Got a BIG water or fire damage? We've got the Equipment & Manpower to help!

11/19/2024 (Permalink)

In over your head with a water or fire disaster? Don't panic! Our Disaster Recovery Team is here to help 24/7.

When faced with a large loss, whether water or fire, SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Rockville-Olney and Silver Spring North is equipped with the most advanced tools and the most reliable vehicles, including huge tractor trailers, to help!

Our tractor trailers are spacious enough to carry the equipment and tools needed to complete any size job! From condominiums to restaurants, healthcare facilities and office buildings, to schools, no job is too large for us.

Large or small, our team is trained on how to get the job done right the first time to your utmost satisfaction. With careful precision and efficiency, our awesome Commercial Large Loss Division is “Faster to any size disaster®.”

We know you’re in a hurry to get back into the swing of things. The damage caused by fire, water, biohazards, etc... not only interrupts your daily life, but also the lives of your employees and clients. That’s why we at SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North are right on the job and will completely remediate and restore your property with speed and accuracy.

You can rest assured knowing we are dedicated to handing your property back to you just the way it was before the damage occurred. Our commercial operations manager will personally supervise your case from start to finish to ensure timeliness and full communication throughout the entire process.

We are here 24/7, 365 days a year. Call us, SERVPRO Team Gutierrez at 301-340-1313.

Our Teams Are IICRC-Trained and Certified

10/28/2024 (Permalink)

Our technicians are certified & trained in the latest industry techniques and services.

At SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North, we strive for excellence at every job we do. It's why our team members go through regular training and certification.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is recognized internationally as a knowledgeable industry voice and resource. It serves as an independent, nonprofit standard-setting and certification body, to set and promote high standards of ethics; and to advance communication and technical proficiency within the inspection, cleaning and restoration service industries.

The IICRC offers certifications in several categories of Cleaning, Inspection and Restoration. Additionally, there are Journeyman certifications available to those with advanced levels of recognition, which can be achieved by having several certifications in select categories and a minimum of three to five years of experience in the cleaning and restoration industry.

SERVPRO Team Gutierrez technicians are IICRC-certified and continue their education and certification throughout their employment. As new certifications become available through the IICRC, steps are taken to ensure that our technicians are certified in the latest techniques and services. Our customers can rest assured knowing that only the most qualified technicians will be sent into your business or home to restore and repair damage when you use our company!

Our accolades speak for themselves, as SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney was named 2023 Small Business of the Year by the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and 2021 Small Business of the Year by the Rockville Chamber of Commerce. Our mitigation director, Alex, was recently honored as the 2024 Field Hero of the Year by the national Cleaning & Restoration Magazine!

We are here 24/7 to help tackle water, fire, mold or biohazard damage to your property, residential or commercial. Call us, SERVPRO Team Gutierrez, at 301-340-1313.

National Day of Encouragement is Sept 12

9/9/2024 (Permalink)

Praises or words of encouragement can make someone's day!

Sept 12 marks the annual National Day of Encouragement, and this year that’s this Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024! Its purpose is to encourage people to encourage others.

You never know how you can shape someone’s day or how you might be able to turn someone’s day around.

Were you ever having a rough day and a co-worker complimented you? Maybe a classmate told you that your presentation was great. Maybe a co-worker, sibling, or friend told you to keep up the great work. The gesture costs little to nothing, but it can impact someone’s day, week, or even life unimaginably. Check out the story in this link (talk about life-changing!):

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/alabama-woman-reveals-life-changing-advice-she-received-from-state-trooper-who-pulled-her-over-for-speeding-right-person-right-time/ar-AA1qbRaH

Here a few simple ideas on how you can encourage someone:

• Write a simple note or send an email
• Give them a small gift, such as a flower or notepad
• Invite them to lunch and talk with them. A listening ear is all someone needs sometimes!
• In an encouraging manner, share an advice on how they can stay on top of their goals

At SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Rockville-Olney and of Silver Spring North, encouraging team members to “Be the Best,” “Be a Game Changer,” “Do the Right Thing,” and “Be Positive” are our daily mottos. We’re confident you’ll be able to inspire and encourage someone every day!

Got an Odor in your home? SERVPRO Rockville-Olney can help!

9/9/2024 (Permalink)

Candles can mask indoor odors temporarily. But for more serious and lingering odor, SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney can help!

Detect an odor in your home or business? SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North can help!

First, you might ask where it’s coming from. Is there a specific source that’s letting off this smell? What’s causing it, and how can it be eliminated once and for all?

Sometimes, an odor can originate from a deceased animal trapped in your attic. That’s a simpler cleanup. Other times, the odor could be much more difficult to pinpoint. When the situation is more complex or dispersed, there’s more of a science to identifying the root of the issue.

This is when SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Rockville-Olney & of Silver Spring North step in. Our highly-trained technicians have taken IICRC technical classes to learn how to properly identify and remove odors.

Let’s get rid of this smell so that your personal chemical sensor (your nose!) agrees with the surrounding air once again!

Oftentimes, people try masking a serious odor. In attempt to scare the smell away, here are a few common methods used, but are either very temporary or to be used with caution:

• Purchase and light a candle warmer
• Spray a pleasant scent
• Sprinkle baking soda everywhere (which can neutralize odors permanently, however, use caution or avoid if you have pets. If ingested, animals can become ill)
• Cleaning furniture or walls with soapy water
• Leaving windows open (which is sometimes a preventative measure to take, but can also allow additional moisture to travel inside depending on climate and temperatures)

If the odor stems from an issue such as mold, a gas leak, improper heating equipment, a blocked chimney, or spilled chemicals, the methods above might cover the smell for a short while, but will not be able to stop the smell from resurfacing. In many of these instances, the smell could lead to sickness or could even be fatal.

If you discover the source, and it’s an easy fix (rotting vegetables in your refrigerator, a bag of old gym shoes in your garage, food stuck in your drain because you forgot to use the garbage disposal, etc.), then you’re in luck. However, you will want to call a professional immediately if the circumstances seem more dangerous/hazardous or if you cannot pinpoint a harmless source after searching.

Leave it to SERVPRO Team Gutierrez if you want a safe, thorough and effective cleanup. With our extensive knowledge and advanced equipment, we will have the odor source identified and carefully eliminated. Give us a call at 301-340-1313.

Visit our website for more information: SERVPROrockvillesilverspringnorth.com/odor-removal-deodorization

Why your business needs a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan

9/9/2024 (Permalink)

Having a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile can save a lot of time, energy and money when disasters strike.

Disasters can strike at anytime, anywhere, and Montgomery County, Maryland is no exception.

Did you know up to 50% of businesses afflicted by a disaster will never reopen? The statistic may be shocking, but what isn’t very surprising is that the vast majority of the surviving businesses had previously established a preparedness plan.   

Prevention saves a lot of time, energy and money. Unfortunately, all catastrophes cannot be prevented, which means it is imperative to have an emergency plan in place just in case an unexpected event occurs.

The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan application works to prevent situations from escalating. The app, designed for commercial use, is marketed towards property and risk managers and towards business owners.

Some benefits of the app include:

• An assessment at no charge
• A Profile Document containing only necessary information geared for a time of emergency
• A quick reference for you and your employees (especially if the owner/manager is away on a business trip, for example).
• A free guide outlining important steps to take post-disaster
• A connection and direct contact with your local SERVPRO

SERVPRO Team Gutierrez clients, including those in Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North are offered this service free of charge. After downloading the SERVPRO ERP application onto an electronic device, a SERVPRO team member will meet with the client to map the property they own or manage.

Mapping the territory includes, but is not limited to, making note of water pipes, crawl spaces and fire exits. Information such as the square footage of the building and photographs of the property are collected and stored in the app as well.

Although gathering and recording this information on the app may sound like a lengthy process, employees have noted they can finish the plan in about 30 minutes. Additionally, owners can go back into the app and add more detail or update over time. There’s nothing to lose, and everything to gain!

If you prepare for the future, you will “Save Early for Disaster Costs.” Using tools to prevent damage, to prevent loss, and to prevent losing your business to a disaster, is one of the best ways to ensure the “health” of what you own or manage. 

It’s simple, and it’s free. Save now to avoid large costs later. Download the application in the App Store or from the link below:

https://ready.SERVPRO.com/Home/MobileApp

Please feel free to call SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North at 301-340-1313 with any questions you may have about the Emergency Ready Plan. We're also here 24/7 for any cleanup & restoration needs from storm, water, fire, mold or other property damage.

We Give Our Customers a Different Level of Clean

5/28/2024 (Permalink)

Give your customers the high level of clean they expect. SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney can help!

Covid is nearly a thing of the past, as the majority of businesses and corporations small and large in Maryland have returned to operation at full capacity. Still, it's in everyone's best interest for business owners and patrons to continue to take safety measures and common sense when it comes to our schools, workplaces and other public venues.

And with summer travel season upon us, businesses such as restaurants, hotels and places with high travel populations, owners and property managers of those facilities may consider a professional, deep sanitization to further protect your customers and patrons.

Our Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned program is a defensive cleaning program that gives your business a way forward by providing your employees & customers ongoing safety and assuredness. Our proactive viral pathogen cleaning program will help your business meet a higher standard of clean. We also provide general cleaning including carpet & rug cleaning, for the home and business.

Call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Rockville, Olney & Silver Spring North today at 301-340-1313 to schedule a free consultation. 

Be ready for Hurricane Season with our SERVPRO Ready Plan!

5/3/2024 (Permalink)

The hurricane season runs June 1 thru Nov. 30. Best be prepared with our SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan, or ERP.

Hurricane Season starts June 1 and weather forecasters are predicting an overactive storm season. Are you prepared for a big storm?

Now is a good time to have a plan – a SERVPRO® Ready Plan – in the event of an unexpected natural disaster!

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts overactive activity, with 24 named storms, 11 of which will become hurricanes and 6 of which will reach Category 3 status or stronger.

The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan, or ERP, is a FREE tool for property managers, risk managers and owners, both residential and commercial. It allows the user to create an emergency ready profile of their facility containing critical information to help speed up response time after fire or water damage. Help is then just a few clicks away.

Contact SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and Silver Spring North at 301-340-1313 today so we can help you prepare your free ERP assessment!

SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North Stand Ready to Help in Any Situation

3/7/2024 (Permalink)

Count on the experts, SERVPRO Team Gutierrez, for cleanup & restoration needs!

Thank goodness the Covid pandemic is behind us although there are still small cases going around,  safety precautions are always a good idea to help keep everyone safe.

SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO® of Silver Spring North want our customers to remember that we are certified specialists in cleaning services and continue to stand ready 24/7 to respond to any cleanup and restoration situation.

Our Crews Are Specially Trained

Our crew members are specially trained and certified to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have more than 40 years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work regularly performed by janitorial companies.

The CDC encourages cleaning of frequently-touched surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Call Us Today to Make a Plan

For deep cleaning and sanitization, and restoration, call the experts today – SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO® of Silver Spring North – (301) 340-1313. Team Gutierrez is here to help 24/7!

Certified with decades of experience to respond to disasters

12/12/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & our sister franchises take pride in our well-certified staff and decades of fire & water restoration experience.

SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North, and our Prince George’s County counterparts, SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, have decades of fire and water restoration experience in helping our customers, and we pride ourselves in having one of the most well-trained technicians in the business.

SERVPRO specializes in the cleanup, restoration and reconstruction of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event, as well as mold and biohazard mitigation. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Here are some of our Certifications:

• IICRC - Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification
• OCT - Odor Control Technician
• RRP - Lead-based paint Renovation, Repair and Painting
• AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
• HST - Health and Safety Technician
• ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
• SRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
• CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
• RRT - Carpet Repair & Reinstallation Technician
• WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
• ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program

All our four SERVPRO franchises - Rockville-Olney, Silver Spring North, Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E - are IICRC firms. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must:

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals. Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

Our office phones are staffed 24/7 for emergencies. Call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez at 301-340-1313 in Montgomery County, or 301-323-8862 in Prince George's County today if we can help with restoration needs!

Time to Winterize Your Property, to Avoid Pipe Bursts & Other Water Issues

11/30/2023 (Permalink)

Pipe burst or other water-related damages? SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney is a phone call away. 301-340-1313

With Winter just weeks away, we are reminding our customers & friends in Montgomery County and surrounding Maryland areas to walk around your home and yard and take a few simple steps to winterize your property.

The below 30 temperatures can freeze exposed water pipes. In the event you have frozen pipes, take these steps to be safe and help prevent further damage:

• First, find your home’s main water supply and shut it off.

• Next, turn off your main electrical supply to reduce the risk of electrical shock and damage to circuits and electrical appliances.
• If the water comes from a hot water pipe, shut the main valve to your hot water heater as well.
• Call a plumber for help as soon as possible.
• Your safety is most important. Please do not attempt potentially dangerous repairs. Be aware of submerged electrical outlets, appliances or chemicals that may be inside standing water.

The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) offers the following tips to winterize your pipes and doors & windows this winter:

• Make sure to drain outdoor water spigots and winterize water pipes. You can winterize water pipes by locating your hose bib shut-off valve, which may be in a basement or crawl space, and turning it off at the source. For extra protection, purchase a Styrofoam cover that attaches over the outdoor spigots to keep them from freezing.
• You may also want to shut off water to exterior faucets and drain sprinkler systems for extra protection against freezing pipes and water lines.
• Heat lost through windows and doors can account for up to 30 percent of home energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To keep heat in the house, look for cracks or gaps in the exterior caulking, check seals around exterior door and add caulking or weather stripping as needed. While these do-it-yourself fixes can reduce heat loss, a professional energy assessment can provide additional insights into areas where you may be losing heat and recommend fixes. Call your utility company to ask about their services or get a recommendation for a pro.

Check out this article from the AARP website for more tips to winterize your home and save money:

www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-10-2012/8-ways-to-save-money-this-winter.html

In the event you experience pipe bursts and other water-related damages to your home or business property, SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & SERVPRO of Silver Spring North are available 24/7 to respond to water damage emergencies. We are a water & fire cleanup and restoration company and can do the job right the first time!

Call us 24/7 at 301-340-1313.

SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney named 2021 Small Business of the Year

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney was recognized as the Rockville chamber's 2021 Small Business of the Year!

We are humbled and honored to have been named the 2021 Small Business of the Year by the newly-named Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce. The recognition reinforces our continued commitment to provide swift, effective & compassionate service to our customers, who usually are under stress when they need us. We are equally committed to giving back to the community in which we live & work. THANK YOU to our clients and to the Rockville chamber. OneTeamWins! BeTheBest!

The Small Business of the Year Award recognizes a company that has been in business for at least five years with revenue under $5M. Specific criteria include: flexibility, innovation and has a proven unique business and marketing strategy that has benefited the Rockville community. Winners were recognized at the Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce annual Rockstar Awards Gala that draws some 200-300 attendees each year.

See other winners here: https://business.rockvillechamber.org/events/details/rcc-rockstar-award-ceremony-2021-14630?calendarMonth=2021-11-01

At SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney, as well as our other franchises SERVPRO of Silver Spring North, SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, our team members strive day in, day out to provide swift & excellent service and great customer care. Such is reflected in our longstanding 4th ranking out of the 2,000+ SERVPRO franchises across the nation and N. America for garnering the most Google customer reviews. Great thanks to our customers & friends for their trust in us!

SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney wins Contractor Connection's TOP Award!

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

From left, SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney co-owners Michelle and Jorge Gutierrez and Office Manager Megan Sweeney.

Superb service and customer care are what we strive for here at SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney, Silver Spring North and our Prince George's County franchises, SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E.

We are thrilled and humbled to have won the Crawford Contractor Connection Performance Excellence Award for our district, the highest honor within the industry network, plus The Golden Hammer Award for Top Performers across the country. The awards are presented each year to performance leaders based on overall excellence measured by estimate upload TIP, customer service scores, professionalism in communication, cooperation and overall POMS scores.

SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney is among the 6,000+ contractors in the network, and represents the Tri-State District that includes Maryland, D.C., Delaware & Pennsylvania. SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney is recognized as a top performer in the region, having consistently scored high marks for:

*Quality of Service & Repairs

*Professionalism & Customer Service

*Timeliness of Response & Completion of Work

*Work Ethic 

Click to watch the award announcement & recognition: https://fb.watch/61OwEyXJlw/ 

Contractor Connection, an industry leader in contractor managed repair and home improvement services, provides insurance carriers and consumers a national network of residential and commercial contractors that are vetted and managed for performance, quality, timeliness and customer satisfaction.

We are open 24/7 and here to help with any water, fire and mold damage cleanup, restoration & reconstruction, as well as HVAC/duct cleaning and biohazards mitigation, among other services. Call us at 301-340-1313 to we can make your property "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney responds to historic freeze in southern states

3/30/2021 (Permalink)

Our storm team & equipment stand ready to tackle jobs in Texas.

Spring is in full swing and while most of the U.S. population are enjoying the nice weather and some hope that the pandemic will be behind us by year’s end, the struggle to dry out and rebuild their homes and businesses continues for thousands of Texans in the aftermath of the February freeze.

A storm team of 6 from our SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney spent three weeks in the Dallas, Texas area in February helping to restore more than 30 residential and commercial properties. They have returned to Maryland with hundreds of pieces of equipment in four large trucks. But that’s just our story, one franchise.

Multiply that by 78 total SERVPRO crews from 38 U.S. states that mobilized to the affected states: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Kansas. As of end of March, 26 SERVPRO franchises are still in Texas helping to restore damaged properties as part of our companywide Storm Response. Still much destruction and devastation!

Brian Petraitis, Storm Response Manager, Commercial Large Loss Division of SERVPRO® Industries, LLC, says the Texas storm response has been the largest event in the company’s history.

“To put this in perspective, an average year for storm we can see our teams invoice around 5,000 jobs in a full year. This is seen during years of heavy storm activity such as hurricanes. Our Storm teams will invoice over 5,000 jobs that were produced in only 1.5 months,” he says, noting that Hurricane Harvey provided 17,851 job leads and $28.3 million in revenue.  

The Texas freeze event, Petraitis says, has provided more than 40,000 job leads and an estimated revenue exceeding $38,000,000.

While it’s business for SERVPRO franchises, it’s one of the reasons our storm and emergency response teams are regularly trained and certified to be ready for such disasters, because time is of the essence when disasters strike, and it’s especially so for the people affected as well as other responders such as insurance companies. Quick restoration means home & business owners can reclaim their properties and start to pick up the pieces sooner; for insurance adjusters, it means less claim payout since longer restoration time can mean insurance companies have to put their insureds into temporary housing and such. It’s a win for all involved!

But storm response also means that our crews perform their jobs with the care and compassion our customers need, especially at times of distress and uncertainty. The nature of our business as fire & water cleanup and restoration companies is such that we may be imposing on personal properties and belongings that are of great monetary & sentimental value to our customers. 

Speaking for SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, General Manager Jorge Gutierrez says it was a highly rewarding experience to have been able to help people in their time of need.

“Demand was so high for restoration services, that some customers waited weeks before being able to get someone out,” he says. “And through it, the people of Texas could not have been more understanding, grateful and more than all welcoming to us.”

The southern states suffered a massive freeze the second week of February. SERVPRO headquarters, based in Gallatin, Tennessee, initially received 26,000+ job leads from six states all pleading for help with drying out and restoring their homes and businesses. The job leads grew to 40,000+ and growing, as over time water emergencies can lead to further problems including mold and biohazards. As our Rockville-Olney franchise General Manager Gutierrez says, our teams tried to help the people of Dallas as much as we can, “but there are only so much manpower and resources.”

SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney is a full-service restoration company that specializes in the cleanup, restoration & reconstruction of residential and commercial properties after a fire, smoke or water damage. We also mitigate mold and mildew, and biohazards from your home or business, as well as thorough cleaning with CDC-certified products. Our sister franchise also serves Silver Spring North; and our SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E serve Prince George’s County. 

For a free consultation, call us 24/7 at 301-340-1313 or 301-323-8862. We are always here to help!

2019 Crawford & Company Day of Service

9/24/2019 (Permalink)

The 2019 Crawford & Company Global Day of Service extends from October 1^st to 31^st. Various companies around the world pay tribute to this day by selecting a day from the month of October to give back to their own community.

A few examples of projects that companies have completed in honor of the day, which is dedicated to stewardship and supporting the community where you work, include cleaning local parks, serving meals, repairing homes for residents in need, free of charge, and participating in charity walks.

Last year, we of SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North cleaned the local stream that we had adopted. We removed debris from the water, including a car tire. We were sure to bring large trash bags to collect the litter that was scattered through the forest which surrounds the water too.

We at SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North believe it’s extremely important to take care of our community. We are here to support any commercial and residential needs you may have. We are also here to make sure the environment in our community is being taken care of. That’s why we are taking steps to improve it.

In general, Montgomery County is a populated area. The more crowded an area, the quicker litter tends to build up. Thankfully, a large percentage of residents are environmentally-conscious, and as a result, are careful to dispose of their trash properly and/or take time out of their busy schedules to collect trash.

That being said, we know a lot about water here at SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North. While we cleanup and restore water damage, we also know why waterways need to be cleaned and how they are damaged by litter.

Litter can have the following, but not limited to, effects on lakes, rivers, creeks, etc.:

• Clog storm drains (which can result in flooding)
• Increase algal blooms (which can suffocate aquatic life)
• Choke or entangle water species
• Prohibit drinking and swimming use
• Decrease aesthetics (not nearly as serious as the other effects, but still…)

We encourage you to donate a few hours of your time per year helping to clean up the environment in your community and are confident you properly throw away, or when appropriate, recycle items you no longer need. Carry a trash bag in your car to throw your personal waste in or to hold litter you may find on your travels.

We at SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North thank you for your efforts!