Recent Posts
We're 'Faster to Any Size Disaster' because Flooding doesn't wait
11/19/2024 (Permalink)
Water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither does SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North.
Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including all holidays.
Faster To Any Size Disaster
Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture and beyond. SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North crews arrive quickly and start the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.
Need Emergency Service? Call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez 24/7 – 301-340-1313
Water Damage Timeline
Within Minutes
- Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
- Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery and belongings.
- Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
- Photographs, books and other paper goods start to swell and warp.
Hours 1 - 24:
- Drywall begins to swell and break down.
- Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
- Furniture begins to swell and crack.
- Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
- A musty odor appears.
48 Hours to 1 Week:
- Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
- Doors, windows and studs swell and warp.
- Metal begins to rust and corrode.
- Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
- Paint begins to blister.
- Wood flooring swells and warps.
- Serious biohazard contamination is possible.
More Than 1 Week:
- Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
- Structural safety, mold growth and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.
About Us
SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & SERVPRO of Silver Spring North, now known as SERVPRO Team Gutierrez, specialize in the cleanup, restoration and reconstruction of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our technicians are highly-trained in property damage restoration.
From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our team is equipped with the knowledge and experience to restore your property.
Certifications
- OCT - Odor Control Technician
- IICRC Certified Firm
- RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation
- 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
SERVPRO uses different methods for each unique surface to remediate Mold
11/19/2024 (Permalink)
Mold remediation is a job for the professionals. Let SERVPRO Team Gutierrez help!
Mold is often undetectable in homes until it has become visible, which is a problem.
Not every type of mold has that distinctive, ‘musty’ odor and if the growth started behind a wall or in the attic, the smell is not noticeable until the mold has grown into a large colony of spores.
Mold cleanup and remediation in a home is a task for experienced professionals. SERVPRO Team Gutierrez has some of the best-trained personnel in the industry to safely clean and mitigate mold in a home or commercial property.
Our technicians first determine the type of surface infested. This inspection decides both the cleaning methods and how much time required to complete the job. We usually divide surfaces into porous, nonporous, and semi-porous categories.
Porous surfaces are typically building materials and fabrics; drywall and upholstery for example. They are often cleanable, but if the mold is very thick or has grown into the material, we dispose of it. Our cleaning methods for these surfaces involve vacuuming them with special HEPA filters that catch tiny amounts of loose mold, even a single spore.
After the vacuuming, we use spray bottles with an antimicrobial cleaner and foaming agents to dampen the surface. Wet the surfaces loosens the mold and allows technicians to remove it with cloths and sponges.
Nonporous surfaces are the easiest to clean. This category includes metal and glass tabletops as well as marble and smooth stone kitchen countertops. In many cases, we can remove the mold with dry cloths and sponges. Technicians wipe down the surfaces from top to bottom to prevent accidentally leaving spores at the top or along the sides. If the mold layer is thick, we vacuum it first before dry wiping.
Semi-porous surfaces (concrete and wood decks for example) require methods not acceptable on other surfaces. Affected surfaces may need sanding to wire brushing and other abrasive tools to dig out the mold. The cleaners we use on these surfaces would mar or otherwise destroy glass and metal surfaces. If mold has penetrated the surface of the wood or concrete, technicians may have to sand them down by hand or with a power sander to remove it.
Returning your home to its pre-mold condition is a process that takes time, often more than a day or two. SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Rockville-Olney and of Silver Spring North has years of experience in helping our customers through each step, to put you back into your home. Call (301) 340-1313 today to set up an inspection.
We can help restore cherished photos damaged by water
11/19/2024 (Permalink)
If the pictures are old, consult a professional photograph restorer; meantime, have the wet images dry out.
If you’ve experienced a flood in your home, chances are many of your belongings were damaged by the waters. Among your valuables, photographs are most likely one of your most personal and cherished items.
Losing pictures to a flood can be one of the most devastating aspects. You feel powerless as these family heirlooms passed down for decades or a priceless image is seemingly damaged and potentially lost due to the waters of the flood.
Don’t stress too much! There may be hope.
There are plenty of tips on how to salvage your photos. Surprisingly, most can be cleaned and dried.
Follow the steps promptly to avoid damage. Please note, you should follow these steps within at most two days, or else they will begin to mold and stick together.
- Gently remove the photographs from the water. If any pictures are stuck together, carefully separate. If they will not part easily, do not force a separation.
- Using cold, clean water, rinse each side of the picture. This way, any dirt will come off.
- On an indoor flat surface, lay down paper towels. Lay the photo, face-up, on the paper towel, and replace the paper towel (as it will get wet) with a dry one each hour, until completely dried.
If you want to want to put the drying process on hold, place the wet photos (after rinsing with cold, clean water) between sheets of wax paper before storing them in an airtight plastic bag in the freezer.
SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North can help restore your valuables. If you are concerned about water damage in your home (walls, floors, etc.), we will restore your home, too. We are the water damage restoration experts!
If you have any questions or needs, give us a call today at 301-340-1313.
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.
Safety tips for a safe Thanksgiving
11/7/2024 (Permalink)
Follow these tips to keep your kitchen & home safe during the holidays.
As Thanksgiving approaches (exactly 3 week away as we're writing this blog!), SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Rockville, Olney and Silver Spring North would like to offer a few important tips on how to keep your home safe during the holidays.
Believe it or not, far too many homes catch on fire during this time of year! Imagine preparing for the holidays just to have flames devour your property over something as small as a turkey. The impact around this time of year (as winter holidays quickly approach following Thanksgiving) is astronomical and quite stressful to say the least.
Yet time and time again, we are called to homes around Thanksgiving to clean up and restore fire damage… all because of a turkey.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, compared to any other day of the year, the number of house fires reportedly doubles on Thanksgiving Day.
We don’t want our friends & customers to have to experience such a catastrophe, especially during the busiest time of your year.
So, how does the bird cause a fire? Well, these fires usually originate from a deep fryer. The oil used typically spills over the sides of fryer in these instances, and falls into flames beneath. Even vapors can react with the heat, causing a fire.
If your turkey has not been completely dried and thawed, the excess water will cause the oil to bubble and spill down.
Here in the Maryland/DC area, temperatures around the holidays drop. It’s typically quite cold outside. Rain or snow can also factor into the catastrophe. It can cause the oil to splatter.
Due to chilly weather, you might be tempted to shield yourself from the cold weather and fry your turkey in the garage or under your deck. Maybe you have a nice, screened-in deck you’d like to cook inside. Don’t! If your turkey catches on fire, the flames will extend to the ceiling or roof, then spread, engulfing the room and beyond.
Of course we understand people enjoy cooking their special dinner in a propane deep-fryer. So, we are including a few tips to help avoid a fire:
- Make sure your fryer is equipped with a gas valve controller
- While in use, keep your fryer away from children, pets, trees, shrubs, bushes, vehicles, etc. alike
- Your turkey must be completely thawed and dry before placing it in the fryer
- Make sure the fryer in placed on a flat surface
- Do not leave your fryer unattended
- When you notice the oil begins to smoke, turn the propane tank off immediately!
- Have a fire extinguisher handy
We wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving and holiday season. Keep our number handy in the unfortunate event you have a fire in your home or business. 301-340-1313. We're here 24/7 to help!
Flame or Soot: Restoring a home after a fire can be stressful
11/7/2024 (Permalink)
Fire damage can be devastating. Give us a call today, and we will make the restoration process as easy as possible for you.
Our SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North emergency response crews recently responded to a couple of commercial fires, a hi-rise condo building and an older apartment building. Restoring a home — whether a condo, apartment or single-family — after fire damage is a difficult and emotional process. Not only are we here to help with the cleanup and restoration of your property, but for your family as well.
Flames can cause the most visible damage to your property but the most damage comes from the smoke and soot. Soot is a coating of fine, black dust created when substances are burned. Inhaling soot can cause health effects. It is important to our team that we get rid of all the after-effects of the fire — not only the damage but also the odor. Our expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.
Before restoration begins, a member of our SERVPRO Team Gutierrez restoration crew will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will be based on which type of smoke damage there is. Below are the different types of smoke:
Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
- Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood
- Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore, smoke rises.
Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire.
- Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
Call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Rockville, Olney & Silver Spring North when you're in need of cleaning after fire strikes. We know it is hard seeing your home in flames and we are here to restore it as swiftly and best we can. We're here to help 24/7. 301-340-1313.
What's Leaf Mold?
11/7/2024 (Permalink)
Autumn foliage is beautiful, but their leaves on the warm ground can cause mold growth that's not friendly to those with allergies.
Now that Autumn is in full swing and while the foliage is spectacular in our Maryland, DC & Virginia region, the leaves in many parts of the area have begun to fall from their trees.
While we've enjoyed some cooler days, the warm, humid weather from summer & spring enabled mold growth on dying grass patches, and as soon as the leaves fall, the mold on the ground begins to quickly spread over them.
Do you have a mold allergy? If so, you may be wondering if leaf mold is a threat at all.
Indeed, leaf mold can certainly cause symptoms including itchy, watery eyes, nasal congestions, and runny noses.
Not only does the leaf mold lay under the foliage, but it also disperses through the air when leaves are raked or blown about by wind or leaf blower. When spores are stirred up, they’re basically being thrown up in the air to linger around.
However, leaf mold isn’t the fall season’s only allergen. Grasses and ragweed are also common sources of your sneezes.
If you suffer from mold allergy, you can look forward to colder temperatures within the next couple months. Once frost begins showing up on the ground, the mold begins to die off, and you can expect your symptoms to recede.
To learn more about mold and the remediation process, visit our website. We have an entire tab dedicated to mold for your knowledge: www.SERVPROrockvillesilverspringnorth.com/mold-remediation
Tips for a safe Thanksgiving
11/4/2024 (Permalink)
Follow these tips for a safe turkey bake & Thanksgiving!
Autumn is in full swing if the colorful foliage and cooler weather are any indication. Which means Thanksgiving is just around the corner!
While Thanksgiving is a joyous time when family and friends gather and give thanks, it’s also the time of year when the number of house fires increases. Team Gutierrez of SERVPRO Rockville-Olney & SERVPRO Silver Spring North offers a few tips to better ensure your safety, as well as the safety of your family, pets, property and belongings during the holiday season.
First, let's talk turkey and oven preparation. To prepare, clean your stove and oven. Old food crumbs and grease must be removed as over time, grease can build up, leaving quite a residue that can be flammable.
When you’re ready to put the turkey (or duck!) in the oven, set a timer. Also make sure your smoke alarms are working in case of an emergency.
While a fire caused by baking a turkey in the oven is much less common than a fire caused by frying a turkey, it’s still very important to take all precautions, including constant monitoring of the oven.
A few safety tips to follow:
- No long sleeves while cooking to avoid catching on fire
- Pot handles turned towards the back of the stove to avoid tipping or falling
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure turkey has been fully cooked
SERVPRO Team Gutierrez wishes our customers & friends a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Visit our website for more fire safety tips: www.SERVPROrockvillesilverspringnorth.com/fire-damage-tips
Considering a move to Rockville, Olney or Silver Spring?
11/4/2024 (Permalink)
The Metro can save you a lot of time and money and a convenient way to travel.
We love our Rockville, Olney and Silver Spring communities! Thinking about moving here? We’ll give you a few reasons why our community stands out to us!
Great schools: Montgomery County Public Schools are nationally ranked and recognized. Additionally, the area boasts many great private schools if you are looking for those options. Rockville is also the home of Montgomery College, Rockville Campus. For an affordable tuition, you can obtain your associate degree from this institution for a fraction of what you would pay at other colleges and universities.
Quick access to transit: Our area offers public transportation ranging from buses to trains. While the Metro rail allows quick access from Rockville and Silver Spring (and many other stations in surrounding areas) to DC, parts of Virginia and other local hotspots, bus services from Metrobus and Ride On are available throughout the county with thousands of bus stops.
Plenty of shopping centers, restaurants, entertainment: Rockville Pike is known for its diversity of restaurants. In addition, it has many top-notch shopping centers and about every store you can think of along its stretch. Looking for something fun to do? Rockville provides plenty of entertainment to its residents and guests alike- and in very close proximity so you won’t have to drive far and can definitely save gas.
With ice rinks (indoor and outdoor), movie theaters, bowling alleys, malls, community events and festivals to nearby hiking trails and places to rent kayaks and canoes, Rockville is a happening place!
Safe communities: Our Rockville-Olney and Silver Spring North communities are very family-oriented and diverse. People from around the world come to live in our communities as our area has much to offer. From amazing career opportunities to safe neighborhoods, the Rockville-Olney area is a great place to have a family and to start a great career alike. Our towns make great effort to keep residents safe by installing sidewalks to promote safer exercise, creating crosswalks, putting up speed cameras, and ensuring roads are smooth. Pedestrian safety is really prioritized, and it leads to a stronger community!
Close to Washington, D.C. (can easily metro from Silver Spring, Rockville, Twin Brook, or Shady Grove stations, to name a few): As mentioned above, our area is close to DC! It’s a happening place. From weekend activities such as parades and museum trips, we are fortunate to have easy access to a city where people from around the world come to vacation to. We can’t forget to mention jobs! Many of our residents commute to DC daily for work. It’s a city of opportunity.
Arts, history and culture: Our area is known by its culture and history. Much of it is celebrated through art. Our area offers a wide variety of tours, including tours of farms, mansions, and old school houses for example. There happens to be many museums and theaters in our area as well. Keep an eye out on community pages for local concert series, pop-ups and festivities.
A few great spots to explore history, culture and talent include:
Sandy Spring Museum, Sandy Spring
Olney Theatre Center, Olney
Agricultural History Farm Park, Derwood
Meadowside Nature Center, Rockville
Glenview Mansion and Art Gallery, Rockville
National Capital Trolley Museum, Silver Spring
If you’ve never visited the Rockville, Olney, Silver Spring area, Team Gutierrez of SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North encourages you to do so!
Take these precautions to ensure your daycare is safe!
11/4/2024 (Permalink)
Whether you manage a daycare or send your kids to one, we know your primary concerns are their safety & well-being. SERVPRO Rockville-Olney can help.
At SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North, we knows it’s important to make sure your commercial property reaches a high standard when it comes to a clean and safe environment for your clients, employees, etc. Quite often, SERVPRO Team Gutierrez helps schools and daycares in the Rockville, Olney, Silver Spring North and surrounding areas reach these standards.
It’s very important to ensure your smallest customers are safe and healthy at all times, especially during these post-pandemic times and especially since children are more susceptible to common issues such as mold, as well as bacteria pests such as rodents can leave behind, for instance.
Maybe you own or manage a daycare. Maybe you are considering starting your own daycare, or maybe you are a parent considering which daycare to enroll your child in.
Here's a checklist of what a daycare should include to provide the safest environment possible:
- Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers must be present and in excellent, working condition
- Windows in every classroom to provide fresh air and an emergency exit
- Clean sleeping area, play areas and toys (including carpets and upholstery, which can easily become soiled at daycares!)
- All cleaning supplies must be locked away
- Electrical outlets must be covered
- Strict hygiene procedures (important when changing diapers)
- Any necessary safety and cleanliness certifications (state and/or county, depending on local laws)
- Regular health and cleanliness inspections
- Documented emergency evacuation plans
- Mold-free
- Any expired food the center provided must be discarded
- Professional pest removal is needed if you suspect or know there are pests in the building. Mouse traps present a danger, especially to small hands that like to get into everything!
- Pests can carry diseases, bite children, and leave trails of bacteria behind
- Fire drills are necessary in preparing for a smoother evacuation in an unfortunate event when an actual fire might take place
- Similar to drills for potential earthquakes or storms, especially if the region is prone to these acts of nature
- Locking gates at the top and bottom of any stairs
- Exterior locking doors
We have worked around Montgomery County, Maryland and beyond to ensure local schools and daycares are clean and safe places! Whether involved with mold remediation, restoring flood damages, or performing a general cleaning, we make it a priority to keep the children in our community safe and healthy.
If you have any cleaning & restoration needs at your daycare facilities, don’t hesitate to give SERVPRO Team Gutierrez a call today at 301-340-1313.
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