Cheers to a new year!

12/28/2021 (Permalink)

Cheers to the new year!

As we ring in the new year we would like to take a minute to reflect and share news of the year 2021. It has certainly been a rollercoaster kind of a year. Here is a quick recap.

This past year we grew in many ways, we welcomed a new Project Manager, Eli Morales. Eli brings years of experience and know-how to our team, we are very excited to have him! We also traveled to Texas when the polar vortex struck, our team was there for nearly 1 month helping get families back in their homes. We can’t forget to mention the fun moments, we were finally able to parade again this year! After a halt to the annual Poolesville tradition due to COVID, this year the town and local small businesses paraded once again. We truly enjoyed a day filled with delicious food and fun entertainment.

I digress, as we have gained team members, we will also say goodbye to a very important team member this year. Our General Manager, Philip Kirlew has decided to leave our team after 9 1/2 years. As he expressed, this was a difficult decision for Philip to make, as he was with our franchise through many ups and downs. We appreciate his many years of service, his exceptional leadership, and his hard work throughout the years. We wish him well in all of his future endeavors.

As we move forward into the new year, our team will once again pivot and evolve. We will focus on fine tuning our current systems and potentially creating new systems in order to better our operation. We are excited to share big news in 2022! With that being said, cheers to a new year full of possibilities!

Fire safety during fall

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

Welcome Fall season of 2021

Last week we welcomed the fall season! Summer is officially over. That means pumpkin spice, and harvest decorations have already made their way to stores and local coffee shops. On that note, we want to share a few fall home safety tips.

• Exercise candle burning with caution, never leave a candle unattended 
• Use caution with space heaters, do not place them near fabric textured items
• Service your furnace if needed, have it checked for leaks
• Use your fireplace safely, never leave fire unattended
• Change your fire and carbon monoxide sensor alarm batteries

Most importantly, enjoy this wonderful season in all of its beautiful colors. We hope you find these tips helpful. Always remember that your local SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is always here to help!

Why do we contain areas of your home?

2/24/2021 (Permalink)

Bedroom containment the SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus way!

When entering your home or business, we analyze the best approach or game plan for a successful remediation and restoration service. In some cases, we use containment methods in order to keep a safer work environment for our team as well as to prevent further damage to your property. When performing mold remediation services, containing the affected area is detrimental where there is more than one tenant in the residence, or when mold spores may contaminate unaffected areas. Another reason to contain an area is when carpentry services are being performed, such as to contain sawdust. Building a proper barrier consist of using 6mil plastic, commercial-grade tape, and zip poles. Aside from the materials, our expertise comes into play when assembling it properly. Incorrect assembly will be counterproductive. Our goal with containment is to save our client costs, possible health, and safety concerns. Always remember that your local SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is here to help and make it “Like it never even happened.”

Christmas tree care

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

Happy Holidays!

This season brings joy and beautiful traditions. One of the traditions that we think of when celebrating Christmas is the Christmas tree. Though real Christmas tree’s are beautiful when lit we have to be cautious when caring for one in our home. If a tree is not watered properly it can become dry and catch on fire. Be sure to check the water level on your tree daily and water as needed. Also, strategically place your tree away from any heat sources. Make certain that the lights on your tree are not damaged. Most importantly, enjoy the season!

Is your thermostat set properly?

11/24/2020 (Permalink)

The adequate thermostat setting may help you save money

During the climate change from summer to winter, you should adjust your thermostat temperature accordingly. This will help make your indoor environment more pleasant and in turn will help you save a few dollars in the process. Did you know that you can save 10% a year on heating and cooling by setting back your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day from its normal setting? This means that if you’re away from home during the day, adjusting it will be ideal for you. If you spend most of your time at home you can set your thermostat to 68 degrees during the day in the winter season. In the summer season the same strategy will apply, the thermostat should be set at 78 degrees. Avoid setting the thermostat at a colder/hotter setting than normal, this will result in excessive cooling/heating, therefore creating unnecessary expense.

We hope that you found this information helpful during this transitioning time. Always remember that your SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is here to help.

To-do list before moving into your new home

11/16/2020 (Permalink)

Tips for preparing to move in!

The purchase of a home is one of the biggest and most important purchases we make. After the process to finalize the purchase we are in a bliss of emotions; Happy, excited, overjoyed, etc. Right now that the market is booming, we would like to share a few tips on what we recommend you take care of prior to moving in.

- Change the locks to your doors.

- Find and label your main water shut off valve. This will come in handy if you happen to have a broken water pipe.

- Find and know where you electrical box is, just in case you have an emergency.

- Find and label your main gas shut off valve, if you have one.

- Create an escape plan in case you have an emergency and have to evacuate quickly.

- Clean the carpets if necessary before the heavy furniture is delivered.

- Have your ducts cleaned if necessary, you do not want dust circulating in your home.

We hope that you have found these tips helpful. Always remember that your SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is always here to help and make it “Like it never even happened.”

Are you disaster ready?

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

Are you prepared?

As an expert in the restoration industry, we feel that our input is helpful when preparing for a disaster. In the month of September, we focus on helping our community prepare. A big aspect for preparing is knowing what you have, and what you need. We have compiled a list of items that you may want to have in your home, just in case you need to shelter in place. 

Emergency Supply Kit

• 3 day supply of Water (1 gal per person, per day)
• 3 day supply of Food (preferably non-perishable)
• Manual can opener
• Battery powered flash light
• Battery powered radio
• Extra batteries
• Cell phone with back up battery 
• Wet-towelettes, trash bags, plastic bed sheets (personal care items)
• First Aid kit
• Small tool kit (include pliers in case you have to turn off utilities)
• A copy of local maps

We hope that you have found this information helpful! Always remember that you SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is here to help and make it "Like it never even happened."

Wooden floor care

6/26/2020 (Permalink)

Proper wooden floor care may prolong it's life!

Adding wooden floor is a great way to beautify an area in your home. The question becomes, do you know how to care for your wooden floor properly in order to prolong its life? Your SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is here to help with a few easy tips on how to care for your wooden flooring.

-Place pads underneath furniture to prevent from scratching or scuffing

-Dust or sweep your floor as frequently as possible (once a day)

-Clean all spills right away

-Keep your room temperature between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent cupping, splitting, or gapping of the wood floor

-Request that wet shoes be removed before entering

-Re-finish your floor every 3-5 years, or as needed

 Follow the manufacturers recommendations; They made it, they can show you how to take care of it best. We hope you have found these tips helpful. Always remember that your SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is always here to help.