DIY Can Get Out of Hand

3/7/2024 (Permalink)

Don’t Do It Yourself

We understand you want to save money, but taking the job upon yourself can cause more damage than it is worth. Don't be a “do-it-yourselfer”.

What Happens?

We had someone call about an extensive water leak in the roof. After they called around different businesses, they then decided to become a “do-it-yourselfer”. After a few hours on "Google" and "YouTube” they thought the job seemed simple enough. They then went to the expense to rent a carpet cleaner and buy a small dehumidifier. Thinking they fixed the problem themselves, they began to smell a musty odor. So they call SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia to come deodorize the home, however our technicians wanted to find the location of the smell.

After pulling the baseboards and the corners of the carpet up, we noticed immediately the water and the mold starting. After the initial inspection was done we provided them with a full estimate to fix the damages. They were shocked at how much lower our estimate was from all the others they had received. Within hours we began our work, returning this family’s home to "like new" condition in only two weeks.

We care for helping our community, and our priority is doing the job right the first time. Check in on our social media to stay updated on water and mold tips. 

Save yourself in the beginning— You call, we help. (205) 926-6010

Why SERVPRO: Experience, Dedication & Care

9/22/2023 (Permalink)

When fire and water take control of your life, we help you take it back.

We, at SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion & Selma, truly care for your situation.

We understand that disasters happen at anytime, and the stress that it brings to you. Travis and our office manager is dedicated to spending time on the phone with you— writing down every little detail of the situation, scheduling around your time and getting in touch with your adjuster. Sometimes, whether business owner or homeowner, you need some words of encouragement during this emotional time. We are here to help you.

Our whole crew teams up with the owner and calculates how we can get the job done the most efficient, fastest and cost-friendly way. We do not encourage disposal of damaged items. SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion and Selma Alabama will always try to salvage your personal belongings and your business's equipment, if we can.

Though our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., that is not always the case with our technicians, especially our owner Travis Boyd. Depending on how crucial the damage is, they will stay till dark and on weekends working to get your home or business back to preloss conditions. We are dedicated to what we do, and we want you to feel comfortable in our care. 

If at anytime you have any questions about our services and prices, please do not hesitate to call during our office hours or reach out through email.

Phone: (205) 926-6010
Email:  office@SERVPRO11236.com

DIY TIP: Coffee Stain Removal Steps

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

It's always best to stay away from harsh chemicals when it comes to removing carpet stains yourself.

We love sharing our tips and tricks, especially for our DIY peeps. Here's one for the books: how to get those stubborn coffee stains out of your carpet. Follow these steps to improve your carpet's appearance before the holidays!

Step One:

Always start with water! If you catch the spill immediately, take a clean towel and blot blot blot. Start at the edges and work your way to middle. Spray with water and repeat until the coffee is all removed. On a still wet stain this may be all you need to do!

Step Two:

Still stained? Try foamy white shaving cream. Gently rub into the carpet without pressing (you don't want to push the stain in further). Allow to stand for a few minutes, then blot.  To rinse, spray with water and blot. Repeat process until completely rinsed. 

Step Three: 

Got an already dry stain? No problem! Make a baking soda and water paste, rub into the carpet, and allow to dry. Once dry, vacuum up the powder. You should be stain free!

Step Four:

Stain a tad more stubborn? Mix one part white vinegar, two parts water and spray directly to the stained area. Blot with a clean dry towel. Rinse by spraying water and thoroughly blotting. Repeat the rinse until all the vinegar is removed. 

Step Five:

Once your stain is gone, take a dry towel and lay over still wet area then stomp your feet over it. Ta Da!

Need any other tips? Just give us a call and we'll try to help you the best we can!(205) 926-6010

SERVPRO Tips: Leaky Toilet

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

What's Really Going on with My Leaky Toilet?

Sometimes a small leak is manageable if the source of the leak is confirmed, right? 

Give this a try.

Check the washers between the bowl and tank, firstly. They may have failed. To do this, we would need to shut off the supply valve and empty the tank with a flush. Then remove the nuts, bolts, and washers from the underside of the tank. Finally, lift the tank to position it on its side, and see if the washers need replacing.

If the washers check out okay, let's check something else.

Faulty fasteners securing the fill valve and ballcock to the bottom of the tank could be the corporate. However, before you replacing those parts, first try simply tightening the nuts and bolts holding them in place. That often solves the problem, and it's cost friendly—which we like!

If the leak is at the base of the tank, that changes things.

Chances are the wax ring that seals the toilet to the floor has failed. Replacing the wax ring is a much bigger job, since it involves removing the entire toilet from its base. If you decide to replace the wax ring yourself—preferably with a friend to help with the lifting—take the extra step to also replace any bolts that show signs of corrosion. This will pay off in the long run. And, once you have the toilet back in place, don’t forget to add a bead of caulk around the base.

If you feel that a job such as this is more than you can handle, your SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion, and Selma friends have your back.

We're here for you! (205) 926-6010

Professional Drying Equipment

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

Moisture Meters (like this one above) are used to determine the actual moisture of various materials. This is how we make sure the job is done right!

"Like it never even happened."

Small water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. The key to avoiding costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property. SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion & Selma has the equipment, training, and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. The proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the damage expense during a fire or water loss. When time matters, technology, and equipment must be counted on to perform properly. Our team will answer your call with fast action and a full arsenal of drying equipment. Here are a few of the tools used by our highly trained technicians: 

Moisture Sensors - Used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards, and walls. 

Moisture Meters - Used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate readings, allowing SERVPROof Centreville, Marion & Selma to monitor the drying process. 

Thermohygrometers - Measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, we can calculate and create an environment most conducive to drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure must also be disinfected and often deodorized.

 Ultra-Low-Volume (ULV) Foggers - Atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that can easily penetrate the site where odor-causing residues may accumulate. This device can also be used to inject fungicides and disinfectants into wall cavities and other hard-to-reach areas. 

Thermal Foggers - Dispense solvent-based products by creating a dense fog. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that attach to and neutralize odor-causing particles to deodorize structures, garments, automobiles and other places where cleaning cannot reach. 

Your SERVPRO friends are not only professional technicians with water restoration knowledge, but also have the equipment that allows us to do the job right the first time. Call SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion & Selma if you are experiencing any type of water damage.

(205) 926-6010

Professional Cleaning & Disinfecting

9/20/2021 (Permalink)

We've Got You Covered.

Helping our Community, One Cleaning at a Time

As the virus has mutated into the variant, we want to reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. It's important to us that we all feel safe during this time.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

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

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

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

Checking for Moisture

11/11/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know that with any leak it's the water you don't see that causes the most damage.

Emergency mitigation means that under normal circumstances, a SERVPRO professional is on-site within four hours to begin drying your building and restorable contents.  Remember, the faster the water is removed, the less chance of serious damage to your facility.

Each SERVPRO professional is trained and understands how to manage the drying process. There is a science to dehumidification. By utilizing the proper equipment and moisture measuring devices, your building is quickly and thoroughly dried, which helps prevent secondary water damages.

SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion and Selma is ready to provide emergency water restoration services 24/7/365.

Give us a call today with all your restoration needs!

Why SERVPRO?

10/29/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know that SERVPRO has over 1,700 Franchises in the United States and Canada!? Or that SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry and are the preferred vendor for many National and Local Insurance Companies!? 

Our highly trained restoration technicians are dedicated to responding faster to any disaster. We provide 24 hour services with experts that are highly qualified and trained to properly take care of your cleaning and restoration needs. 

We are here to take the stress and worry you may have when a disaster occurs and make it "Like it never even happened." You can depend on us for services to your residential and commercial needs! 

We are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Give us a call for your restoration needs. 

Mold in older homes

4/2/2019 (Permalink)

Throughout SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion, and Selma's area there are a great deal of older homes and older buildings. Sometimes in these older homes there is almost always a problem with moister that almost always causes mold to grow where the naked eye can't seem to see. If you smell a mildew smell you probably need to give us a call. If you think you see a little bit in a shut off room, basement, garage then you might want to just call and ask questions. Call SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion, and Selma today at 205-926-6010 for all your mold and mildew remediation questions, concerns and needs. Here we just want to help get your home "Like it never even happened."

The Importance of Draining Pipes for Winter

12/19/2018 (Permalink)

A majority of our customers who have suffered a water lost due to a broken pipe, ask us how it could have been avoided. At SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion, and Selma, we're always glad to assist with helping our customers to take preventative measures at avoiding future property damage. Here are some maintenance tasks you can take to prevent future losses when the temperatures begin to drop.

1. Shut off the main water valve. It may be located inside or outside of your house. If you cannot locate the main source, contact your local water supply company.
2. Drain pipes of water. Turn on every water fixture in the house until the water stops running. Drain all water outside of the house by attaching a hose to a sill cock or basement faucet. Open all faucets and flush all toilets in the house, starting with the top floor and working your way down. Remove the toilet tank cover and continue flushing until all of the water has drained out.
3. Force the water out. Use an air compressor to force any remaining water out of the pipes. Starting on the top floor, apply bursts of air to the main drains for several seconds each.
4. Drain appliances. Turn on the dishwasher and allow it to run to clear water from the drain line. Run both hot and cold water through the washing machine to flush out all the lines. Open the shut-off valve beneath each toilet to allow compressed air to blow out water for a few seconds each, then close the valve.
5. Extra Protection: Pour anti-freeze into all sink and bathtub drains. Add a small amount of anti-freeze to each toilet tank.
6. When you are ready to use the water again, turn on the main water valve and let each fixture run until the pipes are full.

Disasters

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

Equipment access from our trainership, and various SERVPRO locations.

Disaster waits for no one. It strikes when it wants too, usually leaving us barley any time to try to protect our homes. No matter when it strikes well try an get there as fast as we can. It doesn't matter if you own a 10 floored hotel and every floor is soaked from head to toe. We have the access to equipment, people, and help from many different SERVPRO locations. Doesn't matter where or who it is we are constantly helping each other with other jobs whether it be we didn't have time to do the job from being busy, or it was so big we needed help. Our goal is to always get done as quickly as possible, as we do it right.

Mold Remediation

11/9/2018 (Permalink)

Mold all together can appear anywhere it can come from any type of moister buildup whether its from rain, dew, or anything else, and also it can grow in dark places that being said Mold, is a nasty thing, it can cause pain, or allergic reactions to anyone. Mold is in just about every house, business, and just about any other building in Alabama because of the humidity,rain and other various weather patterns we have down here in the south. If you even think you see mold, smell it, or anything dealing with mold you need to call SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion, and Selma right away. SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion, and Selma is always here to help. Our professionals know how to properly take care of your mold needs, leaving your house clean, and smelling amazing. 

Why SERVPRO?

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion, and Selma understands the stress when you have a water damage in your business or home. That is why we are available 24/7 to help. Our team is fast and quick to any job at any size. 
Our certified technicians will mitigate the damage to prevent mold, mildew or bacteria. Using EPA disinfectants, we will make your business or home safe to reenter and occupy. We make sure our team is trained and up to date with all of their credentials. 
SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion, and Selma has been trusted by local business's and insurance companies to assist with their water damage projects. We are there when your family needs help the most. Any type of damage in your home can be a devastating time and can cause a lot of stress in the household. Working with true professionals can definitely help the process and get your home back to normal as quickly as possible. 
If you have emergency water damage or fire damage needs, please call us now SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion and Selma 205-926-6010

Have you checked behind your sink or washer lately?

9/19/2018 (Permalink)

Do you ever look under your sink? All the way in the back behind the toilet paper and various cleaning products? What about pulling the washer away from the wall and looking behind that?

A lot of time you can have a water damage and not even realize it. That was the case in this job. Our customer had a leak in the wall behind his sink and didn't realize it until he tried to sell his home, and a home inspector found it, because it went unnoticed, mold grew and had to be fully re-mediated.

Leaks in the wall are hard to notice but there are some things to look for. Baseboard separation in one of the easiest things to spot. The baseboard swells up from the water and pulls away from the wall. 

Peeling paint or paint flaking away. These are easy to see but a very good indication of a potential water leak. 

Lastly, any sort of discoloration. If you are unsure if you have wet building material, call your local SERVPRO franchise for a moisture inspection.