When the Waters Recede in Hollywood Lakes

8/6/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is prepared to make your storm damage “Like it never even happened” in Hollywood Lakes.

Have you ever heard the saying, “what you don’t know can’t hurt you”? Sometimes what you don’t know can hurt you in Hollywood Lakes. Too often, after a storm has damaged our property, what we see initially doesn’t tell the whole story. From hidden foundation compromises to the beginning stages of mold growth under a tub, costs can mount quickly and before you know it, you’re in the middle of a spending spree that isn’t recreational. When the waters go down and the damage becomes visible, we often become overwhelmed with the stresses associated with insurance claims and subcontractor costs and errors.  It doesn’t take a psychic to see that you need relief. If or when this happens to you, call SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura. In a short amount of time, a friendly crew of professional cleanup and restoration personnel will quickly assess the damage and start the process of making your disaster  “Like it never even happened.”

How to Use Fire Extinguishers in Aventura

7/25/2019 (Permalink)

When using a fire extinguisher in Aventura, remember PASS; Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

Here at SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura, we hope you never experience the devastation that comes with fire damage. However, in the event that disaster strikes, be aware that our IICRC certified technicians are qualified in all aspects of cleaning up the damage left by smoke and fire in your business or residence in Aventura, Florida.

Fire extinguishers may help prevent fire damage or smoke damage, but only if you know how to use them.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura wants to share these tips from FEMA. You can try to fight a small fire only if:

• You have alerted others in the building that there is a fire
• Someone has called the fire department
• You are physically able to use a fire extinguisher
• The fire is small and contained (like a wastebasket)
• You are safe from the fire’s smoke
• You have a clear escape route

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher:   SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura suggests you remember PASS:

Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism

Aim at the base of the fire

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly

Sweep the nozzle side to side

Links:

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/extinguishers.html

Commercial Flood Insurance in Hallandale

7/5/2019 (Permalink)

Do you have flood insurance for your Hallandale properties?

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides flood insurance. The NFIP doesn’t sell insurance. Buy flood insurance from an insurance agent.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura is interested in helping the businesses in our community become more educated on flood insurance. According to FEMA, 40% of small businesses do not reopen after experiencing a devastating flood.

Things to know in Hallandale. Check to see if you might be required to have flood insurance.

• All agencies in Hallandale charge the same for flood insurance
• Standard commercial insurance doesn’t pay for flood damage
• The NFIP sets the rates
• Rates depend on:
• whether you live in a flood plain
• flood risk in your area
• building’s age
• building’s construction
• Building property insurance covers the building
• Personal property insurance covers the building’s contents
• NFIP suggests you need both types
• Policies go into effect 30 days after purchase
• The NFIP help center number is 1-800-427-4661

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura recommends the following: 

• Check whether or not your area participates in the NFIP
• Check whether or not your area is part of the Community Rating System. The NFIP might have a discount
• Talk to your insurance agent when you need to make changes

Make sure your business is protected from the devastation that comes with unwanted flooding in your office.

Links:

https://www.usa.gov/property-insurance 

www.fema.gov 

Be Prepared For Disaster In Hollywood Lakes

7/5/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage, water damage, storm damage, and mold damage can wreak havoc on your family.

When disaster strikes…

For many, your home in Hollywood Lakes represents a lifetime of hard work and a place where roots are important. It is where family gathers, and where your most endearing and important memories are made. When a disaster strikes; whether it be fire, storm, mold, or other water damage/flooding, it will likely be one of the most traumatic experiences of your life. When these things happen and stress is high call us. Our professionalism and rapid response time, as well as our non-intrusive clean up and exit should do much to ease the burden you are bearing. We really do want to help you carry the load.

…we’ll be there to ease your burden.

Sharing a load to us means our work makes your situation more bearable. Twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week we are on call with equipment that is up-to-date, and people who are professional and efficient. Our goal is to keep you moving forward with as little worry as possible. Please contact us online or at 954-921-8992.

Together, We Restore Your Business Or Home

7/5/2019 (Permalink)

Always be prepared.

Together we get it done.

Life is full of mishaps and otherwise unwanted stress creators such as storms. Did you know that wind can reach speeds of up to 60 mph in severe cases?  This kind of wind in your Golden Beach home or business can cause several different kinds of damage, as well as leave areas of the structure vulnerable to rain and other water crisis such as broken pipes. We can work together to lower chances for incurring injury and/or cost due to storm damage.

Your part.

Preparedness is a necessary tool in your efforts to protect your property in Golden Beach.

It’s your business or house; so not only do you have a vested interest in lowering risks to your company and family; but that same preparedness creates a more stress free environment. 

Be prepared for the worst when times are the best. Don’t wait until the wind is moving at speeds of forty mph outside before you start making calls and buying batteries. Do these things early on when there are no clouds in the sky.

Our part.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura promises to answer when you call. We promise that the person fielding your call will understand not only the proper responses to your cleanup and restoration questions; but they will understand your vulnerable and stressful position as the owner/insurance adjuster.  We will use that understanding to make you as comfortable with what’s happening as possible. We will send the correct people, and the proper equipment to meet whatever needs have been created by the unfortunate event(s).

Prevent Mold Growth In Your Hollywood Business

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

Many times, mold can be avoided by following these tips.

Preventing Mold Growth.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura is licensed in mold remediation. We hope you never have a mold problem.

Mold starts growing within 24 hours of exposure to moisture.

To prevent mold from getting a start in your office building, SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura suggests:

• Elevate equipment above floor when possible
• Repair leaky pipes
• Remove any damp areas near sinks and tubs
• Maintain humidity below 40%
• Use water-resistant materials when you build or rebuild. Materials include:
• galvanized or stainless-steel hardware
• waterproof wallboard
• tile
• sealed stone
• sealed concrete
• water-resistant glues
• synthetic fibers
• Use gutters to divert rain water
• Landscape, so water moves away from the house
• Cover dirt in crawl spaces. Moisture can seep up through dirt
• Ventilate as much as possible

Important:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a “large amount” of mold as 10 square feet or more. The EPA rules that only licensed professionals can remediate large areas.

You cannot prevent storms or floods. However, if a storm or flood affects you, we can help you clean up the damage.

Links:

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_english.pdf

Tips to Keep Your Golden Beach Employees Safe During a Storm

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

Safety first! Always be prepared before disaster strikes.

Floods in Golden Beach:

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the U.S.  Flooding can happen near major bodies of water, but also inland.

Floods can develop slowly or quickly. Floods that come with no warning are known as flash floods.

Floods:

• Come from rain, snow, hurricanes, tornadoes, and storm surges
• Overflows of dams or other water systems
• Can cause power or water outages
• Damage buildings
• Create landslides
• Make roads impassable
• Sweep away people, animals, or cars

If you are in a flood in Golden Beach:

• If you have a warning, get to a safe place
• Don’t drive around barricades 
• Don’t walk, swim, or drive through flood waters.  SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura likes the warning, “Turn around! Don’t Drown!”
• 6 inches of moving water can knock a person down. 12 inches of moving water can sweep a car away
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. The water can wash bridges away
• If your car is trapped in quickly-moving water, stay inside. If the water rises inside the vehicle, climb onto the roof
• If you are trapped in a building, go to the highest level. Do NOT climb into a closed attic. Floodwater can trap you. Go to the roof only if there is no other escape

Links:

https://www.ready.gov/floods 

https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program

Why You Should Use SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

Our history answers the question "Why SERVPRO?".

SERVPRO opened in 1967 in Sacramento, California. Ted Isaacson, the owner, sold his first Franchise in 1969.  SERVPRO headquarters moved to Gallatin, Tennessee in 1988. Now it has over 1700 Franchises in the United States and Canada.

What does SERVPRO do?

SERVPRO provides:

• residential & commercial cleanup of:
• water/ flood damage
• fire damage
• storm damage
• mold remediation
• restoration

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura performs these specialties, including:

• Air Ducts & HVAC
• Biohazard
• Carpet & Upholstery
• Ceilings, Floors, and Walls
• Drapes & Blinds
• Odor Removal
• Sewage
• Trauma & Crime Scene
• Vandalism & Graffiti
• Commercial Cleaning

SERVPRO works directly with most insurance companies, and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Why SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura?  Each franchise is an individually owned and operated company. People who work for SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura live in the area.  Additionally, it has advanced expertise in water restoration along with specialized equipment in water removal and in advanced drying equipment. 

Technicians at SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura have extra training and certification in water restoration. The technicians document every step. You will know exactly what SERVPRO did, and how the process worked. 

Links:

https://www.SERVPRO.com/161018

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SERVPRO

Use Caution When Flood Waters Rise In Royal Poinciana

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

Don't underestimate the power of flood water.

Standing Water in Royal Poinciana:

A flood doesn’t end once the storm stops. We still have to deal with all that standing water. The flood water can take up to 11 days to disappear. It’s not time to go fishing.

If you have to evacuate your office, do not go back until you have been told it is safe.

Be careful driving in Royal Poinciana.  Remember to “Go around. Don’t Drown!” The water may still be too deep for safe travel.

Floods are not natural swimming pools

• Sewage, debris, and other unpleasant things can be in the storm water leftovers
• Swimming, wading, or rafting can make you sick
• Don’t drink the water
• Water conducts electricity. Underground power lines can give you a dangerous shock

Flood waters vs. Animals in Royal Poinciana

• Snakes and other animals may get into your building. Wear work boots and heavy gloves when you clean up
• Some animals might find your office a cozy place to live
• If tap water is unsafe to drink, it is unsafe for your pets

Links:

https://www.ready.gov/floods

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/extreme-weather/floods-standingwater.html

Standing Water Can Be a Source of Diseases in Aventura

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

Beware of thinking flood water is safe.

Staying Healthy Around Standing Water in Aventura

Any standing water in Aventura can be a powerful source of diseases. Even a small puddle can pose a risk. Floods are worse because there is so much more water.

Sewage, dead animals, and rotted plants can be in flood water. If the flood water is indoors, there might be rotted food.

Viruses and bacteria can cause diarrhea or vomiting. There are many different illnesses that can do that, and they are all exceedingly unpleasant.  To reduce your chances of catching something, SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura says:

• Wash your hands after contact with the flood waters
• Wash dirty clothes and towels in hot water. Use bleach if possible
• Use bleach or another disinfectant on hard surfaces
• Remember that you can shake hands with an infected person and get infected. That means you need to wash your hands before you eat
• Do not allow children to play in the flood water
• Wash children’s hands before meals
• Disinfect toys before letting children play with them

Cuts and rashes can become infected. Protect yourself and others in Aventura:

• Avoid flood waters if you have an open rash or a cut
• Clean cuts or rashes. Cover them with a waterproof bandage
• Clean cuts with soap and clean water
• If a cut becomes red, swollen, or is oozing, get medical attention

Links:

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/extreme-weather/floods-standingwater.html

Fire Prevention in Hollywood Florida

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

Arson's cause unnecessary fires each year.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura wants you to be aware of the causes of fire damage and fire injuries so that you can help prevent them.

Common Causes of Fires:

• Arson & intentional fires. An “intentional fire” is one that is not set to cause harm, but it gets out of control. Arson is a fire that is set to cause harm. Most of the time, arson and intentional fires are set outside. Deaths, injuries, and fire damage usually happen indoors
• Cooking. Kitchen fires are the leading cause of home fire injuries and home fire damage
• Electrical. Use all electrical equipment according to the directions
• Heating. Heating equipment is the second most common cause of deaths in home fires
  December, January, and February are the months that have the most home heating fires
• Smoking. Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other smoking materials are the biggest cause of fire deaths in the U.S. Think of preventing tragedy when explaining why to quit smoking
• Children. Children should never be left alone with matches, lighters, candles, or other dangerous materials. Children playing with fire cause hundreds of deaths and injuries every year

Please pay attention to fire safety. While we can help to restore your home or office, prevention and family safety should always come first. Share this blog with a friend who might want to learn more about fire prevention. Remember, it's easier to prepare to avoid disaster in Hollywood, than it is to repair the damage from negligence.

Links:
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Top-causes-of-fire

OSHA Guidelines For Fire Extinguishers

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura knows that the proper use of fire extinguishers can prevent fire from destroying lives.

Owning a fire extinguisher is not enough.  The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers train their employees how and when to use fire extinguishers. They must provide the training shortly after the employee is hired, and then every year thereafter.

OSHA does not allow untrained employees to use a fire extinguisher.

OSHA also requires monthly inspections of the fire extinguishers.

Fire extinguishers have to be placed where they cannot be moved or damaged..

The carrying handle should be 3-¹/₂ to 5 feet above the floor.

Employees must know when to use fire extinguishers.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura suggests asking yourself these questions regarding fire extinguishers.  

• Have I pulled the fire alarm?
• Is the fire extinguisher easy to reach?
• Do I know how to use it?
• Is the fire contained in a small area?
• Is the smoke non-toxic?
• Can everyone get out?
• Do I have an escape route?

If you can answer “yes” to all of the questions, it is reasonable to use the fire extinguisher.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura reminds you that fire is fast. If you cannot contain it within 30 seconds, get everyone out of the area. Call 9-1-1 once you are outside.

Links:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/index.html

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.157

https://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/fire-and-life-safety-equipment/fire-extinguishers

Disability Concerns During Storm Evacuation in Hallandale

7/1/2019 (Permalink)

Be Prepared For An Emergency Storm Evacuation In Hallandale, Florida

People with disabilities may need to pack more during an evacuation.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura has these tips:

Plan for backup if you have your own car. A storm or flood may damage your car.

Before an emergency, check with your healthcare provider to understand these things:

• Where should I go if I need medical care?
• Where can I get medical supplies?
• How I do get accessible transportation?
• Does the facility have disability ramp access?

Bring with you:

• Written contact list
• Medical alert tags/bracelets
• Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards
• List of all medications, dosages, and allergies
• Style & serial number of medical devices
• Supply of prescription medications
• Supply of medical equipment
• Extra battery for a power wheelchair
• Any cushions or padding
• Wheelchairs, canes, braces, etc.

Storm damage makes life more difficult for service animals too.

For people who have service animals in Hallandale:

Pack extra food,  water, & other supplies for the service animal

• Tell emergency responders that your service animal travels with you
• Shelters and other buildings may not refuse entry to a service animal

Once you have returned to your home, contact the professionals from SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura at 954-921-8992 to address storm damage, water damage, fire damage, or mold damage.

Links:

https://www.ready.gov/individuals-access-functional-needs

Tips To Prevent Kitchen Fires In Hallandale

7/1/2019 (Permalink)

Avoid Kitchen Fires In Your Hallandale Home

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura knows that cooking equipment is the leading cause of fire damage and fire injuries in the home.

SERVPRO wants you to be safe, so to help prevent fire damage, we have these suggestions for preventing kitchen fires. They make more sense than not cooking at home.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura offers these tips for Fire Prevention in the kitchen:

• Keep anything that can catch fire at least 3 feet away from the stove top
• Many kitchen items can catch fire, including: dish towels, oven mitts, recipes, wooden tools, and loose clothing
• Never operate the stove or oven when you are tired or have been drinking alcohol
• Keep children at least 3 feet away from the stove or oven
• If you are frying, broiling, grilling, or boiling food, stay in the kitchen. If you leave, even for a short time, turn off the heat
• If you are baking, roasting, or simmering food, stay in the house. If you leave, even for a short time, turn off the heat

Remember that fire is fast. If you cannot contain a fire immediately, leave and bring everyone with you. Call 9-1-1 from outside the home.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura reminds you that fire prevention is the best strategy against fire damage.

Prevention is the best way to avoid fire damage, mold damage, and water damage from a kitchen fire.

Links:

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/

Your Business In Hollywood Should Know FEMA Stats on Commercial Fires

7/1/2019 (Permalink)

Don't Allow A Fire To Keep Your Business Shut Down

The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) reports that over 40% of businesses do not reopen after a disaster such as fire damage, storm damage, or other disruption. SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura wants to serve our community by keeping your business up and running. We think it is important to support our local fire departments by helping to educate owners of both businesses and homes about the importance of prevention.

Only 29% of those that do reopen remain open after 2 years.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura wants you to be aware of the causes of fire damage and fire injuries so that you can help prevent them.

Top Causes of Commercial Fires in Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura:

• Cooking: SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura has more information here
• Equipment: Almost 38% of business fires start from faulty equipment or from mis-used equipment. Some materials can catch fire or explode when exposed to heat
• Carelessness: Remember to cover light bulbs, turn off equipment at the end of the day, and to replace frayed cords

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura wants you to remember that the best way to fight fire damage or smoke damage is to prevent it.

Links:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/firesafety/

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/nonres_bldg_fire_estimates.pdf

Extinguisher Types For Hollywood Beach, Golden Beach, and Aventura

6/6/2019 (Permalink)

Types Of Fire Extinquisher

All of us at SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura hope your business stays safe from fire.  If the worst happens, we are experts in cleaning fire damage and smoke damage.

Just to be safe, SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura recommends you keep, maintain, and know how to use fire extinguishers. 

A fire-extinguisher may prevent fire damage and smoke damage from spreading throughout the office.

If you see a small fire that you can take care of yourself, use the following tips.  If you have any worries, you and everyone else should leave the house and call 9-1-1 when you are outside.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura wants you to know that you can try to fight a small fire only if:

• You can get to the fire extinguisher quickly. Fire is fast. Fire damage and smoke damage are less painful than personal injuries
• You have the right class of fire extinguisher
• You know how to use the fire extinguisher

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura explains Types of Commercial Fire Extinguishers:

(art from U.S. Fire Administration)

Classes A, B, and C fire extinguishers are found in both homes and businesses

• Class A is for cloth, wood, and paper
• Class B is for liquids that can burst into flame or explode, such as grease, gasoline, oil, or oil-based paints
• Class C is for electrical equipment like computers, tools, or anything else that is plugged in
• Most home-improvement stores sell multi-purpose fire extinguishers: Classes A:B:C
• Class D is for metals that can burst into flame. Class D fire extinguishers are usually needed only in some factories
• Class K is for vegetable and animal oils and fats that are in cooking appliances. Commercial kitchens (restaurants, cafeterias, catering businesses) often use them

Links:

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/extinguishers.html

Thunderstorms and Lightning In Golden Beach and Royal Poinciana

6/5/2019 (Permalink)

Thunderstorms are beautiful, but they can also be dangerous.  They can cause severe damage to your home and property. Thunderstorms include lightning and can:

• Include winds over 50 MPH
• Create hail
• Cause flash floods
• Cause tornadoes

In most places, a thunderstorm can happen at any time of the year and at any time of the day.

You cannot prevent a thunderstorm, but you can prepare:

• Know the risk for thunderstorms in Golden Beach and Royal Poinciana
• Sign up for your community’s warning system
• Cut down or trim trees that may fall on your home or office
• Install surge protectors, lightning rods, or a lightning protection system

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura repeats the warning, “When thunder roars, go indoors”.  You don’t have to wait for the thunder. If there is a thunderstorm warning, go inside. Once there:

• Unplug appliances
• Do not use landline phones in office or home
• Pay attention to alerts and warnings

If you can’t get inside a building:

• If you are swimming or in a boat, get to land immediately. Find shelter
• If you are in a car, don’t touch anything metal
• “Turn around. Don’t Drown”. Avoid flooded roads. 6 inches of moving water can knock you down. One foot of moving water can sweep away your car.

A lightning strike during a thunderstorm can leave a wake of destruction in its path. This can range from minor electrical issues to fire damage. Lightning is also a major cause of injury or death from weather-related dangers.  Most people survive being hit by lightning, but they often have long-term problems.

Links:

https://www.ready.gov/thunderstorms-lightning

Mold Remediation and the EPA in Your Hollywood Home

6/5/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura wants you to understand: Mold in Drywall

Even a tiny bit of moisture can lead to mold growing in drywall.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled that only licensed professionals can clean any surface that has more than 10 square feet of mold. The EPA cannot know how you take care of your home or business, but you will need an inspection if you want to sell. You might not see all of the mold. The sooner you get rid of mold, the less damage it can cause.

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura is licensed in mold remediation.

Mold remediation means getting rid of the mold spores that become mold as well as fixing the root cause of the dampness.

Mold:

• can start growing on a damp surface within 24 hours
• can destroy the materials they grow on
• can spread and destroy adjacent materials
• grows from tiny spores that travel through the air

SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura can:

• remove drywall
• disinfect certain surfaces
• find the source of moisture
• stop the moisture problem

Links:

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_english.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/index.html

Putting Our Customers First

11/17/2018 (Permalink)

If you are looking for a trustworthy, professional restoration company who always puts their customers first, give us a call today!

Our locally owned and operated company is founded on a customer-first policy. In order to restore a residential or commercial property thoroughly and make it “Like it never even happened.” we must always keep our customers’ needs and wants in the forefront of our minds. At SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura, our highly trained team goes through both initial and ongoing training in order to ensure that we have adequate and up-to-date knowledge about restoration techniques and best practices.

Our staff’s training and certification makes them well-equipped to handle restoration jobs both large and small. No matter how big the damage may be, our highly trained specialists work with one real job in mind: satisfy our customers by doing great work! We specialize in both residential and commercial restoration from:

• Water Damage
• Fire Damage
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage

In addition to providing unmatched restoration services, our SERVPRO team offers these emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even including all holidays. If you are looking for a trustworthy, professional restoration company who always puts their customers first, give us a call today!

Faster To Any Size Disaster

10/30/2018 (Permalink)

If your home has experienced water damage of any kind, you can count on the professionals at SERVPRO to take care of you and your home.

When a disaster strikes, Florida homeowners often find themselves wondering what to do next. Whether your property suffers from storm damage, water damage, or fire damage, addressing the problem promptly is imperative to reducing the overall damage and getting to the issue right away. That’s where SERVPRO comes in!

We are truly faster to any size disaster. It is our primary goal to provide 24 hour emergency services to our community. In doing so, we are able to deploy our cleaning and restoration processes immediately, minimizing the damage done and putting our customers’ minds at ease. Our highly trained damage restoration technicians are equipped to handle disasters both large and small.

Timing is extremely critical in emergency situations, especially in cases involving water damage. For instance, if left untreated for even 24 hours things like tarnished metal surfaces, swelling and breaking drywall, musty odors, and more begin to appear. The longer that a homeowner waits to address flooding, storm, or water emergencies of any kind, the more damage the property will suffer.

If your home has experienced water damage of any kind, you can count on the professionals at SERVPRO to take care of you and your home quickly, effectively, and honestly. We are truly faster to any size disaster and we are here to restore your home’s damage. Call today to learn more about your restoration options!

Hurricane Irma

3/2/2018 (Permalink)

Hurricane Irma was a category 4 hurricane when it struck the west coast of Florida, leaving a lot of damage along the way. Yet, the real work begun once the hurricane passed. Immediately SERVPRO's technicians rushed to the warehouse, waiting for the calls to come in, and they came in by the bulk. SERVPRO crews were dispatched from various franchises; which came from all over Florida and even out of state. The first week was strictly handling mitigation of the wet materials left behind by Hurricane Irma, but once the second week rolled in, the remediation process took place. This was the case for a majority of the jobs that were called in for several months after. SERVPRO is always prepared to handle any size disaster. 

Be prepared with a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan

3/1/2018 (Permalink)

Whether it is for a home or business, it is important to always be prepared for a fire or water damage emergency.

SERVPRO has set in place an app called "The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile." Which you create to condense all necessary information within one easy to access plan both you and we can view and follow. No time needs to be lost in those critical minutes and hours after the firefighters leave the premises when your ERP is current. We assess your apartment complex prior to any disaster at no cost, helping you identify the things that will be most important to get you and your tenants back into the building, safe and healthy. Everything from identifying key personnel within your business to authorize work up to where shut off valves are located to be readily available to our commercial restoration technicians so we can move forward with no hesitation or delay in beginning the restoration process. 

How to remove black mold

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

lack mold can be an insidious problem for homeowners, potentially leading to a costly removal process and even a host of health problems. But by learning how to get rid of black mold safely and effectively, you can protect the health of your family and the value of your home, without breaking the bank.

Mold Can Be Unhealthy and Dangerous SEE ALL PHOTOS

Removing black mold is a step-by-step process that requires patience, an investment in protective gear and black mold removal products, and, of course, the courage to brave dark, cramped spaces inhabited by toxic fungus.

First, you must remove the source of any moisture from the affected area. If any leaks or persistent condensation aren't alleviated, the mold will likely reappear after removal.

Next, seal any doorways or other openings leading to other areas of the home, place heavy plastic over them, then seal the plastic in place with duct tape. If there are outdoor openings in the room, place an exhaust fan near them to help remove mold spores from the room.

Wear a respirator or a facemask rated for black mold spore protection, and cover arms, legs and hands to avoid contact with mold spores. Use soap and a sponge to remove visible mold. If the moldy area is dry, lightly spray with water, as this will reduce the incidence of airborne mold spores during cleaning. Next, use commercial black mold removal products, which can be found in most hardware or home repair stores, to disinfect the moldy areas, in addition to any adjacent areas. If you use bleach, make sure it won't discolor the material or surface. Place all sponges, equipment and other materials used in cleaning in a heavy duty garbage bag, and if possible, remove the bag through an nearby exit as opposed to the main house, to avoid distributing mold spores.

Mold Remediation and Restoration:

Any home or business can quickly become infested with mold with the introduction of a water source, like a roof or plumbing leak. Mold can spread throughout a property in as little as 48-72 hours, and can produce allergens and irritants that have the potential to cause other health effects.

If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals can inspect and assess your property. If mold is found, they have the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation.

Please refer to our Mold Damage Tips to learn more about mold and what to do until help arrives.

SERVPRO® of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura

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Post-Construction Cleanup Ensures a Spic-and-Span Environment for Your New Building

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

Your new building or remodeling is finally complete, after months and months of planning and construction. So you’re all ready to move in, right?

Not so fast! Good contractors clean up their supplies and tools, dispose of the trash and remnants of their materials and get your new space to a point where it’s considered “move-in ready.” But that doesn’t mean it’s ready for people to sit down and work. You need one last thing before opening the doors: a post-construction cleanup.

When a construction team leaves a site they also leave behind things not always noticeable (but sometimes very noticeable), like dust, grit, wood particles, window film and other dirt that needs to be cleaned before you invite employees into the space.

Giving your new area a thorough once-over will not only make everything clean, but it will make employees feel even better about their new digs. When Jack’s Maintenance performs a post-construction cleanup, we take care of these and other areas, some of which you might not expect to gather dust and grime (but that certainly do!):

Inside cabinets and desks. Much of the drywall dust and sawdust will end up in these spots, so we vacuum or wipe until it’s gone
Ceiling tiles, vent covers and exposed pipes. Another spot where dust lands and recirculates through the air – not ideal, especially for people with allergies or respiratory problems
Furniture surfaces, frames and padding. New or old, your furniture will attract and hold dust and grime, particularly the padding. We wipe and/or vacuum ‘til it shines! Some of these items will have adhesive labels affixed to them, and a good post-construction cleanup will involve using the right products to remove them safely
Light fixtures. Ceiling fixtures and desk lamps both attract dust, which can reduce the efficiency of the bulbs. We use the right techniques to remove anything left behind by the contractor
Carpet and flooring. This is usually the last spot we clean when we do post-construction cleanups because it’s the dirtiest by far! All the traffic, dust and dirt lands here, so we take special care to get them in top shape
Stairwells. Railings and steps tend to get lots of use even during construction, so we get every nook and cranny prior to you occupying the building
Elevators, interior and exterior. This over over-looked spot gets plenty of foot traffic and fingerprints, so we wipe it all down until it’s sparkling clean
Walls. Believe it or not, walls hold on to dust, and certain wall textures hold on to it better than others. We’ll wipe or dust the walls to remove any drywall dust that’s hanging on
Windows. Windows grab on to particles in the air and will eventually look filmy. We focus on the window itself and the sills and tracks, where the “real” dirt is
Post-construction cleaning leaves a place smelling fresh, looking “shiny new,” and prevents all of that dust and grime from dulling the finishes and eroding the appearance of your new space. If you’re in the process of remodeling or building a new facility, don’t forget the critical last step of getting it cleaned and ready for work!

Commercial Cleaning on a Budget

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

Whether you are a large company or a one-man business Commercial Cleaning is something you cannot ignore. For big business not having a clean environment for your staff to work in is one of the worst economies you can make. A dirty work area is bad for moral, wastes valuable work time and can be detrimental to the health of your staff.
As a worker if you work in a dirty environment there is only so much you can take, so after a while you have to stop your paid work to clean up. Emptying bins, washing cups or just generally dusting machinery and work surfaces, has to be done sometimes. No one enjoys picking up a dirty phone or dialling on a grease covered keypad. These are the sort of things that build up when proper cleaning services are not used. As a worker it distracts you from what you are paid to do and as a boss, why are you paying trained or qualified staff to empty bins? If you are the boss cleaning your own work space, then this is an unproductive waste of your time.

When you are on a tight budget as everyone is nowadays, cleaning may seem to be a big outlay for no return, but the actual return you gain is more productivity from your staff, more focussed work and direct action. Everyone needs to drink liquids through the day, so eventually the cups have to be washed and someone has to do it. So what you need to consider is exactly what you need cleaners to do. This may seem obvious but when you start to look at cleaning companies in the area you start to realise not every corporate cleaning company is the same.

First what needs doing to keep your offices clean and tidy? Do the bins need emptying daily or twice weekly? Do you need the carpet hoovering and the floor moped in the kitchens or dining areas, and how often? Who washes the mugs, or do you use vending machine cups and if so does this cause a need for more bins to be emptied. Do your kitchens stay fairly clean or do people leave them in a mess? If they are in a mess they can definitely be a health hazard if not cleaned daily. The toilets are another area that really need cleaning daily in a big company. This is an area that should not be left to chance and if you are a really big company or in the food business then more than once a day may be necessary.

How to Eliminate Mold from Your Bathroom

4/6/2017 (Permalink)

Bathroom mold is ugly, disgusting, and unhealthy. And, unfortunately, it often seems an ever-present nuisance that even the most fastidious home owners must deal with. However, mold doesn't have to greet you every morning as you step into the shower. These preventative measures and cleaning tips will help you get rid of the mold and mildew that collects in showers, baths and sinks.

Do Your Drains Drain?
First, make sure that you have good drainage in your sink, tub or shower. If the water does not drain as quickly as you run water, you have a present (or building) problem. When water doesn't drain properly, it stands, creating an environment that is moist for longer periods of time. These types of environments are those in which mold thrives. Use a bleach solution, a chemical specially formulated to unclog drains, or call a plumber if the drain stoppage is particularly bad. It will be impossible to maintain a clean bathroom without properly working drains.

Thorough Cleaning
When you go to clean your bathroom, make sure that you remove all products first. Use a quality cleaning product and spray or wipe on all stained, soiled, damp, and moldy areas with a sponge - brushes can scratch surfaces, reducing their life and appearance. Use an old toothbrush to clean around faucets, drains, and in crevices. For moldy showers, it's possible to use a mild solution of bleach to kill mold and prevent its immediate regrowth. However, never mix bleach with any other cleaning solution, as this could produce toxic fumes.

Before putting the products back, wipe them with a moistened cloth that contains some of the same cleaning solution. This will deter mold by removing any already present around the bases of bottles and jars, kill germs, and prevent the already sanitized surface from being re-contaminated with mold and bacteria.

Commercial Building Automation Market - Global Industry, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

4/3/2017 (Permalink)

One of the major factors driving the market for commercial building automation is increasing demand from key end user such as retail, healthcare, offices and hospitality sector among others. According to UNEP (United Nations Environment Program), buildings contribute to about one third of the total greenhouse gas emissions, mainly due to the usage of fossil fuels. In addition, a slow but gradual evolution of IoT sensors based technology has resulted in the emergence of solutions which are significantly more intelligent and have the ability to analyze granular aspects of buildings such as space utilization, gauging occupant's comfort levels and similar derive business intelligence.

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: Segmentation

Power supply, interfacing components, room automation, HVAC systems, security & surveillance, illumination & light sensors and others sectors are the various product types of the commercial building automation market. The power supply market is further segmented into UPS, battery modules and others. The interfacing components is further sub segmented into router, couplers and others. The room automation is further being sub segmented into I/O module, actuators & actuators module, controllers and others. Based on the various product types of commercial building automation, the HVAC systems segment constituted the biggest market share, followed by the security and surveillance segment, in 2015. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) System is a technology used in building automation for vehicular and indoor environmental comfort. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) are largely served in offices, healthcare, retail and hospitality sector among others, therefore, it holds the largest market among all the segments in the commercial building automation market.

By type of material, the market is divided into lighting control and regulation, interfacing and inter-working with other building systems, blind and shutter control , temperature control and regulation, energy and load management, security and fault monitoring, visualization & remote control and monitoring, reporting, display. In 2015, based on material types, the temperature control and regulation segment held the largest market share followed by the lighting control and regulation segment.

The commercial building automation market has been segmented on the basis of end use into offices, retail, hospitality sector, healthcare and others. The retail segment constituted the largest market share, followed by the offices segment, in 2015. The major reason for this growth is attributed to the ability of commercial building automation to raise profit by reducing energy and operating costs in retail shops. In addition, adoption of building automation in retail stores makes life easier. It not only smoothens the management of the retail store regulating system, such as temperature and light, but also provides a host of other services such as video surveillance, HVAC services, easier energy management, and efficient security system.

Moreover, the use of building automation in retail shops represented the largest market share in the global commercial building automation market in 2015. This is primarily due to an increase in the use of building automation in enclosed malls and individual shops. Commercial building automation in retail stores has a number of uses, such as providing security to the owner of parked cars, to conserve energy and offering a great ambience.

By geography, the commercial building automation market has been broken down into four regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). Presently, North America held the major share of the market, followed by Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW).

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: Key Trends

Government initiatives for constructing green buildings and rise in green building construction by several different companies are the major factors driving the market for commercial building automation market during the forecast period of 2016 – 2024. Green buildings are constructed using recycled waste resources from construction sites. Increased demand for green building materials has been observed in the residential buildings and office & commercial buildings segments. The other factors driving the market for commercial building automation market is increasing awareness about the advantages of green building which in turn boosting the commercial building automation market during the forecast period of 2016 – 2024.

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: Key players mentioned in the report

Key players profiled in this report include ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Cisco Systems Inc. (United States), Honeywell International Inc. (United States), Hubbell Inc. (United States), Ingersoll Rand Plc. (Ireland), Johnson Controls International plc. (United States), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Schneider Electric SE (France), United Technologies Corp. (United States) and Siemens AG (Germany).

The segments covered in the Commercial building automation market are as follows:

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: By Product Type

Power Supply
UPS
Battery Modules
Others
Interfacing Components
Router
Couplers
Others
Room Automation
I/O Module
Actuators & Actuators Module
Controllers
Others
HVAC Systems
Security and Surveillance
Illumination and Light Sensors
Others

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: By Material Type

Lighting Control and Regulation
Interfacing and Inter-working with other Building Systems
Blind and Shutter Control
Temperature Control and Regulation
Energy and Load Management
Security and Fault Monitoring
Visualization and Remote Control
Monitoring, Reporting, Display
Others

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: By End Use Type

Offices
Retail
Hospitality Sector
Healthcare
Others

Global Commercial Building Automation Market: By Geography

North America
U.S.
Canada
Mexico
Europe
U.K.
Germany
France
Italy
Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific
India
China
Japan
Rest of Asia Pacific
Rest of the World (RoW)
Middle East
Latin America
Africa

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4662495/

How to spot water damage

3/6/2017 (Permalink)

In general, a house is one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime. In order to protect that investment, you should vigilantly look out for household problems and address them before they worsen.

One such dreaded homeowner issue is water damage. If left unattended, residential water damage can detrimentally impact the structure or spawn other complications, including mold that poses a health risk to inhabitants. Here are several methods for detecting water damage within your house.

1. Check the Floors
No matter what kind of flooring you have, it will manifest signs of water damage. For tile and wood, look for cracked, buckling or warped flooring. When it comes to carpet, be wary of damp spots, gradual rises, soft spots or the smell of mold and dampness.

2. Look for Stains
Water stains on the floor around the bathtub, toilet or sink, as well as stains on ceilings and walls, are some of the most obvious signs of water damage. Unusual stains could indicate there is a leaky pipe or drain inside the wall. Cracks in the drywall or areas that appear swollen and are soft to touch also may signify trouble. Peeling paint is another sign of loose water within wall spaces. As the drywall gets saturated, paint can lose adhesion.

3. Inspect Outside
Observe the exterior of your house. What you want to look for are pools of standing water that can indicate poor drainage in the yard, gutter spouts that aren’t transporting water far enough from the house or leaky rain gutters. Any of those issues could threaten the foundation of your house. Additionally, common signs of water damage on the roof may include pools of water; cracked, curled or missing shingles; or broken flashing.

4. Watch for Rust and Mold
Inspect your water heater and check for rust on the tank or damp spots on the floor. A rusted tank could indicate a slow leak. Additionally, corrosion around pipe connections could be caused by water seepage. Visual signs of active mold growth mean moisture is contacting microscopic mold spores, often in the nooks and crannies of your home. Finally, don’t rely solely on sight. When water stagnates, mold and bacteria can grow, producing a musty, unpleasant smell.

Mold & Bacteria Growth in the Duct System

2/6/2017 (Permalink)

Since your ductwork is essentially the “lungs” of your home, you need to make sure it is kept clean of as many airborne hazards and pollutants as possible. Any kind of harmful pollutant in your ductwork will inevitably get carried throughout the air in your home. This includes mold contamination within the ductwork of your home. Exposure to mold from your within your ductwork can create some very unhealthy conditions for you and your family. If you believe there might be a mold problem in your air ducts, it is very important to have the ductwork checked out and have any contaminants removed.

Why is there mold in my ductwork?
Molds and fungi can be found virtually anywhere where excessive moisture accumulates indoors. This problem can be even worse when there is excessive moisture in the home over an extended period of time. When a surface or material in your home is holding moisture and mold spores from anywhere land on it, the mold begins to grow. As long as the source of moisture is present the mold will continue to grow on the surface, whether it’s in your drywall, wood beams, or even in your duct system. The problem will continue to expand until the source of moisture is eliminated and the mold is properly remediated.

Why is mold in my ductwork dangerous?
Your ductwork is the system in the home which distributes fresh air throughout the home to keep it comfortable year-round. When mold begins to grow and has contaminated the ductwork, vents, or registers, the mold spores begin to quickly be spread throughout the home.

The spreading of the mold spores throughout the air in your home can cause the infiltration of mold to show up in other places where there is moisture present and can cause respiratory allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to mold. The reaction that many people experience from a mold allergy can be similar to seasonal allergies.

Stop the mold contamination in your ductwork!
Professional Duct Coating and Duct CleaningIf you have mold in the duct system in your home it is important to have the air ducts thoroughly cleaned and remediated by a professional duct cleaning company. They will use a HEPA Vac and a HEPA Air Sweeper to properly clean your ductwork of all major contaminants.

After the ductwork is cleaned your duct cleaning company may offer you a duct coating service to prevent future spreading of mold. The ducts can be coated with an anti-microbial coating which protects the spread of mold and odor causing bacteria on the interior surface of your HVAC duct system.

http://seccohome.com/indoor-air-quality/mold-contamination-in-your-ductwork/

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Emergency Preparedness

1/4/2017 (Permalink)

Emergency situations can arise due to causes such as natural disasters, floods, earthquakes, fires, workplace violence, terrorism or crime. Planning for an emergency has a number of benefits. Staff and volunteers know what to do in the event of an emergency. They can assist clients and visitors in evacuating the building and they can be of assistance to emergency personnel when they arrive on the scene. At the very least, they should know to evacuate the building and stay outside until the ?all clear? is signaled.
Emergency Evacuation Planning
Emergency action plans are required to describe the routes to use and procedures to be followed by employees. Also procedures for accounting for all evacuated employees must be part of the plan. The written plan must be available for employee review. Where needed, special procedures for helping physically impaired employees (and service recipients must be addressed in the plan; also, the plan must include procedures for those employees who must remain behind temporarily to shut down critical plant equipment before they evacuate.
The preferred means of alerting employees to a fire emergency must be part of the plan and an employee alarm system must be available throughout the workplace complex and must be used for emergency alerting for evacuation. The alarm system may be voice communication or sound signals such as bells, whistles or horns. Employees must recognize and respond to the evacuation signal.
Should evacuation be necessary, staff members should know to go to the nearest exit or stairway and proceed to an area of refuge outside the building. Most stairways are fire resistant and present barriers to smoke if the doors are kept closed.
Do not use elevators.
Should the fire involve the control panel of the elevator or the electrical system of the building, power in the building may be cut and you could be trapped between floors. Also, the elevator shaft can become a flue, lending itself to the passage and accumulation of hot gases and smoke generated by the fire.
Training
Training of all employees in what is to be done in an emergency is required. Supervisors must review the plan with newly assigned employees so they know correct actions in an emergency and with all employees when the plan is changed.
Evacuation Checklist
Shut down computer.
Turn off lights.
Close windows.
Assist clients and other staff, as needed or assigned.
Close doors behind you as you leave (do not lock).
Follow escape route.
Meet at predetermined assembly point. Have an alternate location identified if for some reason the primary assembly point is either unavailable or unsafe.
Make certain everyone is accounted for (those on vacation, at meetings outside the building, at home, ill and present).
Do NOT go back into the building.
DO report where any unaccounted for person routinely would have been when the alarm rang to a person with authority, who will tell the firefighter.
Where required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), organizations with more than 10 employees must have a written emergency action plan; smaller organizations may communicate their plans orally. (See 29 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 1910.38(a) for further information.) Essential to an effective emergency action plan are top management support and commitment and the involvement of all employees.
Management should review plans with employees initially and whenever the plan itself, or employees responsibilities under it, change. Plans should be re-evaluated and updated periodically.
Emergency procedures, including the handling of any toxic chemicals, should include:
Escape procedures and escape route assignments.
Special procedures for employees who perform or shut down critical plant operations.
A system to account for all employees after evacuation.
Rescue and medical duties for employees who perform them.
Means for reporting fires and other emergencies.
Contacts for information about the plan.
Emergency Response Teams
Members of emergency response teams should be thoroughly trained for potential emergencies and physically capable of carrying out their duties; know about toxic hazards in the workplace and be able to judge when to evacuate personnel or depend on outside help (e.g. when a fire is too large for them to handle). One or more teams must be trained in:
Use of various types of fire extinguishers.
First aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The requirements of the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard.
Shutdown procedures.
Nose Counts
A system should be established for accounting for personnel once workers have been evacuated with a person in the control center responsible for notifying police or emergency response team members of persons believed missing.
Duplicate Records
Effective security procedures, such as cordoned off areas, can prevent unauthorized access and protect vital records and equipment. Duplicate records for essential accounting files, legal documents and lists of employees? relatives to be notified in case of emergency can be kept in off-site locations.
Training
Every employee needs to know details of the emergency action plan, including evacuation plans, alarm systems, reporting procedures for personnel, shutdown procedures, and types of potential emergencies. Drills should be held at random intervals, at least annually, and include, if possible, outside police and fire authorities.
Training must be conducted initially, when new employees are hired, and at least annually. Additional training is needed when new equipment, materials, or processes are introduced, when procedures have been updated or revised, or when exercises show that employee performance is inadequate.
It is essential that first aid supplies are available to the trained medical personnel, that emergency phone numbers are placed in conspicuous places near or on telephones, and prearranged ambulance services for any emergency are available.

https://nonprofitrisk.org/tools/workplace-safety/nonprofit/c4/911.htm

How do hurricanes form?

1/3/2017 (Permalink)

Hurricanes begin when areas of low atmospheric pressure move off Africa and into the Atlantic, where they grow and intensify in the moisture-laden air above the warm tropical ocean. Air moves toward these atmospheric lows from all directions and curves to the right under the influence of the Coriolis effect, thereby initiating rotation in the converging windfields. When these hot, moist air masses meet, they rise up into the atmosphere above the low pressure area, potentially establishing a self-reinforcing feedback system that produces weather systems known to meteorologists as tropical disturbances, tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes.

Fortunately, fewer than 10 percent of disturbances grow into hurricanes. Development of a full-fledged hurricane requires a rare combination of atmospheric events. First, the tropical disturbance must produce converging air masses. Second, the converging air must rise — but not in an area where there are either strong winds or descending air masses aloft. Hurricane development requires both an organized pattern of convection that is destroyed by upper atmosphere winds, as well as unstable air masses in the upper atmosphere that can carry rising surface air away from the upper end of the developing storm.

If these three phenomena occur together, a self-sustaining circulation develops in which moist surface air rises and its moisture condenses, releasing latent heat that warms the upper atmosphere. The heated atmosphere creates lift that extends the low pressure area upward and further reduces its already low pressure. As winds in the upper atmosphere carry moist air away from this growing cylinder of low pressure, dry warm air from above can enter the center of the cylinder, ultimately reaching the sea surface and forming the cloud-free area known as the eye of the hurricane.

A system of this type will continue to intensify as long as the upper-level outflow of air exceeds low-level inflow. The relationship between inflow and outflow is controlled by the heat content of the ocean water and the latent heat contained in the moisture in the rising air. In other words, once formed, hurricane circulation will continue as long as the storm is over warm water, has access to moist air, and doesn’t drift into areas where upper-level winds can tear it apart.

Florida Forest Service Sets National Prescribed Fire Record

1/3/2017 (Permalink)

The Florida Forest Service has announced that more than 246,000 acres of Florida state forests were treated with prescribed fire last year, the highest number ever reported by any state forestry agency in the country. The Florida Forest Service administers the top prescribed fire program in the nation. Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk.

"Fortunately, there were many days last year that exhibited conditions favorable for prescribed fire. Conditions can change quickly and drastically in Florida, so the Florida Forest Service has made it a priority to take advantage of favorable conditions whenever they are present,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester and NASF President.

Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to protect Florida’s homes, structures and valuable natural resources by reducing the buildup of flammable plant materials. The reduction of this hazardous buildup results in increased wildfire safety for surrounding areas. In addition, many of Florida’s plant and animal communities, such as its deer and quail populations, are dependent on the regular occurrence of fire for a healthy existence. Prescribed fires mimic this natural process, returning nutrients to the soil, providing better forage for wildlife and livestock, and helping control certain plant and tree diseases. Prescribed fires also help preserve rare and endangered plant and animal species including as the Yellow Fringeless Orchid found on the Blackwater River State Forest.

Because of prescribed fire’s important role in Florida’s ecosystems, the Florida Forest Service works hand-in-hand with private landowners and partnering agencies to promote the use of prescribed fire throughout Florida. In addition to its record breaking state forest prescribed fire program, the Florida Forest Service boasts the most active overall statewide prescribed burning program in the nation.

As the managing agency for all outdoor burning within the state of Florida, the Florida Forest Service provides a unique program that trains and verifies individuals as Certified Prescribed Burn Managers. This program helps to promote and increase the use of prescribed fire on private forest lands in Florida. Anyone who uses prescribed fire or conducts controlled burns on a regular basis should consider enrolling in this useful and educational program.

Certified Prescribed Burn Managers receive certain extra privileges such as liability protections, additional burn time and permission to obtain nighttime burning authorizations (when favorable conditions are present). Certified Prescribed Burn Managers also have the advantage of being able to submit open burn authorization requests online. Further information and application forms can be found at www.FloridaForestService.com or by contacting the Withlacoochee Training Center at (352) 797-4172.

The Florida Forest Service manages more than one million acres of public forestland while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire. To learn more about Florida Forest Service programs, visit www.FloridaForestService.com.

- See more at: http://www.stateforesters.org/news-events/blog/florida-forest-service-sets-national-prescribed-fire-record#sthash.TutqbDGs.dpuf

How to Locate Leaks with a Moisture Meter

1/3/2017 (Permalink)

When it comes to leaks in a structure, whether that structure is an office or a home, timeliness is of the utmost importance in minimizing the cost of a leak. Leaks not only add to the cost of a utility bill, the damage caused by water intrusion into the structure can require thousands of dollars of remediation and repair.
For many common leaks, finding and fixing the source of the problem is relatively straightforward. For example, a leaky faucet or shower head might require the tightening or replacement of a seal, and the source of the leak is in plain sight. However, not all leaks occur in simple, easy to reach or see spots. Sometimes, water intrusion occurs in places where you cannot immediately see it, such as behind a wall or in the ceiling, where the visible signs of a leak might not appear right away.

Moisture meters are a very helpful tool for detecting the presence of moisture in building materials, and for helping to pinpoint the source of that moisture intrusion, even when the origin point may be out of sight.

“How so,” you ask?

Tracing Leaks in Dry Plaster, Brick, and Concrete
Masonry materials such as dry plaster, brick, and concrete typically have very little moisture in them. Sometimes, when these materials are tested with a moisture meter in a reference scale mode, there is so little moisture that the meter cannot detect it.
Thankfully, if you find moisture in one of these materials, there’s a trick you can use to pinpoint the origin point of a leak in masonry materials. To pull it off, you’ll need the following:

A nail, one made of a ductile metal.
Insulated wire.
A pin-type moisture meter such as the BD 2100.
To start the process, drive the nail into the area of the masonry that you know to be wet. Then, attach the insulated wire to the nail and one of the meter’s contact pins.
Once the wire is attached to one of the contact pins, apply the other pin to different parts of the wall where you suspect the leak may be originating from. If the meter gives a “wet” response, the wall is wet between the two contact points. If the meter gives a “dry” response, the material is not in the path of a leak.

Repeat the test until you’ve identified the limit of the “wet” response area.

This trick should help you pinpoint the origin point of a leak behind a masonry wall.

Testing Insulation for Moisture
Wet insulation loses its ability to keep a building's temperature stable, and can become a mold colony if given enough time.When loosely-packed insulation gets wet, the moisture not only ruins the value of the insulation as a means to keep the temperature of a building stable, that insulation becomes a potential host for mold. Over time, the moisture trapped in insulation will begin to affect the structures that the insulation is in contact with, causing damage.
To test insulation, you will want to use a moisture meter with extended-length probes such as Delmhorst’s 21-E electrode with #608 pins, which are insulated pins that penetrate to 3 1/4” deep (6” penetration type also available). Because only the tips of these pins are uninsulated, you’ll be able to identify just how deep into the insulation the moisture pocket goes.

While you won’t have to tear down the whole wall to get at the insulation to start testing, you will need to drill two holes that are 3/16” in diameter, set one inch apart in your siding or drywall. Once the holes have been drilled, push the pins into the holes and start taking readings at different depths using the reference scale setting of your meter. The reference scale setting will give you a qualitative reading of whether or not moisture is present in the material being tested.

When you’re finished taking readings, seal the holes that were drilled with an appropriate filler.

Depending on the distribution of moisture in the insulation, you may be able to establish whether the moisture is the result of a leak or if it is caused by condensation.

In side walls and roof insulation, moisture intrusion is generally the result of leaks in the roof or other structural defects in the side walls that allow water (such as from melting snow & ice) to penetrate the structure. During cold weather, water vapor in the air will condense, with some remaining trapped in the insulation.

Generally speaking, when moisture intrusion comes from a pipe leak in the wall, you’ll see much higher concentrations of moisture below the pipe, with little moisture being present in material above the pipe.

By using moisture meters to help you pinpoint the location of a leak in your structure, you can save time and money by letting your plumber or restoration professional know where the leak is coming from. The less time they have to spend looking for a leak, the lower your cost for labor will be.

BUSINESS CHECKLIST FOR FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY

12/29/2016 (Permalink)

Whether you are the Head Honcho or one of the all-important cogs that makes the wheels of efficiency and profitability turn smoothly you have some measure of responsibility for keeping your workplace safe. Many fire departments provide special training for businesses. As the slogan goes, learn not to burn!

Employees in small and large businesses have responsibilities related to fire and life safety. Employers and supervisors must be certain their co-workers are well informed, trained and prepared. Fire can happen anytime anywhere. Every business has potential fire hazards. All employees should keep fire protection and fire and life safety near the top of their list of concerns.

Perhaps your fellow workers should conduct a survey to gather ideas about potential hazards unique to your workplace. Meanwhile, here’s a list of things every business should consider:

Does your workplace have a fire safety plan?
When was the last time your fire safety plan was reviewed and updated?
Is the staff trained based on the plan?
Do you have a well-rehearsed evacuation plan?
Do employees know where to gather after an evacuation?
Does your workplace or business take advantage of fire and safety services training provided by the fire department?
Are differently abled employees prepared and capable of evacuating safely?
Are their fellow employees ready to assist them if necessary?
Are your local fire protection professionals aware of any potential hazards in your workplace?
Do you have a functioning and regularly tested fire alarm system?
Do employees know how to activate the fire alarm?
Are employees familiar with the sound emitted by the fire alarm system?
Are smoke detectors and sprinkler systems in good working order?
Are electrical outlets overloaded?
Are heat generating office machines and other devices placed safely and operated according to manufacturer’s instructions?
Are flammable materials labeled correctly and stored safely?
Are your stairways uncluttered and safe?
Are your hallways and passageways kept free of flammable materials and clutter?
Are all exits clearly marked and free from obstructions?
Do employees know what to do when they smell smoke?
Do employees know not to use elevators if a fire breaks out?
Do smokers on your staff practice fire safety?
Are employees trained to use fire extinguishers?
Do employees know a fire extinguisher is only effective on small fires?
When was the last time your fire extinguishers were inspected?

FLOOD SAFETY ADVICE

12/29/2016 (Permalink)

Flood Safety!

The most important thing to consider when entering a flood damaged property is safety. There can and will be hazards all around, from problems with electrical items and natural gas appliances to contaminated water, mold and much, much more. This is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of precautions, but a list of things you might not think about. Please use common sense before entering the property. If it doesn’t appear safe, DO NOT ENTER. Call a professional to make sure.

Before you turn anything on or plug in an appliance, have an electrician check the house wiring and appliances to make sure it is safe to use.
If any of the appliances have been under water, have them dried out and reconditioned by a qualified service repairman. Do not use any electrical appliance that has not been checked out or reconditioned because it poses an electrical shock hazard and could overheat the appliance and cause a fire.
If you use any electrical equipment for cleanup, i.e. wet-dry vacuum, power tools etc. be sure they are plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). Do not allow power cords to be submerged or wet. Never remove or bypass the ground pin on a three-pronged plug in order to insert it into a non-grounded outlet. Electrical circuit breakers and fuses that have been submerged need to be discarded and replaced with new.
Have all gas appliances (LP and natural gas) inspected and serviced before using. This includes gas furnaces, water heaters, cook stoves etc. If they were underwater have the gas controls replaced. Water and silt can damage gas controls and cause them to not operate properly. If you smell gas or hear it escaping, turn off the main line valve, open windows, and leave the area. Call the gas company and report the problem. Never use any electrical appliance, turn lights on or off, light a match, or us the telephone. These all may produce sparks.
Smoke detectors need to be tested before and after any work is done in the house. Smoke detectors can save your life in case of fire or smoke.
Many deaths have occurred during cleanup work while burning charcoal for cooking and staying warm. Never burn charcoal appliances inside homes, mobile homes, garages, cars, trucks, tents, or campers. Charcoal gives off carbon monoxide when burned. Carbon monoxide is odorless and can kill you.
Remember to keep household chemicals and medicines locked up or stored out of children’s reach.

Problems with Stormwater Pollution

12/21/2016 (Permalink)

Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. The runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal waters. To protect these resources, communities, construction companies, industries, and others, use stormwater controls, known as best management practices (BMPs). These BMPs filter out pollutants and/or prevent pollution by controlling it at its source.
The NPDES stormwater program regulates some stormwater discharges from three potential sources: municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), construction activities, and industrial activities. Operators of these sources might be required to obtain an NPDES permit before they can discharge stormwater. This permitting mechanism is designed to prevent stormwater runoff from washing harmful pollutants into local surface waters.
Authorization Status for EPA's Stormwater Construction and Industrial Programs – Most states are authorized to implement the stormwater NPDES permitting program. EPA remains the permitting authority in a few states, territories, and on most land in Indian Country.
Population growth and the development of urban/urbanized areas are major contributors to the amount of pollutants in the runoff as well as the volume and rate of runoff from impervious surfaces. Together, they can cause changes in hydrology and water quality that result in habitat modification and loss, increased flooding, decreased aquatic biological diversity, and increased sedimentation and erosion. The benefits of effective stormwater runoff management can include:
protection of wetlands and aquatic ecosystems,
improved quality of receiving waterbodies,
conservation of water resources,
protection of public health, and
flood control.
Traditional stormwater management approaches that rely on peak flow storage have generally not targeted pollutant reduction and can exacerbate problems associated with changes in hydrology and hydraulics.

Three Actions to Take Now to Prepare for Hurricane Season

10/10/2016 (Permalink)

Today we released the 2016 National Preparedness Report, an important guidepost in our work to build a stronger, more resilient America. The findings of this year’s report are significant. This vital information is analyzed to gauge the progress that community partners—including all levels of government, private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, communities, and individuals—are making to prepare for a wide array of threats and hazards. We should be prepared for all hazards, from hurricanes and tornadoes to earthquakes and terrorist attacks.

The good news is that this year’s report shows an increase in community resilience over the past three years. This matters because we know that the more resilient communities are before a disaster hits, the faster and stronger they’ll bounce back if disaster strikes. The bad news is that this year’s report also shows that the percentage of Americans who have developed and discussed a household emergency plan with their families has fallen for two years in a row. We must avoid becoming complacent in taking deliberate steps to be prepared for the unexpected.

Being prepared for disasters is a shared responsibility among all of us. And today, as we mark the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, I want to encourage everyone – families, communities and businesses - to take action now to prepare.

We’ve been lucky over the past several years. The United States has not had a significant impact from a hurricane or tropical storm since Hurricane Sandy struck in 2012. But luck isn’t a strategy when it comes to being ready. As we’ve seen too many times before, all it takes is one major hurricane or tropical storm to devastate a community, neighborhood, or family.

When a hurricane hits, it can bring high winds, heavy rainfall, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, and even tornadoes. Storm surge produced by hurricanes poses the greatest threat to life and property along the coast. The destructive power of storm surge can travel several miles inland, and large battering waves can result in loss of life, buildings destroyed and road and bridge damage along coastal areas. That’s why if you live in an area where hurricanes are a threat, you need to know where you’d go before the danger arrives and makes evacuation impossible.

We are not powerless against the threat of these disasters. Here are three simple steps you should take today to prepare:

Know your evacuation zone. Evacuation zones are areas that may be impacted by hurricane flooding. Many communities have designated evacuation zones and routes to get citizens to safety. This information can often be found on the websites of your state, county, or town emergency management offices. If a hurricane threatens your community and local officials say it's time to evacuate, don't wait.
Download the FEMA app. With the FEMA smartphone app you’ll have all the information you need to know what to do before, during, and after a hurricane. You can also receive weather alerts in your area from NOAA’s National Weather Service, find lifesaving safety tips, and have access to disaster resources should you need them. You can download the app from the Apple App store or the Google Play store. The FEMA app is also available in Spanish.
Make a plan and build a kit. When a hurricane hits, communications systems can go out, transportation can be limited, and it could be days before emergency responders are able to reach your community if you need help. Making a plan - and practicing that plan - helps to ensure you and your family are safe and ready for these challenges. Your plan should include:
Family communication plan: Talk with your family members about how you will contact one another in an emergency. Know how you will check in with family members in different locations, how you will care for children or members with access and functional needs, and how your family will get in touch if cell phone, internet, or landlines don’t work.
Emergency Supply Kit: A ‘go kit’ is a bag that contains basic items you and your family may need, during an emergency. Kits should contain non-perishable food, water, and other supplies, such as flashlights, local maps, and a battery-powered radio, to last you and your family for at least 72 hours. Visit Ready.gov for a complete list of items.
Pets: Many local shelters do not permit pets, but laws require them to accept service animals. Know what you will do with your pet if you need to evacuate.
We want everyone to enjoy the summer without having to worry about what to do when severe weather threatens. The best way to do that is to prepare now and know what you’re going to do in the event of a hurricane. Planning ahead gives you more options and better control over situations that could become chaotic at the last moment if you’re not ready. To learn more about how to prepare for a hurricane visit ready.gov/hurricanes.

What to do after the fire

10/10/2016 (Permalink)

Recovering from a fire can be a physically and mentally draining process.

When fire strikes, lives are suddenly turned around. Often, the hardest part is knowing where to begin and who to contact.

Contact your insurance company or agent right away.

Ask your agent:

What to do about the immediate needs of your home. This includes pumping out water and covering doors, windows, and other openings.
What you should do first. Some companies may ask you to make a list of everything that was damaged by the fire. They will ask you to describe these in detail and say how much you paid for the items.
Entering the home after the fire:

Do not enter a damaged home or apartment unless the fire department says it is safe to go in!
Fires can start again even if they appear to be out.
Soot and dirty water left behind may contain things that could make you sick. Do not eat, drink, or breathe in anything that has been near the fire’s flames, smoke, soot, or water used to put the fire out.
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The big benefit of plain water.

10/10/2016 (Permalink)

“Water, water, every where, nor any drop to drink.” Unlike Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner, who was surrounded by undrinkable salt water, most Americans have an unlimited supply of clean water to quench our thirsts.

Yet many of us turn a blind eye to it and instead reach for other beverages throughout the day, like sodas, juices, coffee, and tea, despite warnings from health experts over recent years about the added calories in sweetened beverages and the health benefits of plain water.

Now a recent study in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics provides even more evidence that we should choose water over other drinks if we want to control our weight. For the study, researchers from the University of Illinois looked at data on the eating (and drinking) habits of 18,311 adults as recorded in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2005 and 2012.

Survey participants were asked to recall their dietary intake over two separate days. They reported their consumption of plain water (which included tap water, water from fountains and water coolers, and bottled water) as well as their consumption of other beverages like soda, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened bottled waters. Participants were also questioned about their intake of “energy-dense, nutrient-poor” foods, like cookies, ice cream, chips, and pastries.

On average, participants drank 4.2 cups of plain water a day and took in 2,157 calories. About 125 of those calories came from sweetened beverages, and about 432 calories came from energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods.

The researchers found that the participants who drank the most plain water in their daily diet consumed fewer total calories, drank fewer sweetened beverages, and took in less total fat, saturated fat, sugar, salt, and cholesterol. In fact, they discovered that increasing plain water consumption by one to three cups a day could decrease calorie intake by 68 to 205 calories a day. That could add up to a lot fewer calories over time — and result in significant weight loss.

These results support prior research on this topic, which has shown that drinking water before meals and that substituting water for sweetened beverages can cut down on calorie intake and improve weight control. That means people interested in losing weight and improving their overall health could benefit from incorporating more plain water into their daily diet.

So next time you’re thirsty, instead of ignoring your kitchen sink at home or the bubbler at work, take a moment to savor the one drink that’s free, refreshing, and actually good for us: plain old water.

The 

What to do before during and after.

10/10/2016 (Permalink)

Floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States. Flood effects can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or widespread, affecting entire river basins and multiple states.

Not all floods are alike. Some develop slowly, sometimes over a period of days. But flash floods can develop quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes and without any visible signs of rain. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water that carries rocks, mud, and other debris and can sweep away most things in its path.

Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, but especially if you live in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Every state is at risk from this hazard.

BEFORE A FLOOD

Avoid building in a flood-prone area unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent water from backing up into the drains of your home.
Contact community officials to find out if they are planning to construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop water from entering the homes in your area.
Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
DURING A FLOOD

If a flood is likely in your area, you should:

Listen to the radio or television for information.
Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of that in your area, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.
If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following:

Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:
Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
Do not drive into flooded areas. If flood waters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.
AFTER A FLOOD

The following are guidelines for the period following a flood:

Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
Avoid flood waters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
Avoid moving water.
Be aware of areas where flood waters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by flood waters.
Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.
Floods and flash floods occur within all 50 states and can be extremely dangerous. They are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters next to fire, so knowledge and preparation is extremely important and will help keep losses to a minimum.

Source: www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm

7 things you should do following a flood.

10/10/2016 (Permalink)

Flooding can be a scary, dangerous disaster, and if not dealt with swiftly and properly after the fact, you could be in for even more lingering effects. It is recommended to bring your home back into good repair as soon as you can, so as to protect your health (such as from mold) as well as preventing further damage.

But how do you do that? Great question. Let’s dive in (pun intended) and learn more about what you should do following a flood. Floodsmart.gov has many great suggestions, some of which we’ll be looking at in this article.

Take Pictures

While you will probably want to share your experience on social media, the pictures you take of the damages can - and should - be used by your insurance company when processing your claims. So before you start cleaning out and clearing up, make sure you photograph the mess your home is in, or else risk losing out on some coverage.

Stay Healthy

Floodsmart.gov recommends boiling all water for drinking and cooking until local authorities deem your water supply is safe. Because flood water can bring in a host of contaminates (including sewage, muck, and other things you don’t want in your system), you’ll want to make sure you have a way to treat your water before drinking it. Otherwise, be prepared to get a lot of bottled water from the store.

Since flood water can be super nasty, it’s best to wear rubber boots to keep the water away from your skin. Likewise, wear gloves and other protective clothing while working to clear your house of leftover water and debris.

Keep Power Off

If you’re wading around in your flooded home, the last thing you want is to be zapped by a live current. Turn your power off and you’ll be just fine.

Remove Wet Contents Immediately

Mold grows quickly

, so make sure you get rid of all your wet belongings to avoid as much as possible. Washing walls and floor will also help keep mold out. Unfortunately, in order to clean floors, you might have to tear it out and replace it. But that’s better than leaving a flooded floor inside and having mold grow underneath it, which will cause health problems later on.

File an Insurance Claim

This goes without saying, but you need to have a flood insurance policy before you can actually file a claim. And remember, that policy needs to be purchased at least 30 days before a flood, or else the claim is void.

Remove Water

Unless you’re happy with your new built-in swimming pool, it’s time to remove the water from your home. Buckets are one way to bail out your home, but a more effective way is to use a sump pump. You can find these at most home supply stores. A wet vac is also necessary to dry up that water, which will also help reduce mold growth.

Avoid Flooded Water

Lastly, avoid flood water in streets, yards, or anywhere else. Dangerous debris can harm you. If you get cut while standing in that water the dirty, deadly contaminants and organisms can creep in to your wound and infect it, compromising your health. Flood waters may also continue to have a strong current, and even shallow water can sweep you off your feet. So be very careful around flood waters.

Floods are the most common disaster in the United States and can be very dangerous and devastating. Make sure you know what to do following a flood before it happens, so when it does come you can go right to work.

Do new rules make Florida water safer or more toxic?

10/10/2016 (Permalink)

The agency charged with protecting it says it's very safe, especially with the approval this week of a new rule that imposes limits on 39 additional toxic substances and updates allowed limits on 43 other chemicals dumped into Florida's rivers, streams and coastal waters.

"Each and every criterion protects Floridians, according to both EPA and the World Health Organization," the Department of Environmental Protection said last week after the governor's Environmental Regulation Commission approved the new water quality rule on a narrow 3-2 vote.

But environmentalists are so convinced that Florida's water will be further harmed, they are ready to go to war.

They say the new rules allow for higher levels of carcinogens and chemicals that can disrupt natural hormones to be discharged into Florida waters. They claim that weak enforcement by the Department of Environmental Protection already fails to shield Florida's drinking water from health-harming contaminants.

"That policy now says that more Floridians are expendable to cancer and other serious health diseases in order for industries to be more profitable," said Linda Young, executive director of the Florida Clean Water Network, which tried and failed to get the commission to reject the DEP's proposed rule.

The rule updates the state's water quality standards for the first time since 1992 by allowing for 23 toxics, including 18 carcinogens, to be discharged from industrial polluters at higher levels. The chemicals are among those released by oil and gas drilling companies, dry cleaners, pulp and paper producers, electricity plants, wastewater treatment plants and agriculture.

Under the new rules, at least 10 chemicals will now be allowed to be discharged into drinking water sources in amounts that exceed current drinking water standards.

"That means, if the new criteria goes into effect, then those waters could have higher levels of those chemicals than it is legal to send to homes for drinking," Young said. "So the utilities would have to get those chemicals out before putting it in our tap water.''

The Clean Water Network and numerous other environmental groups are asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reject the rule and order the state to revise it.

Florida regulators test the water bodies once every five years. They allow industries to release toxics into rivers and aquifers daily based on permits. The industries report to the DEP on how well they meet the discharge goals, and the agency orders corrective action if it believes a company has exceeded the limits.

If the EPA approves the new rules, chemicals such as benzene, beryllium, trichloroethane, dichloroeylene and at least six other toxic substances will be allowed at levels higher than what the state considers safe for drinking water, agency records show.

If there are more toxics in Florida's drinking water sources, utility companies must clean the water before piping it into homes, said Dee Ann Miller, a DEP spokesperson.

Take benzene, for example. The chemical is used as a solvent and degreaser of metals and is often found in oil and gas drilling operations, in gasoline and has been found to get into groundwater from leaking underground petroleum tanks.

The federal government uses two rules to regulate benzene and dozens of other hazardous chemicals in water. One is the Safe Drinking Water Act and the other is the Clean Water Act. EPA's recommended standard for benzene in tap water is 0, but the maximum level it will allow is 0.005 micrograms per liter.

Florida has set its benzene standard for drinking water higher than zero but lower than the maximum allowed by EPA. The DEP has set the safe standard at 0.001 parts per million, or 0.001 micrograms per liter.

That means that water coming out of your tap must have no more than 0.001 micrograms of benzene per liter "to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health effects," according to the DEP.

Under federal Clean Water Act standards, benzene and other chemicals are allowed at higher levels — ranging from a low of 0.58 micrograms per liter to 21 micrograms per liter, said Miller.

The current law allows for 1.18 micrograms of benzene per liter in drinking water sources. The new rules would double that level to 2 micrograms per liter, forcing water companies to clean it even more than they currently do.

Bart Bibler, a former water regulator at the DEP and former bureau chief of the water program at the Department of Health, warns that while the new regulations assume that water utilities will remove the higher levels of chemicals from Florida waters, there is nothing that protects the 4 million Floridians who rely on private water wells.

"These wells aren't tested; they're essentially unregulated," Bibler said. "Nobody is notifying them to be on alert that the chemical compounds are increasing."

9 Fire Safety Tips

10/7/2016 (Permalink)

Keep your family safe: Practice fire safety

It must be fire safety month at Safe Sound Family, because clearly, I have fire on the brain. I don’t want to be alarmist (haha), as that is truly not my intent. It’s just that my parents once taught me that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and I can’t think of many situations in which that idiom rings truer than it does with fire prevention and safety.

So think of today as your Cliff’s Notes to fire safety – a quick & dirty guide to protect your family from the dangers of faulty electronics, flammable goods, lightening storms, and wayward appliances.

1. Educate Your Kids

Kids have an awesome capacity for learning and understanding, so school them in fire safety. Children do really well with mnemonics and mantras and other tools to jog their memories in case of emergency. (For some specific tips, check out our article on fire prevention for kids or our comprehensive guide to Fire Safety for Kids.)

2. Smoke Alarms & Fire Extinguishers

You should have at least one smoke alarm per level of your home, plus extras in every sleeping area and near the kitchen. You should also have at least one fire extinguisher in your home, and preferably one per floor. Check smoke alarm batteries & extinguisher pressure regularly, and change batteries at least twice a year. (Read more about smoke detector placement & maintenance.)

3. Fire Sprinklers

Did you know you can get fire sprinklers installed in your home? I know, sounds fancy schmancy, but they’re actually quite affordable. In fact, once you factor in insurance discounts and increased property values, home fire sprinklers are actually a great investment in your family’s safety.

Kids are great – and eager – allies in your family’s fire safety plan

4. Plan Your Escape

You may not want to think about it, but you do need to create an emergency escape plan in case of fire.

5. Appliances & Electrical Safety

Nearly half of all house fires are attributed to faulty appliances, electronics, and electrical wiring. Practice proper electrical safety at home, including regular safety checks.

6. In the Kitchen

Okay, the number one fire safety tip in the kitchen is never leave your cooking unattended! Even if it’s just a turkey roasting for hours in the oven, don’t leave the house. If you’re using the stovetop, take extra precautions and move flammable materials (napkins, oven mitts, etc.) to a safe distance.

7. Smokers, Be Safe

If you smoke, you need to follow extra safety precautions. Keep lighters and matches out of reach of little hands. Always be sure to stub out your cigarettes thoroughly (or douse them in water). Never smoke near oxygen tanks, aerosol cans, or other flammable materials. Don’t smoke in bed.

8. Lightening

I don’t know about you but for me, lightening is both awesome and terrifying. A lightening storm, especially at night, is absolutely gorgeous. But it’s also potentially dangerous, so remember to stay inside. Stay away from water (don’t even wash your hands). Don’t use electronics. And if you feel your hair stand on end, lightening is about to strike. Duck! (Not kidding.)

9. Fire Protection Systems

Think of it like this: fire protection is to smoke alarms what a home security system is to DIY door sensors. In other words, a fire protection system links your smoke alarms to a security company, so they can monitor your home while you’re at work or on vacation, or can call the fire department in an emergency. Fire protection means someone else is looking out for your family, too.

After the Storm: How to Check Your Property for Damage

10/7/2016 (Permalink)

Conduct a Storm Damage Inspection

The beauty of spring is often tempered by powerful storms, with heavy rains, strong winds and destructive hail. Through it all, your home protects you from the elements, so be sure to check it for damage afterward.

Even if you have no reason to suspect that damage occurred, check your home and its surroundings (once it’s safe to do so, of course). It’s important to identify problems, make emergency repairs and determine if an insurance claim is necessary.

Here’s a handy list of things to check after a storm from the National Storm Damage Center:

Roof

Your roof might be the area of your home most vulnerable to damage in a storm, because so many things can impact it. Whether you’ve had high winds and downed tree branches or just a simple hailstorm, look for these indicators of damage:

• Holes in the roof 
• Split seams
• Missing shingles
• Leaks in your roof or ceiling

Building Exteriors

While siding, stucco and brick all are durable, they also are susceptible to storm damage. In some instances, homeowners don’t notice until it’s too late to file a claim, so check carefully for:

• Cracking, chipping or dings and dents on siding. Even if there doesn’t appear to be damage at first, check again at a different time of day. You may see something you missed when the lighting is different.

• Holes in stucco. This is a serious problem, even when small, so look closely. If you find holes, have a professional conduct a full property inspection.
• Damaged brick and tuck pointing. While brick typically holds up well, a check can identify any problem areas.
• Detached or damaged trim, gutters, etc.

Driveways and Walkways

Concrete can chip, crack and split, not only reducing the lifespan of your driveway or walkway, but potentially creating a safety issue.

Trees

Fallen trees and limbs cause more than $1 billion in damage each year, according to the National Storm Damage Center. Keep in mind that property owners generally are responsible for removing trees and limbs that have fallen on their property, even if it is a tree from a neighbor’s yard. Your insurance policy may help to cover the cost of removal and repairs, depending on the coverage you have and the circumstances of the incident. (There are exceptions to this, depending on the maintenance of the tree, so check with your insurance agent.)

General Tips

• Severe storms often will knock down power lines. If this happens on your property, rope off 30 feet in each direction around the line and do not touch it. Call 911 and the power company immediately.
• Be sure to do a full check of your property, including things such as your air-conditioning unit, fences, vent caps, etc. And don’t forget to check your vehicles if they were not garaged at the time of the storm.
• Don’t forget the crawl space. “Most people don’t ever look down there,” according to J. Szczesny, owner of 4 Seasons Home Inspections in Seattle and a Certified Master Inspector. “You need to be sure no water is getting in, and, if it is, make sure it is removed quickly via a sump pump or underground drainage system.”
• Take pictures of all damage from different angles. You want to document as much as possible.

Finally, knowing the details of your homeowners coverage, your limits and your deductibles can help you during the insurance claims process. It’s a great idea to examine your policy and know what your homeowners insurance covers now, before the storm.

How Professionals Remove Bathroom Mold

9/26/2016 (Permalink)

How Professionals Remove Bathroom Mold

Author: Tidal Wave Response

Mold and humans can be a winning combination: experts estimate that penicillin has saved more than 80 million lives since it was discovered in the 1940s. However, penicillin isn’t the type of mold growing in your bathroom. At Tidal Wave Response, our teams know the mold that is likely to grow in damp places like bathrooms can have serious health consequences for the people exposed to it, including throat irritation, coughing, eye irritation and nasal stuffiness.

This is one reason it’s critical to remove and treat any area of your home if you discover mold growing there. Professional mold removal services in Alpharetta use a variety of techniques to eliminate toxic mold from homes. Removal techniques largely depend on where the mold is growing.  Here are a few of the ways the pros deal with the problem.

Drywall

Mold growing on unpainted drywall can’t be eliminated. The drywall must be removed and replaced. That doesn’t necessarily mean knocking down walls; if the mold growth is recognized in a timely fashion, affected portions of the drywall can be carefully sliced out using a utility knife. And then it’s simply a matter of patching the spot.

When mold appears on a painted or primed all, the mold is likely just growing on the surface. Removing it may be as simple as using a mold-killing cleaning solution to wipe down the wall.

Carpet or Rugs

If you noticed mold growing on wall-to-wall carpeting, you’ll have to toss the carpet. There is no way to eliminate mold from fixed carpets, and allowing it to remain or ignoring the problem isn’t really an option either as mold will continue to grow.

Rugs can be cleaned, however. Professionals use a mold-killing solution to douse the rug and then scrub the mold away. Typically, they’ll take the rug outdoors to allow it to dry in the sun. Once it’s completely dry, the rug should be vacuumed with a HEPA vacuum to remove any mold spores that may have been left behind.

Tiles and Grout

Mold growing on tiles or in the grout require elbow grease and a mold-killing cleaning solution. Tiles are scrubbed completely, but if there’s much mold in the grout, the grout may have to be bleached to remove mold stains. Once the stains and mold are removed, professionals may apply a grout sealer to prevent the growth of mold in the future.

In some instances, it’s impossible to remove mold or mold stains from the grout. It can be replaced if necessary.

Depending on how much and how toxic the mold is, professionals may recommend a thorough cleaning of HVAC systems to remove mold spores and toxins from the air in the home.

Mold can seriously damage a home and the health of its occupants.

Storms

9/14/2016 (Permalink)

Storms

Storms, a natural phenomenon caused by violent atmospheric disturbances occurring over land and water, represent a major potential threat to the entire population of the earth because of their prevalence, the size of areas devastated and the scale of the resulting damage.

There are several different types of storms distinguished by the strength and characteristics of atmospheric disturbances. These are tropical cyclones (typhoons and hurricanes), extra tropical cyclones (winter storms and blizzards), monsoon type storms, tornadoes and thunderstorms.

Certain violent winds, which affect limited areas and the names of which vary from country to country (for example, Bora, Chinook, Faehn, etc.) can be regarded as storms and calI for special preventive, protective and intervention measures.

The different types of storms, their frequency, the seasons during which they occur and the areas usually threatened can be established with some precision but their occurrence and trajectory cannot, until they are already developing. The preventive and protective measures are decisive in such cases and the establishment of meteorological institutes and observatories in each country is necessary to enable the risks to be predicted and the political authorities, firms and population to be warned and advised accordingly.

Preventive and protective measures
The damaging effects of different types of storms are generalIy known to the authorities and inhabitants of the various regions and areas at risk. It is recommended that, if need be, new arrivals’ and tourists contact the public services to find out about the likely risk of a storm in the season when they usually occur and the preventive measures and instructions relevant to such situations.

At the community level the damage caused by storms can be avoided, or at least limited, by:

Permanently monitoring weather conditions and appraising the atmospheric turbulences that could affect the national territory or particular areas.
Co-operating with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) of the United Nations (UN) to strengthen technical and technological assistance and to implement appropriate measures against destructive natural phenomena.
Establishing construction regulations requiring more resistant structures and prohibiting building on areas particularly at risk because of exposure to violent winds, etc.
Determining the probable outcome of a particular event and issuing information bulletins (alarms, protective measures) to the authorities and the general public.
Establishing weIl-equipped management and rescue teams trained in the preventive, assistance and rescue measures needed to respond to the different types of storms likely to strike a built-up area or region.
Training the population, and those in charge of security in companies, in the principles and application of preventive, protective and behavior measures, with a view to reducing the damage caused by a storm.
Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration

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Water Restoration Process
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24-Hour Emergency Service
Faster to Any Size Disaster
Highly Trained Water Restoration Technicians
A Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry
Locally Owned and Operated
Storm and flood damage require specialized restoration techniques and equipment. When a storm hits your Hollywood home, you need the company with storm damage experience and expertise. SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions.

Do You Have Flood or Storm Damage?

Call Us Today (954) 921-8992

Why Choose SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura?

We're Faster to Any Size Disaster

We’re dedicated to responding immediately to water and storm damage emergencies. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.

Learn More

We're Highly Trained Storm Damage Specialists

We specialize in flooding and storm damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. We have extensive water damage and storm restoration training that allows us to get your home back to normal quickly.

Water Damage Restoration Technician
Applied Structural Drying Technicians
Learn More

We Have the Resources to Handle Storms and Disasters

We can scale our resources to handle any size storm or disaster. We can access resources from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country.

Learn More

Locally Owned Company with National Storm Resources

We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura is close by and ready to respond to storm and disaster events. We are proud to be an active member of the Hollywood community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.

Earthquake

9/14/2016 (Permalink)

Earthquakes

Introduction
The term "earthquake" or seismic tremor is a good description of the natural phenomenon which suddenly strikes an area causing damage that varies according to the intensity of the quake and local geological conditions. Close to the epicenter of the quake, the damage is direct, resulting in immediate destruction, such as collapsed buildings and other infrastructure, and indirect or secondary, resulting, for example, in fires, landslides, ruptured water and gas mains, interruption of electricity supplies, floods, etc..

It should be noted that the main quake is regularly followed by after-tremors, which may occur a few hours, days or even months later and which can be as violent as the initial earthquake. These can cause considerable additional damage which, unless protective measures are taken by the political authorities and their intervening bodies, can result in numerous victims.

Seismic waves (usually known by their Japanese name, "Tsunamis" or tidal waves) are caused by severe underwater earthquakes, or by collapsing sea or lake beds which often result from an earthquake or volcanic eruption. The waves produced spread in all directions at high speed (several hundred kilometers an hour) and, even after having travelled several hundred kilometers from their underwater epicenter, may become very high (tens of meters) when they reach shallow coastal waters or narrow bays. They thus give rise to major dangers for the exposed population and coastal infrastructure, such as hotel resorts, port installations and buildings on the coast.

Preventive and protective measures
Because man has no control over earthquakes they must be considered as unavoidable events.

The damage they cause can, therefore, only be limited by taking long-term security measures to avoid the collapse of homes and important infrastructure, such as, for example dams, nuclear power stations, reservoirs of toxic or inflammable materials, power lines, communication networks, bridges, etc. It is the same for tsunamis. It is clear that such long-term security measures will be adapted to the major dangers that threaten different regions. This is notably the case for areas subject to high tectonic pressure or situated over geological faults, the main causes of high seismic activity (for example the areas situated around the Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean).

It is up to the governments of the states at risk to establish local seismic building standards ensuring that buildings are resistant to earthquakes, having a solid base and foundations with shock absorbers or dampers that can reduce the effects of seismic tremors. Building should also be flexible and resistant to horizontal and vertical tensions. However, the recent earthquakes in Kobe and Los Angeles have shown that full protection from earthquakes does not exist.

It should be noted that states with civil protection shelters for use in wartime have at their disposal an additional safety measure to protect their citizens in case of an earthquake and, more particularly, from the aftershocks.

Logically, precautions against tsunamis can only consist in the establishment of an observation and warning system along the coasts which have been shown in the past to be subject to this type of disaster.

Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration

Related Storm Services

Overview of Storm & Flood Services
Water & Storm Damage Tips
Disaster Recovery Team
Water Restoration Process
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Building Services
Commercial Storm Damage
24-Hour Emergency Service
Faster to Any Size Disaster
Highly Trained Water Restoration Technicians
A Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry
Locally Owned and Operated
Storm and flood damage require specialized restoration techniques and equipment. When a storm hits your Hollywood home, you need the company with storm damage experience and expertise. SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions.

Do You Have Flood or Storm Damage?

Call Us Today (954) 921-8992

Why Choose SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura?

We're Faster to Any Size Disaster

We’re dedicated to responding immediately to water and storm damage emergencies. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.

Learn More

We're Highly Trained Storm Damage Specialists

We specialize in flooding and storm damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. We have extensive water damage and storm restoration training that allows us to get your home back to normal quickly.

Water Damage Restoration Technician
Applied Structural Drying Technicians
Learn More

We Have the Resources to Handle Storms and Disasters

We can scale our resources to handle any size storm or disaster. We can access resources from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country.

Learn More

Locally Owned Company with National Storm Resources

We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura is close by and ready to respond to storm and disaster events. We are proud to be an active member of the Hollywood community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.

Floods

9/14/2016 (Permalink)

Floods

Floods generally occur as a result of bad weather ( for example : storms, cyclones, tornadoes or thunderstorms, heavy or persistent rain), melting snow or ice, or the sudden discharge of water.

These events lead to a rise in the water level of major riverbeds or to an accumulation of flow water, to the resurgence of underground rivers or to thaws in low-lying areas adjoining stream banks or river estuaries. In mountainous areas, landslides, earthquakes, and avalanches can cause the overflowing or rupture of hydraulic dams or cause unstable blockages at certain points on rivers, and thus threaten or destroy people and the infrastructure located in the lower parts of valleys.

Bursting or overflowing of hydraulic dams, as well as seismic/tidal waves are special cases which require specific protective measures.

Damage caused by floods can vary greatly according to the nature of the phenomenon at the origin of the flood. They can affect whole regions or certain limited sectors. Moreover, their impact will vary according to whether the event is sudden and violent or a steady but relatively slow rise of flood waters which will inundate a vast area, especially plains situated near or at the mouth of rivers.

The danger is obviously highest in mountainous areas or steep valleys where depressions will be totally levelled or momentarily drowned then covered in debris carried by the flood water (rocks, sand, gravel); this will result in the destruction or burial of all or some of the dwellings, of the economic infrastructure and of vital installations (energy grids, communications and drinking water). This also happens when torrential rainstorms occur in arid regions and deserts where the water cannot penetrate the impermeable soil and, depending on the topography, runs off as surface water destroying homes and settlements over a wide area.

AIl types of floods have grave consequences, mainly because of their secondary effects. Localized flood, or one involving a small rise in water level can lead to large-scale damage, to the interruption or destruction of communication routes (road, rail, etc.) or the loss of infrastructure and damage to the environment (economy, supplies, crops).

Preventive and protective measures
As opposed to other natural phenomenon (landslides) or the causes of certain floods (tidal waves, bad weather), the risk of flood from rising water levels is predictable, although it is difficult to know when it will occur. It is therefore possible to determine the areas at risk.. This is also true in the case of hydraulic dam bursts or overflows since their consequences can be calculated from the volume of water held, the slope and topography of the valley, and the absorptive capacity of the rivers located below.

Long-term preventive and protective measures will essentially consist in regulating the layout of the areas at risk by legislation calling for a systematic appraisal of potential natural dangers, and taking these into account when defining areas that can be built on, and when granting planning permission. These preventive measures will, as far as possible, be completed by an obligation to replant and maintain forests and vegetation, and by the control of upland water streams and rivers. To this end, it can only be recommended that a national hydrological or geological institute responsible for studying these problems and coordinating preventive measures be set up.

At the community level general preventive measures can be summarized as follows:

- Permanent monitoring of the risk of flooding (establishment of a network to measure the water levels of streams/rivers).

- Setting up one or several information and flood warning centers for the population especially with regard to large capacity hydraulic dams.

- Issuing regulations banning building, residing in, and access to identified risk zones and implementing specific protective systems such as alarm signals.

- Building and developing infrastructure that will prevent, avoid or limit floods and protect the population.

- Planning the evacuation of the population likely to be at risk, and instructing them on how to behave in case of a flood.

- Forming well trained and equipped management and rescue teams.

- Lowering water levels in hydraulic dams and increasing the flow of rivers ) preventive measures.

Water Damage Repair and Restoration

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Equipment
When your Hollywood home has water damage from flooding or leaks, we have the expertise and equipment to properly restore your property. The water removal and water cleanup process is completed by our highly-trained technicians who will document the drying process. This validates that your property has been dried properly and thoroughly.

Please follow the tips outlined in our Water Damage Tips—Until Help Arrives Guide to protect yourself and your property.

Have Water or Flood Damage?

Call Us Today – (954) 921-8992

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura is close by and ready to respond to your flood or water damage emergency. We are proud to be an active member of the Hollywood community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.

We are proud to serve our local communities:

Hollywood, FLAventura, FLGolden Beach, FLRoyal Poinciana, FLHallandale, FLHollywood Lakes, FL
Why Choose SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura?

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster

Immediate action is crucial when dealing with water damage. With over 1,650 U.S. and Canadian Franchise locations, we are strategically positioned to be faster to any size water emergency, so Hollywood residents can expect an immediate response, day or night.

Learn More

We’re Highly Trained Water Damage Specialists

We are water damage specialists who get started promptly to get your property dry and back to pre-water-damage condition. Using advanced water removal and drying equipment and scientific drying principles to get your property dried quickly, we document the drying process to validate your home or business is ready. Learn about our water damage training and certificates.

Learn More

We Use Advanced Drying Equipment and Techniques

We invest in the latest technology and equipment because it helps us restore your home more quickly and to minimize cost. This equipment allows us to detect hidden moisture and extract standing water quickly and efficiently. We also utilize professional-strength cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing products to cleaning and sanitize the affected water damage area for your comfort and safety.

Learn More

Our Water Damage Restoration Process

Since every flood and water damage scenario is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. However, the overall water restoration process remains the same. The steps below detail our restoration process for the typical water-damaged property.

Move to Serve

9/14/2016 (Permalink)

Moved To Serve….

Good Morning Neighborhood Group!

After volunteering at the homeless shelter last Thursday, I felt a call to help more. Everyone does food/pantry drives at this time of year, so I decided to do a travel-size toiletry drive.

As I was saying my goodbyes to the homeless people leaving the shelter after they had their meal, I helped give away either a pair of socks or a razor to each person. I think I would take the razor, but can you imagine having to choose?! That really caught my attention. So why travel-size toiletries? Most seemed to choose razors over socks. Hygiene is so important. I saw the need, and I saw how these people wanted to take care of themselves the best they can, but they do not have the resources to.

We are so fortunate! To actually physically be in the presence of this kind of poverty and see these men, women and children in such need, it was absolutely eye-opening. I am bringing my brothers with me to help serve one night. They need to be aware of how blessed they are! (It was a good reminder for me, too!)

If you would like to donate some new travel-size toiletries – razors, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo – or help in any way, email me! I would like to deliver the items by Wednesday November 23rd so if I can receive the items by Tuesday November 22nd that would be great. Also, please feel free to pass this email on to anyone who would be interested in helping.

Thanks!!

Posted by: Margaux

November 16, 2011

SERVPRO® of Hollywood, Hallandale/Aventura & SERVPRO® of North Miami works with many communities to provide help through donations and by landing a hand (time). We are proud of our team who constantly continue to look for new places and communities where we can give back.

Residential and Commercial Restoration and Cleaning Services

SERVPRO of Hollywood / Hallandale / Aventura provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any size disaster. Our highly trained technicians can respond immediately to your residential or commercial emergency.

24-Hour Emergency Service
Faster to Any Size Disaster
Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
Locally Owned and Operated
Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment
Have Questions? Call Us Today – (954) 921-8992

SERVPRO Provides Commercial Services

12/1/2015 (Permalink)

Make sure you choose the SERVPRO way!

Cleaning and restoring commercial properties requires a blend of proper training, experience, and equipment. SERVPRO® of Hollywood/ Hallandale/ Aventura has the resources and expertise to give you excellent results, providing an immediate and efficient work process, while minimizing the disruption to your clients. We can help make it "Like it never even happened."

• Small Office Buildings
• Large/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Restaurants
• Hotels/Motels
• Small Retail Stores
• Large Retail/Big-box Stores
• High-rise Residential Buildings
• Manufacturing & Industrial Facilities
• Government/Military Buildings
• Churches/Public Buildings

All commercial work performed by SERVPRO® of Hollywood/ Hallandale/ Aventura is acknowledged to have high status. Our franchise understands the importance of maintaining a business' name away from being besmirched. As we share the same belief; being one of many franchises that share the name of SERVPRO®.