Emergency Flood Damage Cleanup in Gaithersburg

1/8/2024 (Permalink)

From flood water removal to disinfecting, call SERVPRO to restore your Gaithersburg property.

SERVPRO®’s 24/7 Availability Can Remediate Flood Water Damage

Water damage, whether from floods, pipe leaks, clogged gutters, or other disasters, needs a fast and thorough response to prevent further issues in the home. Mold can grow from water damage in as little as 24 hours and damage structures and contents, creating discomfort by proliferating spores and unpleasant odors.

When flood damage affects Gaithersburg homes, SERVPRO is ready to assist at any time of day or night and can have a crew out to begin the inspection and cleanup process within hours of a client’s call. In cases where no power is available onsite, SERVPRO can provide power sources to keep the restoration process as efficient and smooth as possible.

Complications Caused by Flood Damage and Debris

Floodwater can invite all kinds of concerns into a home. Water damage is only one aspect of homeowners' issues when a flood occurs.

• Flooding can compromise home electrical systems with water damage, creating potential safety concerns.
• Floods also introduce microbes, debris, sewage, and other contaminants to the home that can complicate the cleaning process.
• Damage to structural material is a frequent issue with flooding, especially for flooring adhesives and porous surfaces like grout, drywall, carpet, upholstery, and wood.

SERVPRO’s professional restoration services aim to efficiently clean flood damage and restore the home and its contents to a pre-disaster condition.

SERVPRO’s Fast Flood Damage Cleanup Services

Restoration technicians are equipped to perform a diverse array of flood cleanup services, including:

• Removing remaining standing water with submersible sump pumps and back- or truck-mounted extractors.
• Spraying down contaminated surfaces with broad-spectrum EPA-registered biocides.
• Safely handling any necessary demolition and repair services for drywall, flooring, electrical, and other structural components.

SERVPRO’s pack-out and move-back process is also effective for restoring personal property and returning it to its original place within the home.

Homeowners who endure fire damage, water damage, or other disasters can contact SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown at (301) 963-8474 for “Like it never even happened” mitigation and restoration.

Need Storm and Water Damage Repairs in Gaithersburg – Call SERVPRO

1/10/2023 (Permalink)

Don’t let storm damage overwhelm you, call the professionals at SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Delivers – Water Damage Repair and Restoration in Gaithersburg

While storms with high winds and heavy rain can initially cause a great deal of damage to Gaithersburg homes and businesses, often, it is the lingering effect of water and exposure to the elements that cause the most damage. Water penetrating the roof or through broken windows can cause hardwood flooring to buckle and warp, carpets to delaminate, drywall to swell and lose integrity, and mold to form if water mitigation efforts are not immediately undertaken.

SERVPRO provides water damage repair and mitigation to clients in Gaithersburg and the surrounding area. Boarding up windows and doors and placing tarps over damaged roofs prevent additional water from penetrating your home. Installing high-capacity pumps, water extraction equipment on flooring, air movers, and dehumidifiers can quickly remove excess water and moisture, preventing secondary damage and mold growth. Mold colonies can begin growing in less than twenty-four hours.

Cleaning, drying, and safekeeping of your precious belongings are on the top of our priority list. 

These items can be moved to dry areas in the home or stored at one of our facilities for safekeeping until your home is restored. Our building services team not only helps with the installation of temporary protective solutions, but they can also assist with the reconstruction, repair, and restoration of your home or business, saving time and expenses for our clients and their insurance companies.

We work closely with your insurance adjuster to manage all the insurance paperwork and claim details to help your family or business manage the stress associated with a storm disaster. Our services include:

• Water damage restoration
• Repairs to leaking roofs from storms
• Mold inspections, remediation, and removal

Call SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown for water damage repair services. We provide service to Gaithersburg and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (301) 963-8474.

How Early Steps Can Reduce Flood Damage in Your Germantown Home

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

Give our SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown team a call anytime that you could use our expertise and cutting-edge equipment at (301) 963-8474.

Early Steps You Can Take to Reduce Flood Damage In Germantown

Recovering your Germantown property after a flood loss often begins with what resources are available to a homeowner after this disaster, including professional restoration services. With the widespread devastation that often comes with flooding scenarios in the area, the faster you can react to the situation and begin mitigation and cleanup, the less time and money get tied up in the full recovery of the property.

Keeping restoration costs down for the flood damage in your Germantown home, you must consider how to begin reducing the severity of the situation. There are steps that you can take pre-emptively and in the early stages of mitigation, to reduce the devastation flooding can bring. Whether you intend on reaching out to our SERVPRO professionals for assistance or not, here are a few things our team would suggest for the DIY enthusiast after a flood:

Sandbags and Barriers

Sandbags are reliable for preventing water penetration, especially past the doorway thresholds. If you have a little more time, you can install a flood barrier surrounding the house, which is durable plastic fencing that you can put in place around the house to prevent any water from getting through.

Content Management

Nothing is quite as overwhelming as the loss of something irreplaceable. Take the time to gather items of sentimental value and exceptional worth to get them out of the floodwater approaching the property.

Extraction

If the damage to your property is not extreme, you can employ a wet/dry vac to begin managing extraction as standing water occurs. This partial mitigation can make restoration much more manageable for our SERVPRO professionals or help you clean the home after the floodwater and threat subside more thoroughly.

Knowing how to help your home amid a crisis can be the difference between manageable restoration times and drawn-out recovery processes requiring considerable out-of-pocket expense. Give our SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown team a call anytime you can use our expertise and cutting-edge equipment at (301) 963-8474.

Flood Damage Remediation Is Your Key to Success

7/9/2022 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team can restore your storm-damaged home with reconstruction, "Like it never even happened."

Start to Finish -- Flood Damage Restoration in Gaithersburg by SERVPRO

Heavy rains in Gaithersburg can cause flash flooding headaches for up-county residents. When several inches of water fall during a short time, storm drainage systems become overwhelmed, and the soil becomes saturated. These circumstances can force water into the lower levels of your home, exposing the structure to deterioration and the risk of microbial infestation from the contaminated fluids.

To assure that our crews respond efficiently to Gaithersburg flood damage we use advanced technology like thermal imaging and moisture meters as we assess and plan the remediation. These tools permit the discovery of pockets of water that migrated behind, above, and below structural components. Leaving moisture behind during remediation risks secondary damage like mold growth and persistent resaturation of walls, ceilings, and floors.

SERVPRO employs limited and controlled demolition to expose the trapped moisture. Flood water is typically considered highly contaminated Category Three, black water. We tear out porous materials like drywall and insulation to prevent microbial growth. Flood cuts extending several inches above where the wetness stops permit access to the cavities behind the damaged drywall. We pull the insulation and remove the trapped water.

Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained technicians use pumps and wanded extractors to evacuate standing water, containing it for appropriate disposal. SERVPRO employees use cleaning tools and products clear away residues from the dirty water, and EPA-registered disinfectants sanitize the areas. Opening a portion of the wall increases the speed and efficacy of applied drying equipment like air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers.  

Once the flood-damaged space is cleaned, disinfected, and dry, our SERVPRO team offers rebuilding services. We are proud to take a flooding disaster from chaos to “Like it never even happened.” Our rebuilding contracting crews restore the areas where we removed structural materials to expedite water removal and drying. Professional insulation and drywall installation followed by finishing touches mean our customers enjoy a streamlined process from a wet mess to a completely restored home.

SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown is prepared for all aspects of flood damage restoration in Montgomery County. Call us at (301) 246-8636 for a comprehensive evaluation of what your property needs to return to pre loss condition.

What Can I Do if Water During a Rainstorm Enters My Germantown Garage and Gets My Things Wet?

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

If you ever notice that the floor of your garage has water on it after a rainstorm, call SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown.

For Flood Damage Restoration After Items in Your Garage in Your Germantown Home Get Wet Call SERVPRO

Monsoon season is now in full swing, and it is possible that the Germantown region will see its fair share of excessive rainfall and severe thunderstorms shortly. When the rain starts to pour down, small streams of water could start flowing down the streets in your neighborhood and your driveway and then enter your garage.

Can You Save Items I Have Stored In My Garage If They Got Wet?

During flood damage restoration in Germantown, our SERVPRO technicians can often save your contents and building materials if we can remove the moisture quickly. However, since the water coming in from the outside could be contaminated by harmful bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens, we may have to remove and replace porous contents or building materials like your carpets. Our first step is to remove any standing water either by using a sump pump and putting it into one of your sewage drains or by extracting it with a truck-mounted extractor. Next, we can dry out your building materials and contents in place or separately, depending on the severity of the situation.

How Can You Dry Out The Wet Items I Have Stored In My Garage?

• Dry in a Separate Location: If a large portion of the contents you have stored in your garage got saturated, then we can move everything out and dry your items in a clean and dry location. Drying out your structural components and possessions separately can speed up the overall drying process.
• Set Up Fans and Air Movers: We can set up fans and air movers to create air circulation that will speed up the drying by pushing wet air away from affected surfaces so that more moisture can evaporate.
• Implement Dehumidifiers: Dehumidification systems can remove moisture from the air and help prevent secondary problems caused by elevated humidity levels.

If you ever notice that the floor of your garage has water on it after a rainstorm, call SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown at (301) 963-8474 24 hours a day.

Restoring Flood Damage Right for Gaithersburg Homes

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding in your home can certainly affect your life. Contact our flood damage remediation certified SERVPRO technicians to quickly assess the damage.

Processes Ensure Flood Damage Gets Removed from Gaithersburg Properties

When contending with flood and water damage in homes and businesses, it is important to do our part as restoration professionals to have the job completed the first time correctly. With the urgency of these disasters and how invasive cleanup can often seem, homeowners benefit from the assurance that all necessary measures are taken to thoroughly dry and repair the property. There are several steps to provide this peace of mind.

Moisture Tracking

Flood damage in Gaithersburg homes can leave water and moisture in multiple structure areas. Before officially leaving a job, it is vital to understand that the necessary drying has taken place. We utilize several moisture tracking devices to identify damp pockets within structural cavities and direct the best locations for placing air movers and dehumidifiers.

Surface Cleaning and Disinfection

Another potential strategy for providing customers peace that the work has been done successfully, is watching the extensive cleaning and protective processes for the remaining structure. Preventative measures, such as applying antimicrobial products or sporicidal chemicals on surfaces, can prevent the spread of microbes and bacterial pathogens depending on the products used.

Communication

Communicating with the customer is another effective method of explaining the process completed during the restoration process and answering any questions the property owner might still have. Communication is one of our greatest tools, as this allows us to interface with the customer directly and hear their priorities and concerns to let us actively address these issues.

Thorough Final Inspections

A final walkthrough is required to consider a restoration process completed. Our management navigates recovered areas with the customer to describe restorative actions taken and preventative measures applied to protect the property further. This final inspection focuses on:

• Dryness
• Cleanliness
• Solid structure
• Content placement

After a flood, it is vital to get restoration started as soon as possible. Our SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown team is ready to help when disasters strike at (301) 973-6257.

Flood Damage After Germantown Storms Calls for Expert Cleanup

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

When flooding happens, you need help right away. Contact SERVPRO for effective water removal and flood damage remediation services.

SERVPRO’s Storm Response in Germantown Helps Lessen Flood Damage Costs!

The damage that comes from flooding after a Germantown storm can suddenly disrupt your life, leaving you not knowing which steps to take. In the initial days after a storm, it is normal to feel overwhelmed by the damage and concerns about repairing your property. SERVPRO wants area residents to know that proper planning is critical, but we are also there to ensure your cleanup and restoration go off without a hitch!

We Take the Hassle Out of Your Flooding Incident

Professional intervention is essential to handle all flood damage to your Germantown property whenever your home gets flooded. Failing to do so could leave you with costly hidden damage, unsalvageable belongings, or dangers from structural issues. Many benefits come from having SERVPRO handle your floodwater cleanup, including:

• Flood damage includes highly-contaminated water along with potentially harmful debris or electrocution risks. Certified technicians understand these obstacles and have the training and skill to navigate them cautiously.
• Professional emergency services water damage restoration ensures you get the job done right the first time. Where DIY methods can leave hidden moisture and harmful bacteria, SERVPRO eliminates secondary damage, foul odors, and other hazards.
• We have access to the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), EPA-registered cleaning agents, and industrial-grade equipment to help the project move along swiftly and efficiently.
• Instead of you having to deal with documentation and inventory, we handle all of these details for peace of mind and to help facilitate your homeowner’s insurance claim for the damage incurred.

Nobody understands the stress involved in a water damage incident, especially when involving floodwater intrusion, better than our team at SERVPRO of Gaithersburg/Germantown. We have the advanced technology and highly-trained technicians you need on the job so that you get the results you deserve. Call us at (301) 963-8474, and we will get to work on your flood damage, making it “Like it never even happened.”

What Cleaning Is Necessary After Flooding in Gaithersburg Homes?

1/14/2022 (Permalink)

Storm and flood damage restoration is no DIY project. SERVPRO technicians have the knowledge and experience for every phase needed.

Several areas of your Gaithersburg home require direct, focused cleaning after flood damage.

Flooding can require some of the more intricate cleaning and disinfection of any disaster homes and businesses might face. To show that We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, our facility has experienced professionals ready 24/7 to help with mitigation and deep cleaning after exposures to contaminants, standing water, and biohazards.

Muck-Out Cleaning

Among the first types of recovery required after flood damage in Gaithersburg, homes are muck-out cleaning. The intrusion of natural floodwater can bring solids and debris into the house, making the removal of these substances a vital part of the restoration process. In addition to bulk materials from the deterioration of exposed wall and ceiling systems, our professionals must also remove:

• Silt
• Mud
• Solids
• Organic matter 
• Insects/Vermin

Content Recovery and Restoration

Your personal belongings, furniture, and keepsakes can all become damaged by rapidly migrating moisture and standing water after a flood. Our team first evaluates the condition of these exposed items to determine their salvageability and the preferred restoration solution. While much of the cleaning and recovery can occur on-site, we also provide off-site restoration and cleanup at our nearby SERVPRO facility.

Disinfection and Antibacterial Surface Cleaning

Another one of the needed types of cleaning during a flood restoration is the removal of contaminants and biohazards. Natural flooding can feature several types of threatening contamination concerns, so our experienced professionals must work on providing the appropriate disinfection to eliminate pathogenic microbes and harmful microorganisms.

Cleaning up after flood and storm damages involves several emergency services that our team can provide. As overwhelming as flooding might be to properties, our SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown professionals have experience and knowledge to make it “Like it never even happened.” Call our rapid-response team today at (301) 963-8474.

How Can SERVPRO Save Germantown Homes from Extensive Flood Damage?

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

Storms and flooding can occur at any time. SERVPRO has the equipment to quickly and safely remove the floodwater from your home.

SERVPRO Offers Fast and Efficient Flood Damage Restoration Service in Germantown

Flooding after a storm can wreak havoc on your property both in terms of the immediate devastation it causes and the long-term effects of the water damage. Hiring professionals like SERVPRO can help minimize the impact of flood damage to your Germantown home. 

The first thing that SERVPRO techs do during the restoration of flood damage to your Germantown home is to extract the standing water on the property. As floodwater is often contaminated, it is essential to extract it from the property quickly. SERVPRO techs use various water extraction equipment to get the job done. The more excess water restorers remove with extraction equipment, the less time is needed to evaporate and dehumidify the remaining moisture with drying equipment. 

What Type of Extractors do SERVPRO Techs use During Flood Restoration of Your Germantown Home?

The Commercial extractors that SERVPRO uses to remove water from your flooded Germantown home have several advantages over household water removal methods. The extractors that SERVPRO techs use can be portable as well as truck-mounted.

A portable extractor is very flexible since it is usable in almost any structure area; they are one of the few valid options within a high-rise building. They require electricity to operate, so power needs to be provided from the facility or a generator.

Truck-mounted extractors offer a more powerful vacuum compared to portable extractors. They run off the vehicle's fuel, and hence, no on-site power is needed to operate them. These are used when more energy and lift are required to remove water from a basement or submerged underground garage.

In case of a flooding event at your residence, Call SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown at (301) 963-8474; we are available to serve you any time of the day.

Can Flood Damage to Wood Flooring Get Restored in Gaithersburg

9/13/2021 (Permalink)

Storm and flood damage restoration services needed for your home need to be handled by SERVPRO. We are fast and certified technicians.

SERVPRO Has the Expertise to Clean and Dry Storm Damage in Gaithersburg Properties

Not all storm damage in a Gaithersburg property occurs due to a flash flood or poor drainage backing up water into a home. Sometimes it is the simple act of forgetting to shut a window when torrential rains roll through the area. 

Bringing in professional flood damage restoration to a Gaithersburg property with wet hardwood floors can help save the boards and negate the need for replacement. SERVPRO technicians can use their equipment to remove the water from hardwood floors before the boards begin to warp from the excessive moisture exposure. 

• In cases where boards warp, the techs can remove them and use their heated drying equipment to restore the standard moisture content to the wood
• Techs use specialized drying equipment to dry boards in place when possible
• Dried boards that still show slight warping can easily get sanded and refinished, saving the homeowner the cost of replacement

No Water Left Behind

The technicians have multiple types of equipment to determine if there is water migration under the floorboards. This ensures that no moisture gets left behind to cause damage to the flooring or contribute to mold growth which creates an even large issue that may permanently damage the flooring. The attention to detail during the scoping phase of the water damage restoration assists homeowners in avoiding these issues. 

Verified Dry

The technicians carefully monitor the drying phase, check the air humidity levels, and use probes on the floorboards to ensure the moisture content percentage is reduced to a normal level. 

SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown at (301) 963-8474 stands ready to support the local Gaithersburg community for all types of storm and flood damage cleanup. 

Worried About the Flood Damage Caused by a Storm to Your Gaithersburg home? Call SERVPRO

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage from a storm is nerve wracking. Call SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown, we can help take that worry away.

SERVPRO Has You Covered After Flood Damage to your Gaithersburg home

Flooding after a storm can create many hazardous situations in your home that might not be apparent to you. Hence, it is essential to involve professionals like SERVPRO who have the necessary training and equipment after flood damage to your Gaithersburg home. 

One of the most prominent flood damage issues to your Gaithersburg home that SERVPRO technicians face is the presence of category 3 water on the property. The IICRC defines category 3 water as containing extensive microbial contamination that can pose threats to the occupants. If the level of contamination is severe, SERVPRO professionals may arrange for testing of the contaminated area by an indoor environmental professional (IEP). Other hazards are often present during a flood restoration as well. 

How do SERVPRO Techs Respond to Hazardous Situations During Water Cleanup in Gaithersburg Homes? 

SERVPRO techs recognize additional hazards such as collapsing ceilings, electrical hazards such as wet fixtures, and even mold during the inspection of your flood-damaged Gaithersburg home. The technicians respond to these hazards by-

• Recognizing the hazard
• Communicating the hazard with others in the area, including you
• Carefully documenting the hazard
• Considering potential control measures
• Initiating control measures

Communication is very important for SERVPRO, and hence, we always keep you in the loop and inform you what precisely is the state of water damage restoration of your property. If the status changes, you are notified as soon as possible about it. 

Call SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown at (301) 963-8474 for help with any water damage incident. 

What Makes a Self-Priming Pump Ideal for Gaithersburg Flood Damage?

6/13/2021 (Permalink)

Standing water can damage both the contents and the structure of your home. Don’t tarry! Contact team SERVPRO for water removal.

Trash Pumps Offer a Great Deal of Versatility in Removing Standing Floodwater from Gaithersburg Properties

Efficient water removal is critical for flooding scenarios. Eliminating standing water protects the property and its contents from irreparable harm. Our SERVPRO team has multiple options to help.

How Fast Can Trash Pumps Remove Standing Water?

Many of the two or three-inch portable transfer pumps used for flood damage in Gaithersburg homes are versatile enough to handle most floodwater concerns. The pace of extraction is critical in flooding situations, as conditions can worsen as long as materials are exposed to this water damage. Individual outputs may vary, but gas-powered pumps can often reach thresholds of more than 200 gallons a minute for discharge.

Do These Pumps Manage Solids and Debris?

Matter and solids present a unique obstacle for our restoration professionals, primarily because of the limits it puts on possible extraction tools available. Not all water removal equipment in our inventory is capable of handling debris and water collectively, so we must choose among devices and machines like trash pumps and truck-mount extractors when specific substances are present, such as:

• Mud
• Silt
• Organic matter
• Vegetation

Flooding can affect homes differently, so our SERVPRO professionals must implement direct strategies for eliminating surface water and possible solids from the house. As threatening as these conditions might become, the fast response of our SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown team can help. Give us a call at (301) 963-8474.

Does Flood Damage Make Gaithersburg Homes Unsafe?

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO wade through the worries of your flood damage woes.

SERVPRO Can Ascertain the Extent of Flood Damage in Your Gaithersburg Residence

Flooded properties can be a nightmare for homeowners. SERVPRO technicians work hard to assuage any concerns and doubts by communicating with you throughout the service. Our first protocol is to stop the source of water intrusion, which is essential to limiting losses in the property.

Our technicians have experience restoring:

• Emergency services water damage
• Basement flooding
• Leaking roof from storm damage

Water contamination can be a genuine concern with flood damage in your Gaithersburg home. Technicians can quickly assess whether contamination levels are category one, two, or three. Understanding the depth of the issue can counteract potentially damaging scenarios such as water migration and cross-contamination.

• Blocking furniture can help to remove it from contact with a contaminated water level.
• Technicians provide you with a customer information form for reference that details the services being carried out.
• Photographs of damage are taken and digitally stored, which can help with your insurance claim. 

We can help you with emergency flooding services. Contact SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown for flood damage restoration at (301) 963-8474.

SERVPRO Expertise Saves Valuables in Gaithersburg Flood Damage

3/8/2021 (Permalink)

Storm damage restoration is no DIY project. Call SERVPRO for the help you need for your property.

The world-class laboratories in Gaithersburg

Many of us spend many years in Gaithersburg with only a slight idea of the scientific projects constantly underway in our city. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has its headquarters and primary laboratory complex in downtown, providing employment to several thousand people across the region. 

Unlike most other physical science laboratories of its size, this facility is not a corporate investment project. The NIST traces its origins back to the turn of the 20th Century when it was tasked with maintaining standards of weight and measurement, along with various public research projects. Over the years, the institution has morphed into a scientific powerhouse, conducting detailed and highly advanced research into materials science and chemical applications.

One of the most recent and compelling projects from the NIST was its assistance in the September 11 investigations almost two decades ago. Work done at the laboratories here in Maryland helped to solve many mysteries surrounding the attacks. As a result, recently constructed skyscrapers are made with better materials and safety standards that could help to avoid catastrophic loss in future disasters.

 If you want to read more about the achievements and ongoing projects at the NIST, their website has a wealth of information for any curious mind.

Gaithersburg is one of the most diverse cities in America.

Diversity is the strength of America. Throughout our history, we have always been strongest when we have been united across racial barriers and working together for the better of all. Today, few in America can claim to promote diversity better than Gaithersburg: out of five hundred ranked cities, only one surpassed ours.

Wallethub compiles an annual list of the most diverse cities in America to show which cities have done the best work of creating inclusive and well-rounded environments. As part of their ranking system, they include:

• Ethno-racial diversity of the population
• Linguistic diversity among households
• Birthplace diversity across all age groups

By scoring excellent marks in all categories, Gaithersburg earns the second-place spot, less than a single point behind the top spot. However, that gap may not exist for long: thanks to companies seeking well-qualified applicants from around the globe, we may be on track to become the most diverse city in America within the next several years. 

How the experts handle black water flood damage

Flooding can be difficult to recover from, especially when contaminants and hazards enter the home through murky black water. In these situations, professional damage restoration companies like SERVPRO can help in many ways.

Blackwater flood damage in Gaithersburg can have the potential to destroy many materials and belongings in your home without IICRC professional attention. Although we do replace some low-cost materials affected by black water, such as carpeting and most upholstery, we do have a method to treat expensive and delicate items affected by these waters.

• First, we hand-clean the objects.
• Next, we soak the objects in a potent sanitizing compound.
• Finally, we dry the materials out and perform careful restorative work.

At the end of this process, expensive items such as area rugs typically look as though the disaster never happened at all.

SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown has years of experience helping local homeowners recover from flooding disasters. Call us at (301) 963-8474.

Don't Miss Butler's Orchard Farmer's Market in Germantown

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

Stop by Butler's Orchard's Farmer's Market in Germantown on December 20th.

The Farmer's Market at Butler's Orchard Is One of Germantown's Best Attractions

The famous farmer's market is open year-round, and this year everyone is welcome to come and make those last-minute purchases before Christmas on December 20. The market offers everything you think a farmer's market should offer and more. Something, the Butler's Orchard is known for including their unique sweets to enjoy while shopping. The farmer's market venue is the home of their famous slush, or you can also enjoy some of their Butler's Apple Cider Donuts.

Other items shoppers can find during the holiday season at the orchard's farmer's market include:

Honey Crisp Apples

York Grapes

Pink Lady Pears

Moorenko's Ice Cream

Delightful Dairy Milk

Cherry Hill Farm's pork, chicken, and beef products

Palmyra Cheeses

Butler's Famous Lemon Pound Cake

Fresh Kettle Corn

Caramel Apples

If a rainstorm ever devastates your property, you can always call SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown at (301) 963-8474 24/7. We can return your home back to its preloss condition, "Like it never even happened."

Groundwater Flooding Can Occur During Seasonal Rainfall or From Rising Sea Levels and Salt Water Rivers.

11/10/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians are always available to assist you. Call right away, if your property experiences storm damage.

SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / German Town is Equipped to Secure your Home and Reduce Floodwaters Rapidly.

Gaithersburg is a thriving city in Maryland County with a growing populace of around 60,000 people. We are one of the largest cities in Maryland, alongside Frederick, Rockville, and Baltimore. Originally a small township established in 1878, we gained city status in the late sixties as urban redevelopment and businesses made their way to this corner of the United States. While our residents enjoy the opportunities afforded by our growing business district and technological innovation companies, Gaithersburg still retains much of its small-town feel with a welcoming community and a wealth of natural beauty. However, by heading into the West Side of the city, visitors can experience a thriving business and tech hub of the Kentlands community, the Lakelands, and the Washingtonian Center- colloquially known as the Rio. 

The west side of Gaithersburg is the home to some of the biggest multinational corporations in America. These have helped drive the local economy and secure a continuous regeneration of the West Side's various districts. Our list of companies includes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on the Bureau Dr, IBM on Frederick Avenue, and Astra Zeneca HQ. A short commute to Washington has made this city an ideal spot for many businesses worldwide, including French Multinational Sodexo. At the heart of Gaithersburg is a rich, traditional history, shopping centers-which offer some of the best Black Friday deals, and an excellent school system. Visitors often enjoy the wealth of activities that are available in Gaithersburg, including:

• The BlackRock Center for Arts is a premier performing and visual arts venue that attracts the top 1% of talent from all over the country. Located on Towns Common Drive, this venue covers music, theater, comedy, circus, exhibitions, and dance. 
• The Butler's Orchard provides various products on its 300-acre plot, which visitors can fill bags full of when visiting. The Butler family has owned and cultivated this land for three generations and sell home-made preserves as well as cider at their unique marketplace.
• The Great Seneca Stream Valley is popular among cyclists, hikers, families, and kayakers for its fulfilling trails, natural visages, and wildlife. The national park is replete with pavilion cafes, playgrounds for kids, and canoe boat rentals. 
• The Lancaster County Dutch Market on Wisteria Drive has been running strong for twenty years due to its firm commitment to providing the best local produce to residents and visitors all seasons. We celebrate holiday seasons here while a visit to the hand-made furniture section provides visitors with a unique piece of Gaithersburg to take home with them.

Learning to Kayak on Gaithersburg's Near by Potomac River

The Potomac River is the fourth largest river on the Atlantic coast spanning 405 miles through Washington and Maryland County. Close to Gaithersburg, this river offers opportunities for visitors to experience serene wildlife by taking canoes and paddle-boats or testing their skills on the white water rapids by Kayaking. The Valley Mills Kayaking Club has a rich history in training some of the world's greatest Kayakers, with the first Olympic medals awarded to our very own Kayakers. Today, they offer classes to suit all skill levels from beginners right up to experienced professionals. In nearby Rockville, the Valley Mills Club has its indoor heated pool to train you in freestyle and rolls before heading onto the river. 

• Beginner, intermediate and professional classes, are available to Kayaking enthusiasts with patient and inclusive instructors.
• There are several freestyle clinics to improve your style on the waters with private instruction options to nail your form. 
• Stand-up paddling lessons and top-sitting techniques are also trained for those who want a leisurely drift on the calmer parts of the Potomac River.

Relaxing with some of Gaithersburg's unique breweries and eateries

Gaithersburg has an agricultural history, which has made it an ideal place to brew ciders and unique beers. On East Diamond Avenue is the local legend Growlers Brew Pub which was the first to open in Maryland County. They have an award-winning selection of beers to compliment a tasty traditional pub menu. In the summer months, you can while away a few hours on the outdoor heated deck bar or head into the saloon for live music and late-night serving hours. Alternatively, head over to Ellington Boulevard to sample the 90 craft beers on offer at the Old Town Pub House. This Chicago-based business has set up an outpost here in Gaithersburg and serves modern cuisine, including fried pretzels, Crab Fondue, and Duck Confit Nachos. Experiencing this ever-evolving town's flavors and culinary traditions is an essential part of living or visiting Gaithersburg this winter. 

SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown Can Provide Emergency Floodwater Extraction to Residents within Four Hours of Notification of Loss. 

Groundwater flooding can occur when underground aquifers overflow as a result of heavier rainfall or riverine rises. These events can be sudden and cause the swelling groundwater to come up through the floors of your home. In some cases, these floods can contain saltwater, damaging wood framing, and building assemblies in your home. Controlling and mitigating groundwater flooding losses often involves carefully removing the layers of a building assembly such as the carpets, subfloors, and fittings. SERVPRO technicians can help to dry these areas of the home quickly and mitigate potential losses. 

• Our technicians can adapt drying equipment like air-movers to provide warm air circulation on both the upper and lower layers of a building assembly to speed up drying times. 
• Using a combination of hygrometers, moisture meters, probes, and infrared imaging cameras, our technicians can uncover hidden moisture pockets and rectify them before they cause lasting damage.
• Using proven techniques, we can return semi-porous materials like lumber or hardwood to their natural equilibrium moisture content, preventing permanent warping or buckling.

If your home begins to flood due to rising groundwater levels, contact SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown at (301) 963-8474.

Should I Be Worried About Increased Flooding in Germantown?

10/2/2020 (Permalink)

Our goal is to restore your residence to preloss condition – “Like it never even happened.”

Preparing Your Germantown Home and Family Can Lessen the Problems that Come with Flooding

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration reports, high-tide flooding is increasing in Maryland. This, combined with increased rainfall, portends a rise in flooding occurrences starting this year. Germantown homeowners need to know what to expect and how to be prepared.

What Can I Do to Prepare My Home for Flooding?

Flood damage in Germantown is a serious concern. Floodwaters can destroy homes by dumping heavily contaminated water in homes. But there are certain things you can do to prepare your home that can lessen the impact.

•    Keep storm drains and gutters free of leaves and debris.

•    Move valuables to higher levels if your basement is prone to flooding.

•    Keep essential documents and valuables in waterproof containers.

•    Have an emergency plan in place for your family.

•    Prepare an emergency kit with things like bottled water and flashlights.

Safety is paramount. Do not try to enter your home to save valuables. SERVPRO technicians understand the hazardous circumstances surrounding floods. We know your heirlooms and other important items are valuable to your family. If you are not able to enter the home, we do our best to recover these treasures for you.

What Happens if My Home is Flooded?

When our technicians arrive on the scene, safety is the first concern. Before getting started, they look for electrical issues, fuel and chemical hazards, and structural integrity. They can provide emergency mitigation such as roof tarping and containment to keep the moisture from spreading. Flood damage cleanup can include:

• Water extraction

• Sanitizing and disinfecting

• Removal and disposal of affected materials

• Flood cuts

When the cleanup and sanitization are completed, then the drying and restoration process can begin.  Our goal is to restore your residence to preloss condition – “Like it never even happened.” Contact SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown at (301) 963-8474 for expert flood damage service. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

The Damage To My Home Doesn’t Look That Bad. Do I Still Need To Worry?

6/24/2020 (Permalink)

Homeowners have to deal with many things which may include water damage. Contact SERVPRO right away.

Hidden Damage in Montgomery Village Can Occur During Storms That Can Lead to Major Problems

Rain, wind, and hail can inflict severe damage on homes in Montgomery Village when storms strike. Often the impact is easily seen, but hidden damage could be lurking beneath the service. SERVPRO seeks out and restores homes hit with storm damage.

What hidden damage do you look for from flooding?

Flooding is one of the biggest problems caused by storms. In February 2020, five tornadoes touched down in Maryland, according to the National Weather Services. Tropical storms send torrential rains inward in many places in Maryland. If your home has weathered flood damage in Montgomery Village, you may wonder if the water intrusion truly damaged it. Here is what can happen:

• Walls, floors, and ceiling cavities can become flooded.
• Structural frame warping
• Water migration 
• Problems from black water migrations
• Mold or microbial damage
• Electrical systems damaged
• Plumbing systems damaged
• Condensation can cause problems

Act Quickly – Stop Flood Damage in its Tracks

The wisest thing any homeowner can do is to get emergency water mitigation quickly. The quicker our SERVPRO Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) technicians are on the scene, the lower the chance of things spiraling out of control. Our techs are experts at searching out hidden water. The right equipment will remove the water and moisture and leave your home “Like it never even happened.” Here are some ways we clean, restore, and repair: 

• Moisture sensors
• Powerful water extractions methods
• Air movers
• Dehumidifiers
• Restore as much as possible
• Specialty cleaning for your contents
• Move out services if you can’t stay in your home

 Don’t let flood damage cause hidden problems in your home. Contact SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown at (301 963-8474 for emergency water mitigation service that is Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Find more information about Montgomery Village.

How Do I Deal with Basement Soiling After Storm Flood Damage In My Gaithersburg Home?

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

Gaithersburg Residents trust SERVPRO for water restoration and removal from their basements

SERVPRO Can Help With Challenges Such As Accessing the Soiled Areas and Waste Disposal, Restoring Pre-loss Conditions

Cleaning a Gaithersburg basement or other crawl spaces is challenging at best. Soiling from flooding incidents worsens this challenge, and unlike spring-cleaning, you cannot postpone it until it is convenient for you. Doing so would lead to other problems such as mold development or worse. Successful basement cleaning is 50% planning, without which the challenges involved can make the exercise overwhelming.

What complicates cleaning in such confined areas?

In case of storm flood damage, your Gaithersburg basement is likely to be filled with significant volumes of water, silt, or mud. Cleaning must remove all these foreign materials promptly to restore preloss conditions and prevent secondary damages. Several factors can get in the way when trying to accomplish the cleaning goals. Typical issues include:

• Limited space in the basement
• Small access points
• Unseen hazards such as the presence of sewer gas
• Presence of bugs such as spiders, or even snakes and raccoons

How does SERVPRO address these challenges?

Cleaning a flooded basement or crawl space is less challenging with access to the right resources. For example, removing the water and other foreign materials poses the main challenge because of the small access points. Our crews have a variety of pumps, which counter the challenge. High-pressure pumps help lift water from the basement conveniently since they have a discharge head of up to 360'. We also have self-priming trash pumps, which remove water with solid materials. The slurry variety handles mud and sand efficiently.

Lack of sufficient natural light or lighting fixtures is another challenge that can complicate your efforts to clean confined areas after flooding. At the very least, venturing into a poorly lit area where there might be bugs such as spiders, is scary. It is also unsafe since there might be sharp objects and other hazards. Our SERVPRO technicians use different lighting fixtures to ensure the basement is well-lit as we perform the cleanup. Wobble lights help us when we need a flood of light from a single point. We also use stand lights for directional lighting, which is essential in identifying items or hazards within the basement area.

What issues do SERVPRO technicians look out for when cleaning?

Although the main goal when cleaning the basement is dealing with soiling to restore preloss conditions, preventing additional damages or injuries is also crucial. Knowing in advance what issues might lead to such damages or injuries helps in formulating a plan to avoid them. Typical things to look out for include:

• Electrical wiring, gas lines or other utility hazards
• Exposure to hazardous materials
• Contaminants
• Fragile items

Use of PPE, Personal Protective Equipment such as rubber boots, heavy-duty gloves, bodysuits, and hard hats protect our SERVPRO crewmembers from most of the hazards. We inspect the area to identify any fragile items stored there and identify the utility lines to avoid damaging them during cleaning.

What cleaning steps are necessary?

• Removing dirty
• Sanitizing or disinfection
• Deodorization
• Moisture control

Various approaches can help remove soils from the basement after extracting the water, including agitating with brushes or spraying the surfaces with pressure washers. These methods help remove soils from rough or unfinished surfaces conveniently.

Sanitizing the area with mild cleaning agents such as bleach helps remove undesirable substances that cleaning fails to address. In case the flooding involves raw sewage or other biohazards, our SERVPRO technicians use products with disinfectant and antimicrobial properties to disinfect the area.

The accumulation of soils and other wastes in the basement can leave foul smells. Another source of bad smell in the basement is the deterioration of materials when wet. Deodorization is the best way to deal with such odors. Our technicians can mix the water-based deodorizers with the cleaning or sanitizing solutions to replace the bad odor with a sweet scent. Alternatively, we apply the deodorizer on surfaces using misting tools such as ULV foggers for better penetration into materials.

Leaving moisture or wet materials in the basement after cleaning is almost as bad as leaving the soiling in place. Mold develops quickly in such conditions since organic materials in the area provide a food source.  Our crews set up drying equipment such as air movers and dehumidifiers for some time to remove excess moisture. In case access points limit the possibility of setting up equipment in the affected area, we rely on our training to find other solutions. For example, we can use flex hose as ducts to move air between the confined space and the drying equipment.

Although a flooded basement presents many challenges, SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown can find ways to address the problem, "Like it never even happened." Call us at (301) 963-8474.

Flood Damage Recovery In Gaithersburg

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

What to Expect from Professional Flood Damage Recovery in Gaithersburg

Flash flood warnings last summer and fall and a major municipal water break make many Gaithersburg residents wary about what spring flooding might bring. Partnering with our highly-qualified crews of flood control specialists makes what could have been a long-standing home disaster into a cleaned, deodorized, and dry return to comfort and security, “Like it never even happened.”

Round the Clock Response
Waiting for regular business hours is not the experience had by our customers. Flood damage in Gaithersburg needs a response as soon as possible, and we answer inquiries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Within hours of the first contact, a project manager and crew arrives in a fully-stocked service vehicle. Securing your structure with board-ups and tarps, if needed, is a priority while the crew chief completes a more in-depth evaluation of the damage. Once safety concerns such as electrical, slip and fall, and contamination hazards are noted and accommodated for, water extraction can commence.

Coping with Category 3 Water
Because of the myriad of toxic and infectious substances floodwaters pick up as they move overland or back up from the sewer system, SERVPRO must be vigilant about containment and legally regulated disposal of the contaminated fluids. We often begin with an overspray of EPA-registered disinfectant to minimize the risk before working hard to capture the tainted water and clean soiled surfaces. To avoid airborne drift of hazardous substances and pathogens, we consider sealing the workspace using heavy-duty plastic, using air scrubbing technology to filter dangerous residues and vent to the outside. Our workers wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for safety and to prevent tracking biohazards into unaffected areas of your home.

Mapping and Monitoring Moisture
To ensure all excess flood water, both standing and absorbed, is removed from your home, we use moisture detection and metering tools. Thermal imaging uses temperature variation patterns to pinpoint trapped water, and thermo-hygrometers measure ambient temperatures and humidity levels. SERVPRO crews use the data provided by these devices to set and achieve drying goals. Applied structural drying proceeds with our technicians, striking a balance among air movement, temperature, and dehumidification to reduce elevated moisture levels to normal for your home.

Have confidence that the trained and professionally equipped team at SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown can bring your flooded home back to preloss condition. Call (301) 963-8474 to schedule an assessment.

For more about Gaithersburg click here.

Winter Storms can Leave Homeowners Dealing with Storm Damage in Gaithersburg

1/17/2020 (Permalink)

Call us any time at (301) 963-8474. We are always available.

Why You Need Help Fixing Storm Damage In Your Gaithersburg Home  

Storms during the winter bring not only rain but also freezing, damp weather closer to your comfort zone. The wind makes things worse as it lowers the temperature around your Gaithersburg home and whisks warmth off more rapidly than if things were dry. Trees dropping limbs on your roof can let water in, drenching your attic and trickling downward. Debris can clog outside drains and force the water to enter your home.

We want to assure residents in Gaithersburg that while flood damage of any type has serious consequences for residential properties, SERVPRO can handle everything and make things "Like it never even happened." We have the tools to locate unwanted water, extract it, dry content, and get everything clean again for your family. Our building crew can remove any overhead trees and fix your roof. Your family does not need to go through this alone. We can put our experience and expertise to work for your benefit.

The sooner we begin working on your property, the less damage we need to correct. Mitigation stops the spread of contaminated water, decreasing the risk of mold infestations. We use potent antimicrobials that adhere to surfaces to prevent this from developing into a problem later. We make sure that your home holds no known microscopic dangers. 

SERVPRO also gets things cleaned up with the silt and debris often found on floors and pushed into small areas and corners after a flooding event. These items, along with the particles in the water, can make your home's interior smell extremely unpleasant. We can handle this aspect of flood damage, also, making a recovery faster and less costly for you.

Drying out a house after a flood means stringent monitoring must take place. Many of the control panels on our equipment give readings of their performance, and this often includes information that we can use to determine how dry everything is at any given time.

Some of the individual pieces of equipment used during mitigation also have different uses. One example is our InjectiDry systems. They extract water from floors and hollow cavities like underneath cabinets and inside of walls, but we also use it to force air into places that the air currents from our axial fans or air movers can reach. Without these, and our other pieces of equipment, mitigation would not be as successful, and our work would also take longer to finish.

SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown wants to get your family back in your Montgomery Village, Washington Grove, or Oldetowne Gaithersburg residence as quickly as possible. Call (301) 963-8474 for professional fire damage mitigation, rebuilding, and cleanup.

See more about Gaithersburg.

We Clean Up And Restore Your Germantown Flood Damage

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

We have the experience and state-of-the-art equipment to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Flood Damage in Germantown Home From Locally Heavy Rains

Among all the types of water damage that hits local homes, flood damage is one of the worst. It does not even have to be deep to leave behind a huge mess to clean up.

Groundwater brings two significant issues with flood damage to Germantown homes. Homeowners do not know what is in the water, and until the rain lets up, they do not know how much is coming into the property.

Fast Action Needed for Water Loss

Extraction is a crucial element in flood cleanup, and SERVPRO technicians begin upon arrival. If the situation has water more than two inches deep, it will not delay removal as the technicians have submersible pumps in their arsenal of specialized water removal equipment.

Equipment Makes the Difference

One of the most significant factors that set SERVPRO technicians apart is their access to specialized extraction and drying equipment. The carpet may be a loss in a groundwater intrusion, but thorough flood damage removal and drying can save the homeowner from having to replace the subfloor.

The drying equipment goes beyond blowing air on wet surfaces. The centrifugal air movers deliver airflow at such a high velocity it causes deeply embedded moisture to rise. At that time, the released moisture gets captured and ported off-site by the dehumidification equipment. This cycle results in progressively drier air circulating and works to rapidly lower indoor humidity and dries the structure and contents effectively.

Ready for Repairs

The technicians remove items that are beyond restoration from water loss and work hard to restore contents for the homeowner to save them the cost of replacement whenever possible. Common actions include the disinfection of the property and proactive treatments to discourage mold growth, such as antimicrobial cleaners and sealants. If the property requires any odor control measures, the technicians ensure any musty water odors are gone before repairs and reconstruction begin.

SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown at (301) 963-8474 cleans up and restores homes with flood damage to make the loss "Like it never even happened."

See more about Germantown.

SERVPRO Can Mitigate the Storm Loss to Your Property with Rapid Cleanup and Restoration Services

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

This Germantown House Will Start Smiling When SERVPRO Arrives for Floodwater Removal and Restoration

Why Hire Professionals to Handle Flood Damage in Your Germantown

No homeowner wants to deal with flood damage, but the inevitable can happen. A substantial and slow-moving rainstorm can dump multiple inches of rain in your area and turn streams into raging rivers and roads into streams. If this water finds its way into your residence, it can destroy building materials and contents.

Dealing immediately with flood damage in your Germantown home is crucial. However, it is difficult to do so on your own. Therefore, you should seek professional help. A remediation company like SERVPRO can help you clean up, dry, and disinfect your property. You can gain the following benefits after hiring our technicians:

Immediate action
It is essential to act when dealing with water damage quickly. If you do not take immediate action, the water can penetrate deeper into the walls, floors, and furnishings, causing more damage. Our crew can take the necessary steps to prevent any further damage.

Professional advice
Our crew can inspect the flooded areas properly and advise you where restoration is needed. We can tell you which items are salvageable and which ones are not. Our technicians can also inform you how easy or difficult it is to remove moisture from a material based on how the moisture is contained within it. We describe moisture in materials in three forms.

* Surface water – This is the liquid moisture on the surface of a material. We deal with surface water first during the drying process. We can extract it, pump it out, or wipe it out.
 * Free water – This is the liquid moisture a material has absorbed, either through exposure to humid air or through contact with the water. Free water starts to evaporate when restorers direct airflow across wet surfaces.
 * Bound water – This is the moisture that a material such as wood has absorbed and is now bound in within its cells. It takes longer for absorbed water to evaporate when compared to free or surface water. We can increase the rate of evaporating bound water by heating the damp material if desired. In the case of hardwood floorboards, it is often a slower moisture extraction that does not splinter and ruin the wood.

We use the right equipment
We have several advanced water restoration equipment and products at our disposal. For instance, our SERVPRO technicians can use thermal imaging cameras to detect water intrusion without removing building materials like drywall. With the help of such cameras, assessments are precise, and repairs are less costly and take less time. We also have different types of pumps, deep extraction tools, air movers, and dehumidifiers that can remove all the water and moisture from the affected areas. Advanced equipment like drying mats and injectidry systems can salvage many materials and limit losses.

If you are dealing with a flood damage disaster, you can trust SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown to restore your home to a preloss state. Contact us at (301) 963-8474 for a fast and smooth recovery. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Residential Floors, Evaluation and Restoration by SERVPRO, Can Vary from Home to Home and Event to Flood-Damaging Event

9/4/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Has the Green Fleet, Trained Personnel, and Equipment to Restore Homes in Gaithersburg After Storms, Even Hurricanes

How SERVPRO Handles Flood Damage to Different Kinds of Flooring

When flood damage happens, flooring bears the brunt of the accident. Even a small amount of groundwater that enters the home has the potential to spread into carpet, padding and into the subfloor.

Flood damage in a Gaithersburg home requires a quick turnaround. Every minute the water remains in the house, it increases the amount of loss and lessens the chances for restoration.

Thorough Extraction Lessens Drying Time
When SERVPRO technicians handle flood damage, they use different methods to prep the flooring and room for drying depending on the surface or materials affected. Evaporation is one technique, and the other is the extraction of excess water.

Types of Extraction Used
The most common method utilized by SERVPRO technicians during groundwater cleanup is wet vacuuming using the power of a truck-mounted unit. This type of extraction technique gives techs the ability to remove copious amounts of water efficiently due to the lift of the vacuum function pulling moisture up and out of flooring. If the water in the property is more than two-inches in-depth, pumping is usually the removal option of choice.

Carpet Removal
Groundwater renders both carpet and padding unrestorable due to its unsanitary nature. However, even lightly saturated carpet is extremely heavy and has the potential to cause injury from the wet. SERVPRO technicians extract and dispose of the water, so the carpet is lighter and easier to handle for removal and discarding.

Hardwood Flooring Extraction
 It is vital to remove the water to dry hardwood floorboards thoroughly. Due to the porous nature of wood, this often presents a challenge for SERVPRO technicians. Along with using a portable pump or truck-mounted unit for a maximum pull of the embedded moisture, sometimes a drying mat is also set up to force warm, dry air into the boards to dry them even faster. In instances where a large area of flooring has effects of water damage, the application of several drying mats is commonplace. These can be daisy-chained with vacuums or set up with injectidry systems for maximum water and moisture extraction.

When flood damage occurs, homeowners need a fast response. Call SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown at (301) 963-8474, and our technicians arrive within four hours after the call because We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Right here in the State of MD

Flood Damage Remediation Your Key To Success

5/18/2019 (Permalink)

Flood damage can lead to mold and other issues. Contact SERVPRO today for remediation needs.

Start to Finish -- Flood Damage Restoration in Gaithersburg

Heavy rains in Gaithersburg can cause flash flooding headaches for upcounty residents. When several inches of water fall during a short time, storm drainage systems become overwhelmed, and the soil becomes saturated. These circumstances can force water into the lower levels of your home, exposing your home’s structure to deterioration and the risk of microbial infestation from the contaminated fluids.

To assure that our crews respond efficiently to Gaithersburg flood damage we use advanced technology like thermal imaging and moisture meters as we assess and plan the remediation. These tools permit the discovery of pockets of water that migrated behind, above, and below structural components. Leaving moisture behind during remediation risks secondary damage like mold growth and persistent resaturation of walls, ceilings, and floors.

SERVPRO employs limited and controlled demolition to expose the trapped moisture. Flood water is typically considered highly contaminated Category Three, black water. We tear out porous materials like drywall and insulation to prevent microbial growth. Flood cuts extending 12 to 18 inches above where the wetness stops permit access to the cavities behind the damaged drywall. We pull the insulation and remove the trapped water.

Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained technicians use pumps and wanded extractors to evacuate standing water, containing it for appropriate disposal. SERVPRO employees use cleaning tools and products clear away residues from the dirty water, and EPA-registered disinfectants sanitize the areas. Opening a portion of the wall increases the speed and efficacy of applied drying equipment like air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers.   

Once the flood-damaged space is cleaned, disinfected, and dry, our SERVPRO team offers rebuilding services. We are proud to take a flooding disaster from chaos to “Like it never even happened.” Our rebuilding contracting crews restore the areas where we removed structural materials to expedite water removal and drying. Professional insulation and drywall installation followed by finishing touches mean our customers enjoy a streamlined process from a wet mess to a completely restored home.

SERVPRO of Gaithersburg / Germantown is prepared for all aspects of flood damage restoration in Montgomery County. Call us at (301) 963-8474 for a comprehensive evaluation of what your property needs to return to preloss condition.

Click here for more information about the city of Gaithersburg.