Your Guide to Getting Rid of Mold

3/7/2025 (Permalink)

Uh oh, do you see weird spots on your walls or smell something musty? You might have mold! It's like a bad weed growing in your house, and it can cause problems. Here's what happens if you think you have mold and call for help:

Step 1: Call the Mold Experts:

• If you see or smell something that makes you think you have mold, call SERVPRO©.
• A trained professional from SERVPRO will come to your house and look for mold.

Step 2: The Mold Detective:

• The professional will check all the places where mold likes to hide, like damp areas and dark corners.
• If they find mold, they'll tell you what needs to be done.

Step 3: Get the Go-Ahead:

• Before they start cleaning, they'll give you a work authorization form. This is like a permission slip.
• You'll need to read it and sign it, so you know exactly what they're going to do.

Step 4: Stay Safe:

• While they're cleaning up the mold, they might ask you to leave the area.
• This is for your safety! Mold can be harmful, and they want to make sure you don't breathe it in.
• They will use special tools and do special steps to keep the mold from spreading.

Step 5: Extra Help If Needed:

• If there's a lot of mold, they might need to bring in even more experts.
• These experts have special equipment to test the air and make sure all the mold is gone.

The Bottom Line:

If you think you have mold, don't try to clean it up yourself. Call SERVPRO! They know how to find it, clean it up safely, and make sure it doesn't come back.

After the Fire: Getting Your Life Back on Track

3/7/2025 (Permalink)

A fire in your home is like a nightmare. It's scary, confusing, and it can turn your life upside down. You might feel lost and not know what to do. That's where we come in.

We're Here to Help:

• We know how hard it is to go through a fire. We'll treat you with kindness and respect.
• We'll take care of your home and your things like they were our own.

More Than Just Fire Damage:

• Even after the fire is out, there's still a lot to deal with.
• Firefighters use water to put out fires, and that can cause water damage too.
• We're experts in both fire and water damage cleanup.

What We Do:

• We have the training and tools to clean up the mess and fix the damage.
• We work quickly to get your home back to normal.
• We understand that your home is more than just a house; it's where your memories are.

Questions About Smoke or Fire Damage?

• We're here to answer any questions you have.
• We'll guide you through the whole process, step by step.
• You don't have to go through this alone.

The Bottom Line:

A fire can be devastating, but you don't have to face it alone. We're here to help you rebuild your life and your home. We'll treat you with care and respect, and we'll work hard to get your home back to the way it was

Leaky Water Heater? Here's Your Next Step

3/7/2025 (Permalink)

Uh oh, is there water on your floor near your hot water heater? Or maybe you see rust? That's a sign something's wrong! A leaky hot water heater can cause a lot of damage. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Call a Plumber!

• First, call a plumber who knows how to fix hot water heaters. They'll find the problem and fix it.
• This is super important because a broken water heater can keep leaking and cause more damage.

Step 2: Call SERVPRO©:

• After you call the plumber, call SERVPRO©.
• We have special tools to check for water damage, even the kind you can't see.

Step 3: Check for Damage:

• We'll inspect your home to see how much water damage there is.
• If there's damage, we'll give you a plan and an estimate to fix it.

Step 4: We're Here 24/7!

• Water damage can happen anytime, day or night.
• That's why we have a 24-hour emergency team ready to help you.

The Bottom Line:

A leaky hot water heater can cause big problems. Don't wait! Call a plumber to fix the leak, and then call SERVPRO to fix the water damage. We're here to help you protect your home!

Your Home is your Safe Haven

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Your home should be your place to rest. But when water begins leaking, even small leaks in areas you can't see in your home quickly become a source of stress. The possibility of potentially harmful mold, rot and unseen damage may affect the value of your home and the health of your loved ones.

We at SERVPRO of South Elkhart County understand how disruptive water damages can be for your entire family and will help ensure the water is identified, regardless of where it hides. SERVPRO of South Elkhart County are those Professionals. We are proudly serving our Elkhart County residents 24 hours a day. To reach us day or night, rain or shine call (574)533-2500 or go to our webpage at http://www.SERVPROsouthelkhartcounty.com.

From Carpets to Catastrophe

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Elkhart County can provide an array of services. This list will provide you with an idea of some of the services we provide.

Fire, Smoke and Soot Cleanup and Restoration. 

Pretesting helps determine what type of fire has taken place. Knowing the types of smoke and their behavior patterns are vital to proper restoration.

Water Removal and Dehumidification.

We identify the source and type of water, which determines the proper course of action. Drying equipment controls temperature and humidity, minimizing secondary damage.

Crime Scene, Biohazard and Vandalism Cleanup.

Our technicians are trained to safely and effectively clean bio-hazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA, and state and local health regulations.

Mold Mitigation and Remediation

Our technicians work to control and re-mediate mold contaminants while protecting your health and safety.

Air Duct and HVAC Cleaning

Our technicians can inspect your HVAC system and ductwork. Cleaning services can be provided to help restore peak energy efficiency, eliminate offensive odors and improve indoor air quality.

Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning and Care

Our technicians use the latest IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) training as well as state-of-the-art equipment to remove entrapped soils from deep within your carpet's pile and backings.

Odor Identification and Deodorization

Our technicians will find the source of the odor and determine the best methods to neutralize and eliminate it.

Upholstery Cleaning

Fabrics are inspected and tested to determine the safest and most effective cleaning method.

Feel free to call SERVPRO of South Elkhart County with any questions and/or concerns at:

(574)533-2500

Leave The Dirtiest Of All Jobs For SERVPRO - The Experts!

4/26/2022 (Permalink)

If you’re like most homeowners, when faced with a task or question you probably head to the internet for answers…that’s how you found this article! And if you’re dealing with backed-up sewage, it only takes a few seconds of searching to find hundreds of articles describing how to clean-up sewage.

It goes like this:

** Put on some rubber gloves

** Scoop out the waste

** Take some water and bleach solution and apply it to the affected areas

** Let it dry

Most articles will throw out a warning saying “if you’re not sure whether you can do it, or don’t have the proper equipment, it is best to call a professional”. That’s where you would call SERVPRO.

We’d like to throw out another warning!

Cleaning up raw sewage on your own is something you should never do! 
Here’s why:

#1 – It can be hidden. – Any SERVPRO crew member can tell you stories about customers that decided to clean-up their own feces only to call in weeks or months later complaining about smells and disfigured walls, cabinets, and floors. Sewage will find its way into any and all porous surfaces. Even things like drywall and cabinetry aren’t safe. And it’s not as simple as just spotting the sewage with your eyes. It requires state of the art equipment, which SERVPRO has, to identify areas that have been damaged by sewage. So unless you have an infrared detection system handy and know how to use it, call SERVPRO.

#2 – It can be costly. – Times are difficult for everyone and money is tight. It’s easy to justify doing it yourself instead of paying to have SERVPRO  clean and disinfect for you. But today’s shortcut is tomorrow’s nightmare! Again, you’re dealing with a toxic situation that if not handled properly can create very real health dangers for you and your family. Not only that, if not properly mitigated, you could be looking at a serious mold issue in the not so distant future on top of all of the other issues described above. And if you think sewage cleanup is costly, wait until you’re stuck with a bill for mold remediation services! At least your sewage clean-up is covered by insurance…that’s not typically the case if you’ve got mold and it’s the result of you not taking appropriate measures when dealing with the sewage issue that created the mold!

So, if you’ve stumbled upon this article due to a sewage back-up that’s spilled into your home or office, do yourself a favor and call us, SERVPRO. Our technicians are certified to perform raw sewage cleanup and can provide you with peace of mind knowing the area affected is professionally cleaned.

Locally Owned Company with Valuable Resources

As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of South Elkhart County is strategically located to respond quickly to your water damage emergency and your mold cleanup. When there is mold in a home or business, we have the resources and personnel to help get your home or business back together.

Call SERVPRO When Storms Cause Damage

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a problem. If you are having a problem with your hot-water heater, contact a qualified plumbing contractor right away. Once you have called a plumbing contractor, contact SERVPRO of South Elkhart County to provide an inspection utilizing advanced technical equipment.

Upon inspection, if damages are determined, SERVPRO of South Elkhart County will address the water damage and provide a full repair service estimate. SERVPRO of South Bend has a 24-hour emergency service team that is highly trained and ready to help you at your home or business.

Contact SERVPRO of South Elkhart County at 574-259-8348 to help save your home or business.

Why Choose SERVPRO?

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Service Response Guidelines

1. Within 1 hour from notice of loss, SERVPRO of South Elkhart County will contact you to arrange for services
2. Within 4 hours SERVPRO of South Elkhart County will be on-site to start mitigation services.
3. Within 8 business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to you by SERVPRO of South Elkhart County.

SERVPRO of South Elkhart County  are qualified but not limited to the following

• Fire, Smoke and Soot Cleanup and Restoration
• Water Removal and Dehumidification
• Crime Scene, Biohazard and Vandalism Cleanup
• Mold Mitigation and Remediation
• Contents Claim and  Inventory Services
• Air Duct and HVAC Cleaning
• Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning and Care
• Stain Removal, Stain Resistance Applications
• Odor Identification and Deodorization
• Upholstery and Drapes: Wet or dry Cleaning Methods

For all Your Fire, Water and Restoration needs call (574)533-2500 or go to the webpage www.SERVPROsouthelkhartcounty.com

SERVPRO Is Here For You, When Flash Floods Hit Your Home Or Business

4/24/2022 (Permalink)

Floods are the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States. According to running up a $2.4 billion-per-year tab in average annual losses in recent years. While some of Mother Nature's more demonstrative displays, such as hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes, get more public attention, floods are the number one weather-related killer in the US. Flash floods are the most dangerous kind of flood, because they combine the nearly unstoppable force of a flood with deadly unpredictability and speed. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), more than half of all flash floods fatalities are related to automobiles.

The truth is simple as it is tragic: Just six inches of fast moving flood water can knock a grown man off his feet, and just two feet of water can cause a car to begin floating. SERVPRO of South Elkhart County can help you to be equipped with tips to keep you safe. CallSERVPRO of South Elkhart County 24/7 at (574)533-2500 or go to our webpage at http://SERVPROsouthelkhartcounty.com

Don't Forget To Keep Your Eyes On The Sky!

4/23/2022 (Permalink)

It is nearly impossible to underestimate the destruction and loss of life a tornado can cause. Though tornadoes are only thought to pose potential danger in southern states and in "Tornado Alley" area of the United States,   Alaska is the only state that did average at least two tornadoes per year over the past two decades (according to DisasterCenter.com). Research continues to indicate there is a direct correlation between how prepared the area was for a tornado and how many casualties were caused by the tornado. 

• Be aware of your communities severe weather warning system. Know in advance where you will take shelter if at a home, office, etc.
• Put together an emergency kit. Contact your SERVPRO of South Elkhart County for a list. 
• Do not open your windows. This does not help save the house, as once thought, but it could make things worse by allowing rain and debris a chance to blow into your house. 

For all your clean up and restoration needs call your SERVPRO of South Elkhart County @ 574-533-2500 or go to our page   http://SERVPROsouthelkhartcounty.com