Is It Mold or Mildew?

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

Learn The Key Characteristics of Mold and Mildew

While many people confuse mold and mildew, they are two different types of fungi that need different care. Both mildew and mold damage can be harmful to your home in Belleair, FL, so it is necessary to know the key characteristics of each.

1. Appearance
One of the easiest ways to tell them apart is by examining aspects of the way they look, including color and texture. Mildew growth will typically be powdery-looking and light in color — typically yellow, gray or white. On the other hand, mold is generally a darker color, like green or black, and can be fuzzy or slimy-looking.

2. Location
While both fungi appear in warm, moist places, they prefer to grow on different types of materials. Mildew usually grows on soft items, such as leather, paper, or fabric, which have gotten wet. You may also find it on the floors, walls, or ceilings of humid rooms, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Meanwhile, mold growth is primarily found on the inside of floors, walls, or ceilings that have gotten wet.

3. Effects
While mold and mildew may appear similar at first, their effects are vastly different. For instance, mildew typically does not harm the surfaces that it grows on. However, mold damage can be serious since mold grows on the inside materials of houses and can cause structural issues if left untreated. Therefore, it is important to treat mold as soon as you find it.

4. Removal
Another noticeable difference between these fungi is how difficult it is to remove them from a home’s surface. Typically, mildew comes off with a good cleaner and a scrubbing brush, while mold takes much more effort. Often, mold removal is something that should not be undertaken by the average homeowner but left to mold remediation professionals.
The first step to protecting your home from mold damage is being able to tell the difference between mold and mildew. Being able to identify these fungi based on their appearance, location, and effects will tell you whether you need to purchase a light mildew cleaner or hire someone to remove your mold.

3 Simple Microwave Maintenance Methods

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

Microwave Maintenance

Microwaves can be easier and faster to use than most other kitchen appliances, but many types of food tend to be spatter inside. The use of specialized covers or covering food with a paper towel can reduce spattering. If the inside of this appliance still ends up messy or you notice a smoke smell while preparing food, try these three methods to maintain the microwave.

1. Clean the Appliance

Reduce odors by regularly wiping out the inside and outside of the appliance after cooking food. Use a damp paper towel or washable cleaning cloth to remove food particles and spatters. Be sure to wipe down the inside of the door and the seal.

2. Steam Clean

If the smoke smell continues, and water isn't cutting through caked-on food, heat two cups of water with two tablespoons of vinegar in a microwaveable bowl for five minutes. Drop a toothpick in the bowl to prevent the mixture from boiling over. Leave the door shut for several minutes after boiling to allow steam to soften spatters. Carefully remove the hot bowl and turntable and wipe out the interior. Hand wash and dry the turntable tray before putting it back in the appliance.

3. Replace Filters

An over-the-range microwave may have a vent grill equipped with a charcoal filter to absorb pollutants and filter out offensive smells. The filter pores accumulate debris until it can no longer clean and re-circulate air. Replace the charcoal filter every six to eight months. Clean the grease filter by removing this component and soaking it in hot water and ammonia-free detergent. Scrub the grease filter and allow it to dry before re-installing it in the appliance.

These tips are intended to reduce smoke smell and other undesirable cooking odors. Keep your kitchen clean and follow fire safety tips. If a fire results in damage, hire a mitigation and restoration service located in Holly Point, FL.

3 Ways Pretesting Can Help Keep Insurance Claims Down

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growth in a wall due to water intrusion.

Three Ways Pretesting Can Help the Cost of Claims Down

When a SERVPRO team responds to an emergency at a business in Fleming Island, FL, they take many steps before cleanup and restoration can begin. While many business owners just want to get back to normal as quickly as possible, it's vital for the team to pretest the water. Here are three ways that pretesting can help keep the cost of claims down.

1. Identify the Source of the Problem
Before you file an insurance claim, it's critical to have all the information. While you may look at the damage to your retail space and your products, the commercial restoration company needs to identify the source of the flood. When the team finds the source of the flood first, the restoration process can go more smoothly because there won't be costly surprises later that your insurance provider may decline to cover.

2. Use Pretesting to Determine Contamination
When a flood occurs, there are three different categories of water. The more contaminated the water, the more extensive and expensive the cleanup and restoration process. When the SERVPRO team tests the water upon arrival, they will use the information to formulate a cleanup and repair strategy. The SERVPRO team will share this information with you and your insurance provider to keep everyone on the same page regarding the anticipated costs and time frame for restoration.

3. Inspect for Secondary Damage
Your insurance agent will need to know about all repairs that need to be done, including secondary damages. Secondary damage occurs after the actual flood. For example, a computer that is destroyed due to water damage is a primary damage. However, mold that grows in a wall due to water intrusion during the flood and causes structural problems is secondary damage. A SERVPRO team can use specialized equipment to test for dampness behind walls to determine the risk of secondary damage.
While it may seem like a delay at the start, pretesting can help keep the cost of insurance claims down by providing a comprehensive assessment of damages and helping to prevent secondary issues.

Find Commercial Disaster Recovery Help Fast

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Jacksonville Westside/ Orange Park is Faster to any size disaster.

If your commercial building in Holly Point, FL, has suffered extensive damage, the devastation can leave you feeling overwhelmed. It is hard to know where to turn and what to do first. Finding disaster recovery help quickly is critical to reducing the damage and loss to your facility.

How SERVPRO Helps You Recover Fast

A SERVPRO franchise employs experts who are trained to handle large and small disasters. In fact, this service is recommended by most insurance companies for many reasons:

Local Franchises – Because each franchise is locally owned and operated, you get the best of both worlds. A local business means you are never too far away from help. Plus, because SERVPRO has corporate headquarters, each franchisee has access to resources and equipment when needed.

Availability – Each franchise has professionals standing by 24 hours a day to help. Because time is of the essence during the disaster recovery phase, this immediate service is essential.

Trained Professionals – SERVPRO professionals are trained and certified in a variety of programs to give you the best possible help to recover from any disaster.

What SERVPRO Professionals Do

After you make that initial call, a professional will be out quickly to examine the situation. When answering a storm response call, an expert trained in commercial restoration inspects the building and the surrounding property to assess the damage. A comprehensive plan is then developed to handle the storm damage and get your business back up and running as soon as possible.
SERVPRO has technical equipment, such as industrial vacuums and submersible pumps, to remove the water. Dehumidifiers and air movers dry the affected areas, and specialized microbial treatments and air scrubbers remove bacteria and mold from surfaces and the air. Once the surfaces and structures are cleaned or removed, renovation takes place.
When you suffer a devastating loss to your building, put disaster recovery in the hands of experts.

4 Reasons To Add SERVPRO to Your Preferred Vendors List

2/24/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can start the restoration process as soon as you need them.

Why Adding SERVPRO To Your List Is a Good Idea

When you work as an insurance agent in Holly Point, FL, it can be helpful to have a list of preferred vendors when a client needs restoration work done on their home. This can allow you to move forward more quickly and reduce the effects of decision fatigue that you may feel during the claims process. Here are some reasons why adding SERVPRO to your list is a good idea.

1. They Are Certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification

Because they are certified by the IICRC, the company has a set of standards that they must adhere to. All employees will be trained to follow the necessary procedures to produce the highest quality work.

2. They Follow Strict Guidelines

In order to provide their insurance clients with the best, the company has its own standards for their vendor program franchises as well. There are several guidelines that must be followed for a franchise to receive client referrals. They also perform background checks on employees, so you can feel comfortable knowing that you will have only the best workers for your client.

3. They Provide Quality Work Quickly

As an insurance agent, your time is valuable. SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, so they can get started on the restoration process as soon as you need them. They can begin mitigation within a few hours of your call, which means faster and less costly repairs.

4. They Use Their Claims Information Center To Keep Track of Important Information

When you are working on an insurance claim, you have a lot of information to keep track of. The CIC gives you access to important information like scanned documents and photos of damaged property all in one place.

A preferred vendors list is a great tool for an insurance agent. Adding a high-quality damage restoration company like SERVPRO to yours will help both you and your clients.