When dealing with commercial water damage, bigger is almost always worse. The more water that is flowing through a space, the worse the damage will usually be. Water damage in commercial buildings has the potential to be far more disastrous than a residential home, because of how many more pipes there are in a commercial building. More bathrooms, appliances, and sprinkler systems mean there are a greater number of chances for water loss.
With commercial loss, it also means more equipment will need to be used to dry out the area. More equipment means more manpower needed to move the equipment. This trend can keep compounding out to show how commercial job can have costs add up quickly.
It is also the cost of not doing business that makes a large water loss so damaging. Not being able to have a store/location open for days, weeks, or months at a time can mean a devastating loss of profit which will just make a water loss worse. This is why SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast uses every method to expedite the restoration process, such as working directly with insurance providers, offering construction services, and using state of the art equipment to get the restoration process completed fast!
Large commercial water losses can be scary. When you call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast, rely on our experience to get the damage under control and back to normal.
Water damage can be a frustrating and costly event for homeowners. Whether it is caused by a leaky pipe, a flood or a burst water heater, it is important to address the issue promptly to prevent further damage and growth. In this blog post, we will outline a step-by-step guide to efficiently clean up water damage and restore your home back to its original state.
1. Ensure Safety: Before starting the cleaning process, it is crucial to ensure your safety. Turn off the power supply to the areas to avoid the risk of electrocution. Additionally, wearing protective gear such as gloves, boots, and masks is essential to protect yourself from contamination.
2. Remove Excess Water: Using an extraction machine, tool or a water pump, to remove as much excess water as possible from the area. Start by extracting the water from the floor, carpets, and furniture. Make sure all water is extracted before going into any drying processes.
3. Drying Dehumidification: Once the excess water is removed, the next step is to dry out thoroughly. Set up air movers and use dehumidifiers to promote air circulation and speed up the drying process. Make sure to dry not only the visible surfaces but also hidden areas such as behind walls and under flooring to prevent mold growth.
4. Salvage: Evaluate the affected items and determine which can be salvaged and which need to be discarded. Porous materials such as carpets, upholstery, and drywall should be removed and replaced if they are heavily soaked or contaminated. Non-porous items can be cleaned and disinfected using a mixture of water and bleach or a commercial disinfectant.
5. Prevent Mold Growth: After the water damage cleanup, it is crucial to prevent mold growth. Use mold-inhibiting spray apply antimicrobial treatments to the affected surfaces. Monitor the humidity levels in your home and a hygrometer to ensure they remain below 50%. Consider installing a dehumidifier or using moisture absorbers to maintain a dry environment.
6. Professional Restoration:In severe cases of damage, such as extensive flooding or damage to the structure of the house, it is advisable to seek SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast. Experienced professionals such as us have the expertise and equipment to handle complex situations and ensure thorough restoration of your home. Conclusion:Water damage can be a challenging situation to deal with, but following the steps outlined above, you can efficiently clean up the damage and restore your home to pre loss condition. Remember to prioritize safety, remove excess water, thoroughly dry the affected areas, salvage and disinfect items, and take preventive measures to avoid mold growth. If in doubt, do not hesitate to contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast's professional restoration services to ensure a successful cleanup process.
I Have Water Damage In My Home. Is SERVPRO® near me? Yes
Does SERVPRO service Fernandina Beach? Yes? Does SERVPRO go to Yulee? Yes! Does SERVPRO service Jacksonville? Of course! And we can also do the reconstruction! At SERVPRO, we are proud to offer our customers an industry-leading level of service. Each of our over 2180 franchises offers a broad variety of opportunities to help, to serve, and to repair, and restore people’s homes and businesses. If you water damage or fire damage restoration in Northeast Florida, we are here for you 24 hours a day, every day. We are the water damage restoration experts.
Be sure to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors
Carbon monoxide is known as the 'silent killer”. It puts your health at risk and can also pose a fire risk causing significant damage to your home. SERVPRO® provides fire damage cleaning services and reconstruction that can remove soot, and smoke odors from your property. Our highly trained technicians respond to an emergency within a few hours. Carbon monoxide is a type of gas produced when fuel such as wood, gas, oil, kerosene, and charcoal burns. If you don't have the appropriate ventilation or correct fuel, the carbon monoxide can get trapped in your home and build up overtime. There are several sources of carbon monoxide you need to be aware of to help you avoid any health or fire hazards: fireplaces, chimneys, grills etc. Because it is an invisible, odorless gas, it is undetectable without a carbon monoxide detector. Here are the signs of carbon monoxide present in your home: Soot stains on or around gas appliances Pilot lights that go out often Increased condensation Rust or soot staining in a chimney What are the risks of carbon monoxide? Carbon monoxide is seriously harmful to your health, and can lead to death if not addressed quickly. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
headache dizziness, feeling or being sick feeling weak confusion chest and muscle pain shortness of breath Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors. Should a fire affect your home or business, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast for your restoration and reconstruction needs.
Pete Reilly is a registrant with the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Pete Reilly started off working for a SERVPRO® in South Florida, and moved to Nassau County Florida to expand his horizons and have his own SERVPRO dream. With the IICRC Pete is certified in water damage restoration, fire and smoke damage restoration, upholstery and fabric cleaning, and applied structural drying. He is also certified in mold remediation. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast are water damage specialists who service Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Jacksonville and more. If you have a water damage in Fernandina Beach, Yulee or Jacksonville, we are here to serve your water restoration needs to prevent mold growth! But if you do develop mold in your home, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/ Jacksonville Northeast is certified in mold damage restoration and we can do the reconstruction! This definitely is a benefit to our customers as there is a smooth transition from remediation to reconstruction.
Jonathan Harris and Pamela Reilly attend Nassau County chamber Lunchmob!
The Nassau County Chamber hosted a networking event at Juniors Seafood Restaurant and Grill in Callahan. Jonathan Harris and Pamela Reilly of SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast and SERVPRO of Jacksonville Northwest attended and met a great group of business owners to network together. Thank you to the Chamber and Juniors for such a great event!
Even small amounts of water can damage your home over time.
When warm, excessively moist air inside your house contacts a cold surface, such as a pane of window glass or an exterior wall, the moisture condenses on that surface in the same way it does on a cold glass of lemonade on a hot, humid summer day. In most homes, a little bit of window condensation is not necessarily abnormal at the beginning of heating season. All summer long the building materials have been absorbing moisture from humid air flowing through. When we finally start to shut our windows and doors and begin to fire up heating plants for the winter, the interior air begins to dry out (some of this is due to infiltration of drier outside air) and the trapped moisture in the building materials begins to be released. As exterior temperatures begin to drop, so do temperatures of windows and exterior walls. This generally results in moisture showing up on these cold surfaces. In most homes, this is a temporary condition. It usually lasts two weeks or so, until the interior of the house dries out. However, ongoing and severe moisture are not normal and should be dealt with. Excess moisture in a house can be quite destructive; it can cause peeling paint, mold growth, and, in severe cases, rot of wood framing members. Here are a few tips to help prevent window condensation aka “window sweat”
Keep humidity levels as low as you can—no higher than 50%--all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. Humidity levels change throughout the day as changes occur in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so check the humidity levels more than once a day.
If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans, which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding.
Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture. #SERVPRO #moldremediation #waterdamage
SERVPRO Performs Your Reconstruction in Fernandina Beach too!
Brandon Peterson of SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast was photographed painting the walls after he patched drywall from flood damage. This customer in Fernandina Beach had flood damage from a prior storm and called SERVPRO to handle the water restoration & reconstruction repair. #SERVPRO #waterdamage #restoration
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach outside of being the premiere Water Restoration, Mold Restoration, and Fire Restoration company in your area; we also provide in-house Reconstruction Services of all kinds varying from putting back materials involved in our restoration/demolition process to boarding up damaged houses for protection against the elements. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach takes pride in being a Water Damage Repair Service along with handling the Water Removal side of it all too.
Examples Of Our Services
Drywall Hanging
Drywall Finishing
Priming and Painting
Carpenter Work
Woodwork
Remodeling
Flooring Repair
Carpet Repair
Water Damage Repair
Drywall Repair
Wallpaper
Board-Up
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach is always available for your Restoration and Reconstruction needs, 365/24/7. Our Reconstruction department specializes in all of your needs after a tragic accident that may occur in your household. Feel free to call us at 904-256-4894 for consultations, inspections and our services. We represent your town to make it like it never even happened!
Use only bottled water from an approved source and/or boiled tap water. Boil water at a rolling boil for one minute to kill infectious organisms. ♦ An alternative method for areas without power is to mix 8 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented household bleach per gallon of water and allow to stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy in appearance, add 16 drops (1/4 teaspoon) and let stand for 30 minutes. (Water will not be toxic, but may have a chlorine odor and taste.) Note: Using bleach will not kill parasites that may be present, however boiling will kill parasites. ICE, ICE-MAKING, BEVERAGE & WATER VENDING ♦ Ice bagged or made prior to the issuance of the boil water notice may be used. ♦ Ice produced in ice machines after the issuance of a boil water notice must be discarded and machines not restarted until the watersupplyisdeemedsafebylocalhealthauthority. Sanitizetheinterioroftheicemachine,icetraysandbuilt-inice-makers with two teaspoons (100+ ppm) of household bleach in one gallon of water prior to restarting the ice machine or ice-maker. ♦ Disconnect or turn off water vending machines, drinking fountains, misters, ice-making units and soda machines and prevent their use. ♦ Filters in water lines should be replaced if the water supplier detected bacteria in the water samples or if debris accumulation is observed in the filter(s). Information regarding the presence of bacteria will be provided by your water supplier or through the news media. HANDWASHING ♦ Do not use tap water for handwashing. Use only bottled water from an approved source and/or boiled (and safely cooled) tap water. After proper handwashing, use a sanitizing solution on the hands. This may be accomplished by using a commercial hand sanitizing lotion that requires no rinse or a chlorine bleach solution of two teaspoons of household bleach in one gallon of water. Single-use gloves may be used to provide additional protection after proper handwashing. ♦ No bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food is allowed while boil water notice is in effect. COOKING & CLEANING ♦ Food equipment and utensils and food-contact surfaces that must be cleaned in place (does not fit into a three-compartment sink), may be cleaned with steam with no additives, a sanitizing mix of bottled or boiled water and bleach (50-100 ppm) or other approved sanitizing solution. ♦ Do not use tap water for food processing or food preparation until the BOIL WATER NOTICE is lifted by local authorities. Use only bottled water from an approved source and/or boiled tap water for these purposes. DISHWASHING/WAREWASHING ♦ Manually wash, rinse and sanitize dishes, food equipment and utensils with bottled water from an approved source and/or boiled tap water utilizing a three-compartment sink in the approved manner. Use single-service articles when possible. ♦ Mechanical dishwashers may be used only to remove food residue and debris, if followed by a manual wash, rinse, and sanitization as described above. RESCINDING THE BOIL WATER NOTICE ♦ You will be advised by the local Health Department directly or through the news media when a "BOIL WATER NOTICE" has been rescinded (lifted). AFTER the "BOIL WATER NOTICE" is lifted, allow water to run for five minutes at each tap to flush the lines with safe water. Remember to include misters, drinking fountains, ice makers (discard the first binful}, soda machines, etc., when flushing the lines.
This information is provided by the Florida Department of Health.
Trajectory of Tropical Storm Dan as of 7/20/23, since has changed it's trajectory away from Florida.
NEW Tropical Storm Dan was once en route towards the beaches of Florida encompassing Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach, seems to have drifted away towards Northern America and is no longer a threat to Florida. In the case of a potential Tropical Storm, what should you do? Well you might be experiencing up to 30-70mph winds which can eliminate traveling from your house and probably will knock all power out. You need to be prepared with this checklist.
Checklist to prepare for Tropical Storms: 1. Emergency Food and Drinks(No access to Grocery Stores) 2. Emergency Power Source(Generator, Batteries, Chargers, ETC) 3. Emergency Medicine Supply(For diabetic, ill, ETC) 4. Sanitization and Hygiene Supplies(Toilet Paper, Hand Sanitizer, ETC) 5. Tools(Wrench, Radio, Duct Tape)
With these precautions set in place you're sure to be safe and sound during times of Tropical Storm crisis. Stay Safe and stay alert for potential Tropical Storms that could come in your area. Remember, SERVPRO is here to help any Water Restoration or other disastrous events that might occur due to Tropical Storms. Call for consultations about our services! #SERVPRO #stormteam #restoration #waterdamage
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jax NE is currently in process of relocating to a new center of operations! Our new location is still encompassing the Nassau County/Fernandina Area as well as moving closer to the Jacksonville Northeast area to ensure better services with shorter travel times and a more centralized area. We are days away from becoming fully optimized in this new building and excited to explore the new opportunities at serving our community in vast amounts of Water, Mold, and Fire Restoration!
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in Jacksonville.
Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.
Faster To Any Size Disaster
Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.
Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 904-729-2401
Water Damage Timeline
Within Minutes
• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.
Hours 1 - 24:
• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.
48 Hours to 1 Week:
• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.
More Than 1 Week:
• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Does Your Fernandina Beach Home Have A Mold Problem?
In Florida, mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.
Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:
Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce health effects.
Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.
If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.
If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 904-729-2401
When Storms or Floods hit Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast, SERVPRO is ready!
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.
Faster Response
Since we are independently owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.
Resources to Handle Floods and Storms
When storms hit Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of over 2,000 franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.
Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 904-729-2401
Stop! If you see visible mold, follow the steps listed and contact us!
Nassau and Duval County Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold
If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.
What to Do:
•Stay out of affected areas.
•Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
•Contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast for mold remediation services.
What Not to Do:
•Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
•Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
•Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
•Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.
About Our Mold Remediation Services
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.
If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (904) 729-2401
Don't wait until a storm hits, check out potential evacuation routes and fuel stops beforehand.
With hurricane season in full swing on the Florida Coast, it pays to think about steps you would take if you need to evacuate. Here are some things to consider.
How do I know when to evacuate?
Don’t wait! It is NOT safe to wait. Plan to leave early. Mandatory evacuation orders will come
from your local officials. Evacuations will be based on zip codes. Please be prepared to leave
immediately.
Should I evacuate?
Do not wait until a mandatory evacuation is issued. Monitor conditions and leave whenever
you can. Hurricanes and disasters can be extremely unpredictable and can become much
more dangerous in a matter of hours.
Where should I go?
You may evacuate to any city you choose. If you do not have hotel reservations or family you can stay with, you may evacuate to the public shelters.
What route should I take?
There are no mandatory routes you must take when evacuating from your city. In fact, there are several different routes you may take. When weather is good, take your family on an outing to check routes and become familiar with roadways and fuel locations.
When evacuating you should:
Coordinate your departure with the people who will be traveling with you.
Notify an out-of-area person of your evacuation plans.
Plan for your pets.
Pack your disaster supply kit into your vehicle.
Secure your home.
Double check your evacuation route and leave.
Should I carry food and drinks in my car?
Yes! Stopping for food or drinks during a large-scale evacuation may significantly delay you in getting to your destination. Some restaurants and stores along hurricane routes may be closed and those that are open are likely to be very crowded. Additionally, once you leave the evacuation route to purchase food or drinks, it may be difficult to re-enter the flow of traffic.
What can I do to help others?
Check on friends and neighbors and assist them if you can make sure they can evacuate. If you cannot, help them contact the local emergency management office.
If you find that you have storm damage when you return, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is a Florida-licensed mold remediation firm.
Mold in your building may be the last of your worries while operating your commercial business in Northeast Florida. It’s important to keep in mind that some mold, over time, may cause structural damage to wood along with damage to furnishings and finishes.
Use the following tips to help prevent mold growth in your business:
#1: Look For and Repair Any Leaks
Leaks from plumbing, windows, roofs, and more can lead to significant water damage in your business as well as an increased risk of mold growth. If you aren’t regularly inspecting your property, it’s easy for these leaks to go unchecked until they create a larger, more costly problem. Watch for telltale signs of a leak such as lower water pressure; wet spots on the floors, ceilings, or walls; and condensation around window sills and in attic spaces.
#2: Clean Out the Fridge
It can be difficult to keep track of shared refrigerators. Some people will always remember to clear out their leftovers, others won’t. Old food storage containers are a perfect breeding ground for mold. Over time, mold can travel to the shelving and even outside the refrigerator. Consider instituting an office refrigerator policy. If something is left in the fridge by a certain time each week, it goes in the garbage.
#3: Run a Dehumidifier
Leaks aren’t the only way for moisture to accumulate in your business. High humidity levels can lead to moisture and mold as well. On hot days, fans can cool you off, but they don’t do much for humidity levels. Run dehumidifier to cut down the humidity in the building.
#4: Clean Out Trash Cans
While you might switch out the liners regularly, can you remember the last time you washed out the trash cans? It’s easy for bits of food and condensation to sneak beneath liners into the can, which is all mold needs to grow. Try washing out office wastebaskets about once a month to prevent mold growth.
#5: Take Care of Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system can quickly distribute mold spores throughout your building if there is a problem. Make sure your HVAC system receives regular inspections. Sometimes moisture condenses inside air ducts which can lead to mold growth inside the ducts. Make sure to keep the HVAC drip pans clean and unobstructed. And, don’t forget to replace your filters as needed.
Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast today at (904) 729-2401 if you need assistance with mold, water, fire, or storm damage to your residential home or commercial business.
If You’re Looking for Unparalleled Customer Service, Try SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jax NE
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast takes great pride in providing a quick response from a professional team, who will treat your property as they would their own, with honest communication, and excellent customer service from the beginning of your mitigation process through the end of reconstruction services. Throughout the course of your property damage restoration, you can depend on our team members to help you navigate the process every step of the way. Don’t just take our word for it:
Read a recent 5-Star review from a customer:
Late one evening a pipe in my upstairs bathroom burst. I panicked. Water was everywhere and going through to the rooms below through lights and vents in my kitchen and dining area! My first call was to SERVPRO. Alyssa was very calming and professional and said she would get someone right out. Soon a complete battalion of knowledgeable, professionals were at my rescue!! The SERVPRO team went to work dropping cloths, floor protectors, staging their plan to dry out and clean up my mess!!!!! The team worked so well together. Going right in to determine the extent of damage and what was needed to get the damage cleaned up. They were very careful in containing the damage to any of the flooring that was not affected by the flooding. They all were consummate professionals and on the job. They were constantly working. They installed drying fans and contained the areas affected. They were on their jobs. I was so impressed with their work ethic and professionalism that I trusted they would make everything right. They did not fail me. I can’t say enough about how much I appreciated these friendly, professional, knowledgeable teams who made me feel comfortable despite the mess my house was in. They checked the progress every day and did an awesome job. They came to work. No playing around. They got the job done and for that I give them this review. I trusted them and they did not disappoint me. Kudos to Team SERVPRO for a job well done!
-B. Addison
We are proud to hold an Google Rating of 4.9! If you home or business has suffered damages, and you are looking for a team that provides superior customer service, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401. We have the expertise, experience, and equipment to take care of you and your property as quickly as possible, helping to make your damage “Like it never even happened.”
Water Damage In Jacksonville Hotel: SERVPRO Comes to the Rescue
Twelve rooms and three hallways were impacted when the toilet supply line broke.
Water damage in hotels always bring on special challenges. In our most recent hotel job in Jacksonville, 12 rooms and three 60-foot hallways were impacted when the toilet supply line brooke, which flooded guest rooms on three floors. Such a large-scale event impacts hotel revenue significantly.
Hotels incur major expenses when a water event happens. Not only does the hotel have to pay the cost of water damage restoration, but there is also lost income of closing down or reducing the number of available rooms during the repairs. In addition to dealing with damages to the actual hotel, the company must also cover the costs of the damaged personal belongings of their guests.
In the case of the North Jacksonville hotel, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast worked around the clock to complete the job as quickly as possible while also inconveniencing guests as little as possible.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast specializes in the clean up and restoration of commercial properties after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained and IICRC-certified. We understand that each day restoring the property is a lost day of revenue so we work overtime using a 6-step restoration process.
Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401 if you have water damage at your commercial property. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”
Hurricane Season Begins June 1st and SERVPRO is Ready!
Our highly trained crews are prepared for the hurricane season.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.
Faster Response
Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.
Resources to Handle Floods and Storms
When storms hit Northeast Florida, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,700 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.
Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call us at 904.729.2401.
Why SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast?
Call us at 904.729.2401 if you have water, fire or mold damage. We are Faster to All Disasters!
When it comes to companies offering clean up and restoration services in the Jacksonville area, consumers have a variety of options to choose from, so why SERVPRO? As a locally owned and operated organization, with the backing of over 1,700 franchises nationwide, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast has the ability to respond to your property damage emergency quickly, no matter the size of the loss:
We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Our technicians are highly trained restoration specialists, with multiple certifications from the IICRC.
We work with a variety of insurance companies
We offer a wide array of clean up and restoration services for both commercial and residential properties, including water, fire, mold, storm, and cleaning services.
Our technicians utilize industry leading technology and equipment to provide the most efficient solution for your damages.
We are a Florida-licensed mold remediation firm.
We offer both restoration and turnkey reconstruction services.
When disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is Here to Help. To learn more about the services we offer, please give us a call at 904.729.2401, or visit our home page for more information.
CSU researchers predicting active 2022 Atlantic hurricane season
If we have a hurricane in this area and you suffer water damage or need your roof tarped, call us at 904.729.2401. We’ll get there fast!
Colorado State University hurricane researchers, known for their accurate forecasts, are predicting an active Atlantic hurricane season in 2022, citing the likely absence of El Niño as a primary factor. Tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures are near their long-term averages, while Caribbean and subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures are warmer than their long-term averages. The warmer Caribbean and eastern part of the subtropical Atlantic also favor an active 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.
The tropical Pacific currently has weak La Niña conditions, that is, water temperatures are somewhat cooler than normal in the eastern and central tropical Pacific. While La Niña may weaken and transition to neutral conditions by this summer, the CSU researchers do not currently anticipate El Niño for the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. El Niño tends to increase upper-level westerly winds across the Caribbean into the tropical Atlantic, tearing apart hurricanes as they try to form.
While tropical Atlantic water temperatures are currently near their long-term averages, the warmer-than-normal subtropical eastern Atlantic typically forces a weaker subtropical high and associated weaker winds blowing across the tropical Atlantic. These conditions then lead to warmer waters in the tropical Atlantic for the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.
19 named storms
The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project team is predicting 19 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Of those, researchers expect nine to become hurricanes and four to reach major hurricane strength (Saffir/Simpson category 3-4-5) with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.
If you have mold damage at your place of business, call us today at 904.729.2401.
40% of small businesses never reopen after a disaster. Much of this is due to the lack of preparedness for the building a business occupies. Buildings are usually rented and used for years at a time before being handed off to another business. In many situations, you may not know precisely what you are being handed. Mold may be one of the problems you inherit, but also is a problem that can be avoided. Here are some ways to identify and remove any potential future mold problems.
Ceiling bulge
A very telling sign of water damage is discoloration or a bulge in the ceiling. Attics and roofs may be allowing water to seep into your home and onto your ceiling. When that water sits, mold is very likely to grow. If your building has had a bulge, it would be a great idea to check for mold, and also to discover the source of the leak to prevent future damage!
Odor
Mold has a very distinct musty, and damp smell. Some would compare it to the smell of opening an old book. This is one of the most recognizable signs of mold. Often mold can be hiding behind a wall, or out of site where water may have leaked. Even though mold has a bad habit of hiding from plain sight, the smell of mold is something that will always be distinguishable.
Past flooding
Before renting, or acquiring a building space, it may be a good idea to ask if the building has ever had a flood. While floods can be a one time, out of the blue experience, some buildings flood from recurring repairable issues. Again, where there is water damage, mold has a high potential to follow. Some fixes may be as easy as landscaping, while others like plumbing may require more work. Either case, it is best to fix the problem now before mold sets in and causes more financial and health problems.
If you suspect mold in your business and need professional remediation, don’t wait, contact us today at 904.729.2401. We are a Florida-licensed mold remediator!
This shut-off valve is located in the garage, which is fairly common.
Water Damage Cleanup
Walking into your home or business and discovering a water disaster can be overwhelming. Often people are left confused about what to do or what actions to take. Here at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast, our goal is to help not only restore property but also to restore peace of mind. Here are a few actions to take once you discover water damage in your home or business.
Get the air moving
Once the topical water has been removed, you will want to create good airflow through the room. Giving floors and personal items the optimal conditions to dry is key, and good airflow will do just that. Placing fans in the affected room, and ensuring airflow will help to remove the humidity from the room, allowing for better drying conditions.
Turn off the electrical supply
Electricity and water are a dangerous mixture of elements. Especially if there is any flooding, be sure to turn off the electricity to your home before entering the affected area. Find the breaker box to your home, and switch off the main breaker to your home, as well as the specific affected room. This will help to eliminate the danger of electrocution while entering the flooded area.
Quickly shut off the water source
This may seem like an obvious action, but statistics show a drastic decline in the damage incurred based on how quickly the water source is shut off. Instead of trying to first determine where the water is coming from, shut off your water altogether and devise a better plan to discover the source. It is very easy to get caught up in finding the source in the middle of the commotion rather than going directly to the shutoff, which will help the most to eliminate the damage.
We understand how difficult experiencing a disaster in your home or business can be. It is our hopes and effort to not only restore your property, but also your peace of mind. If you have experienced water damage, contact us today at 904.729.2401.
If you experience a disaster at your business, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401. Faster to any disaster!
How would your business and your employees survive an emergency or natural disaster? This is just one of the multitude of things that must be taken care of when running a business, but it is one of the most important factors to think about—emergency preparedness.
This process will not stop all disasters from potentially happening, but it can still give you a head start for safety’s sake, and at least, make sure that your employees know what to do if a disaster or emergency situation should occur.
Creating Your Plan
Is this something you have already done? If not, how about taking the time to sit down and work out an emergency preparedness plan for various disaster situations?
There are numerous emergencies your business should have a preparedness plan in place for, including:
Fire
Severe weather, including thunderstorms and winter storms
Other natural hazards like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes
Human-caused hazards, including accidents or acts of violence
Technology-related issues like power outages and equipment failure
It doesn’t matter if it’s a man-made incident or one stemming from nature, if there is no emergency plan for your business, the emergency could get even more stressful quickly.
You should make sure to include safety training and emergency preparedness in your company training process. By helping employees familiarize themselves with proper safety protocol and emergency procedures, you’re not only giving them the tools to protect themselves, but you are also setting them up to help protect guests/visitors and the business itself.
Where to Start
So, where should you start when beginning to set up an emergency plan for your business? Start by evaluating which scenarios are most likely to occur—and even those that are a long-shot but could still happen. After all, it’s better to prepare for all the worst-case scenarios and not be caught off guard.
There are plenty of online resources to help guide you through this process, including Ready.gov, the American Red Cross, FEMA and the CDC.
Conduct a business impact analysis (BIA), which aids in the prediction of the potential effects a disaster may have on your business. This would include lost or delayed sales and income, increased expenses from repairs, and delayed implementation of business plans. Don’t forget to make sure a crisis communications plan is in place, too.
After you have completed an emergency preparedness plan, don’t stop there. Be sure to go over it and practice with employees. By reviewing and rehearsing various scenarios, it will help ensure the process remains fresh in their minds and can help employees feel more empowered.
We are IICRC certified and it shows when we come to a disaster at your house!
The definition of Restoration is an act of restoring or the condition of being restored: such as bringing back to a former position or condition.
Finding a top restoration company near you can be a daunting task. Digging through endless Google reviews, Yelp testimonies, or talking to a neighbor who had "that thing done once", who can you trust? If you aren't familiar with the restoration process, you can feel overwhelmed, confused, and not sure you are making the right choice. When an accident occurs in your home, one of the first steps is to call your insurance company. Did you know that you can request your insurance to use the restoration company of your choice? That's right! Understanding the process can keep your stress level down when disaster strikes your home, business, or property.
Here are 3 reasons you should choose SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast for your restoration needs.
IICRC Certified
Being IICRC Certified means our technicians keep up with the latest technology and techniques in fire restoration, water restoration, and mold remediation. Our world is constantly growing, and we believe the best way to serve our customers is to keep growing with it. It's our job to become the best at what we do, and we believe constant training is how to get the job done.
Clear Communication
Knowledge is power, and understanding a new process can make all the difference for your pocketbook. When an accident occurs in your home or business, our staff will walk you through every step, every action, and procedure. When we say we are here for you 24/7, we mean it.
Restoration vs. Replace
Economy experts are recommending people hold off on home renovations and home upgrades to put money back into their pockets, but accidents don't always listen to the experts. Our technicians are people in the community, dealing with the same inflation rates and uncertainty as you. That is why we access restoration vs. replacing. Our goal is to save you the most money, time, and peace within your house. If you choose us, you can trust us to make the right choice to restore or replace. While you are saving so much time and money by choosing us, check out this list from this old house in other repair vs. replace options.
Need another reason to choose SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast? Check out one of our client testimonials.
"When you have a water loss it can quickly become traumatic and the worst experience of your life. SERVPRO came out when this happened to me and went right to work mitigating water damage 2 days before Christmas. They worked hard and did a wonderful job. They handled everything so I didn't have to. Then during repairs, the construction company caused a water leak. SERVPRO came right out and checked for moisture not once but twice when the contractor was convinced that there was no moisture under the flooring. This company really cares that you are satisfied with the experience and that's rare. I will absolutely refer Mike and the SERVPRO crew to my clients and friends. Thank you!"
-Laura K.
Jacksonville, FL
Having a company you can trust before disaster strikes can save you time and money. If you find yourself in need of a restoration company give us a call 904-729-2401.
When commercial property damage strikes, give SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast a call for help at 904-729-2401!
Preventative maintenance is one of the most important steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of structural damage at your commercial property. Whether lessening the risk of water, fire, or mold damages, there are strategies that can be employed:
Water
Periodically check plumbing and fixtures for broken or cracked gaskets or seals and/or small leaks. The sooner you catch an issue and repair it, the less likely your small leak will become a catastrophe.
Maintain landscaping around your property. Debris in drainage ditches, overgrown weeds, or clogged storm drains can result it rainwater backing up and flooding your property. Maintaining the exterior of the property reduces this risk, especially if heavy rains are in the forecast.
Roof Maintenance! Damaged roofs provide not only the perfect entry point for storm water to flow into your building but can also allow moisture to become trapped in ceilings and attics, increasing the likelihood of mold growth.
Fire
Have a licensed electrician check wiring in the building. Especially in older properties, faulty wiring is a common source of commercial fire damage.
If your building is equipped with a fire suppression system, make sure it is in working order. If not, be sure to have plenty of in-date fire extinguishers located throughout the property, so that in case of fire, a small issue has less opportunity to become a large disaster.
Properly store and label any combustible or hazardous materials, such as gasoline, diesel, or chemicals. Improperly stored hazardous materials can provide an ignition source and make putting out the fire more dangerous and difficult.
Mold
Reduce moisture within the building by running a dehumidifier. Especially in the more humid climate of the Northeast Florida, eliminating as much moisture as possible within the business can reduce the potential for mold growth.
If you see signs of water intrusion, such as staining or puddling, identify the source, fix it, and dry the area as soon as possible! With porous materials, such as drywall, it only takes a minimal amount of moisture to create the conditions for microbial growth, and growth can begin in as little as 24-48 hours.
Have your HVAC/Duct Work cleaned regularly. This provides better air quality for the property and reduces the circulation of contaminants. If you have confirmed a mold issue at your business, do NOT run the HVAC system, as this could circulate the mold spores and widen the spread.
When it comes to maintaining your commercial property, know that SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is Here to Help. Along with providing duct and general commercial cleanings, our team of professionals is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for emergency damages. Serving Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Callahan, Oceanway, River City, and surrounding communities, we have the equipment, expertise, and experience to handle damages of all sizes!
Cooking and cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries.
A Jacksonville homeowner was cooking with oil when he started a grease fire in the kitchen. Cooking and cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast was called in to do the restoration after the fire.
Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. That was the case with this job; soot traveled behind the cabinets through the wall cavity, causing odor throughout the home. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast had to remove cabinets to get to the soot. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action. Here demolition was necessary to get rid of the pervasive odor caused by soot in wall cavities. The vinyl floor also had to be removed because the homeowner had dropped the burning skillet and oil onto the floor—literally melting the material.
Another factor in the overall damage involved the air handler. The A/C picked up the smoke and soot and blew it throughout the house. Ductwork had to be cleaned in all of the rooms, as well as the air handler and contents.
Our Restore vs. Replace Philosophy
In this case, some demolition was required but when we can we restore rather than replace. Why? Because restoring the affected areas of your property is substantially less costly than demolishing and replacing those areas. This “restore first” mentality also allows us to get your home or business back to pre-fire condition quicker and with less disruption.
If you suffer a home or business fire, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904-729-2401. We’ll handle your property with care, and get you back to normal.
Why SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jax Northeast? We Provide Reconstruction/Renovation Services
We provide a full range of renovation/remodel services to make your problem area "Like it never even happened."
When your home or business has been damaged by fire, water, or storm damage, the immediate concern should be temporary protective measures such as placing roof tarps to prevent additional damage, and boarding up to secure the building and remove water and debris.
After protecting and securing the structure, professionals at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast can begin the restoration process. Your home or business may need reconstruction work to get your property back to its preloss condition.
The professionals at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast can simplify the restoration process by handling both the initial damage mitigation and rebuilding the affected areas. Having one qualified company for the entire process can save time and keeps costs down.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast can provide this continuity by supervising a full range of restoration/ reconstruction services that will bring a building back to full functionality.
These services may be limited to replacing drywall, baseboards, and trim boards, or may entail a complete renovation if desired-including floors, cabinetry, appliances, countertops, painting, and a host of related services.
Having a company that can coordinate the whole process from start to finish to make your life easier, and gets you back in your home or business faster. “Like it never even happened.”
If you would like more information on hiring a restoration/reconstruction team, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast today at (904) 729-2401.
DocuSketch is just one of the tools we use to ensure your loss is handled smoothly and efficiently.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast brings the latest technology to our work. One of the most important aspects of our business is documenting the damage we find at job sites and sharing those involved in the project in a timely fashion. DocuSketch™ Quick-Capture Technology allows us to create detailed 360° panoramic photo tours in less than 20 seconds per room. We add close-up photos of points of interest, cause of damage and the hardware we have employed. We can also add individual comments for later use. We can then share these instantly with our back office and the insurance company while we’re still on site.
DocuSketch™ is built specifically for restoration professionals and is an all-in-one app that includes 3D documentation, sketching, scoping, and estimating. DocuSketch not only provides 3D imagery, but it can also do sketches! We just upload our 360-degree images within the DocuSketch application and their technology will create Xactimate ready digital floor plans. For additional information on how this product can assist in the insurance restoration industry please visit https://docusketch.com/.
There is no longer the need to take hundreds of 2D photographs from a smart phone, complete manual measurements, have multiple site visits or repeat hand-drawn sketches. This tool offers precise loss documentation to help speed up the life cycle of a claim.
Severe Weather Forecast for Jacksonville and Surrounding Areas
Severe weather is on the horizon: Listen to weather alerts and stay safe!
The National Weather Service is predicting severe weather for Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia over the next couple of days. Here’s a summary of their weather briefing.
Main hazards: Isolated tornado (SE GA), damaging winds, small hail
Thunderstorms & Waves of Heavy Rain through Saturday
Potential for a few strong to severe thunderstorms Thursday & Friday
Severe storms possible with squall line passage Friday Night
Periods of Heavy rainfall, especially Thursday Night through Friday night
Small Craft Advisory Outer Waters Today
Small Craft Conditions Friday Night through Sunday
Frequent Gusts to Gale Force Friday Night
Saturday Inland Freeze Saturday Night & Inland Frost Sunday Night
Be safe and be sure to listen out for weather alerts as conditions can change quickly. If you suffer storm damage, we can help! Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
SERVPRO Has The Right Equipment for Handling Water Issues
The key to avoiding costly problems is to handle every water damage event as a threat to your property. Shown here is an advanced moisture meter.
Even small water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. The key to avoiding costly problems in the future is to handle every water damage event as a threat to your property. SERVPRO Fernandina Beach /Jacksonville Northeast 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 Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/ Jacksonville Northeast will answer your call with rapid action and provide a full arsenal of drying equipment. Here are a few of the tools we use:
-Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.
-Moisture Meters (pictured) are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate readings, allowing SERVPRO to monitor the drying process.
-Thermohygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, SERVPRO 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 will 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.
The bottom line? SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast has the training and equipment to help make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us at 904.729.2401 if you experience water damage.
Broken Sprinkler System Head Causes Flooding in Jacksonville Warehouse
The amount of water that flooded from the sprinkler system was staggering and required special resources.
Chaos ensued on a Saturday night at a warehouse for designer handbags in Jacksonville when a forklift driver who was placing items on high shelving accidentally knocked a head off the company’s sprinkler/fire suppression system. Water starting pouring down and was quickly jeopardizing a lot of expensive merchandise.
SPRINKLER SYSTEM LEAKS
Malfunctions or leaks in sprinkler systems are a common cause of water damage in commercial buildings. It is not uncommon for older office and retail buildings to have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers are crucial during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets. Signs of sprinkler leaks include wet surfaces like drywall and carpets, presence of mold and mildew and standing water.
Taking the necessary measures to prevent water damage can save you from costly repairs and business interruption in the future. Since water damage can come from a variety of sources, it’s essential to have the building inspected regularly to prevent leaks, moisture and related issues. This includes sprinkler systems.
If you have water damage at your place of business, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Thunderstorms can be dangerous in North Florida, even in winter months.
Thunderstorms are extremely common in Florida and can be extremely dangerous, even in winter months. Severe thunderstorms have even higher winds, plus hail and/or tornadoes. Lightning, hail, flooding, high winds, reduced visibility, and slick roadways associated with these storms cause millions of dollars in property damage, injuries, and deaths every year.
Before A Storm
Pay attention to weather forecasts. Removed dead or rotten trees and branches that can fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm. Secure outdoor items that can blow around or become damaging projectiles in gusty high winds.
If A Thunderstorm Is Likely
Postpone outdoor activities and stay out of the water. Rubberized soled shoes provide no protection from lightning. Go into a sturdy building or hard topped vehicle. Close/shutter windows and exterior doors. Do not touch anything metal. Turn on your battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio so you can get alerts about hail and tornadoes.
During A Storm
If you are driving and cannot pull over to wait for a storm to pass, then slow down and turn on your low beam headlights so others can see you. Do NOT use flashers/hazard lights unless you are parked. Indoors, keep away from doors and windows. Lightning can travel through the wire and pipes in walls. Do not use electronic appliances or land-line telephones and consider unplugging televisions and other expensive electronic devices so they won’t be damaged by possible power surge.
After A Storm
The threat of lightning is still high. Wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before resuming outdoor activities.
If you or someone you know have storm damage and water is intruding into your house, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/ Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Anyone experiencing or suspecting water damage should contact us for an evaluation of the damage.
There are many small and seemingly harmless things that can lead to water damage if left unattended. Slow drips, undetected leaks, standing water around foundations, cracked and chipped grout and caulking can be small leaks that lead to long-term water damage.
Leaking faucets
Repair or replace leaking faucets right away. Not only can a long-term leak raise a water bill, water can build up along the edges of the sink, onto the countertop and drip under the sink. Small leaks over time can cause mold and mildew, which are both health problems and expensive to remove. Sometimes entire areas of the affected structure need to be removed, such as the flooring and cabinetry under a sink.
Leaking toilets
Leaking toilets can contribute to black water contamination, one of the most serious kinds of problems. An old seal or a plumbing problem that causes a toilet to overflow, even a crack in a toilet, needs immediate attention. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast has the training and equipment to address black water damage.
Dampness under sinks
Check under sinks regularly for damp spots. Cracked pipes, loose fittings, rusted fittings and leaks can cause moisture to build up and spread. When the leak is slow and small, standing water may never be present so what would otherwise be an obvious sign of a problem isn’t present.
Grout and caulking around sinks, tubs and showers
Water can seep through cracks in grout and caulking. Missing chunks of grout and caulking, no matter how small, create places for water to pool and seep through into the walls or floor. Repair damaged grout and caulking at once.
Crawl spaces
Water, dampness and mold that are detected in attics, basements and crawl spaces between the ceiling and roof and under a building need immediate attention. Check these areas regularly, especially after rain and storms.
Standing water
Water that puddles and remains unchanged for more than a day when it is not raining needs to be checked. Certain types of soil drain slower than other types, but even then, standing pools of water should change and get smaller within 24 hours. If the puddle is not changing or is getting bigger, check for a broken pipe. Damp ground that is in contact with any structure long enough causes mold and other water damage.
Landscape watering
Small changes to landscaping and how it is watered can help prevent water damage. Avoid planting anything requiring frequent watering close to the house. We all think flowers look wonderful planted right against the house, but if those flowers require a lot of water to keep them alive, consider moving them to another part of the yard or using containers. Use drought-tolerant plants closest to structures. Make sure that landscape water doesn’t hit the exterior walls or run under the house. Plant slopes with drought plants. Leaving a slope bare or planting it with something with heavy water needs causes water runoff that can contribute to damp ground around or under a structure. If you use automatic irrigation, plan it so that drip-watered plants are not too close to the house and consider using well-placed misting heads instead of drip heads.
Anyone experiencing or suspecting water damage can contact us for an evaluation of the damage. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is the trusted leader in the restoration of water damage. The staff has the training, equipment, and expertise to handle all restoration and cleaning needs and provides 24-hour emergency service. Call us at 904.729.2401.
Tornadoes Can Hit North Florida Post Hurricane Season
It is not uncommon for tornadoes to hit Florida during winter and spring months.
So now that Hurricane Season is over, we don’t have to worry about storms, right?
Not so fast. Tornadoes are prone to hit Florida over the fall, winter and spring months.
What You Need To Know About Florida Tornadoes:
Tornadoes can happen anytime of the year.
Most tornadoes are EF-0, waterspouts that move onshore.
Stronger tornadoes are most likely between February – April, usually within a squall line and can strike at night.
Most tornadoes occur in June but are generally weak.
Florida has the greatest frequency of tornadoes per 10,000 square miles than any other state.
It’s always a good idea to sign up for weather alerts and have a plan in place should a tornado or nor’easter occur. Here are some tips from the Department of Homeland security for making your plan.
Remember, if your home of business suffers flooding or water damage as the result of a storm or tornado, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach & Jacksonville Northeast supports the Humane Society and the Betty White Challenge!
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach & Jacksonville Northeast accepted the Betty White Challenge and were happy to be at the Nassau Humane Society where a super friendly and a big puppy at heart Pitty, named Flash, greeted us with a big smile and lots of love. NHS Manager Meaghan Kidney and Adoption Manager Alec Rowe gladly tagged along to receive our food donation from Joe Perry and Shane Adams. SERVPRO knows that when we are called, your pets are a part of your family and we want every pet to find a loving home. Flash is up for adoption and you may want to move quickly, before someone beats you to him.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast and SERVPRO of Jacksonville Northwest regularly contribute to local causes, not limited to humane shelters and food drives, but also to Barnabas in Fernandina Beach and Yulee, various boy’s and girl’s sports organizations, as well as the Council for Aging and The Caden Project.
Why SERVPRO? We Were Named #8 On Franchise 500 List!
SERVPRO was named #8 overall franchise and #1in the cleaning and restoration industry for the 19th consecutive year!
SERVPRO is proud to announce it has been recognized again as one of the best overall franchise opportunities by Entrepreneur magazine’s 2022 Franchise 500, the industry’s most comprehensive franchise ranking. Evaluated on categories such as growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power, SERVPRO was named the #8 overall franchise system, and #1 in the cleaning and restoration industry for the 19th consecutive year.
To best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, Entrepreneur’s editorial team researches and assesses several factors that go into the evaluation, including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500 in ranking order.
“The past year has been one of the most challenging for businesses in recent memory, which made putting together our 43rd annual Franchise 500 list more enlightening than ever,” said Entrepreneur Editor in Chief Jason Feifer. “The companies named to this year’s list showed us how being resilient, supportive and nimble can help navigate extraordinary challenges and also underscore the grit and innovation that define entrepreneurship.”
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is proud to share in this honor. Please call us at 904.729.2401 if you have water, fire or mold damage.
Did you know that the number one cause of commercial fires is kitchen equipment?
With as much time and effort put into running a business, the last thing anyone wants is to experience fire damage that can detour your direction. Now, we cannot control nature, and accidents happen, but there are some steps we can take to help prevent a fire from happening. Here are four tips to help prevent a fire in your business.
Does your business have a kitchen?
The number one cause of commercial fires is kitchen equipment. That can be from misuse or old and faulty equipment. A great question to ask would be, when was the last cleaning and inspection of your kitchen and its equipment?
Do you have a fire suppression system?
Did you know that the same person who painted the Mona Lisa also created the first fire suppression system? Although your overhead sprinkler system may not be quite as old as Leonardo DaVinci, it still may be time to inspect or have it replaced. The last thing anyone wants is a faulty fire suppression system if a fire should ever start. Have your system regularly inspected or replaced if necessary.
Do you have an electrical cord hazard?
Extension cords are often needed to provide power to a desk and other office utilities, but when there are multiple cords plugged together, and too many utilities drawing power from them, it can cause an electrical hazard that may start a fire. Keep your cords orderly and minimal when they are necessary.
Do you have multiple items with heating elements plugged into one outlet?
Items with heating elements require a substantial amount of electricity. These items can be toasters, coffee makers, or space heaters, to name a few. When there are multiple items like this plugged into one outlet, it can override your electricity and create the potential for an electrical fire. The moral of the story here is, don't make coffee, toast, and heat the room by drawing electricity from the same outlet.
If your business has been affected by a fire, we understand the importance of getting you up and running as quickly as possible. Don’t hesitate, contact us today at 904-729-2401.
We are closing in on a new year and knowing water damage warning signs in and around your home can help you avoid big repair bills as well as more time and trouble later. Here are some tips to prevent water backups.
Maintain gutters and downspouts, keeping them free of debris and leaves and repairing them if they are sagging
Inspect your gutters' capacity - after fifteen minutes of heavy rain, if water overflows the gutters, install additional downspouts
Extend downspouts at least ten feet away from the house
Adjust landscaping and irrigation so that water flows away from the foundation
Drain subsurface groundwater and storm water with a sump pump system that has battery backup and replacement warnings
Run your sump pump every few months and clean it annually before the rainy season
Prevent backflow of sanitary sewer water by installing backflow valves and standpipes at all basement drain locations, including sinks and toilets
Lastly, call us at the first sign of damage; we can save you from a potential larger scale problem.
Keep your home safe and dry with a few simple tips from SERVPRO, whether you are in Fernandina Beach, Yulee or North Jacksonville, these tips will help keep your home and your family safe.
Happy Holidays and Thank You to all of our customers!
At this time of year, we reflect back and appreciate our customers. We at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast pride ourselves on making our customers happy. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority. Here’s what some of our customers say about us. Check out these recent Google reviews.
“Your crew chief was great and professional when he came to our property. He was very knowledgeable and informative of our situation and handled everything in a professional manner. Would recommend to anyone!” T. Graham
“I am highly impressed with SERVPRO! They are very professional and they did a wonderful job in our plant. I would recommend them to absolutely anybody! If you want a fast response with quality work, give them a call.” S. Roland
“Your staff was excellent, very efficient and extremely neat. I would recommend your company to anyone. Thanks for a great job.” P LePorin
Our team is highly trained for water, fire, and mold restoration jobs. We have been in the business since 2007 and are a Florida-licensed mold remediation firm. We also offer a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program which is a defensive cleaning program that goes beyond janitorial of carpet cleaning. Individuals or business use it as a higher standard of cleaning for COVID-19 protection. Learn more.
Our team cares about our customers and would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Enjoying Candles Safely in Jacksonville Over the Holidays!
We wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!
The National Candle Association and the National Association of State Fire Marshals are urging consumers to take special care when using candles this holiday season, and to follow these important fire-safety rules:
Always keep a burning candle within your sight. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Keep burning candles away from combustible items. Be especially careful not to place candles near flammable decorations or Christmas greenery.
Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be sturdy, heat resistant and big enough to collect dripping wax.
Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
Trim candlewicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting or re-lighting. Keep the wax-pool free of wick trimmings, dust, matches and debris at all times.
What’s the difference between smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms? Why do I need both?
Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger. In the event of fire, you may have as little as two minutes to escape safely, which is why smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom, outside of the sleeping areas (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement). Do not put smoke alarms in your kitchen or bathrooms.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that displaces oxygen in your body and brain and can render you unconscious before you even realize something is happening to you. Without vital oxygen, you are at risk of death from carbon monoxide poisoning in a short time. CO alarms detect the presence of carbon monoxide and alert you so you can get out, call 9-1-1, and let the professionals check your home.
How do I know which smoke and CO alarm to choose for my home?
Choose an alarm that is listed with a testing laboratory, meaning it has met certain standards for protection. Whether you select a unit that requires yearly changing of batteries, or a 10-year unit that you change out at the end of the 10 years, either will provide protection.
CO alarms also have a battery backup. Choose one that is listed with a testing laboratory. For the best protection, use combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that are interconnected throughout the home. These can be installed by a qualified electrician, so that when one sounds, they all sound. This ensures you can hear the alarm no matter where in your home the alarm originates.
In the event you suffer fire or smoke damage, contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
We at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE hope you enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday!
Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. Following these tips will help make sure you stay safe from fires on Thanksgiving Day.
Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
Keep knives out of the reach of children.
Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
If you do have an issue with fire or smoke over the holiday, call the fire restoration experts at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Why SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast? We Proudly Hire Veterans
We at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast salute our own veterans on this Veterans Day!
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is proud to thank and to honor our veteran employees—and all Veterans throughout the country—on this Veterans Day. We have a special place in our hearts and our workplace for these individuals!
Shown in the photo, from left, is Justen Gourley, Navy, and Robert Stilwell, Army. Not pictured: Paula Reilly-Sanford, Army.
Having Veterans on your job is just on reason to choose SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast when it comes to your restoration needs. Here’s more:
Operating in the Northeast Florida since 2007, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast has grown over the years into a Clean Up & Restoration leader for Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, Yulee, and surrounding areas. As a locally owned and operated business with the backing of over 1,800 franchises, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is prepared and equipped to respond to your property damage, no matter the size. We have the specialized chemicals & equipment to properly address your fire, water, and mold damage, and we offer 24-hour emergency response and reconstruction services. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast Professionals hold multiple IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) certifications, including:
Water Damage Restoration
Applied Structural Drying
Fire & Smoke Restoration
Applied Microbial Remediation
Odor Control
When disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is Here to Help. Proudly serving Jacksonville and the surrounding Northeast Florida area, our team is Faster to Any Size Disaster. To find out more about the services we offer, give us a call at 904.729.2401.
Following these tips will help you prevent mold before it happens.
When water leaks or spills occur indoors - ACT QUICKLY. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.
Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
Keep air-conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity. Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter.
If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
Actions that will help prevent condensation
Reduce the humidity.
Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or windows, when practical. Use fans as needed.
Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.
Increase air temperature.
The key to mold control is moisture control. Solve moisture problems before they become mold problems!
Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible.
Watch for condensation and wet spots. Fix source(s) of moisture problem(s) as soon as possible.
Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air (humidity). To increase surface temperature, insulate or increase air circulation. To reduce the moisture level in air, repair leaks, increase ventilation (if outside air is cold and dry), or dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid).
Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed.
Vent moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside where possible.
If water have water damage or flooding, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401! We'll get there fast!
Walking into your home or business and discovering a water disaster can be overwhelming. Often people are left confused about what to do or what actions to take. Here at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast, our goal is to help not only restore property but also to restore peace of mind. Here are a few actions to take once you discover water damage in your home or business.
Get the air moving
Once the topical water has been removed, you will want to create good airflow through the room. Giving floors and personal items the optimal conditions to dry is key, and good airflow will do just that. Placing fans in the affected room, and ensuring airflow will help to remove the humidity from the room, allowing for better drying conditions.
Turn off the electrical supply
Electricity and water are a dangerous mixture of elements. Especially if there is any flooding, be sure to turn off the electricity to your home before entering the affected area. Find the breaker box to your home, and switch off the main breaker to your home, as well as the specific affected room. This will help to eliminate the danger of electrocution while entering the flooded area.
Quickly shut off the water source
This may seem like an obvious action, but statistics show a drastic decline in the damage incurred based on how quickly the water source is shut off. Instead of trying to first determine where the water is coming from, shut off your water altogether and devise a better plan to discover the source. It is very easy to get caught up in finding the source in the middle of the commotion rather than going directly to the shutoff, which will help the most to eliminate the damage.
Get professional help as soon as possible
The longer that water damage sits, the more damage it can cause. Mold can begin growing, and you may soon need mold remediation as well. Be sure to contact a water damage restoration professional as quickly as possible. If water sits long enough, it can even begin seeping up the walls causing even more extensive damage. One important thing to note is that it's the water you don't see that causes the most damage.
If you have experienced a flood in your home and need water damage restoration, don't wait, contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast today at 904.729.2401
3 out of 5 fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
In keeping with fire prevention month, here are some things you should know about smoke alarms. The first thing you need to know is that 3 out of 5 fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.
SAFETY TIPS
Install smoke alarms in every bedroom. They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
Current alarms on the market employ different types of technology including multi-sensing, which could include smoke and carbon monoxide combined.
Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms.
A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
If you do have fire damage at your home or place of business, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 94.729.2401.
How to Prevent Mold Problems in Jacksonville and North Florida
If you have mold issues, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE at 904.729.2401.
When you live in a subtropical area, like Florida, the high humidity can cause mold damage, even without leaky pipes or a damaged roof. Here are some tips to follow to control humidity to prevent mold problems:
The level suggested for the interior relative humidity of your home is 60 percent or less to discourage mold growth. Do not guess to maintain this level. Invest in a good quality hygrometer to be certain your humidity levels are within the parameters that will discourage mold growth.
To reduce the moisture content of the air within your home, make sure all exhaust fans are working properly in high moisture generating rooms like the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry areas. Be sure all family members are using them regularly when cooking, showering, and washing clothes.
Dryers should vent to the outdoors. Remember to run air conditioners regularly as they remove moisture from the air. Do not use vaporizers or humidifiers in the house. If all of these measures do not reduce the humidity to proper levels, invest a dehumidifier to reach and then maintain that 60 percent standard. Be sure all equipment used to reduce humidity is checked for proper drainage of the water removed from the air. Empty the water condensed as needed or set up the machine to discharge into a sink or drain.
Following these steps will help to prevent mold issues.
The definition of mitigation, according to FEMA it is, “the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.” Specifically, water mitigation is a process that reduces or prevents the amount of damage that can be caused by water after a leak, storm, burst pipe, or flood.
These efforts are most effective when mitigation is performed as soon as possible! Why? When water sits in a damaged area for extended lengths of time, the risk for more damage increases drastically. Sitting water can lead to microbial growth, cracks in foundation, irreversible content damage, carpet/flooring damage, etc.
Unfortunately, water-related disasters can occur at any time. The costs and effects of water damage are unpredictable, which is why it is important to begin the mitigation process in a timely manner.
There are several steps you can take while you wait for our highly-trained crews to arrive;
Try to close the main water source or shut off any water sources that may be causing the flooding
Please stay away from any electrical devices. Shut down your electric breaker to prevent any injuries
If you can safely gain access, take any curtains or draperies away from water or any wet carpet
If you can safely gain access, remove items that may cause stain to your wet carpet such as, fabrics, books, papers, plants and shoes. DO NOT place newspaper on wet carpet to walk on as ink transfers very easily to wet carpet fibers. Avoid walking on carpet as much as possible
Step 1: Emergency Contact to our office staff will guide you through several important questions that will allow our crews to respond more quickly and efficiently to avoid spreading the affected area
Step 2: SERVPRO arrival , our crews will begin SERVPRO's unique water mitigation process. SERVPRO’s process contains a specialized set of steps to ensure property value is restored to normal
Step 3 : Inspection and Damage Assessment-Once on scene, our crews scrupulously inspect your property’s water damage, which will help them determine the type of water damage and the areas that are affected
Step 4 : Water Extraction-Hundreds of gallons of water are removed using our powerful pumps and vacuums.
Step 5 : Drying and Dehumidification-After the bulk of the water has been removed, our crews use specialized equipment to target any water that is harder to access. Our crews implement a scientific drying method to extract any remaining water and moisture using air movers and dehumidifiers.
Step 6 : Cleaning and Sanitizing-Since water damage also affects belongings, furniture, clothes and many other personal items, our crews will clean restorable items through a process of specialized techniques. Our crews will also sanitize with antimicrobial treatments and remove any odors using air scrubbers and fogging equipment
Step 7 : Restoration-This is our last step to ensuring your home or business returns to its pre-water damage condition. This step can be as minor as replacing some drywall panels or as major as reconstruction.
SERVPRO’s primary job is to keep the damage caused by the water at a minimum and restore the value of the property to make it, “Like it never even happened.”
If you have water damage, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at (904) 729-2401 immediately. We’re available 24/7.
Having a home fire escape plan will reduce the chance of fire-related injuries.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
Since October is Fire Prevention Month, we thought it would be a good time to discuss fire escape plans.
On average, there are 358,000 home fires each year in the U.S. with 12,300 injuries. Having a home fire escape plan will reduce the chance of fire-related injuries. Follow these steps to create yours.
Draw a map of your home. Show all doors and windows.
Mark all of the smoke alarms with “SA”. Smoke alarms should be in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
Visit each room. Find two ways out.
All windows and doors should open easily. You should be able to use them to get outside.
Make sure your home has smoke alarms. Push the test button to make sure each alarm is working.
Pick a meeting place outside. It should be in front of your home. Everyone will meet at the meeting place.
Make sure your house or building number can be seen from the street.
Talk about your plan with everyone in your home.
Learn the emergency phone number for your fire department.
Practice your home fire drill!
If you suffer smoke or fire damage to your home, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast can help. Call us at 904.729.2401.
Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property.
When there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast staff has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. Here are steps illustrating the “typical” mold removal process.
Call Us
The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call us. Our customer service representative will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment resources, and personnel needed.
Inspection & Damage Assessment
Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detent mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view.
Mold Containment
Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.
Air Filtration
Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. Our technicians use powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.
Removing Mold
The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments are used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.
Contents & Belongings
We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. We also remove odors and deodorize using fogging equipment.
Restoration
Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home.
You can be confident that our professionals understand mold growth and have the training and equipment to remediate mold in your home. Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
If you have fire damage, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401. We're Here to Help!
According to the National Fire Protection Association, in the U.S., we have an average of 353,100 house fires a year. A house fire can be one of the most damaging, and difficult situations to recover from. It not only carries the physical implications of a damaged building structure but also the emotional strain of losing cherished belongings. For us at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast, restoring hope is just as important as restoring your property. If we can help it, we would rather that you don’t experience these losses altogether. Here are some tips to prevent the top causes of a house fire.
Smoking
Smoking is the number one cause of home fire deaths in the U.S. If you smoke, it is best to do so outside. A cigarette should be completely put out before going to bed, and never smoke in bed. And always keep smoking materials away from kids.
Electrical fire
The leading causes of electrical fires in a home are old appliances and faulty electrical outlets. Regularly inspect the electrical cords from your appliances, and never alter the prongs on a plug. Avoid having electrical cords ran underneath a carpet and when you are unplugging a cord, be sure to hold the plug securely and not the cord. Unplugging a cord from a wall by pulling the cord can cause it to fray and possibly lead to a fire.
Cooking
Cooking fires are the leading types of home fires in the U.S.. Most often these fires are caused by unattended cooking. Be sure to never leave food while the source of heat is still active. Be aware of combustible material, and keep it away from anything cooking. Double-check ovens and stovetops once cooking is done to ensure they are turned off.
If you have experienced fire damage, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 904.729.2401. We have the experience and expertise to restore your property and belongings.
September is National Preparedness Month. Are You Ready?
Here are some tips to help you in getting ready for the most active month in our Atlantic hurricane season.
As we enter the most active month of hurricane season, this week we are sharing some very helpful information on National Preparedness Month from FEMA. National Preparedness Month is an observance every September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2021 theme is: “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.”
Each week in September, the NPM campaign focuses on a different aspect of preparedness for individuals, families, and communities. Follow the links below for detailed information on each week’s topic.
WEEK ONE (September 1-4): Make A Plan. Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations due to COVID and the Delta variant
WEEK TWO (September 5-11): Build An Emergency Kit. Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home. Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the CDC.
WEEK THREE (September 12-18): Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness. Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family. Know the risk of disasters in your area. Learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards. Check your insurance coverage to make sure it is active and updated.
WEEK FOUR {September 19-25}: Teach Kids About Preparedness. Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved.
Stay safe this hurricane season, and remember that SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is Here to Help if you have storm damage. Call us at 904.729.2401.
Employees Complete IICRC-Approved Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) Course
Josh Hortman and Alyssa Corbitt attended the training courses and passed the exam; The WRT Certification Exam is comprised of 140 multiple choice questions.
The IICRC-approved Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) course is designed to teach restoration personnel that perform remediation work to give them a better understanding of water damage, its effects and techniques for drying of structures. This course gives residential and commercial restoration personnel the background to understand the procedures necessary to deal with water losses, sewer backflows, and contamination such as mold.
When coupled with additional on-the-job training and field experience, students will be prepared to perform and document typical residential or light commercial water-damage restoration projects from start to finish. They also should be adequately prepared to accomplish further training in other areas such as ASD (Applied Structural Drying) and (AMRT) Applied Microbial Remediation Technician, which require WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician) as a prerequisite.
Covered Topics Include:
General Discussion covers Principles of Drying, Categories and Classes.
Equipment, Supplies, Chemicals
Microorganisms, Health and Safety
Drying Science
Effect of Water on Materials
Inspections
Procedures: Sanitary Water Source
Procedures: Unsanitary Water
Continuing Education: The IICRC continuing education program seeks to encourage registrants to actively participate in their industry through conventions, workshops and specialized training with continuing education and by sharing knowledge with others in the industry. IICRC-certified cleaning and restoration technicians face many changes in their field and require two credits every four years.
Josh Hortman demonstrates proper use of a fire extinguisher.
Having an in-date fire extinguisher on your property is important to fire safety, but did you know that there are different kinds of fire extinguishers, as well as a proper way in which to use one? Keeping yourself, your family, and your property protected in the event of a structure fire is paramount, and the following information can help facilitate that process.
Q: What are the different kinds of fire extinguishers, and what is each used for?
A: The U.S. Fire Administration defines five primary types of fire extinguishers used to put out different kinds of fires:
A – used for ordinary material fires, such as wood, cloth, or paper.
B – for use with combustible or flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, or oil.
C – for use with electrical equipment like appliances and tools.
D – for use with flammable metals.
K – for use with animal oils, vegetable oils, and fats in cooking appliances.
Many fire extinguishers may also be multipurpose, in that they carry multiple letter definitions and can put out a variety of material fires.
Q: What is the proper way to use a fire extinguisher?
A: The U.S. Fire Administration suggests the acronym “PASS” as a means of properly discharging a fire extinguisher:
P - Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
A - Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
S - Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly
S - Sweep the nozzle from side to side
To keep yourself safe, it is important to use extreme caution within a fire damaged structure. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast offers a full line of fire clean up and restoration services, and we are Here to Help when you need us. Give us a call at 904-729-2401 to learn more.
Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.
SERVPRO® professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We offer cleaning services including the removal of biohazard contaminants such as those related to the COVID Delta variant. We have the specialized training and products to get your business back in business.
One such initiative is our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program.
With the Delta variant affecting our Florida communities, SERVPRO is being called on by numerous businesses and community leaders to perform the necessary bioremediation services to clean, disinfect and sanitize their properties. That’s why we developed the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program. All of our cleanup practices are in accordance with the guidelines provided by the CDC and local authorities. In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.
SERVPRO can respond quickly and effectively to help minimize business interruption to your company. SERVPRO franchise professionals are uniquely prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business according to the protocols set forth by the CDC. 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 at a minimum. These same surfaces are mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces as well. The CDC also recommends regular cleaning of the following areas/items:
-Kitchen/Food Areas
-Bathrooms
-Water Fountains
-Shelving/Racks
-Sales Counters
-Carpets and Rugs
-Stair Handrails
-Elevators and Escalators
-Fitness Equipment
SERVPRO professionals are trained to perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfection. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of waste.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast: Ready for whatever happens.®
Call us at 904.729.2401 to schedule one-time or regular service.
At this home, the water shut-off valve is located inside the garage.
No one expects pipes to burst, water heaters to break, or toilets and washers to overflow. If this happens, your quick response along with the highly trained specialists of SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast will limit your damages and potentially save you thousands of dollars! Here are some tips for locating water shut-off valves on your property.
If you have a water emergency, knowing the location of the shut-off valve could save you thousands in water damage repairs. Home water systems contain two types of shut-off valves: main or master shut- off valves for stopping the flow of water to the entire house. These can be tricky and might involve the help of a professional—like a plumber or SERVPRO. An alternative is finding individual or supply shut-off valves for specific appliances and fixtures. Try these first.
Try to Cut Off Water Close to Source
If you have a leak at your toilet, sink, clothes washer, or ice maker, shut off water close to the source:
Toilet: Look under the toilet, against the wall for the flexible metal tubing. Turn the handle clockwise until it stops. Do not force.
Sink: Look under the sink cabinet. There will be two sets of flexible metal or plastic tubing. Turn handles clockwise.
Clothes Washer: Some houses have the valves clearly exposed above and behind the washer. Turn both valves clockwise. If you do not see these valves, slide the washer outward and you will likely see them.
Dishwashers: The water supply tube running to the dishwasher often has a fixture shut-off valve controlling it. In many cases, this is also located under the kitchen sink base cabinet, and it may be close proximity to the sink faucet shut-off valves.
Refrigerator ice makers/water dispensers: The small copper or mesh supply tube running to the refrigerator usually has a small saddle valve or other devices that can be shut off to close down the water supply.
Locate Water Main Shut-Off Valve Within the House
This is the best way to shut off water in your house, but locating water shut-off valves indoors can prove to be a tricky task. It will, however, cut off your home's entire water supply, allowing you to open up any pipe within the house.
Hopefully your water shut-off falls can be easily found--either the knob or lever on a border wall. However, if it’s not so easy to locate, Lee Wallender of The Spruce suggests that your valve is likely in one of these following places:
On a perimeter wall of your house
At ground level, so you’ll be looking for it lower on the wall if you’re on the ground level floor
In a straight line from your outdoor water meter
Noted on your property inspection report from when you purchased the house (most likely in section 6.1)
Behind an access panel
NOT under a sink or next to the water heater
If you don’t want to play plumbing detective, or if you need help locating your main water shut-off valves, you can schedule a service call for SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast to come out and assist you. Call us at 904-729-2401 if you are interested. It would be money well spent to protect your home investment.
CSU released its third forecast for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season
Take this time, when there are no hurricanes in the Atlantic basin, to create your hurricane emergency kit and plan.
Source: Colorado State University
Last week, Colorado State University updated their annual hurricane forecast. Here's what they said.
"We have increased our forecast slightly and continue to forecast an above-average 2021 Atlantic basin hurricane season. Current neutral ENSO conditions are anticipated to persist for the next several months. Sea surface temperatures averaged across most of the tropical Atlantic are now near to slightly above normal, and most of the subtropical North Atlantic remains warmer than normal. Elsa’s development and intensification into a hurricane in the tropical Atlantic also typically portends an active season. We anticipate an above-normal probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean.
As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted."
Take this time, when there are no hurricanes in the Atlantic basin, to create your hurricane emergency kit and plan.
Businesses Can Trust SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jax NE’s IICRC Certifications
Christon Overly, Crew Chief with SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE holds 5 IICRC certifications.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is proud to be an IICRC certified firm. IICRC, or the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, is a non-profit organization for the cleaning and restoration industry. The goal of the IICRC is to establish and advance globally recognized standards and certifications for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration and installation industries. To accomplish this goal, the IICRC sets standards and certifications for inspection, cleaning, and restoration. The IICRC ensures that when businesses or individuals hire a certified firm or technician that they have hired experts who will provide reasonable assurance that work will be completed in accordance with the industry's "standard of care." The technicians of SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast set themselves apart through training, experience, and comprehensive examination.
When you see a IICRC logo, you can be confident that an IICRC-certified experienced, qualified professional is caring for your valuable property. IICRC Certified Firms employ technicians who, after study, field experience and passing comprehensive exams, have received IICRC certifications in specific cleaning, restoration and inspection categories. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is one such firm. One of our technicians, Christon Overly, even has certifications in five areas, including Water Damage Restoration, Structural Drying, Odor Removal, Mold Remediation, and Fire Restoration.
We hold the following certifications through IICRC:
AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program
FSRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
IICRC Certified Firm
OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program
OSHA - 30-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program
OSHA - Other Training
RCT - Rug Cleaning Technician
RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation
UFT - Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
If water, fire, or mold damages your business, please contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at (904) 729-2401.
Summer activities can lead to a higher potential for fires in your home, but there are some actions you can take to prevent it. Here are five tips to prevent summer fires.
Fires Started by grills
It is almost ingrained in our culture that as the weather heats up, so do our backyard grills! As much as grilling is a favorite pastime for many, the need for grill safety is evident.
According to the NFPA, 29% of gas-fueled grill fires happen from a failure to clean. This is the largest contributor to grill fires. Be sure to clean your grills and grease trap after each use. Other reasons for grill fires to be aware of include heat sources being too close to combustibles, and mishandled propane.
Fires started by air conditioners
The heat in North Florida causes a need for high air conditioning use. Central air systems are not as likely to start fires as portable or fixed units. Generally, wall units and portable units have a higher requirement for electric power, and the wiring at times may not keep up.
The first measure of safety with air conditioning units is to always have a professional install your unit. Be sure to have your unit serviced annually, and do not use an extension cord with your air conditioning unit. These actions will greatly reduce the chance of a fire, and the need for fire damage restoration!
Fires started by smoking
There are nearly 1,000 fire deaths every year caused by cigarettes. If you smoke, one of the best options to prevent a home fire is to smoke outside. One of the larger fire dangers cigarettes carry is the ability to spark a wildfire. Even though there has been a decline since the 1980’s in wildfires started by cigarettes, our dry and dense forests provide a high risk for even a small spark to start a fire. Be sure to extinguish your cigarettes, and never dispose of them by throwing them out of your window.
Fires started by Fireworks
The beauty and excitement of fireworks may be something that you look forward to each year, but along with the fun times and celebration comes a responsibility of safety. Every year over 50,000 fires are caused by fireworks. Much of the fire damage restoration that is called for every summer can be attributed to the improper use of fireworks. Some of the precautions include keeping a bucket of water nearby, never letting young children handle fireworks, and soaking fireworks for a few hours before discarding them. Check out nsc.org for more fireworks safety tips.
Wildfires
It may be surprising for some to find that the vast majority of wildfires are caused by humans. We can help lower the number of wildfires if we all were more aware of and took the safety measures necessary to keep our forests safe. Campfires and equipment malfunction are some of the main causes of wildfires started by humans.
Campfires: Be sure to drown the fire, stir the embers to get them all wet, and feel the area with the back of your hand to make sure nothing is still smoldering.
Equipment malfunction: Whenever using equipment or machinery, be sure to follow its proper use, and read the instruction manual before operating.
We at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE wish you a Happy July 4th, and urge you to practice fire safety!
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast Supports a Worthy Cause: The Caden Project
The mission of the Caden Project is to provide a Caden Bear to every hospitalized child.
What if you could help put a stuffed teddy bear into the hands of every hospitalized child?
In keeping with our goal of giving back to the communities we serve, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast recently contributed to a very worthy cause, becoming a Gold Sponsor of the Bears Boots and BBQ Bash last Saturday in Callahan. The purpose of the event, sponsored by the Caden Project and Compassionate Hearts for Kids, was to raise funds and spread awareness for their efforts to provide teddy bears to kids in children’s hospitals, and show those kids that people care. Laine Hardy, of American Idol fame, performed at the dinner.
Caden Project Background
Richard and Christina Wood started The Caden Project and Compassionate Hearts for Kids, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization after the heartbreak they endured with their boys, Caleb & Caden. Both were born with a genetic immune disorder and had to go through a bone marrow transplant in order to survive. Living in and out of the hospital for so long, Richard and Christina witnessed first-hand the turmoil these kids and families go through and wanted to give back to them and show them someone cares. Their younger son Caden went through his transplant in 2013 and was given a teddy bear by a close friend. That bear comforted him and became his friend. The Caden Project was then born to help bring the same comfort Caden received to other kids through the "Caden" teddy bears. It is their mission to put a smile on the faces of every child in our nation’s children’s hospitals.
For more information on how you can support this outstanding effort, see https://bearsthatcare.org. For more information on SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE, see About Us.
Pet Preparedness Month: Prepare Your Pets for Disasters
SERVPRO Marketing Director Sarah Branch Howard getting her pup Sadie ready for an upcoming storm.
Source: ready.gov
Your pets are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency plan. Here are some things to think about as you make your plans.
Make a Plan
If you have a plan in place for you and your pets, you will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry when you need to make a decision during an emergency. If local officials ask you to evacuate, that means your pet should evacuate too. If you leave your pets behind, they may end up lost, injured or worse.
Things to include in your plan:
• Have an evacuation plan for your pet. Many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside. Know a safe place where you can take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen.
• Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.
• Have your pet microchipped. Make sure to keep your address and phone number up-to-date and include contact information for an emergency contact outside of your immediate area.
Build an Emergency Kit for Your Pet
Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival, such as food and water. Have two kits, one larger kit if you are sheltering in place and one lightweight version for if you need to evacuate. Review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh.
Here are some items you may want to include in an emergency kit for your pet:
• Food. Keep several days’ supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
• Water. Store a water bowl and several days’ supply of water.
• Medicine. Keep an extra supply of the medicine your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container.
• First aid kit. Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs.
• Collar with ID tag and a harness or leash. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag. Have copies of your pet’s registration information and other relevant documents in a waterproof container and available electronically.
• Traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet.
• Grooming items. Pet shampoo, conditioner and other items, in case your pet needs some cleaning up.
• Sanitation needs. Include pet litter and litter box (if appropriate), newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs.
• A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet.
• Familiar items. Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.
Hurricane season is upon us, so now is the time to prepare!
This flooded hallway is just one of the many affected areas in this assisted living facility.
Preventing Commercial Water Damage
A contractor broke a water line in an assisted living facility which resulted in water damage throughout the entire facility. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast was called in to extract the water and mitigate the associated water damage.
This is one example of an incident that can necessitate water repair and cleanup in commercial facilities.
Following are some tips for preventing or reducing the severity of water damage events in commercial facilities in the Nassau County and North Jacksonville area.
Maintain the Plumbing
Regular plumbing maintenance can alert building owners to corroded or damaged pipes and partial sewer line blockages. A building owner or manager should be aware of the age, condition, and materials used in the plumbing system. Regular inspections can help to minimize the occurrence of a broken or blocked pipe and inform you of measures you can take to prevent backups, bursts or leaks.
Repair Roof Damage
Roofing can sustain damage from high winds or storm conditions. Damaged materials can result in leaks. Building owners or managers are well advised to inspect the condition of the roof after weather events and arrange for professional repair and maintenance if there are signs of roof damage. SERVPRO can assist by installing a tarp on the roof to limit water damage until repairs are possible.
Inspect Sprinkler Systems
Fire suppression systems play an important role in maintaining the overall safety of commercial structures. However, as was the case at the assisted living facility, these systems can malfunction and cause water damage when no fire risk is present. Building owners and managers should schedule regular inspections of fire sprinklers to reduce the risk of water or fire damage.
Property owners who take these measures may be able to lessen the severity or even prevent some incidences of water damage. Prevention is generally more cost effective than emergency water damage repair.
When you live in a subtropical area, like Florida, the high humidity both outside and inside can have consequences far beyond personal discomfort. Given the right combination of free floating microbial particles and ambient moisture, the interior of your home can exhibit significant mold damage, even without leaky pipes or a damaged roof.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast can help you evaluate whether the mold damage you are experiencing in your home is traceable to simple high humidity or if other sources of water need to be uncovered. We also then will work with you to use a variety of techniques to reduce the moisture levels of the air within your house so that fungal growth will be reduced, slowed, and then halted.
Existing mold damage linked to high humidity in Fernandina Beach and North Jacksonville should be treated with the EPA approved procedures. Our SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast mold remediation technicians are well trained in this best-practices methodology. Containment, cautious but thorough removal, and proper disinfection will bring the microbial activity to a baseline where no future growth is expected. As long as you are careful to monitor the humidity, mold spread should cease.
The Mold Remediation Process
Every mold infestation is different, from the amount of mold to the types of materials affected. Each scenario requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for a “typical” mold remediation infestation:
Emergency Contact - Call us at (904) 729-2401
Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
Mold Containment
Air Filtration
Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
Cleaning Contents and Belongings
Restoration
If you do experience mold problems, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is a Florida-Licensed Mold Remediator. In the state of Florida, any person or company advertising or representing oneself to be a mold remediator—or taking samples for purposes of testing for the presence of mold—must have a license. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is licensed; Our license number is MRSR450. A licensed contractor has the training, expertise and experience required to do the job well, safely and to code.
If you have mold issues call, us at 904.729.2401. We’ll make it "Like it never even happened."
Have water or mold damage at your business? Call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jax NE at 904-729-2401. We’ll get there fast.
When business owners envision water damage, they often picture a massive storm wiping out power lines, flooding offices, and shutting down businesses for days at a time. It is true that commercial water damage is often the result of floods and water that stem from storms. And it is true that we in North Florida get our share of severe thunderstorms and even hurricanes.
However, many business owners and tenants overlook the fact that storms and severe weather aren't the only cause of water damage. Here are some of the common causes of water damage to commercial buildings.
Malfunctioning sprinkler systems
It is not uncommon for older office and retail buildings to have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers are crucial during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets.
Damaged appliances and equipment
This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency.
Broken pipes and plumbing
Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result.
Backed up sewer lines
This is another cause of commercial water damage. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated black water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings.
If your business has suffered commercial water damage, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/ Jacksonville Northeast will get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at (904) 729-2401 for fast help.
Why SERVPRO? Customers Appreciate Our Empathetic Service
At SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE, nothing pleases us more than getting a good review from a satisfied customer. We take pride in our work and are very conscious that we are often taking care of people who are in very stressful situations—and we take that responsibility very seriously.
Here’s what one customer said recently in a Google review:
“Every interaction with SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE was pleasant. The initial consult/estimate was scheduled in a timely manner and the project was finished ahead of schedule. Every single employee interaction was professional and enjoyable. Dealing with water damage in your home can be stressful, but SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE provided me quality solutions in an efficient manner. I would recommend them to anyone dealing with water or mold problems.”
If you are dealing with a water, fire or mold emergency, contact us at 904.729.2401. Also, see our Google page for other reviews.
This thermal image shows water behind a hotel wall.
Flooding at hotels is not an unusual occurrence, but always poses special challenges. Whenever SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast gets a call about water damage at a hotel, it’s all hands on deck! In a recent hotel job, seven rooms on three floors plus the workout room were affected. Management had been in the process of remodeling rooms when there was a pipe break that caused the flooding. Such a large-scale event impacts revenue significantly.
Not only does the hotel need to handle the costs of water damage restoration, but they must also deal with the potential lost income of closing down or reducing the number of available rooms during the repairs. In addition to dealing with damages to the actual hotel, hotel staff must also consider the issue of damaged personal belongings of their guests. Following are common causes of water damage in hotels:
Overflowing bathtub or bathroom sink
Toilet leaks
AC unit overflow
Water heater leaks
Broken shower drain
Sewer line back ups
We worked around the clock to complete the job as soon as possible while also trying to inconvenience guests as little as possible. In this case, the damage was encompassed three floors so minimizing impact was challenging.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast specializes in the clean-up and restoration of commercial properties after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained and IICRC-certified. We understand that each day restoring the property is a lost day of revenue so we work overtime using a 6-step restoration process.
If you have water damage at your commercial property, call us at 904-729-2401.
Prepare for Storm Season: Ten Tips You Should Know
Take time to prepare now before hurricane season actually starts next month.
It's almost that time of year again. We are enjoying early spring, but late spring ushers in storm season. Here in the Southeast, we are very vulnerable to violent weather and hurricanes so it pays to make sure you’re prepared before the weather arrives. Here are 10 steps to take before storm season:
Locate and agree on a safe room. Plan to find the lowest place in the house, without windows. Usually this is the basement or an interior closet or storeroom. Meet as a family and agree to the plan to meet there in case of emergency. Be sure that each family member has a plan for shelter away from home in case of a storm that doesn’t allow everyone to get home.
Supplies. Be sure to keep supplies on hand in or near the safe room. These should include: water, a water purification kit, non-perishable snacks/food, blankets and pillows, clothing, first aid, medical equipment for special-needs family members, pre-moistened towelettes, hand sanitizer, zip-lock plastic bags, disposable eating ware, duct tape, necessary toiletries, flashlights with fresh batteries, radio, cell phone with charged batteries, entertainment items, and pet care items. You may want a battery-operated laptop with a cellular modem to be able to connect with email and Internet.
Evacuation plan. Have a plan if you will be required to evacuate due to incoming weather. Don’t risk it--get out if an evacuation order comes. Know the escape routes, plan for pets, have the car full of gas, etc. Be sure you have identification, medication, medical paperwork, insurance information, food, eyeglasses, money, credit cards, etc. with you when you evacuate.
Plan for pets. Make sure you know where the family pets are at all times and who is responsible for their care before and during the storm. Develop a plan for their care in case of evacuation.
Generator. A stand-by generator rapidly is becoming a necessary home appliance. Heating/cooling, cooking, communication, medical gear, etc. all are dependent on electric supply. A permanent stand-by generator fueled by natural or propane gas with automatic transfer switch is best. Portable gas or diesel-powered generators are ok for short-term uses but less reliable and more dangerous. Be sure to follow proper venting procedures to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Check insurance. Make sure your home and auto insurance is up to date and that you’re covered in case of storm damage.
Trim the trees. Broken tree limbs hitting power lines or houses can cause a lot of damage. The best defense is pruning. Taking the weight off the top of trees allows the roots to withstand higher winds and prevent damage.
Install the shutters. New building codes in hurricane-prone areas require shutters or ballistic glass to be installed in homes. But increasingly homeowners around the country are installing shutters that can be deployed electronically or manually in case of storms. You also can use pre-cut plywood to cover windows.
Collect all potential projectiles. Clear the yard and patio of everything not attached: lawn furniture, bird feeders, wind chimes, patio equipment, toys, etc. so they don’t become airborne projectiles.
Secure valuables. Move valuables and irreplaceable photos to a safe deposit box to prevent loss. Videotape the contents of your home, garage, and landscaping, and store the video in the box.
Planning is the key to minimizing damage and preventing injuries or loss of life in storms. So get ahead of the season, and be prepared.
If you experience storm damage, call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904-729-2401 any time day or night. We’ll respond quickly and make it “Like it never even happened.”
Hurricane researchers are predicting an active hurricane season this year so you want to be prepared.
Be ready for hurricane season. Today you can determine your personal hurricane risk, find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and review/update insurance policies. You can also make a list of items to replenish hurricane emergency supplies and start thinking about how you will prepare your home for the coming hurricane season. Also, it is a good idea to sign up for weather alerts. If you live in hurricane-prone areas, you are encouraged to complete these simple preparations before hurricane season begins on June 1. Keep in mind, you may need to adjust any preparedness actions based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.
Find more information and tips here and on our Facebook page next week. And remember, if we experience a hurricane in this area, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast will be here to assist if you encounter storm damage or flooding. Call us at 904.729.2401.
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jax NE Participates in Local Food Drive
One of several food boxes SERVPRO employees and the company donated to the Barnabas Food Pantry.
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jax NE fulfilled our role as a good corporate citizen by participating in A Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event and Food Drive for Barnabas Center and Food Pantry held recently at Gene Lassere Blvd. in Yulee. As a participant in the event, SERVPRO recycled electronics and other hazardous items, and SERVPRO employees donated non-perishable food items to the Barnabas Food Pantry. The event was well attended, not to mention that it involved two very worthwhile causes.
We at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jax NE were proud to take advantage of the opportunity to support Barnabas, a non-profit organization operating in Nassau county, which does many good works in our community. For those not familiar with Barnabas, they provide health services, crisis assistance and food programs that help people get back on their feet after crisis.
Fire Sprinkler Flooding at Amelia Island Golf Course Pro Shop
Water damage in this golf course pro shop was the result of a burst fire sprinkler supply line.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast responded to a popular resort on Amelia Island when they had a recent water issue. This resort hosts hundreds, if not thousands, of guests golfing on their golf course each week. In this case, the golf course pro shop experienced water intrusion after a fire sprinkler supply line burst and flooded into the space. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville responded immediately and quickly got the situation under control with minimal impact to the shop’s operations.
Fire suppression systems play an important role in maintaining the overall safety of commercial structures. However, as was the case at this pro shop, these systems can malfunction and cause water damage when no fire risk is present.
Building owners and managers should schedule regular inspections of fire sprinklers to reduce the risk of water or fire damage. Property owners who take these measures may be able to lessen the severity or even prevent some incidences of water damage. Prevention is generally more cost effective than emergency water damage repair.
Every water damage situation is different but by following these steps our professionals can help make it "Like it never even happened."
When a major storm hits our area, not only is SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE ready to respond, but we are backed by two major support squads and 1700 franchises coordinated by our corporate office that ensure timely mitigation of your storm damage.
Our Resources Are Unmatched
First, there’s SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team (called Storm Team), which mobilizes from across the country, as needed, to support large storm events. A nationwide system of more than 1700 qualified franchises backs SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE. This network of franchises travels at a moment's notice to support us when needed. Strategically positioned and available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, the SERVPRO Storm Team Professionals are prepared for the unpredictable. This network proved to be invaluable when Hurricane Irma struck. We were able to reassure homeowners that their damages would be mitigated on a timely basis, which is an assurance many of our competitors simply cannot offer.
For losses of 50,000 sq. ft. or more, the SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division is called in. Our elite large-loss specialists are pre-qualified and strategically positioned throughout the United States to handle any size disaster. Every large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager who helps ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation.
For example, when the Wells Fargo Center, which covers an entire block in downtown Jacksonville, was flooded from Hurricane Irma, SERVPRO’s Commercial Large Loss Division was the disaster recovery team that was called in to mitigate damages. The team pumped water out of the basement garage, the basement level of the building and the loading dock area that was flooded. Those levels were filled with mud that had to be extracted and cleaned up.
When storms strike and you need an immediate response, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE at 904-729-2401.
For mold remediation, contact us today at 904.729.2401.
40% of small businesses never reopen after a disaster. Much of this is due to the lack of preparedness for the building a business occupies. Buildings are usually rented and used for years at a time before being handed off to another business. In many situations, you may not know precisely what you are being handed. Mold may be one of the problems you inherit, but also is a problem that can be avoided. Here are some ways to identify and remove any potential future mold problems.
Ceiling bulge
A very telling sign of water damage is discoloration or a bulge in the ceiling. Attics and roofs may be allowing water to seep into your home and onto your ceiling. When that water sits, mold is very likely to grow. If your building has had a bulge, it would be a great idea to check for mold, and also to discover the source of the leak to prevent future damage!
Odor
Mold has a very distinct musty, and damp smell. Some would compare it to the smell of opening an old book. This is one of the most recognizable signs of mold. Often mold can be hiding behind a wall, or out of site where water may have leaked. Even though mold has a bad habit of hiding from plain sight, the smell of mold is something that will always be distinguishable.
Past flooding
Before renting, or acquiring a building space, it may be a good idea to ask if the building has ever had a flood. While floods can be a one time, out of the blue experience, some buildings flood from recurring repairable issues. Again, where there is water damage, mold has a high potential to follow. Some fixes may be as easy as landscaping, while others like plumbing may require more work. Either case, it is best to fix the problem now before mold sets in and causes more financial and health effects.
If you suspect mold in your business and need professional remediation, don’t wait, contact us today! We are Florida-licensed mold remediators.
Researchers predicting above-average 2021 Atlantic hurricane season
The hurricane researchers at Colorado State University have been predicting Atlantic hurricane activity with impressive accuracy for 38 years. Today, they released their predictions for 2021. See following for details.
Source: Colorado State University
The CSU hurricane researchers are predicting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2021, citing the likely absence of El Niño as a primary factor. Tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures are near their long-term averages, while subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures are much warmer than their long-term average values. The warmer subtropical Atlantic also favors an active 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.
17 named storms
The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project team is predicting 17 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Of those, researchers expect eight to become hurricanes and four to reach major hurricane strength (Saffir/Simpson category 3-4-5) with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.
While the tropical Atlantic currently has water temperatures near their long-term averages, the warmer-than-normal subtropical Atlantic typically forces a weaker subtropical high and associated weaker winds blowing across the tropical Atlantic. These conditions then lead to warmer waters in the tropical Atlantic for the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.
If we experience hurricanes in Northeast Florida this season, you can count on SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast to access the resources of franchises nationwide to address any storm damage you may incur--no matter how large or small. Call us at 904.729.2401.
Identifying Improper Drainage at Your Jacksonville Area Home
If you experience water damage contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE at 904.729.2401. We can help!
Spring time is usually a time we in North Florida get a lot of rain, and water damage can often come with it. Water damage for any reason can be one of the most frustrating and costly situations anyone confronts. From the time it takes to fix, to collateral damages it can cause, it’s safe to say that dealing with water damage is a hassle. With some situations like improper drainage, there are telling signs that water damage may be on the horizon. Here’s how you can identify problems with the drainage around your home.
Inconsistent Yard Growth
Grass, bushes, and flowers all require water to grow. When a specific area and type of plant growth exceeds its surrounding area and type, this is a good sign that water may be accumulating due to poor drainage. As this may not be the most urgent red flag, the closer that inconsistent growth is to your home, the stronger of an indicator it is that the flooding can affect your home.
Downspout Water Accumulation
Our gutters and downspouts should lead water away from our home. When they don’t, and heavy rain comes, the rainwater can seep into our foundation and cause water damage to our homes. A telling sign that our downspouts may need adjustment is if there is water accumulating underneath it. Typically, a water spout should transfer water 4 feet away from your home. If water is expelling closer than 4 feet, it may be likely that water damage can happen.
Foundation Water Stains
Sometimes a problem doesn’t readily identify itself. In this case, discovering water stains on our foundation is evidence of areas that are flooding against your home. Proper landscaping should divert water away from your home, and a rule of thumb that The consensus seems to be that a good slope to aim for when grading land extending out from a house foundation is about 6 inches for the first 10 feet (that translates to a "slope" of 5 percent).
If you experience water damage contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE at 904.729.2401. We can help!
Jacksonville Assisted Living Facility Faces Flooding After Resident Accident
A resident left water in the sink running and it wasn’t discovered until much later. We take extra safety precautions in situations like this.
Flooding and other water disasters at healthcare facilities are complex and often require special training to handle regulated medical waste and comply with HIPPA regulations. Whether we’re dealing with a small medical office or a large hospital campus, SERVPRO of Fernandina/Jacksonville NE professionals work quickly and efficiently to assess your needs, coordinate with environmental and infection control teams, and ensure that all health certifications are obtained prior to completing the job. We have the experience and expertise to manage your cleanup needs so that you are free to focus on your number one priority: your patients.
Types of Facilities:
Hospitals
Assisted Living Centers
Outpatient Surgical Centers
Electronics and Machine Restoration
Hospice Facilities
Senior Living Facilities
Medical Office Buildings
Our professionals are available 24-7/365 to help remediate any damage, regardless of the cause, scale of the loss, or the size of your facility.
Have an emergency at your healthcare facility? – Call Us Now at 904.729.2401.
We Can Manage the Unique Safety Concerns of Restoring Your Healthcare Facility
We understand that time is crucial for both you and your patients. You can trust us to efficiently restore your facility while adhering to the highest sanitation standards. Our professionals are trained to be mindful of safety, legal, and environmental concerns while working within your budgetary constraints. We know you are in the business of saving lives; our goal is to ensure you have a safe, clean space to do so.
Why SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast?
Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401 if you have fire, water, mold, or cleaning issues.
When it comes to companies offering clean up and restoration services in the Jacksonville area, consumers have a variety of options to choose from, so why SERVPRO? As a locally owned and operated organization, with the backing of over 1,700 franchises nationwide, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast has the ability to respond to your property damage emergency quickly, no matter the size of the loss:
We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Our technicians are highly trained restoration specialists, with multiple certifications from the IICRC.
We work with a variety of insurance companies.
We offer a wide array of clean up and restoration services for both commercial and residential properties, including water, fire, mold, and storm damage. We also provide reconstruction/remodeling services. Our team of licensed professional contractors are experts in the reconstruction process and supplement our restoration teams. The convenience and savings of working with one company to assist with mitigation and repairs can be significant.
We also offer a Certified: SERVPRO Clean defensive cleaning program for COVID 19 sanitation.
Our technicians utilize industry leading technology and equipment to provide the most efficient solution for your damages.
We are active in our community and are members of many local organizations.
We have a 4.9 Star Google Rating. Check out our reviews.
When disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is Here to Help. Proudly serving North Jacksonville, Yulee, Fernandina Beach and surrounding communities, We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster. To learn more about the services we offer, please give us a call at 904.729.2401, or visit our home page for more information
Why SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE? We Provide Turnkey Service
We provide turnkey service for a host of remodeling projects.
Everyone knows that SERVPRO cleans up and restores water, fire and mold damage with 24/7 emergency service, but our job doesn’t stop there…We make the damage “Like it never even happened.” How? After our restoration team is through restoring water, fire or mold damage, our reconstruction team comes in to perform the needed repair/remodeling services to get your home or business back into shape – or even remodeled the way you’ve always dreamed of. We are licensed, resourceful and ready to take on your projects.
Here are just some of the reconstruction services SERVPRO offers:
Drywall repair and installation
Baseboards
Kitchen and bath remodeling
Cabinetry
Interior and exterior painting
All types of flooring
Outdoor kitchens
Custom build-ins
Pavers
Dock
And MORE!
All of Your Repair/Restoration Needs Under One Roof
Why hire several companies to get the job done when SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast provides seamless turnkey service? Our team of licensed professional contractors are experts in the reconstruction process and supplement our restoration teams. The convenience and savings of working with one company to assist with mitigation and repairs can be significant.
We also work with all insurance companies and have established relationships with many adjusters which streamlines the work process.
If you would like more information on hiring a restoration /reconstruction team, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast today at (904) 729-2401.
What is SERVPRO’s Emergency Ready Program (ERP) and Why Do Business Owners Need It?
Here, water had flooded residents living quarters. If an ERP had been available, there wouldn't have been as much flooding.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE offers a no-cost, no obligation service that can help savvy business owners and managers save thousands of dollars and untold hassles. In fact, your marketing rep may have mentioned it to you, and you thought, “There’s no way this can be free,” or, “What’s the catch?” There isn’t one.
And it’s a complimentary examination of your facility that can mitigate water damage and flooding when a situation arises.
This assessment provides the critical information, such as shut-off valve locations, needed to begin mitigation and recovery services and serves as a quick reference for important building and contact information. Here are some advantages of the program:
Provides facility details such a water and power shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information.
Includes a report that contains the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
Identifies the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
Offers a mobile app for easy accessibility and sharing of this information.
Case in Point…
A resident at an assisted living facility in Jacksonville had become unconscious while in the bathroom and had broken one of the plumbing fixtures. Water commenced to flood not only the resident’s room but into the hallway and into other resident rooms. There was water everywhere. The problem was that no one working the facility at the time had any idea where the water shut-off valve was located. Therefore, the flooding continued until it had affected a large portion of the facility and many residents’ rooms. An ERP could have minimized the damage in this situation.
Knowing the location of water shut-off valves, fuse boxes, and fire suppression system controls before an emergency strikes, not during an emergency, helps emergency responders and our technicians react as quickly and effectively as possible, helping to limit loss of property and even lives.
Don’t wait until an emergency occurs to call us at 904-729-2401 to schedule your ERP. We provide this free service to all commercial facilities in our territory. We serve Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Callahan, Hilliard, and North Jacksonville, including Oceanway, River City, and the Heckscher Drive and Dunn Avenue/Lem Turner areas.
Water Damage in Jacksonville: The Three Types of Contaminated Water & Restoration Steps
The category of water damage impacts what types of mitigation and restoration are needed.
When evaluating the types of water damage and how they affect an emergency water removal situation on a property, it helps to know that water losses fall into three categories:
Category 1: Clean Water
Category 1 water is from a clean source like a broken water supply line or leaking faucet. If not treated quickly, this water can turn into category 2 or 3, depending on length of time, temperature, and contact with surrounding contaminants.
Category 2: Gray Water
Category 2 water is contaminated and could cause discomfort or illness. Examples include washing machine overflow; toilet overflow with some urine, but no feces; or dishwasher overflow.
May contain bacteria and viruses
Can quickly degrade into category 3 if left untreated
Category 3: Black Water
Category 3 water is grossly contaminated and could cause severe illness or death if ingested and any contact should be avoided. Examples include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.
May contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes
Water from flooding rivers or sewer backup
Sewage cleanup must not be taken lightly. Serious long term health issues to adults, children and pets may occur due to bacteria, viruses and even parasites.
Restoration Procedures
Evaluation
Water damage restoration is often prefaced by a loss assessment and evaluation of affected materials into the categories described above. The damaged area is inspected with water sensing equipment such as moisture meters and other infrared tools in order to determine the source of the damage and the possible extent of areas affected.
Mitigation, Restoration & Drying
Emergency mitigation services are the first order of business. Controlling the source of water, removal of non-salvageable materials, water extraction and pre-cleaning of impacted materials are all part of the mitigation process. Restoration services would then be rendered to the property in order to dry the structure, stabilize building materials, sanitize any affected or cross-contaminated areas, and deodorize all affected areas and materials. After the labor is completed, water damage equipment including air movers, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, wood floor drying systems, and sub-floor drying equipment is left in the residence. The goal of the drying process is to stabilize the moisture content of impacted materials below 15%. We at SERVPRO return at regular time intervals, preferably every twenty-four hours, to monitor the equipment, temperature, humidity, and moisture content of the affected walls and contents.
Reconstruction Services
Once dried we can commence to perform any reconstruction or remodeling services desired by the property owner. These services may be limited to replacing drywall, baseboards, and trim boards, or may entail a complete renovation if desired--including floors, cabinetry, appliances, countertops, painting, and a host of related services,
If you have water damage, don't delay. Take immediate action. Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401
SERVPRO Industries is #10 on Entrepreneur magazine's Top 500 Franchise list.
When evaluating SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE, look not only at the franchise but also the corporation.
SERVPRO Industries has 2000 franchises operating nationwide and has been around for more than 50 years. These are two reasons why Entrepreneur magazine ranked SERVPRO #10 on their list of Top 500 Franchises.
SERVPRO’s depth of resources also comes into play when a major storm hits. In this case, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE is backed by SERVPRO’s Storm Team, that is, hundreds of franchises, many who travel regularly to support areas hard hit by storms. They supplement the local teams so response time doesn’t suffer.
On the technology front, DryBook™, developed by SERVPRO corporate, is a proprietary app that tracks the drying process and advises how to best utilize our equipment. The principles it introduced are now the industry standard.
SERVPRO corporate also garnered kudos from Entrepreneur for the extreme success of Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. This defensive program was designed to assist businesses with sanitizing needs related to COVID-19. The program was developed and was brought up to speed in record time last year.
Now, about our franchise.
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE stands out as a franchise due to the depth of knowledge and experience of the owner, Pete Reilly, who managed SERVPRO of Palm Beach before setting up his own shop here in 2007. Pete ensures proper training of his staff, many of whom are certified by the International Institute of Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) for various categories of cleaning and restoration.
Another advantage of our franchise is that we provide turnkey services. We can handle the repairs involved with water, fire and mold damage, as well as any subsequent reconstruction/remodeling services, including but not limited to home additions, tile, bathroom remodel, custom cabinetry, decks outdoor kitchens, interior and exterior painting. We’ll help you navigate your insurance claim too.
We truly have the ability and resources to make it “Like it never even happened,” Check out our 45 Google reviews too! We have a 4.9 rating.
If you have water, fire, mold or cleaning issues, call the professionals at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401. Whether you call at 3am or 3pm you will always reach a member of our SERVPRO team--not an answering service or recording.
Tree Crashes Through Roof of Your Jacksonville Home. What to Do?
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE provides turnkey services to repair and restore disasters like a tree crashing through your roof!
So a storm is brewing outside your house on a dark and windy night, and suddenly a tree crashes through your roof. What do you do?
First, get your family out of harm’s way. You may even have to call 911 to get help from one of our local First Responders. The next thing to do is to call the mitigation and restoration experts at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE. Not only do we offer 24-hour emergency services so we’ll get there fast, but we also provide the gamut of services to get your home back to normal.
For example, when the storm passes, we will tarp the roof so no additional rain can get in and cause further water damage. Then, our roof repair team will assess damages, give you a repair estimate, and help you with the insurance claim. We can then make any necessary repairs.
Immediately after the roof is tarped, we assess water damages using moisture meters and thermal imaging. We then extract water from your home and belongings, and scientifically dry contents and structure. All water damage services, including the roof tarping, is performed by our emergency services team.
After water extraction and drying, our reconstruction team comes in for repairs to make it “Like it never even happened.” These services may be limited to replacing drywall, baseboards, and trim boards, or may entail a complete renovation if desired--including floors, cabinetry, appliances, countertops, painting, and a host of related services.
This is a snapshot of what we at SERVPRO do. Here are some things you can do in the meantime.
You should…
Cover furniture with tarps to prevent water damage.
Remove excess water by blotting and mopping.
Remove and prop up upholstery cushions for even drying.
Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs.
What NOT to do…
Do NOT turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.
Keep out of areas where ceilings are sagging from retained water.
Do not leave books, magazines or colored materials on wet carpeting.
We hope a tree never crashes through your roof, but if you have roof or water issues, call the professionals at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401. Whether you call at 3am or 3pm you will always reach a member of our SERVPRO team--not an answering service or recording.
North Jacksonville and Nassau County: Freeze WarningTonight!
Freeze warnings can lead to frozen pipes and resulting water damages.
Watch Out for Freezing Temps Tonight!
Winter weather can catch us off guard in Jacksonville and North Florida. All it takes is a few hours of freezing temperatures for your pipes to freeze.
Here are some helpful hints to help you avoid problems:
Keep one or two faucets dripping
Direct warm air to any colder areas of your home
Leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air in--especially if your kitchen sink is on an outside wall
Disconnect your hose from the outside faucet
Seal leaks that allow cold air into your home where pipes are located
Water damage caused by frozen pipes can be one of the most damaging problems a homeowner can face. Most homeowners insurance will cover damage resulting from a frozen pipe provided you can prove that you took measures to prevent the pipe from freezing.
This diagram shows areas of the home where water damage is common.
The first 24 hours following a water loss are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage. Within four hours of receiving a loss notification, a SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast professional will be on-site to help ensure a water damage is handled by completing the following steps.
INSPECTION
Our professional technicians will inspect affected areas to determine the extent of water damage and will review the inspection with you to answer any questions before beginning the work.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
SERVPRO® technicians will take steps to help protect your home or business, as well as personal property and other contents, from further damage by extracting the excess water and preparing the area for drying. They will explain the needed emergency services to you step- by-step.
MONITORING
To help ensure your home or business and belongings are dried to appropriate industry standards, a SERVPRO® professional will monitor the drying process. The updates will be consistently communicated with you.
RESTORATION SERVICES
SERVPRO® professionals will repair structural materials, reinstall carpets, and clean affected areas of your property and contents. A final walk- through of the jobsite will be conducted with you to help ensure the property was returned to its preloss condition.
The accompanying diagram shows areas of the home most prone to water damage. Please call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401 if you are affected by water damage or flooding.
Why SERVPRO? Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program
Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.
Let us help you get back to business
As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.
Extensive training and specialized products
As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities.
From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.
3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify
When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.
Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials. In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible.
Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.
Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation
We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.
Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast today at 904.729.2401 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.
Nearly 75% of deaths caused by home heating equipment involved portable space heaters.
Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires during the winter months, and the second leading cause of home fires annually. Heating equipment includes fireplaces, wood stoves, portable space heaters, and fixed space heaters. Nearly three-quarters of all deaths attributed to home heating equipment fires involve portable space heaters.
Space Heaters
Be careful with space heaters.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, space heaters are involved in 74 percent of fire-related deaths. The best way to prevent a home fire caused by a space heater is to purchase one with an emergency cut-off so that it will automatically shut off if tipped over or accidentally knocked down. Otherwise, if it falls on the carpeting and does not turn off, it could easily ignite a fire.
Never leave space heaters unattended. And make sure you place your heater on a flat, level, non-flammable surface such as ceramic tile rather than on a carpet. Do not place space heaters near curtains, bedding or anything flammable, and make sure you are plugging the space heater into a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) system, so that if a malfunction does occur, the electricity will automatically turn off.
Also,
Maintain a 36 inch clearance between space heaters and combustible items
Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep
These tips from SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast will help to keep you safe from heating fires this winter. Call us at 904.729.2401 if we can be of service.
Flooding Strikes Three Units in Fernandina Beach Condo
If you have water damage or flooding, call us at 904.729.2401.
Flooding from a toilet supply line damaged three units in a Fernandina Beach condo. Fortunately, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast arrived on the scene quickly to extract water and begin the drying process in order to minimize damages.
The first 24 hours following a water loss are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage. Here are some steps you can take while waiting for the professionals of SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast to arrive.
Emergency Water Damage Tips
Shut-off the water source, if possible or contact a professional such as SERVPRO, a plumber, or maintenance personnel to stop the water source.
Turn-off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock.
Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
Move any paintings, art objects, computers, documents, and other sensitive valuables to a dry place.
Do not use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water! This could cause electrical shock or damage to the device.
For more information on recovering from water damage, contact SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Water disasters come with a lot of stress for property owners. DryBook™ helps make sense of the chaos.
How can an app help make sense of the messy situation that occurs during a water disaster-- and save customers money in the process? After all, during a water disaster, property owners have to make a lot of decisions under pressure and remediation involves a lot of moving parts. Remediation professionals, insurance companies, local codes, state codes and more are all involved and all of it occurs in an emotionally charged environment.
Pete Reilly of SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast says, "Efficiency is key when you are dealing with disaster remediation. SERVPRO's DryBook™ is a proprietary app that tracks the drying process and tells us how much equipment to use. It saves our customers money and it makes our work more effective.”
This tool is one example of the SERVPRO's focus on efficiency and cost control. Remediation projects must be managed to both industry and insurance company standards, and Reilly says that tools like DryBook™ help SERVPRO technicians track and document progress on restoration, cleanup and repair services.
Does your remediation company have a system in place to ensure accurate benchmarking of each step of the remediation process? Does your contractor have the ability to Identify the right equipment for the job on the spot based on the damage description and to validate the use of each piece of equipment automatically as part of the remediation records? If not, you should look at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast. Call us at 904.729.2401.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast
Each year we thank our customers when this time of year rolls around. This year, our gratitude is even more heartfelt. 2020 has been tough on all of us. Without the support of you, our customers, our business would not have survived this pandemic and we would have had to close our doors and let our employees go.
Instead, we have broadened our service base to include comprehensive COVID-19 cleaning and have continued to serve the water, fire and mold damage needs of our community. Now, with the introduction of the vaccine on the horizon, we hope and pray that the coming year will be more forgiving than the last.
So, as we fast approach this holiday season, we at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! You can rest assured that we will be here 24/7 if you need us in the coming year.
This oven showed significant damage as the result of the grease fire.
The damage shown to this oven is the result of a grease fire, which are a common cause of home fires and related damage.
Steps to put out a grease fire:
Turn off source of heat (burner / element).
Do NOT pour water on it.
Attempt to remove all oxygen from the flame. You can cover with another pot, or baking pan.
If you can't cover it, dump baking soda (lots of it) on it.
Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
If you suffer a fire or smoke damage, please call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904-729-2401—even over the holiday. Refer to our Fire Damage Tips—Until Help Arrives Guide and follow these tips to protect yourself and y
Why SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jax NE? Just Ask Our Customers
Our team wishes all of our customers a very Happy Thanksgiving!
We at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast pride ourselves on making our customers happy. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority. Here’s what some of our customers say about us. Check out these recent Google reviews.
“I am highly impressed with SERVPRO! They are very professional and they did a wonderful job in our plant. I would recommend them to absolutely anybody! If you want a fast response with quality work, give them a call.” Sarah Roland
“Your staff was excellent, very efficient and extremely neat. I would recommend your company to anyone. Thanks for a great job.” Peter LePorin
"Excellent service and I received my report the same day!" Kerri Sutton
Our team is highly trained for water, fire, and mold restoration jobs. We are a Florida-licensed mold remediation firm. We also offer a Certified: SERVPRO Clean program which is a defensive cleaning program that goes beyond janitorial of carpet cleaning. Individuals or business use it as a higher standard of cleaning for COVID-19 protection. Learn more.
Our team cares about our customers and would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Fire Safety Tip: Change the Dryer Lint Filter Before Each Use
It is important to clean the lint filter before and after each load.
According to FEMA, failure to clean home dryers causes 34% of home dryer fires. Home dryer fires cause $35 million in property loss and can even cause injury or death.
To reduce the risk of these fires happening in your home, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast can help clean vents and ducts that may have lint build-up.
Other tips for keeping your dryer vents clean from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) include cleaning the lint filter before and after each load and making sure the outdoor vent flap will open and is not restricted by obstacles. Do not use a dryer that does not have a lint filter.
Your first hint that you need to check your vents is when your clothing doesn’t dry after a normal drying cycle.
Other hints include a musty odor in the clothing following the drying cycle, clothes that seem unusually hot to the touch, or excessive heat in the laundry room.
If you would like your dryer vent cleaned to minimize risk of fires--or you have sustained smoke or file damage from a dryer fire--call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Eta strengthens to hurricane again; Northeast Florida preps for impact
Source: National Weather Service & National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Just when we thought hurricane season was over, the Jacksonville area is now looking for a November impact from Hurricane Eta. Our area will begin to feel the effects overnight into Thursday morning.
The Following is a Weather Impact Overview for the Jacksonville Area From the National Weather Service:
Tropical Storm Eta Forecast to move into North Central and Northeast FL Thursday-Thursday evening
Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches Issued for Portions of Northeast FL
Additional Watches and Warnings May Need to be Issued Today
Slight Risk of Excessive Rainfall Thursday-Thursday evening.
High Rip Current Risk Today
Rough surf and life –threatening rip currents. It is highly recommended to remain out of the water
Small Craft Advisory In Effect For Most of the Coastal Waters
Hopefully this storm will not cause major damages, but if you suffer water damage or flooding, please call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Mold Strikes From Bath Tub Leak in Jacksonville Townhome
Here, the mold we found was not visible and was the result of a water leak from the bath tub above.
Mold can often be the result of water leaks and is not always visible. In this photo, the mold problem was the result of a bathtub leak from above in this two story Jacksonville townhome. We at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE have been responding to a lot of mold calls lately. Whether from water leaks or the humidity present in our North Florida climate, mold can become an issue.
Here are some tips you should know. If you do see visible mold in your home, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores that become airborne and can circulate inside your home.
Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.
About Our Mold Remediation Services
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, We are a Florida-licensed mold remediation company. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.
Call us at 904.729.2401 to schedule a mold inspection.
Amelia Island Townhouse Floods Due to Fire Sprinkler Leak
Water damage can come from a variety of sources. Here, a fire sprinkler leak was the cause of flooding.
In this residential job located in an Amelia Island townhouse complex, a contractor doing inspections for termites stepped on the water line for the sprinkler system in the attic. This photo shows the elevator on the first floor. The brown material is blown-in insulation from three stories up. The water flooded the whole floor under the elevator shaft.
Water loss in your Amelia Island home requires a rapid response to avoid further structural destruction and secondary damage. “Rapid” with our well-trained and experienced water restoration crews means we arrive and initiate emergency services within a few hours of your first call. Commitment to swift extraction and drying is critical, permitting us to deliver on our pledge to save time and expense by restoring existing structures.
If you have flooding or water damage at your home, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast restored the smoke and fire damage in this kitchen, making it look like new!
The accompanying before and after photos show smoke and fire damage from a cooking fire in a Jacksonville home and the subsequent restoration. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast was called in to restore the damage, which was caused when the homeowner, an elderly woman, left the kitchen to check on her spouse.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
What you should know about home cooking safety
Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
If you have a cooking fire, just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
Practice these tips to avoid cooking fires in your home. If you do, however, have smoke or fire damage, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
If you suffer fire-related damage, please call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Fire Prevention month an ideal time to talk with your whole family about fire safety – including testing alarms, changing the batteries or upgrading to 10-year sealed battery alarms, how to use a fire extinguisher and escape route planning.
Did You Know?
3 of every 5 home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no working smoke alarms
Less than 50% of homeowners have an escape plan
Carbon monoxide (CO) is the #1 cause of accidental death
60% of consumers do not test their smoke and CO alarms monthly*
Only 47% of people report having CO alarms in their home
Just 43% of homeowners have an escape plan*
Unattended cooking is the #1 cause of home fires
Are You Ready at Home?
Take time this month to address these topics with your family and make the needed safety plans.
If you do suffer fire-related damage, please call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401. We’ll get there fast and restore your home back to normal.
Flooding at Commercial Facility at Wildlight in Yulee
A water cooler leak caused flooding at this commercial facility. Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jax NE at 904.729.2401 if you have water damage.
You never know where water damage and flooding may originate. A water cooler leak was the cause of flooding at this commercial facility located at Wildlight in Yulee. Health and fitness facilities are housed in this space, and the SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast team arrived on the scene quickly to extract water and dry the facility. Five thousand square feet of the facility were impacted by the flooding. Our customer was very pleased with our quick response and fast turnaround time.
Water coolers are not a common cause of water damage in commercial facilities but such leaking has been known to happen. Pipe breaks are one of the most common causes of water damage at commercial facilities. Broken pipes can result from many reasons, such as changes in pressure or aging, deteriorated water supply lines and sewer drains. Damaged windows, foundation issues, roof leaks, HVAC problems, sewer clogs, and sprinkler system leaks are some of the other common causes of commercial water damage.
Since water damage can originate from a variety of sources, you should have the building inspected regularly to prevent leaks and related issues. Taking the necessary measures to prevent water damage prevent costly repairs and business interruption in the future.
If your business is impacted by water damage or flooding, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Mold Grows In Jacksonville Bar Shut Down Due to Coronavirus
Buildings unoccupied due to coronavirus shutdowns present a great opportunity for mold growth.
A recent article in Apple News points out that unoccupied buildings that were abandoned during the coronavirus shutdowns give mold a great opportunity to move in.
We at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast ran into a situation like this recently when a bar that had been closed due to coronavirus had mold growth because the building had been shut-down with the air conditioning turned off in our high humidity climate.
The pandemic has forced all sorts of buildings to sit empty for long periods of time. Homes and businesses that have been unoccupied for months have a high likelihood of having water-intrusion issues and subsequent mold issues. Water intrusion can come from something like a roof or plumbing leak or, as in this case, high humidity as a result of leaving the air conditioning off.
This is not a new phenomenon. We have learned over the years that vacation homes and foreclosed properties often harbor mold. New construction techniques may be somewhat to blame: Because homes are now tightly sealed for energy conservation, they may be poorly ventilated and susceptible to issues like mold.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is a Florida-licensed mold remediation firm. If you are re-opening your vacation home or business only to discover that you have mold issues, call us at 904.729.2401.
Broken Water Main Results in Flooding at Jacksonville Commercial Warehouse
The flooding in this warehouse was the result of a water main break.
This large one-story commercial warehouse just outside of Jacksonville flooded 15,000-16,000 sq. ft. Some 6000 gallons of water were released from the broken water main to the air conditioner chiller unit. Cleanup required extraction of water and oil. Water was then pumped to 500 gallon waste containers to be hauled off by a hazardous waste company.
Notice in the accompanying photo the extent of the water damage. Flooding in commercial buildings can happen very quickly, especially if there is no one on site to identify the problem. What starts out as a small water leak can turn into something larger, and cause significantly more damage than expected. If your commercial property has old pipes, there is a higher chance of water damage occurring. Broken pipes are a common cause of water damage in commercial facilities.It is very common for broken or cracked pipes to occur in commercial buildings, especially when they age. When a pipe bursts, water rushes out of them, spraying throughout the whole building. A busted pipe can cause damage to the walls, ceilings, flooring, and any other contents you have filling that space.
Our customer was very pleased with our quick response and fast turnaround time. No job is too big or too small for this SERVPRO team!
If you have water damage or flooding at your commercial facility, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Afternoon Thunderstorm Wreaks Havoc on Warehouse Near Jacksonville Airport
If you or your business have flood damage, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401
The afternoon thunderstorms we have been experiencing in the Jacksonville area can cause major water damages. The flooding shown in this photo occurred at a accessories warehouse in Oceanway near the airport.
Flood damage can affect your business operation in a variety of ways and can range in size from being isolated to a single room to entire floors being fully submerged.
Knowing how to prepare and deal with potential flooding in advance can affect how much of your property can be restored and how much has to be replaced. Below are prevention, mitigation and restoration tips to follow until help arrives:
Flood Preparation Tips:
Determine if your property is in a flood plain.
In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally, to determine which staff, materials, procedures and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
Plan what you will do if your building, plant or store is not accessible. This type of planning is often referred to as a continuity of operations plan, or COOP, and includes all facets of your business.
Plan for payroll continuity.
Review your emergency plans annually. Just as your business changes over time, so do your preparedness needs. When you hire new employees or when there are changes in how your company functions, you should update your plans and inform your people.
We are entering peak hurricane season in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Here is a tip to help keep you safe in the event of a storm.
County alert systems keep you up to date about storms and severe weather. Below we explain the alert systems available to you in Duval and Nassau counties and provide the links that allow you to sign up.
AlertJax: Emergency Notification System in Duval County
AlertJax/Jax Ready is an emergency notification system that will call/text residents in the event of a potential or pending emergency. It is a free service to the citizens of Duval County.
Additionally, AlertJax provides weather warnings based on geographical location including severe weather warnings from the National Weather Service within minutes of being issued. If you wish to register use the link below.
Alert Nassau: Emergency Notification System in Nassau County
Keep informed about emergency conditions and other important community news by signing up for our Emergency Alert Notification System. This Citizen Alert system provides you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, like when circumstances require evacuations or sheltering-in-place for your neighborhood, or create unexpected road closures. You can receive voice-recorded alerts to your choice of home, mobile, or business phones, as well as text alerts and e-mail messages.
Many fires start when cooking food is left unattended on the stovetop.
The accompanying photograph shows some of the damage that occurred as a result of a kitchen fire at a St. Marys home. The fire was caused when a person cooking left food unattended on the stove.
A fire can leave behind soot, smoke damage, and a host of other problems. Ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting, and floors will often need a thorough professional cleaning. If your home or business suffers a fire, it is important to take the appropriate steps to prevent further damage until SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast professionals arrive. The following tips may help reduce damage and increase chances of a successful restoration.
What To Do After A Fire
Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
Change HVAC filter.
Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.
What NOT To Do After A Fire
Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us.
Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.
If you have fire damage, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401 as soon as possible.
DEFENSE AGAINST MOLD GROWTH IN JACKSONVILLE & NORTHEAST FLORIDA
If you have mold growth in your home or business, call us at 904.729.2401. We are Florida-licensed mold remediators.
Mold is a common problem in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Prompt mitigation is vital to avoid mold growth, which can be visible in as little as 24 to 48 hours under certain conditions, especially in our hot, humid summers. Here are tips for doing so.
- Keep the humidity between 30 to 60 percent. Be sure to leave your air conditioner on if you leave your house overnight.
-Provide for proper drainage away from building foundations.
-Regularly inspect plumbing and appliances for leaks.
-Keep gutters and drains clear of debris.
-Inspect the roof, windows and other areas where water might enter the building and perform necessary maintenance.
-Respond to all water intrusions immediately. Remember, water damage and mold growth often go hand-on hand.
We Are Licensed in Mold Remediation
Contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast professionals at 904.729.2401 for assistance after a water damage or if you discover mold. We are licensed in the state of Florida in mold remediation.
Call SERVPRO at 904.729.2401 of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE if you have smoke or fire damage.
Fire damage restoration involves removing smoke residues and deodorizing smoke odors. Fire damages present a great variety of cleaning challenges due to the many ways that heat, oxygen, moisture, and gases interact to form smoke residues. The different types of burning materials found in buildings and the effects smoke and heat have on materials create other variables for cleaning methods. All of these variables make it difficult to establish fixed, defined procedures for cleaning fire damages, but the primary steps are outlined below.
Emergency Contact
When you call us, our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that enables us to respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources.
Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment
We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage.
Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service
Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.
Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present from fire-fighting efforts)
The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.
Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces
We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were impacted. We use a variety of cleaning techniques, and we’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.
Restoration
Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business—whatever it takes to return the property to preloss condition.
As you will note, fire restoration is very labor intensive as the structure and all contents must be considered and cleaned. You can be assured, however, that SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast has the experience and equipment to provide you with an outstanding restoration. Call us at 904.729.2401 if you suffer smoke or fire damage.
Jacksonville and Northeast Florida Brace for Hurricane Isaias
Hurricane Isaias packs winds of 80 mph as it moves through the Bahamas and toward the Florida Coast.
Source: FEMA
With Hurricane Isaias churning off the coast of Florida, it’s time for residents of Jacksonville, Oceanway, River City, Yulee, Fernandina Beach and other nearby towns to prepare. That means creating an emergency kit.
Having the proper supplies on hand is key to being prepared during this year’s hurricane season, which lasts through the end of November. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry emergency-preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate.
At a minimum, you should have these basic supplies:
Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).
Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).
Flashlight.
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible).
Extra batteries.
First aid kit.
Medications (7-day supply) and medical items.
Multi-purpose tool, like a Swiss Army knife.
Sanitation and personal hygiene items.
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies).
Cell phone with charger.
Family and emergency contact information.
Extra cash (ATMs might be inoperable).
Extra fuel for generator and car.
Depending on your family’s requirements, you may need to include: medical-care items, baby supplies, pet supplies and other things, such as extra car and house keys.
Additional supplies might include towels, plastic sheeting, duct tape, scissors and work gloves. This year, you’ll also want to have plenty of facial masks and hand sanitizers for protection against the coronavirus.
If storms impact your home or business, and you have water damage, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jax NE at 904.729.2401.
Source: National Weather Service
Hurricane season is upon us. Meteorologists are currently tracking several storms in the Atlantic, so now is the time for residents of Jacksonville, Oceanway, River City, Yulee, Fernandina Beach and surrounding areas to brush up on their knowledge and preparations for potential bad weather. Following are some definitions of which you should be aware.
NOTE: The number of Tropical Storms and Hurricanes increases substantially in August, peaks in mid-September and decreases towards a minimum by early November.
Tropical Depression A tropical depression is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds (one-minute average) of 38 mph (33 knots) or less.
Tropical Storm A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds ranging from 39-73 mph (34 to 63 knots).
Hurricane A hurricane is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds of 74 mph or greater (64 knots or greater).
Tropical Storm Watch A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when Tropical Storm conditions, including winds of 39-73 mph, pose a POSSIBLE threat to a specified coastal area within 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Warning A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when Tropical Storm conditions, including winds of 39-73 mph, are EXPECTED in a specified coastal area within 36 hours or less.
Hurricane Watch A Hurricane Watch is issued when sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are POSSIBLE within the specified area of the Watch. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the Watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the onset of tropical storm force winds.
Hurricane Warning A Hurricane Warning is issued when sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are EXPECTED somewhere within the specified area of the Warning. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the Warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the onset of tropical storm force winds.
NOTE: A Hurricane Warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continues...even if the winds have subsided below hurricane intensity.
Colorado State University’s (CSU) hurricane forecast predicts 20 named storms
CSU researchers predict four hurricanes with Category 3 or higher strength this season.
Source: News4Jax
The prediction also calls 9 hurricanes, including 4 with Category 3 or higher strength
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The July update of the long term hurricane forecast raises the number of storms and hurricanes we expect to see.
Colorado State University (CSU) released its July update to the university’s long-term hurricane season forecast, raising the number of storms and hurricanes they expect for the 2020 season.
The original prediction from CSU already called for an above-average hurricane season, but the July update raises the number of named storms from 16 to 20 (keep in mind they’ve already named five so far), and the number of those that become hurricanes from eight to nine. The prediction now calls for four instead of three of those hurricanes to reach Category Three or higher strength.
CSU has long been a source for hurricane forecasts.
We Are the Cleaning Experts in the Jacksonville & Fernandina Beach Area
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned gives business owners confidence in keeping customers safe during spikes in the coronavirus in Jax and NE Florida.
SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need
Coronavirus cases are spiking in Northeast Florida, and businesses are looking for proactive ways to keep customers safe. During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.
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
If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401
Sparklers seems safe enough, but they burn at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, so use caution!
Source: National Safety Council
When you think of July 4th, most people think of fireworks. The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, and not to use any fireworks at home due to safety reasons. However, with many local municipalities discouraging large crowds and canceling fireworks due to COVID-19, more people may be using fireworks at home.
In 2017, eight people died and over 12,000 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents. Of these, 50% of the injuries were to children and young adults under age 20. Over two-thirds (67%) of injuries took place from June 16 to July 16. And while the majority of these incidents were due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade or other illegal fireworks or explosives, an estimated 1,200 injuries were from less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers.
If You Choose to Use Legal Fireworks
If consumer fireworks are legal to buy where you live and you choose to use them, be sure to follow the following safety tips:
Never allow young children to handle fireworks
Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
Never light them indoors
Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
Never point or throw fireworks at another person
Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
Never ignite devices in a container
Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire
Never use illegal fireworks
Practice safety with fireworks, and remember we at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast wish you a safe and happy holiday!
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Water Damage Restoration Firm
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is certified by IICRC. Call us at 904.729.2401 if you have water damage.
The following tips are from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) web site.
When a storm leaves a home flooded, or a burst pipe causes serious issues in a home, getting water damage restoration services from a respected company should be considered a top priority. Unfortunately, this industry is not regulated, and there are people out there who pose as professionals or overstate their qualifications. Therefore, homeowners should be mindful of who they hire, as an untrained technician may do more harm than good or delay repairs, resulting in a higher degree of destruction. Before selecting a company to handle the job, keep in mind these points:
Only choose certified professionals to perform water damage restoration services. Even though the industry is not regulated, technicians who have received certification have made the effort to get the best training possible, proving that they take their job seriously. Certification through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a sign that a professional has received the most up to date training and is knowledgeable in the latest techniques and technologies employed during repairs. The IICRC operates a Certified Firm registrant-only database on its site, making it easy to find a local, certified professional without trouble.
Do not select a technician based only on the price or an insurance company’s recommendation. When possible, speak to neighbors or friends who have had to hire a technician recently and try to get a recommendation from them. Insurance companies often select a restoration company based on price, and unusually low pricing suggests the company does not use modern drying or repair methods.
Choose a company that offers a range of water damage restoration services. The easiest way to determine the expertise of a firm is to see if they provide a full range of options for homeowners. Mold remediation, for example, is often needed given how quickly mold can set in. This is a standard field of knowledge that advanced technicians should possess. If a company doesn’t offer mold remediation, it may not be prepared for all job settings.
A company that is available 24/7 is a good sign. Stay away from any firms that are reluctant to start right away. In many cases modern equipment can enable near-complete drying in as little as 36 hours, although many situations require longer. Also, a homeowner should not have to wait before repairs begin. Every minute counts when there is standing water present, and reputable professionals understand this. If a technician insists on waiting to begin the remediation portion of the loss, they probably cannot be trusted to see the job through in a reasonable timeframe.
Using these guidelines, you should be able to find a technician that can be trusted and is equipped to do the job the right way. A storm or other disaster is hard enough to deal with, and a remediation firm should do everything in its power to make this difficult process easier.
This grocery store had mold growth on their ceiling as a result of high humidity. After remediation, fans were installed to prevent future mold growth
You suspect you have mold at your business. Now, what? Here are some key questions to ask when looking for a mold remediation contractor who can identify, remove, clean up and remediate the issue.
Is the company licensed? Every state has its own set of laws and regulations that must be followed. In the state of Florida, any person or company advertising or representing oneself to be a mold remediator—or taking samples for purposes of testing for the presence of mold—must have a license. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is a Florida-licensed mold remediator. (Our license number is MRSR450.) A licensed contractor has the training, expertise and experience required to do the job well, safely and to code.
Is the company properly certified for mold removal and remediation? The proper certification makes certain that the company has the necessary expertise and experience to deal with the mold inside the home; it also guarantees that the technicians are well trained in how to remove the mold safely to prevent any potential health risks. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
Is the company insured? Before hiring a contractor, find out what type of liability insurance the mold specialist has, what that insurance covers and the amount of coverage. The insurance should cover mold or microbial work. Plus, confirm that the company has workers’ compensation insurance. Otherwise, the homeowner may be at risk of a lawsuit or expenses if a worker gets injured on the property. In the state of Florida, applicants for a Mold Assessor license are required to obtain general liability and errors and omissions insurance for both preliminary and post remediation mold assessment in the amount of $1 million dollars. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast meets these requirements. We carry the required $1,000,000 liability coverage and have workers’ comp insurance.
Does the company conduct background checks on its employees? Make certain that the contractor’s employees have all had background checks. This practice ensures that reputable people are doing the job. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast requires employees to pass background checks and we do employ any sub-contractors.
Do the company’s employees wear uniforms? Employees should all wear company uniforms. This allows the homeowner and their family to easily identify employees of the company and know who is on the property. Employees of SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast wear uniforms.
How long has the company been in business? And, can the business provide references? Ask the contractor about their history doing this type of cleanup and restoration work and for references from similar projects. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast has a track record of successfully performing mold remediation jobs and can provide references.
Does the company provide a written estimate? This will ensure that all contractors are bidding on the same work. The estimate should be detailed and include all services to be provided. Of course, the contractor should come to the job site prior to estimating the job. Estimates should not be given over the phone without the site being seen. These are standard operating procedures for SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast.
Does the company work with insurance companies? Often mold remediation requires interfacing with the homeowner’s insurance company. It is beneficial to work with a company that can help facilitate the paperwork, expedite services and return the situation to it normal state. SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast provides this service.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is a licensed mold remediation contractor in the state of Florida. Our company is IICRC certified, and our technicians are certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Learn more about our mold remediation services, and call us at 904-729-2401 if you have mold issues.
Commercial Water Damage Repair in Fernandina Beach/North Jacksonville
There is no good time for commercial water damage but our restoration team will take care of your problem quickly.
As a business owner, you know that any type of water damage can be detrimental to your business. It is crucial when faced with a water damage loss that you can resume normal operations as soon as possible to protect your business. If your business is forced to close until water damage repairs are complete your short-term losses will start to add up and your customers may find somewhere else to go which could cause you to lose their business long-term.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast specializes in commercial water damage repair and can help ensure that damages are kept to a minimum, reducing your total losses. Commercial businesses have unique needs when it comes to water damage repairs and the best way to protect your business and its assets is to leave water damage repairs to the pros.
What to Do If Your Property Floods
When your commercial property is affected by water or flooding, the source of water needs to be addressed before water damage repairs can begin. Water damage can affect expensive or specialized equipment and inventory, and losses can quickly add up to thousands of dollars. If your property floods, quick action is necessary to mitigate the damage. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yuleeis always ready to respond.
Whenever your business is affected by water damage, a fast response is necessary. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast provides emergency, 24/7 service and has the equipment and personnel it takes to get your business up and running quickly. SERVPRO is a trusted and experienced commercial water damage restoration company that delivers quality customer service and exceptional water damage repair service for commercial businesses.
In an event of a disaster call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904-729-2401. Our water restoration team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!
Repair or replace leaking faucets right away to prevent further problems.
There are many small and seemingly harmless things that can lead to water damage if left unattended. Slow drips, undetected leaks, standing water around foundations, cracked and chipped grout and caulking can be small leaks that lead to long-term water damage.
Leaking faucets
Repair or replace leaking faucets right away. Not only can a long-term leak raise a water bill, water can build up along the edges of the sink, onto the countertop and drip under the sink. Small leaks over time can cause mold and mildew, which are both health problems and expensive to remove. Sometimes entire areas of the affected structure need to be removed, such as the flooring and cabinetry under a sink.
Leaking toilets
Leaking toilets can contribute to black water contamination, one of the most serious kinds of problems. An old seal or a plumbing problem that causes a toilet to overflow, even a crack in a toilet, needs immediate attention. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast has the training and equipment to address black water damage.
Dampness under sinks
Check under sinks regularly for damp spots. Cracked pipes, loose fittings, rusted fittings and leaks can cause moisture to build up and spread. When the leak is slow and small, standing water may never be present so what would otherwise be an obvious sign of a problem isn’t present.
Grout and caulking around sinks, tubs and showers
Water can seep through cracks in grout and caulking. Missing chunks of grout and caulking, no matter how small, create places for water to pool and seep through into the walls or floor. Repair damaged grout and caulking at once.
Crawl spaces
Water, dampness and mold that are detected in attics, basements and crawl spaces between the ceiling and roof and under a building need immediate attention. Check these areas regularly, especially after rain and storms.
Standing water
Water that puddles and remains unchanged for more than a day when it is not raining needs to be checked. Certain types of soil drain slower than other types, but even then, standing pools of water should change and get smaller within 24 hours. If the puddle is not changing or is getting bigger, check for a broken pipe. Damp ground that is in contact with any structure long enough causes mold and other water damage.
Landscape watering
Small changes to landscaping and how it is watered can help prevent water damage. Avoid planting anything requiring frequent watering close to the house. We all think flowers look wonderful planted right against the house, but if those flowers require a lot of water to keep them alive, consider moving them to another part of the yard or using containers. Use drought-tolerant plants closest to structures. Make sure that landscape water doesn’t hit the exterior walls or run under the house. Plant slopes with drought plants. Leaving a slope bare or planting it with something with heavy water needs causes water runoff that can contribute to damp ground around or under a structure. If you use automatic irrigation, plan it so that drip-watered plants are not too close to the house and consider using well-placed misting heads instead of drip heads.
Anyone experiencing or suspecting water damage can contact us for an evaluation of the damage. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is the trusted leader in the restoration of water damage. The staff has the training, equipment, and expertise to handle all restoration and cleaning needs and provides 24-hour emergency service. Call us at 904.729.2401.
Introducing the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Program
If a structure is sanitized and disinfected as part of the CSC program, a window decal shield will be left at the structure, along with dated decal.
The Certified: SERVPROCleaned (CSC) program is designed to provide our communities with a way to know that a structure has been cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected to minimize harmful pathogens. If a structure is sanitized and disinfected as part of the CSC program, a window decal shield will be left at the structure, as well as a separate window decal which should be dated by the franchise to let everyone know when it was last sanitized and disinfected. This can be schedule as one time or recurring service.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean. Being open for business is just the beginning of our new journey forward. Employees may be hesitant to return to work, and customers may wonder whether the businesses they patron are safe.
We are proud to launch Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned—a cleaning and disinfecting program that SERVPRO offers to commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This is a level of clean that goes way beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. This is proactive viral pathogen cleaning. When businesses choose SERVPRO, their employees, customers, and community can rest assured that they’ve selected a “higher standard of clean”—Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.
As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help businesses and public spaces become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination—always adhering to the highest cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities.
SERVPRO franchise professionals take the utmost care while disinfecting using EPA-registered disinfectants like SERVPROXIDE and ensuring businesses are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy reopens.
For more about the program or to schedule service at your place of business, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Pipe Breaks Flooding Jacksonville Trucking Company
Water damage at this Jacksonville trucking company operation spanned more than 1500 square feet.
A recent incident at a Jacksonville trucking company caused major flooding throughout the offices and facility. A pipe break in the ceiling was the cause. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast was called in to extract the flood water and dry the resulting water damage from the affected areas that spanned more than 1500 square feet.
Pipe breaks are one of the common causes of water damage at commercial facilities. Broken pipes can stem from many reasons, such as changes in pressure or deteriorated water supply lines and sewer drains. Bulging walls, water stains on walls or floors, cracked or loose tiles, and musty smell – these are all signs of damaged pipes.
Following are some of the other common causes of commercial water damage:
DAMAGED WINDOWS
In commercial buildings, water damage is often caused by windows that are not properly sealed. Damaged windows can allow moisture to seep in, which can trigger problems such as mold build-up and warped wood and drywall. Resealing windows regularly is important as caulk can break down over time.
BUILDING FOUNDATION
When gutters are not cleaned regularly, they can get clogged, causing water to leak into the property through the roof or the foundation. One of the most common signs of leaks in building foundations are puddles nearby or framing that has become wet. Poor drainage systems can also lead to water damage in your foundation.
ROOF LEAKS
A leaky roof can cause ceiling damage, mold or mildew issues, fire hazards from shortened wires, and compromised structural integrity. Exposure to heavy rains and snow make roofs vulnerable to damage. Moreover, incorrect snow/ice removal can also trigger water damage in roofs.
HVAC PROBLEMS
HVAC systems work by heating or cooling the air through a series of ducts. Over time, these ducts wear out and get damaged, resulting in leaks. The HVAC system needs to be cleaned regularly, and the excess water from the condensation reservoirs has to be removed to prevent water damage.
SEWER CLOGS
Sewer water contains bacteria and other pathogens that cause illnesses and infections. If you observe signs of sewage damage, such as gurgling sounds or water backing up out of the drain or toilet, call us immediately.
SPRINKLER SYSTEM LEAKS
Other causes of water damage in commercial buildings are leaks or malfunctions in sprinkler systems. Signs of sprinkler leaks include wet surfaces like drywall and carpets, presence of mold and mildew and standing water. Regularly inspect your sprinkler systems for leaks and moisture.
Taking the necessary measures to prevent water damage can save you from costly repairs and business interruption in the future. Since water damage can come from a variety of sources, it’s essential to have the building inspected regularly to prevent leaks and related issues.
If you have water damage at your place of business, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Researchers are predicting an active hurricane season this year.
Be ready for hurricane season. Today you can determine your personal hurricane risk, find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and review/update insurance policies. You can also make a list of items to replenish hurricane emergency supplies and start thinking about how you will prepare your home for the coming hurricane season. If you live in hurricane-prone areas, you are encouraged to complete these simple preparations before hurricane season begins on June 1. Keep in mind, you may need to adjust any preparedness actions based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast can help you get your home back to normal if you suffer hurricane damage. Call us at 904.729.2401 if we can be of assistance.
Tips for Employers Reopening After COVID-19 Related Shut-Down
As you make plans for keeping employees safe when you re-open, keep SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville NE in mind for commercial cleaning.
Florida businesses prepare as Florida governor Ron DeSantis lifts some of the COVID-19 related restrictions which have been in place in April. Here are some things to think about as you re-open. Also, keep SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast in mind for commercial cleaning.
Keeping the Workplace Safe:
Encourage your employees to...
-Practice Good Hygiene…Stop shaking hands – use other non-contact methods of greeting
-Clean hands with sanitizer or wash their hands frequently
-Avoid touching their faces and cover coughs and sneezes
-Gloves and masks/facial coverings may be advisable
-Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails regularly
-Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning
-Be Careful with Meetings and Travel
-Use videoconferencing for meetings when possible
-When not possible, hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces
-Consider adjusting or postponing large meetings or gatherings
-Assess the risks of business travel
-Handle Food Carefully
-Limit sharing food with others
-Strengthen health screenings for cafeteria staff and their close contacts
-Ensure cafeteria staff and their close contacts practice strict hygiene
-Stay Home if feeling sick or have a sick family member in their home
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast:
Commercial Cleaning Services
SERVPRO professionals are trained to perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfection. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of waste.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast: Ready for whatever happens.®
Call us at 904.729.2401 if we can help you get your business back to normal.
Please stay aware of weather conditions in your area.
What: Enhanced Risk of Severe Thunderstorms Today into Friday Morning
When: Thursday afternoon through Late Friday
Where: Southeast GA and Northeast Florida
What: Tornadoes, Damaging Wind Gusts, Hail, & Heavy Rain Possible Slight Risk of Severe Thunderstorms Friday
When: Friday Morning through Friday Afternoon/Evening
Where: Northeast Florida and parts of Southeast Georgia
What: Tornadoes, Damaging Wind Gusts, Hail, & Heavy Rain Possible Severe Thunderstorm possible again Saturday
This system will bring rain and some strong storms into the area. The highest threat is damaging winds, locally heavy rainfall, and isolated tornadoes. Showers and storms will likely linger into early tomorrow morning in northeast Florida. A few strong storms are still possible south of I-10 through midday. Please stay informed of conditions in your area.
Want Your Home or Property Disinfected? Call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast
SERVPRO uses cleaning products and protocols of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local authorities.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is being called on by homeowners and property managers to perform the necessary bioremediation services to clean, disinfect, and sanitize their properties.
SERVPRO professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We use cleaning products and protocols of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local authorities. We go well beyond the scope of regular janitorial services.
If you are interested in inquiring about our services, we are here to help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while life gets back to normal in the communities we call home.
Keeping your employees and family safe and healthy is most important to our team and we at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach / Jacksonville Northeast are here to help in any way that we can.
Call us at 904.729.2401.
Local Hotel Calls on SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast After Flooding Occurs
Water damage and flooding in hotels--especially when it affects multiple floors--always pose special challenges.
Flooding at hotels is not an unusual occurrence, but always poses special challenges. Whenever SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast gets a call about water damage at a hotel, it’s all hands on deck! In a recent hotel job, seven rooms on three floors plus the workout room were affected. Management had been in the process of remodeling rooms when there was a pipe break that caused the flooding. Such a large-scale event impacts revenue significantly.
Not only does the hotel need to handle the costs of water damage restoration, but they must also deal with the potential lost income of closing down or reducing the number of available rooms during the repairs. In addition to dealing with damages to the actual hotel, hotel staff must also consider the issue of damaged personal belongings of their guests. Following are common causes of water damage in hotels:
Overflowing bathtub or bathroom sink
Toilet leaks
AC unit overflow
Water heater leaks
Broken shower drain
Sewer line back ups
We worked around the clock to complete the job as soon as possible while also trying to inconvenience guests as little as possible. In this case, the damage was encompassed three floors so minimizing impact was challenging.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast specializes in the clean-up and restoration of commercial properties after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained and IICRC-certified. We understand that each day restoring the property is a lost day of revenue so we work overtime using a 6-step restoration process.
If you have water damage at your commercial property, call us at 904-729-2401.
Researchers Predicting Active 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season
On top of the other challenges we are currently facing, CSU hurricane researchers are predicting a busy season. Hurricane season starts June 1.
Source: Colorado State University Hurricane Research Team
Colorado State University hurricane researchers are predicting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2020, citing the likely absence of El Niño as a primary factor. Tropical and subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures are currently warmer than their long-term average values and are consequently also considered a factor favoring an active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.
The tropical Pacific currently has warm neutral ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) conditions; that is, the waters are slightly warmer than normal in the eastern and central tropical Pacific. CSU currently anticipates that these waters are likely to cool relative to their long-term averages over the next several months. Consequently, they do not anticipate El Niño for the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. El Niño tends to increase upper-level westerly winds across the Caribbean into the tropical Atlantic, tearing apart hurricanes as they try to form.
The tropical Atlantic is somewhat warmer than normal right now. Warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic provide more fuel for tropical cyclone formation and intensification. They are also associated with a more unstable atmosphere as well as moister air, both of which favor organized thunderstorm activity that is necessary for hurricane development.
16 named storms
The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project team is predicting 16 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Of those, researchers expect eight to become hurricanes and four to reach major hurricane strength (Saffir/Simpson category 3-4-5) with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast: Commercial Cleaning Services
SERVPRO goes beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.
SERVPRO® professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We offer cleaning services including the removal of biohazard contaminants. We have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business.
We are Here to Help® Get Your Business Back to Normal
SERVPRO is being called on by numerous businesses and community leaders to perform the necessary bioremediation services to clean, disinfect and sanitize their properties. All of our cleanup practices are in accordance with the guidelines provided by the CDC and local authorities. If you are interested in inquiring about our services we’re here to help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while life gets back to normal in the communities we all call home. 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 meet this standard and carry the EPA-registered 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.
SERVPRO can respond quickly and effectively to help minimize business interruption to your company. SERVPRO franchise professionals are uniquely prepared during this unprecedented time to clean and disinfect your home or business according to the protocols set forth by the CDC. 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 at a minimum. These same surfaces are mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces as well. The CDC also recommends regular cleaning of the following areas/items:
-Kitchen/Food Areas
-Bathrooms
-Water Fountains
-Shelving/Racks
-Sales Counters
-Carpets and Rugs
-Stair Handrails
-Elevators and Escalators
-Fitness Equipment
SERVPRO professionals are trained to perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfection. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of waste.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast: Ready for whatever happens.®
Call us at 904.729.2401 so we can help you get your business back to normal.
It's important to disinfect everything your workers come into contact with.
Here at SERVPRO your family's health and safety are our utmost concern.
As COVID-19 or more commonly referred to as the CoronaVirus is spreading across the world and over 60 confirmed cases in Northeast Florida, this pandemic is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Keeping your employees and family safe and healthy is most important to our team and we at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach / Jacksonville Northeast are here to help in any way that we can.
Ensuring your home and business is clean and sanitized can be a highly effective way to reduce the spread of viruses like COVID-19. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you frequently clean regularly touched surfaces such as countertops, doorknobs, light switches, computers, and especially bathrooms and kitchen surfaces.
SERVPRO is available to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of specialized experience dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that your regular janitorial staff performs on a daily basis.
Targeted Products
The CDC recommends everyone use labeled hospital-grade disinfectants with claims against pathogens similar to the coronavirus. Many products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular variant of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.
If you or your business is in need of help, we specialize and adhere to the highest sanitation standards the CDC puts forth, including the use of hospital-grade disinfectants.
Earlier this week, President Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force issued new guidelines to help protect Americans during the global Coronavirus outbreak.
The new recommendations are simple to follow but are expected to have a resounding impact on public health. Entitled "15 Days to Slow the Spread," they include:
Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.
If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.
If your children are sick, keep them at home. Contact your medical provider.
If someone in your household has tested positive for the Coronavirus, keep the entire household at home.
If you are an older American, stay home and away from other people.
If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition—such as a significant heart or lung problem—stay home and away from other people.
These guidelines build on the CDC’s general recommendations to help prevent spread of the virus. Americans should continue practicing strict personal hygiene, including washing hands regularly for at least 20 seconds at a time and wiping down surfaces in the home often.
Who Are You Going to Call? SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast Of Course!
It's all part of the job: Here's Tallis Rawls trying to locate and remove a foul-smelling dead mammal from under a Jacksonville deck.
Why SERVPRO? Out in the field and back in the office, SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast has an exceptional employee staff. Case in point: really who ARE you going to call when you’ve got a dead possum under your deck? SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast to the rescue. No job is too large, too small, or too gross to deter our team. Odor removal is one of our services, so shown in this photo is Tallis Rawls trying to locate and remove the foul-smelling dead mammal. You can imagine how grateful the Jacksonville homeowner must be.
Back at the office, here’s one customer testimonial regarding Pamela Corbitt of our office staff…
Thank you. I appreciate your quick response and follow up. I cannot remember the last time I did not have to call and email a company several times in order to obtain what you provided with just one simple request. It is a real pleasure working with a true professional for a change, thank you again.
C. Croston -Advantage Home Builders
These are just a couple of examples, but all of our staff gets rave reviews. As our business partner and customer also recently commented, both our field and office staff are great at what they do…
We use SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast on all of our emergency issues and scheduled repairs. They are prompt and get the job done. Between the office personal and the field techs they understand what is needed. We cannot ask for a better company to help us out.
B. Halveland -Sunshine State Plumbing
If you have water, fire or mold issues, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401. We’ll come to the rescue faster for your disaster!
Preventing Workplace Fires in Nassau County/North Jacksonville
Follow these tips to promote a fire-safe workplace.
During the five-year period of 2007-2011, National Fire Protection Association estimates that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 3,340 fires in office properties per year. These fires caused an annual average of four civilian deaths, 44 civilian fire injuries, and $112 million in direct property damage. The vast majority of the fires in this category were in business offices.
Fewer fires occur on the weekends since they are less likely to be fully populated. The peak times of day for these fires were between noon and 2:00 PM. Less than one-third of the fires (31%) occurred between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., but these fires accounted for 67% of the direct property damage.
More than one in every four office property fires (29%) was caused by cooking equipment, but these fires accounted for just 6% of the direct property damage experienced by office properties. Fires that were intentionally set caused the largest share of direct property damage (20%), while causing 10% of office property fires. Electrical distribution and lighting equipment was the second leading cause of office property fires (12%) of fires, while causing 15% of direct property damage.
The following tips promote a fire-safe workplace.
Practice good workplace housekeeping. Clutter contributes to fires by providing fuel and by impeding access to exits and emergency equipment.
Place oily rags in a covered metal container. This waste must be properly disposed of on a regular basis.
Never leave cooking equipment unattended while in use.
Maintain machinery to prevent overheating and friction sparks.
Report electrical hazards. Many fires start in faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment. Never attempt electrical repairs unless you are qualified and authorized.
Maintain free access to all electrical control panels. Material or equipment stored in front of the panels would slow down the shutting down of power in an emergency situation.
Use and store chemicals safely. Read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet to determine flammability and other fire hazards. Provide adequate ventilation when using and storing these substances.
Use all precautions to prevent ignition in potentially explosive atmospheres such as those containing flammable liquid vapors or fine particles. Use non-sparking tools, and control static electricity as required.
Help maintain building security to prevent arson fires. Lock up as instructed; report suspicious persons; and don’t leave combustible rubbish where it can be set on fire outside the building.
Smoke only in designated areas, and extinguish smoking materials safely. Never smoke in storerooms or chemical storage areas.
Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits. Observe clearances when stacking materials.
Post emergency telephone numbers as well as the company address by the telephone for quick access if a fire were to start in your work area.
Learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach / Jacksonville Northeast has the specialized fire and water damage cleanup and restoration training and experience to quickly restore your business to pre-fire condition. Call us at 904.729.2401.
Call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401 if you have water, fire or mold damage.
“Recently I had a hot water heater burst sending water from upper floor into the downstairs master bedroom area. SERVPRO responded quickly and did a great job ensuring no moisture was left for mold to form. The group was courteous and professional; they were understanding of our situation. Kudos to Jamie and his crew.”
B Nielson, Jacksonville
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast understands the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your life and home or business. We will make it "Like it never even happened."
Since 2007, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast has provided 24/7 emergency services for the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after fire, smoke or water damage. We are also a Florida-licensed mold remediation firm (MRSR-450). We not only handle mitigation and clean-up but also any needed reconstruction services.
As our customer relayed above, we have an excellent staff who are not only well trained in water, fire and mold damage mitigation/restoration, but are also professional and sensitive to the situations our customers are going through.
Our service area includes Nassau County as well as North Jacksonville, including River City, Oceanway, Heckscher Drive, and the Lem Turner/Dunn Avenue areas. Call us at 904.729.2401 if you have water, fire or mold damage.
When you have a leak, many areas of your home that you can't see can be affected.
When your home or business experiences a major flood, there’s no chance you won’t see it.
A few inches of water in your basement, an overflowing toilet or a broken sprinkler are tough to overlook and so is the damage they cause.
However, there is a culprit that might not make a big splash, but can cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues: the water you don’t see.
Sometimes you might have hidden leaks or humidity issues that can start small and grow large in their destruction over time. The little leaks might turn into large deluges or wear away at structures, the humidity could make conditions right for mold growth and bad odors.
As a home or business owner, you want to be on the lookout for these sneaky sources of water loss. You also want to make sure that, if you do experience a large flood, to get it cleaned up properly. Improper water cleanup can leave those hidden problems behind.
As the diagram shows, when you have a leak, many areas can be affected. Water can make its way into sheathing, studs, insulation, drywall, baseboards, carpet and padding, wall plate, sub-floor, sill plate, and you basement and foundation.
This is where SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast comes in. We have the knowledge and experience clean up water damage of any size and get it done right the first time. We also have the proper equipment to find any moisture lurking out of sight and do away with it.
For example, we have moisture sensors, which are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls. We have moisture meters that we use to test the actual moisture content of materials. The meters allow our technicians to accurately monitor the drying process.
And if hidden water leads to bad odors in your business, we have the tools necessary to take care of those as well. Some examples are ultra low-volume foggers and thermal foggers.
The lesson here is to be aware that water losses can be hiding in your home or business and if you find them, you can count on us to fix them.
Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Work Place Water Damage is Restored by SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast
Mold on a church ceiling that originated from a roof leak. Have water or mold damage? Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jax NE.
When business owners envision water damage, they often picture a massive storm wiping out power lines, flooding offices, and shutting down businesses for days at a time. It is true that commercial water damage is often the result of floods and water that stem from storms. In fact, the mold shown in the accompanying photograph originated from a roof leak that was never dried correctly in a church after a hurricane that had hit North Florida.
However, many business owners and tenants overlook the fact that storms and severe weather aren't the only cause of water damage. Here are some of the common causes of water damage to commercial buildings.
Malfunctioning sprinkler systems
It is not uncommon for older office and retail buildings to have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers are crucial during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets.
2. Damaged appliances and equipment
This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency.
3. Broken pipes and plumbing
Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result.
Backed up sewer lines
This is another cause of commercial water damage. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated black water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings.
If your business has suffered commercial water damage, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/ Jacksonville Northeast will get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at (904) 729-2401 for fast help.
The storm's main threats are brief heavy rain, gusty winds of 50-60 mph+, and an isolated tornado.
Source: Action News Jax
JACKSONVILLE, Florida — WHAT TO EXPECT DURING TODAY:
We are starting off Thursday mild with temperatures in the 60s. We will see partly cloudy skies this morning. More clouds will build in throughout the day. Highs will soar to the lower 80s this afternoon.
We will be near record highs (85 – 2008). A Wind Advisory will go into effect today at noon to 3 a.m. for all Jacksonville-area counties.
In addition to a windy day, a few showers are possible this afternoon for some local neighborhoods.
WHAT TO EXPECT TONIGHT:
A First Alert Weather Day will go into effect tonight. A line of potentially strong to severe storms will move into the area this evening from west to east. Some schools will close early today ahead of the severe weather.
Friday’s morning commute will be mainly dry and breezy with some leftover wet roadways.
Stay safe as these strong storms move through our area. If you suffer any water damage, call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Why SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast? Here’s What One Customer Says…
Our goal is give our customers an exceptional service experience. Call us at 904.729.2401 if you have water, fire and mold damage.
Want to know why you should call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast if you have water, fire or mold damage? Just ask our customers. Here’s what one had to say after we completed mold remediation at her home.
"My husband and I are very happy to recommend SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach, Florida for anyone needing their services. The SERVPRO technicians and office personnel are very personable and professional.
The first two SERVPRO technicians we encountered were Jamie and Michael. The tear out they did was most efficient. The preparation for rebuild was exceptional. The room was returned to the way it was when they arrived.
The second set of SERVPRO technicians, Sean and Tallis, did a great job with the mold remediation. The kitchen area was left clean and the cabinets were removed with the area left prepared for the rebuild.
All four SERVPRO gentlemen and Pamela in the office were courteous and extremely helpful with all their services. We highly recommend SERVPRO to everyone experiencing water damage to their home, as well as, needing cleanup and restoration. It will be just like it never happened.
Thank you SERVPRO."
-M. Sallis
See other testimonials here. See more about our services here, and call us at 904.729.2401 if we can be of assistance at your home or business.
Hidden Water Damage Found in Bathroom of Jacksonville Home
Here, a pipe leaking inside the shower wall caused damage that was not visible to the eye.
Sometimes water damage and its source are easy to identify – for example when a pipe bursts or a major storm causes flooding. But sometimes the problem can be more subtle…and that can actually lead to more damage over the long-term if you don’t recognize a problem before it becomes a potential disaster. In this case, a pipe leaking inside the shower wall caused damage that was not visible to the eye. Only our special equipment and eventual demolition showed the extent of the water damage.
If you’re concerned there may be a water problem in your home or business, here are five common but not-so-obvious signs to look out for:
Water Stains
If you see pale yellow or brown stains on your ceilings, wall, or floors, that may indicate the presence of a slow but steady leak. Many times, water stains will form directly under the water source. However, sometimes water will run along wire, pipes or other materials and then drip and cause stains far from the source. Make sure you figure out the cause of the water damage you see.
Mold Growth
Mold grows where there is sufficient wetness for it to thrive, so if you have a mold problem, there’s a water problem. Sometimes materials in your home will become mold infested if they’ve become wet and have never been able to dry sufficiently. This can happen to fabric, wood, insulation, and perhaps even your floors, ceilings, or walls.
Odors
A musty smell can be one of the first signs of a water problem, even if you can’t yet see any leaks. Be on the lookout for any sudden changes in odor. Take note if it gets worse after a rainstorm or while you’re taking a shower or running the dishwasher.
Weak Wall, Floors, or Ceilings
Water will weaken your building materials. You might notice that your walls are becoming more soft or “spongey”, your floors might be bowing, there may be a crack in your ceiling or a bubble in your wall paper. A sudden large leak might cause a major, obvious problem, but if the leak is slow these issues might come on gradually over weeks or months. The sooner you notice, the sooner you can address the root cause.
Higher Utility Bills
If you have a sudden and unexpected surge in your utility bill, that might be an indication of a water problem.While slight fluctuations month to month are normal, be on the lookout for a sudden rise in the water bill, especially if there’s no corresponding increase in your sewer rates. If there isn’t a reason you can think of why your water bill might be high this month, it may be that there’s a water damage issue.
Here at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast, we know just how disastrous water damage can be to a home or business. That’s why we’re passionate about helping the people in this community do what they can to prevent water damage before it becomes a major issue.
But IF you have water damage – even just minor damage – SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast can help you identify and address the source of the problem and ensure that it won’t turn into an expensive catastrophe for your home or business. Call us at 904-729-2401 if you suspect that you have water damage.
North Jacksonville/Fernandina Beach: Be Aware of Freezing Temps Tonight
There's a freeze warning in the Jacksonville/Fernandina Beach area tonight. Follow these tips to prevent water damage.
Okay, so it’s probably not likely, but it never hurts to be prepared. With temperatures expected to drop to at or near freezing over the coming week, frozen pipes could be an issue in North Florida.
FREEZE WARNING: Tonight.
Winter weather can catch us off guard in Jacksonville and North Florida. All it takes is a few hours of freezing temperatures for your pipes to freeze.
Here are some helpful hints to help you avoid problems:
Keep one or two faucets dripping
Direct warm air to any colder areas of your home
Leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air in--especially if your kitchen sink is on an outside wall
Disconnect your hose from the outside faucet
Seal leaks that allow cold air into your home where pipes are located
Water damage caused by frozen pipes can be one of the most damaging problems a homeowner can face. Most homeowners insurance will cover damage resulting from a frozen pipe provided you can prove that you took measures to prevent the pipe from freezing.
This is a dirty A/C duct before being cleaned by SERVPRO.
Living in Jacksonville, running your air conditioner is just not an option, especially during the hot summer months. The air that is cooled by your air conditioner circulates via the air ducts that run throughout the home. Your air conditioner is recycling that air constantly. This is the same air that you and your family breathe, so of course, you want this air to be as clean as possible to help prevent odors and possible health issues. When you clean your air ducts, you’re removing dust and contaminants within the ducts.
These are the top five benefits to having your air ducts professionally cleaned:
Reduce dust. As the air goes through the ducts, dust can accumulate. Getting your ducts cleaned will reduce the dust re-circulating through the home and potentially getting on your furniture, bedding, floors, clothes and all other surfaces.
Minimize allergies and irritants. These allergens include pet dander, pollen, dust, bacteria, mildew, mold spores, smoke from cooking and candles, and many other toxins that linger in your air ducts. Periodically cleaning out your ducts can help reduce these irritants. A professional air duct cleaning will result in a healthier home.
You'll breathe cleaner air. Even if you don’t have asthma or allergies, cleaner air is better air. Poor air quality has been known to cause health issues. If you were given the choice to breathe clean or dirty air which would you prefer? Cleaning your air ducts can make your home more comfortable.
Lingering smells and odors. Have your air ducts professionally cleaned will help get rid of unpleasant smells in the air such as pet odors, cigarette smoke, and even musty odors. As hard as your air conditioner tries to remove these odors, some are just stubborn.
Improve airflow. If you have years of accumulated dust and grime, it can restrict your airflow. This means your system will have to work harder than normal. A clean system is going to be more efficient and utilize the least amount of energy, meaning lower electric bills and less wear and tear on your system components.
Please know, it’s not always necessary to have your air ducts cleaned. If you think you might need your air ducts cleaned, SERVPRO will be happy to inspect the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC) and let you know how you should proceed.
Before cleaning your air ducts, call your local Jacksonville SERVPRO. We will make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns which can save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your system.
The more water you extract or pump out of the structure, the less you will need to remove with dehumidifiers.
Drying a house or building and its contents quickly is important to minimizing damages. Four factors affect the amount of time required for drying:
Temperature.
Amount of water to be evaporated.
Humidity.
Air movement.
Remember the rule “wet goes to dry.” The rule means that moisture moves from wet materials to drier materials or wet air to drier air to seek an equilibrium. Dry air absorbs moisture from wet surfaces. Dry surfaces absorb moisture from wet air. Each of the four factors for drying affect the process of wet going to dry.
Temperature
Drying occurs faster when rooms are heated to 70° to 90° since hot air can hold more moisture. If heat is not available, portable heaters may be used. Ideally, temperature in the affected areas of a structure should be between 70° and 80°. Temperatures above 85° on the first drying days could result in too much moisture in the air causing secondary damage if there are not enough dehumidifiers.
Amount of Water to Be Evaporated
The more water you extract or pump out of the structure, the less you will need to remove with dehumidifiers. A liquid is easier and faster to remove than a gas. Physical extraction is 1200 times more efficient than dehumidification. We use a submersible pump if two inches or more of water is standing in the affected area.
Truck mounts can extract 36,000 gal/day. The best dehumidifiers can extract only 30 gal/day. Therefore, physical extraction is important.
Air Movement
Air movement is important to drying. The air in a water-damaged room is normally damp and humid, slowing evaporation. Blowing the damp air out and bringing warm, dry air in will speed drying. Proper positioning of air movers will help. Remember to change the location of air movers as drying occurs to promote even, thorough drying of surfaces.
Learn more about our water restoration process and call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401 if you have water damage.
Why SERVPRO for Flood & Fire Damage Northeast Jacksonville – Large or Small Disasters
Florida has its share of natural disasters such as lightning, flooding, and hurricanes. The effects of these events cause millions of dollars in damage every year, and tremendous hardship for our residents. In addition to natural disasters, we also have our share of fires, plumbing leaks, and mold issues that require remediation and restoration.
SERVPRO responds to flood or fire damage in the Northeast Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We also have professional technicians ready to clean up after a fire and stop mold before it gets started in our humid climate. Your Northeast Jacksonville SERVPRO team has extensive experience, first-class training, and top-of-the-line equipment to restore your home or business after a disaster. We can even handle large commercial restoration projects since we can mobilize large teams by utilizing our partner SERVPRO teams from around the country.
Experience & Training
Our team has experience in dealing with many events in the greater Northeast Jacksonville area. We are IICRC certified (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification, which is the non-profit certifying body for the cleaning and restoration industry). Additionally, should the need arise, we can also tap into experts such as biohazard or construction contractors.
Disaster Restoration Equipment
Responding to any size of event requires a variety of equipment. We have truck mounted water extraction pumps, submersible pumps, high-speed air movers and more. Whether it is cleaning up after a water leak or a fire, we completely clean and sanitize your home or business. We also have the tools and experience to ensure effective mold remediation such as moisture detection equipment and industrial dehumidifiers.
Commitment to Our Clients
Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach / Jacksonville Northeast provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response, day or night. We aim to return your premises to you, "Like it never even happened."
When staying warm, it's important to keep fire safety in mind when using space heaters.
Thankfully, northeast Florida has a pretty mild winter, but we do have some cold weather. Often on our chilly Florida nights, it’s common for families to use space heaters to take the chill off. Space heaters can be a more affordable alternative to central heat when you don’t need to heat the whole house. They can also boost the temperature of rooms used by individuals who may be sensitive to cold, especially elderly persons, without sacrificing the comfort of other family members.
Safety is very important when using space heaters. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires yearly are associated with space heaters, resulting in more than 300 deaths. In addition, an estimated 6,000 people are treated in emergency rooms due to contact with the hot surfaces of room heaters, mostly in non-fire situations.
However, space heaters, especially older ones come with a fire risk. Here are eight tips to consider if you use space heaters in your North Jacksonville or Fernandina area home.
Never plug your space heater into a surge protector. Plug it directly into a wall receptacle.
Avoid using space heaters in wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Be sure your space heater has a tip over feature that makes it turn off if knocked over. If not, consider replacing it.
Monitor your pets closely around the space heater.
Never leave space heaters unattended, especially around children.
Do not operate a space heater while you are sleeping. Always turn them off and unplug them before going to bed.
Avoid placing your heater in walkways where they are more apt to be knocked over.
Keep your space heater away from curtains, blankets and other fabric materials. Keep anything that can heat at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn.
If your space heater cords are tattered or it’s not working as expected, turn it off and have it checked by an electrician or consider replacing it.
Be sure everyone in your home knows how to safely use your space heater.
Practicing good safety measures can drastically reduce the risk of a fire or injury in your home, but accidents can and do happen. If you ever need assistance with clean up after a fire in your home or business, our team at SERVPRO specializes in fire damage repair and restoration and can work with your insurance carrier to get things back to normal.
Holiday Greetings and a Note from a Satisfied Customer
Happy Holidays and thank you to our wonderful customers from all of us at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast!
The holidays are a time for good tidings and we at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast would like to wish all of our customers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We’d also like to share the following message from one of our recent customers. It’s this type of experience that we strive to give all of our customers and we thank Mr. Shatford for sharing his thoughts with us…
“Just a note to thank the SERVPRO Team for your fast, professional and complete response to our water overflow issue we encountered on Nov. 20/19 when the exit hose from our washing machine became disconnected from its drain.
You were our first contact and arranged for a crew at our door in little over an hour—-exceptionally fast service.
Jeremy Wade, Crew Chief, and his assistant Michael Rorrer immediately took charge of the situation, explained the process to us and proceeded to install drying equipment upstairs and down. Over the next few days, Jeremy and other members of his crew ( Stan and Michael ) checked in on us and kept track of progress.
I want to single out Jeremy as an excellent Crew Chief. From the moment we met him, we felt comfortable that he knew what he was doing and found him both professional and personable. He did what he said he would do and it was important to us that he stayed with us throughout the experience. I would recommend him to anybody as a skilled, understanding and efficient Chief with the capability to make customers as comfortable as possible as they ‘live’ through a difficult period.
Thank you, again.”
D. Shatford Fernandina Beach
We thank all of our customers for their business and their trust in us this year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Why You Can Rely on SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast
Jeremy Wade, Michael Rorrer and Pamela Corbitt recently received Water Restoration Technician (WRT) certification.
Home and business owners rely on SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast to restore damaged property for a variety of reasons. Following are just a few.
We Respond Promptly
You can reach us 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Our phones are answered by trained on-call managers even outside business hours. This means that you will always to speak to someone who is able to dispatch crews to assist you. Then there’s our service response guidelines…Within one hour of your call, SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/ will coordinate with you to arrange for service. Within four hours of your call, we will be on-site to start mitigation services (if necessary). Within eight business hours, we will give you a verbal briefing of the scope of damage and needed mitigation efforts. We’re faster to any size disaster.
Our Staff is Trained & Qualified
Our technicians have training through the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification). SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast have certifications through IICRC such as water damage restoration (WRT), applied structural drying (ASD), applied microbial remediation (AMRT), fire and smoke restoration (FSRT), and more. Three additional employees recently received water damage restoration (WRT) certification.
We Understand Your Situation
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast understands the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your life and home or business. We’re on the same page with you when it comes to keep the costs down, remediate the damage, and make your home or business look “Like it never even happened.”
Our Restore vs. Replace Philosophy
Our philosophy is to restore, rather than to replace, when possible and preferable for our customer. We have your best interests at heart. The drying and cleaning methods that we use allow us to save on costs rather than replacement. The benefit of restoring is being cost effective, saving time, and giving you peace of mind.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is here to help whenever you need it. When you call us at 904-729-2401 you will be speaking to a decisionmaker who is able to dispatch a crew and help you make it “Like it never even happened,” as soon as possible.
Fire Safety Tips For Your Nassau County/North Jax Live Christmas Tree
Live Christmas trees are special but it's important to follow these tips to prevent fires.
Source: American Christmas Tree Association
Did you know that Christmas tree-related fires alone result in 13 million dollars annually in property damage? More importantly, these fires present real risk towards family and friends. When showcasing a live tree in your home, the combination of tree dryness, electrical malfunction with lights and poorly located heating sources can make for a deadly combination.
BUT IF YOUR HOLIDAY IS JUST NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT A LIVE TREE, FOLLOW THESE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO KEEP THREATS AT BAY:
Fresh trees are less likely to catch fire, so look for a tree with vibrant green needles that are hard to pluck and don’t break easily from its branches. The tree shouldn’t be shedding its needles readily.
Always place your tree away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights, and keep the tree base filled with water to avoid a dry out.
Make sure all your indoor and outdoor Christmas lights have been tested in a lab by the UL or ETL/ITSNA for safety, and throw out any damaged lights.
Any lights you use outdoors must be labeled suitable for exterior placement, and be sure to plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter protected receptacle.
Keep all your holiday candles away from your Christmas tree, surrounding furniture and décor.
Bedtime means lights off! Don’t forget to turn your Christmas tree lights off each night.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast wishes you a safe and happy holiday season!
Having a home fire escape plan will reduce the chance of fire-related injuries.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
On average, there are 358,000 home fires each year in the U.S. with 12,300 injuries. Having a home fire escape plan will reduce the chance of fire-related injuries. Follow these steps to create yours.
Draw a map of your home. Show all doors and windows.
Mark all of the smoke alarms with “SA”. Smoke alarms should be in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
Visit each room. Find two ways out.
All windows and doors should open easily. You should be able to use them to get outside.
Make sure your home has smoke alarms. Push the test button to make sure each alarm is working.
Pick a meeting place outside. It should be in front of your home. Everyone will meet at the meeting place.
Make sure your house or building number can be seen from the street.
Talk about your plan with everyone in your home.
Learn the emergency phone number for your fire department.
Practice your home fire drill!
If you suffer smoke or fire damage to your home, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast can help. Call us at 904.729.2401.
A Note About Use of Turkey Fryers in Fernandina/North Jax
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast wishes you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. If you plan to use a turkey fryer, please use caution!
Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
This time of year many people in this part of Florida take our their oil fryers to cook holiday turkeys but beware:
NFPA discourages the use of outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers that immerse the turkey in hot oil.
NFPA advises that turkey fryers that use cooking oil are not suitable for safe use by even careful consumer. These turkey fryers use a substantial quantity of cooking oil at high temperatures and units currently available for home use pose a significant danger that hot oil will be released at some point during the cooking process. In addition, the burners that heat the oil can ignite spilled oil. The use of turkey fryers can lead to burns, other injuries, as well as the destruction of property. NFPA urges those who prefer fried turkey to acquire the dish at professional establishments, such as grocery stores, specialty food retailers, and restaurants. Another option is to consider a new type of "oil-less" turkey fryer."
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast hopes you will keep these tips in mind as you prepare for the holiday. We wish you and your family a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
If you have damage from fire, soot, or smoke, call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
The cause of the fire that started in this Fernandina Beach home was from a rechargeable vacuum. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast handled the board-up to secure the property until water and fire restoration could begin.
Fire and smoke damage is highly destructive to property and structures if not properly cleaned in a timely manner. Smoke and soot residue can settle on surfaces throughout the property and will begin to permanently stain within hours. Water from firefighting efforts can also cause significant damage to both the structure of your home and your personal possessions. Our smoke and fire damage restoration begins with an initial assessment and estimate. We then board-up windows and doors and tarp roofs and other areas to secure your property and prevent further damage. If necessary, we can extract water and dry out areas damaged by firefighting efforts. Then we deodorize and restore your home or business to its original condition.
If you have damage from fire, soot or smoke, call us at 904.729.2401.
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jax NE Tackles Water Damage in Jacksonville Hotel
Twelve rooms and three hallways were impacted when the sprinkler system was activated at this Jacksonville hotel.
Water damage in hotels always bring on special challenges. In our most recent hotel job in North Jacksonville, 12 rooms and three 60-foot hallways were impacted when a hair dryer caught fire and activated the sprinkler system, which showered water on guest rooms on three floors. Such a large-scale event impacts hotel revenue significantly.
Hotels incur major expenses when a water event happens. Not only does the hotel have to pay the cost of water damage restoration, but there is also lost income of closing down or reducing the number of available rooms during the repairs. In addition to dealing with damages to the actual hotel, the company must also cover the costs of the damaged personal belongings of their guests.
In the case of the North Jacksonville hotel, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast worked around the clock to complete the job as quickly as possible while also inconveniencing guests as little as possible.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast specializes in the clean up and restoration of commercial properties after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained and IICRC-certified. We understand that each day restoring the property is a lost day of revenue so we work overtime using a 6-step restoration process.
Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401 if you have water damage at your commercial property. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”
A woman trying to stay dry under an umbrella in a home with a roof leak.
Face it, friends, water is not your home’s friend. Water can wreak havoc on a home and cause catastrophic damage.
Here are a few statistics about water damage:
The average home water damage insurance claim averages $6,965
The average age of a failed washing machine supply hose is only 8.7 years
75% of water heaters fail before they are 12 years old
37% of US homeowners claim to have suffered losses from water damage
Given these statistics, it just makes sense for homeowners to be proactive and do what they can to avoid costly water damage. Read on for some tips that might help you avoid water damage in your Jacksonville area home.
Tip to Prevent Water Damage to Your Home
Repair any noticeable drips. A little drip can turn into a big problem if ignored.
Check your roof periodically and repair any loose or damaged shingles. This is especially important after storms.
If you live in an older home and you are unsure of the material of your plumbing lines, have a plumber do a checkup. Some of the older pipes, especially those made of polybutylene, are likely to burst with age.
If you notice your sinks and toilets aren’t draining like they used to, get a plumber to come inspect it. The last thing you want is a wastewater backup in your home.
Keep your rain gutters cleaned out. You don't want water sitting on or near your roof for extended periods of time.
Be sure your yard slopes away from your foundation. If you notice water pooling around your home foundation, then you need to fix it.
If you’ve noticed a recent change in your water bill, take note and investigate. You may have a hidden leak that could cause a bigger problem down the road.
Turn off your water when you are going to be gone overnight. Your home should have a main shutoff that should be easy to access. It’s also important you know where this is in case of an emergency.
Don’t plant trees too close to your house. Tree roots can damage foundations and septic systems.
Check your washing machine, dishwasher, and refrigerator hoses annually. If they are worn, replace them. Old, brittle hoses are one of the most frequent causes of water damage for homeowners.
If you do wind up with water in your home, it’s important you contact a water damage company right away to avoid mold growth and protect as much of your home as possible. The technicians at SERVPRO are trained experts. We will work with you and your insurance company to ensure everything gets back to the way it was. Contact us 24-7 and we will get started drying out and repairing your home.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast urges you to practice fire safety tips this Halloween.
Source: NFPA
Halloween is a favorite time of year for young and old alike, but it does come with fire hazards. Following the tips below will ensure that you enjoy a safe Halloween holiday
Top five Halloween fire safety tips
Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns
When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric
Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them.
Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters
Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.
Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes. Make sure all smoke alarms are working.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast wishes you a happy and safe Halloween.
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast Honors First Responders
Cory Palmer of SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast presented gift bags to two members of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department.
First Responders (Police, Firefighters, EMTs, and Paramedics) put their lives on the line every day for people they don’t even know. While everyone else is running away, they’re running towards the danger. Now we honor our local heroes with a special day of their own: National First Responders Day.
A resolution was passed in the U.S. Senate in 2017 that designates October 28 as “Honoring the Nation’s First Responders Day.” An estimated 4.6 million career and volunteer firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians, and paramedic workers serve communities all across the nation, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
With National First Responders Day coming up next week, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast took the opportunity to recognize the contributions of first responders by visiting the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department to present appreciation gift bags. Here, Sales and Marketing Representative, Cory Palmer, is shown presenting the gift bags to two members of the department.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jax NE Employees Complete IICRC-Approved Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) Course
Pamela Corbitt, Jeremy Wade, and Michael Rorrer attended the training courses and took the exam; The WRT Certification Exam is comprised of 140 multiple choice questions.
The IICRC-approved Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) course is designed to teach restoration personnel that perform remediation work to give them a better understanding of water damage, its effects and techniques for drying of structures. This course will give residential and commercial maintenance personnel the background to understand the procedures necessary to deal with water losses, sewer backflows, and contamination such as mold.
When coupled with additional on-the-job training and field experience, students will be prepared to perform and document typical residential or light commercial water-damage restoration projects from start to finish. They also should be adequately prepared to accomplish further training in other areas such as ASD (Applied Structural Drying) and (AMRT) Applied Microbial Remediation Technician, which require WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician) as a prerequisite.
Covered Topics Include:
General Discussion covers Principles of Drying, Categories and Classes.
Equipment, Supplies, Chemicals
Microorganisms, Health and Safety
Drying Science
Effect of Water on Materials
Inspections
Procedures: Sanitary Water Source
Procedures: Unsanitary Water
Continuing Education: The IICRC continuing education program seeks to encourage registrants to actively participate in their industry through conventions, workshops and specialized training with continuing education and by sharing knowledge with others in the industry.IICRC-certified cleaning and restoration technicians face many changes in their field and require two credits every four years.
Why SERVPRO is the Water Damage Expert in Fernandina Beach & North Jacksonville
Our fast response times and investments in both personnel and equipment set us apart from the competition.
Trained Technicians, Advanced Equipment, Fast Response Times…
After a flooding or water damage issue in the Fernandina Beach/North Jacksonville area, it pays to seek expert help as soon as possible after the event. Failing to act when water invades and saturates your home’s structure and contents can lead to added damage and expense when the work begins. Lingering moisture also encourages mold growth and the problems that it brings—and in our humid climate, mold can start to grow in 24-48 hours. Our commitment to being Faster to Any Size Disaster is a key reason why our customer reviews show that customers are extremely satisfied with our services.
When you encounter water damage in your North Jacksonville home be sure to act right away. Water is extremely destructive, and the source must be traced and corrected before extraction and drying can begin. If the leak is not addressed the damage will reoccur. We bring years of experience to your specific situation, and are able to diagnose the problem and develop a plan to fix it. Our record of success proves why we are restoration industry leaders in our region.
Extracting water from your home and completing structural drying requires specialized equipment. The tools available to you as a homeowner are not the quality and capacity of the commercial equipment we get from our corporate headquarters. When we arrive at a work site, we have a full stock of commercial strength pumps, extractors, air movers, and dehumidifiers in our service vehicle. The proper tools make the process easier and faster, which is why SERVPRO can tackle and resolve even severe water losses efficiently.
Highly-skilled technicians are another factor that sets us apart. Our investments in both equipment and personnel give us an edge and give our customers the confidence to call on us for help. We have a reputation as the leader in the restoration business.
Fast response times are a critical factor when choosing a water damage restoration company. We are available by phone 24/7, and we at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast always have a staff member to answer the phone—not an answering service. Since water damage needs remediation as quickly as possible, our accessibility is the key to delivering the response your situation deserves.
Our accessibility and fast response times, trained technicians, and advanced technology are why SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is the restoration resource you can trust. Call (904) 729-2401 when you have an emergency water loss.
Water damage restoration is putting someone's home or business back together after a water damage event.
At SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast, our goal is to restore instead of replace whenever possible. Following are the steps we undertake in order to restore your property after a water damage incident.
Water damage restoration entails:
It is putting someone’s home or business back together after a water damage incident.
It is the extra things, like re-laying the carpet, repairing the subfloors, and re-setting the contents.
It is restoring items to a preloss (normal) condition, whenever possible.
Once the structure and contents are dry, our technicians can perform the restoration services. Restoration services are all of the tasks needed to return the site to its normal, preloss condition. During restoration:
All repairs to structure and contents are completed.
Final cleaning is performed.
Final inspections are made.
All equipment is removed from the job site.
All of the customer’s contents are put back in place.
Restoration may include:
Cleaning, repairing, or reinstalling floors and floor coverings, such as carpets, carpet pads, hardwood floors, resilient, and non-resilient floors.
Removing and resetting contents to install or repair floor coverings.
Installing tack strip.
Seaming carpet.
Repairing or replacing subfloors.
Cleaning, replacing, or refinishing structural materials, including walls, plates behind baseboards, ceilings, insulation, framing, and vapor barriers.
Cleaning or repairing items in nonliving areas, including basements, crawl spaces, attics, and storage areas.
Cleaning, repairing, or replacing ductwork or other portions of the HVAC system.
Inspecting, cleaning, or replacing components of the electrical system, including outlets, switches, light fixtures, and ceiling fans.
Cleaning, deodorizing, or replacing window coverings, including blinds and draperies.
Cleaning and deodorizing contents.
Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401 if you have water damage. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”
Latest Dorian Forecast, Local Impacts for Nassau/Duval - September 3
Hurricane Dorian has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm.
Source: WKOV
Jacksonville, Nassau County FL -
September 3, 11 AM: The National Hurricane Center says Dorian has weakened some, now is a category 2 hurricane and making its turn northwest. The storm is growing in size and continues to bring dangerous winds and life-threatening storm surge on Grand Bahama Island.
September 3, 8 AM: The National Hurricane Center says Dorian is finally beginning to inch to the north and west as a powerful category 3 hurricane. A hurricane warning is in effect for St. Johns County. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Duval, Nassau and Clay County.
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the warning area within 36 hours.
Action News Jax Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh say Dorian will bring a wide range of conditions, from chewing up the coast to a non-event along and west of U.S. 301.
Stay tuned for the latest information, and please stay safe. If you do have water damage call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Latest Dorian Forecast, Local Impacts for Nassau/Duval
Hurricane Dorian is making its way toward the Florida coast.
Source: WKOV
Jacksonville, FL - August 30, 8 AM: Dorian is now projected to make landfall early Tuesday morning with a Florida landfall as a category 4 hurricane. A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the NW Bahamas.
Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.
There is a little nudge south but more changes and adjustments in the days ahead. The cone no longer includes much of SE Georgia. Action News Jax Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh says there will still be some adjustments to the track but POSSIBLE Jacksonville/NE Fl./SE Ga. impacts (primarily Mon. into the middle of next week) & very dependent on exact location & intensity of Dorian:
* increasing & potentially deadly rip current risk at area beaches (as early as Fri. due to steady onshore flow). Always swim & surf with a "buddy" & as near a lifeguard as possible.
* rough seas & surf... some coastal flooding (accentuated by new moon phase Fri. in addition to occasional heavy rain) + above avg. tides at the coast, St. Johns River & its tributaries.
* breezy winds out of the east/southeast 10-20 mph, higher gusts.... peak wind gusts could reach 50+ mph early into the middle part of next week depending on positioning & strength of Dorian.
* several periods of heavy showers & t'storms, but it's not looking like a "washout" for the weekend.... wettest Monday & especially thereafter.
* isolated fast-moving tornadoes/waterspouts
Dorian could make landfall in Florida as Category 3 hurricane
Weather experts are now predicting that Hurricane Dorian could reach Category 3 status.
Source: Action News Jax
August 28 11:05 a.m. update: Minutes after releasing the 11 a.m. update for Dorian, the National Hurricane Center updated the track to show Dorian could be a Category 3 storm -- a major hurricane -- during landfall in Florida Monday morning.
Hurricane warnings are already in effect in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands ahead of landfall.
The First Alert Weather Center says all indications show by this Labor Day weekend, a powerful hurricane will be near Florida or the southeastern coast of the United States.
Jacksonville Mayor Curry said in an 11:15 a.m. briefing that the city is still two days away from making any decisions on evacuations.
He said anyone who lives in a mobile home should start thinking about evacuation plans today.
Dorian's updated track shows winds are up to 70 mph. It is forecast to become a major hurricane north of the Bahamas on Sunday morning before landfall Monday morning along the east coast of Florida.
We at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast urge you to stay informed about this potentially dangerous storm.
With hurricane season here, make sure you have your emergency kit ready!
Flooding can happen fast in many environments. The American Red Cross recommends having the following list of items packed and ready to go in the event of an evacuation due to flooding.
Water – 3+ day supply; one gallon per person per day
Food – 3+ day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
Flashlight
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
Extra batteries
First Aid kit
Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries) glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
Multi-purpose tool
Sanitation/personal hygiene items
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Below we explain the alert systems available to you locally and provide the links that allow you to sign up. These services keep you up to date about storms and severe weather.
AlertJax: Emergency Notification System in Duval County
AlertJax/Jax Ready is an emergency notification system that will call/text residents in the event of a potential or pending emergency. It is a free service to the citizens of Duval County.
Additionally, AlertJax provides weather warnings based on geographical location including severe weather warnings from the National Weather Service within minutes of being issued. If you wish to register use the link below.
Alert Nassau: Emergency Notification System in Nassau County
Keep informed about emergency conditions and other important community news by signing up for our Emergency Alert Notification System. This Citizen Alert system provides you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, like when circumstances require evacuations or sheltering-in-place for your neighborhood, or create unexpected road closures. You can receive voice-recorded alerts to your choice of home, mobile, or business phones, as well as text alerts and e-mail messages.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast remediated mold on roof trusses of this Fernandina Beach home.
The trusses in this Fernandina Beach home showed significant mold growth due to a roof leak. Once the leak was repaired, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast was able to clean the trusses and seal them with an antimicrobial treatment to help prevent against future mold growth. Note the amazing difference in these before/after photos.
Any home or commercial property can quickly become infested with mold if a source of water is present. Mold can spread throughout a property in as little as 48 hours. Since mold can produce allergens and irritants, you should call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast to inspect your home if you suspect you have a mold problem. If mold is found, we have the training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation. We are a Florida-licensed mold remediation firm (MRSR-450) with the expertise and equipment to address your mold problem. Do not trust your mold situation to unlicensed firms. We quickly contain any mold present so the issue does not spread.
The professionals at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast are thoroughly trained in mold remediation and removal. Call us at 904-729-2401 if you suspect that you have mold issues.
Stay Safe From Summer Storms in Nassau County & North Jacksonville
Follow these tips to stay safe during summer storms.
While spring is known for the potential of producing severe weather, the threat exists throughout the summer months as well. In fact, the potential for severe weather even increases in some areas. Hurricane season in the Atlantic begins June 1st and runs through November 30th and, in our area, it pays to be prepared.
Consider the following tips when preparing for an approaching storm.
Before the Storm
Build an emergency supply kit and develop a communication plan.
Unplug electronic equipment before the storm arrives.
Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
If you are outdoors, get inside a building, home or hard top vehicle (not a convertible).
Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades or curtains.
During the Storm
Use your battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials.
Avoid contact with corded phones. Cordless and cell phones are safe to use.
Unplug appliances and other electrical items, such as computers. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage to these.
Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords.
Avoid contact with plumbing. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.
Stay away from windows and doors.
After the Storm
Never drive through a flooded roadway. Turn your car around if you encounter water on the road that looks to be 6 inches or deeper.
Stay away from storm-damaged areas to keep from putting yourself at risk.
Stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately.
While it may be difficult to prepare for the unpredictable, there are steps you can take now to help ensure you are ready when disaster strikes. One way to prepare your home or business for any type of disaster is to establish an Emergency READY Profile (ERP). Learn more about the ERP app and how it can help you. Contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast if you need more information.
In homes, smoke alarms should be placed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level, including the basement. Extra smoke alarms may be needed in large homes.
Test smoke alarms monthly using the test button. Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries need the entire smoke alarm unit replaced every ten years. Other alarms need batteries replaced every year and the unit replaced every ten years. If the alarm chirps signaling low battery, take the proper steps to replace the unit or the batteries immediately. Never disable or remove the battery from an alarm. Almost half of the fires where smoke alarms were present but did not activate had missing or disconnected batteries (NFPA).
Be sure your home has a fire emergency plan in place and conduct regular fire drills with your family.
Fire Facts:
7 people die every day from home fires
36 people suffer injuries as a result of home fires every day
$7 billion property damage occurs every year from home fires
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast provides 24-hour fire and water damage restoration service in Nassau County and North Jacksonville
Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including holidays.
Faster To Any Size Disaster
Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and other areas. Actions taken during the first 24 to 48 hours are key in preventing structural damage and the growth of toxic microbes such as mold and bacteria. Wet drywall that is not remediated for 48 hours often shows the presence of mold growth, especially in our North Florida climate.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. First we evaluate the extent of the water damage and extract as much of the water as possible. Remediation may include water extraction, removing and disposing of wet building materials such as carpet and carpet pad, sheetrock and insulation. Once the excess water has been removed from the areas that are affected, high efficiency drying equipment, including dehumidifiers and commercial air movers, are used to pull the remaining moisture from the structure and the air.
This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the associated cleaning and restoration costs.
Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 at 904.729.2401. You will reach one of our employees – not an answering service – and we will dispatch a team to address your water damage situation as quickly as possible.
About SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast
We specialize in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. See out certifications below. We are also a Florida-licensed mold remediation firm.
Our Certifications
AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program
FSRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
IICRC Certified Firm
OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program
OSHA - 30-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program
Our mascot, Dewey, points out directions for using fire extinguishers properly.
Portable fire extinguishers can be life and property saving when used correctly. Read the instructions on the fire extinguisher and become familiar with them before a fire breaks out. In order to operate an extinguisher, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests remembering the word PASS:
Pull the pin. Hold the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire. Hitting the tops of the flames will not be effective.
Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly to release the agent.
Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side. Most extinguishers will given you about 10-20 seconds of discharge time.
A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives; but portable extinguishers have limitations. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the #1 priority for residents is to get out safely.
When setting off fireworks, it's always a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher handy.
As you celebrate our nation's birthday, keep the following tips in mind to avoid any fire-related problems.
- Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.
- Keep a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Know how to operate a fire extinguisher properly.
- Do not wear loose clothing while cooking on a barbecue.
- Use caution when using lighter fluid on a barbecue. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire, as the flame can flashback into the container and explode.
- Never grill in an enclosed area, as carbon monoxide could be produced.
Enjoy the holiday safely!
Fireworks: Fourth of July Safety in Fernandina Beach/North Jacksonville
Who knew? Sparklers were the number one cause of fireworks-related injuries in 2017.
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission
As families and friends gather for the Fourth of July holiday at backyard barbecues, cookouts and pool parties, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is reminding consumers to celebrate safely when using fireworks. At a recent press conference, CPSC announced that eight fireworks-related deaths were reported in 2017. There were an estimated 12,900 emergency room-treated fireworks-related injuries in 2017. About 70% of these occurred during the month surrounding the Fourth of July holiday. Surprisingly, sparklers were the number one cause of injuries, accounting for 14% of the estimated injuries.
Consumers who decide to purchase consumer fireworks are urged to follow these safety steps.
Make sure consumer fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
Never use and make professional-grade fireworks.
Do not buy or use fireworks that are packaged in brown paper; this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and are not for consumer use.
Never allow young children to play or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is hot enough to melt some metals.
Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
Never point or throw fireworks at another person or occupied area.
Light fireworks one at a time, then move away from them quickly.
Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or other mishap.
Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding the device.
Enjoy your Fourth of July holiday, and be sure to stay safe!
Away from Home? Prevent Water Damage While You’re Away
Don't return from vacation to find water damage at your home. Following these tips will help insure that doesn't happen.
Many things can go wrong in your home while you’re away on vacation, including leaks and water damage. Read the steps below to learn how to help prevent and reduce the risk of water damage when you’re out of town:
Check for Leaks
Before you leave for vacation, be sure to check around your house for any leaks. Check pipes under sinks, your water heater, or anything resembling rust, cracks, or other damage. It’s important to check the seals around your windows and the exterior of your home as well. If you find any leakage, be sure to fix it right away so everything can be repaired and in good condition before you leave.
Inspect Appliances
Appliances such as your dishwasher, washer/dryer, and refrigerator are all connected to your home by hoses. If these hoses are damaged in any way, they can cause major water damage to your home. Inspect your appliances and, if needed, replace hoses before leaving on vacation.
Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning leaves and other debris out from your gutters before taking a vacation is an easy way to prevent potential blockage and build up.
Turn Off the Water
Whenever you’re away from your home for an extended period of time, turn off the water main and make sure the pipes are completely drained. This will stop any water from continually leaking in your home while you’re away. Simply run the water and flush your toilet after you turn off the water.
Have Someone Check on Your Home
Coordinate to have someone come over and check on your home while you’re away. Asking a friend, neighbor, or family member to keep an eye on your property can help keep it in good shape, and they can notify you immediately if something goes wrong.
Following these tips, you can enjoy your vacation with the peace of mind that your home is safe from any potential water damage that could occur while you’re away. If your home does suffer from water damage, call our team at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401. We can help remove, repair and restore any damage to your home.
A Common Cause—And Tips to Prevent—Water Damage in Commercial Facilities
A malfunctioning sprinkler system caused water damage at an assisted living facility. SERVPRO came in to mitigate water damages.
A malfunction of the sprinkler system in an assisted living facility resulted in water damage throughout a hallway and several resident rooms of the facility. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast was called in to extract the water and mitigate the associated water damage.
This is one example of a common incident that can necessitate water repair and cleanup in commercial facilities.
Following are some tips for preventing or reducing the severity of water damage events in commercial facilities in the Nassau County and North Jacksonville area.
Maintain the Plumbing
Regular plumbing maintenance can alert building owners to corroded or damaged pipes and partial sewer line blockages. A building owner or manager should be aware of the age, condition, and materials used in the plumbing system. Regular inspections can help to minimize the occurrence of a broken or blocked pipe and inform you of measures you can take to prevent backups, bursts or leaks.
Repair Roof Damage
Roofing can sustain damage from high winds or storm conditions. Damaged materials can result in leaks. Building owners or managers are well advised to inspect the condition of the roof after weather events and arrange for professional repair and maintenance if there are signs of roof damage. SERVPRO can assist by installing a tarp on the roof to limit water damage until repairs are possible.
Inspect Sprinkler Systems
Fire suppression systems play an important role in maintaining the overall safety of commercial structures. However, as was the case at the assisted living facility, these systems can malfunction and cause water damage when no fire risk is present. Building owners and managers should schedule regular inspections of fire sprinklers to reduce the risk of water or fire damage.
Property owners who take these measures may be able to lessen the severity or even prevent some incidences of water damage. Prevention is generally more cost effective than emergency water damage repair.
Colorado State Hurricane Researchers have slightly upped their projection for the number of hurricanes that will impact the Atlantic this season.
June 4, 2019 - A widely followed team of forecasters has slightly upped the number of expected hurricanes this year, citing warming seas in the tropical Atlantic Ocean.
Colorado State University Hurricane Researchers are projecting a slight increase from their initial forecast issued in early April --predicting a near-average Atlanta hurricane season in 2019. They anticipate that weak El Niño conditions are likely to persist through most of the hurricane season. El Niño tends to increase upper-level westerly winds across the Caribbean into the tropical Atlantic, tearing apart hurricanes as they try to form.
The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project team is predicting 13 additional named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. The Atlantic had one named storm in May (Andrea), so the full seasonal forecast is for 14 named storms. Of these named storms, researchers expect six to become hurricanes and two to reach major hurricane strength with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.
We at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast hope and pray that this area is not impacted by hurricanes this season, but if we are, you can rest assured that we will be available to help you restore any damages you incur.
Hurricane Preparedness for Businesses: What Should An Emergency Plan Include?
Emergency action plans should include evacuation escape procedures and floor plans such as this one.
Source: OSHA
When developing an emergency action plan, it’s a good idea to look at the variety of potential emergencies that could occur in your workplace, such as hurricanes in North Florida. The plan should be tailored to your worksite and, if you have more than one worksite, each site should have an emergency action plan.
At a minimum, your emergency action plan should include the following:
A preferred method for reporting emergencies
An evacuation policy and procedures
Emergency escape procedures and route assignments, such as floor plan, workplace maps, and safe or refuge areas
Names, titles, departments, and telephone numbers of individuals both within and outside your company to contact for additional information or explanation of duties and responsibilities under the emergency plan
Procedures for employees who remain to perform or shut down critical plant operations, or perform other essential services that cannot be shut down for every emergency alarm before evacuating, and
Rescue and medical duties for any workers designated to perform them
You may also want to consider designating an assembly location and procedures to account for all employees after an evacuation.
In addition, although they are not specifically required by OSHA, you may find it helpful to include in your plan the following:
-The site of an alternative communications center to be used in the event of a fire or explosion; and
-A secure on- or offsite location to store originals or duplicate copies of accounting records, legal documents, your employees’ emergency contact lists, and other essential records.
According to FEMA, forty percent of businesses won’t re-open following a natural disaster impact. Having an emergency plan will help ensure your business survives and your employees stay safe.
At SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast, our goal is to restore instead of replace whenever possible following water damage.
At SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast, our goal is to restore instead of replace whenever possible. Following are the steps we undertake in order to restore your property after a water damage incident.
It is putting someone’s home or business back together after a water damage incident.
It is the extra things, like re-laying the carpet, repairing the subfloors, and re-setting the contents.
It is restoring items to a preloss (normal) condition, whenever possible.
Once the structure and contents are dry, our technicians can perform the restoration services. Restoration services are all of the tasks needed to return the site to its normal, preloss condition. During restoration:
All repairs to structure and contents are completed.
Final cleaning is performed.
Final inspections are made.
All equipment is removed from the job site.
All of the customer’s contents are put back in place.
Restoration may include:
Cleaning, repairing, or reinstalling floors and floor coverings, such as carpets, carpet pads, hardwood floors, resilient, and non-resilient floors.
Removing and resetting contents to install or repair floor coverings.
Installing tack strip.
Seaming carpet.
Repairing or replacing subfloors.
Cleaning, replacing, or refinishing structural materials, including walls, plates behind baseboards, ceilings, insulation, framing, and vapor barriers.
Cleaning or repairing items in nonliving areas, including basements, crawl spaces, attics, and storage areas.
Cleaning, repairing, or replacing ductwork or other portions of the HVAC system.
Inspecting, cleaning, or replacing components of the electrical system, including outlets, switches, light fixtures, and ceiling fans.
Cleaning, deodorizing, or replacing window coverings, including blinds and draperies.
Cleaning and deodorizing contents.
Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach /Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401 if you have water damage. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”
The best time to prepare for a hurricane is before hurricane season begins on June 1.
Source: FEMA/ready.gov
Hurricanes are among nature's most powerful and destructive phenomena. On average, 12 tropical storms, 6 of which become hurricanes form over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico during the hurricane season which runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. Over a typical 2-year period, the U.S. coastline is struck by an average of 3 hurricanes, 1 of which is classified as a major hurricane (winds of 111 mph or greater). By knowing what actions to take before the hurricane season begins, when a hurricane approaches, and when the storm is in your area, as well as what to do after a hurricane leaves your area, you can increase your chance of survival.
Here's what you can do now... The best time to prepare for a hurricane is before hurricane season begins on June 1. It is vital to understand your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding, and wind. Here is your checklist of things to do BEFORE hurricane seasons begins.
Know your zone: Do you live near the Gulf or Atlantic Coasts? Find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation area by contacting your local government/emergency management office or by checking the evacuation site website.
Put Together an Emergency Kit: Put together a basic emergency. Check emergency equipment, such as flashlights, generators and storm shutters.
Write or review your Family Emergency Plan: Before an emergency happens, sit down with your family or close friends and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supplies kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster. Start at the Ready.Gov emergency plan webpage.
Review Your Insurance Policies: Review your insurance policies to ensure that you have adequate coverage for your home and personal property.
If hurricanes impact the Nassau county/North Jacksonville area this year, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast will be ready to help you get your life back to normal, "Like it never even happened." Call us at 904.729.2401
Hurricane Preparedness Week: Nassau/North Jax Businesses Should Create An Emergency Response Plan
The FEMA web site offers a host of resources to help businesses plan for hurricanes and other emergencies.
Source: FEMA
The actions taken in the initial minutes of an emergency are critical. A prompt warning to employees to evacuate, shelter or lockdown can save lives. A call for help to public emergency services that provides full and accurate information will help the dispatcher send the right responders and equipment. An employee trained to administer first aid or perform CPR can be lifesaving. Action by employees with knowledge of building and process systems can help control a leak and minimize damage to the facility and the environment.
The first step when developing an emergency response plan is to conduct a risk assessment to identify potential emergency scenarios. An understanding of what can happen will enable you to determine resource requirements and to develop plans and procedures to prepare your business.
At the very least, every facility should develop and implement an emergency plan for protecting employees, visitors, contractors and anyone else in the facility. This part of the emergency plan is called “protective actions for life safety” and includes building evacuation (“fire drills”), sheltering from severe weather such as tornadoes, “shelter-in-place” from an exterior airborne hazard such as a chemical release and lockdown.
When an emergency occurs, the first priority is always life safety. The second priority is the stabilization of the incident. There are many actions that can be taken to stabilize an incident and minimize potential damage. First aid and CPR by trained employees can save lives.
Some severe weather events can be forecast hours before they arrive, providing valuable time to protect a facility. A plan should be established and resources should be on hand, or quickly, available to prepare a facility. The plan should also include a process for damage assessment, salvage, protection of undamaged property and cleanup following an incident. These actions to minimize further damage and business disruption are examples of property conservation.
Guidance for the development of an emergency response plan can be found in this brochure.
Mold can quickly become a problem in your business in as little as 48 hours.
A Jacksonville hair salon showed evidence of mold in several areas and SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast was called out to assess the damage. We are a Florida-licensed mold remediation firm and had performed an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) at the salon so we were acquainted with the building.
Upon examination, we found evidence of water damage that led to mold growth in the bathroom area and the entire water wall. Not only was this damage evident in the hair salon but also the jewelry business next door.
We were able to identify and repair the source of the water intrusion (a roof leak) so that we could initiate mitigation to the associated mold damage.
Here are some things business owners need to know about mold damage and what you should do if you discover evidence of mold at your place of business.
In as little as 48 hours, mold can quickly become a problem in your business when there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem.
If you have a mold problem in your home or business, your primary focus should be safety:
Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours.
Mold may present a greater risk to children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory problems.
A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting.
What to Do:
Stay out of affected areas.
Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
Contact a SERVPRO Franchise Professional for mold remediation services.
What NOT to Do:
Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.
Have a Mold Problem? Call Today – 904-729-2401. Not only can SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast remediate the mold damage but we can also perform any needed reconstruction services such as drywall repair and painting.
FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY: Here's how Friday's weather could affect your plans
By: Action News Jax
Updated:
WHAT TO EXPECT:
WIND. A Wind Advisory will be in effect for the entire area from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Winds will be out of the south and southwest at 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
HEAVY RAIN. A squall line of heavy rain and strong storms will track west to east across our area. Timing will bring that line of potential severe weather to communities west of Hwy 301 from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and east Hwy 301 towards I-95 from 1 to 5 p.m. before it moves off the coast.
POSSIBLE TORNADOES. In addition to heavy rain, the area will see the threat of damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes as this squall line passes through.
SUMMARY: During the day, you should expect it to be mostly cloudy, windy with heavy rain and strong storms. Tonight, expect evening showers, a partial clearing and breezy temperatures.
SERVPRO Contributes Restoration Services for AAU Yulee Basketball Teams
The AAU Nassau BallerZ and other local teams are once again able to play basketball in their practice facility at Yulee Sports Complex.
When the Yulee Sports Complex did repairs that included replacement of entry doors, the installation involved cutting concrete that generated a significant amount of dust in the gymnasium. In fact, the patina of dust throughout the whole structure was so pronounced that the players of the Yulee Basketball Association/Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) were slipping and sliding on the basketball court as they tried to scrimmage.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast stepped in to save the day. A four-person team spent a day HEPA-vacuuming and wiping down the entire 6000 sq. ft. facility. When they were done, it had never looked better. It literally sparkled!
Following is a post from the AAU Nassau BallerZ Facebook page…
“Thank you to SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast for voluntarily stepping up and thoroughly cleaning up the sports complex gym after the recent construction. Thank you for recognizing the need for a safe playing environment.”
More About the Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)has been raising champions for more than a century. Since its inception in 1888, the AAU has set the standard for amateur sports in the United States with one goal in mind: “Sports For All, Forever.” It is more than a motto – it has been the focus and drive of AAU for 130 years and counting for sports in the United States and throughout the world.
One of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, multi-sport event organizations in the world, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs. Nearly 700,000 members and 150,000 volunteers now share the AAU philosophy of “Sports For All, Forever” across 41 sports programs and 55 U.S. districts.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is proud to support this outstanding organization that encourages youth to be active in sports and physical activities.
Flooding in Assisted Living Facility Shows Value of Emergency Ready Profiles (ERPs)
Knowing the location of water shut-off valves before an emergency strikes helps to limit the loss of property and even lives.
An incident that occurred at a local assisted living facility illustrates the value of a complimentary service that SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast provides.
A resident had become unconscious while in the bathroom and had broken one of the plumbing fixtures. Water commenced to flood not only the resident’s room but into the hallway and into other resident rooms. There was water everywhere. The problem was that no one working the facility at the time had any idea where the water shut-off valve was located. Therefore, the flooding continued until it had affected a large portion of the facility and many residents’ rooms.
This assessment provides the critical information, such as shut-off valve locations, needed to begin mitigation and recovery services and serves as a quick reference for important building and contact information. It's called SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile™ (ERP), and here are some advantages of the program:
Provides facility details such a water and power shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information.
Includes a report that contains the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
Identifies the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
Offers a mobile app for easy accessibility of this information.
Knowing the location of water shut-off valves, fuse boxes, and fire suppression system controls before an emergency strikes, not during an emergency, helps emergency responders react as quickly and effectively as possible, helping to limit loss of property and even lives.
Don’t wait until an emergency occurs to call us at 904-729-2401 to schedule your ERP. We provide this free service to all commercial facilities in our territory. We serve Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Callahan, Hilliard, and North Jacksonville, including Oceanway, River City, and the Heckscher Drive and Dunn Avenue/Lem Turner areas.
Researchers Predicting Slightly Below-Average 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures are currently slightly below their long-term average values and are consequently considered an inhibiting factor for 2019 Atlantic hurricane activity as well.
A weak El Niño has recently developed in the tropical Pacific. CSU anticipates that these weak El Niño conditions are likely to persist through the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. El Niño tends to increase upper-level westerly winds across the Caribbean into the tropical Atlantic, tearing apart hurricanes as they try to form.
The tropical Atlantic is slightly cooler than normal right now. Colder-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic provide less fuel for tropical cyclone formation and intensification. They are also associated with a more stable atmosphere as well as drier air, both of which suppress organized thunderstorm activity necessary for hurricane development.
13 named storms
The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project team is predicting 13 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Of those, researchers expect five to become hurricanes and two to reach major hurricane strength (Saffir/Simpson category 3-4-5) with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.
The team bases its forecasts on a statistical model, as well as a new model that uses a combination of statistical information and forecasts from a dynamical model. Both of these models are built on about 40 years of historical data and evaluating conditions including: Atlantic sea surface temperatures, sea level pressures, vertical wind shear levels (the change in wind direction and speed with height in the atmosphere), El Niño (warming of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific), and other factors.
So far, the 2019 hurricane season is exhibiting characteristics similar to 1969, 1987, 1991, 2002, and 2009. “1987, 1991, 2002 and 2009 had below-average Atlantic hurricane activity, while 1969 was a very active hurricane season,” said Phil Klotzbach, research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science and lead author of the report.
The team predicts that 2019 hurricane activity will be about 75 percent of the average season. By comparison, 2018’s hurricane activity was about 120 percent of the average season. The 2018 season was most notable for Hurricanes Florence and Michael which devastated the Carolinas and portions of the Florida Panhandle, respectively.
The CSU team will issue forecast updates on June 4, July 2 and Aug. 6.
Mold Threatens Operations of Jacksonville Plasma Donation Center
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is a Florida-licensed mold remediation firm.
Mold in Northeast Florida can be disruptive to commercial and residential properties. BPL Plasma is a blood plasma donation center that helps create life-saving therapies for patients worldwide, improving the lives of patients as well as donors.
In this case the center was impacted by mold. There was a vent in the roof of a storage room that houses medical supplies. The corrugated roof was covered over to maintain a 67 degree temperature in the storage room, but mold had formed where the hot air met the cold temperature and caused condensation. Mold had affected the ceiling and surrounding insulation.
Here the problem was noticed early on and the solution was HEPA vacuuming the affected area, cleaning, applying anti-microbial and sealing the gap so hot air couldn’t get in and cause condensation. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast was able to correct the problems without disrupting operations of the facility.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is a licensed mold remediation contractor in the state of Florida. Our company is IICRC certified, and our technicians are certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Learn more about our mold remediation services, and call us at 904-729-2401 if you have mold issues.
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast Provides Restoration AND Reconstruction Services
The kitchen in this condo was destroyed due to water damage. We did a turnkey job, mitigating water and mold damage and then a complete renovation.
When your home or business has been damaged by fire, water, or storm damage, the immediate concern should be temporary protective measures such as placing roof tarps to prevent additional damage, and boarding up to secure the building and remove water and debris.
After protecting and securing the structure, professionals at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast can begin the restoration process. Your home or business may need reconstruction work to get your property back to its preloss condition.
The professionals at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast can simplify the restoration process by handling both the initial damage mitigation and rebuilding the affected areas. Having one qualified company for the entire process can save time and keeps costs down.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast can provide this continuity by supervising a full range of restoration/reconstruction services that will bring a building back to full functionality.
These services may be limited to replacing drywall, baseboards, and trim boards, or may entail a complete renovation if desired-including floors, cabinetry, appliances, countertops, painting, and a host of related services.
Having a company that can coordinate the whole process from start to finish to make your life easier, and gets you back in your home or business faster. “Like it never even happened.”
If you would like more information on hiring a restoration/reconstruction team, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast today at (904) 729-2401.
Why SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast? We Are IICRC-Certified.
We are certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification!
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is proud to be an IICRC certified firm. IICRC, or the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, is a non-profit organization for the cleaning and restoration industry. The goal of the IICRC is to establish and advance globally recognized standards and certifications for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration and installation industries. To accomplish this goal, the IICRC sets standards and certifications for inspection, cleaning, and restoration. The IICRC ensures that when consumers hire a certified firm or technician that they have hired experts who will provide reasonable assurance that work will be completed in accordance with the industry's "standard of care." The technicians of SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast set themselves apart through training, experience, and comprehensive examination.
When you see a IICRC logo, you can be confident that an IICRC-certified experienced, qualified professional is caring for your valuable property. IICRC Certified Firms employ technicians who, after study, field experience and passing comprehensive exams, have received IICRC certifications in specific cleaning, restoration and inspection categories such as upholstery, wood flooring, stone and tile flooring, carpet cleaning, odor removal, mold remediation, water damage, fire damage restoration and more.
We hold the following certifications through IICRC:
AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program
FSRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
IICRC Certified Firm
OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program
OSHA - 30-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program
OSHA - Other Training
RCT - Rug Cleaning Technician
RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation
UFT - Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
If water, fire, or mold damages your home or business, please contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at (904) 729-2401.
Timely mitigation is the key to minimizing damages and our 1-4-8 guidelines ensure we get the job done fast!
The longer it sits, the worse it gets.
Timely mitigation is key to controlling damage, downtime, and recovery costs. You will appreciate the rapid response and training of SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast to help limit damage and get your home or facility back to normal quickly. You can count on SERVPRO’s 1-4-8 service guidelines to ensure that timely mitigation happens.
Service Response Guidelines
1 Hour – Within one hour of notice of loss, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast will contact you to arrange for service
4 Hours – Within four hours of loss notification, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast will be on-site to start mitigation services (if necessary).
8 Hours – Within eight business hours, we will initiate a verbal briefing of the scope of damage and needed mitigation efforts.
These guidelines are a corporate-wide standard that all SERVPRO franchisees are expected to meet. Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/ Jacksonville Northeast at 904-729-2401 if you have water or fire damage at your home or place of business.
Restoration, rather than replacement, where possible saves our customers thousands of dollars.
The insurance and restoration industries have performed multiple studies that conclude restoration has many advantages over replacement. As a preferred mitigation vendor for most major insurance companies we are charged with a duty to restore whenever possible.
The major advantage to restore vs. replace is cost. In almost any situation, restore saves a tremendous amount of money compared to replacement. One area where we can generate huge savings in a water loss situation is drying of hardwood floors instead of replacing them. Even after incurring the cost of air movers, dehumidifiers and even specialized equipment usually there is a 45%-75% cost savings over replacement. Another common example would be the drying of carpet and/or drywall. Again using air movers and dehumidifiers and following the science of drying we can often save 75%-90% over replacement cost. You can imagine how quickly these savings add up.
Another advantage of restore versus replace is time savings and business interruption savings. Drying a structure usually takes an average of three to five days. After our drying is completed, you or your customer should be back in their house or business right away. Back, as we like to say, “Like it never even happened.” If you look at the alternative which is replace, you or your customer will have to wait weeks or even months to get back into their home or business while construction is going on. This leads to expensive hotel bills for residential customers or catastrophic business interruption costs for commercial customers. Either way you are talking a great deal of money, time and inconvenience!
For these reasons we at SERVPRO look to restore whenever we can and whenever it makes sense. We accomplish this by not only using our extensive training, knowledge and resources but also by responding immediately so that the impact of the water or fire damage is reduced.
If you have water damage at your home or place of business, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee right away at 904.729.2401.
Water Main Floods Power Plant Offices in North Jacksonville
Some 30,000 square feet of water had flooded the office space and workshop of this North Jacksonville power plant.
When a water main in the ceiling busted and flooded the office space and a workshop of a North Jacksonville power plant, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville was called in to help. Unfortunately the incident happened shortly after closing hours and flooded overnight--so before we were called in, some 30,000 square feet of water had flooded the space. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville arrived immediately to the scene and extracted the water and began the drying and cleanup process.
Cleaning a flooded company property following water damage is a daunting task. Not only do you have to restore the property itself, but all the affected items such as office furniture and electronics as well.
Following are some of the considerations following a commercial water damage situation.
Types of Water Damage
Understanding the different types of water damage can help expedite the process and ensure the appropriate cleanup measures are taken. The three main types of water damage are clean water, gray water, and black water, ranging from least to most dangerous respectively.
1. Clean water is the least harmful of the three and is usually caused by a broken pipe, outside leak, or water overflowing from an appliance. 2. Grey water is basically contaminated clean water and requires a few safety precautions to protect against any bacteria that may exist. 3. Black water is the most hazardous type of water damage and requires specific safety measures to protect clean-up crews. Water damage from black water is usually best handled by a professional cleaning service as the contaminants can range from bacterial disease, chemicals, and toxic materials.
Cleaning Office Items
After determining the cause and severity of the damage, you can better chart a course of action for replacing the items in the flooded company building. The majority of office items fall into three main categories: furniture, paperwork, and electronics.
1. Cleaning and replacing furniture. Any affected fabric furniture items may need dry cleaning following water damage. Wood items can usually be restored with sanding and refinishing, depending on the extent of the damage. 2. Restoring paper items. Paperwork can take a significant effort to dry and restore. Drying documents, binders, or books using dehumidifying or vacuum freeze-drying processes can help restore these items. 3. Handling electronics. Many electronic items also benefit from air drying and dehumidifying. It is typically important to handle these items carefully and quickly to help prevent corrosion or any further damage.
Getting your commercial property back in order doesn’t have to be a total loss. If you are affected by a flooded commercial property in the Jacksonville/Fernandina Beach area, make sure to consult a professional clean-up crew as soon as possible to help ensure proper and thorough cleanup. Call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729-2401.
Choosing a Commercial Water Damage Repair Company in Nassau County/North Jax
When your commercial property is affected by water or flooding, the source of water needs to be addressed before water damage repairs can begin.
Commercial Water Damage Repair
As a business owner, you know that any type of water damage can be detrimental to your business. It is crucial when faced with a water damage loss that you can resume normal operations as soon as possible to protect your business. If your business is forced to close until water damage repairs are complete your short-term losses will start to add up and your customers may find somewhere else to go which could cause you to lose their business long-term.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee specializes in commercial water damage repair and can help ensure that damages are kept to a minimum, reducing your total losses. Commercial businesses have unique needs when it comes to water damage repairs and the best way to protect your business and its assets is to leave water damage repairs to the pros.
What to Do If Your Property Floods
When your commercial property is affected by water or flooding, the source of water needs to be addressed before water damage repairs can begin. Water damage can affect expensive or specialized equipment and inventory, and losses can quickly add up to thousands of dollars. If your property floods, quick action is necessary to mitigate the damage. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yuleeis always ready to respond.
Whenever your business is affected by water damage, a fast response is necessary. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee provides emergency, 24/7 service and has the equipment and personnel it takes to get your business up and running quickly. SERVPRO is a trusted and experienced commercial water damage restoration company that delivers quality customer service and exceptional water damage repair service for commercial businesses.
In an event of a disaster call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904-729-2401. Our water restoration team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!
Freeze Watch Issued for North Florida/South Georgia
All it takes is a few hours of freezing temperatures for your pipes to freeze.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service, the Polar Vortex is affecting more than the Midwest and Northeast.
Though our local temperatures are supposed to reach the low 60’s today, there has been a freeze watch issued for tonight. Here’s the actual bulletin.
Freeze Watch
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
Tue Jan 29 2019
Inland Duval-Bradford-Clay-Gilchrist-Alachua-Coastal Nassau- Coastal Glynn-Coastal Camden- Including the cities of Normandy, Ortega, Riverside, San Marco, Starke, New River, Doctors Inlet, Lakeside, Bellair, Middleburg, Orange Park, Trenton, Gainesville, Gainesville Airport, Newnans Lake, Amelia City, Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Jekyll Island, Glynn Haven, Sea Island, St. Simons, Country Club Estate, Dock Junction, Dover Bluff, Kingsland, and Dungeness
Tuesday Jan 29 2019 ...FREEZE WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING...
* TEMPERATURES...Lows in the lower 30s.
* TIMING...Late tonight into Wednesday morning.
* IMPACTS...Freezing temperatures could kill sensitive vegetation.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Freeze Watch means sub-freezing temperatures are possible for at least 2 hours. Precautions may be required to protect plants, pets and those vulnerable to the cold if a freeze warning is issued.
Though it’s unlikely some areas of North Florida and South Georgia could get frozen pipes. Water pipes in houses in southern climates often are more vulnerable to winter cold spells. The pipes are more likely to be located in unprotected areas outside of the building insulation, and homeowners tend to be less aware of freezing problems, which may occur only once or twice a season.
All it takes is a few hours of freezing temperatures for your pipes to freeze.
Letting a faucet drip during extreme cold weather can prevent a pipe from bursting. Opening a faucet will provide relief from the excessive pressure that builds between the faucet and the ice blockage when freezing occurs. If there is no excessive water pressure, there is no burst pipe, even if the water inside the pipe freezes. A dripping faucet wastes some water, so only pipes vulnerable to freezing (ones that run through an unheated or unprotected space) should be left with the water flowing. The drip can be very slight.
Here are some helpful hints to help you avoid problems:
Keep one or two faucets dripping
Direct warm air to any colder areas of your home
Leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air in--especially if your kitchen sink is on an outside wall
Disconnect your hose from the outside faucet
Seal leaks that allow cold air into your home where pipes are located
Water damage caused by frozen pipes can be one of the most damaging problems a homeowner can face. Most homeowners insurance will cover damage resulting from a frozen pipe provided you can prove that you took measures to prevent the pipe from freezing.
You never want to see water coming out of your baseboards. Call SERVPRO to make water damage cleanup emergencies "Like it never even happened."
A pipe leak at a hotel near Jacksonville Airport causes water damage, a burst water heater floods a homeowner's property in Oceanway, a roof leak at a Church in Callahan, flooding from fire rescue efforts at a business on Amelia Island...Or a malfunction in the installation of a tankless water heater creates water damage at a Fernandina Beach condo, but the unit’s water shut-off valve is stuck, and no one knows how to turn the water off to the building.
Water damage happens…more often than you’d think and often when you least expect it. The consequences can be devastating. We are the water cleanup professionals. If your Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville property has water damage caused by flooding or water leaks, we at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee have the experience, expertise, and equipment for complete water extraction and water restoration of your property. We are water restoration specialists: Whether the source is plumbing/pipe breaks, appliances, sprinklers, or sewer back-ups, we can cleanup your water damage and restore your home or commercial property. Our water removal, cleanup, and restoration process also provides validation and documentation that your property is dry and the water damage is restored.
Plus, we work with all insurance companies. We offer 24/7 emergency service to address your water damage situation quickly and with a sense of urgency. We get there fast and remove the water fast! And we serve the North Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach and the surrounding areas, including all of Nassau county.
A Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry
Locally Owned and Operated Water Restoration Company
Advanced Water Extraction/Removal, and Drying Equipment
Have Water Damage and Need Water or Flood Cleanup? Call Us Today – (904) 729-2401
Here are some water damage tips to help you know what to do and what not to do when you have water damage issues and need water or flooding remediation, cleanup, and restoration services. Here's a blog on how to find the water shut-off valve. Call us at 904.729-2401 and we’ll take care of your water damage emergency…”Like it never even happened.”
Flooding is common in Florida, but water damage can come from many different places and is not just a problem for people living on the coast. While the damage from a flood is pretty apparent, there are many ways water damage can happen to your home when you don’t even realize it.
Here are some common causes of water damage and how you can spot the warning signs.
Weather is a common cause of water damage. Rains cause flooding that can get into your home. Even if it isn’t raining or snowing there is still moisture in the air. Damp air can lead to condensation and water damage to your walls. This is especially true of basements, bathrooms, and other damp areas of your home that don’t get much airflow.
Appliances like your washing machine, garbage disposal, water heater, toilet, and air conditioner can all contribute to water damage if they leak or stop draining properly.
Water from our pipes and plumbing systems can also cause water damage. Leaks and drips can go on for months, or even years, raising your water bill and doing unseen damage to your home.
So if these are all the ways water can sneak into your home, what are the signs of water damage?
Here are a few warning signs that you have a water damage problem in your home.
Standing water – This may sound pretty obvious, but if you notice water pooling in your house you have a water problem that needs to be taken care of immediately.
Bad smells – While water doesn’t normally have much of a smell, the mold and bacteria that grow in damp environments can give off a distinct musty, wet odor. If you smell mold or mildew you might have a water issue.
Stains and spots – Stains on the ceilings or walls can be a sign of water damage. You might have a leaky pipe or roof. Call a professional to determine the cause of the problem and to clean up the damage before it becomes a serious mold problem.
Peeling paint – Paint damaged by water will start to peel, bubble, or flake off.
Uneven surfaces – Water damage can cause floors, ceilings, walls, and other surfaces to warp and feel uneven.
Cracks – Water is always seeking the path of least resistance out of your home. Water can enter through cracks and once water finds its way in, the crack will expand allowing even more to get into your home. Make sure you seal all visible cracks on your property.
If you notice your home has water damage call the experts at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401.
Got Mold in Fernandina Beach/North Jacksonville? Better Call SERVPRO
Mold thrives under the right conditions...like high humidity found in North Florida.
Mold remediation is one of our primary areas of expertise here at SERVPRO® of Fernandina Beach/Yulee. We have the training and experience to contain the infestation, scrub spores out of the air, remove the contaminated materials, and help prevent future microbial growth.
A Moldy Situation
Imagine you were cleaning out a storage closet at work, and you found mold growing on the back wall. Maybe a leak supplied the water that created an ideal situation for microbes to grow in this closet. Once you identified and resolved the source of the leak, you would still want to contact a professional to mitigate the mold and ensure healthy air for your family or employees to breathe.
Containing the Infestation
When SERVPRO® franchise professionals begin a mold job, our first concern is to contain the mold infestation. The mold you can see is only a small part of the danger posed to building occupants. Mold reproduces by releasing invisible spores into the air. These spores pose the real hazard for those who breathe the air in the infested building. Therefore, we begin by preventing air from the contaminated area traveling to other parts of the building.
Scrubbing Mold Out of the Air
Each job is unique in its challenges and solutions. However, in most cases, a SERVPRO® mold mitigation team will set up a containment barrier and create a negative air situation inside the infested area--essentially a vacuum that ensures air only flows into and not out of the contained area while the air scrubbers filter the spores and other contaminants from the air.
Removing Contaminated Materials
Organic materials like drywall, carpeting, and ceiling tiles must be removed and discarded once they become contaminated with mold. This is why we encourage people to contact us immediately after a water loss to dry all the materials before microbial growth begins. Blowing a fan across moldy materials hoping to dry them and save them spreads mold spores in the air and increases the health risk to building occupants.
Inhibiting Future Growth
SERVPRO® franchise professionals can never promise to prevent all future mold growth. Mold spores are everywhere in the atmosphere, and they take root and thrive whenever they find the perfect mix of moisture, food (organic materials) and temperature. However, our team does have several products that discourage microbial growth. Once your moldy materials have been removed and the air has been scrubbed to reduce the concentration of spores, we can apply one of these anti-microbial agents to help protect your building’s structural elements.
Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee for Mold ASAP
When you see mold, remember you cannot see the biggest threat that mold presents. Contact our Fernandina Beach/North Jacksonville mold remediation team at 904-729-2401 for an inspection and good advice about protecting yourself, your family or other building occupants until the mold is removed and the air is clean again.
In high humidity areas like Florida, your home can experience mold damage without leaky pipes or a damaged roof.
When you live in a subtropical area, like Florida, the high humidity both outside and inside can have consequences far beyond personal discomfort. Given the right combination of free floating microbial particles and ambient moisture, the interior of your home can exhibit significant mold damage, even without leaky pipes or a damaged roof. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee can help you evaluate whether the mold damage you are experiencing in your home is traceable to simple high humidity or if other sources of water need to be uncovered. We also then will work with you to use a variety of techniques to reduce the moisture levels of the air within your house so that fungal growth will be reduced, slowed, and then halted.
Existing mold damage linked to high humidity in Fernandina Beach and North Jacksonville should be treated with the EPA approved procedures. Our SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee mold remediation technicians are well trained in this best-practices methodology. Containment, cautious but thorough removal, and proper disinfection will bring the microbial activity to a baseline where no future growth is expected. As long as you are careful to monitor the humidity, mold spread should cease.
The Mold Remediation Process
Every mold infestation is different, from the amount of mold to the types of materials affected. Each scenario requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for a “typical” mold remediation infestation:
Emergency Contact - Call us at (904) 729-2401
Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
Mold Containment
Air Filtration
Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
Cleaning Contents and Belongings
Restoration
Here are some tips to follow to control humidity to prevent mold problems:
The level suggested for the interior relative humidity of your home is 60 percent or less to discourage mold growth. Do not guess to maintain this level. Invest in a good quality hygrometer to be certain your humidity levels are within the parameters that will discourage mold growth.
To reduce the moisture content of the air within your home, make sure all exhaust fans are working properly in high moisture generating rooms like the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry areas. Be sure all family members are using them regularly when cooking, showering, and washing clothes.
Dryers should vent to the outdoors. Remember to run air conditioners regularly as they remove moisture from the air. Do not use vaporizers or humidifiers in the house. If all of these measures do not reduce the humidity to proper levels, invest a dehumidifier to reach and then maintain that 60 percent standard. Be sure all equipment used to reduce humidity is checked for proper drainage of the water removed from the air. Empty the water condensed as needed or set up the machine to discharge into a sink or drain.
Following these steps will help to prevent mold issues.
If you do experience mold problems, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee is a Florida-Licensed Mold Remediator. In the state of Florida, any person or company advertising or representing oneself to be a mold remediator—or taking samples for purposes of testing for the presence of mold—must have a license. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee is licensed; Our license number is MRSR450. A licensed contractor has the training, expertise and experience required to do the job well, safely and to code.
If you have mold issues call, us at 904.729.2401. We’ll make it "Like it never even happened.”
Follow these tips for safe cooking of your holiday feasts!
During the holidays, families get together to celebrate the season by preparing a delicious feast, but if you don’t practice safe cooking habits, your happy holiday could become hazardous very quickly.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the main cause for home fire and injuries, with Thanksgiving and Christmas being the peak days for cooking-related fires.
Review the following safety tips to help ensure you can enjoy a safe holiday.
Never leave cooking food unattended—stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, you should turn off the stove.
Check food regularly while cooking and remain in the home while cooking. Use a timer as a reminder that the stave or oven is on.
Keep the kids away from the cooking area. Enforce a “kid-free zone” and make children stay at least three feet from the stove.
Keep anything flammable—pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic back, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from the stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
Do not wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease build-up.
Purchase a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen. Make sure you know proper use of extinguishers.
Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.
Install a smoke alarm near the kitchen, on each level of the home, near sleeping areas and inside and outside bedrooms. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
We at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee wish you a safe and happy holiday season!
Leaking Sliding Glass Doors of Fernandina Beach Condo Cause Water Damage
If you have water damage, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast right away to prevent further damage and mold growth.
A severe storm with high winds and significant rainfall impacted the sliding glass doors in this beachfront condominium. The house was a rental and no one was aware of the leak for several days. Water from the leak seeped into the adjoining walls and down three floors. After fixing the source of water intrusion, we removed the affected drywall of adjoining walls and thoroughly dried the affected area.
If you have a problem with water leaking from your sliding glass doors, it will usually be on the bottom track threshold of the non-stationary door. The easiest way to prevent leaks is to keep your tracks free of debris and your plastic or metal rollers clean. If the tracks are dirty, the doors can become misaligned and water can easily seep into the home.
If you have water damage, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast at 904.729.2401 right away. Timely mitigation is the key to preventing further damage and/or mold growth.
Fire Escape Planning Tips for Nassau/North Jacksonville Homeowners
Use the link in this article for tips on creating your fire escape plan.
Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Your ability to get out of your home during a fire depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning. After you create your home fire escape plan, put it to the test.
Practice your home fire escape plan twice a year, making the drill as realistic as possible. See this fire escape planning grid for guidance on creating your escape plan.
Make arrangements in your plan for anyone in your home who has a disability.
Allow children to master fire escape planning and practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping. The objective is to practice, not to frighten, so telling children there will be a drill before they go to bed can be as effective as a surprise drill.
It's important to determine during the drill whether children and others can readily waken to the sound of the smoke alarm. If they fail to awaken, make sure that someone is assigned to wake them up as part of the drill and in a real emergency situation.
If your home has two floors, every family member (including children) must be able to escape from the second floor rooms. Escape ladders can be placed in or near windows to provide an additional escape route. Review the manufacturer's instructions carefully so you'll be able to use a safety ladder in an emergency. Practice setting up the ladder from a first floor window to make sure you can do it correctly and quickly. Children should only practice with a grown-up, and only from a first-story window. Store the ladder near the window, in an easily accessible location. You don't want to have to search for it during a fire.
Always choose the escape route that is safest – the one with the least amount of smoke and heat – but be prepared to escape under toxic smoke if necessary. When you do your fire drill, everyone in the family should practice getting low and going under the smoke to your exit.
Closing doors on your way out slows the spread of fire, giving you more time to safely escape.
In some cases, smoke or fire may prevent you from exiting your home or apartment building. To prepare for an emergency like this, practice "sealing yourself in for safety" as part of your home fire escape plan. Close all doors between you and the fire. Use duct tape or towels to seal the door cracks and cover air vents to keep smoke from coming in. If possible, open your windows at the top and bottom so fresh air can get in. Call the fire department to report your exact location. Wave a flashlight or light-colored cloth at the window to let the fire department know where you are located.
Clear Your Escape Routes
Items that block doors and windows in your home could keep you from escaping in the event of a home fire. And that could mean the difference between life and death. So unblock your exits today! Key to your family’s safety is planning and practicing a home fire escape plan twice a year. Start by identifying two escape routes out of each room, if possible, then make sure that each of those escape routes can be used safely by everyone.
Please contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at (904) 729-2401 if you experience any fire damage to your residential or commercial property.
Be fire smart this holiday season. We at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee wish you and your family Happy Holidays!
Nearly half of holiday decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source. It’s fun to decorate for the winter holidays, but holiday decorations can increase your risk for a home fire. As you deck the halls this season, be fire smart. Here are tips to help you stay safe from fire.
Inspect holiday lights each year before you put them up. Throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires.
Water your Christmas tree every day. A dry tree is dangerous because it can catch on fire easily.
Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.
If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be knocked down easily.
If you do experience fire damage at your home, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at (904) 729-2401. We’re available 24/7 to help you get your home back to normal.
Fernandina Beach/North Jacksonville Businesses: We Do Post-Construction Clean-Up
If your business was just built or went through a renovation, who do you call to cleanup the mess that was left behind? It is so important for a business to open as quickly as possible after a major project or renovation. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee is always here to help with any deep cleaning needs. We have done jobs for:
Small Office Buildings
Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
Apartment Buildings
Restaurants
Hotel/Motels
Small Retail Stores
Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
High-Rise Residential
Manufacturing & Industrial
Government/Military
Along with our restoration and rebuild services, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee offers post-construction cleanup services. Our professional, and highly-trained team will tackle everything and anything that needs addressing.
Cleanup includes:
Walls
Light fixtures/fans
All trim
Floors
Ceilings
Doors
Air Ducts, vents, baseboard heaters
Windows
Cabinetry
Any trash or plastic left behind
If your property needs a thorough, post-construction cleaning, call the trusted professionals at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401. We can handle any size project, no matter how big or small! Learn more about our commercial cleaning services.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast Delivers Satisfied Water Damage Customers
At SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast, our goal is to make water damage events less stressful and "Like it never even happened."
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast Strives for Excellent Customer Satisfaction on All Jobs
There’s no better answer to “Why SERVPRO?” than the glowing reviews and testimonials from our satisfied customers. Here is one review we received from a couple who recently suffered a water loss.
“I cannot say enough about this company and the staff they employee. I really didn’t know that companies like this still exist in this line of work that have such high standards and professionalism. We had a bad leak in our new home that I have been trying to get fixed for over a year. After 4 roof repairs the and having to deal with 3 different contractors, a roofer, drywall company and a painter on several different occasions my builder finally sent SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast out. They came out to my home and removed all of our belongings from the room and neatly arranged them into another room. I was unable to be there when they arrived so I left a key for them. When we came home that evening we could not believe how neatly they arranged our clothes on rolling racks and displayed our shoes and even separated my wife’s clothes from mine. They removed the shelves from the walls and the ceiling that was damaged. They cleaned everything in the room and made sure there was no mold anywhere. When everything was repaired by the roofer they conducted a water test and then they replaced the drywall and did all of the mud work. They also repainted everything and did the knockdown on the ceiling. They came out every day until the job was complete. I was never home when they came out and they treated my home with respect making sure not to leave any mess behind each day. They made the process so easy and comfortable for us. I highly recommend SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast for any water damage needs and any other services they provide. Thank you to all of the staff, you all are Awesome!” D. Raulerson, Fernandina Beach
If water damage, from the smallest toilet overflow to a full house flood, threatens your home or office call us at (904) 729-2401. We are here to help and care for not only your home or office, but for you as an individual. We understand that each job is not simply a job, but is someone allowing us to come into their lives during a very stressful event. Our ultimate goal is to help make it a little less stressful on you – and most of all, to make it “Like it never even happened.”
What Nassau County/North Jax Residents Need to Know About Turkey Fryers
Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA discourages the use of outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers that immerse the turkey in hot oil.
NFPA continues to believe that turkey fryers that use cooking oil, as currently designed, are not suitable for safe use by even a well-informed and careful consumer. These turkey fryers use a substantial quantity of cooking oil at high temperatures and units currently available for home use pose a significant danger that hot oil will be released at some point during the cooking process. In addition, the burners that heat the oil can ignite spilled oil. The use of turkey fryers by consumers can lead to devastating burns, other injuries, and the destruction of property. NFPA urges those who prefer fried turkey to seek out professional establishments, such as grocery stores, specialty food retailers, and restaurants, for the preparation of the dish, or consider a new type of "oil-less" turkey fryer."
For a demonstration showing the dangers of turkey fryers see this video.
We at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee hope you will consider this advice, and we wish you and your family a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
In the event of a fire in your home or business, these tips may help reduce damage and increase chances of a successful restoration.
A fire can leave behind soot, smoke damage, and a host of other problems. Ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting, and floors will often need a thorough professional cleaning. If your home or business suffers a fire, it is important to take the appropriate steps to prevent further damage until SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee professionals arrive. The following tips may help reduce damage and increase chances of a successful restoration.
What To Do After A Fire
Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
Change HVAC filter.
Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.
What NOT To Do After A Fire
Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us.
Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.
If you have fire damage, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401 as soon as possible.
When Major Storms Hit, We Are Backed By Unmatched National Resources
A nationwide system of more than 1600 qualified franchises backs SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee.
When a major storm hits the our area, not only is SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee ready to respond, but we are backed by two major support squads coordinated by our corporate office that ensure timely mitigation of your storm damage.
Our Resources Are Unmatched
First, there’s SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team (called Storm Team), which mobilizes from across the country, as needed, to support large storm events. A nationwide system of more than 1600 qualified franchises backs SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee. This network of franchises travels at a moment's notice to support us when needed. Strategically positioned and available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, the SERVPRO Storm Team Professionals are prepared for the unpredictable. This network proved to be invaluable when Hurricane Irma struck. We were able to reassure homeowners that their damages would be mitigated on a timely basis, which is an assurance many of our competitors simply cannot offer.
For losses of 50,000 sq. ft. or more, the SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division is called in. Our elite large-loss specialists are pre-qualified and strategically positioned throughout the United States to handle any size disaster. Every large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager who helps ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation.
For example, when the Wells Fargo Center, which covers an entire block in downtown Jacksonville, was flooded from Hurricane Irma, SERVPRO’s Commercial Large Loss Division was the disaster recovery team that was called in to mitigate damages. The team pumped water out of the basement garage, the basement level of the building and the loading dock area that was flooded. Those levels were filled with mud that had to be extracted and cleaned up.
When storms strike and you need an immediate response, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904-729-2401.
Nassau County, North Jax Area 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service
If you have a water damage emergency, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee is here to help 24/7.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.
We Answer the Phone Ready to Help, Call Today! - (904) 729-2401
We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.
What to Expect
When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.
Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:
Your name and contact information
Your insurance information (if applicable)
The street address of the water-damaged home or business
When did the flooding or water damage occur?
What caused the water damage (if known)?
Is there electricity available (on-site)?
About SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly. Roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
FACTS ! ! ! SAFETY TIPS
Install smoke alarms in every bedroom. They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
Current alarms on the market employ different types of technology including multi-sensing, which could include smoke and carbon monoxide combined.
Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms.
A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers
Replace fire alarms when they are 10 years old.
Expected Jacksonville Area Impacts from Hurricane Michael
The Jacksonville area will experience heavy rain in multiple bands through Thursday, with the potential for 1-3" of rain, more in some spots.
Source: Action News Jax
Hurricane "Michael" continues to organize & strengthen. Forecast to hit the Fl. Panhandle as a "major" Cat. 3 hurricane Wednesday afternoon. This could be the most major hurricane to squarely hit the Panhandle since Ivan in 2004 which destroyed the I-10 bridge to Pensacola.
Given current forecast path - SUBJECT TO SOME CHANGES –Michael will hit between Mobile, Al. & the Big Bend of Fl. centered on the Central Panhandle, local impacts for Jacksonville, NE Fl. & SE Ga. are as follows:
* heavy rain in multiple bands through Thu. with the potential for 1-3" of rain, more in some spots. Far more rain just offshore to the east & over NW Fl. & Panhandle into Ga. closer to what should be the center of Michael. Looks like a relative lull in the rain Wed. due to dry slot pivoting north around the eastern side of Michael's circulation.
* breezy winds - combination of "Michael" to the west & moderately strong high pressure to the north will result in brisk winds out of the SE increasing each day through Thu. averaging 15-25 mph with gusts 30+ mph. Strongest winds will be at the beaches & from near Lake City to Waycross closer to Michael's center.
* isolated waterspouts &/or tornadoes, especially Tue. through Thu.
* high rip current risk at area beaches
* minor to possibly moderate flooding - especially at times of high tide - along the coast, intracoastal & St. Johns River & its tributaries due to a combination of strong/persistent onshore flow, occasional heavy rain & an astronomical boost due to the new moon phase. No significant storm surge is expected for NE Fl. & Jacksonville & SE Ga.
If you have have storm damage call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401.
Key Themes for Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2018: “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware – fire can happen anywhere.”
Through three simple calls-to-action, this year’s theme identifies basic but essential ways people can reduce their risk to fire and be prepared in the event of one:
Look for places fire can start
Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm
Learn two ways out of each room
“People take safety for granted and are not aware of the risk of fire,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “Paying attention to your surroundings, looking for available exits in the event of a fire or other emergency, and taking the smoke alarm seriously if it sounds can make a potentially life-saving difference in a fire or other emergency situation.”
This year’s Fire Prevention Week messages apply to virtually all locations. However, NFPA continues to focus on home fire safety, as the majority of U.S. fire deaths (four out of five) occur at home each year. In fact, the fire death rate (per 1000home fires reported to the fire department) was 10percent higher in 2016than in1980.
“While we’ve made significant progress in preventing home fires from happening, these statistics show that there’s still much more work to do when it comes to teaching people how to protect themselves in the event of one, and why advance planning is so critically important,” said Carli.
“Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware – fire can happen anywhere.” works to remind the public that fires can and do still happen – at home, as well as other locations - and that there are basic but vitally important steps people can take to remain safe.
As the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90years, NFPA works with local fire departments throughout North America to promote the campaign in their communities and reaches out to the public directly to encourage everyone to take action to be safe.
For a wealth of information and resources about this year’s “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware – fire can happen anywhere.” campaign, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.
A leaking air conditioner can lead to mold problems. If you have leaking, look at these potential problem areas:
1. Cracked or Missing Drain Pan
The drain pan is located underneath your evaporator coil and collects any condensate from your indoor unit. If it is cracked, rusted, or misplaced, water won’t be able to properly drain outside.
2. Clogged Drain Line
Algae and fungi can clog your A/C condensate drain line. Pour about 6 ounces of vinegar into your drain line every few months to kill any algae and fungi build-up. You can also try clearing out your drain line with a wet/dry vacuum, call your HVAC professional.
3. Clogged Air Filter
Your indoor air handler needs proper airflow in order to function. If your air filter is clogged, air will be restricted, leading to a variety of problems, including frozen evaporator coils that drip excess water. Change the air filter every 30-60 days to avoid this problem.
If you experience water leaking or spills - ACT QUICKLY. If wet or damp materials or areas are not dried within 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, there’s a good chance mold will grow.
It only takes a small water leak, or even excess humidity, for mold to form in your Nassau County/North Jacksonville home or business.
When it comes to mold in our homes, there are many old misconceptions circulating to this day. Once you bust the myths, you will have a better understanding of mold and its impact to your health and home. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee have put together a list of 5 common mold myths and the truth behind them, so you can use this information to your benefit when you encounter a mold problem:
Myth 1: All mold is toxic
Truth: While many molds can affect your health due to long-term exposure, there are beneficial molds as well. The mold found in natural environments helps decompose organic material, allowing other organisms to grow. Certain molds, such as Aspergillus flavus, are used in the production of cheese. Some molds are used in medicine, as well. For instance, the Penicillium mold has been used to create Penicillin, the first antibiotic discovered.
Myth 2: Bleach kills mold
Truth: Many people use bleach as a mold removal solution in their home. However, they are unaware that bleach kills only live mold, but not mold spores. The worst part is that removing mold with bleach and water can allow mold to regrow even faster. Instead, use a mix of household detergent and water for small-scale mold remediation.
Myth 3:There should be no mold in my home
Truth: The truth is that mold spores are present everywhere, indoors and outdoors. The air you are breathing contains mold spores, and completely eliminating it is almost impossible. The problem lies in the concentration of mold in your home. Greater amounts of mold can pose health risks and damage your home if you don’t take care of the mold infestation.
Myth 4:You shouldn’t worry about a small spot of mold
Truth: In reality, a small area affected by mold can grow larger and larger if the moisture problem is not addressed. What’s more, mold can spread to any organic surface, as well as to the heating and ventilation system in your home. This can result in widespread damage and costly repairs.
Myth 5:You can clean up mold infestations yourself
Truth: Even though you may be able to clean areas smaller than 10 square feet yourself, bigger infestations require professional mold removal services. In fact, your efforts of removing mold using UV light or high-heat drying can accelerate mold growth. Well-trained mold remediation professionals have the specialized equipment and know the necessary techniques to get rid of mold infestations much more efficiently.
Visit our Mold Information Page. Essential mold removal do’s and don’ts are available here. Contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee
It only takes a small water leak, or even excess humidity, for mold to form in your Nassau County/North Jacksonville home or business. Then, mold can spread quickly through the property in as little as 48 hours. Mold can produce allergens and irritants, and it has the potential to cause other health effects. If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.
Have a mold issue? Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904-729-2401.
Florida starts to feel the spin-off of Hurricane Florence
There is a coastal flood advisory in effect for the Jacksonville area until 8 p.m. Friday.
Source: SunSentinel
As Hurricane Florence’s path edges farther south, Florida’s Atlantic coastline is preparing for a beating.
The center of the storm is still projected to make landfall in the Carolinas, but its effects on Florida are likely to increase, especially if it stalls along the coast before moving ashore.
Florence is expected to stay north of Florida, which will keep heavy rains away from the state, and it should stay far enough away that lessens the effect of wind, too.
In Jacksonville, the National Weather Service predicts the area will see winds between 15 mph and 30 mph. There’s a 20 percent chance or less that portions of Northern and Central Florida will experience tropical storm force winds of 39 mph or more.
There is a coastal flood advisory in effect for the Jacksonville area until 8 p.m. Friday. That is due to a combination of the higher seas caused by Florence and the seasonal king tides now taking place.
Hurricane Florence Now Category 3 – Expected Jacksonville Area Impacts
The entire East Coast is on alert as Hurricane Florence moves steadily in our direction.
Source: Action News Jax
MONDAY 11 A.M. | Florence has regained strengthen and is now a category 3 hurricane.
JACKSONVILLE & VICINITY - FLORENCE IMPACTS: An increasing easterly swell at our beaches from distant Florence which will include a heightened rip current risk through Tuesday. Thereafter - primary impacts look to be a breeze & very rough seas/surf & rip currents AS LONG AS FLORENCE STAYS NORTH & EAST OF JACKSONVILLE - stay up to date on the latest & potentially changeable forecasts. In other words, on the forecast track, Florence locally will primarily effect the beaches & ocean. All boaters should stay in port beginning Wed.
As for the big picture, Hurricane Florence appears to be taking aim at the largest U.S. Marine Corps base on the East Coast.
Camp Lejeune has an extensive beachfront about 50 miles northeast of Wilmington and it's well within the National Hurricane Center's forecast "cone."
The hurricane's path is still far from certain Monday. The rapidly intensifying storm could strike a direct and dangerous blow anywhere from the Carolinas to the Mid-Atlantic region later this week, possibly as a fearsome category 4.
Since a recurve looks very unlikely, major to severe impacts can be expected on the South Carolina and North Carolina coasts.
As for the forecast models, there was a notable shift north over the weekend, but seemingly a recent stabilization pointing to the Carolinas. This could be because of the aircraft analysis that was ingested into the computer models Sat./Sunday.
Virtually all reliable global models are -- for now -- not far from Myrtle Beach. The UKMET model has shown the greatest shift north and is even north of the European and GFS models.
Water Damage Restoration Service in Nassau County/North Jax
Time is of the essence in the aftermath of a flood in order to prevent mold growth.
From estimation to completion, our experienced team at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee is ready to handle your home’s water damage cleanup and restoration needs. With our help you can rest assured that your assets will be protected and damage kept minimal.
Our trained technicians will use specialized equipment to find out just how severe your water damage problem actually is. Once they’ve evaluated the damage, they’ll get rid of any standing water then begin the drying process.
Steps to take when Water Damage Strikes:
Act Quickly: The severity of damage escalates the longer water sits and building components and contents stay wet, so time is of the essence in the aftermath of a flood. In fact, mold will grow within 48-72 hours, so aim to start removing water and drying the environment within 48 hours.
Ventilate affected areas to prevent mold growth: Mold spores love moisture and organic materials such as paper or particleboard. In order to mitigate or slow damage, open windows if weather permits and place fans inside of them to keep air moving and maintain moderate temperatures. Work toward the fan as you clean to minimize cross contamination.
Assess damage to items and materials: Assess the type of water absorbed by items, such as rainwater, water from broken pipes, contaminated river water or bacteria-filled sewage. There are ways to salvage specialty items but the decision on whether to save or trash an item will vary depending on the dollar and sentimental value to the owner. It may not be worthwhile to salvage drywall, carpets and pads, mattresses, pillows, box springs and particleboard. On the other hand, it might be worthwhile to restore costly Persian rugs, leather couches and antiques or heirlooms. Wet clothing and many household fabrics may be salvageable through machine washing, and a 10-minute soak in detergent and hot water, to remove contamination and stains. The IICRC strongly recommends that in water damages where there are contaminants present (e.g., bacteria, sewage, mold) or where small children or immune-compromised individuals are present that an inspection be conducted by an appropriately trained restorer and remediator. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee is a Florida-licensed mold remediator (MRSR450).
Expose pockets of saturation: Hidden and concealed pockets of saturation need to be opened for cleaning and drying. Layers between building materials hold water that must be discovered and removed or dried. On walls, find the water line and inspect at least a foot beyond it to make sure all damage, wet materials and mold are discovered. Remove and discard the damaged drywall and wet wall insulation. Wet carpets can usually be dried by professionals with the right equipment, but carpet padding, which is like a big sponge, should be discarded. Wood base trim and hardwood can also be saved with the right equipment if they can be accessed and completely dried on both sides. Remember to investigate concealed cavities such as behind walls, in mechanical spaces, under cabinets and furniture, and in crawl spaces.
Confirm drying before reconstruction: In order to prevent dry rot and structural damage, it’s important not to reconstruct or cover wood and other wet materials until the moisture content has been adequately reduced. A water restoration professional can confirm proper drying before reconstruction. Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904-729-2401 to ensure proper drying has taken place.
Safest Place in your Home to be During a Hurricane
Hurricane season begins on June 1st and lasts until November 30th. For those five months, people who live in any area where hurricanes pose any kind of threat, regardless of whether it is a direct threat or the threat from storm related feeder bands and other problems, finding a safe place to stay while at home is an important consideration. Most homes in hurricane prone areas don’t have basements, but a basement might not be the safest place, especially if there is any possibility of flooding in that basement. If you live in an area where you may be subject to a direct or indirect hit from a hurricane, part of your hurricane readiness preparations should involve finding a safe and secure place in your home to stay if you don’t have to evacuate.
In most places, a mandatory hurricane evacuation order won’t be issued unless there is a threat of a category three hurricane or worse. For that reason, many people will opt to stay at home rather than head to a shelter for minimal to moderate hurricanes. That being said, as long as precautions are taken to batten down the hatches and secure the home to the greatest possible extent, unless you live in a very low lying area where flooding from storm surges will flood your home, you can create a safe haven in which you and your family can gather to wait out the storm.
Avoid staying in any room where there are windows or other things that become projectiles when the windows break because of the intensity of the wind. Avoid staying on an upper floor because you could be seriously hurt if the roof of your house was to collapse. A collapsed roof isn’t an uncommon occurrence during the hurricane season.
What to look for when considering a safe place in your home…
You should also go to a windowless place on the interior of your home. The strength of winds can cause windows to break and you don’t want to be in a place where you could be hit by flying glass or other debris. You should close blinds, curtains or drapes on all windows and don’t open them until you are sure that the storm has passed. Avoid places that may be prone to flooding.
WHERE TO GO –
*A windowless interior bathroom –
A windowless bathroom that is away from exterior walls can be a good place because there will be plumbing pipes that can provide additional protection besides the heavy walls. Moreover, this is the place that weather authorities often recommend that people go to during tornado warnings – especially when there is no basement.
*An interior closet
A closet can also be a good place to go for protection when you need to wait out a hurricane. If you have a large walk-in closet, gather blankets and pillows, plenty of non-perishable food, hand sanitizer, napkins, paper plates and plastic utensils, plenty of water and flashlights, batteries, a battery powered radio and your cell phone. A weather radio can be very handy at a time like this as well.
*A windowless hallway –
If you don’t have a bathroom or a bedroom or other closet that is not on an outside wall or that doesn’t have windows, look for a hallway on the interior of your home. You want to be in a place where there are no windows and where you can’t be hurt if a roof or outside wall was to collapse.
*Under a stairwell –
If you have a two story home, you may find that the safest place, other than an interior room may be a stairwell, provided it isn’t too close to windows or a door. A closet or alcove under a staircase can be a great place to go for safety during a home. Bring in plenty of pillows, blankets and a mattress if one will fit, because you can always use a mattress to cover yourself and your family as a means of protection from flying objects.
*Creating an in-home storm shelter –
Some people may choose to spend the money to have a place in their home reinforced so that it is more secure and offers greater safety from both hurricanes and tornadoes. These reinforced places are designed to withstand strong winds and flying debris, allowing you to be safer than you would otherwise. These are basically an indoor equivalent to the old outdoor storm or bomb shelters. You might not want to be in an underground place if flooding is a likely possibility.
Most of all, when staying in your home during a hurricane, you need to exercise many of the same precautions that are used for tornado warnings. Have mattresses on hand so that you can use them both to sleep on and to cover yourself with if the need for protective cover should arise. You may also want to have blankets and pillows. Be sure you have plenty of water and a hurricane readiness kit that is filled with non-perishable foods, medications that people may need, batteries, flashlights or battery powered lanterns, a NOAA weather or other radio and things to keep people entertained such as cards or board games.
With a hurricane, don’t be fooled by what may seem like a lull because that may merely be the eye of the storm and the worst is yet to come. Remain indoors until you hear something on the radio that advises you that it is safe to go outside. When you do venture out, be on the lookout for downed power lines, broken windows and other debris that can inflict injury, and never touch a power line because it is probably still live.
Above all, be sure to heed all warnings and evacuation notices.
If you have storm damage, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401.
Plumbing maintenance may not be the most exciting topic, but it is well worth your attention! By regularly examining your plumbing system, and performing preventative maintenance, you can save yourself from both costly repair bills and the slow, steady expense caused by drips and leaks. Here is a maintenance checklist to help you stay ahead of common plumbing problems.
Water heater: Many plumbers recommend draining and cleaning your water heater annually. Most people hire a professional to handle these tasks, due to their technical nature, and often they are even included in your plumbing fixture’s service contract.
Valves: Locate all your shut-off valves and turn them off, then back to their original position, to make sure they would not be stuck open in the event that you need to shut the water off. While you are at it, look them over for any sign of corrosion, which could lead to an undetected leak. Replace any valves that are not working properly. Finally, make sure that your entire family knows where your shutoff valves are located, especially the main one, since this is very valuable information in case a leak occurs.
Leaks: Leaks can develop in many different places in your plumbing system and should be addressed immediately to curtail waste and water damage. Periodically check for any of the following signs of trouble: soft flooring near toilets, bathtubs, dishwashers, water heaters or washing machines; dampness inside sink cabinets; soft walls or loose tiles that could signal a leak inside a wall; pipes with rust or mineral deposits; constant dampness around faucets or toilets; and finally toilets that keep running after being flushed. Use water shut off valve or water leak detection systems to alert you when water leaks occur.
Old or malfunctioning fixtures: Generally, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters, and boilers that are more than 12 years old are good candidates for replacement. New appliances will be more energy and water efficient. Check the item’s serial number, since this often indicates the year it was manufactured. Companies use a variety of coding methods, so perform a quick internet search to find out what to look for. Additionally, replace old faucets with new, washer-less models to save on maintenance costs, and replace any hardened or cracked hoses on washers and dishwashers to reduce the risk of a rupture. The old adage “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” does not always make sense when it comes to plumbing! Keep in mind that by swapping the old plumbing fixtures for new, more efficient models you could save money every month on your energy and water bills in addition to avoiding costly water damage repair bills.
Caulking: Check and re-do any aging caulking around bathtubs, showers, toilets, and sinks that might be allowing water to penetrate the surrounding structure.
Septic: If you have a septic system, any persistently marshy areas in your drainage field may signal a leak in your septic line. Although pumping a septic tank is an essential element of plumbing maintenance, there is no hard and fast rule governing how frequently you should pump the tank. It depends on several factors, like the number of people in your household, whether there is a garbage disposal, the size of your tank, its system design, and even the temperature in your region. Consult a septic expert to find out how often you should pump your septic tank.
Low water pressure: Test for low water pressure by running water from your tub faucet and then opening the kitchen faucet. If the pressure decreases when you open the second faucet, you should get a plumber to analyze the problem. Low water pressure is often caused by a leaks or sediment build-up in pipes.
Drains: Clogged drainpipes can often be avoided by regularly cleaning your drains with an eco-friendly drain cleaner. One easy way to clean your kitchen garbage disposal is to send some ice through it to clean out any grease that may have accumulated inside. Also, look for bubbles escaping up from a drain while water is trying to go down, as this could indicate a drain vent problem.
Whether you perform these maintenance checks yourself or hire a professional to handle them, it is a worthwhile investment of your time or money. By taking preventative measures, you greatly reduce the risk that you encounter costly surprises down the road.
If you do have water damage, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401.
Conditions in Nassau County/North Jacksonville Right For Mold
If you suspect mold in your home, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401.
It’s estimated that more than 1 million types of mold exist, yet less than 10 percent have actually been named. This means mold is very common in both indoor and outdoor environments. While mold and humans can sometimes co-exist without issue, there are certain species of mold that can cause health effects for some people.
If the right conditions exist, mold will grow. Those conditions include:
Water - Different mold types require varying amounts of liquid before growth begins.
Temperature - Normal indoor temperatures will promote mold growth.
Time - Initial mold colonizers can take hold within one day after being exposed to an adequate water supply.
Mold growth can occur in any home, so it’s important to keep an eye out for situations that might promote mold activity. Roof/chimney leaks, wet basements, or condensation from ducts that dampen surrounding insulation are just a few examples of issues that make a house a prime target for mold growth.
If you suspect mold in your home, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee to assess the situation. We are Florida-licensed mold remediators and have the knowledge, tools and track record to effectively remediate mold in your home or business. If you suspect mold, call us today at 904.729.2401.
The FEMA app is available to download for free for iOS and Android at the Apple Store and on Google.
We are well into Hurricane Season in North Florida and thought it would be a good time to introduce you to the FEMA App.
The FEMA App provides timely alerts and useful information to help you and your loved ones stay safe before, during and after disasters. You can receive fast and reliable notifications about severe weather for up to five locations nationwide. This simple and easy-to-use resource also provides safety information, emergency preparedness tips, and disaster assistance. In the midst of an emergency, the app can give you directions to open shelters nearby, help you locate someone to talk to at a Disaster Recovery Center, and let you share images of damage and recovery efforts to help first responders and emergency managers.
Features • Receive real-time alerts from the U.S. National Weather Service • Monitor severe weather for up to five locations nationwide • Know what to do before, during, and after disasters, including flooding, fires, hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, volcanoes, and more • Prepare for disasters with an emergency kit checklist, emergency family plan, and reminders • Locate open emergency shelters in your area • Locate Disaster Recovery Centers near you where you can talk to a FEMA representative in person • Connect with FEMA to apply for disaster assistance online • Upload and share disaster photos with our Disaster Reporter • Toggle between English and Spanish • Follow the FEMA blog to learn about the work FEMA does across the United States
STAY SAFE & INFORMED Receive notifications about severe weather for the locations that matter to you – where your loved ones live, where you travel to, where your team plays, where you vacation. The FEMA App is perfect for emergency managers, weather junkies, property owners, businesses, non-profit organizations, outdoorsy types, travelers, commuters, vacationers, empty-nesters, coastal residents, islanders, and anyone interested in staying safe and informed.
The app is available to download for free for iOS and Android at the Apple Store and on Google.
It is important to clean the lint filter before and after each load.
According to FEMA, failure to clean home dryers causes 34% of home dryer fires. Home dryer fires cause $35 million in property loss and can even cause injury or death.
To reduce the risk of these fires happening in your home, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee can help clean vents and ducts that may have lint build-up.
Other tips for keeping your dryer vents clean from the National Fire Protection Association include cleaning the lint filter before and after each load and making sure the outdoor vent flap will open and is not restricted by obstacles. Do not use a dryer that does not have a lint filter.
Your first hint that you need to check your vents is when your clothing doesn’t dry after a normal drying cycle.
Other hints include a musty odor in the clothing following the drying cycle, clothes that seem unusually hot to the touch, or excessive heat in the laundry room.
If you would like your dryer vent cleaned to minimize risk of fires, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401.
Fourth of July Tip From NFPA: Attend Public Fireworks Displays
In recent years, fireworks have been one of the leading causes of injuries serious enough to require hospital emergency room treatment.
Legal or not fireworks are too risky for amateurs
That's the message from the National Fire Protection Association who urges families to attend public fireworks displays rather than using fireworks at home or parties. NFPA says that... Permanent scarring, loss of vision, dismemberment – these are too often the harsh realities of amateur fireworks use. To keep the public safe from fireworks-related injuries and deaths, NFPA urges everyone to treat fireworks, whether legal or illegal for consumers, as suitable only for use by trained professionals.
According to NFPA, amateur fireworks use endangers not only the users, but also bystanders and surrounding property and structures. Pyrotechnic devices ranging from sparklers to aerial rockets cause thousands of fires and serious injuries each year.
"There are no such things as safe fireworks," says NFPA Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy Lorraine Carli. "The power and danger of fireworks should not be underestimated.”
In recent years, fireworks have been one of the leading causes of injuries serious enough to require hospital emergency room treatment. Fireworks can result in severe burns, fractures, scars or even disfigurement or death. The thousands of serious injuries each year typically harm the eyes, head or hands, and are mostly reported in states where fireworks are legal. Even sparklers, which are considered by many to be harmless, reach temperatures of more than 1,000°F.
"In the hands of amateurs, fireworks are especially dangerous," says Carli. "Fireworks are unpredictable. They can lead to catastrophe, causing injury, permanent scarring, or even death."
Wooded areas, homes, and even automobiles have become engulfed in flames because of fireworks. Fireworks-related fires have typically caused at least $20 million in property loss each year. A substantial portion of the structure fire property loss due to fireworks typically involves bottle rockets or other fireworks rockets. These can land on rooftops, wedge within certain structures and retain enough heat to cause a fire.
"For most people, family and home represent security and safety, a haven to share our hopes, dreams, and struggles,” says Carli. “Imagine risking all of that for a few seconds of entertainment. It’s not worth it. Avoid fireworks injuries and damage by playing it safe. There are safer alternatives to using fireworks on the Fourth of July or at any other time."
Public fireworks displays are one of those alternatives. Conducted by trained professionals, these displays are the smartest and safest fireworks alternative for anyone because they are established under controlled settings and regulations. After these displays, or any other time, children should never pick up fireworks that may be left over. Fireworks that have been ignited and fail to immediately explode or discharge can cause injury because they may still be active. Children should always tell an adult if they find fireworks rather than picking up smoking or charred fireworks themselves, which is just too risky.
Contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401 if you need lead paint testing or removal.
The Facts About Lead
Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978.
Lead can affect children’s brains and developing nervous systems, causing reduced IQ, learning disabilities and behavioral problems.
Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.
Lead is also harmful to adults and the elderly.
Lead in dust is the most common way people are exposed to lead. People can also get lead in their bodies from lead in soil or paint chips. Lead dust is often invisible.
Projects that disturb lead-based paint can create dust and endanger you and your family.
In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee Certified for Lead Paint Removal
EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and pre-schools built before 1978 have their firm certified by EPA (or an EPA authorized state), use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers and follow lead-safe work practices.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee has RRP certification and will take the necessary precautions according to current laws. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee professionals have been trained and certified to follow lead-safe work practices while performing renovation and repair projects in our area.
According to EPA requirements (40 CFR Part 745) contractors must use lead-safe work practices and follow these three simple procedures:
Contain the work area.
Minimize dust.
Clean up thoroughly.
Does Your Property Contain Lead?
Older homes, older child care facilities, schools and other buildings are more likely to contain lead-based paint. Homes may be private, government-assisted or public housing. Schools are preschools and kindergarten classrooms. They may be urban, suburban or rural.
Percentage of homes likely to contain lead:
Built between 1960-1978 = 24%
Built between 1940-1960 = 69%
Built before 1940 = 87%
What You Can Do To Protect Your Family From Lead in Pre-1978 Homes
If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.
Clean up paint chips immediately.
Regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces. Use a mop, sponge, or paper towel with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead.
Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas.
Wash children’s hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often.
Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.
Make sure children eat a healthy, nutritious diet consistent with the USDA’s dietary guidelines, which helps protect children from the effects of lead.
Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil.
Contact us at 904-729-2401 if you need to lead paint testing or abatement at your home or place of business.
Stay abreast of weather alerts during Hurricane Season!
The National Weather Service (NWS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), issues alerts when weather conditions make hurricanes more likely. Know the terms used to describe changing hurricane conditions and be prepared to take appropriate action.
Tropical Storm or Hurricane Advisory– The NWS issues an Advisory when it expects conditions to cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous. If caution is used, these situations should not be life-threatening.
Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch– The NWS issues a Watch when a tropical storm or hurricane is possible within 48 hours. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards local radio, TV, or other news sources for more information. Monitor alerts, check your emergency supplies, and gather any items you may need if you lose power.
Tropical Storm or Hurricane Warning– The NWS issues a Warning when it expects a tropical storm or hurricane within 36 hours. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected in an area. A warning is issued 36 hours before tropical storm–force winds are expected. During a Warning, complete your storm preparations, and immediately leave the threatened area if directed to do so by local officials.
The best way to stay safe is to keep abreast of changing conditions and follow evacuation orders if these are issued.
Hurricane season started officially on June 1st and we'll soon be moving into peak season. Make your preparations now!
Storm season is upon us. Now is the time to get prepared. Here are some questions that will help you determine whether you are ready for hurricane season.
Are you aware of your local hazards, and your risk exposure?
Have you subscribed to local alerts?
Have you created and tested a family emergency plan?
Are you properly insured?
Are you saving money for emergencies, so that you can purchase emergency food and water, pay insurance deductibles, and miss a paycheck?
Have you been trained, and do you periodically practice how you and your family will respond in times of disaster, until the help arrives?
Have you stored/updated emergency supplies, and enough food and water to last at least 72 hours at your home?
Have you backed up computer files and data and made copies of important documents?
Do you know how to shut off the water & gas in your home?
Are you prepared to check on your neighbors?
We've been hit hard with Hurricanes Matthew and Irma over the last two years, and we all hope the storms will steer clear of us this year. If you suffer storm-related damage to your home or property, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904-729-2401. We'll be there to help 24/7.
If you have water damage at your place of business, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729-2401.
Work Place Water Damage is Restored by SERVPRO
When business owners visualize water damage, they often picture a massive storm wiping out power lines, flooding offices, and shutting down businesses for days at a time. It is true that commercial water damage is often the result of floods and water that stems from weather events and storms.
However, many entrepreneurs and business space renters forget that storms and severe weather aren't the only causes of floods and water damage. Here are some of the typical causes of water damage to commercial buildings.
Malfunctioning sprinkler systems
Some older office and retail buildings still have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers can come in handy during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets.
Damaged appliances and equipment
This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency.
Broken pipes and plumbing
Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result.
4. Backed up sewer lines
This is another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated Black Water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings.
If your business has suffered commercial water damage, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee will get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at (904)-729-2401 for fast help.
When mold contaminates the ductwork, the spores begin to spread quickly throughout your home or office.
Shown here is a “before” photo of mold in the ductwork of a retail facility in North Jacksonville. The spreading of the mold spores throughout the air in your home or office 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.
Since your ductwork is essentially the “lungs” of your home or office, 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 or office. Exposure to mold from your within your ductwork can create some very unhealthy conditions for you, your family, or your employees. 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 over an extended period of time. When a surface or material in your home or office 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 which distributes fresh air throughout the home or office 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 or office.
If you need HVAC/duct-cleaning services, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401.
When Water Damage Strikes, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee Is There!
The first 24 hours following a water loss are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage.
The first 24 hours following a water loss are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage. Within fours hours of being notified of a loss, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee will be on-site to help ensure a water damage is handled by completing the following steps.
Inspection SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee will inspect affected areas to determine the extent of water damage and will review the inspection with you to answer any questions before beginning any work.
Emergency Services SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee will take steps to help protect your home or business, as well as personal belongings and other contents, from further damage by extracting the excess water and preparing the area for drying. They will explain the needed emergency services step-by-step.
Monitoring To help ensure your home or business and belongings are dried to appropriate industry standards, a SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee technician will monitor the drying process. The updates will be consistently communicated to you.
Restoration Services SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee will repair structural materials, reinstall carpets, and clean affected areas of your property and belongings. A final walk-through of the jobsite will be conducted with you to help ensure the property was returned to preloss conditions.
Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401 if you experience water damage.
Water Damage in North Jacksonville Hotel Challenges Operations
This thermal image shows water behind the walls of the hotel.
Whenever SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee gets a call about water damage at a hotel, it’s all systems go! For our most recent job, eight rooms and a 60-foot hallway were impacted. Such a large-scale event impacts revenue significantly.
Not only does the hotel need to handle the costs of water damage restoration, but they must also deal with the potential lost income of closing down or reducing the number of available rooms during the repairs. In addition to dealing with damages to the actual hotel, hotel staff must also consider the issue of damaged personal belongings of their guests. Following are common causes of water damage in hotels:
Overflowing bathtub or bathroom sink
Toilet leaks
AC unit overflow
Water heater leaks
Broken shower drain
Sewer line back ups
The cause in this case was failure of a pipe in a wall going to the toilet in one of the rooms. We worked around the clock to complete the job as soon as possible while also trying to inconvenience guests as little as possible. In this case, the damage was limited to the first floor so at least water leaking from higher floors was not an issue.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee specializes in the clean up and restoration of commercial properties after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained and IICRC-certified. We understand that each day restoring the property is a lost day of revenue so we work overtime using a 6-step restoration process.
If you have water damage at your commercial property, call us at 904-729-2401.
Roof Damage from Hurricane Irma Results in Widespread Mold
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee will make mold problems 'like it never even happened."
Mold was one of many issues affecting this six-unit apartment building in North Jacksonville when SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee first arrived on the scene. The roof of the building had suffered damage from Hurricane Irma some six months prior, and rain had been intruding into the building over this time period.
Consequently, the structure had much mold damage. Once the roof leak was addressed, we could proceed with mold remediation.
The Mold Remediation Process
Every mold infestation is different, from the amount of mold to the types of materials affected. Each scenario requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for a “typical” mold remediation infestation:
Emergency Contact - Call us at (904) 729-2401
Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
Mold Containment
Air Filtration
Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
Cleaning Contents and Belongings
Restoration
We are a Florida-Licensed Mold Remediator. In the state of Florida, any person or company advertising or representing oneself to be a mold remediator—or taking samples for purposes of testing for the presence of mold—must have a license. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee is licensed; you can verify the license of our company owner here. (Our license number is MRSR450.) A licensed contractor has the training, expertise and experience required to do the job well, safely and to code.
If you have mold issues call, us at 904.729.2401. We’ll make it ‘like it never even happened.”
If an advanced Flood Warning has been issued, there are several precautions that can be taken to help minimize damage to certain areas of your business:
Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so.
Disconnect electrical equipment and appliances. Move vehicles out of low lying parking garages. Raise elevators from bottom floor.
AFTER A FLOOD:
SAFETY FIRST
Account that all employees are safe by establishing evacuation plans in advance, identifying areas outside the building that are designated meeting places. Assign select individuals to keep a list of their assigned team’s names and contact numbers in order to account for their whereabouts.
If water enters the building and evacuation becomes impossible, move to an upper floor, and wait for rescuers.
While evacuating, avoid attempting to drive through floods or rising water, nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are auto-related.
Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
Do not walk through moving water. Even six inches of moving water can make you fall.
Use no open flames (there may be gas escaping from ruptured mains).
Avoid floodwaters. Water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage.
Water may also be electrically charged.
Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by flood waters.
Listen for news reports to learn if the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
Return only when authorities indicate it is safe.
SECURE THE PROPERTY
Contact local emergency officials.
Secure main entrances to building.
Alert Security company and Alarm company of the situation.
STABILIZE THE PROPERTY
Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
Give priority to the protection of power plant and fire pumps, keeping them in service if at all possible.
Open basement or low-level windows to equalize water pressure on the building’s foundation and walls.
Begin water damage mitigation steps only if local emergency officials deem the structure safe to enter.
Notify your insurance agent or Risk Manager to determine insurance policy guidelines and steps to take.
SERVPRO®
Contact SERVPRO® of Fernandina Beach/Yulee to activate your Emergency READY Profile, if applicable, and request service.
Ensure availability of key decision maker to authorize mitigation work to begin.
If your business experiences flooding, call the restoration experts at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401!
Floods rank as one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States. Whether you live near a coastline, along city streets, in the mountains, near a river or even in the desert, there is a potential for suffering flood damage. In fact, nearly 25% of last year’s claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were for policies in moderate to low-risk communities. On average, floods cost $6 billion in annual losses in the U.S. Flooding can also result from plumbing failures, frozen pipes and damaged structures. Flood damage can affect your business operation in a variety of ways and can range in size from being isolated to a single room to entire floors being fully submerged.
Knowing how to prepare and deal with potential flooding in advance can affect how much of your property can be restored and how much has to be replaced. Below are prevention, mitigation and restoration tips to follow until help arrives:
Flood Preparation Tips:
Determine if your property is in a flood plain.
In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally, to determine which staff, materials, procedures and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
Plan what you will do if your building, plant or store is not accessible. This type of planning is often referred to as a continuity of operations plan, or COOP, and includes all facets of your business.
Plan for payroll continuity.
Review your emergency plans annually. Just as your business changes over time, so do your preparedness needs. When you hire new employees or when there are changes in how your company functions, you should update your plans and inform your people.
If you have storm or flood damage, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401!
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.
Faster Response
Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.
Resources to Handle Floods and Storms
When storms hit our area, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.
Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today at 904.729.2401
It's going to be another busy, above average hurricane season meteorologists say
After a nightmarish 2017 hurricane season featuring monsters such as Harvey, Irma and Maria, many in the U.S. are hoping for a quieter year. A top forecasting group says that won't be the case.
Meteorologist Phil Klotzbach and other experts from Colorado State University — regarded as the nation's top seasonal hurricane forecasters — predict 14 named tropical storms, of which seven will become hurricanes. Both numbers are above the average of 12 and six, respectively.
A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when its wind speed reaches 74 mph.
Of the seven predicted hurricanes, three are expected to spin into major hurricanes — category 3, 4 or 5 — with sustained wind speeds of 111 mph or greater. The group said there's a slightly above-average chance for major hurricanes to make landfall along the U.S. coastline. Klotzbach put the chance of a major hurricane strike at 63%.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, though storms sometimes form outside those dates.
Colorado State's prediction in 2017 was low: Last year, the team predicted 11 tropical storms would form, of which 4 would become hurricanes. In all, 17 tropical storms developed and 10 strengthened into hurricanes.
One of the major determining factors in hurricane forecasting is whether the U.S. is in an El Niño or La Niña climate pattern, he said.
El Niño is a natural warming of tropical Pacific Ocean water, which tends to suppress the development of Atlantic hurricanes. Its opposite, La Niña, marked by cooler ocean water, tends to increase hurricanes in the Atlantic.
Klotzbach said we're now in a weak La Niña event, which appears likely to diminish over the next several months. At this point, a significant El Niño is not anticipated for the summer or fall, he added.
The other big question mark in this season's predictions are how warm sea-surface temperatures will be in the tropical and far North Atlantic Ocean during the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, according to the forecast.
Hurricanes need the fuel of warm ocean water to develop and strengthen.
AccuWeather released its hurricane forecast for the upcoming season earlier this week, predicting 12-15 named storms would form, of which six to eight will be hurricanes. The firm said three to four are likely to hit the U.S.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will issue its forecast in May.
Nassau County/North Jax Residents: Make An Emergency Plan
Make an emergency plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Storms most commonly affect his area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.
Step 1: Put together a plan by discussing these 4 questions with your family, friends, or household to start your emergency plan.
Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household.
As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets, or specific needs like the operation of durable medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some these factors when developing your plan:
Different ages of members within your household
Responsibilities for assisting others
Locations frequented
Dietary needs
Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
Languages spoken
Cultural and religious considerations
Pets or service animals
Households with school-aged children
Step 3: Fill out a Family Emergency Plan
Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use them as a guide to create your own.
Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household
If storms impact your home or property, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401. We’ll treat your family with compassion and your property with respect.
Our Emergency Ready Profile Helps Local Businesses Prepare for Hurricanes
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee offers a free service to help businesses prepare for hurricanes and other emergencies.
The fact that we’ve had two hurricanes in this area during the past two years is good reason for businesses to prepare in advance for storms and weather-related emergencies. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee offers a complimentary assessment of your facility that can minimize business interruption in the event of a disaster.
This assessment provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services and serves as a quick reference for important building and contact information. This is a FREE, no strings attached service for local businesses. It's called SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile™ (ERP), and here are some advantages of the program:
Includes a concise Profile Document that contains the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
Provides facility details such a shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information.
Identifies the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
Offers a mobile app for easy accessibility of this information.
The time to gather and store information like emergency contact numbers; insurance contacts; and the location of water shut-off valves, fuse boxes, fire suppression system controls, and such is before an emergency strikes, not during an emergency, Having this information at your fingertips can help emergency responders react as quickly and effectively as possible, helping to limit loss of property and even lives.
SERVPRO specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened.” Don’t wait until hurricane season to call us at 904-729-2401 to schedule your ERP. We serve Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Callahan, Hilliard, and North Jacksonville, including Oceanway, River City, and the Heckscher Drive and Dunn Avenue/Lem Turner areas.
If you suffer water damage to your home or business, call us at 904.729.2401.
What is the difference between rain damage and flood damage to your home?
Rain damage is caused by falling water. A leaky roof or window can cause rain to intrude into your home. Gutters and downspouts can also be a large contributor to rain damage. It is important to clean your gutters and downspouts to keep the rain away from your walls and windows.
Flood damage is caused by rising water. Improper grading, failing drainage, or rising creek water are all examples of how flood damage can occur in your home. Flood damage can also cause cracks to your foundation allowing excess water to intrude into your home.
It is important to professionally dry the structure so as to prevent further damage. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee uses updated technology and professionalism to treat your home as if it is ours. We want to help you restore your home “Like it never even happened.”
Learn more about our water restoration process. If you suffer water damage to your home or business, call us at 904.729.2401. We offer 24/7 emergency service.
CC Image Courtesy of s58y on Flickr.
Did You Know: A Water Damaged Wall Can Be Dried & Restored, Rather Than Replaced?
Drilling small holes along the bottom of the wall and ventilating the wall cavity can greatly reduce drying time.
So a plumbing leak or other water intrusion leaves you with wet walls. Here’s the question we at SERVPRO often get: Do the walls have to be removed and replaced? Well, it depends.
In the past, restoration practices called for the replacement of wet drywall from walls. Today there is technology that allows SERVPRO to save walls by drying them, which significantly reduces restoration costs.
It’s part of SERVPRO’s restore vs. replace philosophy, and it can save homeowners (or businesses) a bundle.
Factors to Consider & Steps Involved
When floodwaters or sewage have entered the home—or when structural integrity has been compromised--industry standards require the removal of porous building materials. In most other cases, saving a wall is possible when a skilled restorer such as SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee uses the appropriate techniques.
A common impediment to effectively drying walls is a vapor barrier, which is a material that impedes the evaporation of moisture from walls or other materials. Removing the outer vapor barrier or perforating gloss paint expedites the drying process.
Another consideration is insulation. A wall may contain fiberglass, spray foam, or blown-in insulation. Blown-in fiberglass can compact and move down the wall cavity when it becomes wet. When this happens, the insulating properties of the materials cannot be restored. The insulation will need to be removed and replaced. Fiberglass insulation with paper backing can usually be successfully dried using air injection or similar methods. Sprayed-in insulation usually needs to be removed.
Drying can be accelerated by drilling small holes along the bottom of the wall and ventilating the wall cavity, greatly reducing drying time. When drying is complete, these holes are patched or, ideally, covered by baseboard. The process described above is faster and less expensive than removing and replacing walls.
SERVPRO’s IICRC-certified technicians employ a specific set of standards that incorporate the field of psychometry, which involves the manipulation of temperature and relative humidity, and special equipment to measure and remove moisture and to dry a property quickly and effectively.
How much does it cost to restore water damage?
Fixr.com is a web site that provides cost guides and comparisons for hundreds of remodeling, installation and repair projects. Following is an excerpt from their web regarding comparing costs drying vs. replacement when there is water damage (to a 700 sq. ft. area).
Not all water damage is equal; water from “clean” sources such as a pipe or rain is easier and less costly to clean up, while water from a backed up sewer pipe or a leak that’s only found after mold has grown is going to be more difficult and more costly to clean.
The average cost of simply drying out your property from a “clean” water leak (including water removal, drying, and decontamination) with no further damage done or restoration needed is around $2,700, while the average cost of drying out your home and repairing the damage done to areas like drywall and carpeting is around $7,500. Costs continue to go up from here depending on the source of the water, how much water, and how great the damage.
How SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee Alleviates Mold Issues
This mold growth was due to the toilet leak from six months prior. The water and mold could not be seen by the homeowners though.
Many of the situations SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee is called in to help on are issues with the water you can’t see leading to mold issues. In this project, the homeowners decided to put the home on the market. They received an offer and the buyer’s home inspector was contacted to inspect the property. Everything went great until he entered the crawlspace. Fiberglass insulation was lying on the ground and mold was discovered on the subflooring and floor joists. This mold growth was due to the toilet leak from six months prior. Mold remediation was performed in the crawlspace and new insulation installed. The home inspector revisited the crawlspace and signed off on the cleaning and repairs. The closing on the home went as scheduled.
The Mold Remediation Process
Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our “typical” process:
1. Emergency Contact - (904) 729-2401
The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask a series of questions to help us determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel.
2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
We carefully inspect your property for visible signs of mold. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view. We use various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources.
3. Mold Containment
Our professionals use various containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold. We may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. All fans and heating and cooling systems will be turned off to prevent the spread of mold.
4. Air Filtration
Our specialized filtration equipment allows our Professionals to capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. We utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. We’ll use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. It may be necessary to remove and dispose of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, to remediate heavy mold growth.
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings
We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, clothing, and other restorable items affected by mold. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and disinfect your belongings. We’re also trained to remove odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.
7. Restoration
Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may have been removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business. The restoration step gets your home or business back to normal.
Call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904-729-2401 if you suspect that you have mold issues.
Water Damage Impacts Multiple Floors of Fernandina Beach Hotel
Water events at hotels pose special challenges; minimizing inconvenience to guests is a priority.
A Fernandina Beach hotel was performing remodeling/ reconstruction work on the fifth floor when there was a pipe break. This led to flooding down to the floors underneath. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee arrived on the scene to assess and mitigate the damages. After careful assessment of the situation, we extracted water from each of the affected areas and meticulously dried them to prevent any subsequent mold damage. All restorable items were cleaned with sanitizing treatments.
The Water Restoration process is a 6-step procedure that SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee follows when a water event impacts your commercial property. Following are more details regarding the extraction and drying phases.
The Extraction & Drying Phases of the Water Restoration Process
Water Extraction
After the inspection and damage assessment step, the water extraction process begins. This step removes the majority of the water. We use powerful pumps and truck-mounted vacuum units to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons of water from your property.
Move-Out / Pack-Out
If your business requires extensive restoration or cleaning, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach / Yulee can conduct an organized, efficient move-out to protect contents from further damage.
Emergency Water Removal
Our highly trained technicians will begin the water removal process almost immediately. Depending on the amount of water, we may use powerful submersible pumps in addition to industrial strength, wet/dry vacuums. Removing most of the water helps reduce drying time and helps prevent secondary water damage and mold and bacterial growth.
Inspect the Carpet Pad and Carpet
We inspect the carpet and pad and determine if they should be removed to protect the subfloor.
Water Removal Equipment
Moisture detectors, hygrometers, and other meters measure the extent of moisture saturation.
Infrared cameras may be used to find “hidden” water behind walls and ceilings.
Submersible and gas-powered pumps are used for continuous pumping of high-level water.
Truck-mounted and portable extraction units perform efficient water removal.
Professional Drying
Once the excess water has been removed, the floors and walls may appear dry, but a quick inspection will reveal they are wet to the touch. Nearly all building materials, like wood, drywall, and flooring materials, are porous and therefore retain water. This retained water can cause the materials to break down, warp, or cause mold damage.
Drying / Dehumidification
Our technicians will use room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers to dry your home or business. We’ll carefully monitor the progress using moisture meters until the materials return to acceptable drying goals.
Monitor Floor and Walls
We check the moisture levels to monitor the drying process.
Monitor Floors
Monitor Walls
Drying Equipment
Industrial-grade dehumidifiers help prevent secondary water damage like swelling and warping of floors, walls, and furniture.
High-speed air movers create airflow across walls, carpets, pads, and furniture, which accelerates the evaporation of moisture.
If you experience water damage in your commercial property please call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904-729-2401. We’ll make it “like it never even happened.”
If your air vents look dirty, your ducts probably are too.
Are you ready to give your home a top-to-bottom buffing this spring? Why not include your HVAC system and ductwork? After all your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is the heart of your indoor comfort and air quality.
Indoor Air Quality
According to the national Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), the average six-room house collects 40 pounds of dirt, dust and allergens in its air ducts each year. That’s a big problem, considering that 40,000 dust mites can thrive in only one ounce of dust. Those little dust “bunnies” contain a host of unhealthy bacteria, fungi and mold. The EPA estimates indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Even worse, the contaminated air circulates throughout your house every time the heating or cooling system kicks on. Your heating and cooling system is the lungs of your home.
Through normal occupation in a home, we generate a great deal of contaminants and air pollutants, such as dander, dust, and chemicals. These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated 5 to 7 times per day, on average. Over time, this re-circulation causes a build-up of contaminants in the duct work.
Energy Savings
The U.S. Department of Energy says that 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. Contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder and shorten the life of your system. Although filters are used, the heating and cooling system still gets dirty through normal use. When an HVAC system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost-effectiveness.
Hurricane Irma caused roof damage and flooding in this Nassau County grocery store. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee was quickly there to help.
Flooding and water damage events at Fernandina Beach commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.
This was the case when SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee was called into a local grocery store after Hurricane Irma. The storm had caused damage to the roof leaving the store flooded in the back inventory area. We worked around the clock extracting standing water and carefully drying the impacted space.
Our professionals strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.
About SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Keeping Your Nassau/North Jax Plant Open Following Water Damage
SERVPRO has the skilled professionals who can work as a team to reduce downtime.
Industrial settings such as factories and assembly plants require consistent environmental conditions. Standing water, in any area, from any source, can immediately halt production and affect not only worker safety but also company profits, for months to come. SERVPRO has the skilled professionals who can work as a team to reduce downtime, working around your employees, if needed, to return your operations to full speed again.
Fernandina Beach and North Jacksonville area business owners will always have emergency commercial water removal services available for whenever situations with invasive, problematic water issues threaten to halt normal business operations. SERVPRO is known nationwide as a trusted name in emergency situations of any type or magnitude. Our water removal professionals that care about your employees' health, your business, and the general public can make it “Like it never even happened.” and quickly. We know time is money. Our goal is to help you stay open, operational, and in business.
Starting with the appropriate-sized extraction equipment for the situation, we quickly remove any visible water from the site. When this stage is complete, our experts will start the process of returning your factory to an adequately dry state again. Using commercial grade air movers will decrease the overall drying time by substantially increasing the rate of evaporation. For Large Loss emergencies, we can utilize large refrigerated dehumidifiers that can each draw up to 100 lbs of moisture from the air daily. Concrete floors, after returning to a dry enough state, can be treated under larger pieces of manufacturing equipment with anti-fungal sealants that are quick drying. This application protects these areas from future mold growth.
Depending on the type of water, and its source, we may not be able to save all of a business's inventory. Our efforts can largely prevent metal mesh floors and staircases from peeling and corroding, equipment cases from rusting, the wiring of components in tools and machinery from developing shorts, and other, common effects of water damage to industrial equipment and structures. Hand-cleaning of the details in your machinery, molds, and lines, including tubing, basins, and other affected areas will ensure that your finished goods are not affected in the future.
For any size water emergency involving any category of water, contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904-729-2401 to begin the restoration process and get back in business. We are available 24/7 to assist in any emergency situation your business or factory may experience.
Tips to Help Prevent Condensation & Resulting Mold
Fixing leaky plumbing helps to reduce humidity and prevent mold.
Condensation can be a sign of high humidity, which can lead to mold problems. The key to mold control is moisture control, and you can solve moisture problems before they become mold problems! How are some tips to reduce humidity:
Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or windows, when practical. Use fans as needed.
Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.
Increase air temperature.
Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible.
Watch for condensation and wet spots. Fix source(s) of moisture problem(s) as soon as possible.
Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air (humidity). To increase surface temperature, insulate or increase air circulation. To reduce the moisture level in air, repair leaks, increase ventilation (if outside air is cold and dry), or dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid).
Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed.
Vent moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside where possible.
Perform regular building/HVAC inspections and maintenance as scheduled.
Clean and dry wet or damp spots within 48 hours.
Don't let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope the ground away from the foundation.
For more information on mold cleanup and restoration please visit SERVPRO® Mold Cleanup & Restoration. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment call us today at 904-729-2401.
Tips to Help Prevent Water Damage In Nassau/North Jax Homes
Knowing where to locate shut-off valves can help to minimize water damages in the event of a plumbing or appliance failure.
Knowing common sources of water damage around your home can help you avoid big repair bills as well as time and trouble. Most floods and water damage are caused by plumbing and appliance failures. An example would be dishwashers, toilets, or washing machines that leak or overflow. The waste-filled, chemical-laden water, which may be either gray or black water can give rise to a toxic environment. In this case water removal is the number one priority. View the tips below for preventing water damage and knowing what to do if and when it occurs.
Toilets
After flushing, remain in the bathroom until the fill valve has finished refilling the bowl.
If the bowl or tank begins to overflow, turn off the water at the supply valve.
Inspect the flushing mechanism inside the toilet every six months.
The fill valve should shut off when the float reaches the proper water level.
Operate the shut-off valve to make sure the water supply will turn off properly. Replace if needed.
Washing Machines
Turn supply valves off when not in use for extended periods of time.
Do not operate the washing machine while the home is unoccupied.
Inspect the water supply lines every six months.
Check the hoses for cracks, kinks, blisters, or scaling, all of which are commonly found near the hose connection.
Replace washing machine hoses every 5 years or according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Consider using reinforced braided stainless steel hoses
Water Heaters
Have a professional inspection of the anode rod at least once every two years and annually once the warranty has expired. The rod may eventually corrode and leave the tank vulnerable to damage.
Remove sediment by flushing the tank every six months. Sediment can build up faster in areas with hard water.
Refrigerator Icemakers
A refrigerator containing a water filtration system and ice maker may develop hose leaks from the water supply line. If these leaks remain unnoticed for extended periods of time, they can give rise to mold proliferation and damage to the walls, floors, and the foundation. If the refrigerator is leaking water, it could have a clogged or frozen defrost drain.
Proper installation of the ice maker supply line hose is important to avoiding water damage.
Ensure a tight connection between the hose and valve however, avoid over-tightening.
If kinks are present, replace hose.
Leave a 3 to 4 inch gap between the back of the refrigerator and the wall to prevent the hose from crimping.
When pulling the refrigerator out for cleaning or service, avoid getting the hose caught beneath the wheels.
Locate the water shut-off valve and check for leaks.
Be sure water line fittings are secure.
Dishwashers
Run the dishwasher after you get home and before you go to bed so you are able to shutoff the appliance at the first sign of trouble.
When your unit floods, don’t panic. Instead, unplug the device or shut off the circuit breaker.
Remove any debris from the drain gate; the drain gate is found on the bottom of the dishwasher.
Inspect the drain and determine if it drains properly. If the water doesn’t drain, the hose that runs from the unit to the kitchen sink may need to be replaced or repaired.
If you have water damage problems or flooding, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904-729-2401. We’ll be there to help 24/7. For more information, visit:
Water Damage Restoration
Water Damage Tips
Water Damage Restoration Process
Storm Damage Restoration and Cleanup
SERVPRO Assists in Restoration of Historical St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Fernandina Beach
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee provides commercial cleaning services for unusual jobs.
The SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee crew had the opportunity to apply their skills in unusually historical and beautiful surroundings recently as we were called in to assist in the restoration of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in downtown Fernandina Beach.
Floors had been sanded down and refinished and repairs were made before the SERVPRO crew came in to clean the wood dust residue from walls and windows. Stained glass windows were meticulously vacuumed in the sanctuary, which boasts 26’ ceilings. An electric vertical personnel lift was used to access walls and stained glass windows in the sanctuary, which was constructed in 1881.
The church has a fascinating history. A nearby historical marker reads, "The church was organized as a mission in 1858 and was consecrated the following year by the Rt. Rev. Francis Huger Rutledge, first Bishop of Florida. During the War it was used by Federal forces occupying Fernandina and many of its interior possessions were lost. The building was restored to sacred use during the Reconstruction Period, but was destroyed by fire in 1892. The present neo-Gothic church was completed in 1893."
St. Peter's is located at the eastern edge of downtown Fernandina Beach, on Atlantic Avenue between 8th and 9th Streets. The Fernandina Beach Historic District where the church is located was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee provides specialty commercial cleaning services in addition to clean-up and restoration services for water, fire and mold damage. Call us at 904-729-2401 if you need these services at your home or business.
Do You Know Where Your Main Water Shut-off Valves Are?
As our mascot, Dewey, is showing here, the water shut-off valve inside this home is located in the garage.
No one expects pipes to burst, water heaters to break, or toilets and washers to overflow. If this happens, your quick response along with the highly trained specialists from SERVPROof Fernandina Beach/Yuleewill limit your damages and potentially save you thousands of dollars! Here are some tips for locating water shut-off valves on your property.
Some things in life are worth learning before it's too late—like the locations of your water shut-off valves. If a water pipe springs a leak, knowing where the shut-off valve is could save you thousands in water damage repairs. What's more, you can't make those major plumbing repairs or improvements unless you first turn off the water.
Home water systems contain two types of shut-off valves: main or master shutoff valves for stopping the flow of water to the entire house and individual or supply shut-off valves for specific appliances and fixtures.
Before Anything Else, Try to Cut Off Water Close to Source
If you have a leak at your toilet, sink, clothes washer, or ice maker, shut off water close to the source:
Toilet: Look under the toilet, against the wall. You will see flexible metal tubing. Turn the handle clockwise until the handle stops. Do not force.
Sink: Look under the sink cabinet. You will see two sets of flexible metal or plastic tubing. Turn clockwise.
Clothes Washer: Some houses have the valves clearly exposed above and behind the washer. Turn both valves clockwise. If you do not see these valves, slide the washer outward and you will likely see them.
Dishwashers: The water supply tube running to the dishwasher often has a fixture shutoff valve controlling it. In many cases, this is also located under the kitchen sink base cabinet, and it may be close proximity to the sink faucet shut-off valves.
Refrigerator ice makers/water dispensers: The small copper or mesh supply tube running to the refrigerator usually has a small saddle valve or other devices that can be shut off to close down the water supply.
Now for the main water shut-offs to the house…
Water Main: Locate Shut-Off Valve Within the House
This is the best way to shut off water in your house. It will cut off your home's entire water supply, allowing you to open up any pipe within the house.
Unlike the main water valve, it should be easy to access and not involve special tools or digging. (The only problem is that not everyone has one. In this case, turn off the pump at the electrical box.)
But where would you find yours? Put on your detective's hat for this one. Suggestions:
Inside/Outside Perimeter: In most cases, it will be near the perimeter of the house—like the outside wall in a utility area where the main water line enters the house, or on an outside wall near the water meter. This valve will always be located on the house side of the water meter and is usually a rather large valve.
Ground Level: Keep your focus on-grade. So, if you are in a basement, you will be looking at eye level or above. If on a ground level floor, you will be looking down.
Path of Least Resistance: Imagine a straight line extending from your outdoor water meter to the nearest point of your home's exterior perimeter. Water lines will take the shortest path to get to a house. Where that line meets your house is likely where the house's shut-off is located.
Check Inspection Report: If you still have your property inspection report from when you purchased the house, it should indicate the location of the shut-off valve. Inspection reports often follow a standardized format, so you may find this information located in Section 6.1.
Access Panels: Look for any kind of access panel. Water cut-off valves are not supposed to be sealed up behind drywall. However, your home's previous owner may have unwisely sealed the valve behind a wall. Most homeowners--and any legitimate contractor--will create an access panel around the valve.
Where It Is Not: It is likely not under a sink. The shut-off to the water heater may look promising, but that only affects the outflow of hot water from that point. Do not confuse the gas shut-off to the furnace or water heater with water lines.
Water Main: Locate Main Shut-Off Value Outside By Meter
If the previous two options fail, try to shut off the water main outside.
This will cut off all water in the house. This is the most rigorous option and will involve tools, and possibly even tools that you do not have on hand. It is dirty work and may involve digging.
Locate the round, square, or rectangular steel or iron lid. Lift the lid and set the lid to the side. If there is dirt or sand, remove gently with your hand or a garden trowel. Do not discard. If you live in a climate that freezes in the winter, this sand/dirt is required to prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting.
After clearing the box, you will see three things:
Water Meter: A glass-covered meter that may have a secondary cover to protect the glass. Ignore this as it has nothing to do with shutting off the water.
Water Company's Shut-Off Valve: This will be on the street side of the water meter. See attached image. This turn-off is designed so that only the water company can turn it off with a special tool. Do not turn this off. Even if you manage to get a Vise-Grip or Crescent wrench on this, you would find it exceedingly difficult to turn.
Your Shut-Off Valve: This will be on the house side of the water meter. It may have a knob for turning or it may have a nut. There is no standard size for this nut. For example, some are 3/8" and require a ratchet wrench with an extender for access. Turn this clock-wise.
If you need help locating your main water shut-off valves, you can schedule a service call for SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee to come out and assist you. Call us at 904-729-2401 if you are interested. It would be money well spent to protect your home investment.
Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729.2401 if you have a mold problem. Here is a job we recently did on Amelia Island.
Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our “typical” process. First you should know that we are a State of Florida Licensed Mold Remediator. Our license number is MRSR450. Now, here is a step-by-step explanation of the mold remediation process:
Emergency Contact – Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at (904) 729-2401
The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask a series of questions to help us determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel.
Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
We carefully inspect your property for visible signs of mold. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view. We use various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources.
Mold Containment
Our professionals use various containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold. We may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. All fans and heating and cooling systems will be turned off to prevent the spread of mold.
Air Filtration
Our specialized filtration equipment allows our Professionals to capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. We utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.
Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. We’ll use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. It may be necessary to remove and dispose of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, to remediate heavy mold growth.
Cleaning Contents and Belongings
We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, clothing, and other restorable items affected by mold. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and disinfect your belongings. We’re also trained to remove odors using fogging equipment. Learn more....
Restoration
Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may have been removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.
Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904.729-2401 if you have a mold issue. We have been serving Nassau County and North Jax, including Oceanway, River City, Dunn Avenue, and the Heckscher Drive areas for more than a decade. We have the experience, license, and equipment to restore your mold problem and care for your belongings.
Hurricane Irma Leaves Hidden Mold in Amelia Island Condo
Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904-729-2401 if you suspect mold in your home or business.
Mold problems are often invisible problems because mold commonly strikes where it cannot be seen. For example, this Amelia Island condominium had suffered water damage as a result of Hurricane Irma, but the unit was not appropriately dried due to a power outage and the leak that caused the damage was never repaired. Leaks in the windowsill and roof resulted in mold in the walls that was visible only once baseboards were removed. The remaining moisture, along with the warm temperatures and high humidity we experienced in our area during the fall, allowed mold spores to multiply and eventually grow through the entire structure and drywall.
The result was a festering problem, the extent of which was not visible to the naked eye.
The mold infested the framing and support structures. In several locations, the growth had spread down the walls.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee began clean-up by sealing off the affected areas with containment area of plastic sheeting to avoid further contamination. Once enclosed, our technicians started the demolition and removal of all infested drywall, insulation, window trim and baseboards.
Next, we cleaned and sprayed studs and every surface with an anti-microbial agent and removed loose spores by either wiping down every surface or vacuuming them up with a commercial grade vacuum and special HEPA filters designed to catch and trap spores.
Though replacement of demolished property was handled by the Homeowner’s Association (HOA), the homeowner was thrilled to know that we had gotten to the source of the problem and there would be no more lingering effects.
If you suspect there is a mold problem in your home or business, visit our web site or call (904) 729-2401 for more information.
Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax Residents: Ring in the New Year Safely!
We at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax wish you a safe and Happy New Year!
Fireworks are a popular way to celebrate and ring in the New Year, but injuries, fires and home insurance claims can put a damper on this longstanding holiday tradition.
Fireworks are beautiful and fun, but dangerous…
In 2008, fireworks caused about 22,500 fires and $42 million in property damage, and even if you have the right home insurance coverage, setting off fireworks on your property entails risks. In addition to putting your home and your neighbors' homes in danger, fireworks can cause serious injuries. In 2008, hospital emergency rooms treated about 7,000 fireworks-related injuries, according to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). About 40 percent of these injuries happened to children under the age of 18.
Protect yourself and your family…
If consumer fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to set them off on your own, be sure to follow these important safety tips:
Never allow children to handle or ignite fireworks, including sparklers
Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
Wear eye protection.
Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. Never throw or point fireworks at people or animals.
Only light fireworks outdoors on a smooth, flat surface away from homes, dry leaves and flammable materials.
Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.
Keep a bucket of water and a garden hose nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.
Make sure that your home is equipped with working smoke alarms on every level, and that everyone in the home knows the sound the alarm makes and what it signifies. Have a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and a designated outside meeting place. Practice the plan with all members of your household both at night and during the day.
We at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax wish you a safe and Happy New Year!
Looking Back at 2017 With Gratitude: Thank You from SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax
We at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The holiday season offers us a special opportunity to extend our personal thanks to our friends, our customers, our neighbors and all of those we come into contact with throughout the year. As the year ends, we think about all we are grateful for. Our relationship with you is something we very much appreciate.
As we look back on 2017, we have seen much change in our community and one challenge we’ve all had to live with is being struck by two majors hurricanes in the past two years. In the restoration business, we see first-hand how devastating these storms can be. They change the face of our community, and the lives and homes of all of the people affected.
We were called in to help many of you recover from the storm, and we did our best to do so with haste and compassion. Some of you are still recovering and we continue to do our best to help. Please call on us if you have lingering storm problems.
We welcome the opportunity to serve you. Though it may be under unpleasant conditions when we do so, we strive to help you get through these situations as painlessly as possible. We understand that we may be the last people you want to see, but we will be here when you need us. We’ve been through a lot together, and together we will weather all storms.
So it is now that we wish to you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope that peace, prosperity, and happiness be yours throughout the holidays and in years to come.
Gratefully,
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax
Nassau/North Jax Homeowners: Keep on Eye on Temps to Prevent Pipes From Freezing
All it takes is a few hours of freezing temperatures for your pipes to freeze.
Okay, so it’s probably not likely, but it never hurts to be prepared. With temperatures expected to drop to at or near freezing over the coming week, frozen pipes could be an issue in North Florida.
WINTER STORM WATCH: Tonight through Wednesday afternoon. Icing/freezing rain may lead to dangerous road conditions by early Wednesday.
Especially with everyone catching up from the holidays, winter weather can catch us off guard. All it takes is a few hours of freezing temperatures for your pipes to freeze.
Here are some helpful hints to help you avoid problems:
Keep one or two faucets dripping
Direct warm air to any colder areas of your home
Leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air in--especially if your kitchen sink is on an outside wall
Disconnect your hose from the outside faucet
Seal leaks that allow cold air into your home where pipes are located
Water damage caused by frozen pipes can be one of the most damaging problems a homeowner can face. Most homeowners insurance will cover damage resulting from a frozen pipe provided you can prove that you took measures to prevent the pipe from freezing.
From Christmas caroling, to costumes, music, and photos with Santa, Dickens on Centre is a perfect holiday outing!
Wondering what holiday festivities you can enjoy this weekend on Amelia Island? Do you know about the Dickens on Centre festival that starts with a parade on Thursday, December 7, and goes on all weekend in Downtown Fernandina Beach?
Here’s more information on the festival from the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council, along with a complete schedule of festivities.
Travel back in time December 8-10, 2017 during the third annual Dickens on Center festival in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida, on beautiful Amelia Island. Free to the public, this Victorian inspired holiday festival is as fun as the dickens for the entire family. Enjoy costumed characters, themed entertainment and performances, visits from Saint Nick, and a variety of vendors selling seasonal gifts and wares. Inspired by Charles Dickens’ novella “A Christmas Carol,” Dickens on Centre transform downtown Fernandina into a classic English village, sure to enliven your Christmas spirit. Think chestnuts roasting, carolers strolling, and readings of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. This Christmas, Come Make Memories.
Thursday, December 7 Lighted Christmas Parade America’s Youth lights up downtown Fernandina Beach with the annual Lighted Christmas Parade
Friday, December 8, 5-9pm 5-6pm, Stage - Yancy Clegg 5-6pm, Kid Zone - Children’s Story Telling 5 & 6pm, Welcome Center - Dickens After Dark Ghost Tours, $10 adult/$5 kid 6-6:30pm, Stage - Opening Ceremony w/ Phil Amato, St. Nick Welcome & Reading of The Night Before Christmas 6-8pm, Centre Street - Caricature Artist & Old Fashioned Photos 6:45-7:15pm, Stage - Yulee High School Band 7-8pm, Kid Zone - Children’s Story Telling 7:45-9pm, Stage - King Guys Band
Saturday, December 9, 10am-9pm 8am, Main Beach - Run Like The Dickens, 1 mile sprint, all ages 10-11am, Stage - Amelia Island String Ensemble 10am-2pm, Welcome Center - Historic Walking Tours, free 11-11:30am, Welcome Center - Fernandina Beach High School Band 11am, Welcome Center - Parade of Paws 11:30am-12pm, Stage - Fernandina Beach High School Chorus 12-12:30pm, Stage - Fernandina Beach High School Saxophone Quartet 12-4pm, Centre Street - Caricature Artist 12-7pm, Welcome Center - Holiday Gift Wrapping 1-2pm, Stage - Chris Thomas Band 2-4pm, Kid Zone - Children’s Story Telling 2:30-4pm, Stage - Amy and Dillon Basse 3-5pm, Centre Street - Old Fashioned Photos 3-7pm, Centre Street - Holiday Carolers 4:30-5:45pm, Stage - Crescendo Amelia 5 & 6pm, Welcome Center - Dickens After Dark Ghost Tours, $10 adult/$5 kid 5-8:30pm, Art Galleries - Second Saturday Artrageous Artwalk 6-6:15pm, Stage - Royal Amelia Dance Academy 6-6:30pm, Stage - St. Nick Welcome with Phil Amato & Reading of The Night Before Christmas 7:30pm-9pm, Stage - One Man Performance of A Christmas Carol by Jason Woods
Sunday, December 10, 10am-7pm 10-11:30am, Stage - James and Sylvia Kalal 10am-2pm, Welcome Center - Historic Walking Tours, free 10am-6pm, Welcome Center - Holiday Gift Wrapping 12-12:30pm, Stage - Holiday Bells by Pam Bell 12-4pm, Centre Street - Caricature Artist 12-4pm, Centre Street - Holiday Carolers 1-2pm, Stage - Dueling Pianos w/ Michael Murphy 1-3pm, Kid Zone - Children’s Story Telling 2:30-3:30pm, Stage - Nassau Community Band 3:30pm-3:45pm, Stage - Reading of The Night Before Christmas 4-5pm, Stage - Gabriel Arnold 5:30-7pm, Stage - ReVoiced
Kid Zone - All weekend Letter Writing to St. Nick Ornament Toss and Holiday Corn Hole Giant Chess, Checkers and Jenga Ring Toss and Tic-Tac-Toe Holiday Craft Rocking Horses
Call Outs Photos with St. Nick with Boston Photograph Friday, 7-9pm Saturday & Sunday, 11am-1p & 3pm-6pm
We at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee wish you a safe and Merry Christmas!
The National Candle Association and the National Association of State Fire Marshals are urging consumers to take special care when using candles this holiday season, and to follow these important fire-safety rules:
Always keep a burning candle within your sight. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Keep burning candles away from combustible items. Be especially careful not to place candles near flammable decorations or Christmas greenery.
Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be sturdy, heat resistant and big enough to collect dripping wax.
Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
Trim candlewicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting or re-lighting. Keep the wax-pool free of wick trimmings, dust, matches and debris at all times.
Don’t leave Christmas lights running when you go to bed at night or when you leave the house.
Fernandina Beach/North Jax houses all lit up with Christmas lights are beautiful sights to behold. But whether stringing lights across your roof and around your home or using them indoors, take a few moments to run through a quick safety checklist.
Before you string up a single strand of lights, carefully check them for cracked cords frayed ends or loose connections.
The combination of shorts in electrical lights and a tinder-dry tree can be deadly. There are 250 Christmas tree fires and 14 related deaths each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. So keep your tree well-watered. Not only will it stay fresh and green, but it might also keep your house from burning down.
Modern lights have fused plugs, preventing sparks in case of a short circuit. Ditch old strands of lights that don’t have fuses and get a set of newer, safer lights.
Don't connect more than three strands of mini-string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
If bulbs have burned out, replace them right away, but make sure you use the correct wattage bulbs.
Water and debris can get into outdoor sockets, so make sure outdoor lights are plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet to reduce the risk of shorts and shocks. Hire a licensed electrician if you need to install GFCI outlets.
Keep an eye on extension cords, as they can occasionally overheat. Just touch-test the cord. If it’s hot, unplug it.
Don’t use tacks, nails or screws to hang lights, which can pierce the cable and become electrified. Use insulated hooks instead.
When running extension cords along the ground, make sure to elevate plugs and connectors with a brick to keep snow, water and debris out of the connections.
Tape down any ground-level extensions cords to prevent people from tripping over them.
Check to make sure lights have been rated by a testing laboratory. You can see a list of federally recognized labs on the OSHA website.
Not all lights are rated for outdoor use. Indoor lights often have thinner insulation, which can become cracked and damaged when exposed to the elements outdoors. So make sure the ones you string up on the house belong out there.
Don’t leave Christmas lights running when you go to bed at night or when you leave the house.
When you put your lights back into storage after the holidays, make sure to place them in a well-sealed container to prevent possible water damage and to block hungry rodents looking to turn the cords into lunch.
These tips will help you stay safe and prevent fires. Of course, if you do have a fire, call 9-1-1. Follow these fire safety tips and call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee at 904-729-2401 if you need help with professional clean-up.
Natural Christmas trees can pose fire hazards. Make sure your tree has plenty of water by checking it regularly.
As you get ready for the holidays, here are some tips to keep in mind, from Safe Kids Worldwide.
Decorate Your Tree With Your Kids in Mind
Kids are curious and will want to play with the ornaments on the tree, so you might as well prepare. Move the ornaments that are breakable or have metal hooks towards the top of the tree. That makes room at the bottom for the ones that are safer for young kids.
Water the Tree Regularly
Natural trees look beautiful and smell great, but if they’re not watered regularly, needles can dry out and pose a potential fire hazard. Make sure your tree has plenty of water by checking it regularly.
Check the Lights
Lights are one of the best parts of holiday decorating. Take a look at the ones on your tree and in and around your home for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets.
Blow Out Candles and Store Matches Out of Reach
Keep holiday candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, and don’t forget to blow them out when you leave the room or before you go to sleep.
Make a habit of placing matches and lighters in a safe place, out of children's reach. Avoid novelty lighters or lighters that look like toys.
Keep Harmful Plants Out of Reach
Plants can spruce up your holiday decorating, but keep those that may be poisonous out of reach of children or pets. This includes mistletoe berries, holly berry, and Jerusalem cherry.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and it's a wonderful time to enjoy the company of others. Most of us will be sitting around dining room tables and feasting with family and loved ones. Some of us will spend time in the emergency room after a grease fire or some other cooking accident. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more cooking fires occur in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day than on any other day of the year
Here are some stats and some tips.
Cooking fires by the numbers
Based on 2010-2014 annual averages:
Cooking equipment was the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries, causing 46% of home fires that resulted in 19% of the home fire deaths and 44% of the injuries.**
Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires started with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1% of these fires, but clothing ignitions led to 18% of the home cooking equipment fire deaths.
Ranges or cooktops accounted for the majority (62%) of home cooking fire incidents.
Unattended equipment was a factor in one-third (33%) of reported home cooking fires and half (49%) of the associated deaths..
Frying dominates the cooking fire problem. (See how to put out grease fires and things you should know about frying turkeys below.)
Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.
Steps to put out a grease fire:
Turn off source of heat (burner / element).
Do NOT pour water on it.
Attempt to remove all oxygen from the flame. You can cover with another pot, or baking pan.
If you can't cover it, dump baking soda (lots of it) on it.
If you suffer a fire damage event, please call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville at 904-729-2401—even over the holiday. Refer to our Fire Damage Tips—Until Help Arrives Guide and follow these tips to protect yourself and your property.
Putting too much oil in the fryer or dropping in a frozen or partially thawed turkey lead to most turkey fryer fires.
Thanksgiving brings up warm memories of gathering with family and the delicious aroma of cooking turkeys and other goodies. In North Florida, a lot of us like to deep-fry our holiday birds—frying is fast and keeps the moisture in. As good as fried turkeys are, we need to keep our wits about us when using this preparation method.
Many of the more serious cooking fire incidents occur due to the increasing popularity of fryers used for deep-frying turkeys. According to last year's report, fire departments across the country respond to 1,000 fires a year in which a deep fryer is involved. The NFPA says that deep fryers cause an average of five deaths, 60 injuries and more that $15 million in property damage each year.
Two primary oversights that lead to danger: too much oil in the fryer and dropping in a frozen or partially thawed turkey.
It is important to keep the fryer a far enough distance from any structures to prevent them from catching fire. If a turkey fryer does catch fire, the most important thing to remember is NOT to use water to put out the fire. Like with any other grease fire, water will just cause the oil to splash and spread the fire further. Fire extinguishers (preferably Class K) are the most reliable means of containing the flames. Even if you have one on hand, still call 911 immediately and have the professionals take care of it.
In the meantime, make sure that everyone has been moved a safe distance from the fryer while you wait for the fire department
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax applauds The Nassau County Council of Aging for their outstanding work for the seniors in our community.
We at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax would like to express our appreciation to the Nassau County Council on Aging (NCCOA) for the outstanding work that they do to better the lives of older adults in our community. We would also like to thank this organization for calling on SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax for help when storms like Hurricane Irma damage their facilities and threaten their ability to perform their much-needed services. We were honored to help them out.
So the purpose of this blog is to thank this outstanding organization and spread the word about the good work they do in our community. Here is some background information on the Council.
About the Nassau County Council on Aging
Mission
To enhance the lives of older adults through services and compassionate care designed to improve the health, independence and economic security of Nassau County seniors and their families.
Purpose
To provide targeted services of comprehensive, compassionate care that not only foster independence, but also help our clients remain active, valued members of their community.
Founded in 1974 by local citizens, the Nassau County Council on Aging is a non-profit organization whose goal is to maintain and enrich the lives of older citizens throughout Nassau County. NCCOA’s programs enable those age 60 and older to live independently at home while also providing opportunities for companionship, and activities geared toward the needs of seniors. NCCOA is a resource for education, information, referral, counseling and general assistance.
Senior Life Centers in Fernandina Beach and Hilliard offer those 60 and older assistance, information and support, as well as a variety of fun and engaging activities, plus opportunities to socialize.
NCCOA delivers critical services to Nassau County seniors in five major categories: Meals on Wheels, Home Health Services, NassauTRANSIT, Adult Day HealthCare and the two Senior Life Centers we operate: the East Nassau Center in Fernandina Beach and the West Nassau Center in Hilliard.
Service offerings include:
Educational programs and classes about health, nutrition, home safety, low vision support and much more.
Presentations and seminars on topics of interest to senior citizens – Social Security and Medicare, senior fraud and advanced directives – just to name a few.
Structured exercise with trainers from the YMCA; musical presentations by the M&M Singers, Song Spinners, and other musicians; arts and crafts with local artists; card games; Bingo three times a week, and computer classes.
Medical screenings as well as health and wellness programs on diabetes, blood pressure and dental health.
A chance to socialize and share companionship each day at the Senior Life Center and during picnics, planned outings, holiday parties and field trips.
A hot noon-time meal and snacks.
A Geriatric Care Manager available to provide support to ALL Nassau County senior citizens, regardless of income, as they navigate the maze of healthcare, insurance and social services
NCCOA’s Circle of Friends program offers many flexible opportunities for volunteering, from donations, to visits or weekly phone calls made to homebound seniors, to minor home repairs or yard clean-up, to delivery of meals, and assistance with use of emergency call pendants. To volunteer, call 904.261.0701.
Again, we at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax applaud the efforts of the Nassau County Council of Aging facilities and encourage local residents to visit their facilities and lend a helping hand with their good work. At this Thanksgiving season, they are a group we can all be thankful for.
What You Can Do to Improve the Indoor Air in Your Office:
Do not block air vents or grilles.
Comply with the office and building smoking policy.
Water and maintain office plants properly.
Dispose of garbage promptly and properly.
Store food properly.
Avoid bringing products into the building that could release harmful or bothersome odors or contaminants.
Notify your building or facility manager immediately if you suspect an indoor air quality problem.
If You Manage an Office:
Maintain a good working relationship with building management on indoor environmental issues.
Place office furniture and equipment with air circulation, temperature control, and pollutant removal functions of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system in mind.
Coordinate with building management in instances when responsibility for design, operation and maintenance of the ventilation system is shared.
Establish an effective smoking policy that protects nonsmokers from involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke.
Avoid procedures and products that can cause indoor air quality problems.
Integrate indoor air quality concerns into your purchasing decisions.
Work with the building manager to ensure use of only necessary and appropriate pest control practices, and nonchemical methods where possible.
Work with building management and the contractor before you remodel or renovate to identify ways of keeping building occupant exposure to pollutants to a minimum and to ensure that the air distribution system is not disrupted.
Encourage building management to develop a preventive indoor air quality management program following guidance issued by EPA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
The EPA states that, “Diligent maintenance of HVAC equipment is essential for the adequate delivery and quality of building air. All well-run buildings have preventive maintenance programs that help ensure the proper functioning of HVAC systems.”
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax wants to help keep your little trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween.
Halloween is a fun, and spooky time of year for kids. Make trick-or-treating safe for your little monsters with a few easy safety tips.
Use flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights when decorating walkways and yards. They are much safer for trick-or- treaters, whose costumes may brush against the lighting.
If your children are going to Halloween parties at others’ homes, have them look for ways out of the home and plan how they would get out in an emergency.
When choosing a costume, stay away from billowing or long trailing fabric. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so they can see out.
Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.
Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs, and heaters.
It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns, use long, fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter. Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.
Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
Tell children to stay away from open flames.
Be sure your kids know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. (Have them practice, stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with hands, and rolling over and over to put the flames out.)
Did you know?
Decorations are the first thing to ignite in 900 reported home fires each year. Two of every five of these fires were started by a candle.
Dewey our mascot Duck says, "Have fun and be safe on Halloween!"
Decorating for Halloween can bring out creativity in everyone, but many elements of Halloween decorating can pose hazards to unsuspecting visitors. Now is the time to make your home safe for trick-or-treaters. We have gathered some information for you:
Consider candy choices: No doubt buying Halloween candy is fun, but keep in mind that not all candy is appropriate for every child. Avoid candy that poses a choking hazard for toddlers, and keep in mind that a number of children have peanut allergies. Even if the candy doesn’t contain peanuts, it could be made in a facility that handles peanuts. Check the candy bag’s label for a peanut allergy warning. Also, consider toys and other options for children with other allergies.
Say “No” to knives: Don’t let your children handle sharp carving knives and keep an eye on them while you’re carving. If possible, purchase specific tools that are geared just for pumpkin carving (for your safety, too!). If the kids really want to participate in the carving, you can let them make the pattern or poke the pumpkin flesh in after you’ve done the carving.
Reconsider the candles: A glowing jack-o’-lantern makes your home warm and welcoming to candy seekers, but using a candle to illuminate a pumpkin can be dangerous. Costumes, paper decorations and ornamental straw can easily catch on fire. Instead of a traditional candle, use one powered by batteries or buy a bunch of glow sticks readily available at any party supply or discount store and place them inside your jack-o’-lanterns. They cast an eerie green glow and are safe all around.
Pay attention: Never leave a candle anywhere unattended, and never leave burning candles where anyone can reach them or accidentally knock them over.
Blazing fires aren’t allowed: Keep a fire extinguisher handy. You never know when a gourd will go up in smoke.
Secure the perimeters: Make sure that all props hanging, dangling, draped, staked, or set are steadily secured. Where there will be foot traffic, tape down loose wires with duct tape. You don’t want people to trip. And check these places often during the course of the evening for any loose edges that need fixing.
Follow the package directions: If a package of lights says that they’re only for indoor use, don’t string them outside. Read the fog machine directions. Take every precaution when it comes to decorating with materials you’re not familiar with.
Secure your railings: Young children, and the adults who often accompany them, will need the security and support of railings while climbing steps to get to your front door. If you’ve been putting off fixing that rickety railing, it’s time to get out the toolbox and make it secure.
Make room in the garage: If you’re headed out on Halloween, clean out the garage and store your car securely in it. From teen antics to serious vehicle vandalism and theft, your car is best kept in the garage on Halloween.
Clear walkways: Trick-or-treaters are too busy counting candy to pay close attention to where they’re walking, so it’s critical to survey your yard for potential trip and slip hazards. Be sure your yard is free of tripping hazards like hoses and sprinklers, clear walkways of loose gravel, and be sure to clean moss off steps. If your home has an irrigation system, turn the system off well in advance of the big night so your lawn and walkways have a chance to dry.
Use lots of lights: A dimly lit entryway helps set the spooky mood of Halloween, but it’s also increases the chance of an accident. Make sure the exterior lights of your home are working, and consider turning on flood lights to illuminate the darkest areas of your yard. Even if you’re not going to be home, leave on lights for safety reasons and to dissuade unsavory characters from vandalizing your home. And, if you won’t be there, make sure you set your security system, just to be safe.
Contain your pets: Barking dogs not only scare trick-or-treaters of every age away, they also present a danger. A dog that breaks away from your home might not bite, but he could knock down a toddler or scare a teen right into the street, causing even more danger. Keep all pets securely confined inside your home until the hustle and bustle of the night has passed.
We at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax wish all of you a very Happy Halloween!
Don’t Let Your Washing Machine Flood Your Nassau County/North Jax Home
Helping our customers is our biggest goal, and so we want to share with you tips to help you avoid these expensive and time consuming flood losses.
First, know how to shut off your water if the washer is flooding:
Clothes Washer: Some houses have the valves clearly exposed above and behind the washer. Turn both valves clockwise. If you do not see these valves, slide the washer outward and you will likely see them.
Here are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your washing machine is not going to cause problems:
Check the washing machine supply lines that are located behind the appliance every six months as part of your routine. Replace water lines when cracking or dripping occurs, or when a scale is forming around the connection to the water valve. The small investment of replacing water line can save you thousands of dollars and prevent major damage.
Make sure the drain for your washing machine is draining efficiently. Clogged drains and supply line breaks are the leading causes for washing machine floods.
Do not overload your washer! Though doing one large load of laundry is more convenient than doing multiple loads, overloading your washer causes the machine to vibrate and move which can knock loose connections and cause water to overflow.
Know where your main water shutoff valve is located! In the event your washing machine does overflow, shutting off the main water supply could save you a lot of time and money.
Do not run your washing machine if you are not awake, or not at home. If your washing machine floods, you want to be there to minimize the damage.
Insurance industry data shows the cost of washing machine floods/failures averages $5000 in an occupied home and $12,000 in an unoccupied home. Use these simple steps to help protect your investment from water damage loss. Call us if you need help at 904-729-2401.
Protecting Fernandina Beach/Yulee Kids from Fire-Related Injuries
Dewey our mascot Duck says, "Kids, don't play with fire."
Children playing with fire cause hundreds of deaths and injuries each year. Preschoolers and kindergartners are most likely to start these fires, typically by playing with matches and lighters, and are most likely to die in them. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville picked up the following tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Parent’s Fire Safety Tips
Children experience fire interest. They may ask questions such as how hot is fire or show an interest in fire through playing with fire trucks or cooking on a play stove. This is healthy, and it is time to begin educating about fire.
Fire starting happens when children begin to experiment with fire using matches and lighters. Many fires happen when young children are left alone, even for a short period of time, and have access to matches and lighters. Parents must have clear rules and consequences about fire misuse.
Grown-ups can help keep fire out of the hands of children.
Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet or container.
Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or any place where children may go without supervision.
Teach young children and school-age children to tell a grown-up if they see matches or lighters. Children need to understand that fire is difficult to control, it is fast and can hurt as soon as it touches you.
A child with an interest in fire can lead to fire starting and result in repeated firesetting behavior.
It is important for grown-ups to discourage unsupervised fire starts.
Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you.
Never assign a young child any tasks that involve the use of a lighter or matches (lighting candles, bringing a lighter to an adult to light a cigarette or the fireplace, etc.)
If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.
Use only lighters designed with child-resistant features. Remember, child-resistant does not mean child-proof.
We hope it never happens, but if you have a fire in your home and need fire damage restoration, please call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach /Yulee /North Jacksonville at 904.729.2401
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax Shares Tips on Using Fire Extinguishers
Our mascot Dewey shares tips on fire extinguishers. Fortunately, Dewey is an expert on Fires and all things Water.
Since it’s fire prevention week, we wanted to share a few helpful tips on using fire extinguishers. Using a fire extinguisher isn’t rocket science, but there are a few basics you should know. According to FEMA, the majority of Americans don’t know how to use an extinguisher, even if they have one in their home. This is an alarming knowledge gap. Fires double in size every 60 seconds, so you don’t want to be fumbling around in an emergency situation, reading over the instruction manual as a small flame on the stove grows into an inferno.
Most fire extinguishers for homes and public spaces are classified as Class ABC extinguishers, meaning they’re suitable for putting out wood and paper fires, flammable liquid fires, and electrical fires—not grease fires. (See below for grease fires).
Using a Fire Extinguisher: Remember PASS, which stands for:
P—Pull the pin. Hold the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
A—Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire. Hitting the tops of the flames will not be effective.
S—Squeeze the trigger slowly and evenly to release the agent.
S—Sweep the nozzle from side to side. Most extinguishers will give you about 10-20 seconds of discharge time.
You can buy an ABC extinguisher for about $30 -$60 on Amazon or at your nearest hardware store. Get the biggest one you can comfortably handle to maximize its discharge pressure, time, and range.
Steps to put out a grease fire:
Turn off source of heat (burner / element).
Do NOT pour water on it.
Attempt to remove all oxygen from the flame. You can cover with another pot, or baking pan.
If you can't cover it, dump baking soda (lots of it) on it.
If you suffer a fire damage event, please call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville at 904-729-2401. Refer to our Fire Damage Tips—Until Help Arrives Guide and follow these tips to protect yourself and your property.
Nassau County & North Jax: October 8-14 Is Fire Prevention Week
Message from SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax. In a fire, every second counts. Plan 2 ways to exit each room.
The following is from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)…
In a fire, seconds count. Seconds can mean the difference between residents of our community escaping safely from a fire or having their lives end in tragedy.
That’s why this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme: “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” is so important. It reinforces why everyone needs to have an escape plan. Here’s this year’s key campaign messages:
Draw a map of your home with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit.
Practice your home fire drill twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out.
Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.
Close doors behind you as you leave – this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.
Here is a helpful quiz to test your fire prevention knowledge.
Here is information about SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville’s fire damage services. Call us at 904-729-2401 if you have fire damage.
Tropical system may impact Florida coast in next 10 days
The low pressure evolving over the Western Caribbean & Central America has been upgraded to tropical depression #16 and will likely become Nate.
With Hurricane Irma barely behind us, meteorologists advise that tropical weather may not be over for Floridians this hurricane season, which does not end until late November. Here’s what Accuweather said earlier this week.
The tropical Atlantic Basin has turned quiet for now, but new tropical threats may pose hazards across the western Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico or near Florida well into October.
Following Lee and Maria’s departure, the Atlantic Basin is now void of any named tropical systems, something that hasn’t happened since Aug. 23.
With nearly two months left in the hurricane season, there is still plenty of time for new tropical systems to form and it could happen as soon as late week.
“Multiple factors will be in place that may favor several tropical systems to come about into the middle of October,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.
A large, slowly-spinning area of showers and thunderstorms hovering near Central America and the western Caribbean will be worth watching over the next couple of weeks. This feature, known as the Central American Gyre, may spin up tropical systems if the right conditions are present.
Residents and those with interests in Central America, Cuba, the Bahamas, Mexico and the southeastern United States will want to keep a watchful eye on this over the next couple of weeks.
“Waters over much of the region are very warm and likely to stay warm for many weeks,” Sosnowski said.
"A tropical depression or storm could develop with little notice in the western Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico or in waters along the Southern Atlantic coast of the United States."
Should a tropical system form in this region, the warm water would provide the necessary fuel for the system to maintain itself and even flourish.
However, much of this will depend on wind shear, or the changing of speed and direction of winds at different layers of the atmosphere. While wind shear will be disruptive at times through the month of October over this area, there will also be times where it relaxes enough for a tropical system to form.
Latest Update from WOKV Jacksonville: The low pressure evolving over the Western Caribbean & Central America has been upgraded to tropical depression #16 and will likely become Nate.
What you DON’T want to do is disturb mold and inadvertently spread it.
Here’s advice from SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax for North Floridians whose homes and property were hit by Hurricane Irma: Protect your family’s health and your own by treating or discarding mold- and mildew-infected items. The best defense is to clean, dry or, as a last resort, discard moldy items.
Many materials are prone to developing mold if they are damp or wet for too long.
All flood-dampened surfaces should be cleaned, disinfected and dried as soon as possible. Follow these tips to ensure a safe and effective cleanup:
If you see a mold problem, call SERVPRO to identify the extent of damage.
Don’t touch or disturb the mold--and stay out of the area. Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth. Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
Sometimes moisture in ceilings or wall cavities cannot be seen. This provides perfect conditions for mold growth. SERVPRO can identify this moisture and remove it.
Your nose knows. Musty and moldy odors may be an indicator of growing molds. Your sense of smell may alert you to problems you cannot see.
Check out all odors. It’s possible for mold to hide in the walls or behind wall coverings. Let SERVPRO find all mold sources and clean them properly.
Cleaned areas can take several days to dry thoroughly. SERVPRO will use high-speed fans and dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process.
SERVPRO will remove and discard all materials that can’t be cleaned, such as wallboard, fiberglass and cellulose areas. Then we will clean the wall studs where wallboard has been removed, and allow the area to dry thoroughly.
High speed air movers and dehumidifiers are crucial to the water damage restoration process to prevent mold problems down the road.
After the water removal step, your floors and walls may look dry at first glance, but they are still wet to the touch. Most building materials, like drywall and wood, are porous and will retain significant water. The retained water will cause these materials to warp, swell, or break down and can also cause mold damage.
Drying / Dehumidification
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax will manipulate temperature and relative humidity to remove the remaining moisture. They use specialized equipment, including industrial air movers and dehumidifiers, to remove water retained by building materials and other hard-to-access moisture. They’ll carefully monitor the progress using moisture meters until the materials return to acceptable drying standards.
Use Dehumidification Equipment
Use Monitoring Equipment to Track Progress
Monitor Floor and Walls
They check the moisture levels to monitor the drying process.
Monitor Floors
Monitor Walls
Drying Equipment
Industrial-grade dehumidifiers help prevent secondary water damage like swelling and warping of floors, walls, and furniture.
High-speed air movers create airflow across walls, carpets, pads, and furniture, which accelerates the evaporation of moisture.
BE INFORMED: Some companies will extract the water and tell you the problem is solved…but unless drying is part of the restoration process, you’ll likely have mold problems down the road, especially with our area’s high humidity. See our 6-step water damage restoration process.
Call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax at 904.729.2401 to schedule a mold inspection if you suspect your property wasn’t properly dried after Hurricane Irma. Remember: It’s the water you can’t see that causes the problems.
Hurricane Irma Upgraded to Category 5; Florida Prepares
Now is the time for North Floridians to prepare for Hurricane IRMA.
Hurricane Irma was upgraded to a dangerous Category 5 storm early Tuesday as it churned through the Atlantic Ocean. Tuesday’s 7:45 a.m. advisory revealed that Irma’s sustained wind strength had increased to 175 mph.
On Monday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Irma making landfall. Wednesday the storm is expected to be near Puerto Rico and by Friday it will be near Cuba.
In the Jacksonville area, there will be an increasing threat of dangerous rip currents for several days.
Many hazards include: Elevated surf, coastal flooding, and beach erosion toward the end of the week. There is also a threat of very heavy rainfall through Northeast Florida this weekend.(7-day forecast)
The storm is then expected to make a quick turn to the north early Sunday morning, but it is still unknown at this time what that track will look like.
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax urges you to follow these tips to prepare for Hurricane Irma.
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax wants everyone to be prepared for Hurricane Irma; Our partner, the American Red Cross, offers these tips to help you get ready.
Talk with your family about what to do if the hurricane strikes. Discussing hurricanes ahead of time helps reduce fear, particularly for younger children.
Make sure you have access to NOAA radio broadcasts. Find an online NOAA radio station. Search for a NOAA radio app in your app store. Purchase a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA radio in the Red Cross Store.
Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box. You may need quick, easy access to these documents. Keep them in a safe place less likely to be damaged if a hurricane causes flooding.
Take pictures on a phone and keep copies of important documents and files on a flash drive that you can carry with you on your house or car keys.
Protect windows with permanent storm shutters or invest in one-half inch marine plywood that is pre-cut to fit your doors and windows.
Identify a place to store lawn furniture, toys, gardening tools and trash cans (away from stairs and exits) to prevent them from being moved by high winds and possibly hurting someone.
Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts to prevent flooding and unnecessary pressure on the awnings.
Water mitigation is all about reducing or preventing the amount of damage that happens after a flood or leak.
Water mitigation is the process of reducing or preventing the amount of water damage that happens after a flood or a permeating leak. It prevents additional damage by taking fast, appropriate actions.
Water mitigation is needed after plumbing failures or when storms cause water to rush into your home. Soaked rugs, damaged walls, warped flooring and ruined furniture are only the beginning if mitigation is not engaged quickly.
Specific steps are taken to reduce property destruction, to prevent further water damage and to restore your property to its full value.
When to Call For Water Mitigation
Seeping water damage is progressive, pervasive and can mean valuable objects may become permanently damaged – especially if emergency response is delayed beyond the first 48 hours.
Water damage is usually caused by a plumbing failure. When moisture seeps into anything of value there are immediate steps that can be taken to reduce the amount of long-term damage that results.
As we have seen in Houston, flooding can happen fast in many environments. September is National Preparedness Month. The American Red Cross recommends having the following list of items packed and ready to go in the event of an evacuation due to flooding.
Water--3+ day supply; one gallon per person per day
Food—3+ day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
Flashlight
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio if possible)
Extra batteries
First Aid Kit
Medications (7 day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contacts, cane)
Multi-purpose tool
Sanitation/personal hygiene items
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Pete Reilly, co-owner of SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville, with members of his staff. Pete is the one in the back with the big grin!
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville owners Pete and Paula Reilly recently received recognition for outstanding performance during their 10-year tenure as franchise operator and employer in the disaster remediation and cleaning industry here in Nassau county.
The two were recognized by both SERVPRO Industries and by Florida Senator, Aaron Bean, for winning the President’s Gold award at SERVPRO’s recent annual convention.
In his letter, Senator Bean praised both employers and staff, and pointed out the valuable role SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville plays in the community.
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville has operated in this area since 2007, and has helped scores of families and businesses recover from storms such as Hurricane Matthew as well as other water, mold, and fire emergencies. The firm also plays an important role in assisting local property managers maintain local vacation and rental properties.
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville serves Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, and Yulee, as well as River City, Oceanway, and Lem Turner/Dunn Avenue and Heckscher Drive areas.
You can reach SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax at 904.729.2401 if you have water, fire or mold problems.
From tropical storm to hurricane. These storms can bring forth a tremendous amount of damage in their wake. Pictured is a view of Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes are giant, spiraling tropical storms that can pack wind speeds of over 160 miles (257 kilometers) an hour and unleash more than 2.4 trillion gallons (9 trillion liters) of rain a day. These same tropical storms are known as cyclones in the northern Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, and as typhoons in the western Pacific Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean’s hurricane season peaks from mid-August to late October and averages five to six hurricanes per year.
A Damaging Storm
These storms bring destruction ashore in many different ways. When a hurricane makes landfall, it often produces a devastating storm surge that can reach 20 feet (6 meters) high and extend nearly 100 miles (161 kilometers). Ninety percent of all hurricane deaths result from storm surges.
A hurricane’s high winds are also destructive and may spawn tornadoes. Torrential rains cause further damage by spawning floods and landslides, which may occur many miles inland.
The best defense against a hurricane is an accurate forecast that gives people time to get out of its way. The National Hurricane Center issues hurricane watches for storms that may endanger communities, and hurricane warnings for storms that will make landfall within 24 hours.
Choosing a Water Damage Restoration Company in Nassau County or North Jax
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax is IICRC-certified. You can count on us to handle water damage issues fast and well!
The following tips are from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) web site.
When a storm leaves a home flooded, or a burst pipe causes serious issues in a home, getting water damage restoration services from a respected company should be considered a top priority. Unfortunately, this industry is not regulated, and there are people out there who pose as professionals or overstate their qualifications. Therefore, homeowners should be mindful of who they hire, as an untrained technician may do more harm than good or delay repairs, resulting in a higher degree of destruction. Before selecting a company to handle the job, keep in mind these points:
Only choose certified professionals to perform water damage restoration services. Even though the industry is not regulated, technicians who have received certification have made the effort to get the best training possible, proving that they take their job seriously. Certification through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a sign that a professional has received the most up to date training and is knowledgeable in the latest techniques and technologies employed during repairs. The IICRC operates a Certified Firm registrant-only database on its site, making it easy to find a local, certified professional without trouble.
Do not select a technician based only on the price or an insurance company’s recommendation. When possible, speak to neighbors or friends who have had to hire a technician recently and try to get a recommendation from them. Insurance companies often select a restoration company based on price, and unusually low pricing suggests the company does not use modern drying or repair methods.
Choose a company that offers a range of water damage restoration services. The easiest way to determine the expertise of a firm is to see if they provide a full range of options for homeowners. Mold remediation, for example, is often needed given how quickly mold can set in. This is a standard field of knowledge that advanced technicians should possess. If a company doesn’t offer mold remediation, it may not be prepared for all job settings.
A company that is available 24/7 is a good sign. Stay away from any firms that are reluctant to start right away. In many cases modern equipment can enable near-complete drying in as little as 36 hours, although many situations require longer. Also, a homeowner should not have to wait before repairs begin. Every minute counts when there is standing water present, and reputable professionals understand this. If a technician insists on waiting to begin the remediation portion of the loss, they probably cannot be trusted to see the job through in a reasonable timeframe.
Using these guidelines, you should be able to find a technician that can be trusted and is equipped to do the job the right way. A storm or other disaster is hard enough to deal with, and a remediation firm should do everything in its power to make this difficult process easier.
Allergies are often associated with the arrival of spring, but indoor allergy sufferers will often find themselves sniffing and sneezing year-round. The culprit? Indoor allergens such as dust, dust mites and pet hair and dander. So how do you make sure your home is a respite from both seasonal and interior allergens and create a healthy environment for you and your family. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, there are several best practices you can adopt to manage allergens in your home: 1. Keep it clean. Regularly cleaning your home will go far in reducing allergens such as dust, dust mites and pet dander. 2. Redo your floors. Replacing rugs and carpets with wood or vinyl floorings will help minimize dust and other allergens that become embedded in fabric fibers. 3. Groom your furry friends. Regularly bathing and brushing your pets will help reduce the amount of dander and pet hair in your home. 4. Go on mold patrol. Be on the lookout for any leaks or moisture in your home as this can cause mold to thrive.
Call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax at 904.729.2401 if you find mold in your home.
With the humidity present in our North Florida area, mold can become an issue. Here are some tips you should know. If you see visible mold in your home, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores that become airborne and can circulate inside your home.
Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.
About Our Mold Remediation Services
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.
Call us at 904.729.2401 to schedule a mold inspection.
Summer is a time to enjoy the great outdoors on Amelia Island and in North Jacksonville, but it is also important to keep safety in mind. Consider the following tips, provided by the National Fire Protection Association to keep you and your family safe all summer long.
When using a charcoal grill, only use starter fluids designed for barbecue grills; do not add fluid after coals have been lit.
When using a gas grill, ensure the hose connection is tight; check hoses for leaks. Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
Always build a campfire downwind from the tent area. Clear vegetation and dig a pit before building your fire. Extinguish the fire before going to sleep or leaving the campsite.
Store liquid fire starter (not gasoline) away from your tent and campfire and only use dry kindling to freshen a campfire.
Observe burn bans. Check with local authorities to see when these are in place, as when the local wildfires were raging. Currently there are no bans in in Nassau County. In Duval County, open burning of yard debris is prohibited year round per county ordinance.
The key to avoiding costly problems in the future is to handle every water damage event as a threat to your Nassau County/North Jax property.
Even small water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. The key to avoiding costly problems in the future is to handle every water damage event as a threat to your property. SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville 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 Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville will answer your call with rapid action and provide a full arsenal of drying equipment. Here are a few of the tools we use:
-Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.
Moisture Meters (pictured) are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate readings, allowing SERVPRO to monitor the drying process.
-Thermohygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, SERVPRO 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 will 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.
The bottom line? SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville has the training and equipment to help make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us at 904.729.2401 if you experience water damage.
When properly installed and maintained, smoke alarms save lives.
Smoke alarms save lives when properly installed and maintained.
In homes, smoke alarms should be in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level, including the basement. Extra smoke alarms may be needed in large homes.
Test smoke alarms monthly using the test button. Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries need the entire smoke alarm unit replaced every ten years. Other alarms need batteries replaced every year, and the unit replaced every ten years. If the alarm chirps signaling low battery, take the proper steps to replace the unit or the batteries immediately. Never disable or remove the battery from an alarm. Almost half of fires where smoke alarms were present but did not activate had missing or disconnected batteries according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
If you need help installing, testing or changing batteries in your smoke alarms, contact your local fire department, an electrician or the American Red Cross.
Be sure your home has a fire emergency plan in place and conduct regular fire drills with your family.
If you have a fire in your home or business, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville at 904-729-2401.
Severe thunderstorms can lead to flash flooding. Call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville at 904-729-2401 if you have storm damage.
Rising water is one of the most frightening problems that a homeowner may face, and the resulting flood clean-up is both costly and time-consuming. It is a scary prospect watching floodwaters creep slowly toward the home. If high water makes an incursion, severe damage and a horrible clutter of muck, debris, and germs may follow. Acting quickly after the water recedes can decrease the damage and perhaps make some possessions and furniture salvageable. Even carpet may be restorable, depending on the extent and the type of the flooding. Unfortunately, many electronics exposed to the water are typically considered a loss. Don’t take water damage lightly. Even if the area only had an inch of water, or is just damp, it can become the ideal situation for mold growth within days. Mold may contaminate walls, carpet, furniture, and flooring. It can lead to breathing issues including asthma, and severe illness.
Below are some useful flood clean-up tips for home and business owners. If any mold is suspected, we recommended using the services of an IICRC-certified mold remediation specialist such as SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville rather than attempting clean-up yourself.
Clean Up Tips for Homeowners
Before going into the house to begin flood clean-up, check for downed power lines, gas leaks, foundation cracks, or other obvious problems.
If power lines are down near the home, avoid puddles or standing water. Calling on professional help is the best way to avoid injury or electrocution.
Be on the lookout for wild animals, including snakes. Floodwaters tend to uproot them from their natural areas, and it is possible that they have entered the home or are in the general vicinity.
While cleaning up, wear protective gear such as boots and rubber gloves.
Waterlogged cleaning products, paint, batteries, and fuel are contaminated and considered hazardous. Learn more about disposal of these items.
Discard food items and drinking water if it has come into contact with the flood waters. This includes canned goods and bottled water. Follow the maxim: When in doubt, throw it out!
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville has the experience and equipment to restore your property. Call us at 904-729-2401 if you experience storm-related damage.
The fire department had to cut out the ceilings and some of the rafters to reach the flames and extinguish the fire.
This story begins with a lightning strike to the roof of this Callahan family home, which ignited a fire in the attic. The fire department arrived to extinguish the fire but in order to reach the flames; they had to cut out the ceilings and some of the rafters before dousing the entire space with water hoses. There was blown-in insulation in the attic, and all of this became drenched with water as it snowed down into the living space below. What was once a cozy home now looked like a war zone.
When SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville arrived on the scene, they were greeted by frantic homeowners who had seen their home destroyed. The home had suffered from not only fire and smoke damage, but also extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. We assured the homeowners that we could, and would, restore their home to its pre-fire condition.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville has the specialized fire and water damage cleanup and restoration training and experience to quickly restore a fire-damaged home to pre-fire condition. We also have specific training and equipment for odor removal and deep cleaning of upholstery and carpet.
If you ever suffer damage from a fire, call us at (904) 729-2401. Here are fire emergency tips outlining what you should and should not do before we arrive. First and foremost, be safe. Is it safe to stay in the house? Watch out for electrical and "slip and fall" hazards. Also, wet materials can be VERY heavy, so be careful lifting! Also, try to limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
Keeping the workplace free of clutter helps to prevent fires.
The following tips promote a fire-safe workplace.
Practice good workplace housekeeping. Clutter contributes to fires by providing fuel and by impeding access to exits and emergency equipment.
Place oily rags in a covered metal container. This waste must be properly disposed of on a regular basis.
Maintain machinery to prevent overheating and friction sparks.
Report electrical hazards. Many fires start in faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment. Never attempt electrical repairs unless you are qualified and authorized.
Maintain free access to all electrical control panels. Material or equipment stored in front of the panels would slow down the shutting down of power in an emergency situation.
Use and store chemicals safely. Read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet to determine flammability and other fire hazards. Provide adequate ventilation when using and storing these substances.
Use all precautions to prevent ignition in potentially explosive atmospheres such as those containing flammable liquid vapors or fine particles. Use non-sparking tools, and control static electricity as required.
Help maintain building security to prevent arson fires. Lock up as instructed; report suspicious persons; and don’t leave combustible rubbish where it can be set on fire outside the building.
Smoke only in designated areas, and extinguish smoking materials safely. Never smoke in storerooms or chemical storage areas.
Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits. Observe clearances when stacking materials.
Post emergency telephone numbers as well as the company address by the telephone for quick access if a fire were to start in your work area.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach / Yulee has the specialized fire and water damage cleanup and restoration training and experience to quickly restore your business to pre-fire condition.
If a hurricane strikes this season, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville will be there to help 24/7.
The coming hurricane season could be slightly below the average of 12 a year, according to Colorado State University forecasters.
The university's annual Department of Atmospheric Science pre-season forecast is based on long-range weather and climate conditions.
Currently, those are showing "a below-average probability of major hurricanes making landfall along the United States coastline and in the Caribbean," researchers Philip Klotzbach and Michael Bell said in a recent report.
The center is predicting 11 named storms, including two major hurricanes. All together, the center expects there will be 50 days during which storms are active.
The probability of a direct hit on the East Coast and Florida is 24 percent. The historical average is 30 percent. The probability of a major hurricane coming ashore anywhere in the United States is 42 percent, compared to the historical average of 52 percent, according to the report.
University forecasters predict 2017 hurricane activity will be about 85 percent of the average season of 12 storms. Last year's was 135 percent of the average season.
Last year, the center correctly predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season, which included historic Hurricane Matthew. Its strongest winds came within 5 miles of the First Coast. The brunt of that storm hit elsewhere, particularly in South Georgia and the Carolinas.
The university's forecasts have been correct during 28 of the 35 years it has been predicting whether a season will be above or below normal.
National Hurricane Center officials caution the public that it only takes one hurricane to severely damage an area and forecasters can't say where this season's tropical storms and hurricane might go.
"They (coastal residents) should prepare," Koltzbach said.
Last year, SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville helped many local residents recover from damages related to Hurricane Matthew. If a hurricane strikes this year, call us at 904-729-2401 and we’ll be there to help 24/7.
On Amelia Island, mold growth can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.
Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:
Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.
If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.
If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 904-729-2401.
Where to Go in the Event of a Tornado, Hurricane, or Severe Storm in Nassau County
NOTE: Not all shelters are opened for every emergency. Call 904-548-0900 before you go.
Following is a list of Nassau County Emergency Public Shelter Locations, along with other helpful information.
Please Note:
-NOT ALL SHELTERS WILL BE OPENED FOR EVERY EMERGENCY! Check with Emergency Management before you go - call 904-548-0900. -If you have no way to get to a public shelter, register for transportation assistance annually, before June 1st. -If you use medical equipment that requires electricity, such as an oxygen concentrator, and intend to go to a public shelter, you must register for space in the Special Medical Needs Shelter annually, before June 1st.
These Sites Are Approved Wind-Rated Emergency Shelters:
General Population Shelters (no pets)
Bryceville Elementary School 6504 Church Ave Hilliard, FL 32045 View Map
Callahan Intermediate School 34586 Ball Park Rd Callahan, FL 32011 View Map
Hilliard Elementary School 27568 Ohio St Hilliard, FL 32045 View Map
West Nassau High School (General Population) 1 Warrior Dr. Callahan, FL 32011 View Map
Yulee High School 85375 Miner Rd. Yulee, FL 32097 View Map
Fire safety, including grilling safety, is especially important in our drought-ridden community.
Grilling is a popular way to relax on Amelia Island, but it poses the risk of fire and related injuries. With all of the recent wildfires, fire safety is especially important in our drought-ridden community.
Here are important tips to keep your home and family safe when grilling:
Only use propane and charcoal barbecue grills outdoors.
Always supervise the grill.
Place the grill well away from the home and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
Remove grease or fat buildup from the grills. Grease and fat burn quickly and can cause burn injuries or fires.
Clean the grease or fat build-up after every use. Doing so not only decreases the risk of fire, but also helps the food cook better.
Check the propane tank, hose, and all connection points for leaks. If you smell gas when the grill is on, turn off the tank and burners immediately.
If you have a charcoal grill, use only charcoal starter fluid to light the grill. However, charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using paper as a fuel.
Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
After you finish grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.
Following these tips will ensure that fire will not damage your home or property. In the event fire does strike you or someone you know, SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville provides emergency fire restoration services. Call 904-729-2401, and we’ll be there to help 24/7.
Water Damage and IICRC Certification of Your Restoration Firm
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville is an IICRC-certified restoration company.
Water damage can be deceptive. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. The detection of water in these areas can often only be discovered with sophisticated moisture detection meters. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. This damage, at a minimum, will cause odors. Greater damage will surface when materials delaminate, shrink, split and further deteriorate to where costly repairs are required.
More than just removing excess water, restorers certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to preloss conditions. Through timely response and the careful monitoring of water damage, mold and other health issues can be prevented. If water damage has been present too long, mold will occur.
All IICRC-certified professionals have the training and experience to identify moisture sources, evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected), contain damage, remove contamination and dry materials to ensure that mold will not return.
More About the Importance of IICRC Certification
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a certification and standard-setting nonprofit organization for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries.
When you see a IICRC logo, you can be confident that an IICRC-certified experienced, qualified professional is caring for your valuable property. IICRC Certified Firms employ technicians who, after study, field experience and passing comprehensive exams, have received IICRC certifications in specific cleaning, restoration and inspection categories such as upholstery, wood flooring, stone and tile flooring, carpet cleaning, odor removal, mold remediation, water damage, fire damage restoration and more.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville is an IICRC-certified restoration company. Call us today at 904-729-2401 if you have water damage.
Questions to Ask When You are Looking for a Mold Remediation Contractor
Looking for a mold remediation contractor? Make sure to ask if they are licensed in the state of Florida.
You suspect you have mold in your house. Now, what? Here are some key questions to ask when looking for a mold remediation contractor who can identify, remove, clean up and remediate the issue.
Is the company licensed? Every state has its own set of laws and regulations that must be followed. In the state of Florida, any person or company advertising or representing oneself to be a mold remediator—or taking samples for purposes of testing for the presence of mold—must have a license. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville is a Florida-licensed mold remediator. You can verify the license of our company owner here. (Our license number is MRSR450.) A licensed contractor has the training, expertise and experience required to do the job well, safely and to code.
Is the company properly certified for mold removal and remediation? The proper certification makes certain that the company has the necessary expertise and experience to deal with the mold inside the home; it also guarantees that the technicians are well trained in how to remove the mold safely to prevent any potential health risks. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
Is the company insured? Before hiring a contractor, find out what type of liability insurance the mold specialist has, what that insurance covers and the amount of coverage. The insurance should cover mold or microbial work. Plus, confirm that the company has workers’ compensation insurance. Otherwise, the homeowner may be at risk of a lawsuit or expenses if a worker gets injured on the property. In the state of Florida, applicants for a Mold Assessor license are required to obtain general liability and errors and omissions insurance for both preliminary and post remediation mold assessment in the amount of $1 million dollars. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville meets these requirements. We carry the required $1,000,000 liability coverage and have workers’ comp insurance.
Does the company conduct background checks on its employees? Make certain that the contractor’s employees have all had background checks. This practice ensures that reputable people are doing the job. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville requires employees to pass background checks and we do employ any sub-contractors.
Do the company’s employees wear uniforms? Employees should all wear company uniforms. This allows the homeowner and their family to easily identify employees of the company and know who is on the property. Employees of SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville wear uniforms.
How long has the company been in business? And, can the business provide references? Ask the contractor about their history doing this type of cleanup and restoration work and for references from similar projects. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonvilie has a track record of successfully performing mold remediation jobs and can provide references.
Does the company provide a written estimate? This will ensure that all contractors are bidding on the same work. The estimate should be detailed and include all services to be provided. Of course, the contractor should come to the job site prior to estimating the job. Estimates should not be given over the phone without the site being seen. These are standard operating procedures for SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville.
Does the company work with insurance companies? Often mold remediation requires interfacing with the homeowner’s insurance company. It is beneficial to work with a company that can help facilitate the paperwork, expedite services and return the situation to it normal state. SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville provides this service.
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville is a licensed mold remediation contractor in the state of Florida. Our company is IICRC certified, and our technicians are certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Learn more about our mold remediation services, and call us at 904-729-2401 if you have mold issues.
A small leak in the glass block window above this garden tub turned into a significant restoration product at this Amelia Island home.
With any leak, it’s the water that you don’t see that causes the most damage. Unseen water can soak through walls, seep through carpet, and pool on subfloors, causing major problems over time.
Periodic inspections can protect your home investment: the most important step you can take is to identify any humidity, moisture, or water damage problems before they create bigger problems such as mold or structural damage. Here are a few tips to help you identify potential issues.
Periodically inspect your home inside and out.
Look for any water or moisture. Pay special attention around pipes, in basements, and in crawl spaces. If you see a problem, call SERVPRO to identify the extent of damage. Sometimes moisture in ceilings or wall cavities cannot be seen. This provides perfect conditions for mold growth. SERVPRO can identify this moisture and remove it, usually without expensive repairs.
Your nose knows! Musty and moldy odors may be an indicator of growing molds. Your sense of smell may alert you to problems you cannot see.
Control humidity in bathrooms, showers, and wherever water is used repeatedly. Exhaust fans, proper caulking, and regular cleaning with a bleach-based cleaning product will help keep problems away.
Ventilation matters. Proper ventilation in attics, crawl spaces, basements, and other dark spaces can help stop moisture problems. Be sure these areas are well ventilated.
HVAC systems and air conditioners. Having your HVAC and air conditioners inspected regularly can identify moisture problems or drain clogs.
Don’t procrastinate if you find a problem. Get professional help from SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville to make sure the problem is solved. The best defense—and the best way to keep down costs—is periodic inspections and quick action, so call us at 904.729.2401.
Disposal of yard debris, rapid wildfire growth, and weather conditions have the Florida Forest Service reminding citizens to exert extreme caution.
You have undoubtedly heard about recent wildfires in our area. Residents and firefighters in Florida must be vigilant year-round for potential wildfires. Though, there is no particular wildfire “season” in Florida, there are conditions that make forested areas more susceptible to ignition. The Florida Forest Service, along with other local, state, and federal agencies, monitor weather, humidity, drought, wind, and natural fuel conditions in an effort to predict when fires are more likely to occur, as well as warn the public and the first responders.
Wildfires consume hundreds of homes in the United States every year. Studies show that 80 percent of these homes could have been saved if owners had followed a few fire-wise safety practices. Here are a few basic measures you can take to make you, your home, and property better prepared for an approaching wildfire:
Create a defensible zone between your home and the surrounding area—that is, a zone fee of flammable plants and debris—of at least 30 feet around your home and other structures.
Take steps to mitigate fuel around your property. This means you should remove dead branches, shrubbery, and other debris. Also, mow grass regularly and prune tree limbs to a height of 10 to 15 feet from ground level. Otherwise, lower limbs draped with vines and debris could act as “ladder fuel” by igniting and allowing fire to reach your roof and soffits. Finally, remove accumulated leaves from your roof and gutter.
Pay particular attention to the roof, eaves, vents, walls, decks, windows, and doors.
Other Things You Can Do to Prepare for Wildfires:
Prepare your family by creating a Family Disaster Plan
Train your family how to use a fire extinguisher and keep them on hand. Know where all home utility shut-offs are located.
Plan for evacuations via several different routes. Designate a meeting location for family members. Know points of contact. Keep a list of phone numbers.
Assemble an emergency supply kit that you can “grab and go”.
Stay well informed about the progress of any wildfire, and comply with directions from local officials.
EVACUATE EARLY! Know where you’re going to go and the whereabouts of all family members! Stay safe.
If your property is affected by a wildfire, call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville at 904-729-2401. We will help you through this difficult time and get you back to normal. Here are some additional fire damage tips outlining what you should and should not do before we arrive.
SERVPRO Offers Local Businesses Free Emergency Ready Profile
We at SERVPRO at Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville offer local businesses a FREE service that can be invaluable in the event of a disaster.
Did you know that 50% of businesses close down following a disaster? Of the businesses that do survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax offers a complimentary assessment of your facility that can minimize business interruption in the event of a disaster. This assessment provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services and serves as a quick reference for important building and contact information. We would like to offer you this FREE service at your place of business. It's called SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile™ (ERP), and here are some advantages of the program:
Includes a concise Profile Document that contains the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
Offers a guide to help you get back into your building safely following a disaster.
Provides facility details such a shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information.
Identifies the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
Establishes your local SERVPRO as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider
Please call us at 904-729-2401 to schedule your ERP. We serve Fernandina Beach, Yulee, and North Jacksonville, including Oceanway, River City, and the Heckscher Drive and Dunn Avenue/Lem Turner areas.
Fernandina Beach Commercial Property Suffers Water Damage
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville restored this dentist office after a hot water heater burst, and minimized the repair costs.
A hot water tank in the attic burst and flooded this dentist office over a weekend, affecting multiple hallways, examination rooms, the X-ray room, and utility rooms. The spraying water just missed a $100,000 X-ray machine. (This photo shows only a small portion of the job.)
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville arrived on the scene and performed restoration work, as the dental practice was able to continue seeing patients, which pleased the staff greatly. We removed:
-the wet and damaged ceiling tiles
-small potions of drywall at the baseboards so we could dry the walls without tearing out the thick, hotel-style wallpaper used throughout the offices
-the vinyl flooring to expose and dry the wood subfloor.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville was able to salvage both the carpet and the walls/wallpaper. This job is a great example of our franchise’s commitment to restore rather than replace where possible--and preferable for the client. Tearing out these walls and replacing all of the drywall and wallpaper would have cost the owner significantly more in both downtime and money. Our restoration efforts made for easy repairs by the owner’s handyman/contractor, within days instead of weeks.
If your business has water damage issues, contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville at 904-729-2401.
SERVPRO OF FERNANDINA BEACH/YULEE PROUD SPONSOR OF KATIE RIDE SUPPORTING ORGAN DONATION
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville is a proud sponsor of Katie's Ride.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville is once again a sponsor this year for the annual Katie Ride. The Katie Ride is an annual fundraiser created in 2005 to raise awareness for organ donation and support the Katie Caples Foundation nationally recognized organ donor education program. It is a premier bicycle touring event catering to cyclists of all abilities.
The 13th anniversary of the event is Saturday, April 22, 2017, which will again be held on beautiful Amelia Island, where Katie Caples called home. Despite her tragic death at age 17 in a car accident, Katie went on to save the lives of five individuals through the gift of organ donation.
More than 125,000 adults and children in the United States are currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. On average, 21 people will die each day in the United States due to a lack of available organs for transplant. And while 90% of Americans say they support organ donation, less than 44% are currently registered. Funds raised through this event support the Katie Caples Foundation and its mission to increase the number of registered organ donors to eliminate the wait for individuals on the national transplant list.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville is pleased to participate in this very worthy cause. For more information or to participate, see www.katiecaples.org.
Prepare for Storm Season: Ten Tips You Should Know
It's almost that time of year again. We are enjoying early spring, but late spring ushers in storm season. Here in the Southeast, we are very vulnerable to violent weather and hurricanes. So it pays to make sure you’re prepared before the weather arrives. Here are 10 steps to take before storm season:
Locate and agree on a safe room. Plan to find the lowest place in the house, without windows. Usually this is the basement or an interior closet or storeroom. Meet as a family and agree to the plan to meet there in case of emergency. Be sure that each family member has a plan for shelter away from home in case of a storm that doesn’t allow everyone to get home.
Be sure to keep supplies on hand in or near the safe room. These should include: water, a water purification kit, non-perishable snacks/food, blankets and pillows, clothing, first aid, medical equipment for special-needs family members, pre-moistened towelettes, hand sanitizer, zip-lock plastic bags, disposable eating ware, duct tape, necessary toiletries, flashlights with fresh batteries, radio, cell phone with charged batteries, entertainment items, and pet care items. You may want a battery-operated laptop with a cellular modem to be able to connect with email and Internet.
Evacuation plan. Have a plan if you will be required to evacuate due to incoming weather. Don’t risk it--get out if an evacuation order comes. Know the escape routes, plan for pets, have the car full of gas, etc. Be sure you have identification, medication, medical paperwork, insurance information, food, eyeglasses, money, credit cards, etc. with you when you evacuate.
Plan for pets. Make sure you know where the family pets are at all times and who is responsible for their care before and during the storm. Develop a plan for their care in case of evacuation.
A stand-by generator rapidly is becoming a necessary home appliance. Heating/cooling, cooking, communication, medical gear, etc. all are dependent on electric supply. A permanent stand-by generator fueled by natural or propane gas with automatic transfer switch is best. Portable gas or diesel-powered generators are ok for short-term uses but less reliable and more dangerous. Be sure to follow proper venting procedures to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Check insurance. Make sure your home and auto insurance is up to date and that you’re covered in case of storm damage.
Trim the trees. Broken tree limbs hitting power lines or houses can cause a lot of damage. The best defense is pruning. Taking the weight off the top of trees allows the roots to withstand higher winds and prevent damage.
Install the shutters. New building codes in hurricane-prone areas require shutters or ballistic glass to be installed in homes. But increasingly homeowners around the country are installing shutters that can be deployed electronically or manually in case of storms. You also can use pre-cut plywood to cover windows.
Collect all potential projectiles. Clear the yard and patio of everything not attached: lawn furniture, bird feeders, wind chimes, patio equipment, toys, etc. so they don’t become airborne projectiles.
Secure valuables. Move valuables and irreplaceable photos to a safe deposit box to prevent loss. Videotape the contents of your home, garage, and landscaping, and store the video in the box.
Planning is the key to minimizing damage and preventing injuries or loss of life in storms. So get ahead of the season, and be prepared.
If you suffer storm damage, call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville at 904-729-2401 any time day or night. We’ll respond quickly and make it “Like it never even happened.”
Restoring A Fernandina Beach Commercial Property After Hurricane Matthew
Storm and water damage events at Fernandina commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. In this case, the storm had caused water penetration of both the roof and the walls of this building, and the professionals at SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville had to balance this large job with numerous others in the area at the time. We also called in other SERVPRO franchises nearby so that we could respond quickly to all of the affected homes and businesses.
Restoring Commercial Properties After Hurricanes Presents Unique Challenges
Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call at 904-729-2401 and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.
About SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Have you experienced a commercial water loss? Contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee to evaluate the situation.
How Water Loss Affects Your Business
When evaluating the types of water damage and how they affect an emergency water removal situation on commercial property, it helps to know that water losses fall into three categories: clean water, gray water and black water. Once these categories are determined, it is easier to introduce the proper drying techniques, and it helps to designate what items can and cannot be restored. Here’s some specific information about the three types of water losses.
Category 1: Clean Water
This water originates from a source that does not pose substantial harm to humans. It may include broken water supply lines, sink overflows with no contaminants, appliance malfunctions involving water supply lines, melting snow, falling rain water, broken toilet tanks, and toilet bowls that do not contain contaminants or additives. If left untreated for 72 hours, Category 1 water becomes Category 2 water. This further enforces the fact that reaction time is a key factor when dealing with the various types of water damage.
Category 2: Gray Water
Gray water contains a significant level of contamination. If humans consume this water, it has the potential to cause discomfort or illness. Category 2 water carries microorganisms and nutrients for microorganisms. Sources may include discharge or overflows from dishwashers, washing machines or toilet bowls (with some urine but no feces); sump-pump failures; seepage due to hydrostatic pressure; and broken aquariums.
Gray water may contain chemicals, bio-contaminants and other forms of contamination, including physical hazards, and is not suitable for consumption. Carpet pads affected with Category 2 water must be removed and disposed of properly. Even carpet that is salvaged must be cleaned with hot-water extraction. If left untreated, Category 2 water becomes Category 3 water in 48 hours or less.
Category 3: Black Water
Category 3 water includes sewage and other contaminated water sources that enter or affect the indoor environment. Sources could range from toilet backflows that originate beyond the toilet trap to all forms of flooding from sea water, ground surface water, and rising water from rivers and streams. These types of water carry silt and organic matter into structures and create black water conditions. Whenever a sewage backflow occurs, the health of workers and occupants should be the primary concern. Always remove and properly dispose of carpet and padding that has been affected by a Category 3 water loss.
When it comes to different types of water damage, the experts at SERVPRO can help you evaluate the various types of water loss and how they should be treated. Put your trust in the experienced professionals.
When Storm or Floods hit Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax, SERVPRO is ready!
Our highly trained crews are ready to respond 24/7 to storm or flood damage in Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.
Faster Response Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.
Resources to Handle Floods and Storms When storms hit Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.
Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 904-729-2401.
Does Your Company Have an Evacuation Plan for Employees?
Call SERVPRO if your business experiences an emergency that calls for restoration services. We're here 24/7.
On their website, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides important safety information as well as life saving tips for employers to share with their employees should it be necessary to evacuate a building in the event of an emergency. Check it out at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/evac.html
And although an emergency escape plan is not required for all businesses, OSHA highly recommends that you provide an emergency action plan to protect yourself, your employees, and your business space during an emergency situation. Here are some tips:
A disorganized evacuation can result in confusion, injury, and property damage. When developing your emergency action plan, it is important to determine the following:
Conditions under which an evacuation would be necessary.
Procedures for assisting visitors and employees to evacuate, particularly those with disabilities or who do not speak English.
Designation of what, if any, employees will remain after the evacuation alarm to shut down critical operations or perform other duties before evacuating.
A means of accounting for employees after an evacuation.
During development and implementation of your draft plan, think about all possible emergency situations and evaluate your workplace to see if it complies with OSHA's emergency standards.
Emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. You can expect immediate response, day or night.
Pictured is a house fire that occurred in North Jacksonville Florida that was caused by an electrical issue.
House Fires
Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Only one in five home fires were reported during these hours.
One quarter of home fire deaths were caused by fires that started in the bedroom. Another quarter resulted from fires in the living room, family room or den.
Three out of five home fire deaths happen from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
In 2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 367,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,745 deaths, 11,825 civilian injuries, and $6.8 billion in direct damage.
On average, seven people die in U.S. home fires per day.
Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fire injuries, followed by heating equipment.
Smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths.
Most fatal fires kill one or two people. In 2014, 15 home fires killed five or more people resulting in a total of 88 deaths.
During 2009-2013, roughly one of every 335 households had a reported home fire per year.
Smoke Alarms
Three out of five home fire deaths in 2009-2013 were caused by fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.
In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 94% of the time, while battery powered alarms operated 80% of the time.
When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead.
An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms are recommended.
Fire Prevention Information
For more great information about how to prevent fires and even what to do following a fire visit the links below:
Commercial Water Damage Events Present Unique Challenges
Flooding and water damage events at Fernandina Beach commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.
Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.
About SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jax specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Important Tips for Choosing a Biohazard Cleanup Service
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee Offers Biohazard Cleanup & Remediation Services
Always Choose a Trained Professional
Because it’s traumatic: No one should have to deal with the personal impact of cleaning up after the traumatic loss of a loved one. A professional SERVPRO can get a situation cleaned up quickly, compassionately and discreetly.
Because it’s safer: Federal regulations classify all human and animal remains, including blood, urine, feces, vomit and bodily fluids, as biohazards. This is because they have the potential of carrying life-threatening pathogens such as Hepatitis B and C, AIDS, HIV, MRSA, Tuberculosis and many more. The safe cleanup and removal of biohazardous materials involves extensive analysis and detailed work, and the use of state-of-the-art cleaning and odor removal technologies.
Licensed Bonded & Insured
It is important to use licensed professionals because they conduct safe cleanup, removal and disposal of biohazardous waste. Additional considerations include being registered and compliant with OSHA and FEMA, federal agencies that oversee disasters and workplace safety. Cleanup crews will be coming into your home or the home of your loved one, so be sure the professional you choose is bonded and insured.
Will Work with Insurance Companies
In most cases, insurance will cover much or all of the cost of traumatic even cleanup. You can minimize or eliminate your out-of-pocket expenses by working with licensed and bonded professionals such as SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee who will deal directly with insurance companies, saving you one more headache in this already difficult process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q.Can I just use my regular cleaning or janitorial service for biohazard cleanup of blood or bodily fluids?
A: Not unless your regular cleaning or janitorial service has been properly trained and equipped to handle biohazard cleanup and waste such as blood or bodily fluids, and has a legal place to dispose of the recovered biohazardous waste.
Q: Who pays for bio-recovery services?
A: In many cases home, business or auto insurance will pay for bio-recovery services. Ultimately the property owner may be responsible for cost of the service.
Q: Can I have an employee of my business clean the scene?
A: Federal Regulation 29cfr1910.1030 states that no employee can be placed in a position to be exposed to biohazard cleanup of blood spills without first:
Receiving Blood Borne Pathogen (bbp) training.
Having a written BBP exposure control plan.
Having been provided personal protective equipment.
Having been offered Hepatitis B vaccine and exposure evaluation and follow-up.
Being provided with a method to remove and properly store the bio-hazardous waste in properly marked containers for disposal at an approved site.
If your factory looks like this, you're going to need help from the professional!
Industrial settings such as factories and assembly plants require consistent environmental conditions. Standing water, in any area, from any source, can immediately halt production and affect not only worker safety but also company profits, for months to come. SERVPRO has the skilled professionals who can work as a team to reduce downtime, working around your employees, if needed, to return your operations to full speed again.
Fernandina Beach and North Jacksonville area business owners will always have emergency commercial water removal services available for whenever situations with invasive, problematic water issues threaten to halt normal business operations. SERVPRO is known nationwide as a trusted name in emergency situations of any type or magnitude. Our water removal professionals that care about your employees' health, your business, and the general public can make it “Like it never even happened,” and quickly. We know time is money. Our goal is to help you stay open, operational, and in business.
Starting with the appropriate-sized extraction equipment for the situation, we quickly remove any visible water from the site. When this stage is complete, our experts will start the process of returning your factory to an adequately dry state again. Using commercial grade air movers will decrease the overall drying time by substantially increasing the rate of evaporation. For Large Loss emergencies, we can utilize large refrigerated dehumidifiers that can each draw up to 100 lbs of moisture from the air daily. Concrete floors, after returning to a dry enough state, can be treated under larger pieces of manufacturing equipment with anti-fungal sealants that are quick drying. This application protects these areas from future mold growth.
Depending on the type of water, and its source, we may not be able to save all of a business's inventory. Our efforts can largely prevent metal mesh floors and staircases from peeling and corroding, equipment cases from rusting, the wiring of components in tools and machinery from developing shorts, and other, common effects of water damage to industrial equipment and structures. Hand-cleaning of the details in your machinery, molds, and lines, including tubing, basins, and other affected areas will ensure that your finished goods are not affected in the future.
For any size water emergency involving any category of water, contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee to begin the restoration process and get back in business. We are available 24/7 to assist in any emergency situation your business or factory may experience.
A Major Key to Mold Remediation is Humidity Control
Look at this moldy living room. This is what can occur when water damage is not properly mitigated.
Humidity Control is Key
When you live in a subtropical area, like the south Atlantic region of the United States, the high humidity both outside and inside can have consequences far beyond personal discomfort. Given the right combination of free floating microbial particles and ambient moisture, the interior of your home can exhibit significant mold damage, even without leaky pipes or a damaged roof. SERVPRO technicians can help you evaluate whether the mold damage you are experiencing in your home is traceable to simple high humidity or if other sources of water need to be uncovered. We also then will work with you to use a variety of techniques to reduce the moisture levels of the air within your house so that fungal growth will be reduced, slowed, and then halted.
Existing microbial colonies and mold damage linked to high humidity in Fernandina Beach and North Jacksonville should be treated with the EPA approved protocol to remove from areas they infest. Our SERVPRO mold remediation technicians are well trained in this best-practices methodology. Containment, cautious but thorough removal, and proper disinfection will bring the microbial activity to a baseline where no current growth is expected. As long as you are careful to monitor the humidity after the protocol is followed mold proliferation should cease.
The level suggested for the interior relative humidity of your home should measure is 60 percent or less to discourage mold growth. Do not guess to maintain this level, particularly if you have just battled back from a mold infestation. Invest in a good quality hygrometer to be certain your humidity levels are within the parameters that will discourage mold growth.
To reduce the moisture content of the air within your home, make sure all exhaust fans are working properly in high moisture generating rooms like the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry areas. Be sure all family members are using them regularly when cooking, showering, and washing clothes.
Dryers must vent to the outdoors. Remember to run air conditioners regularly as they work largely by removing moisture from the air. Eliminate the use of vaporizers or humidifiers in the house. If all of these measures do not reduce the humidity to proper levels, invest in one or more dehumidifiers to get to and then maintain that 60 percent standard. Be sure all equipment used to reduce the humidity is checked for proper drainage of the water removed from the air. Empty the water condensed as needed or set the machine up to discharge into a sink or drain. Keep everything scrupulously clean so that mold does not begin growing within the very system you have set up to reduce humidity.
Fernandina Beach North Jacksonville Duct Cleaning Services
Duct Cleaning Information
Unfortunately, there is not a lot of air duct cleaning information out there and people want to know more about home duct cleaning these days due to concerns about indoor air pollution, mold and other allergens. While there is not a lot of duct cleaning information available, there is plenty of information about the dangers of mold, dust and other allergens in the home and one way these substances can be spread and dispersed throughout the home is through the air ducts of a home heating and cooling system.
What is Duct Cleaning?
Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and increased visibility. Many companies are marketing products and services intended to improve the quality of your indoor air. You have probably seen an advertisement, received a coupon in the mail, or been approached directly by a company offering to clean your air ducts as a means of improving your home's indoor air quality. These services typically — but not always — cost approximately $35 per vent, depending on: the services offered:
There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:
Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.
You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation.
If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.
Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects).
Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.
The EPA also states that "if any of the conditions identified above exists, it usually suggests one or more underlying causes. Prior to any cleaning, retrofitting, or replacing of your ducts, the cause or causes must be corrected or else the problem will likely recur." Contact a professional in this area such as SERVPRO and they can assist in determining cause or causes.
Finding a Duct Cleaning Professional
If you are looking for a home duct cleaning professional for cleaning services or simply for more air duct cleaning information, you want to make sure you find someone qualified. The Environmental Protection Agency offers the following tips:
Ask professionals if they comply with the standards set by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association.
Ask professionals if they are certified by the state, if certification is required in your state (it is not required by law in all states).
Avoid professionals that claim to be certified by the EPA. The Environmental Protection Agency does not certify air duct cleaning professionals.
Ask for references so you can talk to prior customers to see if they were satisfied with the work they had done.
Water Damage Should Not Be In Your Fernandina Beach or North Jacksonville Home
As many water damage restoration experts know, there are numerous situations that can expose your home in Lenoir to the effects of water damage. Irrespective of which situation arises, a weather event or a mechanical breakdown, obtaining professional, expert, water damage repair services from a top company such as SERVPRO will be important. Learn more about areas of your home that can be affected by unwanted water intrusion. The restoration process can only start after the water has been removed.
Other Causes and Effects Of Water Damage
Water damage can result from humidity and leaky roofs. Water that enters your property from leaky roofs indicates that quick repairs to prevent further issues are necessary. Excessive humidity can result in your window frames, ceilings, flooring, floor joists, furniture, and walls discoloring and warping. In a crawl space foundation, installation of permanent dehumidifiers and plastic poly for establishing a vapor barrier may be needed. Minimizing damage caused by water will also lessen the cost to restore. Additionally, water damage can become an ideal location for mold spores to grow and develop into a mold infestation. Unfortunately, some molds are toxic and can impair the health of your family by causing neurological and respiratory problems. For this reason, a company with the knowledge, equipment and experience, such as SERVPRO, should execute mold remediation.
Appliances
Broken or leaking appliances can generate unwanted water damage. An example would be dishwashers, toilets, or washing machines that leak or overflow. The waste-filled, chemical-laden water, which may be either gray or black water, can give rise to a toxic environment. In this case water removal is the number one priority. Additionally, a refrigerator containing a water filtration system and icemaker may develop hose leaks from the water supply line. If these leaks remain unnoticed for extended periods of time, they can give rise to mold proliferation and damage to the walls, floors, and the foundation.
A Recognized Water Damage Solution
If you find that your property in the Fernandina Beach or North Jacksonville areas have restoration needs, the most effective solution is to hire a water damage restoration company like SERVPRO to begin the cleanup, repair, and restoration process. We offer 24-hour services, excellent customer service, and expedient remediation work that return your home to a safe, sanitary condition.
Locally Owned and Operated
We live and work in North Florida too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach is close by and ready to respond to your water and flood damage emergency. As leaders in the water damage industry, we have advanced training and expertise, not to mention a tremendous amount of hands-on experience.
From tropical storm to hurricanes. These storms can bring forth a tremendous amount of damage in their wake. Pictured is a view of Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes are giant, spiraling tropical storms that can pack wind speeds of over 160 miles (257 kilometers) an hour and unleash more than 2.4 trillion gallons (9 trillion liters) of rain a day. These same tropical storms are known as cyclones in the northern Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, and as typhoons in the western Pacific Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean’s hurricane season peaks from mid-August to late October and averages five to six hurricanes per year.
A Damaging Storm
These storms bring destruction ashore in many different ways. When a hurricane makes landfall, it often produces a devastating storm surge that can reach 20 feet (6 meters) high and extend nearly 100 miles (161 kilometers). Ninety percent of all hurricane deaths result from storm surges.
A hurricane’s high winds are also destructive and may spawn tornadoes. Torrential rains cause further damage by spawning floods and landslides, which may occur many miles inland.
The best defense against a hurricane is an accurate forecast that gives people time to get out of its way. The National Hurricane Center issues hurricane watches for storms that may endanger communities, and hurricane warnings for storms that will make landfall within 24 hours.
Large amounts of mold in a residential home in North Jacksonville Florida 32011.
There are many different substances in the air we breathe in addition to the oxygen we need. These things include microorganisms such as mold, bacteria, and viruses, plus water vapor and dust of all types. Occurring naturally, these substances are impossible to eliminate from a home, no matter how clean it is kept.
Fernandina Beach, Yulee, and North Jacksonville homes can often have signs of mold damage that are sometimes ignored by homeowners. A very common warning sign of mold growth is a musty odor that rarely goes away completely, although it may seem to decrease at times. This ebb and flow of this odor do not mean that the mold is going away or dying off.
Dusting is one way that dust and mold spores can end up in the air after having settled on surfaces. When the mold is left on these surfaces, though, it has the time needed to ruin many of your belongings. Items made of organic matter, particularly cellulose, are favorite targets of mold. Books, especially older ones, can provide a treasure trove for mold to survive on. Due to the vast surface area of the pages of even just one book, mold has room to grow. The absorbent nature of paper adds to the situation in mold's favor by capturing moisture from the ambient air.
While mold spores are circulating in the air, they can travel anywhere in your home. When they settle on something, they are inactive and not growing. A small amount of moisture, along with some time in low-light conditions, and mold can soon begin to flourish. Before long, newly established colonies send off their spores. Colonies can take on various patterns on the surfaces they grow on. Sometimes it is a solid dustiness covering a wall or ceiling (like mildew). Other displays of mold growth can be much more dramatic. Different colored round areas in a variety of sizes happen with high frequency. While they may seem colorful, the mold is damaging the underlying drywall, disintegrating the materials. This mold growth and hyphae penetration cause drywall to crumble easily. It can also mean that mold is growing inside of the walls, affecting supporting wall beams.
When spores land on clothing and other textiles, spotting and staining of these items is almost unavoidable without some intervention. Washing regularly can help prevent this from happening, but once the mold has started to grow, special equipment must be utilized. SERVPRO has used the ESporta system with excellent results to remove stains that were otherwise permanent. Clothing, stuffed toys, draperies and curtains, furniture cushions, and bedding are among some of the many items that we have been able to restore.
When mold damage is threatening your home and your belongings, contact SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee (904) 729-2401 or click Request Help Online.
Don't let mold damage your Fernandina Beach home! Let SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee get rid of the mold infestation for you.
In Fernandina Beach, mold damage cannot only compromise your health, but it can also be costly. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent mold from forming in your home. Here are several tips to help you get started.
Monitor the humidity levels for any potential Fernandina Beach mold damage problems. Indoor humidity monitors can be purchased at your local home improvement store. Ideally, levels should be between 35% and 50%. However, in the middle of the summer, you may have readings that reach as high as 55%. Anything higher and you need to investigate and repair the source of the extra moisture.
Get rid of clutter. Clutter can block airflow in your home and prevent your HVAC system from properly circulating air. In addition to getting rid of any excess items, be sure that furniture and curtains are not blocking any vents or grilles in your home.
Be sure your thermostat is set to the right temperature. If a thermostat is set too low, your home is prone to cold surfaces that result in water condensation. However, thermostats that are set at too high a temperature often prevent your air conditioner from dehumidifying the air properly and create mold in the home. To combat moisture, it is suggested that you set your thermostat to 78 degrees F during the summer months. When you are away from home, set it to 80 degrees F, but don’t go any higher.
When the air is running, shut the windows and doors. Open windows and doors to allow humid air into your home, which often causes condensation.
SERVPRO suggests addressing any standing water immediately. Take the time to check for dampness or puddles around basement doors, freezers, hot water tanks, windows, and hot water tanks, while also inspecting crawl spaces for foundation leaks or groundwater dampness. If you identify a potential Bethlehem mold damage problem, call the appropriate service person to take care of it.
Invest in a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are designed specifically to remove extra moisture from the air. Both portable and whole-house systems are available.
Fire Damage Restoration Fernandina Beach/Yulee North Jacksonville
Fernandina Beach - Yulee - North Jacksonville - Kitchen Fire Prevention
Fire damage in Fernandina Beach often occurs in the kitchen. According to the most current research by the NFPA, 2 out of every five home fires start in the kitchen. Kitchen fires are also the leading causes of home-fire-related injuries. Prevent kitchen fires with the following safety tips:
Watch What You Are Cooking Unattended cooking is the primary cause of cooking fires. Mitigate fire risks by: - Always remaining in the kitchen when you grill, broil, or fry - If you exit the kitchen, even for a second or two, turn off the heat source - Using a timer when cooking - Checking food regularly to make sure it doesn’t overcook
Be In The Right Condition To Cook According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), kitchen fires can happen when you are inattentive and impaired. Therefore: - Avoid using your stove if you are sleepy
Remove All Cooking Surfaces Keep flammable items such as paper towels, potholders and wooden spoons clear of the stovetop. You should clean your oven often to remove any spills and food debris. Additionally, clean stovetops frequently to remove grease and oil.
Use Your Appliances Wisely According to Consumer Reports, kitchen appliances were the cause of over $547 million in fire damages in 2006-2008. Safeguard your home by doing the following: - Always read and adhere to manufacturer’s instructions/safety warnings for all appliances - Immediately register all new appliances to receive recall information - Always act on product recalls - Review product safety complaints about appliances in the kitchen to evaluate potential hazards - Store small appliances unplugged - Inspect all the power cords you use on appliances -- replace them if frayed - Avoid using extension cords. Directly plug appliances into outlets
Maintain Personal Safety According to estimations by the University Of Rochester Medical Center, maintaining personal safety helps prevent injuries to both yourself and others from kitchen fires. Do the following: - Keep pets and children from cooking surfaces - Tuck in long shirts before cooking - Roll up your sleeves to prevent them from being close to cooking surfaces - Secure long hair
Take the above precautions and prevent fire damage in your Fernandina Beach or Yulee kitchen. A safer kitchen protects your family and home.
If you experience a fire damage emergency, feel free to call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee (904) 729-2401. They are trusted and prominent leaders in the restoration industry. These fire damage professionals work round the clock to attend to any emergency. Whether you have cleaning or restoration needs, talk to them today.
Servpro - Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration - Happy New Year
Happy New Year!
Before the end of this year, we want you to know that we are very pleased and satisfied with all of our employees for their excellent performance through the year. Also, we want to extend the greetings to our dear clients, the other important part of the engine of our company. Happy New Year to all the people that help us make it "like it never even happened".
We wish the best to our customers and employees, because you are the most important part of the company. Also to our team work, as a reward for their dedication and effort to deliver a first class service, SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/ Yulee wishes you a fabulous New Year to all our customers and employees.
The holiday season offers us a special opportunity to extend our personal thanks to our friends, and our very best wishes for the future. Our thoughts turn gracefully to those who have made our progress possible. It is in this spirit we would like to say, may peace, prosperity, and happiness be yours throughout the holidays,
Holidays are meant to be spent with friends and family, not cleaning up fires. Make sure you know how to prevent holiday fires with a few simple tips.
Did you know that one in every three home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems? Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reports more than double the number of open-flame fires on Christmas Day than on an average day, and about twice as many on New Year’s Day. And when those fires occur, they do more damage: Property loss during a holiday fire is 34% greater than in an average fire, and the number of fatalities per thousand fires is nearly 70% higher. When the source of the fire is a highly flammable Christmas tree, the toll in property and lives is even greater.
To keep your household from becoming a holiday fire statistic, here are some safety tips to follow.
Maintain your lights – by inspecting them for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear.
Only use lights listed by an approved tested laboratory.
Do not overload electrical outlets.
Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe.
Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet.
Make sure to periodically check the wires, they should not be warm to the touch.
Do not leave lights on unattended
For more information and tips on preventing fires as well as what to do following a fire please visit SERVPRO Fire Damage Emergency Tips.
Mold. The very word is enough to make a person cringe.
Yes, mold can be good — it's essential in making brie and penicillin, for example, and necessary for the decomposition of organic matter in nature — but it can also be very, very bad, especially when it grows undetected in your home.
Mold spores spread easily and cannot be completely eradicated.Mold can grow anywhere: on carpet, clothing, food, paper, and even in places you can't see, such as the backside of drywall, areas inside walls around leaking or condensing pipes, and above ceiling tiles.
Not only is a mold problem difficult to fix, but mold can also produce allergens and irritants (and, rarely, toxins) that may compromise your health.
So what can you do if you're concerned about mold growing in your home? The best approach is preventing mold before it becomes a problem. The key to mold prevention is simple: moisture control.
Here are nine ways to curb moisture indoors, and the mold that thrives on it.
Identify problem areas in your home and correct them. You can't mold-proof your home, but you can make it mold-resistant. Do an audit of your home: where are the problem areas? Does the basement flood? Do you notice frequent condensation on an upstairs window? Is there a water stain on the ceiling from a persistent leak? Preventing mold from growing or spreading might be as simple as installing mold-resistant products, or repairing damaged gutters. Or it may be a matter of major excavation and waterproofing. Whatever the case, address the problem now. It might cost some money up front, but it will surely be more costly down the road if mold continues to grow unchecked.
Dry wet areas immediately. Mold can't grow without moisture, so tackle wet areas right away. Seepage into the basement after a heavy rainfall, accumulation from a leaky pipe, even a spill on the carpet should be dried within 24 to 48 hours. If you've experienced a flood, call a professional such as SERVPRO to properly dry out and restore affected areas. Even everyday occurrences need attention: don't leave wet items lying around the house, and make sure to dry the floor and walls after a shower. Don't leave wet clothes in the washing machine, where mold can spread quickly. Hang them to dry — preferably outside or in areas with good air circulation.
Prevent moisture with proper ventilation. It may be that your routine domestic activities are encouraging the growth of mold in your home. Make sure an activity as simple as cooking dinner, taking a shower, or doing a load of laundry doesn't invite mold by providing proper ventilation in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and any other high-moisture area. Vent appliances that produce moisture — clothes dryers, stoves — to the outside (not the attic). Use AC units and dehumidifiers (especially in humid climates), but make sure they don’t produce moisture themselves by checking them periodically and cleaning them as directed by the manufacturer. Your energy-efficient home may be holding moisture inside, so open a window when cooking or washing dishes or showering, or run an exhaust fan.
Equip your home with mold-resistant products. Building a new home or renovating an old one? Use mold-resistant products like mold-resistant drywall or mold-resistant Sheetrock, and mold inhibitors for paints. Traditional drywall is composed of a gypsum plaster core pressed between plies of paper. Mold-resistant drywall is paperless — the gypsum core is covered in fiberglass, making the surface highly water-resistant. Moisture-resistant drywall is especially valuable in areas prone to wetness, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, and kitchens. Not only is traditional drywall more susceptible to mold than the paperless kind, but it is also difficult to rid of mold, and removal and replacement can be expensive. Mold-resistant gypsum board is also available; the core of the drywall is developed in such a way to prevent moisture absorption, and thus prevent mold growth.
Monitor humidity indoors. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent. You can measure humidity with a moisture meter purchased from your local hardware store. You'll also be able to detect high humidity by simply paying attention to potential problem areas in your home. Telltale signs of excessive humidity include condensation on windows, pipes, and walls. If you notice condensation, dry the surface immediately and address the source of moisture (for example, turn off a humidifier if water appears on the inside of nearby windows).
Direct water away from your home. If the ground around your home isn't sufficiently sloped away from the foundation, water may collect there and seep into your crawlspace or basement.
Clean or repair roof gutters. A mold problem might be a simple matter of a roof that is leaking because of full or damaged gutters. Have your roof gutters cleaned regularly and inspected for damage. Repair them as necessary, and keep an eye out for water stains after storms that may indicate a leak.
Improve air flow in your home. According to the EPA, as temperatures drop, the air is able to hold less moisture. Without good air flow in your home, that excess moisture may appear on your walls, windows and floors. To increase circulation, open doors between rooms, move furniture away from walls, and open doors to closets that may be colder than the rooms they’re in. Let fresh air in to reduce moisture and keep mold at bay.
Keep mold off household plants. They're beautiful and help keep your indoor air clean — and mold loves them. The moist soil in indoor plants is a perfect breeding ground for mold, which may then spread to other areas of your house.
Finally, educate yourself on your region's climate — be it the cold and wet Northeast, the hot and wet South, the hot and dry Southwest, or the cold and dry West — and how it responds to moisture. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to mold prevention. Knowing what works for your climate and your home is an important first step. For more mold information please visit SERVPRO Mold Remediation or EPA.gov/mold
Water in your home; whether from a plumbing leak, a malfunctioning washer, a backed-up sewer, a flood or another natural disaster -- causes more damage the longer it's in contact with the structure and materials, so a water-damage emergency requires immediate action. Call a professional such as SERVPRO in to assess damage. Water removal, restoration services and mold cleanup generally require licensed professionals with the correct equipment for the job.
Time Is of the Essence
The sooner mitigation can begin the better your chance of preventing structural damage and mold growth. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's guidelines for water damage to schools and commercial buildings calls for discarding or fully drying water-damaged materials within 48 hours to reduce the risk of mold. Mold cleanup requires protective equipment to reduce its hazard to health. At minimum levels, respirators, gloves and goggles are standard attire, according to FEMA.
Water Damage Mitigation
Water emergency contractors should have the know-how, experience and equipment to expedite water damage mitigation. SERVPRO specializes in water damage and offers services including testing to detect moisture in hidden areas. Surface cleanup isn't enough in cases where moisture has seeped into walls, supports and subfloors. Unseen moisture pocket can cause mold, rot and other damage. An EPA lead-safe certification is required for firms that repair homes built before 1978 that contain lead paint.
Restoration and Repair Process
The restoration process involves pumping out the water, removing materials and furnishings that can't be restored, and drying the home's interior, furnishings and systems, such as ductwork, air conditioning and furnaces, if necessary. Extraction vacuums pull water out of upholstered furnishings and carpets, saving the cost of replacing them. Structure drying, including crawlspaces and basements, ensures against moisture damage.
Call SERVPRO
If you experience a water damage or flood situation contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee immediately. They can help assess the damages and have the proper knowledge, education and equipment to make it "like it never even happened".
Act Quickly When Water Damage Strikes Your Home by Calling SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee
Resisdential Water Damage Restoration Service:
From estimation to completion, our experienced team is ready to handle your home’s water damage cleanup and restoration needs. With our help you can rest assured that your assets will be protected and damage kept minimal.
Our trained technicians will use specialized equipment to find out just how severe your water damage problem actually is. Once they’ve evaluated the damage, they’ll get rid of any standing water then begin the drying process.
Steps to take when Water Damage Strikes:
Act Quickly: The severity of damage escalates the longer water sits and building components and contents stay wet, so time is of the essence in the aftermath of a flood. In fact, mold will grow within 48-72 hours, so aim to start removing water and drying the environment within 48 hours.
Ventilate affected areas to prevent mold growth: Mold spores love moisture and organic materials such as paper or particleboard. In order to mitigate or slow damage, open windows if weather permits and place fans inside of them to keep air moving and maintain moderate temperatures. Work toward the fan as you clean to minimize cross contamination.
Assess damage to items and materials: Assess the type of water absorbed by items, such as rainwater, water from broken pipes, contaminated river water or bacteria-filled sewage. There are ways to salvage specialty items but the decision on whether to save or trash an item will vary depending on the dollar and sentimental value to the owner. It may not be worthwhile to salvage drywall, carpets and pads, mattresses, pillows, box springs and particleboard. On the other hand, it might be worthwhile to restore costly Persian rugs, leather couches and antiques or heirlooms. Wet clothing and many household fabrics may be salvageable through machine washing, and a 10-minute soak in detergent and hot water, to remove contamination and stains. The IICRC strongly recommends that in water damages where there are contaminants present (e.g., bacteria, sewage, mold) or where small children or immune-compromised individuals are present that an inspection be conducted by an appropriately trained restorer and remediator.
Expose pockets of saturation: Hidden and concealed pockets of saturation need to be opened for cleaning and drying. Layers between building materials hold water that must be discovered and removed or dried. On walls, find the water line and inspect at least a foot beyond it to make sure all damage, wet materials and mold are discovered. Remove and discard the damaged drywall and wet wall insulation. Wet carpets can usually be dried by professionals with the right equipment, but carpet padding, which is like a big sponge, should be discarded. Wood base trim and hardwood can also be saved with the right equipment if they can be accessed and completely dried on both sides. Remember to investigate concealed cavities such as behind walls, in mechanical spaces, under cabinets and furniture, and in crawl spaces.
Confirm drying before reconstruction: In order to prevent dry rot and structural damage, it’s important not to reconstruct or cover wood and other wet materials until the moisture content has been adequately reduced. A water restoration professional can confirm proper drying before reconstruction. Call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee to ensure proper drying has taken place.
House fires are a disaster that no one wants to experience. Here are some steps to help limit further damage to your home after a fire.
Ask when it is safe to enter a house or building after a fire. Do not enter a house or other building that has been affected by a fire until you have listened to the professionals telling you that it is okay to do so.
Know who to contact after a fire. Contact family members that may not have been with you and let them know what happened as well as that you're okay. Contact a professional fire restoration expert such as SERVPRO to assist with the cleanup and restoration of fire damage.
Secure the property. If you have not already done so it is important to secure your property to prevent possible looting. Talk to emergency services on how to best go about this.
Consider the clean-up requirements. If your house has been damaged rather than destroyed, interior clean up will be required. Keep in mind that damage to the property often goes beyond what the eye can see. (Removal of a destroyed house should only be done by professionals.) Call SERVPRO to assess the damage.
If water hoses were used to put out your fire, drying your home is VERY important. It is best to hire professionals to do fire/ water damage restoration and clean-up. Water damage can lead to more damage or even mold if not dried properly.
Quick Tips for Preventing Water Damage from Common Sources in Your Fernandina Beach, Yulee or Jacksonville Home:
Knowing the water damage warning signs in and around your home can help you avoid big repair bills as well as more time and trouble later. View the tips below for preventing water damage and what to do if and when it occurs.
Toilets
After flushing, remain in or near the bathroom until the fill valve has finished refilling the bowl.
If the bowl or tank begins to overflow, turn off the water at the supply valve.
Inspect the flushing mechanism inside the toilet every six months.
The fill valve should shut off when the float reaches the proper water level.
Operate the shut-off valve to make sure the water supply will turn off properly. Replace if needed.
Washing Machines
Turn supply valves off when not in use for extended periods of time.
Do not operate the washing machine while the home is unoccupied.
Inspect the water supply lines every six months.
Check the hoses for cracks, kinks blisters, which are most commonly found near the hose connection.
Washing machine manufacturers recommenmd replacing washing maching hoses every 5 years
Consider using reinforced braided stainless steel hoses
Water Heaters
Have a professional inspection of the anode rod at least once every two years and annually once the warrenty has expired. The rod may eventually corrode and leave the tank vulnerable to damage.
Remove sediment by flushing the tank every six months. Sediment can build up faster in areas with hard water.
Plumbuing Supply & Drain Systems
*Homes 30 years old are three times as likely to have a plumbing supply or drain issue.
*Homes in the South, where plumbing is usually beneath the slab are twice as likely as their northern neighbors to have a supply issue.
Visually inspect plumbing pipes annually, look for condensation around the pipes or an obvious leak and corrosion.
Pay attention to your water bill. A signifigant increase could indicate a leak.
Call a plumber at the first signs of rust-colored water, backed-up toilets or sinks and cracked or warped flooring.
Insulate pipes in attics, basements and exposed exterior pipes to avoid freezing.
Refrigerator Icemakers
Proper installation of the icemaker supply line hose is important to avoiding water damage.
Ensure a tight connection between the hose and valve however, avoid over-tightening.
If kinks are present, replace hose.
Leave a 3 to 4 inch gap between the back of the refrigerator and the wall to prevent the hose from crimping.
When pulling the refrigerator out for cleaning or service, avoid getting the hose caught beneath the wheels.
Locate the water shut-off valve.
Roof Leaks
Have a professional inspection annually.
Request a detailed inspection report that includes the condition of the flashing, roof covering, parapets and drainage system.
Repairs are needed if there are cracked or missing shingles or loose or missing granules; if flashing has deteriorated, paticularly around chimneys and vents; or if pooling water is present.
If your air vents look dirty, your ducts probably are too.
Are you ready to give your home a top-to-bottom buffing this spring? Why not include your HVAC system and duct work? After all your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is the heart of your indoor comfort and air quality.
Indoor Air Quality
According to the national Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), the average six-room house collects 40 pounds of dirt, dust and allergens in its air ducts each year. That’s a big problem, considering that 40,000 dust mites can thrive in only one ounce of dust. Those little dust “bunnies” contain a host of unhealthy bacteria, fungi and mold. The EPA estimates indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Even worse, the contaminated air circulates throughout your house every time the heating or cooling system kicks on. Your heating and cooling system is the lungs of your home.
Through normal occupation in a home, we generate a great deal of contaminants and air pollutants, such as dander, dust, and chemicals. These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated 5 to 7 times per day, on average. Over time, this re-circulation causes a build-up of contaminants in the duct work.
Energy Savings
The U.S. Department of Energy says that 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. Contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder and shorten the life of your system. Although filters are used, the heating and cooling system still gets dirty through normal use. When an HVAC system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost-effectiveness.
Fernandina Beach/Yulee and North Jacksonville Mold Remediation Experts
Can Mold Be a Problem in My Fernandina Beach or North Jacksonville Home?
Yes. Molds will grow where conditions allow. Molds require two things to grow – a food source and moisture. Food sources can be anything from dry wall and insulation to carpeting or mattresses. Moisture can come from many sources, including high humidity levels, leaky pipes or appliance hoses, neglected or inadequately repaired roofs, improperly maintained air conditioners, landscape and drainage problems, etc.
Should I be Concerned About Mold in My Home?
Yes. Indoor mold growth is unsanitary and undesirable. If you can see or smell mold inside your home, you should take steps to eliminate the cause and clean up and remove the mold. If left unchecked mold growth can cause health effects and structural damage to your home.
What is "Black Mold"?
You may have seen sensational news reports that warn about the dangers of “black mold” or “toxic mold”. These reports can be alarming and confusing so it’s beneficial to get the facts to better understand mold. For more information about "black mold" please visit the link below.
Quite possibly. According to the Centers for Disease Control, exposure to mold does not necessarily result in a health problem.
While many people seldom experience ill effects from mold exposure, it can cause health effects in others.
What Can I Do to Prevent Mold From Growing in My Home?
Since mold needs a food source and moisture to grow, the best thing you can do is to prevent moisture problems that allow mold to grow.
Maintain lower levels of humidity in your home (preferably between 30-50%) by: venting bathrooms and dryers to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation by adding crawlspace and attic vents; using exhaust fans when cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning, etc.
Add insulation to reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces such as windows, pipes, exterior walls, roofs, or floors.
Inspect your home regularly for indications and sources of indoor moisture such as leaking pipes, appliance hoses, showers, tubs, sinks and toilets. Replace plastic hoses with steel-reinforced hoses. Check windows, doors, attics and ceilings for leaks or evidence of water stains or odors, particularly after rains. Fix plumbing, flashing, and roof leaks right away.
Don't carpet bathrooms, basements, kitchens or other areas prone to moisture. Clean bathrooms often and keep surfaces dry.
Cover dirt in crawlspaces with a moisture barrier plastic sheeting.
Prevent water from entering basements and crawlspaces by repairing holes and cracks in walls and foundation. Use landscaping to direct water away from your foundation.
Clean and maintain your gutters and make sure drainpipes carry water several feet away from your home.
Watch your utility bills. An abnormally high water bill could signal a water leak.
Before you travel, turn off the water at the main valve. Have a trusted friend or neighbor check the inside and outside of your home periodically while you're away.
Frozen pipe burst in Jacksonville FL resulting in water damage.
One of the most common things to happen to a home during a cold snap is water damage caused by frozen pipes, especially if your pipes aren't insulated. Even where extremely cold weather is normal in winter, pipes freeze and cause all kinds of problems. Pipes freeze when they're exposed to freezing weather for a few days. Problems come up when frozen pipes thaw; cold weather makes pipes brittle and frozen water has less volume than running water. The pipe breaks due to the cold, water starts running and then you've got a mess on your hands.
Pipes can freeze in 2 main areas – water coming in and water going out. You know water coming in is frozen because nothing comes out the tap. Frozen outgoing pipes from showers, toilets and sinks are a bigger problem because these will back up into the house; that's the reason it's always recommended to keep a little water dripping into the sinks and opening the cabinet doors under the sink ... running water doesn't freeze as easily as standing water.
Every winter season, the pipes in your Fernandina Beach / Jacksonville home are at risk of damage from freezing conditions. Low temperatures can cause your water pipes to freeze, and in some cases burst. The following tips can help you safeguard your home before, during and after a pipe freezes.
Prevent Your Pipe From Freezing
Disconnect all gardening hoses and install covers on all outside faucets.
Keep your house temperature at 68 degrees or higher, even if you're leaving the house for an extended period of time.
Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat from the home to circulate.
Identify the location of the main water valve and the valve on your water heater. (Learning the location of these valves may come in handy during an emergency.)
Wrap pipes nearest exterior walls and in crawl spaces with pipe insulation or with heating tape. This can prevent freezing, especially for interior pipes that run along outside walls.
Close all windows near water pipes; cover or close open-air vents. Freezing temperatures combined with wind drafts can cause pipes to freeze more frequently.
Heat your basement and consider weather sealing your windows.
Insulate outside walls and unheated areas of your home.
If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, shut off water supply valves to your washing machine.
Monitor Freezing Pipe Conditions
Allow a faucet to drip slightly (lukewarm water) in order to minimize freezing.
The first sign of freezing is reduced water flow from a faucet.
Check your faucets for water flow and pressure before you go to sleep and again when you wake up.
Check pipes around your water meter, in unheated areas, near exterior walls and in crawl spaces.
These tend to be vulnerable to freezing conditions.
Identify cold air drafts coming in from a flue or chimney chase and caulk gaps that are near pipes.
If a Pipe Bursts
Shut off water at the main valve.
If the break is in a hot water pipe, the valve on top of the water heater should be closed.
Call a professional restoration expert such as SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee. Keep an emergency number nearby for quick access.
Fernandina Beach FL: House flood resulting from a burst water pipe during freezing temperatures.
It's that time a year again and if you live in an area with cold winters there is a risk of plumbing pipes freezing during cold weather.
If the temperature inside a house gets below 32 degrees Fahrenheit it's likely the water supply pipes and the drain traps will freeze. When water freezes it expands 9% and if there is no room for expansion it is possibel that the pipe will develop a crack. When the ice thaws the pipe will leak, and in the supply system this leak could occur anywhere.
There is a reason why many professionals recommend leaving a trickle of water flowing through home faucets during cold weather. If water is allowed to remain still in a pipe exposed to the cold air, the water may freeze solid and the pipe may burst. If the water continues to flow, even in a trickle, it won't have the opportunity to freeze and the pipes should survive until the air temperature warms above freezing.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
Remember the three central causes of frozen pipes? Quick drops in temperature, poor insulation, and thermostats set too low. You can prepare by protecting your home during the warmer months. Here’s how:
Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic, even if you live in a climate where freezing is uncommon. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember: The more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
Before winter hits, disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.
For more information about how to prevent frozen pipes check out this information from The American Red Cross.
Experience your property at its finest! SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee proudly offers exterior property cleaning, fire &water damage restoration, low pressure roof cleaning, wood & deck pressure washing, and interior power washing & water extraction for commercial and residential clients. We appreciate that your home or business is more than a property — it’s an investment. And we’re proud to deliver services that are worthy of it.
Residential
Residential services include exterior sidings, driveways, sidewalks and patios, fences, and roofs. It is very important to keep the exterior of your home clean and free from environmental hazards such as soot, mold, algae and oxidation. Regular cleaning such as pressure washing, deck or patio washing and concrete or driveway washing can help to prevent premature aging which reduces maintenance cost and saves you money. When you compare the relatively low price of proper residential pressure wash cleaning to the high cost of home repairs or even replacement, it is easy to see why home owners choose to have this type of work done on a scheduled basis. Not to mention the fact, it just plain looks better when it’s clean.
Commercial
We offer our commercial property owners comprehensive power washing solutions. No two businesses are alike. That’s why we provide the tailored commercial services that will fulfill your needs. Shopping malls, banks, restaurants and convenience stores typically require unique services at different times. We take pride in offering flexible service plans and scheduling to accommodate your needs.
Let us keep your business looking picture perfect. We always ensure that our work is implemented at a time that will minimize interference with your business operations. What’s more, our team will always come to your property with the specialized commercial services equipment needed to complete the task and provide professional results.
Apartment and Homeowners Association (HOA)
At some point during every interview, a potential resident will tour the neighborhood. The first impressions that are made during this tour can go a long way towards filling the unit or letting it sit empty. Are the common areas and parking lots of your apartment complex or HOA community clean and inviting? What about the units themselves? Do they reflect a clean and properly maintained community? If you have been looking for a company to handle all of your properties exterior cleaning and maintenance needs look no further! We have the experience and the equipment to get the job done right!
Examples
Take a look at our Photo Gallery section as well as Before & After Photos of some of the pressure washing jobs we have done in the past.
We would like to hear from you. Click CONTACT US or Call (904) 729-2401 for a no cost estimate or assessment today!
SERVPRO - "Official Cleanup and Restoration Company of the PGA Tour and Champions Tour"
What do SERVPRO and golf have in common?
The people! Our customers and Franchises love to play golf so we've launched a new site that brings the two together. SERVPROgolf.com
SERVPRO joins the PGA TOUR as an Official Marketing Partner and receives the designation as “Official Cleanup and Restoration Company of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour.” Our customers and our Franchisees love golf so we are thrilled to be a PGA TOUR Marketing Partner. The PGA TOUR partnership is a perfect way to expand our brand awareness and thank our clients for allowing SERVPRO to help make it “Like it never even happened.”
Professional Tile & Grout Cleaning by SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee
Tile and Grout Cleaning Service - Fernandina Beach - Yulee - Callahan - North Jacksonville
Professional Tile & Grout Cleaning
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee offers tile & grout cleaning. Deep cleaning your tile & grout will revitaize and rejuvenate your floor with outstanding results. We are a full service restoration company using the best techniques, highly trained technicians, and the most technoligically advanced equpipment on the market.
Grout is Porus and Cleaning it is a Difficult DIY Project
Grout in particular is naturally a very porus material. All of the grease, soil, and contaminants in the grout andon the tile need to be suspended using the right balance of material specific cleaning chemicals as well as hot water and high pressure extraction. Mopping and scrubbing just aren't enough to get the hidden deep down grime.
How Do We Clean Your Tile & Grout
We use a high pressure rotary tool with dual rotating jets. This is combined with the same truck-mounted steam/pressure cleaning we use to deep clean your carpet. We use tile and grout specific cleaners that strip away any waxy build-up and remove the dirt embedded in the grout lines.
Immediately report all foul odors or defective equipment to the Building Manager or Security. If fire is detected pull the fire alarm station to sound the alarm.
Evacuate Safely:
Leave the area quickly in an emergency; use stairs instead of the elevator. Assist your coworkers.
Do Not Use Open Flames:
The use of open flames in the work place is prohibited unless authorized.
General Workplace FireSafety:
Make sure all walk ways and corridors are kept clear to ensure emergency egress is uninhibited. Use and maintain wiring, tools and equipment correctly. Keep everything oil and dust free. Uncoil an extension cord fully before use and use extension cords for temporary wiring ONLY; be sure the amperage of the cord is appropriate for the job you are doing. Do not use equipment that delivers mild electric shock, gives off unusual heat or smells odd. If in doubt have it checked and repaired or replaced. Sweep up scraps of paper or material and dust as soon as possible. Do not use electrical equipment when flammable gases, vapors, liquids, dust, or fibers are present. Ensure trash is emptied frequently enough to prohibit a buildup of combustibles in an area.
Did you know that if a fire starts in your home, you may have just minutes to escape?
The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. 60% of house fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives.
Preparing and Preventing a Home Fire - Steps You Can Take Now
Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
Never smoke in bed.
Talk to your children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach.
Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Smoke Alarms
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
Teach your children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.
Test smoke alarms once a month, if they’re not working, change the batteries.
Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. Never disable smoke or carbon monoxide alarms.
Carbon monoxide alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
Fire Escape Planning
Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home.
Make sure everyone knows where to meet outside in case of fire.
Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.
From the left there about a dozen air movers. These air movers are used to dry. These aid in part of the drying process. The air movers are used to dry surfaces which in turn cause the moisture contntent to go from any surface into the air. That's where the dehumidifiers come in. Next you can see that there are three LGR (low grain refrigerent) commercial dehumidifiers. This piece of equipment is vital to the process as they remove the excess moisture that the air movers put into the air. Without removing the air moisture content the air will become 100% saturated and surfaces will not continue to dry. The two air movers on the right are a sort of specialty equipment. The first air mover is the round one, called an axial air mover. It is used to dry flooring, jetting a high velocity of air directly down on the wet areas. The last air mover has a few extra plugs on the side of it allowing us to chain several air movers together when there are not sufficient outlets available.
As you can see it takes several pieces of specialized equipment to perform the drying process after sustaining water intrusion. If you have just experienced a watter issue and do not know what to do, just call the professionals at SERVPRO.
A) There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. B) Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects) C) Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers
Some research suggests that cleaning heating and cooling system components (e.g., cooling coils, fans and heat exchangers) may improve the efficiency of your system, resulting in a longer operating life, as well as some energy and maintenance cost savings."
Mold growth in a Jacksonville home from water intrusion damage.
Mold Remediation in Jacksonville Florida
It happens all too frequently. It begins with a minor flood or leak. As soon as 48 hours after a water intrusion it begins to grow. Mold.
Mold can begin to grow as soon as 48 hours after a water intrusion provided that there is elevated moisture content remaining. A water intrusion left untreated can cause extensive further damage. The conditions for mold to grow exist just about everywhere; after all, mold can grow on just about any surface. As a result, that entire mold is waiting for is high enough humidity.
If you suspect mold growth in your home, office or commercial building, you should call us to inspect. If mold is found, we have the training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee Provides Commercial Cleaning Services
You don’t have time to worry about the common wear and tear that gradually soils your office. When grime, odor, and moisture challenges go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, you should call SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee for prompt service. Whether it’s removing an odor problem or deep cleaning flooring or carpets, you can rely on us to make your workspace look its very best.
Did you know that the Environmental Protection Agency claims that indoor air has been found to be up to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air? Now consider that most people spend between 60% and 90% of their time indoors. The facts can be quite alarming. Considering that we spend so much time indoors it makes perfect sense to clean the source of our indoor air quality problems... Our Air Ducts and HVAC systems. SERVPRO provides commercial air duct and HVAC cleaning services.
Need a price quote or estimate? Call or e-mail us today. You can schedule an appointment for an estimate or in some cases get a general quote over the phone. To request help online click Contact Us and fill out the form provided. You may also call us at (904) 729-240.
Water Damage/Intrusion Tips and Information. House Flood? Water Extraction? Call SERVPRO Professionals.
Water Damage/Intrusion Tips for Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville
Water damage can be deceptive. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. The detection of water in these areas can often only be discovered with sophisticated moisture detection meters. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. This damage, at a minimum, will cause odors. Greater damage will surface when materials delaminate, shrink, split and further deteriorate to where costly repairs are required.
More than just removing excess water, IICRC-certified restorers have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to pre-loss conditions. Through timely response and the careful monitoring of water damage, mold and other health issues can be prevented. If water damage has been present too long, mold will occur.
All IICRC-certified professionals have the training and experience to identify moisture sources, evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected), contain damage, remove contamination and dry materials to ensure that mold will not return.
Safe Flood Damage Clean-up Tips
Use caution when entering buildings. Make sure electrical power is off and the structure is sound before entering and inspecting a flooded building. Small animals or reptiles may also seek shelter inside a structure, so be cautious when repositioning contents or removing materials.
Protect yourself. Wear an organic vapor respirator, available from paint or building supply stores, along with rubber gloves, eye protection and protective clothing. Ventilate affected areas by opening windows, and eventually, by placing a fan in a window. Work toward the fan as you clean to minimize cross contamination.
Prevent mold growth. Although it takes a few days to appear, mold thrives in a moist environment with organic material (e.g., paper or particle board), and temperatures between 68°F and 86°F. Keep air moving and maintain moderate temperatures as possible.
Consider hiring a professional such as SERVPRO. A professional water damage restoration company has trained technicians, specialized cleaners and antimicrobial agents, and extraction, drying, dehumidifying and moisture measuring equipment.
Know How to Choose a Water Damage Restoration Service
When water damage strikes; "Everything under your roof. Everyone under ours"
Do you know how to choose a Water Damage Restoration Service in Fernandina Beach, Yulee, or Jacksonville?
1. Only choose certified professionals to perform water damage restoration services... 2. Do not select a technician based only on the price or an insurance company’s recommendation... 3. Choose a company that offers a range of water damage restoration services... 4. A company that is available 24/7 is a good sign. Stay away from any firms that are reluctant to start right away...
Using these guidelines, a homeowner should be able to find a technician that can be trusted and is equipped to do the job the right way. A storm or other disaster is hard enough to deal with, and a remediation firm should do everything in its power to make this difficult process easier.
School administrators should always be vigilant that the indoor air quality of their building is healthy and safe.
How to Keep Schools Mold Free
Indoors and outdoors, mold is always around. This resilient little spore is floating in the air, growing on the ground, and may even be present on indoor surfaces. While microscopic amounts of mold in Fernandina Beach & Yulee generally aren't harmful, larger populations can cause serious health problems in those with allergies or weakened immune systems. For that reason, school administrators should always be vigilant that the indoor air quality of their building is healthy and safe.
Why humidity is a problem in the summer
Humidity can be a concern year round, not just the summer. However, it's during summer vacation that schools are likely to turn off HVAC systems in order to save money. Many don't realize that an HVAC system doesn't just keep the temperature to a comfortable level; it keeps the humidity in check too. Thus, by turning off the HVAC system, school administrators could be creating the perfect opportunity for a mold problem in Fernandina Beach & Yulee.
What mold needs to grow
The conditions for mold to grow exist just about everywhere; after all, mold can grow on just about any surface. As a result, all that mold is waiting for is high enough humidity. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends that indoor humidity be kept to 50% or lower at all times to prohibit mold growth. If the humidity stays too high for too long, mold will grow.
Watch for key problems areas
Thankfully, there might be a middle ground here for schools. Rather than running the HVAC system night and day, school administrators can instead track humidity levels. Once the humidity gets too high, the HVAC can be turned on, or a dehumidifier can be used to literally pull moisture out of the air. Additionally, mold-prone areas, like kitchens, bathrooms, and windows should be carefully watched for mold growth.
Hire a professional mold cleanup team
Should mold be found, it's best for school administrators to hire a professional cleanup team. The mold remediation process can be complex and even dangerous. Inexperienced hands can spread spores or miss problems areas. In the end, this could make the problem much worse, raise the overall costs of repairs, and put the health of those in the building at risk.
Mold Remediation
Mold can present serious health concerns and can spread quickly through your home or business if left unchecked. SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee Professionals utilize proven mold remediation techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to protect you and your property. For more information about mold and mold remediation please visit the following:
When you experience a fire, there is not only fire damage, but may also be water damage and mold damage.
Important Fire Damage Restoration Tips
After a property has sustained fire damage in Fernandina Beach or Jacksonville, many homeowners are taken aback by the number of challenges that they must overcome while attempting to ensure the restoration and safety of their homes. In addition to being deadly, fires also have the capacity to cause a tremendous amount of property loss. Residential and commercial property owners must collect as much information as they possibly can before having to deal with one of these events. This will increase their chances of making rapid recoveries. The guide that follows is interactive and offers a number of helpful fire restoration tips along with tips that have been provided by FEMA.
The foremost priority of property owners is to assess the nature and amount of damages that a fire has caused. A number of items within the structure could be overlooked when attempting to gauge the full measure of damages. It is vital to carefully review the following items with a fire inspector before choosing to use these in the home or in the business:
· Edible goods
· Eating utensils and dishes
· Furnishings
· Clothing
· Carpeting
· Flooring
When damages are assessed, people often fail to consider their dishes, food and eating utensils. Eating foods that have been contaminated or using contaminated dishes and eating utensils can result in serious illness. A fire restoration service must properly inspect these items before use. If they cannot be salvaged or restored, they will need to be thrown out.
Although the flames will have caused much of the visible damage that occurs in your home during a fire, soot and smoke are often far less conspicuous hazards that could be very detrimental to human health. The leading cause of death among fire victims is smoke inhalation. Thus, smoke damage is the most important thing to consider when assessing fire damage.
Soot is unlike smoke in that it is very easy to detect. This is a fine coat of black dust that is produced by burning oil-based, coal or wood items. These carbon particulates circulate throughout the indoor space and can settle on any surface. If you inhale soot, it can cause serious lung ailments and even death. When the office or home is filled with soot contaminants, fire restoration specialists will have to assess the affected areas in order to learn whether or not it will be possible to restore them.
Water is often the last thing that people think about when dealing with fire damage. Another important detail that is frequently overlooked after a life-threatening blaze is the resulting water damage that results from the efforts on the part of fire officials to put the fire out.
Fires of all sizes are usually extinguished with water. Once fires have been contained, all affected areas will need to be dried completely in order to prevent additional property loss and damage. Restoration companies can employ industrial air movers and dehumidifiers in order to dry carpet padding, carpets, furniture and any other items that have been saturated with water.
Due to the fact that mold spores can develop within just 48 hours after water damages have occurred, it is vital to quickly and efficiently dry the affected area. Water, fire and mold together can result in total property loss if a trusted mold remediation specialist does not properly tend to these situations.
Homeowners can expedite their restoration and repair efforts by learning more about fire damage long before experiencing fires in their homes.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee is locally owned and operated and serves Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Callahan, Hilliard, Oceanway, North Jacksonville, and the surrounding communities. Water comes from everywhere and our certified technicians can clean and dry any flood. Other services we provide include the following:
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Yulee can restore your floors and make it "Like it never even happened".
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is popular due to its sleek and elegant look coupled with its durability. It requires far less maintenance than carpet and other flooring materials and is considerably more affordable, especially when compared to hardwood. However, it does come with a set of disadvantages to go with its advantages. Those disadvantages include the susceptibility to water damage. Homeowners should consider the following:
Water Damage and Laminate Flooring Water damaged laminate flooring is one of those problems home inspectors see regularly. Depending on the amount of water and the time it was allowed to stay on the floor, water damage in Jacksonville from moisture can be severe. In many cases, floors can be so badly damaged that they cannot be repaired and must be removed.
Causes of water damage to laminate flooring include: • Roof leaks • Leaking appliances • Overflowing toilets • Wet concrete floor • Excessive humidity
What Happens When Laminate Flooring is Damaged by Water? When the seams between planks of laminate flooring are saturated with water, they swell. In this situation, the homeowner's only option is to replace those planks; however, this is not easy as it may not be possible to find planks that match up exactly with the ones already installed. It may therefore be necessary to replace the whole floor. How to Spot Jacksonville Water Damage to Laminate Flooring• Plank edges are puffy or swollen • Severe cupping • Severe crowning • Severe cracking Homeowners should note that even a small amount of water like a spilled drink or rain blowing in through an open window could result in major damage. Furthermore, the moisture may not be visible until after the floor has been damaged. Why Laminate Floors are Susceptible to Moisture Damage In many cases, laminate floors are installed without a moisture barrier. The most commonly used underlayment is simply a foam pad installed between the laminate flooring and the subfloor. Even when a moisture barrier is installed, it is still possible for moisture to get trapped in the foam pad. The trapped moisture will speed up the rate at which the laminate flooring is damaged and may also cause damage to the walls and subflooring. Water Removal Steps for Laminate Flooring If the laminate floor has been flooded, immediate water removal steps are essential. Homeowners can use fans or dehumidifiers for water removal In most cases, the floors will return to their previous state after they have been dried out. Once the water removal efforts are complete, the damage can be assessed and a determination made about whether it will be necessary to replace the flooring.
In order to protect laminate flooring, homeowners should try to limit indoor humidity to between 30 and 50 percent while maintaining a temperature of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.SERVPRO of Jacksonville South Professionals provide fire and Jacksonville water damage restoration services. SERVPRO of Jacksonville South proudly serves Jacksonville, Macclenny, Starke, Keystone Heights, White House, St Nicholas, Town Center, Brooklyn, San Marco and surrounding areas. We are available 24 hours/7 days a week and are ready to restore damage to your home or commercial structure caused by:
Do you see the visible difference between steam cleaned and dry cleaned carpet? Which is cleaner? You be the judge.
This image is a perfect example of the difference between steam cleaning carpet and dry cleaning. As you can see the steam cleaned carpet appears the cleanest, and that's because it is!
Even the highest-quality carpet and upholstery can show soiling over time. Protect your investment by calling us to clean and maintain your carpet and upholstery. The SERVPRO System offers a number of cleaning options to match any type of upholstery or carpet. So give us a call today (904) 729-2401 and schedule an appointment to make your dirty or dull carpets "Like it never even happened."
See the difference a professional tile and grout cleaning can make. This is one of the many things you can do to brighten up your home or office today
Why Should I Have My Tile and Grout Cleaned
Just like carpet, dirt builds up over time dulling your tile’s appearance and discoloring your grout. A thorough, professional tile & grout cleaning is the only way to remove the deep-down dirt.
Cleaning tile floors by hand is hard work. It’s messy, uncomfortable—and impossible to get the deep-clean results that come with professional tile and grout cleaning. That’s because grout, which is a porous material, collects dirt, grime and spills, often discoloring the surface. Regular mopping and spot cleaning don’t reach the hidden dirt that lies deep within the pores of your grout lines. Our professional tile and grout cleaning service restores the luster to your floors, making them look like new.
How do we clean your tile?
We use a high pressure rotary tool with dual rotating jets. This is combined with the same truck-mounted steam/pressure cleaning we use to deep clean your carpet. We use tile and grout specific cleaners that strip away any waxy build-up and remove the dirt embedded in the grout lines.
Tips For Tile and Grout Cleaning
Always vacuum/sweep before mopping to eliminate as much dry soil as possible.
Always rinse after you mop.
Avoid bleach and other harsh chemical cleaners that might break down sealants.
Do you know your coverage? Call your insurance provider today and make sure you are covered in the event of a water loss.
Water Damage: Seven Home Insurance Scenarios
Water damage is one of the most common reasons people make claims on their home insurance. Burst pipes, leaky appliances and flooded basements often lead people to discover the details of their home insurance policies.
Although insurance companies may pay to replace a carpet damaged by your dishwasher leak, you'll probably have to replace or repair the damaged hose at your own cost. If a sudden, unforeseen problem such as a frozen pipe leads to water damage, your home insurance covers repairs to both the broken pipe and your home and furnishings.
Here are common water-damage scenarios and their insurance consequences.
Scenario No. 1: The temperature drops to 10 below zero, causing your water pipes to freeze and burst. Your floor is now covered in 6 inches of water.
Are you covered? Yes, you're covered for water damage from burst pipes, but most policies won't cover you if you've left the house unoccupied and without heat. If that's the case, your claim could be denied because you've failed to perform the necessary upkeep that would prevent the accident.
Scenario No. 2: Water leaks from your backyard pool, ruining your manicured lawn and flooding your basement.
Are you covered? The damage to your basement and your personal property are covered, but not the damage to your lawn. According to a sample policy, "We do not cover land, including land on which the dwelling is located." However, your lawn is covered if it's damaged by certain "named perils." These include fire, explosion, riot, aircraft, vehicles not owned by you and vandalism. The amount of coverage for lawns and plants is small — usually only up to $500. Swimming-pool leaks are not a named peril. But if your leak was caused by a tree falling on the pool, it would be covered.
Scenario No. 3: Your washing machine overflows, flooding the basement.
Are you covered? Yes. But it depends on your home insurance company's view of the problem: Did you fail to maintain the washer properly or did sudden, accidental damage cause the flood? Usually, water from a broken appliance will be covered.
Scenario No. 4: A sewer backs up, flooding your basement.
Are you covered? No. Standard home insurance policies don't cover sewer backups, and many specifically exclude damage from sewer back-ups. Special endorsements are available, at added cost, for sewers and drains.
TIP: Don't shoot yourself in the foot by reporting damage to your home insurance company that's not covered by your policy. Your damage report may still go on your insurance record and look like a claim when you shop for new insurance in the future.
Scenario No. 5: Water seeps from the ground into your basement, damaging your foundation and interior.
Are you covered? No. Seepage is considered a maintenance problem, not "sudden and accidental" damage, and is excluded from home insurance coverage.
Scenario No. 6: During a heavy rainstorm, water leaks through your roof. The roof is damaged, as is furniture.
Are you covered? Somewhat. You're unlikely to be reimbursed for roof repairs because that's a house-maintenance issue. But the water damage to your home is covered. Damage to your furniture is also likely covered if you have a standard H0-3 home insurance policy, but not if you have a generic HO-1 policy (which many insurers don't even sell anymore). If your neighbor's tree falls on your roof, the damage to your roof, home and belongings is covered. Your policy also reimburses you up to a certain amount, usually around $500, for the cost of removing the tree.
Scenario No. 7: A nearby lake or river overflows its banks, causing a flash flood in your living room
Are you covered? No. Flood damage is not covered by home insurance. You must purchase flood insurance for that.
**All information above is for educational purposes only, not as actual insurance interpretation. If you have questions about your insurance coverage contact your carrier**
The 3 Categories of Water and 4 Primary Classifications of Water Damage
SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast is IICRC-certified. Call us at 904.729.2401 if you have water damage.
We are an IICRC Certified Firm.
There are 3 Basic Categories of Water
Category 1 originates from a sanitary source and poses no substantial risk from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposure. However, it may not always remain clean after it comes into contact with other surfaces or materials.
Category 2 contains significant contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed by humans. It may contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms, as well as other organic or inorganic matter (chemical or biological).
Category 3 is grossly contaminated and may contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. Such water sources may carry silt, organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, regulated materials, or toxic organic substances.
Time and temperature can also affect the quality of water, thereby changing its category. *Refer to the IICRC S500 for complete definitions.
The 4 Primary Classifications of Water Damage
Class 1 is the least amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects only part of a room or area, or larger areas containing materials that have absorbed minimal moisture. Little or no wet carpet and/or cushion is present.
Class 2 involves a large amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects at least an entire room of carpet and cushion (pad). Water has wicked up walls less than 24 inches. There is moisture remaining in structural materials and substructure soil.
Class 3 involves the greatest amount of water, absorption and evaporation. Water may have come from overhead. Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion and subfloor in virtually all of the entire area are saturated.
Class 4 relates to specialty drying situations. Wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (eg. hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, light-weight concrete and stone). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which require very low specific humidity. These types of losses may require longer drying times and special methods.
*Refer to the IICRC S500 for complete definitions.
Do You Know Where the Main Water Shut-off Valve Is?
No one expects pipes to burst, water heaters to break, or toilets and washers to overflow. If this happens, your quick response along with the highly trained specialists from SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast will limit your damages and potentially save you thousands of dollars!
October is Fire Prevention Month! Join us at the Yulee Home Depot on October 4th and spread the word of fire prevention!
Is your family prepared for a fire emergency? October is National Fire Prevention Month and it serves as an excellent time to examine your preparedness. Do you have a home fire escape plan? Have you changed smoke-alarm batteries within the last year? Do you know the main reasons for fires starting in the home?
The U.S Fire Administration reports that fires kill more than 4,000 Americans each year and approximately injure 20,000 more. U.S. fire departments respond to nearly 2 million fires each year, with three-quarters of them occurring in residences.
A home is often referred to as a safe haven. During October, make sure your home is protected from (and your family is prepared for) a fire. Here are 10 simple tips to help you avoid fires and reduce the risk of injury should one occur:
1. Smoke Alarms – These are still a very important addition to your home. Smoke alarms are widely available and inexpensive. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and test it monthly.
2. Prevent Electrical Fires –Don’t overload circuits or extension cords. Cords and wires should never be placed under rugs or in high traffic areas. Avoid loose electrical connections by checking the fit of the plug in the wall outlet. If the plug loosely fits, inspect the outlet right away. A poor connection between the plug and the outlet can cause overheating and can start a fire in minutes.
3. Keep Plugs Safe – Unplug all appliances when not in use. Follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions and use your senses to spot any potential disasters. If a plug is overheating, smells strange, shorts out or sparks – the appliance should be shut off immediately, then replaced or repaired.
4. Alternate Heaters – Make sure there is ample space around any portable heating unit. Anything that could catch fire should be at least three feet away. Inspect your chimney annually and use fire screens to help keep any fires in the fireplace.
5. Fire Safety Sprinklers – When combined with working smoke alarms, home fire sprinklers greatly increase your chance of surviving a fire. Sprinklers are affordable and they can increase property value and lower insurance rates.
6. Create An Escape Route – Create and practice your escape plan with your family from every room in the house. Practice staying low to the floor and checking for hot doors using the back of your hand. It’s just like a routine school fire drill – but in your home.
7. Position Appliances Carefully – Try to keep TV sets, kitchen and other appliances away from windows with curtains. If there is a wiring problem, curtains can spread a fire quickly. Additionally, keeping your appliances away from water sources (like rain coming in from windows) can help prevent wiring damage, which can lead to a fire.
8. Clean Dryer Vents – Clothes dryers often start fires in residential areas. Clean the lint filter every time you start a load of clothes to dry or after the drying cycle is complete. Make sure your exhaust duct is made of metal tubing and not plastic or foil. Clean the exhaust duct with a good quality dryer vent brush to prevent blockage & check for lint build up behind the dryer at least twice a year.
9. Be Careful Around the Holidays – If you fill your home with lights during the holiday season, keep them away from anything that can easily catch fire. Check all of your lights prior to stringing them up and dispose of anything with frayed or exposed wires.
10. Conduct Regular Inspections – Check all of your electronic equipment and wiring at least once a month. Taking a little time to do this each month can really pay off.
Following these simple tips could potentially save your life or the life of a loved one. Pass this list on to your friends and family and make this fire prevention month count!
We will be at the Home Depot in Yulee October 4th from 9:00 a.m. -- 3:00 p.m. along with our local fire rescue team spreading the word of Fire Prevention and Safety.
Biohazards happen. Let the professionals at SERVPRO® make it "like it never even happened"
Do you have a Bio-hazardous situation?
How do you know when you have a biohazard on your hands? The first thing you need to know is the definition of a biohazard. Biohazards are infectious agents or hazardous materials that create a risk for the health of humans or animals. Often this is associated with the possibility of material being considered infectious to anyone in the environment. Now that we know the definition, we must now look at what types of situations can cause infections.
Different Types of Biohazards
Death - When an individual dies, their body shuts down losing the ability to contain its fluids and wastes. All of these fluids would be considered biohazard waste, since the fluids might have bacteria or viruses that are still alive. Hence the precautions that are taken when dealing with those situations. Without the proper protections the risk of infection is greatly increased.
Sewage Backups - Sewage backups and dark water intrusions are more than nasty, smelly deposits – these damages also introduce harmful microorganisms into a structure. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals remove the sewage, contaminants, and moisture, and help ensure the structure is properly cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized.
Hoarding - Biohazards are arguably the most dangerous threat to homeowners and their pets. It is no secret that many hoarding cases are plagued with biohazards. Biohazards, or pathogens, are any harmful agents that pose an immediate risk to human beings, animals, or the environment. Biohazards usually rear themselves in the form of toxic or infectious diseases or agents.
Health - Health biohazard cleanup is needed when these agents are presented in two major forms within a hoarded home: Airborne and blood borne.
Airborne biohazards are any pathogens (bacterial, viral, or allergenic) that can be absorbed through the lungs or enter the body in other ways like the ears, nose, throat, and eyes.
Blood borne biohazards are commonly more deadly and quicker to infect a person or pet. Able to enter the blood stream in many similar ways as an airborne pathogen, blood borne biohazards can also infect someone through open cuts, sores, and any major orifice.
Biohazard Cleanup Services
Here are a few of the benefits we provide during each biohazard cleanup:
Our services are provided to you with compassion, respect and integrity. We are committed to provide you immediate professional services.
We are a preferred vendor for the top insurance companies; this shows we have met their strict criteria to be ethical in conduct, performance and in billing.
We remove and decontaminate most all biological hazards. All items deemed unsafe will be cleaned or removed and disposed of properly.
We are a Certified Professional Mold Remediation Contractor; meeting the guidelines IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation.
You can rest assured that we follow all state and federal guidelines and regulations in the transportation, incineration, or disposal of all bio-hazardous materials.
You can also visit Servpro® Biohazard Cleanup to learn more about some of the other bio-hazardous cleaning services we offer.
Help Us Donate To The Nassau County Back to School Supply Drive
You Can Help Donate School Supplies For Students Who Need Them Most
We are proud to help the Amelia Island Nassay County Association of Realtors collect school supply donations for students who need them the most. Some of the most-needed supplies include pencils, pens, crayons, glue sticks, pocket folders, wide ruled notebook paper, spiral notebooks, dry erase markers, and white or color copy paper. You can bring donations and supplies to our office located at 1658 South 8th St. Suite G5 or their office at 910 South 14th St. Fernandina Beach, Fl 32034 We will be accepting donations until July 31st and encourage everyone to participate, even if you only have a small box of pens or pencils to donate, you can make a difference!
Follow these tips to prevent damage to your home in the event of a storm.
Follow These Tips For Storm Damage Prevention
Powerful natural phenomena such as thunderstorms and tornados often strike with little warning and are capable of leaving behind complete devastation. Hurricanes give more warning but may be even more damaging. By investing time in preventative measures, your risk of experiencing storm damage is greatly decreased.
Keep Trees Trimmed
There is no doubt trees can cause damage and be damaged in storms. However, appropriately placed and maintained trees can help reduce damage to structures in storms by deflecting wind, and reduce damage to trees. Appropriate actions includes proper placement and planting, and structural pruning prior to the storm. Species selection can also be somewhat helpful in avoiding some damage. Actions in the weeks and years following a strong storm can help bring damaged trees back to health.
Trim tree limbs away from your home's roof on a regular basis. Roof damage associated with storms is often caused by overgrown trees. Regular trimming reduces the chances of fallen limbs harming your home or vehicle.
Put Away Movable Objects
Store light and movable items such as outdoor furniture and lawn decorations. These items can be swept up by strong winds and thrown at doors, windows and vehicles.
Manage Leaks
Repair all leaks. Even the smallest of untreated leaks can quickly grow into a deluge during heavy rains and cause an unlimited amount of damage to a home. All leaks should be properly repaired immediately.
Protect Your Vehicle
Park your vehicle under an awning or in a garage. Vehicles are always at a very high risk of suffering storm damage because they usually are parked outside. If protected parking is unavailable, park far away from trees, telephone poles and objects at risk of falling or moving.
Call us before your mold issue gets out of control!
Mold growth in your home can lower your home's value, ruin its aesthetic appeal and can actually render the home unhealthy. Some types of mold can cause serious health consequences that can lead to death in some indiviuals. Call a professional as soon as you notice mold growth to keep it under control and prevent it from causing negative health issues. You can ensure long-term protection by calling SERVPRO.
About Mold
Mold is a type of fungus that needs water and organic matter to grow and reproduce. If it doesn't find these things, it will quickly die. Thus, mold tends to grow in areas of your home that have excess moisture and that have some sort of organic matter to eat, which is why mold tends to grow in bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms or crawlspaces and why it actually decays wood, carpets and even brick mortar.
Lowering Humidity
Mold will grow more often in humid climates and in humid areas of your home. If you live in a humid climate, you may need to install a dehumidifier to prevent the mold from growing in your home. Some dehumidifiers are capable of removing humidity from the entire house while others are designed for use in one room. Place those in rooms that you know have already had mold issues.
Increasing Ventilation
Increasing ventilation in your home will help reduce humidity. It will also enable an air current to form. This air current will prevent the mold from settling in one area and growing there. Increase ventilation in your home by installing bathroom fans, ceiling fans, attic fans and by ensuring ventilation systems are always working properly.
Using Mold Prevention Products
Manufacturers have created a variety of products that repel mold, including mold-resistant paint, shower curtains, towels and rugs. Some of these products have natural mold resistors on them while others are chemicals that prevent mold from growing there. Using these will prevent mold from beginning to grow and thus decreasing the spore count in your home.
If you have signs of mold growth you should have a professional such as SERVPRO® assess the problem as soon as possible. You can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (904) 729-2401 For more information about mold and mold prevention please visit:
We can use Ozone (O3) aka Activated Oxygen to Eliminate Odor at its Source
What is Ozone?
When the oxygen (O2) that is all around us rises to the upper atmosphere, and is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays, that oxygen is naturally turned into ozone (O3). That is the "ozone layer" that protects us from the sun's harmful UV rays. Since ozone is heavier than air, it falls back to earth. This is the ozone that naturally purifies our air and water. Because it is made up entirely of oxygen, ozone is sometimes called "activated oxygen". Ozone occurs commonly in nature as a result of lightning strikes during thunderstorms. Ozone is also created by waterfalls. The “fresh, clean, spring rain” smell you notice after a storm results from natures creation of ozone.
Isn’t Ozone Smog?
Ozone is O3, three atoms of oxygen linked together, rather than the two atoms of oxygen, O2, we normally breathe. O3 Ozone is not smog
While some people mistakenly refer to ozone as smog, smog is actually a combination of hydrocarbons, the being CO2 CO, and SO2 that react with UV rays from the sun to form nitric oxides (NOX). These hydrocarbons are most commonly created by the exhaust that comes from automobiles.
Ozone O3
The three atom form of oxygen is a naturally occurring compound in the earth’s atmosphere. The life cycle of ozone is: generation, oxidation, return to oxygen.
Ozone cannot be stored or transported because of its unstable tendency to break down quickly, so ozone must be generated on site. Because gaseous ozone is highly reactive, it readily oxidizes (breaks down) organic matter. When the ozone encounters another compound, one oxygen atom will break away, attach itself to the compound, and oxidize it. Ozone actually breaks down odor-causing compounds, thereby eliminating the odor and changing the ozone back to oxygen (O2).
One of the best features of ozone is its ability to control odors by attacking the offending organisms.
How Long Does The Ozone Last?
As soon as ozone is formed in the generator and dispersed in a room some of it decays back into oxygen. This step occurs by several processes including the following: Natural decay (or revision to oxygen) due to ozone chemical instability. The natural process is sped up by the presence of walls, carpets, furniture, etc. Additionally ozone itself has a very short half life which means that any extra ozone will return to oxygen within about 30 minutes, in amounts equal to half its level.
How Does Ozone Handle Tobacco Smoke?
It eliminates the irritation caused by phenol gasses, by oxidizing them. Phenol gasses are the invisible part of tobacco smoke that cause such offensive odors, and discomfort to one’s eyes and nasal passages.
Ozone rids offensive odors in the environment rather than merely filtering out some of the visible particles like other “air cleaners”.
Is Ozone Safe?
Yes! Ozone is safe when used properly. There is no reason to fear ozone. Yes, breathing in overly high levels of ozone is not good for you. But low levels of ozone are all around us, and are safe to breathe.
Having Odor Issues?
If you are having odor issues in your home, office, or even your car, you can use ozone to efficiently and effectively oxidize (break down) any organic matter, killing the odor at its source. We have commercial grade ozone machines that we can use to eliminate odors in spaces as small as a pantry or cabinet, or spaces as large as your home or office. For more information about our deodorization services you can visit Servpro® Deodorization Services or to get help online Contact Us Now
Following these fire safety tips can greatly reduce the risk of fire damage in your home or office.
Fire Saftey Tips and Prevention
Electricity
Electrical distribution equipment poses serious fire safety threats that can even be fatal, especially when equipment is used incorrectly.
Electrical Safety Basics
Protect electrical outlets with plastic safety covers if small children are present in your home
Never operate electrical appliances around bathtubs, showers, or puddles of standing water
Use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection when working where water is near electricity, to protect against electric shock … This means you should use GFCIs in your kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, and outdoor locations
Replace or repair frayed, loose, or otherwise damaged cords on all electronics
Shut off the circuit and have it checked by an electrician if any switches feel warm
Take note of any discolored switch plates, because discoloration could indicate that the electrical wiring behind the switch plate is overheating
Remember: symptoms of potential wiring problems include household lights that dim or flicker, a TV picture that shrinks in size, frequent blown fuses, or circuit breakers that trip frequently
Place lamps on level surfaces, away from flammable items, and use light bulbs that match the lamps’ recommended wattages
Extension Cords and Surge Suppressers
Never use an extension cord as a replacement for permanent wiring
Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets
Make sure power strips and surge suppressors are designed to handle the loads you will be using them for
Connect power strips and surge protectors directly into a wall outlet. Do not connect multiple power strips or surge protectors together
Avoid overloading circuits by plugging too many items into the same outlet
Avoid the use of "cube taps" and other devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle, and try to only plug one high-wattage item into each outlet
Halogen Lighting
Avoid using halogen lamps whenever possible since they operate at much higher temperatures than normal light bulbs
If you use halogen lamps, make sure the lamp is placed in a location where it cannot come into contact with drapes, clothing, or other combustible materials
Keep halogen lamps and cords away from high-traffic areas and turn lamps off when leaving the room for an extended period of time
Heating Safety
Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires during the winter months, and the second leading cause of home fires annually. Heating equipment includes fireplaces, wood stoves, portable space heaters, and fixed space heaters. Nearly half of all deaths attributed to home heating equipment fires involve portable space heaters.
Heating Basics
Have all heating equipment in your home inspected annually by a licensed professional
Make sure all gas-fueled and wood-burning heating devices are vented to the exterior of the building
Consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside of each bedroom if gas-fueled or wood-burning appliances are used in your home
Fireplaces and Wood-burning Stoves
Have wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and chimneys inspected and cleaned on a periodic basis
Use properly seasoned wood to reduce creosote build-up in fireplaces and stoves
Protect fireplaces with a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room
Allow ashes to cool before removing them from a fireplace or stove
Dispose of ashes in a metal container
Space Heaters
Maintain a 36 inch clearance between space heaters and combustible items
Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep
Laundry
Laundry equipment is often overlooked when addressing the issue of home fire safety. However, laundry appliances pose a serious fire risk because they involve electricity, and the combination of combustible clothing and extremely hot temperatures. The vast majority of laundry fires are caused by dryers that are not cleaned properly.
Dryer Safety Basics
Have dryers installed and serviced by a competent professional
Have gas-powered washers and dryers inspected periodically by a professional to ensure the gas line and its connection are intact
Make sure that the dryer is plugged into an outlet that meets its electrical needs, so it doesn’t overload the outlet and trip circuit breakers or blow fuses
Keep the area around the dryer clear of boxes, clothing, and other combustibles
Turn the dryer off when leaving home
Lint Filters
Do not operate the dryer without a lint filter
Clean lint filters before or after each use, and remove any lint from around the dryer drum
Make sure the dryer exhausts into the exterior or into a listed water trap
Inspect the area around the dryer for accumulations of lint, paying special attention to the area behind the dryer, and remove any lint you notice
Inspect the flexible exhaust duct (if your dryer has one), and remove lint accumulations on a periodic basis
Gasoline
Each year gasoline causes several thousand household fires, many of which result in injury and even death. It is helpful to remember gasoline is a volatile liquid that is constantly releasing flammable vapors, which are heavier than air and accumulate at the lowest point in an area. If released inside a building, these vapors sink to floor level and spread out across the room, and if these vapors make contact with an ignition source a flash-fire will likely result.
Gasoline Safety Basics
Keep gasoline out of children's reach and sight, and never allow children to handle gas
Never use gasoline inside the home or as a cleaning agent
Never use gasoline to start a fire in barbecue pits or cooking grills
Never use gasoline as a replacement for kerosene or diesel
Do not use or store gasoline near potential ignition sources, including gas-fired water heaters that contain a pilot flame
Follow all manufacturers’ instructions when using electronics (including all devices with batteries or connections to electrical outlets) near gasoline
Clean up spills immediately and discard clean-up materials properly
In the Event of Gasoline Fire
Leave the area immediately, and call the fire department
Do not attempt to extinguish the fire
Do not attempt to stop the flow of gasoline
Gasoline Storage
Store gasoline outside in a garage or shed
Never store gasoline in glass, or in plastic milk jugs and other non-reusable plastic containers
Store gasoline in a tightly closed metal or plastic container designed, manufactured, and approved specifically for gasoline storage
Store only the amount of gasoline necessary to power equipment and machinery
Fueling and Handling Gasoline
Do not smoke while handling gasoline
Use caution when fueling machinery and automobile equipment
Never fuel machinery or equipment indoors, and always let it cool before refueling
Place portable gasoline containers on the ground before filling, and only fill them outdoors
Never fill portable containers inside a vehicle or in the bed of a pick-up truck, to prevent a static charge from developing
Do not get in and out of automobiles while fueling … Although rare, this movement creates an electrical charge on your body that could spark a fire, especially during dry weather conditions
Propane
Over 1,000 home fires are caused by liquid propane annually, and these fires cause hundreds of injuries and deaths. Propane is a flammable gas that is converted to a liquid before being stored within a cylinder or tank. When released from its container, propane converts back to a gas and expands significantly; if this expanding gas comes in contact with an ignition source an explosion can result. When first released, the gas is cold and heavier than the surrounding air, which creates a “cloud” of heavy gas that will stay close to the ground and collect in low areas.
Propane Safety Basics
Never store or use propane gas cylinders larger than one pound inside your home
Never store or operate a propane-powered gas grill indoors
Always handle propane-powered equipment cautiously, according to the manufacturers’ instructions
Have propane gas equipment inspected by a professional for leaks and faulty parts on a regular basis
Follow the manufacturers’ instructions carefully when lighting pilots
Leave the area immediately and call the fire department from outside the home if you smell a strong odor of gas
SERVPRO Joins PGA TOUR Official Marketing Partner Program
The Official Cleanup and Restoration Company of the PGA TOUR
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (February 18, 2014) – The PGA TOUR and SERVPRO, a national leader in property cleanup and restoration, have announced a new four-year official marketing relationship.
By joining the TOUR’s Official Marketing Partner program, SERVPRO receives the designation as “Official Cleanup and Restoration Company of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour.” SERVPRO will have the opportunity to have a brand presence at tournaments on both Tours and promote its official affiliation using the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour logos.
Based in Gallatin, Tenn., SERVPRO specializes in fire and water cleanup and restoration services. Operating through a network of over 1,600 individually owned and operated Franchises, SERVPRO helps both commercial and residential customers recover from property damage emergencies.
“We take great pride in the quality of our sponsors, and SERVPRO is not only recognized as the brand leader in its own industry, but also one of the top franchises in the country,” said Jay Monahan, PGA TOUR Chief Marketing Officer. “We are extremely pleased to announce our new marketing relationship with SERVPRO and look forward to working together to maximize its sponsorship with the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour.”
SERVPRO recently was listed among the Top 10 of Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 rankings for the fifth consecutive year. Of the 853 companies qualified for the rankings, SERVPRO earned the No. 7 spot overall for 2014 and No. 1 in the cleaning and restoration industry for the 11th consecutive year.
“Our customers and our Franchisees love golf so we are thrilled to be a PGA TOUR Marketing Partner. The PGA TOUR partnership is a perfect way to expand our brand awareness and thank our clients for allowing SERVPRO to help make it ‘Like it never even happened,’” said Sue Steen, CEO of Servpro Industries, Inc.
SERVPRO currently plans to have a presence at several PGA TOUR tournaments in 2014.
About SERVPRO
Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO Franchise System is a national leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services and mold mitigation and remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 1,600 individually owned and operated Franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar large-loss events. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, the SERVPRO System has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners. For more information, visit http://www.servpro.com
About PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is the world’s premier membership organization for touring professional golfers, co-sanctioning more than 130 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, Web.com Tour, NEC Series-PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR China.
The PGA TOUR’s mission is to entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back, generate significant charitable and economic impact in the communities in which it plays, and provide financial opportunities for TOUR players.
Worldwide, PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to more than 1 billion households in 225 countries and territories in 32 languages. Virtually all tournaments are organized as non-profit organizations in order to maximize charitable giving. In 2013, tournaments across all Tours generated more than $133 million for local and national charitable organizations and in early 2014 the TOUR’s all-time charitable contributions surpassed $2 billion.
The PGA TOUR's web site is PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, and the organization is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
SERVPRO® of Fernandina Beach Yulee and North Jacksonville Tips for preventing mold growth before it happens.
Following these tips will help you prevent mold before it happens.
When water leaks or spills occur indoors - ACT QUICKLY. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.
Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
Keep air-conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity. Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter.
If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
Actions that will help prevent condensation
Reduce the humidity.
Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or windows, when practical. Use fans as needed.
Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.
Increase air temperature.
The key to mold control is moisture control. Solve moisture problems before they become mold problems!
Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible.
Watch for condensation and wet spots. Fix source(s) of moisture problem(s) as soon as possible.
Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air (humidity). To increase surface temperature, insulate or increase air circulation. To reduce the moisture level in air, repair leaks, increase ventilation (if outside air is cold and dry), or dehumidify (if outdoor air is warm and humid).
Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed.
Vent moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside where possible.
Perform regular building/HVAC inspections and maintenance as scheduled.
Clean and dry wet or damp spots within 48 hours.
Don't let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope the ground away from the foundation.
For more information on mold cleanup and restoration please visit our SERVPRO® Mold Cleanup & Restoration page. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment call us today at (904) 729-2402 and don't worry about what time it is, we are open 24 hours!
High humidity problems, high moisture, condensation, window sweat? Here are some cause and solution tips for high humidity issues
Condensation and excessive window sweat can be a sign of high humidity!
When warm, excessively moist air inside your house contacts a cold surface, such as a pane of window glass or an exterior wall, the moisture condenses on that surface in the same way it does on a cold glass of lemonade on a hot, humid summer day. In most homes, a little bit of window condensation is not necessarily abnormal at the beginning of heating season. All summer long the building materials have been absorbing moisture from humid air flowing through. When we finally start to shut our windows and doors and begin to fire up heating plants for the winter, the interior air begins to dry out (some of this is due to infiltration of drier outside air) and the trapped moisture in the building materials begins to be released. As exterior temperatures begin to drop, so do temperatures of windows and exterior walls. This generally results in moisture showing up on these cold surfaces. In most homes, this is a temporary condition. It usually lasts two weeks or so, until the interior of the house dries out. However, ongoing and severe moisture are not normal and should be dealt with. Excess moisture in a house can be quite destructive; it can cause peeling paint, mold growth, and, in severe cases, rot of wood framing members. Here are a few tips to help prevent window condensation aka “window sweat”
Keep humidity levels as low as you can—no higher than 50%--all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. Humidity levels change throughout the day as changes occur in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so check the humidity levels more than once a day.
If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans, which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding.
Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.
Schedule an appointment to make a SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Profile today!
By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business. What the ERP is:
A no-cost assessment of your facility.
A concise Profile document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
A guide to help get back into your building following a disaster.
Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
Identification of the line command for authorizing work to begin.
Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information.
SERVPRO® of Fernandina Beach Yulee offers a wide range of specialized residential cleaning services in the Fernandina Beach, Yulee, and North Jacksonville areas including but not limited to:
You know SERVPRO® as a leader in Fire and Water Cleanup and Restoration, but our professional residential cleaning services can also make a dirty home “Like it never even happened.”
Equipment we use in Fernandina Beach, FL to help clean up water and flood damage.
This is an image of all of the equipment we removed after a water damage. This water damage was from a small pipe in the wall that froze and when thawed, spared no time flooding our clients’ basement in Fernandina Beach, FL. Upon arrival, we began water extraction to remove the water. Then, we put in fans and dehumidifiers to begin the drying process. Our client was very pleased that we could begin the water extraction so quickly to prevent it from further damaging their home or belongings. For more information about our equipment visit Equipment Information and view pages 7 and 8.
2014 Fernandina Beach/Yulee Water Damage Readiness Tips
Keep your home safe this year with a few simple tips from SERVPRO, weather you are in Fernandina Beach, FL Yulee, FL or north Jacksonville, FL
It's a new year and knowing water damage warning signs in and around your home can help you avoid big repair bills as well as more time and trouble later. Here are some tips to prevent water backups.
Maintain gutters and downspouts, keeping them free of debris and leaves and repairing them if they are sagging
Inspect your gutters' capacity - after fifteen minutes of heavy rain, if water overflows the gutters, install additional downspouts
Extend downspouts at least ten feet away from the house
Adjust landscaping and irrigation so that water flows away from the foundation
Drain subsurface groundwater and storm water with a sump pump system that has battery backup and replacement warnings
Run your sump pump every few months and clean it annually before the rainy season
Prevent backflow of sanitary sewer water by installing backflow valves and standpipes at all basement drain locations, including sinks and toilets
Prepare your basement "just in case" by raising your washer, dryer, water heater, oil tank, furnace, all electrical wiring and personal items above typical water backup levels
Lastly, call us at the first sign of damage; we can save you from a potential larger scale problem.
These are just a few helpful tips that can help you avoid disasters that are within your control. Natural disasters are a different story. Check out our other Home Emergency Tips
Keep your home safe this year with a few simple tips from SERVPRO, weather you are in Fernandina Beach, FL Yulee, FL or north Jacksonville, FL these tips will help keep your home and your family safe.
We are glad to be a part of a community like Fernandina Beach, FL that has small town events like this. Call if you need help with water damage.
A full day of entertainment leads up to the official City of Fernandina Beach Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the foot of Centre Street. Beginning at 12:00 noon on November 28, carolers, choirs, dancers and singers will entertain visitors throughout the afternoon with the sights and sounds of the Christmas holiday season. Gather up the family and enjoy a magical day with your friends in the community.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 2:00 PM at the Fernandina Harbor Marina aboard the Ye Olde Pirate charter boat and all are invited to welcome him to town! Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their way over to the Train Depot at the foot of Centre Street to meet and take pictures with the kids of the community until 5:00pm. Photos with pets will also be available. Entertainment and activities are hosted by the City of Fernandina Beach, Historic Fernandina Business Association and Shiny Badges Ball, Inc.
On November 29 and 30, downtown Fernandina Beach will be transformed into a winter wonderland for the Annual Fernandina Beach Tree Lighting Celebration. From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, November 29, and Saturday, November 30, come down and enjoy ice skating on a 40-foot by 50-foot outdoor skating rink provided by the Nassau Alcohol, Crime and Drug Abatement Coalition (NACDAC). The rink will be located in Parking Lot A. Cost to skate is $5 per person and skates are provided.
From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. November 30, you can also get a family picture taken inside a 15-foot tall snow globe, enjoy musical performances, shop from vendors, take your picture with Santa and more! The tree lighting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 p.m.
For more information, contact the Fernandina Beach Parks and Recreation Department at (904) 310-3350.
SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach loves this picture of a Smiling Gopher Tortoise, Fernandina Beach FL
Find out from a park ranger what a gopher tortoise is, where they live and why they are so important. This program will take place at the Ribault Club on Fort George Island Cultural State Park. No reservations are necessary and the program is free.
Fort George Island Cultural State Park State Road A1A South Jacksonville, FL 32226
Start : Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 2:00 PM End : Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 3:00 PM
For more information about Essential Eligibility Criteria to participate in these programs visit or call the Talbot Islands Ranger Station at (904) 251-2320 or visit our website at www.floridastateparks.org/littletalbotisland/Events.cfm.
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