on organic matter by breaking it down. As it spreads, it creeps its way toward the pipes, insulation, carpets, etc. Therefore, whichever office item gets plagued by mold, you need to discard it immediately.

Groundwater or standing water can be a significant cause of mold in crawl spaces or in the basement. As seasons change, you will have air coming in your vents into your crawl space. In the summer, hot, humid air will raise the humidity level in your crawl space, leading to issues like moisture in the wall. Crawl space encapsulation is one of the most effective ways of preventing mold damage caused by indoor humidity.

Damages property

A mold is like a parasite you can never really get rid of properly. Unfortunately, the cases of mold are worse in states that experience heavy rain.

Sometimes mold seeps into the object so deeply that it is impossible to remove its spores entirely. As a result, even if you clean it on the surface, the mold will grow and spread again in a matter of days.

Spreads in the heating and vent system

Mold contamination is not limited to walls and carpets. It can grow and spread into your ventilation and heating systems as well. Consequently, it becomes tough to clean the mold in such small and cramped systems thoroughly. As a result, the air ventilation or heating system carries the mold towards other parts of the building, where it can spread.

Cause rotting and decay

There are various types of molds, some more dangerous to the health and structure than others. The worst part is that molds can grow on any surface. Whether beams, sill, windows, etc., they are all susceptible to developing mold due to excess moisture.

If you do not take appropriate action promptly, it can cause your wood to decay and rot. It will eventually ruin your structure, and its strength and integrity will become questionable.

Conclusion

Taking preventive measures will help prevent the growth. In case you still find mold growing in a neglected corner, hire professionals immediately. A professional can adequately assess the situation and use bio-friendly chemicals to remove your property’s mold and excess moisture. Call SERVPRO.

(source: https://www.hewnandhammered.com/)

We Support Our Schools

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

Rows of empty school desks sitting in an empty classroom.

Children are precious and should be able to learn in safe, clean environments within our schools. Along with the local first responders, we stand behind and support our school systems in the event an emergency strikes.

Our local school systems can depend on us at SERVPRO for fast, effective service in the event of a fire, water, or mold damage.

Our 24/7 emergency response services provide mitigation, cleanup, and restoration services to reduce recovery costs and to help ensure minimal interruption to curriculum and better opportunities for learning in the classroom.

Schools see other kinds of interior and exterior damage that are not necessarily caused by natural causes. Our local SERVPRO also provides expert cleaning for emergencies or special needs exceeding routine janitorial capabilities, including stain removal, upholstery and drapery dry cleaning, indoor air quality, and vandalism cleanup.

Our Franchise Professionals are trained to clean and sanitize building materials, surfaces, and contents following restoration industry standards, using professional cleaning products and EPA registered cleaners and disinfectants.

SERVPRO - What Makes Us Different:

- 24/7 Emergency Services and Response Time

- Over 1,700 Franchise Nationwide

- Serving America Since 1967

- Trusted by homeowners and business owners

- Nationwide Disaster Recovery Team

We are proud to serve our local school systems!

We Support Our Schools

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

Rows of empty school desks sitting in an empty classroom.

Children are precious and should be able to learn in safe, clean environments within our schools. Along with the local first responders, we stand behind and support our school systems in the event an emergency strikes.

Our local school systems can depend on us at SERVPRO for fast, effective service in the event of a fire, water, or mold damage.

Our 24/7 emergency response services provide mitigation, cleanup, and restoration services to reduce recovery costs and to help ensure minimal interruption to curriculum and better opportunities for learning in the classroom.

Schools see other kinds of interior and exterior damage that are not necessarily caused by natural causes. Our local SERVPRO also provides expert cleaning for emergencies or special needs exceeding routine janitorial capabilities, including stain removal, upholstery and drapery dry cleaning, indoor air quality, and vandalism cleanup.

Our Franchise Professionals are trained to clean and sanitize building materials, surfaces, and contents following restoration industry standards, using professional cleaning products and EPA registered cleaners and disinfectants.

SERVPRO - What Makes Us Different:

- 24/7 Emergency Services and Response Time

- Over 1,700 Franchise Nationwide

- Serving America Since 1967

- Trusted by homeowners and business owners

- Nationwide Disaster Recovery Team

We are proud to serve our local school systems!

Why You Should Clean Your Ductwork

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

Business' Silver Air Ducts With Forklift Where A Person Was Evaluating Them. It is important to clean your air ducts regularly.

The air quality in your home or business is important. Keeping dust, pollen, pet dander, and other irritants out of the air you or your customers breathe involves more than changing the air filter(s). What about your air ducts? Contaminants collect in the duct system too, and regular cleaning of the air channel is important.

Energy Consumption

Dirty HVAC systems consume more energy than clean ones. Older ductwork starts leaking and not only do irritants enter through cracks, but air escapes too. Dirty ductwork also impedes airflow that drives up energy bills as much as 20 percent. Plus, dirt stresses your system causing frequent breakdowns. Clean ductwork helps lower your utility bill and helps your HVAC unit last longer.

Smelly Air

If someone in your home or business smokes, an odor hangs not only in the air but in the ductwork. Likewise, if you burned something on the stove, the smoke must go somewhere. These smells and other household odors collect in the ductwork and get circulated five to seven times per day, on average. Odors continue to plague your home or business long after you remove the offensive item(s).

More Reasons

Mold and mildew grow in your duct system especially if your home or business suffered recent water damage from flooding or foundation cracks. Renovations and repair often lead to contaminants settling in your air system, and newly built homes need the air ducts cleaned before occupancy.

Call the Professional

Air duct cleaning is not an easy job. It needs special vacuum hoses and tools to reach throughout the system. This is not a do-it-yourself task.

Contact your local HVAC company and schedule a professional cleaning. Have your system cleaned every three to five years and more often if your family suffers from severe allergies or asthma, includes a smoker, or you have pets that shed a lot.

Make sure you contact a certified HVAC technician for ductwork cleaning. Another helpful idea is to buy a high-quality air filter like the ones sold at home improvement stores. Look for pleated filters costing around $15. Not only do these last a little longer, these filters also catch more debris, including bacteria and viruses, before you breathe it in.

Source: https://www.hewnandhammered.com/

Commercial Structure Damage From Mold

12/12/2021 (Permalink)

Faucet and Wall Mold

Mold primarily grows because of indoor moisture and spreads on your walls, furniture, floor, carpet, etc. It can cause significant damage. The reason is that wherever mold grows, it weakens that structure, and eventually, it rots. As a result, it can cause heavy structural damage. So, below we will discuss some of the dangerous aspects of mold and how it damages buildings.

1. Building material and structural components

Wherever mold grows, it causes irreversible damages. It’s because when mold grows, it feeds on organic matter by breaking it down. As it spreads, it creeps its way towards the pipes, insulation, carpets, etc. Therefore, whichever office item gets plagued by mold, you need to discard it immediately.

Groundwater or standing water can be a significant cause of mold in crawl spaces or in the basement. As seasons change, you will have air coming in your vents into your crawl space. In the summer, hot, humid air will raise the humidity level in your crawl space, leading to issues like moisture in the wall. Crawl space encapsulation is one of the most effective ways of preventing mold damages caused by indoor humidity.

2. Damages property

A mold is like a parasite you can never really get rid of properly. Unfortunately, the cases of mold are worse in states that experience heavy rain.

Sometimes mold seeps into the object so deeply that it is impossible to remove its spores entirely. As a result, even if you clean it on the surface, the mold will grow and spread again in a matter of days.

3. Spreads in the heating and vent system

Mold contamination is not limited to walls and carpets. It can grow and spread into your ventilation and heating systems as well. Consequently, it becomes tough to clean the mold in such small and cramped systems thoroughly. As a result, the air ventilation or heating system carries the mold towards other parts of the building, where it can spread.

4. Cause rotting and decay

There are various types of molds, some more dangerous to the health and structure than others. The worst part is that molds can grow on any surface. Whether beams, sill, windows, etc., they are all susceptible to develop mold due to excess moisture.

If you do not take appropriate action promptly, it can cause your wood to decay and rot. It will eventually ruin your structure, and its strength and integrity become questionable.

Conclusion

Taking preventive measures will help prevent the growth. In case you still find mold growing in a neglected corner, hire professionals immediately. A professional can adequately assess the situation and use bio-friendly chemicals to remove your property’s mold and excess moisture. Call SERVPRO.

(source: https://www.hewnandhammered.com/)

Classroom Cleaning Tips

12/12/2021 (Permalink)

Picture of a classroom after it has been cleaned.

In East TN you find yourself knowing everyone. Especially if you are a teacher. So we wanted to give all you educators out there some tips on keeping that classroom save and sanitized.

Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Know the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting.

Use the right product for the task:

• CLEANING removes dirt and most germs. Use soap and water. Choose green cleaners certified by a third party such as Green Seal or EPA’s Safer Choice. In the classroom, cleaning is the focus.

• SANITIZING reduces germs to safe levels, for example in food service environments. Food code regulations have specific requirements for sanitizers in the cafeteria and kitchen.

• DISINFECTING kills most germs, depending on the type of chemical, and only when used as directed on the label. In schools, custodial staff use disinfectants and sanitizers regularly only in high-risk areas – nurse’s office, bathrooms, cafeterias, kitchens, drinking fountains, sink and door handles, and athletic facilities; preferably, when students are not present. Overuse does not provide any additional protection and can expose students and staff to harmful chemicals. Students should never use disinfectants. Disinfectant wipes shouldn't be used to clean hands. This includes Clorox wipes. If students are helping to clean:

• They should only use soap and water.

• Fragrance-free baby wipes could be used for quick cleaning.

• Most store-bought cleaning products are not safe for children to use.

(source: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/333-218.pdf)

Disinfecting your Workspace Properly

12/12/2021 (Permalink)

Factory worker cleaning workspace.

Many germs and virus are found on the surfaces in your workplace and home. It is important to keep all your work surfaces clean, especially during a pandemic or emerging disease event. Work surfaces that should be cleaned and disinfected regularly include telephones, computer equipment, and other frequently touched surfaces. Be sure that any cleaner you use is safe to use and will not damage office equipment. Use only disinfectants registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and follow all directions and safety precautions indicated on the label.

How long can viruses and germs live on surfaces in the workplace?

Influenza virus can survive on surfaces and still infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on the surface.

What kills viruses and germs that live on surfaces in the workplace?

Most viruses are destroyed by heat (167-212°F). Several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodine-based antiseptics, and alcohols are effective against human viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length of time.

If a disinfectant product is not available, you can clean surfaces with a chlorine bleach solution made by adding 1 tablespoon of bleach to a quart (4 cups) of water; use a cloth to apply this to surfaces and let stand for 3 – 5 minutes before rinsing with clean water. (For a larger supply of disinfectant, add ¼ cup of bleach to a gallon [16 cups] of water.)
Wear gloves to protect your hands when working with strong bleach solutions or strong disinfectants.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

Germs and viruses spread when someone touches something that is contaminated and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air and carry viruses with them. A person can become infected by touching a surface where these droplets land before touching their eyes, mouth, or nose. Frequent hand washing prevents virus transmission from infected surfaces.

(source: https://www.dhs.gov/employee-resources/disinfect-your-workspace)

Need Help With That Crime Scene?

12/12/2021 (Permalink)

Two guys at a crime scene prepping it for cleanup.

After the police have finished processing a crime or accident scene, the cleaning and restoration process can begin. Many times, crime and accident scenes have blood and other biohazard contaminants. SERVPRO can respond immediately and has the specialized training, protective equipment, and experience to safely clean trauma and crime scenes.

SERVPRO technicians follow OSHA and EPA protocols to help transform an unsafe environment back into a clean, safe home or business.