Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

A Local Partner Is Important After a Disaster | SERVPRO of West Forsyth County

12/15/2023 (Permalink)

group of 3 SERVPRO reps standing near a green semi truck at a work site No job is too big or too small for our team of industry leading experts at SERVPRO of West Forsyth County!

Most of us don’t dedicate a lot of time to thinking about the potential of a disaster striking anywhere, especially not in our own town or home. Considering what things might look like afterward is just a picture too unbearable to imagine.

While some natural disasters can be predicted and prepared for, there isn’t a way to guarantee that you will come out the other side completely unscathed. Manmade disasters can be totally unpredictable, too, and can create total chaos.

No matter where it comes from, when a disaster strikes, our focus will always be completely on getting our lives back on track as quickly as possible. That is why being able to work with a local company after a disaster is important.

Making the Right Choice

Disasters are an overwhelming experience, and seeing the damage left behind after the dust settles can be even more difficult. You will be faced with making crucial decisions pretty much right away, all while trying to understand what just happened and exactly how you feel about it. You need a crew you can rely on to get recovery going as fast as possible.

In order to get things handled correctly and quickly, choosing a restoration service should be the first thing you do. Finding a company that comes with years of experience and employees that are not only trained but also certified is crucial. You also need a company that can respond when you need it, around the clock.

SERVPRO® is all of those things, but we come with an added bonus that will make your recovery process that much easier. We are locally owned and operated and our staff is your neighbors. We understand this community as well as you do.

Being local means that we experience disasters right alongside you—including all the emotions that can come with them. We have seen everything that has happened in our community, and we make it our goal not just to get a job done, but to make our town feel whole again.

A History of Experience

Being able to call on a friendly face anytime a disaster hits is a huge comfort, but working with SERVPRO means you are working with a brand that is nationally backed. That means that no disaster will ever be too daunting a task for us. We can always have the exact amount of help needed to get things handled fast.

SERVPRO began in 1967 and quickly saw a growing need in the restoration industry. Today, there are more than 2,000 locations throughout the nation, including our office serving your community in Forsyth County.

One call to SERVPRO gives you everything you need for a total recovery. Our professionals are not only highly trained and experienced, they also maintain multiple certifications in all areas of disaster recovery.

From the moment we arrive at your property, recovery begins without the need for additional phone calls. We can tarp your roof or rebuild an entire section of your house if needed. Our crew comes with industry-leading equipment, too, and we stay up to date on the newest technologies and techniques. It is our goal to be able to provide whatever you need, when you need it.

A crew that knows your town and comes with a long history of experience makes choosing SERVPRO the easiest choice you will have to make when your home is affected by a disaster. We are always ready to handle anything you need.

Want to learn more about everything we can do for you? Contact us to be prepared for anything.

Our Talented Crew Can Manage Your Most Difficult Catastrophes | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County

5/4/2023 (Permalink)

 img src =”team” alt = " group of 3 SERVPRO reps standing near a green semi truck at a work site ” > Is your home or business in need of restoration? SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is ready to help you recover.around the clock.

Every change you make to your Winston-Salem home is significant, even if it is as simple as adding a fresh coat of paint. Certain changes may be simple to make on your own, but others, such as repairing flood damage, necessitate the expertise of a nearby repair crew.

Choosing an inexperienced team to handle a job like this could have disastrous consequences. You need the assistance of a team that can lift the burden of a damaged home off your shoulders, not add to it!

When you contact SERVPRO, we treat you and your home with the utmost care from beginning to end. Our extensive training and certifications enable us to take on any job with complete competency and professionalism.

We Adhere to Industry Trainings

Our Winston-Salem specialists conform to the IICRC guidelines, and we adhere to the instructions and recommendations made for cleaning and restoration. We offer a variety of courses, including but not restricted to:

  • water damage restoration

  • fire damage restoration

  • mold remediation

  • carpet and upholstery and cleaning

We also provide Employee Certification Training to all team members to guarantee they have the resources needed to handle any restoration or cleanup job. These self-directed courses give our technicians time to learn as much as they can about the guidelines we’ve set.

We Never Stop Learning

Our specialists are provided with a ton of continuing instruction courses and online learning classes after completing the initial training portion to make sure their expertise are always current.

Our mission is to provide dependable restoration services in Winston-Salem as soon as a disaster strikes your home—and our training is the foundation of this.

Because technology is constantly evolving, it is critical that we stay up to date on the most recent data in order to provide the best services possible. We make sure to tweak and modify our techniques, training and tools as needed so that we can handle your home emergencies with complete professionalism.

Why This Matters for You

When dealing with residential destruction, having faith in an expert team like SERVPRO is critical. We can be at the scene of your disaster as soon as you call to prevent further damage and get your home back in shape!

Working with an underqualified and unprofessional restoration company could be bad news for both you and your home. Avoid the ramifications of an unprepared company by joining forces with SERVPRO for all of your restoration needs.

When you need help recovering from a disaster, SERVPRO is here for you. Get in touch 24/7 to start your disaster recovery.

Why Selecting SERVPRO to Eliminate Odors Is a Smart Move | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County

1/5/2023 (Permalink)

With a nationwide network of specialists, SERVPRO of West Forsyth County provides skilled restoration and maintenance services for residences and commercial buildings that need mold remediation or have suffered damage from flooding, fires or other disasters. However, did you know that we also offer effective odor removal services?

Nobody wants their property to be damaged by a calamity, and rebuilding can be difficult and frustrating. After the damage has been done, a stubborn odor can develop and worsen the longer you wait to address it.

All forms of property damage, including water damage, storm damage, fire damage and mold damage, can leave behind unwanted smells that will only spread further if not remedied. Even if your home is spotless, nasty smells can hide in your home without you realizing it.

The good news is: If you’re dealing with a persistent odor that won’t go away, we have the solution! Here’s how our team works to eliminate odors for good.

Odor Removal Techniques

Airborne chemicals, vapors or small particles all emit odors. Once their source is eliminated, our expert team uses advanced deodorization technologies alongside various substances and treatments intended to eliminate smells.

Some of these include:

Masking agents. While this isn’t our main strategy of elimination, these products work to cover up the smell temporarily as we work to plan and prepare our next phase in the cleanup process.

Filtration agents. Absorption agents soak up odors lingering inside your furnishings, equipment or other belongings like a sponge. Once the absorption agents reach the filtration agent, the smell is removed from the air and locked in place.

Disinfectants and sanitizers. To eliminate any bacteria and fungus that may be generating odor in your home, these solutions are utilized throughout the affected locations

While there are various strategies that our specialists can perform to eliminate smells from your home, these three are vital steps during the process of completely cleaning your house.

The Signature 4-Step Process

Our effective odor control method consists of four main steps:

1. Remove the source. Debris coated with odor-emitting substances will keep spreading the stench until the underlying cause is located and addressed. This is why our professionals will tackle the source before any other step.

2. Clean residue from surfaces. All areas need to be properly cleaned and deodorized after the odor culprit has been disposed of. Small particles and residue will continue to produce unwanted odors until all surfaces are fully sanitized.

3. Recreate the odor-causing conditions. In a similar manner to how odor-creating compounds originally entered the surface, our professionals will apply a deodorizer. For instance, if smoke created this mess, we would employ “deodorizing smoke” for this phase.

4. Seal exposed surfaces. In extreme scenarios, our specialists may need to use sealants to prevent odor-producing materials from sneaking back in. When odor cleanup becomes cost prohibitive or unfeasible to finish, this step is typically taken.

Rapidly addressing stubborn smells is vital to returning your home to its pre-odor state. If unwelcome odors emerge as a result of property damage, we act quickly to limit further damage and expenses. Trust in our professional specialists at SERVPRO of West Forsyth County to get any emergency under control ASAP!

If you experience an odor or other damage inside your home or business, call us at any time, 247 336-946-1131. We have the training and equipment to quickly get your property back in operation.

A Local Team Provides You With Tons of Benefits | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County

10/10/2022 (Permalink)

There are several advantages that come with partnering with our crew at SERVPRO of West Forsyth County. We offer skilled restoration services after catastrophes such as fires, water emergencies and storm damage.

If you detect mold growing in your home or place of business, we provide certified mold remediation services to alleviate the problem and safeguard your property. And if you have specific demands, such as biohazards that need to be disposed of or graffiti that must be removed, we can get the job done.

But one component of SERVPRO of West Forsyth County that sets us apart from the competition is that we’re local!

Why is that significant, and how does it distinguish us from other repair companies? Here’s why a locally owned restoration partner is so vital.

3 Reasons Being Locally Owned Is a Difference-Maker

When looking for a restoration partner, you need to consider several features, like a good history and dependability. But you’ll also need a vendor that is close by. Here’s why it’s essential:

1. We Can Respond Fast

When a disaster occurs out of nowhere, you need to act fast! A disaster-damaged home or business will only get worse the longer you postpone repairs.

When you choose our team at SERVPRO of West Forsyth County, this will never be an issue! Our 24-hour emergency services allow us to be on the scene immediately to begin repairs. And since we are your neighbors, you won’t have to wait around for us to arrive.

2. We’re Prepared for Local Weather Conditions

Since we operate right here in the Winston-Salem area, we stay tuned to the same weather reports you do. When severe weather threats like tornadoes, flash floods or thunderstorms are predicted, our team gets materials ready so we can respond quickly when the weather clears up.

And since we weather the same exact hazards and trends you do, we know exactly what it takes to restore the destruction following a disaster.

3. We Know Winston-Salem Front and Back

Other restoration providers will come in from a nearby city or an entirely different state when you hire them for a repair assignment. Since our SERVPRO of West Forsyth County facility is locally owned and operated, we don’t just know our way around town—we are experts on our unique city, state, community and culture.

Winston-Salem combines a rich history with modern sights and sounds to make it one of the most fascinating communities to be a part of. Our museumsdelicious local eateries, art and technology scene, and a beautiful natural landscape make it the ideal place to call home.

In addition to the firsthand knowledge we have when it comes to our region, we also understand local government rules and how to work with them. This allows us to return your house or company to its preloss state much faster!

An Extra Benefit

When a calamity affects our community, you can be confident that our team can manage it. While we are usually able to take care of restoration demands with local experts and materials, there are occasions where a widespread disaster destroys multiple properties throughout our city.

This is where the SERVPRO of West Forsyth County advantage saves the day: We are both locally owned and operated and supported by a well-known brand with years of expertise. When severe weather strikes and results in destruction all over our area, we can call on nearby SERVPRO of West Forsyth County facilities to lend a helping hand.

When disaster strikes your home or your business, we’re the team you can trust—located right here, close to home. Get in touch today to get started! 336-946-1131

Why You Should Pick SERVPRO for All Your Restoration Needs | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

As a locally owned SERVPRO location, we are aware of the difficult situations faced by business owners. The worst thing that might occur while you try and manage a successful company is a catastrophe that throws you off-course.

While you cannot foresee and almost certainly cannot avoid a natural calamity, you can be ready for one.

We recognize the fact that people within our community may experience both damage to their homes and damage to their businesses. Trying to rebuild after a disaster, regardless of the severity of the damage, can be difficult.

Establish an emergency plan to best prepare your family for responding to the devastation as well. Identifying the most frequent calamities in your community is the first step toward developing an emergency plan.

The American Red Cross has created a helpful website that gathers information from resources across the nation to aid you in preparing for your areas most common disasters. There are plenty of Red Cross locations near Winston-Salem that can help you prepare for any disaster through training and community presentations.

Whether you operate an organization or own a house or both, you will at some point be impacted by damage. In any case, you must start restoration as soon as possible to avoid severe damage. Here are some of the reasons why we are the team to depend on:

Why Choose SERVPRO of West Forsyth County?

We recognize that no two scenarios are identical. While disaster situations that require repairs are incredibly common throughout the United States, each case is unique.

For example, over 14 million homes are at risk of flooding every year, yet the harm done to each residence differs.

This is why our team of specialists have been trained to deal with damage of any size and complexity, so you can be confident that we will get the work done. To provide an effective solution, we will evaluate the specific variables of your unique scenario.

Our services are available around the clock. The most crucial thing to understand about disaster recovery is that you need to act rapidly. This is important to effectively restore your home or place of business to its preloss condition and to keep the damage from escalating further.

Furniture, upholstery and any belongings inside can all sustain quick, severe damage when water infiltrates your home. Additionally, if the water is overlooked for a long time, mold can grow and ruin anything it touches! This is why our team is available any hour and any day to respond to emergency situations.

We provide more than just disaster recovery. In addition to picking up the pieces created by a disaster, we handle every aspect of the process.

We assist you in gathering your belongings to avoid further damage, and we can work directly with your insurance agent to make the insurance process stress-free. Throughout the rigorous recovery process, we strive to help in any way we can—hopefully making it much less difficult for you!

No matter how severe the damage, your local specialists at SERVPRO of West Forsyth County can tackle the aftermath of any emergency situation. Our restoration experts use advanced technologies and years of training to quickly get your property back to its preloss state!

When you suffer damage to your home or business, it’s important that you know who to call! Contact us today to get restoration started faster 336-946-1131.

Need Experts You Can Trust? Choose SERVPRO | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County

5/19/2022 (Permalink)

Since 2010, friends and neighbors have trusted SERVPRO of West Forsyth County.

Whether you have minor storm damage or something larger to deal with, we have the experience and the equipment needed to clean up and restore your home and help get life back to normal following water, fire or storm damage.

Water Damage

If you’re a home or business owner, it’s likely you will encounter flooding issues in your lifetime, and the costs could be astronomical. Each year, floods cause around $10 billion in damages nationwide.

When your Winston-Salem home has water damage from flooding or leaks, you need a company that can respond immediately and has the expertise and equipment to properly restore your property.

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County uses advanced water damage inspection and extraction equipment to help them find the moisture and to remove it as quickly as possible. We’ll help you understand the severity of the damage, so you’re able to make the right choice for restoration.

Fire Damage

In 2020, fires led to approximately $8.1 billion in direct property damage and losses across the nation. If your home encounters unfortunate fire damage, SERVPRO of West Forsyth County will be there ready to jump into action.

Following the initial consultation, SERVPRO of West Forsyth County will assess the damages to help you understand what exactly needs to be restored, how long it will take and the associated cost involved. Once the cost and scope of the restoration project is agreed upon, we will proceed to sanitize the areas that have been damaged and remove soot to start getting your home back to its pre-fire condition.

Storm Damage

Whether you’re dealing with a tornado, hurricane, blizzard or flood, SERVPRO of West Forsyth County has a network of strategically positioned storm teams on standby should a disaster strike near you.

After we have removed any water out of property, we will move on to cleaning your property and starting the restoration process.

We’ll restore your property to the condition it was in before the damage happened, whether that means minor repairs like replacing drywall or installing new carpeting or major ones like reconstructing parts of your property.

What Sets SERVPRO of West Forsyth County Apart?

At SERVPRO of West Forsyth County, not only do you get the local franchise, but you also get the strength of one of the nation’s largest restoration company. Our experts are a part of the No. 1 cleanup and restoration team in the nation with more than 50 years experience, so you can take comfort in knowing we’ll get your home or business back to the way it was in no time.

Regardless of the type of damage sustained, SERVPRO of West Forsyth County has the tools and teams to help your home or business recover from its disastrous effects. Contact us anytime when you need a dependable team to help you rebuild your life. 336-946-1131.

We Can Be Your New Business Partner | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County

3/18/2022 (Permalink)

A business needs all the help it can get to stay afloat. As an owner or property manager, you are well aware that keeping things functioning requires every available hand. Significant interruptions or losses may be catastrophic for commercial properties.

However, your retail space, manufacturing facility or rental property already has a built-in silent partner to assist with all of your cleanup and recovery needs, and it’s right in your backyard. SERVPRO of West Forsyth County can handle a wide variety of company demands; it’s as if you have an invested ally taking care of a whole component of your organization’s success strategy.

Large Loss Recovery. Fires, storms and flooding are among the most common causes of financial loss for businesses in the United States, and they may lead to disastrous amounts of damage if action is not done as quickly as possible. When you contact SERVPRO of West Forsyth County, you can be certain that you are contacting a highly experienced crew that is available 24 hours a day to deliver proven emergency services and reduce your interruptions and speed up recovery time.

Emergency Ready Plan. Recovery begins prior to the onset of the disaster—that is, if your organization is prepared. We can assist you in developing the ideal strategy to implement when the time comes. During a crisis, you may need an emergency chain of command, alternative meeting or work locations, and temporary suppliers, and we’ll have you set up for a simple button press that initiates all of this.

Cleaning of All Kinds. We have solutions for any cleaning scenario, from specialized demands like trauma site cleanup and safe biohazard removal to general needs like carpet cleaning and upholstery restoration. We’ve been doing this for a long period of time and have seen and cleaned it all.

Restoration Services. Storms cause flash floods. The interns set fire to something in the kitchen. In the winter, a pipe bursts. All of these events need restoration and cleaning, which SERVPRO of West Forsyth county excels at. From water removal through restoration, you can rely on us to restore your business’s shine after an unfortunate incident.

Industry Specialization. There’s no business we can’t help, and we’ve spent decades getting to know the ins and outs of each industry. Whatever your business’ specialized or unique cleaning or restoration requirements are, we can assist you. In many circumstances, we may even enclose the work area to avoid interfering with other sections’ routine activities.

Whatever your recovery need may be, and whatever your commercial property may require, trust SERVPRO of West Forsyth County to get the job done. Contact us today to get started on an Emergency Ready Plan or find out how we can serve your business.

The SERVPRO Business Disaster Plan | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

Operating a company is like balancing on a tightrope. You have to strike a balance between staffing, payroll, an ever-changing economic and technological landscape, all while competing in the marketplace and marketing on social media and so much more.

Whew! Running a company is often a never-ending job. You’ve invested a great deal of time and work to get to this stage. With that in mind, are you prepared in the event of a disaster?

Oftentimes, all it takes to permanently derail a business is a single disaster. According to FEMA, 40% of small businesses cannot reopen after a disaster event like a fire or storm damage—and a significant portion of those that do reopen close again within a year.

With an economic horizon in the wake of pandemic shutdowns on top of uncertainty about the future, it is more critical than ever for businesses to have a top-notch disaster plan in place. That said, three-quarters of all small business do not have a disaster recovery plan in place, and this has to change.

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is delighted to assist companies in preparing for the worst-case scenario by building a Emergency Ready Plan. We help you in determining your emergency preparedness requirements in the aftermath of a catastrophe based on your specific location and industry.

When we finish, you’ll understand the procedure from start to finish if you ever need anything from flood damage restoration to data recovery, ensuring that if your firm ever experiences a crisis, your plan can promptly go into action to minimize downtime and effect. You and your employees will know who to call, what to do and when to do it, as well as alternate inventory solutions and work locations and pretty much everything else.

Prepare in advance for a disaster in order to avoid making your business journey any harder than it currently is. Allow the SERVPRO specialists in our area to get you back on track if disaster strikes with an Emergency Ready Plan. It may be the reason that your business survives a crisis.

When your business is ready to prioritize planning and safety to prevent extended downtime, contact SERVPRO to get the Emergency Ready Plan underway from the folks who know all there is to know about disaster and recovery. Contact us at 336-946-1131.

Yes, We Help With That, Too | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

Your home is a massive investment, and you do your best to take care of it. You schedule a roof checkup once a year, you keep batteries in your smoke detectors and you divert your downspouts away from your home.

But despite all you do right, it only takes one acute incident for your home to encounter some kind of damage—and that’s where we shine.

No matter the kind of disaster you encounter, SERVPRO of West Forsyth County has the solutions Warner Robins home and business owners count on to get things rolling properly again. Call us when you need:

Water damage recovery. An unexpected basement or attic flood due to a popped water heater is a major nuisance, but you can trust us to get any water damage situation rectified.

Fire damage recovery. When fires happen twice a minute in the U.S., SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is constantly on call to make sure damaged walls and property get restored.

Mold removal. Complete, professional mold removal is crucial, because DIY solutions can actually spread more mold through your space, leaving it to eat away at your home.

Storm recovery. Storms of all kinds threaten Georgia homeowners, but whatever damage they may cause is well within our skill to heal. From lightning strikes to tornado troubles, we’ve got the teams and techniques to get your home fully restored to its preloss state.

Commercial needs. Homes aren’t the only locations that take on these kinds of damage. Business owners rely on quick action to keep things running after a disaster, and nobody handles recovery quicker or better than your local SERVPRO of West Forsyth County.

General cleaning. Maybe you don’t have a disaster; maybe you simply have some carpet that needs a good scrub. Look no further—if it’s dirty, we can clean it.

Specialty cleaning. From COVID-19-related incidents to crime scene and graffiti cleanup, SERVPRO of West Forsyth County has the specialized tools and methods to make quick work of any scenario that requires special sanitation and cleaning care.

Construction. In extreme situations, whole sections of a home or business location can be lost. When this happens, you don’t have to get the help of 10 contractors to make things right again—one call to SERVPRO of West Forsyth County can get it all done.

Add 24-hour service and an easy insurance process to all this, and the picture becomes clear—when you need cleanup and recovery of any kind, you can trust SERVPRO of West Forsyth County to get the job done. You can reach us at 336-946-1131.

You Shouldn’t Have to Wait for Cleanup and Recovery | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County

12/26/2021 (Permalink)

a small interior room showing extensive damage from a recent fire If a fire issue pops up during the holidays, remember the trusted leader in the recovery industry, SERVPRO of West Forsyth County. 336-946-1131

So much is instant these days. We drink instant coffee while we make instant oatmeal. Download music, movies and more to our mobile devices. We can even go to the doctor or the therapist by video chat. Why? Because we hate waiting.

So why should you have to wait for service when your home is struck by a nighttime or weekend disaster? Sitting around until the next time the office opens up is not going to cut it when there is recovery time, money and further damage at stake.

That’s why SERVPRO never makes you wait. When something goes down after hours, we’re still up and alert, so you never have to let your damage continue to affect your home while you standby for service.

We offer 24-hour emergency service, because waiting only allows problems to get worse.

After a fire. A fire can sweep through your home and do incredible amounts of damage in a flash of flickering flames, but that’s only the beginning of the episode. Leftover chemicals form a black sludge all over ceilings, walls and carpets—the work of soot and smoke, which partner together to cause stains and odors that set in in a matter of minutes.

If you have to wait for office hours before your help can arrive, these stains and smells may become permanent, which means the only way to get rid of them is replacement instead of cleaning.

After water damage. It’s only a short while after the initial water damage—roughly 48 hours, in fact—that mold growth begins in humid or wet areas. It begins to eat away drywall and other organic surfaces and fibers, and it can cause toxic conditions over time, especially dangerous to those with respiratory conditions. Waiting for care isn’t an option.

Storms, weather events and natural disasters can all create sudden situations, and they don’t shut down business at 5 p.m.

That’s why we don’t either—when you’ve got a problem in the night or over the weekend, SERVPRO is on the job. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster in part because we’re always ready to act. Why should you have to wait?

When you need help after a home or business disaster, fast service is a priority, and there’s nobody faster or more prepared than SERVPRO. Call us anytime  336-946-1131 to take advantage of our 24-hour emergency service.

If water damage catches you off-guard and leaves you all wet, you’ve got help on your side. Contact SERVPRO of West Forsyth County

12/8/2021 (Permalink)

Water is running all through your home, every day. Each person uses an average of around 80–100 gallons a day taking showers, washing clothes and dishes, and flushing toilets. But did you know a single crack in a water pipe at a mere 18 inch in size can release more than double that amount in the same time period?

Your pipes and plumbing are pulling double duty—transporting water and keeping it from getting loose and ruining your home. That’s why having well-equipped and maintained plumbing is so very important.

Water damage is widespread, and a real pain to homeowners. Just look at these figures.

24. That’s the percentage of all U.S. home insurance claims—essentially one in four—that come from water damage. Some 2.7 million homes will experience claim-level damage this year.

48. Start the timer when a pipe bursts, because you’ve got 48 hours before your problems increase by a factor of mold. Even though you may not see it at that point, it’s there and it’s growing.

98. If there are 100 homes in your neighborhood with basements, 98 of them will experience flooding, sewer backup or other water damage. Statistically speaking anyway, this is the dreariest of these numbers.

10,234. When water damage occurs, this is the average number of dollars it takes to undo the damage.

14,000. There aren’t many things that happen 14,000 times a day, but water damage is one of them. Something like 10 times a minute on average, someone’s calling their insurance agent.

13,000,000,000. Speaking of agents, the zeroes in this number represent the open, weeping maws of insurance agents all over the country, as they shell out the $13 billion necessary to combat the amount of annual water damage in the U.S.

So you see, the numbers bear out the importance of maintenance, repair and updates to your plumbing and drainage systems. That is, if you don’t want to get lumped in with these numbers next time around.

If water damage catches you off-guard and leaves you all wet, you’ve got help on your side. Contact SERVPRO of West Forsyth County to see how we can quickly and fully restore water damage to your home or business. We have the team and the equipment to handle any water damage around your home or business. Call us directly at 336-946-1131

 

Choose the Right Service Company With These Helpful Questions | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County

10/7/2021 (Permalink)

Disaster preparedness is partially about stocking emergency kits and go-bags, and knowing where and how to shelter. But for homeowners, part of disaster preparedness is simply being aware that at some point you may have to deal with an issue that’s out of control, and knowing you’ll need to elicit help to see you through a difficult moment.

When unexpected storms or fires do damage at home, you’ll need to be able to make some quick choices about who you’re going to trust to handle your cleanup and recovery.

It can be daunting, especially when the pressure is on. Choosing a company in advance can save you from stress headaches, and even the potential of being duped into a bad arrangement. Here are a few questions to ask yourself.

Are They Legit?

There’s an unimaginable amount of scattered activity after a disaster, especially one which affects a broad area. Sadly, scammers and con artists thrive in this kind of chaos, seizing the opportunity to make a quick buck by offering a lot and doing little to nothing.

At the very least, you need to know that your service company is real and has a reputation worth promoting. At SERVPRO, we’ve made our name by providing the highest standard of excellence over a 50-plus year span in the industry, even opening doors for partnerships with top-level organizations like the PGA Tour. We’re no Johhny-come-lately setup; we’re the industry leader because we’ve put the work in and earned the business of millions of homeowners.

Will They Be There When I Need Help?

We’re suited up and fielding calls right now, whenever right now is. That’s right, 24 hours a day we stand ready to jump into action and take care of whatever the disaster may be.

When you click the link or make the call, you know you’ll be able to reach a team that’s close by and quick to respond.

Where’s a Fleet When You Need One?

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is based right here in Winston-Salem, which is why we can serve you quickly and with the expert understanding only locals can provide. But occasionally even we need backup—that’s when we dip into the rich network of resources provided by over 1,800 SERVPRO franchises nationwide.

When something big is going down, we’ve got an extra supply of tools and teams ready to step in and make quick work of the day’s disaster.

When you call SERVPRO, you can rest easy knowing you’ve got the trusted leader in the restoration industry on the other end of the line. When disaster hits home, contact us directly at 336-946-1131 to get our local experts and nationwide network on your side.

Creating a Safe Environment for Returning Customers | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County

6/21/2021 (Permalink)

a SERVPRO employee placing a CSC sticker on building glass If you’re business has sanitation and cleaning needs, reach out to the SERVPRO of West Forsyth County team.

With cities like Winston-Salem and rural areas alike finally experiencing major comebacks in the area of COVID-19 recovery, hopes are rising that “normal” life is on its way back to stay, and business owners are highly anticipating recovery as well.

But as a reticent public returns to in-person shopping habits and on-site work, it’s in your interest as a business owner to provide employees and customers with a safe, germ-free environment in which to shop and work.

That’s why you need to have your business Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned.

Get Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned

The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program gives returning individuals peace of mind by incorporating a blend of high-grade biohazard cleaning solutions and marketing tools that let your teams and customers know they’re in good hands inside your store or office.

What makes this program so unique? Let’s check out the three C’s of a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program:

Consult. Your business is unlike any other, and we know that it has cleaning and sanitation needs that no one else around may have. That’s why we work with you to create a custom strategy that meets your specific needs. It also helps that SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is locally owned and operated, so we are already familiar with many of the unique sanitation needs of north-central North Carolina.

Clean. Now the fun begins (well it’s our kinda fun, anyway). We’ll get to work with proprietary, hospital-grade disinfection solutions that have are strong enough to counteract dangerous threats like anthrax and MRSA, and your building will get a resulting cleaning that meets or exceeds the strict guidelines of the CDC. And COVID-19 protection is only the beginning—our holistic cleaning approach gives your customers and employees protection against airborne and surface pathogens of all kinds.

Certify. Now you have a superpower—specifically, the power to instill confidence in potential patrons and returning employees before they even come inside. How? By displaying the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned shield in windows, on doors and on your website. Your customers will greatly appreciate the care you’ve put into keeping their environment safe, and they’ll be more likely to come inside and spend a while browsing, eating, or engaging because they know you’ve taken real precautions to ensure their continued safety.

If you’re ready to get serious about sanitation and have your business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, get in touch today to get the best team in cleanup and restoration on your side. 

It's best to call us directly at 336-946-1131

New equipment better efficiency

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

When you do business with a company, you want to be assured they are using all the right equipment and the latest and modern technology. When James Otterberg came on board as the new owner in 2020, he saw a need to ensure our crews had the latest and greatest equipment. He updated our capacity, allowing our franchise to take on more jobs in the Winston Salem area. The new low-profile dehumidifiers and air movers are not only more efficient, its size per piece is reduced so that we can pack more equipment into the new fleet of vehicles.

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County started with a 2008 Chevy Cargo van in 2010. Now granted it was only 13 years old, but work vans, especially ones with engine mounted extractors on them are used to do hard work. Since the updated equipment purchases, we have also updated and expanded the fleet of vehicles we use to arrive at your home or business. This means that we arrive safely with the best and latest restoration equipment to be able to handle your disaster as quickly as possible. To make it “Like it never even happened.” For fire, water, mold damage, cleanup and restoration call us directly at 336-946-1131

3 tips for protecting your home investment

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

During the pandemic restaurants and other businesses suffered loss in revenue in the Winston Salem and triad area, while the home market soared. Many Realtors complained of low inventory but were very happy that houses that were on the market moved quickly and were even under contract in a matter of hours. Buying a home can be a complicated process and you want to protect your investment.  Here are three tips to ensure that you are moving forward while protecting yourself.

You have to have homeowner’s insurance so getting your home covered correctly with replacement cost coverage is something that is strongly encouraged.  Your home is your largest asset, so make sure you understand how your coverage works. When a loss occurs is not the time to find out that your home is not covered properly.

Home owner’s insurance doesn’t cover the repair of the burst pipe but home warranty could possibly fix the pipe in addition to the electrical, plumbing, or appliance that caused the issue. Think of it as supplemental insurance like Aflac for the incidentals. Also, if the appliance or major home system item breaks down for general wear and tear the repairs or the cost to replace is on the homeowner.  If you don’t have a home warranty, ask the seller if they would purchase a home warranty for you as a part of the buyer’s agreement. It may only be for a year, but after that you can pick up the premium if you like.

Policies and warranties will vary, be sure to talk with your agent and warranty provider. Understand what is covered and what the exclusions are. The last tip is home maintenance, things that you should do each month to ensure that your home runs smoothly. For example, changing air filters, ensuring circuits are not overloaded. Reduce the chances of having a major issue by doing these maintenance tasks routinely. But if you do have a disaster be sure to keep this number handy 336-946-1131 “Like it never even happened.” SERVPRO of West Forsyth County.

The best choice for water damage restoration.

3/1/2021 (Permalink)

You go down to your basement and realize that something is not right. The carpet is wet or the wood flooring is warped. It may even smell funny. Now you have a decision to make.  You ask yourself, “am I going to clean up this myself?” well, I would invite you to ask some other relevant questions. Do I have the moisture meters to trace where the water affected the area? Do I have the knowledge and expertise to demo the affected areas? Do I have the right equipment to demo the affected area? Do I have the right equipment and expertise to dry the affected area? And then, do I have the skills to repair the damaged affected area?

These are all questions to consider when you want water damage repaired the right way and in a timely manner to prevent mold. SERVPRO of West Forsyth County does have the expertise, and the equipment to handle your water damage restorations needs. We also work with most insurance companies to save you and your insurance company money. Our goal is to ensure that you only pay your deductible on a cover loss. After all, if it’s your home it is worth doing right the first time.

Call us direct at 336-946-1131

Merry Christmas

12/10/2020 (Permalink)

‘Twas the Month of Christmas, and in nearly every home.

There are dangers that are lurking known and unknown

Decorations that dangle and Candles that glow.

Overloaded plugs and fuses ready to blow.

Cooking the treats that Santa desires

Hoping to not catch the kitchen on fire

Frost on the pumpkin, cold frigid air on the breeze

Hoses on outside faucets, will they hard freeze?

Celebrate safely, but should you mishap

You can call SERVPRO in no time flat.

Call them quick, for any size disaster

out on your driveway they are, no one could be faster.

More rapid than eagles SERVPRO professionals came,

You’ll knew right then; they are at the top of their game.

Covered in PPE from head to toe

Safety and caring people they are, on the go.

They were all there, they flew like a flash,

Wiping and cleaning the soot and the ash.

The water was extracted going bye bye

They set Fans and Dehu’s making it all dry.

Where the wall had been burnt, browned and blackened.

SERVPRO came in & it was “Like it never even happened.”

The moral of the story is really quite clear

Celebrate joyously and be of great cheer

Decorate, cook, and we hope you ‘ll be cautious

But if disaster comes, you should just call us

The professionals at West Forsyth County

Will be right there to clean it up soundly. 

We hope that your Season is Safe and a delight

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Merry Christmas and be safe. 

Saving your insurance dollars with SERVPRO

11/16/2020 (Permalink)

If you owe money on your car or home the lender requires insurance to protect the money they have lent you. So, what factors can affect insurance costs and how does SERVPRO help? We buy insurance to protect our own money and to repair damages that are sudden and accidental. By restoring items that can be restored, without replacing them, we can save money to both you and the insurance company. Our goal is that you only pay your deductible to return your home or office to a preloss condition.  

Where you live matters and can affect the cost of your insurance and even taxes. Luckily there are over 1700 franchise locations nationwide. Coastal homes see more storms and see increased insurance costs. With SERVPRO’s storm training and technology, we can help to reduce downtime for businesses and costs of replacement. Speaking of location, how close you are to a fire department, and the services that it provides, equipment and the rating of the fire house can affect costs of insurance. If you suffer a fire loss our team can repair the damage and control the odor. Restoring the affected areas of your property is substantially less costly than demolishing and replacing building materials and furnishings.

How old is your home? That can affect your insurance and the work to done should you suffer a water or fire loss. We have to consider the age of the house to deal with lead paint and asbestos. Normally if your house was built before 1978 there is a good chance it has lead paint. Asbestos was commonly used in home built before 1979. SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is a Lead Paint renovator. We also have excellent subcontractor for Asbestos abatement, should it be needed.

Remodeling your home can have effects on the insurance premiums you pay. But, when demo of the shower reveals a slow leak and mold, having SERVPRO remediate mold the right way, can protect your investment. Insurance will not help on claims where the cause was an ongoing issue. Or maintenance was deferred. Having it done right will affect the value of your home in a positive direction.

We work with your insurance company, offering competitive advantages. Our goal is to restore the property and your peace of mind through timely mitigation and adherence to IICRC standards. This will leave both you and the insurance agent with confidence that the job was done right. Through training, technology, and our relationships with national insurance carriers you can be assured that we will save you money and the job will be done right.

If you have claim or need our services call us directly at 336-946-1131

Disaster preparedness in the age of COVID19

9/14/2020 (Permalink)

Each year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designates September as National Preparedness Month to promote the importance of family and community disaster planning. This year’s theme, “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.,” resonates strongly as local communities and communities around the world battle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For disaster mitigation specialists like SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County, the scope and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of everyday life, health, and well-being have magnified the importance of SERVPRO’s ongoing message to the communities it serves: When disaster strikes, preparedness is the best defense.

Before COVID-19 exploded into a global crisis, ‘disaster preparedness’ for the everyday home or business owner was largely dictated by the hazards unique to their location or their business. For some, that meant preparing for hurricanes and water damage; for others, tornadoes, flooding, wind damage, or even wildfires. But COVID-19 taught us that everyone – individuals and business owners alike – needs to be prepared for a national emergency that may disrupt food and medical supplies, transportation systems, schools, businesses, and every single aspect of everyday life that we take for granted. We’ve learned that, no matter where you live or work, in addition to your ‘disaster’ preparations, making certain that you have a stock of some basic items on hand can make a huge difference if a national or global event suddenly disrupts – or even stops – everyday life.”

Everyone still needs to have a disaster preparedness plan in place. FEMA provides easy-to-use disaster planning guidelines at https://www.ready.gov, and home and business owners both can take advantage of free tools like the SERVPRO READY app at https://ready.SERVPRO.com/home/mobileapp. The app stores essential contact and property information electronically where it can be accessed with a mobile device in seconds if disaster strikes. Local business owners can take an additional preparedness step by designating SERVPRO of West Forsyth County as their disaster mitigation and restoration provider. SERVPRO professionals will conduct a no-cost assessment of the facility and assist the owner in completing a comprehensive Emergency READY Profile® (ERP) to be stored in the READY app.

COVID-19 has taught us we need to rethink and add to our disaster-preparedness toolkits. We are all still struggling with a ‘disaster’ that has disrupted not only our lives and our jobs, but our entire community, our society, and the supply chain that we depend on. While in retrospect, the shortages of some of these items have become the stuff of urban legend, it’s a good idea to stockpile a supply of items for which there are no easy substitutes. Toilet paper; yeast and flour for breadmaking; detergents; canned foods, fruits, and vegetables; pet foods and cat litter; fresh dairy items; diapers; and a host of other items were in short supply for weeks at the beginning of the crisis. Think back on those weeks and keep a supply of the things that you just don’t want to do without – along with some shelf-stable dairy items, dried beans, and frozen meals. Use them before they expire but be sure to replace them.

The disaster remediation specialists at SERVPRO of West Forsyth County extend their sincere sympathy to those who have lost loved ones or have been otherwise affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For Winston-Salem-area commercial and residential customers, SERVPRO of West Forsyth County continues to specialize in disaster restoration, cleanup, and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened.” For more information on SERVPRO of West Forsyth County, please call (336) 946-1131. For more information on SERVPRO® and the SERVPRO Emergency READY Program, please visit https://ready.SERVPRO.com.

The right equipment the right people.

9/7/2020 (Permalink)

Have you ever heard the term shade tree mechanic? Or fly by night outfit? They're all sorts of names for people that dabble in an area of service that maybe they shouldn’t. Recently we had a customer who had an HVAC issue that caused some water damage. The HVAC company may have been responsible for the damage, so they sent their preferred vendor to scope the work.  According to the client, this vendor came out with tape measure and note pad. He stayed about 20 mins and later sent a three-page estimate for the mitigation only.  For the repairs, the client would have to be quoted and repairs completed by separate vendor.

Unknown to that vendor, and as it should be, we had been on sight and spent some time going over all angles of the water damage (let’s just say it was more than 20 minutes). When SERVPRO of West Forsyth County does a scope of services to work for you, we will bring the right tools and knowledge to prepare an estimate. For example, moisture meters to measure water that has been absorbed into the floor and sheet-rock. Water that you can’t see may be causing damage to your home or business behind the wall or under the flooring. Mapping the affected area is critical knowledge to getting an accurate estimate of affected materials and those materials that may have to come out.

We will bring an infrared camera to see cold spots. If an area has an unusually blue area on the camera, it may indicate that water is behind the wall or material that hiding it. We also have a borescope that will allow us to drill a small hole to look into a cavity behind sheet-rock and see mold growth, if we need to. These are just a few of the tools in our tool belt that helps us to serve you better.  If we bring this much equipment to bear on your water damage to quote it, know that we will have the equipment and expertise to deal with any size disaster at your home or business.

If you need a quote for services it’s best to call us directly at 336-946-1131

How can SERVPRO help during COVID19

8/3/2020 (Permalink)

There is no doubt that the first half of this year have been tough on everyone. Words like unprecedented, uncertain and strange times have been bantered about. But we hope that you can take comfort that help is here to clean and disinfect your home or office should you need it. At SERVPRO of West Forsyth County we have been on numerous webinars and training's from our corporate headquarters in Gallatin TN.  Understanding the protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  We have gained knowledge of the approved EPA products and ensuring that our proprietary labeled products are among the approved products listed on the EPA’s website.  

Along with the experience of Biohazard cleaning, pathogen cleaning is simply another service we have offered for years.  Standard janitorial services do not deal with biohazards in the workplace routinely. That is why you should call the experienced and well-equipped staff of SERVPRO of West Forsyth County. We will Consult with you on your work space or home. No two businesses are exactly alike and so a plan has to be created to ensure the best possible course of action.  We will clean according to the agreed upon plan, again following CDC protocols and EPA approved products. We will certify that we have completed those protocols and leave you with branding and collateral that will give your employees and customers the confidence to visit your establishment, knowing that it is Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Weather you want to do something proactively for your business or you have had an active case of COVID19 on premises the professionals of SERVPRO of West Forsyth County can help during these unprecedented, uncertain and strange times. Call us directly at 336-946-1131

We are Cleaning Experts

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

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. If you are a Winston Salem business that is closed temporarily due to the NC Governor's order, it would be an ideal time take advantage of this service.

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 West Forsyth County, 336-946-1131

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

Experience and brand make a difference

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

So why would I use SERVPRO over a guy in a truck? Well do you trust the guy in a truck? What experience in water damage restoration does he have? How long has that brand been around?  I don’t know how long guy in a truck has been around but, SERVPRO started back in 1967. Starting in Sacramento on the west coast, SERVPRO started as a painting company that had a background in restoration. Selling its first franchise in 1969, and growing to 647 franchises by 1988 when it relocated the headquarters to Gallatin, TN. Today SERVPRO has more than 1700 franchises across the US and Canada.

SERVPRO has led the way in using science and technology to develop the techniques we use to restore your home or business. State of the art equipment and training from experienced instructors give us the knowledge and ability to repair your home or business after a disaster. Even though each individual franchise is independently owned and operated, we have the organizational structure / capacity to respond to major events, as we were called to do in 2005 for Katrina, 2008 Hurricane Ike, and 2012 Superstorm Sandy.

With the experience of a long history and training you can trust SERVPRO of West Forsyth County to competently restore your home or business to a preloss condition or “Like it never even happened.”

For questions about our service please call us directly 336-946-1131

Training makes our people, our people make the difference

1/6/2020 (Permalink)

ASE Certification is a widely known certification in the auto mechanic industry.  When you have someone working on your car you want to see that certification patch on their sleeve.  When you have a problem with your pipes you want a licensed insured plumber. In the Restoration industry SERVPRO has led the way with training and development.

Since 1967 SERVPRO has been setting the standard and continually improving the way disaster mitigation is done. In 1992 SERVPRO developed the National Training Center for restoration and mitigation. These classes are taught to Franchise Owners and Insurance Professionals. It has become an IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)  training facility that offers courses in such topics as, Fire Restoration, Water Restoration, Carpet Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning and others.

Continuing education and certification courses in the most up to date technology and best use practices are also distributed through the SERVPRO network. Our people make the difference and their training makes them the most professionally skilled employees in the industry. We hope that you never have a disaster that affects your home or business, but if you do, we have the training and the experience to make it “Like it never even happened.”

It’s best to contact us directly 336-946-1131

Our equipment could save you money

12/30/2019 (Permalink)

Have you heard the cliché phrase, “pay me a little now or pay a lot more later”? it’s true with so many things in life. But never truer than in home maintenance. According to The Porch 88% of homeowners had to complete a major home improvement or remodel in 2018. These home repairs or remodels averaged almost $5000.00.  So, keeping up with your home’s maintenance is so very important.

Repairing a floor structure topped the list of costs.  Here at SERVPRO of West Forsyth County we have invested in our equipment and training our people, to not only mitigate the damages that you may be forced to repair in your home, but mitigate the costs associated with a sudden water damage.

For example, take the pictured floor mats that are pictured in this blog. If we are called quickly enough, it is possible for us to save wood floors assaulted by water damage.  Many homeowners think they got all the water up with a shop vac or mop. But water takes the path of least resistance. It could have gone behind the base board and wicked up by the insulation behind the walls.  We prepare for disasters with training and 52 years of experience with classes provided by our SERVPRO headquarters in Gallatin TN

If you suffer a water damage that you’re unsure of weather you need our services, call us. Our scope fees are reasonable and will go towards the final bill should you need our services. It is best to contact us directly 336-580-6351

We hire Veterans

11/11/2019 (Permalink)

On this Veterans day we are pleased to announce that SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is the recipient of the Gold Hire Vets Medallion Award. Our efforts to recruit, employ, and retain our nation’s veterans have been recognized by the US Department of Labor.

By meeting the criteria required for a Gold Medallion Award, SERVPRO of West Forsyth County recognizes the value veterans bring to the workplace. The commitment and pride in their duty Veterans learned in the military, is the same as they bring to the workplace.  

As the only veteran hiring award at the federal level, the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans (HIRE Vets) Medallion Program is a way for us to show that we appreciate the sacrifice Veterans have made for this country.

If you know of a Veteran in need of a job, have them send their resume to Office@SpWFC.com They may also contact our office directly at 336-946-1131

Your house is talking are you listening?

11/4/2019 (Permalink)

If you are of a certain age you remember a commercial that said, “When EF Hutton speaks people listen”. Well when your house is talking to you, then you should listen.  Is your house letting you know there is trouble before there is trouble? There are some noises that simply should not be ignored.

Some things to listen to when your house is talking to you are. 

  • Your water heater sits in a closet or in the garage and is silently heating the water. When it is silent no news is good news. But if it starts to bubble or sounds like crackling that may be sediment rumbling around in the bottom of the tank. It may be a sign that it is getting ready to fail. One way to prevent this is to flush it out every few months. It will prolong the life of your water heater.
  • You flush the toilet, wash your hands and hear the modern-day convenience of running water. Well what if no one is using water and you hear it running or dripping? Well then you might have a leak. Weather it is a freshwater supply or a drain you will need to call a plumber.
  • Ever been laying in bed and suddenly hear scratching or scurrying in the wall or attic? Well this is not to be ignored either as mice, squirrels, or other critters can chew holes in walls or worse wiring that could lead to a potential call to SERVPRO of West Forsyth County.
  • “Clang clang clang goes the trolley”, well this is not how your furnace should react when you turn it on. Normal clicking or ticks is ok for baseboard or hot water systems. But the pump and system itself should be relatively quiet.
  • Cat call whistling is not socially acceptable anywhere, but especially with your furnace. When was the last time you changed the filter? You should use a high-quality filter and do so quarterly or monthly if you have pets.
  • Boo hiss is usually a sound made at a ball game, but if your home has gas and it is hissing at you then you may be getting ready to lose the game. If you smell gas or hear it near the meter or at the home’s outdoor gas post, then get out and call the gas company immediately.
  • If you have worked in electronics you know that sound a relay makes when it is energized, it clicks. It sounds like two decent sized magnets coming together. Well water users have a pump in the house or the yard that pulls water into a holding tank and stored for use. If you hear that click each time you turn on the water, that could indicate you have a leak. If it turns on so frequently that could wear out the pump prematurely.
  • Things that make you go hummmmm. Appliances that have working perfectly normal and suddenly develop a hum should be considered for repair. Clothes dryers hum but if they start squeaking or making new noises time call the repairman.
  • Birds chirping in the morning is ok but chirping from a smoke detector is never a good thing. This usually happens at my home around 2:30 AM but not having it ready could be a an even worse day.

Any of these could lead to a reason to need SERVPRO of West Forsyth County. If you need to call us we are available 24/7 it’s best to call us directly 336-946-1131

Can I clean this up myself?

8/7/2019 (Permalink)

You may ask yourself, why do I need SERVPRO to clean up this water? You may think my shop-vac or my mop can get this up. You would be partially correct. But what you don’t see and what you don’t know is that water is hiding from you. We have the experience, equipment and training to find it and remove it before it leads to more damage.

Moister meters and infrared cameras will help us pinpoint the source and area affected by a water damage. Experience helps us to give you corrective actions to take to fix the root cause of the problem.  Our IICRC training helps us take care of the damage and prevent secondary damage, and fungal growth.

During the process you may think a box fan might help, and it will, but not as efficiently as our commercial air mover. Our fans can force as much as 3000 Cubic Feet per Minute of air over 23.5 feet. This greatly reduces the drying time. When we couple the air mover to promote evaporation, with a dehumidifier to pull water out of the air before it condensates on the walls. This also reduces the number of days it will take to dry your home or business. We monitor the results of our equipment regularly. We want to ensure that your home or business is completely and professionally dried.   

Experience, Equipment, and Education this is why you would use SERVPRO of West Forsyth County. Call us direct at 336-946-1131

Who can you trust with your home or business

5/31/2019 (Permalink)

Not all restoration companies are the same. A guy in a truck can come up to your home and say he will help you through a claim with your insurance company for roof damage. How do you know you can trust him?  This is true also for mitigation and restoration companies how do you know you can trust the work will be done right? If you suspect a mold problem in your home and the mitigation company is performing its own air quality test is that a conflict of interest? Of course it is. So how do you go about choosing a trustworthy vendor to restore your home or business? In days before the internet you may have asked your family, neighbors or coworkers and you still might today. But now we have the ability to see what reputation a company has in the community and what the quality of work they perform is with the help of online reviews.

In our business getting reviews is somewhat difficult, not everyone wants to advertise the fact they have suffered a water or fire loss. With the help of satisfied customers we have garnered some of those fantastic reviews. With the help of the BBB our customers can place reviews with them and still be anonymous. The BBB is committed to telling consumers the trustworthiness of a company weather they are accredited or not.

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County has chosen to be an accredited member of the BBB in order to let our customers know that you can count on and trust, that we will complete your job with integrity and the standards that have earned us the positive reviews of customers before you. These include an A+ rating with the BBB. A 4.9 rated company on Facebook, and a 5 star reviewed company on Google.  

Caring for our community

1/18/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is a local small business. All of us who work here obviously live here most were born and went to school here locally. We are an intricate part of the community. And that is intentional, because it is important to us as a business family to be a part of the community. We have made it our mission to ensure that we are part of helping people put their homes or business back together. And we also enjoy helping to improve the quality of our community by being an active member with organizations within the community.

The Rural Hall Area Business Association RHABA for example is a community of business leaders and owners who meet once a month at the Mayflower in Rural Hall to discuss topics of interest that impact business within the community. We support the local Elementary School, and have for 12 years with a 10K run fundraiser. For the past 4 years our Marketing Mgr. Ed Dean has MC’d this and other fundraiser runs. RHABA has an annual food drive for the 2nd Harvest Food Bank

Our commitment to assist has also been in the form of aid in packaging meals for local children in need. Collecting food for the local Clemmons Food Pantry in cooperation with the Lewisville Clemmons Chamber of Commerce.  The owner, Jeff Meadows has used his expertise in assisting hurricane victims rebuild and mitigate water damage with the Clemmons United Methodist Church men’s group.  

We do all this because not only do we love where we live we care about the community that we live in. Yes we provide a service and this community has used us because of our expertise. But know that once the green truck pulls up to your home or business the people in that SERVPRO vehicle care about helping you and your family.

Employee spotlight Nelson Evans

1/7/2019 (Permalink)

Nelson Evans - Estimator

We have talked about the equipment and training that SERVPRO of West Forsyth County has. One of the spotlights we want to highlight is our people. They are the most important and valuable part of our business. One of those persons is not even a full time employee.  But Nelson Evans is an important spoke in the wheel that helps us keep rolling to help our customers in need of fire, water or mold damage restoration.

Nelson came to us with 30 years of experience in the restoration and insurance business.  A property claims adjuster for a prominent Insurance company Nelson is very familiar with the claims process and how it is works for an easier process. Having this kind of expertise in on our staff helps to make for reduced stress and smooth claims processes.

During his career Nelson has attended numerous IICRC training certifications, NIDR Restoration, Structure Repair, and Xactimate Estimating software training. Nelson has even owned his own construction business. A Penn State Alumni and NAVY Veteran and most important a husband and father of 7 children and 2 grandchildren.

These life and educational experiences help to make your experience with SERVPRO of West Forsyth County a more complete and less worrisome process. Damage to your home or business is stressful enough, by the time we are done we want you to feel “Like it never even happened.”    

It’s best to contact us directly 336-946-1131

How SERVPRO of West Forsyth County Began

12/31/2018 (Permalink)

Jeff Meadows is the owner of SERVPRO of West Forsyth County. An engineering graduate from East Carolina University. After graduating Jeff spent 24 years in the corporate work sector. Jeff spent most of his career in engineering and operations management for industrial manufacturing companies. As you can guess this makes Jeff a highly detail oriented person. When I first arrived at SERVPRO West Forsyth County I heard two things that are of great importance to Jeff, details matter, and communication can prevent problems.

In August of 2010 Jeff opened the doors at SERVPRO in an office that would soon prove to be too small. Armed with the details and communication philosophy for customer service we quickly outgrew the starting office and moved to our current office near Hanes Mall. We have grown from one truck and four staff to a fleet of six vehicles and 12 staff to help service our customers in the Winston Salem area. We continue to improve our capacity and capability annually. With IICRC and SERVPRO headquarters training we are continually improving knowledge of our services.

Attention to details, communication, equipment and most importantly our educated and caring personnel is what makes SERVPRO of West Forsyth County the right choice to service your home or place of business.

What to look for in a restoration company

12/4/2018 (Permalink)

No one plans for a disaster, but quick action after a calamity and bringing on SERVPRO of West Forsyth County to mitigate and repair everything can save both time and money. Most of the homeowners living in Winston Salem area who call a restoration company, are doing so for the first time. In many cases, these individuals are concerned about who will in their home.   How will they help with this huge mess and where do I start.   There are many things that cannot be fixed after a disaster and will have to be replaced. Though it may be difficult, this is a process that has to be dealt with swiftly, as the longer it takes to respond, the more damage will add up and make the situation worse.

The problem with burn damage is that it doesn’t end when the flame goes out. There are some things you should do and things you shouldn’t. Ash left behind is highly acidic, and will slowly eat away whatever it touches. Silver and metal finishes can be pitted when left untreated with time. Within minutes, plastics are yellowed and any appliances in the vicinity of the combustion are discolored. This discoloration gets worse and worse, and begins to affect fiberglass and metals after several hours. Fire and flood restoration typically must begin before a few days pass, because metal corrosion takes root and wood furniture requires refinishing as quickly as possible.

After a few weeks, huge costs can be expected, because at this point, carpet needs to be ripped up and replaced, and metal and glass will be permanently etched, many times, beyond the point of being able to salvage it. Getting to the damage quickly is a SERVPRO of West Forsyth County trait. This means windows and appliances will need immediate attention to avoid replacing them. Piping may also be damaged beyond repair, and multiple leaks may cause water damage throughout the home. SERVPRO of West Forsyth is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration. We can keep this from happening. We are equipped to replace carpeting that is beyond repair and clean furniture in an effort to save it. Restoration is less expensive that replacement, so if we can save you money while making it “Like it never even happened” we will.

Another major disaster that many homeowners have to deal with each year is extreme water damage. This may happen following a hurricane or major storm that causes a river or lake to overflow.  We have seen in recent month’s rain in the Clemmons NC area of 2 inches per hour. Flash floods can occur anywhere.  Water can cause catastrophic and permanent destruction to a building, and it’s not unusual for those affected to be condemned and removed completely in the worst case scenarios.

The problem is that water is that it accelerates the growth of many nasty organisms, from molds and fungi to bacteria and parasites. All of these represent major health hazards, and are difficult to remove if they are allowed to take root. While SERVPRO of West Forsyth County can stop the spread of these organisms by removing rotting material, a homeowner can help out by getting rid of some items in the home right away.

Anything that is textile-based will need to go if it is soaked by water contaminated by sewage. It is often difficult to tell if this is the case, we will err on the side of caution and remove them anyway. Carpeting in the home will need to be ripped up and discarded if it is not dried within 48 hours of being soaked, including the padding that lies underneath the fibers. Clothing, insulation, bedding, paper and stuffed toys will all need to be thrown out if they come in contact with contaminated water. Electronics will likely be destroyed if submerged, though it’s best not to test them, as wiring can be damaged and cause electrical shock. When a catastrophe such as either of these occurs, it is best to contact a reputable company to help as quickly as possible.

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County has the knowledge and equipment to help you and your family should they suffer a WATER, FIRE or MOLD Damage. It’s Best to call us directly 336-946-1131

Community service and a service to the community

11/26/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is more than a small business. We are a family of folks who care about the community we live in.  We are invested and committed to be a part of our community and give back whenever possible. From collecting for hurricane relief to collecting for the local food pantry we believe that it is important to help our community when times get tough.

Some of the areas of the community we are involved in include. Being on the board for the Lewisville Clemmons Chamber of Commerce serving as the VP of Community Service. At its monthly meeting the Chamber collects an item for a local group in need. For the month of December we are collecting items for Women Who Care. We are on the board of the Rural Hall Area Business Association (RHABA) each year the association collects for the 2nd Harvest Food Bank and for 12 years has raised money for the local elementary school with its annual 5K & 10K run. SERVPRO has helped with Generosity Feeds and Hurricane relief efforts through our BNI network.

As you can see we care about our community. We take that same care with our customers. Most times they have had a traumatic event happen to their home or business and need our help. So we do what we can to help restore their lives to normal and make it “like it never even happened.”

Should you have a need for our services  call us directly at 336-946-1131

How do I know I need SERVPRO of West Forsyth County

9/19/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County Crew

Whether you have Fire, Water or Mold damage; frequently homeowners wonder if it necessary to call a professional mitigation company or if they can do it themselves.  Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind while weighing your options for restoring your home.

First thing to determine is, are you safe?  Don’t enter rooms where electrical circuits, equipment, switches or outlets have been exposed to water.  If you can do so safely; turn off circuit breakers to the affected areas.

Secondly; what is the source of the water?  If possible without putting   yourself at risk shut the water off.   Keep in mind; contaminated water such as storm water or a sewer back up from the tub, toilet or sink can carry any number of contaminants.  Contact a plumber to repair the leak or clog and opt for a professional to clean up and sanitize. SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is focused on root cause solutions so that you only have to deal with the damage once. Fixing it right the first time is a priority.

What if I can’t find the leak?  We have the tools to find the source. Most folks don’t have a $1200 infrared camera or a $300 moisture meter just laying around in there toolshed. These tools give us the ability to see water you can’t see.  Often times it’s hiding under or behind a floor, cabinet or wall some leaks go undetected for long periods.  Once the source has been identified, be careful not to expose yourself to mold.  A SERVPRO certified mold specialist in Winston Salem has the knowledge and tools to mitigate safely and contain it to prevent cross-contaminating other areas of your home. 

What about my carpet and wood furniture?  Place aluminum foil or unstained wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet and wipe excess water from wood surfaces. This will help protect the finish on your wood furniture as well as protect your carpet from staining.  

Are my valuables safe?  Professionals from SERVPRO will be working to lower the humidity in the affected areas; but in the meantime removing dry valuables like computers, cameras, artwork and documents to unaffected area will help protect them.  If some of these items are already wet, it is usually possible to dry and restore them.  Your certified techs are trained to assist you with these issues and will be happy to help provide you with    answers to your questions. 

What can a professional do that I can’t?  IICRC certified technicians from SERVPRO have the knowledge to test materials and the experience to ensure your home is carefully and completely returned to preloss condition. We monitor the drying process so you and your insurance company can be confident the job is done right the first time. Prompt and thorough mitigation will assure all structure is properly dried, help prevent mold growth and protect your home investment. SERVPRO’s 24/7 on call service offers fire, water and mold damage mitigation services in Winston-Salem and surrounding areas.

What is the IICRC?  The IICRC is a nonprofit organization that provides certification and standard-setting for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. The IICRC is recognized internationally as a knowledgeable industry voice and resource. 

For more information about the IICRC:  IICRC Welcome Video And IICRC Org

For more information about SERVPRO of West Forsyth County:  www.SERVPROwestforsythcounty.com

Or call us directly to ask about our scope service 336-946-1131 it’s best to call us directly.

Giving back to the community is important.

2/6/2015 (Permalink)

Home Repairs for those in need.

The CCC (Carolina Cross connection) is a Youth Ministry Camp that completes home improvement projects for families in need. Since 1988 Carolina Cross Connection has ministered from tool sheds and front stoops to provide a summer home repair ministry to help youth and adults put their faith in action.  The CCC strives to connect local churches and small groups to neighbors in need, CCC seeks to develop communities who nurture and take care of one another. These projects help make homes handicap accessible, or badly needed home repairs for families who could not otherwise afford to do so.  The CCC serves 20 western counties, Asheville’s homeless, and cares for orphans in Honduras. In the past 27 summers the CCC has seen 28,000 volunteers assist over 16,000 families and individuals in need.  The values are empowering the youth to serve and lead in the name of Christ. To give back and be a part of the community while having fun and providing excellence in the service projects they complete.  

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County owner Jeff Meadows has participated in week long CCC mission trips in the past and believes in this philosophy so much the company will be sponsoring the Morning Watch 5K, Fun Run. This will be held on March 14th at the community of Clemmons West Subdivision 3376 Middlebrook Drive Clemmons NC. For more information and discounts for early registration go to http://www.carolinacrossconnection.org/5KClemmons .