Published for Members of the Insurance and Commercial Property Industries

Like it never even happened.®

Volume 23, Issue 5

Fire & Water - Cleanup & RestorationTM RESTORATIONNEWSLINERESTORATIONNEWSLINERESTORATIONNEWSLINE

Real Quotes from

Independently Owned and Operatedservpro.com

Call the

that’s faster to any size disaster.

CLEANUP TEAMCLEANUP TEAM

ith more than 40 years of experience, SERVPRO®

Franchise Professionals haverestored water damaged homes andbusinesses from coast to coast. Whetherthe damage is caused by a flood, stormor a burst water pipe SERVPRO®

Franchise Professionals have the toolsand the experience to handle the job.

SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals knowwater damage of any type can be disruptive. Water damage can affect thevalue of your property and cause secondary damage like mold growth ifthe structure is not properly cleaned.Before reaching for the mop bucket andbox fan to clean the water yourself, consider how the damage could affectyour property.

By responding quickly with a full line ofwater cleanup and restoration services,SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals canhelp you regain control while drying,deodorizing and protecting your facilityand its contents.

Don’t risk further damage by attemptingto clean the mess yourself, call your localwater damage and restoration specialists.

SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals willidentify the source and type of water todetermine the proper course of action.Drying equipment controls temperatureand humidity, minimizing secondarydamage. When water takes control of yourlife, your local SERVPRO® FranchiseProfessional will help take it back. �

CLEANUP TEAM

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Real Quotesfrom

Real Customers

You could not have beenmore professional, helpful andfriendly. You made a nightmarishsituation more tolerable.

“”- Sara, Ind.

Yours was the most politeand courteous crew I’ve everencountered, and I’ve had a lot of work done!

“”- Wes, N.J.

All of the men sent outwere very polite and professional,and made a difficult experiencefor us a little easier to handle.Their service in our home wasexemplary and I wanted to takethe time to acknowledge howpleased we were with them.

“

”- Barbara, CA.

SERVPRO’s

network of

more than

1,500

Franchises is

ready to help in

the event a fire,

water or mold

loss occurs.

Call on

a restoration

system serving

insurance

companies and

their insureds,

as well as

thousands of

commercial

property

owners

nationwide.

You can

trust the

SERVPRO®

Brand, too!

hen a storm is headed your way,what can you do to help protectyourself, your business and your

home from severe weather? Knowing the difference between a storm watch and a stormwarning will help you know when to seek shelter.By taking a few simple precautions as storm season approaches, you can help minimize thepotential for storm-related property damage;however if your home or business does sustaindamage, it is important to know where to turnfor prompt, professional help.

Although violent storms can strike anytime, thespring and summer months typically mark anincrease in the threat of sudden, severe stormsthat sometimes include wind, rain, lightningand even hail.

Authorities issue a storm 'watch' when thepotential for severe weather exists. A storm'warning' will be issued when danger from asevere storm is imminent. The following tips willhelp prepare you to better protect yourself andyour property when a storm is on the horizon.

� Put a communication plan in place and prepare an emergency supply kit, includinga battery-powered NOAA Weather radio.

� Postpone outdoor activities; secure outdoorobjects that could become airborne.

� Don't use corded phones or any appliancesthat are "plugged in." Use cell or cordless phones instead.

� Seek shelter in a home, building or hard topautomobile. The steel frame of a vehicle – not the rubber tires – can help protect youfrom a lightning strike if you avoid touching metal or other conductive surfaces.

� Avoid windows and doors, don't lie on concrete floors or lean on concrete walls, and stay off of porches.

� If you are outside when a storm hits, seek shelter in a sturdy building. Avoid small, isolated structures in open areas and steer clear of hilltops, open fields, the beach or aboat on the water.

After the Storm:

� Avoid storm-damaged areas. Stay away from downed power lines and never try to drive through a flooded roadway.

� Replenish your emergency supplies and repair property damage promptly, before the next storm strikes.

Your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professionalcan help you establish an Emergency READYProfileTM to expedite help and recovery in anemergency situation. Available 24 hours a day,seven days a week, SERVPRO® FranchiseProfessionals quick response time helps limitsecondary damage. If your property sustainsdamage from wind, water or fire, call your localSERVPRO® Franchise professional to helpmake it “Like it never even happened.” �

WW

SEVERESEVERE WEAWEATHERTHER

Protecting YProtecting Yourself and ourself and YYour Property Duringour Property During

Tips provided by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

SERVPRO®

Franchise

Professionals

help meet the

real needs of

insurers and

property

owners by

supplying

reliable and

consistent

service.

The first steps

taken in a

disaster

situation can

mean the

difference

between

recovery and

total loss.

NOAA Photo Library

old– It is a four letter word thatmakes most people cringe. Butcontrary to popular belief, not all

mold is dangerous; some mold is even quiteuseful. Fungi and mold naturally occur in ourenvironment. More than 100,000 differenttypes of fungi have been identified. You canfind fungi in our everyday lives in bread andbaked products; the unique flavor of bluecheese is the result of mold. Though some typesof mold can be useful, many other forms can beharmful. Excessive amounts of mold and moldexposure may present health concerns for somepeople.

The intrusion of water into your home or business can result in mold growth. Waterintrusions can result from storm damage,plumbing or equipment failures, long standingleaks and poor humidity control. When thesewater intrusions are not addressed right away,the resulting damage can be an increased risk ofharmful mold growth. Mold spores are normallypresent in most environments. If the humidityand moisture levels in a water damaged environment are not controlled, mold sporescan grow and multiply. Organic materialsfound inside a building, like wood, drywall,paper and insulation, provide a food source formold, allowing growth to flourish. This canlead to indoor environmental conditions thatpose a health threat.

SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals handlewater damages everyday and know promptaction is required to prevent mold growth. Mold

is more likely to spread when an environmenthas been subject to moisture for an extendedperiod of time. If your property has sustained arecent water damage, it is vital to remove excesswater and dry the structure promptly. Once theenvironment is dry, it is important the structureis properly cleaned.

When determining if you have a mold problem,be alert for: the presence of visible mold, strongmusty odors, evidence of past moisture problemsand excessive humidity.

If you fear you have a mold problem, call yourlocal SERVPRO® Franchise Professional. A technician trained in mold remediation willexamine the structure and determine the stepsneeded to contain and clean the affected areas. �

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ControllingControlling

MOLDMOLDin Yin Your our

EnvironmentEnvironment

Fire & Water - Cleanup & RestorationTM

48001-2305

As seen nationally on: CNN, Headline News,

Fox News, The History Channel, ESPN and

The Weather Channel.

SERVPRO® is a Franchise Systemwith more than 40 years of leadershipin cleanup and restoration. Our trackrecord of results has earned us thetrust of the insurance industry, countless homeowners, and in one unforgettable instance, even the Pentagon.

We are quietly taking to the streets,every hour of every day, proving that whenever there is a house full of wateror an office full of smoke, there is alsoa van full of clean.

Editor: Kim Kramer

© 2012 Servpro Industries, Inc. All rights reserved. SERVPRO® and theSERVPRO® design are registered trademarks of Servpro Industries, Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

Why Take the Risk? Call a SERVPRO® Franchise Professional. Working to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Most of the items in your home or office naturallyhold moisture. From wood floors to drywall, minis-cule amounts of water are an essential part of manyobjects’ makeup. Of course, when a water damageoccurs, an excess amount of moisture is absorbed bythese same surfaces, creating the potential for perma-nent damage and mold growth.

Next month’s Restoration Newsline will take a look at psychrometrics, or the study of moist and humid air, and how a SERVPRO® FranchiseProfessionals’ knowledge of the science of drying can help save you time and money. �

Fire & Water - Cleanup & RestorationTM

In Next Month’s Restoration Newsline:

The Science of Drying