Recent Posts

Water restoration done the right way

10/20/2022 (Permalink)

a before and after picture of a flooded basement and a restored basement Water damage restoration, the SERVPRO way!

When disaster strikes it is important to act fast to avoid secondary damage, like mold. It is also very important to find the right restoration provider that will do the job the correct way the first time.

When choosing a provider, find a provider that is IICRC certified. The IICRC is the organization that oversees the restoration industry standards. When dealing with residential water damage, the pertaining certification is WRT.

Our team is certified and experienced to assist with all categories and classes of water damage. If you experience any type of water damage, call our office, we can walk you through what needs to happen and take care of it right away. Always remember that our team is always here to help and make it "Like it never even happened!"

Frequently asked question- Does water damage dissipate on it's own?

9/30/2022 (Permalink)

water being absorbed into the insulation Don't wait, call us right away!

When water damage occurs in a home or business we frequently ask ourselves, will the water dissipate on its own? The short answer to this question is no. Water travels to a place it can be absorbed and can cause subsequent secondary damages to your home such as microbial growth, also known as mold. To avoid secondary damages you must mitigate the initial water damage properly and in a timely manner. You may ask yourself- Where does water travel? Well, water can be absorbed by the insulation behind a wall or any other nearby porous materials or textures. Finding the right professionals to assist can save you time and more damage to your personal belongings and home. Our team will help you put together a game plan that fits your situation. In many scenarios, our team must remove drywall and insulation due to it not being salvageable and preventing secondary damage. If you are experiencing water damage give us a call, we are always here to help and make it “Like it never even happened.”

What is the life expectancy of a tank water heater?

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

leaking water heater Did you know that the life span of a tank water heater is between 8-10 years?

Replacing appliances can be either daunting or gratifying, or both. When the need to replace a major appliance, like a tank water heater, arises it’s best to take care of it prior to them malfunctioning or failing. The typical life span of a tank water heater is between 8-10 years, however, it may be recommended to replace it prior to then. One thing is for sure, you do not want to replace a tank water heater unexpectedly. Residential tank water heaters can hold between 30-80 gallons of water, depending on how many people live in the residence. Can you imagine the catastrophe that amount of water can cause in your home should your water heater go out?

If you are experiencing water damage due to water heater failure or malfunction, feel free to contact our experienced team. Our staff will walk you through the water restoration process and make appropriate recommendations. Remember that your local SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is always here to help and make it “Like it never even happened!”



What you should know regarding stormwater intrusion!

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

Stormwater damage from stormwater intrusion Stormwater damage? Give us a call!

The DMV area has received several showers and storms in the past two weeks, leaving behind property damage. With that, here is some helpful information that you should know should you have stormwater damage. First things first, should you have stormwater intrusion know that it is considered contaminated and you should not come in close contact with it. Stormwater is considered category 3 water, or grossly contaminated, and should be mitigated properly to avoid further damage. To avoid stormwater intrusion we recommend that homeowners check the water drain regularly. If they are clogged with leaves or debris remove it so that water has a proper pathway to channel away from the home.

Another important fact to know for preparedness purposes is your insurance deductible and insurance coverages for water damage. Have that conversation with your insurance agent, also get an idea of how the claim process works should you ever need to file an insurance claim.

We hope that this information was helpful. Feel free to reach out should you have damage due to storm, our team will happily provide a free water loss assessment which will help you determine the next steps. Your local SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is always here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”



A prompt response to water damage is key!

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

A picture of water damage Prompt response to a water disaster is key!

When a water disaster strikes the emotions can be overwhelming but you must always remember that your prompt response will be very detrimental. Here are three reasons why beginning the water mitigation process will make all the difference in how promptly your home or business will return to its pre-water damage condition.

3 Reasons why a quick response is important

  1. If not mitigated quickly, wooden floors buckle and become permanently damaged.
  2. Mold will grow in places with dampness or moisture.
  3. You can prevent damage to porous materials such as insulation by properly mitigating water damage quickly.

We are happy to explain the water mitigation process for a better understanding of what it will take to properly mitigate your home. Every water loss is different and unique in its own ways, our approach is a customized one to fit your specific needs. Feel free to reach out for a free water loss assessment if needed. We are always here to help and make it “Like it never even happened.”



3 benefits of a duct cleaning

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

a duct cleaning promotional ad Call us for more information on our duct cleaning services! (301)933-2425

Are you considering duct cleaning to complement your Spring cleaning plans this season? Well, you are in luck, not only are we offering a discounted rate this month but we are also sharing three reasons why you should have a duct cleaning performed in your home this Spring.

 3 reasons why a duct cleaning will complement your spring cleaning 

  1. Better air quality- When you clean out your ducts, you are essentially cleaning the system that filters the air throughout your home. If you do not clean this periodically, you will continue to collect dirt and debris over time. When purchasing a home, this is a service you want to consider, especially because you do not know when the last time the previous owner had this service performed. Once you have a duct cleaning you will notice the difference drastically, in some cases it helps with allergy symptoms.
  2. A cleaner home- Have you ever noticed a thin layer of dirt in your home and wondered why you have to dust it off so frequently? Well, it is possible that your ducts are distributing this dirt throughout your home due to them not being cleaned in quite some time. A simple remedy to this is having a duct cleaning service. 
  3. HVAC efficiency- If your HVAC system is cluttered with dust and debris, it will perform accordingly. This means it will work overtime to reach your temperature goals, however, it will cost you more money in energy bills and it strains your HVAC unit. 

During the month of April, we are offering 10% off of our duct cleaning service. This offer does not include dryer vents or antimicrobial fog treatment. This is a limited-time offer and spots are limited. Feel free to reach out to take advantage of our special April 2022 offer.



What classification of water does stormwater fall under?

3/10/2022 (Permalink)

a drawing of a house flooding due to a storm Storm damage? We can help!

Our home is our safe haven from many things, storms, work, a pesky neighbor. When a natural disaster, like a storm, strikes we have to know what we are dealing with in order to properly access it and restore our safe haven.

 When a storm strikes in your community it is important to know how to react if you have unexpected water intrusion. The first thing is to know that if your home is affected by stormwater, you are dealing with a category three water loss, per the IICRC. Here is more clarification on what category three water damage is:

Category 3 – Black Water: This water is grossly contaminated and may contain pathogenic, toxigenic, or other harmful agents. Elderly, children under the age of 2, and people with respiratory issues should not occupy the facility until the facility is safe. Examples of Category 3 water are all forms of flooding due to sewage, flooding due to seawater or rainfall (rain, natural disaster), and colored water.

  If your home experiences a category three water loss after a storm, give us a call. Our team will walk you through the restoration process and restore your home quickly.

Commercial Water Restoration Services

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

A before and after photo of a commercial water damage job Commercial Water Damage? We can help!

From residential to commercial, we can help! The water damage shown in this photo was due to a broken sprinkler system. Water trickled 3 stories down causing damage in its path. The homeowners from each unit had different needs and extents of damage, which we catered to.

Soon after we arrived, we accessed the damage and quickly put together a drying plan. We began extracting water and followed by strategically setting up equipment in affected areas. Throughout the following days, we monitored the drying process. Our team also applied our certified green antimicrobial product, this will help prevent microbial growth and is safe in commercial and residential spaces.

Our team also took the time to educate the property manager and homeowners. We answer any questions they may have regarding our equipment and products. We understand that this is an unforeseen difficult time and patience is key.

Every water disaster is different, we pride ourselves on catering to our client’s needs and making certain that they are set for a smooth restoration experience. If you are a property manager looking for a mitigation company to service your needs, look no further, we can help! We are a 24/7/365 emergency restoration service with the ability to take care of water, fire, mold, or bio-hazard restoration needs. Our team is ready to make it “Like it never even happened.”



Unattended slow leaks cause mold!

2/2/2022 (Permalink)

Microbial growth on a ceiling Need mold remediation services? Give us a call!

During the winter season, we see a lot of broken pipes caused by the very low temperature. Unfortunately, this is a common loss during the winter season. If not mitigated in a timely manner, this damage has the potential to cause secondary damages to your home, like mold. Mold originates from moisture, and it does not just go away, in fact, it continues to grow. Microbial growth/mold may cause health effects. If you see spots like the ones in the picture, give us a call! 

 Our process consists of removing the affected areas, treating with antimicrobial, and setting the proper equipment. We will then recommend that you have the source of the moisture repaired by a plumber, in this scenario we are supposing it is a broken pipe. Once the pipe has been repaired we can come back and repair the areas removed like drywall,  insulation, and paint. We also recommend a duct cleaning, just to reassure that mold spores are not traveling through your home via the HVAC/duct system, we can also perform this for you. 

 If you suspect microbial growth, please give us a call at (301)933-2425. We will gladly come out and put together a remediation plan for you! Remember that your local SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is always here to help and make it “Like it never even happened.”



Warning. Snow is in the forecast ahead!

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

a warning sign saying "winter weather ahead" Have our contact information handy, just in case.

Our area is expecting snow within the next 24 hours. Along with the snow, we are expecting low temperatures also. Low temperatures are typically the cause of broken pipes due to them freezing. If you see that a pipe is frozen in your home, attempt to defrost it with a space heater or blowdryer, this may help prevent a broken pipe. We recommend that you know the main shut-off valve is, just in case. It is also a good idea to run water in your faucets, this helps by thawing the water in your faucets and freely draining and relieving the pressure in your pipes.

If you are in need of a water restoration provider, please give us a call. Our team specializes in restoring homes and businesses after there has been water damage. We can dry out the structure properly to prevent mold from forming due to moisture left behind. Always remember that your local SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is here to help, and make it “Like it never even happened.”