Recent Commercial Posts

Certified SERVPRO Clean

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO certified clean feel safe in a building that we have certified.

With the ever evolving changing safety protocols in society today; going into commercial properties can be confusing at times. Some requier mask, some don't.

How can you tell if the building is truly clean and safe. At SERVPRO of East Greenville County we leave a mark on those buildings we have cleaned and left safe for re-entry.

So when you are out in the commercial and retail market  look for that emblem on the front door that SERVPRO of East Greenville was there. If your commercial or retail space doesn't have the SERVPRO of East Greenville Certified SERVPRO clean emblem contact them today for your cleaning to help ensure that your customers and employees will rest easy know that their building is safe and clean. 

Document Restoration

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Wet Documents The technology to restore documents has never been greater.

SERVPRO of East Greenville County offers a variety of services from water/fire damage restoration, mold mitigation, and commercial/residential cleaning services. But did you know that we also provide Document Drying and Restoration for our commercial clients?

Damage from a water or fire event is not limited to the building and furniture. Sometimes files such as patient records, invoices, and legal documents are impacted by water, smoke, and soot contact. SERVPRO’s document drying process is designed to stabilize damaged documents and prevent further damage quickly. The treatment facility is secured, the chain of custody follows HIPAA guidelines, and our Drying Chamber personnel is Master HIPAA certified allowing them to handle protected health information (PHI).

Our Document Restoration Facility:

  • Innovative: we use the latest vacuum freeze-drying method, as well as gamma irradiation technology for sterilizing
  • Secure: managed by HIPPA Master-certified technicians, under 24/7 surveillance
  • Digital: we use a computerized inventory system for digitizing your documents
  • Flexible capacity - we can accommodate large commercial losses or small residential jobs
  • Full Service: we offer a range of services including drying, cleaning/disinfecting, re-jacketing, digitizing, and deodorization

SERVPRO document services also include digitization services that reduce the need for large filing rooms and help make data access more accessible for businesses. Certified destruction services allow for sensitive information to be appropriately disposed of and provide peace of mind to businesses and their clients.

Types of content:

  • paper documents
  • books and magazines
  • manuscripts and files
  • photographs, films, negatives, and microfiche
  • x-rays
  • blueprints and maps
  • parchment

For more information about SERVPRO of East Greenville’s Document Recovery or other commercial services visit our website or call 864-292-3495

Cleaning Services

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned logo When you see this sticker on a business rest assure it was cleaned with top service and professionalism.

While most business' know to call SERVPRO of East Greenville County when fire or water damage strike their facilities. But did you know SERVPRO of East Greenville County has a large service line of cleaning services that are available as well. See the list below to see all branches of services they offer.

  • carpet cleaning
  • hard floor cleaning
  • upholstery cleaning
  • HVAC and Dust work cleaning
  • odor identification
  • deodorization
  • crime scene cleanup
  • biohazard cleanup
  • vandalism cleanup 
  • COVID19 / pathogen cleaning 

The majority of these items are also available 24/7 if an accident happens. SERVPRO of East of Greenville County also provides free inspections and estimates for all your commercial cleaning needs and is available to schedule around your demanding work schedule to help limit any business interruptions. Call today for your free cleaning quote. 

Restoring VS. Replacement

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

The Disaster recovery team Using restoration over replacement is not only cost saving but a time saver as well.

When disaster strikes your business many thoughts come to mind. Primarily the cost of replacement is the biggest question that will come first. Do not let this be your mindset. SERVPRO of East Greenville County has specialized techniques for cleaning and restoring affected building materials to help reduce the high price of replacement. When adding up the cost of replacing flooring, trims, drywall and painting can add up to over $15 dollars per square foot. Compare that with average water damage pricing of $8 per square foot the choice to restore is not only a more economical decision but time saving as well. So when disaster strikes your business call SERVPRO of East Greenville County to not only save time but to save money as well.   

Business Interruption

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

Burst pipe in office area. A burst pipe causes entire office area to be closed down.

Two words that can spell bad news for any company "Business Interruption". Weather it be from storm damage, flooding, water pipe bursting to fire; business interruption can not only be a major inconvenience but it is devastating to the bottom line. That's why here at SERVPRO of East Greenville County we have the knowledge and experience in getting your business back up and running in an optimal amount of time with little to no business interruption. Employees are training now to best serve each situation should it arise so they can better serve your business. SERVPRO of East Greenville county is prepared to respond when disaster strikes your business to help get it back up and running no matter the time of day or night and make it, "Like it never even happened."

The Importance of Professional Water Damage Restoration

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

Typical Causes of Water Damage on Commercial Buildings

When your Greenville, SC Commercial Property has been damaged by water, you must act as soon as possible to remediate the damage and stop secondary damage from occurring. Not taking care of the water damage on time, could lead to bigger problems like mold growth. Getting assistance from a professional restoration company like SERVPRO of East Greenville County is highly recommended, and here are three reasons why:

Contaminated Water

Dealing with contaminated water requires special equipment and professional knowledge. Dirty water can lead to biohazardous conditions in your commercial property. If you are not sure what type of water you are dealing with, leave it to our qualified professionals, they will assist you with the water cleanup process.

Professional Equipment

You may be able to clean up water damage yourself. However, some water damage emergencies require professional equipment to be remediated correctly. SERVPRO of East Greenville County uses specialized equipment for water damage cleanup and remediation, we have truck mounted extraction units for water removal, and air movers and dehumidifiers for drying and dehumidification.

Specialized Training

Our team at SERVPRO of East Greenville County has the training and experience to answer your questions and walk you through the remediation process. When a water damage emergency strikes in your commercial property allow our team to guide you through the water damage restoration process.

Give our team a call at 864-292-3495, we are here to help!

Commercial Services Provided by SERVPRO of East Greenville County

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

Has your business suffered a water or fire loss? Call SERVPRO of East Greenville County today. We're Here to Help!

SERVPRO is Ready to Assist Your Company with Any Loss!

SERVPRO of East Greenville County is always ready to assist and you can trust the SERVPRO brand to get your company back in business after any loss. We can minimize the disruption to your clients while delivering superior and professional service. Most people think of SERVPRO when they have water damage, but we offer many other services.

Services SERVPRO can provide to your business:

The SERVPRO System has a network of strategically positioned storm teams on standby should a disaster strike your business. Regardless of your property type or size, we respond quickly to clean your property and manage your restoration project to its completion.

Call SERVPRO of East Greenville County should your business need assistance with any type of loss.  We're here to help!

Typical Causes of Water Damage in Commercial Buildings

9/6/2021 (Permalink)

If you're facing the challenges of water damage in your commercial space, give SERVPRO of East Greenville County a call today!

Unexpected flooding in commercial buildings can happen very quickly, especially if there is no one on site to notice the problem. What starts out as a small water leak can instantly turn into something larger, and cause significant damage. If your commercial building isn’t in pristine condition, there is a much higher chance of water damage occurring. Here are some of the typical causes that commercial buildings face in terms of water damage:

  1. Backed up Sewer Lines. Bathrooms are a common source of possible problems.  Sewer lines can get backed up and release water into the building.  This type of water damage is extremely dangerous because the water is filled with contaminants and hazardous waste.
  2. Damaged Appliances. Almost every office has a break room or a kitchen.  Most often, these rooms have a dishwasher or refrigerator in them and when these appliances malfunction, they can leave a significant amount of water in the area, flooding the entire room or more.
  3. Malfunctioning Sprinklers. All commercial properties are equipped with an overhead sprinkler system as required by law.  The sprinklers work in conjunction with the fire alarm, and it is activated when the fire alarm goes off.  This causes water damage in two ways.  First, the smoke will set off the fire alarms, activating sprinklers causing water damage.  And second, if the sprinkler system malfunctions and activates on its own, water can cover the entire building.
  4. Broken Pipes. Cracked and broken pipes are a very common occurrence in commercial buildings, especially as they age.  When a pipe bursts, water rushes out of them, spraying throughout the entire building.  A busted pipe can cause damage to the ceilings, walls, flooring and any other contents occupying the space.

Commercial Floor Cleaning Services

5/11/2021 (Permalink)

Having a clean floor not only can impress customers but it can also create a safer work place.

Tile, concrete, and hard wood floors all come with the appeal of avoiding special maintenance, as they are less likely to have dirt, debris, and pollens compared to carpet. However, no matter the material, floors are high traffic areas. People come and go, and every single one of them walks on the floor to do so. So, even low maintenance floors need some TLC every once in a while.

Why cleaning Commercial Floors Matters:       

  1. Safety: Floors that are not maintained and well-kept can be a hazard to everyone with-in the building. Accumulated grim can become a tripping hazard. As well as accidents such as slips and falls become more common when floors are dirty.
  2. First Impressions: Flooring covers the entire vicinity of your commercial space. Clean and shiny floors make for a much better impression. Commercial floor cleaning services achieve a floor that everyone can take pride in.
  3. Less Work: Being a business Owner comes with a lot of responsibilities. Leaving the floor to a professional means less work for you and ensures that the cleaning will be done consistently.
  4. Professional Knowledge: Taking care of flooring requires special knowledge, and professional cleaning services can perform deep cleaning services that take care of these issues.

Every commercial property experiences wear and tear including the accumulation of dirt and grime. SERVPRO of East Greenville is happy to help with that. Give us a call to make your workspace look its best!

Disaster Recovery Team

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

Is SERVPRO of East Greenville part of your disaster plan? If not call us today!

SERVPRO has its own Commercial large loss division which is made up of our best of the best in restoration. We have prequalified and strategically placed our large-loss specialists all throughout the U.S. to be able to handle any size disaster.

Each large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager to help ensure excellent communication and a timely mitigation.

What sets SERVPRO apart, is our ability to call on our strategically placed laborers which not only cuts cost for you, the customer, but also ensures that everything takes place in a timely fashion.

Clients for the Commercial Large Loss program include:

  • The Hospitality Industry
  • Property Managers
  • Universities
  • Municipalities
  • The Pentagon

Whether it is a tornado, blizzard, flood, or hurricane that has affected your business, SERVPRO is standing by ready to help as soon as you call. Our storm teams ensure that a job is never turned away because of the size. Seven days a week, and twenty-four hours a day SERVPRO is here to help.

Why your business would benefit from an ERP

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

Don't wait for a disaster to happen. Have a plan!

Does your business have an emergency plan in the case that disaster takes place? Half of the companies that face a disaster end up having to close following the event. Planning is a big part of what allows companies to offer peace of mind to their customers, and employees.

SERVPRO of East Greenville County is here to help with that burden through our free service of developing an Emergency Ready Profile for your business. Having a profile of this caliber minimizes the disruption your business would face when an emergency situation takes place.

What an ERP includes:

  • A no cost assessment of your Facility.
  • A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
  • A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.
  • Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
  • Identification of the line of command authorizing work to begin.
  • Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information.

Look out for your business and give us a call at SERVPRO of East Greenville today (864) 292-3495!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

2/24/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Greenville wants to help stop the spread of Covid-19, whether it is a precaution or someone has tested positive, call us today!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a program for commercial businesses in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This is the highest level of cleaning and ensures the safety of you, your employees, and your customers.

It’s an easy 3-Step Program!

Step 1- Consult: Covid-19 is not a one fits all type of virus so we won’t offer you a one fits all cleaning. Our consultation step is to learn about your business’s specific needs when it comes to cleaning. This is when we will ask about the type of business you are, space size, high frequency touch points, points of congestion, and high foot traffic areas.

 Step 2 - Clean: With your business’s individualized cleaning plan in hand, our technicians can now start on an expert deep clean using our Hospital grade and EPA-Approved cleaning solutions. Our technicians are trained professionals and also adhere to the standards published by the CDC.

Step 3 – Certify: Once the cleaning is complete, a shield will be posted on the front of your business to assure both employees and customers that you have selected the highest standard of clean.

The next time you see a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned sticker let it be when you’re walking through the door of your business! Call us at SERVPRO of East Greenville County - 864.292.3495- today!

Coronavirus | SERVPRO of East Greenville County

9/12/2020 (Permalink)

If your home or business has been exposed to the CoronaVirus, SERVPRO of East Greenville County is here to help.

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest of cleaning and sanitation standards.

If there has been a confirmed case of Corona in either your home or business, don’t worry, SERVPRO of East Greenville County is here for you and wants to help you how we can.

SERVPRO’s cleaning agent, SERVPROXIDE is a hospital grade cleaner that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to the coronavirus. This means the chemicals being used aids in the deconstruction of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in minutes. Proper disinfection, like the work done by our technicians, leaves surfaces very unlikely to transmit infections or diseases.

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of East Greenville County, 864-292-3495

Cornoavirus: Enterprising over Exposure | SERVPRO of East Greenville County

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

Your business doesn't have to wait to be exposed to Covid-19 to call SERVPRO. We are always here to help!

Enterprising over Exposure

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest of cleaning and sanitation standards.

Let’s say you have an employee who has a family member with a confirmed case of coronavirus, what’s the next step? Call us! SERVPRO of East Greenville County offers three levels of cleaning in response to the coronavirus. Our level 2 cleaning responds to this exact situation. 

Is one level better than the other?

No matter what kind of cleaning your home or business needs, our technicians are happy to help. All of our technicians have experience working with biological contaminants and uphold the highest standard of sanitation when it comes to surface cleaning, and sanitizing. The focus of a level 2 cleaning is sanitation. It is the cleaning of equipment, porous and non-porous surfaces which leads to a dramatic drop of the germs on a specific surface.

You don’t have to wait until there has been exposure to COVID-19 at your home or business to call on us. We are here for you at SERVPRO of East Greenville County, 864-292-3495.

Our Newest Production Team Members | SERVPRO of East Greenville County

5/11/2020 (Permalink)

Meet our new production team members! Duvan (left) & Gerardo (Right).

SERVPRO of East Greenville County specializes in the mitigation (acting to stop and reverse the effects of a damaging event), cleanup, and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage. Our entire team has a goal to serve you effectively and efficiently. To do so, we have a team of highly trained and skilled men and women to meet your mitigation needs. Recently, we add a few new members to the team. Learn more about them below!

Duvan Castro

Over a month ago, our team gained an amazing asset! Former US Marine and retired New York City Police Officer, Duvan Castro. He has spent the better part of my adult life serving the community in numerous ways. Leadership runs through his veins, teamwork and grit are no foreign concept to him. He is an outstanding individual, and told our staff members “ I am thankful and blessed to be able to continue serving the community by being part of the SERVPRO of East Greenville County family.”

Gerardo Lopez

Our most recent addition is Gerardo Lopez. He is originally from Colombia, South America. He loves the service industry, and has worked in it for years as an independent handyman. Remodeling or renovations were his specialty. Over the years, his focus has been high quality work and amazing customer service, “since,” as he mentioned to our team, “they are the key  to achieve excellent and impeccable work. Gerardo enjoys the satisfaction of doing a great and professional job for others in the surrounding communities.

We are so excited about our new team members. They are a great fit for our team, goal and wonderful to work with. Should you ever have any water damage, fire damage, storm damage, or any other mitigation needs, give our location a call (864.292.3495) and one of these great people will be ready to help however they can.

Our Newest Office Team Members | SERVPRO of East Greenville County

4/27/2020 (Permalink)

We're so excited to have these two join our team!

Our goal at SERVPRO of East Greenville is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “Like it never even happened.” To enhance our ability to serve you best, we have added a few bright and smiling faces to our team. Read more about our new office team members below!

Kelly Ryals | Commercial Sales Representative at SERVPRO of East Greenville County (Right)

Kelly is a graduate of Anderson University and has spent over a decade in outside sales positions spanning across SC, NC and GA.  Kelly will be working closely with our commercial customers and helping them develop Emergency Ready Profiles for their business. Kelly firmly believes in building and maintaining relationships which has made her successful in her past careers. Kelly loves going on the road every day to meet with business owners and other potential contacts. She believes that helping people through the restoration process is a rewarding experience and is compassionate and knowledgeable in helping them through the tough process that a disaster can bring. Kelly is the mother of two boys, Peyton and Nolan, and is active in her church at West Spartanburg Baptist.  She enjoys spending time with her family and heading off to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a day of sightseeing and hiking.

Grayson Smith | Administrative Assistant at SERVPRO of East Greenville (Left)

Originally from Columbia, SC, Grayson moved to Spartanburg to go to college at Spartanburg Methodist College. After graduating with his associates degree, he began attending Anderson University in pursuit of his bachelor’s degree. Grayson sought out a job that would allow him to serve others. He got married a year and a half ago to a wonderful young lady he met at college. He is currently 23 years old and loves photography and videography, and visiting new coffee shops. In his free time he enjoys serving at his church, going to movies with his wife, friends and family, and creating artwork. Grayson is dedicated to serving others no matter the circumstances, and has a heart for caring for others. 

We are so excited about our new team members. They are a great fit for our team, goal and wonderful to work with. Should you ever have any water damage, fire damage, storm damage, or any other mitigation needs, give our location a call (864.292.3495) and one of these two will be ready to serve you. 

What Category is your Water Loss?

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

What category is your Water Damage Loss? A Drain Backup causing Category 3 Water Damage?

Have you experienced a water damage in your home or business?  If so did you know that there are 3 Categories of a Water Loss?

The IICRC’s S-500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration distinguishes water into three categories. Each category is defined by the levels of containment or possible containments in the source of the water.

Category 1 “Clean Water: Water in this category originates from a clean, sanitary source and poses little to no risk to humans if contacted or ingested. Examples are broken water supply lines, sink or bathtub overflows, or water supplies to an appliance such as a water line to an ice maker.

Category 2 “Grey Water: Water is this category comes from a source that contains significant contamination including chemical, biological, or physical materials. Grey Water has an elevated risk to cause illness and discomfort with any type of exposure. Examples are toilet bowls with urine, sump pump leaks, and discharged water from appliances like dishwasher and washing machines.

Category 3 “Black Water: Water in this category is considered very harmful and contains unsanitary agents, dangerous bacteria and fungus, and toxic substances. This category of water has an extreme risk of causing illness and exposure should be avoided at all costs if the proper personal protective equipment is not available. Examples include sewage, seawater, and overflow from rivers or lakes.

If left unattended Clean and Grey Water can become stagnant and may be considered Black Water.

If you have concerns with water no matter the source, SERVPRO of East Greenville County specializes in Water Damage Restoration our team of professional technicians are highly trained and ready to help.

Contact our SERVPRO of East Greenville team at 864-292-3495.

ARE YOU READY?

12/12/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Greenville County responds to a water damage emergency an a local commercial business.

When a fire or water damage emergency happens will you be READY?  None of us like to consider that we will become victims of a water or fire damage disaster.  Unfortunately, it could and inevitably will happen to each of us either at our home or at our place of business.  It’s extremely important to know what to do in the event of an emergency.  As leaders in the Fire and Water Damage Restoration Industry, SERVPRO of East Greenville County is here to help you prepare for an emergency before it happens by offering to assist you with creating an ERP.

What is an ERP?

An ERP stands for an Emergency Ready Program.  It is a no-cost readiness plan designed to help home and business owners recover from a disaster faster, which leads to lower recovery costs.  Make sure you’re ready and not ruined with our Emergency Ready Program. 

Contact our office today for more details on how to get started creating your own ERP.  

https://www.SERVPROeastgreenvillecounty.com/contact/contactus

Restoring Your Greenville, SC Commercial Property After A Water Damage Emergency

11/21/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Greenville County can assist you with the cleanup after an emergency Water Damage affects your Commercial business in Greenville, SC.

Flooding and water damage emergency’s in your Greenville, SC commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large-scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give SERVPRO of East Greenville County a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of East Greenville County

SERVPRO of East Greenville County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is 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 staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

https://www.SERVPROeastgreenvillecounty.com/restoration-training-certifications

For Immediate Service in Greenville, SC, Call SERVPRO of East Greenville County

11/8/2019 (Permalink)

Greenville Residents: SERVPRO of East Greenville County Provides immediate service day or night!

SERVPRO of EAST Greenville County provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Greenville, SC. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

  • 24-Hour Emergency Service
  • Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
  • Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
  • A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
  • Locally Owned and Operated
  • Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – 864-292-3495

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for Fire or Water damage to strike your Business for Commercial Property in Greenville County. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services: https://www.SERVPROeastgreenvillecounty.com/commercial-restoration-cleaning

  • Commercial Water Damage Restoration
  • Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

ICC Building Safety Month Week 1

4/29/2019 (Permalink)

ICC Building Safety Month Week 1 focusing on following codes to reduce preventable disasters.

The International Code Council’s Building Safety Month is back. And 2019’s theme is “No Code. No Confidence.” With week one focusing on how building codes proactively help a community be proactive in disaster recovery. Preparing for disasters: Build strong, build smart.

But why do I need someone else to tell me what and how I can build on my property?

The simplest definition of building codes is that they are the minimum safety standards when building a structure. Electrical wiring, sanitary systems, structural, and other aspects of building construction each have the potential for incident. Building codes do not entirely remove the possibility of an accident, but they do significantly reduce risks and improve safety.

Building codes also protect you, your family, your community. Let’s say that you decide to build a patio that wraps around your house. You could forgo getting the proper permits and build without following any codes whatsoever. You could also face fines and be subject to local jurisdiction’s decisions on criminal charges, or be held liable if anyone is hurt due to part of the patio collapsing. Following building codes can help to protect you from legal action in the event that something goes wrong. As stated earlier, building codes are the minimum safety standard, so why would you not want to follow them to protect your family. They can ensure that proper wiring or plumbing is used, significantly reducing the chances of something terrible happening. Codes help to protect the community if a disaster does occur. Going back to the patio example, let’s say the add-on to your home is not built to code and is too close to a neighbor’s house. And the grill starts a fire that spreads to the roof of the patio, and because the structures are now so close, the fire spreads to their home. And if codes were not followed during the construction of their home, it could continue to spread across the entire neighborhood. While it seems unlikely, it has happened before, and that is the reason building codes exist.

So to answer the question of why you need someone to tell you what and how you can build on your property; previous experience. Learn from others’ mistakes and reduce your risk. Following building codes allow you to build with confidence.

Taking Care of Your Dryer Can Prevent a Fire

4/22/2019 (Permalink)

FEMA recommends cleaning your dryer vents at least once per year. But you may have to do it more often based on your family's needs.

History is full of notable duos; Lewis and Clark, Sonny and Cher, and Batman and Robin. But only one pair makes a difference in our lives almost daily: The Washing Machine and the Dryer. We’ve gone over a simple way that you can take care of your washing machine to prevent water damage, and now the dryer should share the spotlight too. After all, it does so much for us besides just dying clothes. Wrinkly shirt pants the morning of a job interview and you don’t have time to iron, or you just want a warm and comfy to snuggle under while you binge watch a certain show that talks about Winter all the time. The Dryer is there for you, be there for it.

One of the easiest ways that you can take care of your dryer is to clean the lint screen after every load. This ensures that your dryer is working efficiently and safely. If you use dryer sheets, you may have to do more than just a quick wipe down of the filter. Experts have said that the sheets can cause a slight build up over time that is not easily removed, and you can test your lint filter by pouring a small amount of water over it, and if the water pools anywhere you can gently clean the screen with a brush in warm, soapy water. Just be sure to thoroughly dry it before the next use.

But dyer filters are not the only part that you need to clean, those screens filter lint and other material, but it does go somewhere and exits out of the dryer vents. And those do need to be cleaned on occasion; the frequency depends on the load sizes and how much you use the dryer. Start with the exit vent, as these can be inviting to animals of all kinds. Lower vents can attract small rodents, and higher vents can make nifty places for birds’ nest. Once the exit is clear you can focus on the link inside of the vent pathway. There are a few ways that you can do this. You can use an air compressor to blow it out, but that can be messy. There are vacuums that have brush attachments but are limited by the length of the hose on the vacuum. You can purchase flexible brushes with extendible wands; these can work at both ends of the vent. There are even professionals that can provide this service just search “Dryer vent cleaning near me” to find one for you.  

Keeping a clean dryer vent will help to improve the efficiency and lifespan of your dryer, but the ultimate reason is for safety. Lint can build up in the vents, and according to the National Fire Protection Agency, more than 15,000 dryer fire happened in the US during 2010 with clogged filters being the leading cause. Our franchise has had to perform our fire and smoke restoration services to homes affected by fires that started because of a dryer. And several years ago, I lived in an apartment community when the laundry facility caught fire because several of the dryer vents were clogged. So dryer fires are a serious issue.

Making the investment in cleaning or having your dryer vents cleaned is one way that you can take care of your dryer and keep your family and property safe.

The Bathroom Exhaust Fan. Your New Best Friend.

3/11/2019 (Permalink)

The primary purpose of the bathroom exhaust fan has been lost over time. It is actually there to control the moisture levels in the bathroom.

Homeownership can be exhausting. So many things beak or need updating, regular maintenance, and the bills. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if you own your home or if your home owns you. And it can be very easy to think a small repair can be put off and ignored, that is until it turns into a huge unavoidable issue. Let’s take a look at one such item; the bathroom exhaust fan.

The bathroom exhaust fan is the best friend you never knew you had, and you will miss him when he is gone. But it is only a small problem, right? Yes, it does help control odors in the bathroom, and when you spray all of those cleaning solutions in the sink and tub, it helps to pull those odors out too. You can buy candles and air fresheners, and open the nearest window while you are cleaning, that is cheaper and more convenient than paying to have it repaired or replaced. But what about the real purpose for the bathroom exhaust fan, the one that can help save you thousands in repair cost? I bet you are listening now.

Odor control is the most noticeable function of the exhaust fan, but it is moisture control that is the real benefit that it provides. Those long, hot showers after a long day that fog up the mirror, well they also “fog” up the walls and doors. The fan helps to quickly adjust the moisture levels in the bathroom, making the bathroom a less ideal environment for mold to develop. Some wooden doors and flooring types may also be prone to warping if they absorb too much moisture, the fan works to keep those intact too. A warped door can be a pain, but if the floor warps in the wrong spot, it can lead to the toilet leaking and even more water damage throughout the house.

So, although it may seem like an insignificant item that is easy to keep at the bottom of the “to-do” list, you should give the bathroom exhaust fan a little MVP treatment every once in a while. Dust it when you clean the bathroom, and if it breaks, get it fixed ASAP. After all, it is working in the background to save you money, just like a good friend.

Stories Winter Storm 2018: Pools in the Attic

12/13/2018 (Permalink)

There was so much standing water in the attic of a Greenville, SC business that it was pooling behind the paint on many of the walls.

There is never a good time to discover that you have a leak in your roof. That being said, there is also never a good time to discover that you have several leaks in your cigar shop’s roof. Add several inches of melting snow and ice to come running down your walls and through your light fixtures, and you’d have a pretty bad day.

Luckily when the business owner called his landlord, his landlord called SERVPRO of East Greenville County, we were already in the area handling another emergency call. Our production team leader rushed over to scope out the full situation, and our team was there with air movers, drying mats, and ready to extract the standing water in less than 90 mins after getting the call.

Our production team leader noticed that the shop’s ceiling was shallow compared to the height of the building, and even though repairing roofs is not our specialty, he thought he better check on how severe the damage is and try to identify the source. This was when he discovered that there were several pools of standing water in the attic of the building and took swift action to extract the water and prevent a potential catastrophe if the ceiling was to cave in or more spots began to leak on the merchandise in the store. The drying process took several days, so, unfortunately, the business did have downtime, but because our team was able to respond quickly and take swift action, several thousand dollars of inventory and sales equipment was able to be saved. So the store may have a week with no sales, but they will only have to replace a minimal amount of inventory, and that is a drastic reduction to the negative financial impacts.

Our team’s rapid response and experience limited the potential impacts to both the business and the building.

Employee Holiday Recipes Part 2

11/21/2018 (Permalink)

This isn’t a picture of Jason’s recipe (because no one is willing to wait for a photo), but everyone should see ACBP in all of its glory.

SERVPRO of East Greenville County offers all kinds of great information about prevention, safety, and procedures during fire and water disasters. But during this time of year, we want to share some of our team’s favorite recipes. So please enjoy Jason’s Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding.

Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding

3 cans of cinnamon rolls

6 eggs

¾ cup milk

1 ½ Tbs cinnamon

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

3 Tbs of butter

2 Granny Smith Apple

1 Red Delicious Apple

1 cup brown sugar

Mix eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla in a bowl until slightly creamy, and set aside. Dice each Uncooked cinnamon roll into 6-9 pieces and set aside. Dice the apples (dealer’s choice if peeled or unpeeled). Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add the butter, apples, and brown sugar. Cook until the apples are tender and the butter and sugar have caramelized and allow to cool for 10-15 mins.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat a medium sized casserole dish with butter or cooking spray and add the diced cinnamon rolls and spread evenly. Then pour milk mixture making sure to get even coverage. Spread the apples over the top, but do not press them into the cinnamon rolls, and then finally pour the icing over the uncooked bread pudding. Bake for 30-45 mins. Use the toothpick method to make sure is done.

Add any topping you like or eat it plain. It makes a great dessert or a fantastic breakfast.

Employee Holiday Recipes Part 1

11/14/2018 (Permalink)

The first batch of soup for the season. A tasty addition for a cold Saturday tailgate or weeknight meal.

SERVPRO of East Greenville County offers all kinds of great information about prevention, safety, and procedures during fire and water disasters. But during this time of year, we want to share some of our team’s favorite recipes. So please enjoy Jason’s Chicken, Sausage, and Pepper Soup

The holidays are coming up and with them lots of parties along with tons of fabulous friends and fantastic food. You may find yourself scrambling to find something to bring, or so busy being social that you do not have time to cook for yourself at one. Luckily, we have a soup recipe that is easy to make, even with all the ingredients. And best of all it is actually healthy. It can be its own meal, or an appetizer, which is why it can be great for parties. Adding the cheese sauce listed at the end thickens it up and makes a perfect for bread bowls.

Chicken, Sausage, and Pepper Soup                                                          

2lbs pork sausage (any flavor but maple)

3/4lb slow cooked chicken (with butter and coconut oil)                                     

1 green pepper diced

1 can Rotel

1 bag frozen pepper stir-fry

1 10oz bag spinach or spinach kale mix

4 cups beef STOCK (not broth)

2Tbs cayenne pepper

2Tbs cumin

2Tbs Italian seasoning

2Tbs onion powder

2Tbs season salt

2Tbs kosher salt

1Tbs chipotle garlic salt

2Tbs olive oil

Gather all spices in 1 container

Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over med heat. Add sausage (don’t break up yet and let seer for 1 min). Break up sausage and cook through (don’t drain grease). Add peppers, wait 3 mins then add chicken, Rotel, and spices. Mix well. Add spinach and cover for 10 mins to wilt. Mix everything together. Add stock. Stir. (If you are going to add the cheese sauce, do it before bringing the soup to a boil). Bring to boil, cover and reduce heat to low and simmer for 30mins. 

Cheese sauce

1 small container heavy whipping cream

1 stick unsalted butter

8oz shredded cheese (your choice)

1 cube chicken bouillon cube

1Tbs black pepper

Stir chicken cube into the cream. Add butter then place over med heat. Keep stirring to melt butter. After butter has melted, slowly add cheese in small amounts until it melts. Place heat on low and simmer for 10 mins.

We hope that you enjoy this delicious soup, and if you do make it share it with us on Facebook, we’d love to see it.

The Importance of Adding Value to the Client/Realtor Relationship

7/26/2018 (Permalink)

An information table for a SERVPRO Lunch and Learn.

SERVPRO of East Greenville County had the opportunity to interact with the That Realty Group sales team during a lunch and learn earlier this week. Both teams had a great time and shared a delicious meal form Palmetto Restaurant and Ale House. The focus of the lunch and learn was to highlight the benefits of SERVPRO of East Greenville County’s residential service to both buyers and sellers of homes in the upstate of South Carolina.

One such benefit is the knowledge that any water or mold damage that is discovered during an inspection will be mitigated by a professional company with an excellent reputation and level of customer service. This can add peace of mind for the buyer, seller, and realtor throughout the transaction.

Realtors can also further develop a level of trust with their clients by being proactive with SERVPRO’s contact information in anticipation of an event. These events do not have to necessarily disastrous in nature either. A great example is a home was vandalized with tattoo ink on the front porch, windows, and some exterior walls, and this was within three months of purchasing the home. The homeowners felt angry, victimized, and embarrassed. And they were completely new to South Carolina, so they were not sure whom to call after speaking with the police, so they reached out to their realtor. Their realtor contacted our office to see if there was availability to assist her former clients quickly, and SERVPRO was on site that same morning to determine the best action plan. The home was cleaned up and only a few pieces of wicker furniture needed to be replaced, saying the homeowner a significant amount. But more importantly, the homeowners and realtor relationship grew stronger even though their transaction had been completed. A month later when friends of the homeowner were looking to relocate to Greenville, they immediately reached out to that same realtor because they trusted them to take care of those they cared about.

Realtors that utilize SERVPRO of East Greenville County get the immediate benefit of quality, reputable work. But they also get the long-term benefit of adding value to their client relationships as well.  

Pack-Out Services for your Greenville, SC Home Remodel

7/13/2018 (Permalink)

A living room in Greer, SC mid-pack-out.

SERVPRO of East Greenville County specializes in emergency services for water, fire, and storm damage. But you do not have to have an emergency to take advantage of our service. In fact, a few of our services can be a part of your remodel plan.

Remodeling your home can be an exciting way to truly make your house your home. The concepts of expanding living spaces, adding a garden tub, or getting the perfect kitchen can all get the imagination racing. But often it’s the tiny details that are overlooked and bring large amounts of stress and frustration as they insert a little reality into your dream. Especially the ever so small detail of “Where are we going to put all of our stuff while we do this?”

Having the contents of your home packed-out by SERVPRO of East Greenville County’s professional team can help answer that question and significantly reduce stress. We can provide you with an efficient and organized pack-out based on your needs. This will help reduce the amount of time the remodel can take, protect your belongings from unexpected damage from accidents or construction debris, and give you peace of mind so that you can focus on your project. We have local business partners that can facilitate moving and storage as well, helping to lighten the burden even more.

So if your remodel and renovation is to finalize your dream home or a necessity because of damage, we are prepped and #ready to be there for you.

SERVPRO of East Greenville County Nominated for Best of the Upstate 2018

6/18/2018 (Permalink)

The Best of the Upstate is sponsored by the Greenville News

We have some EXCITING news, SERVPRO of East Greenville County has been nominated for Best Carpet/Upholstery Cleaner as part of The Greenville News’ Best of the Upstate 2018!

Our carpet cleaning system includes specialized cleaning methods to match the needs of commercial and residential customers alike.

  • Bonnet Cleaning: A less aggressive method for short piled carpets.
  • Hot Water Extraction: A deeper cleaning method for all carpet types.
  • Deluxe Precondition and Rinse: Helps restore deeply soiled areas.
  • Showcase Premier Cleaning: The most thorough cleaning method in the industry.
  • Dry Cleaning: When color-fastness is an issue.

SERVPRO of East Greenville County’s professional cleaning is the optimal way to protect your carpet and upholstery investment.

How to Register and Vote

Voting opens at 12 a.m. (EST) June 18 and closes on June 28 11:59 p.m. (EST). Head to the Best of the Upstate 2018 ballot page to place your vote. Just register with your name, email address, and phone number to be eligible to cast your vote. Per the official rules, there is a one vote per person per category limit, but you can share the link with friends, family, and co-workers.

We would like to say thank you for helping us to get us nominated and thank you again for your support to win this award.

Clear Communication and Customer Service

6/5/2018 (Permalink)

Developing strong communication skills is essential for many levels of personal and professional success. Those same skills can be applied to assist in creating exceptional customer experiences. Practicing a communication skill will make that skill second nature and reinforce the benefit clear communication will have. Many communication skill drills involve role-playing, and while that can be helpful it is not necessarily retainable, and “retainability” is a significant part of training.

One of the alternatives to role-playing exercises is the “building block challenge.”Which involves breaking up participants into groups of three and having them work together to build a small set from a building block toy line. The catch is that only one person can see and read the instructions, one person is allowed to build the set, and the “middle person” identifies the pieces based on the description. You set a time limit and rotate roles so that each participant gets an opportunity with providing and executing the instructions and change out block sets each rotation to ensure each experience is different. The purpose of this activity is to build skills based around providing instructions and directions without having any physical input on the project. The challenge has been used to train over the phone technical support specialists and provided measurable positive changes to efficiency and customer service metrics.   

You may not provide support over the phone, but practicing conveying a message clearly while having tactile tools for the exercise to view progress, can improve your ability to communicate and provide benefits to personal, professional, and customer relationships.

How Critical Thinking Can Help Communication

6/5/2018 (Permalink)

It has been said that the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.” And if you have tried to make an eight-year-old do their homework or walk someone through a full system restore to their cell phone, then you may feel that this in fact true. So how do you get a message across when the most direct way is not working, or the other party isn’t exactly receptive? You have to change the delivery of the message without changing the message. Simple right, not so much.

The concept of making a message more receptive isn’t the same as hiding pet medicine in a treat, the point of adjusting the message is so that the other party comprehends the message not just accepts it. It can take a lot of creativity and critical thinking skills to “customize information for the audience,” but how do you practice that? Puzzles? Puns? Math? Well, yes. But there is a way to do so that doesn’t require an investment in school supplies.

Years ago, there was a hashtag on Twitter #ExplainAFilmPlotBadly that centered around describing a film’s plot without any significant details. It was just as much fun to decipher the movie as it was to come up with a description all of your own. I then tried using it to train a group of support reps on how to deliver a message to a customer if they did not seem to understand or accept it: saying no without using “no,” describing directions on a computer or phone, etc. And this method seemed to click with those that I trained even more so than the standard “say this not that” lessons. So the idea was itself an example of how it worked.

Some of the examples are simple and easy to guess:

Moody billionaire works out his abandonment issues by arguing with clowns (Batman).

And some were more complex and required a great deal of thought:

A widower’s son is kidnapped, and the only person that will help him has short-term amnesia (Finding Nemo).

These exercises helped to jumpstart the trainees critical thinking on how they can change the message and improve their customer service skills and increased efficiency. And are a great way to see you can help get your message across the next time you feel like you are stuck in a loop with a customer, coworker, or family member.

Coffee Stain

5/24/2018 (Permalink)

Don’t let coffee stains compromise excellent customer experiences, check out SERVPRO of East Greenville’s Commercial Cleaning Services

Years ago I worked for a company that prided itself on its customer service; they called it ‘legendary.” They didn’t just view customer service as the interactions between employees and guests or the quality of their food, but also as the cleanliness of the building. It was all part of the customer experience. One of the illustrations used to convey why cleanliness is part of customer service was The Coffee Stain Story.

A person books a flight across the country and they were able to get a great price and no layovers. The flight boarded on time, the seats on either side were empty, so there was plenty of room to be comfortable, the movie was good, and the headphones were complimentary. Flight staff was courteous and brought the passenger a free drink. The plane even landed on time. It was an incredible flight.

But, when they lowered the tray table, they noticed a small coffee ring stain. And even all of the free stuff, extra room, and no inconveniences, it was all they could think about. When they were asked “how was your flight,” they would respond with “It was OK, but my tray table was dirty. Had a big old nasty coffee ring on it.”

The story shows how the perception of their experience was hugely impacted by such a tiny detail, and customer perception is customer experience. It was taught to us to show how important every detail can be, and we must do all that we can to control the controllable.

You can never be certain what may be viewed as a “coffee stain” by your customers, so be proactive and take care of areas that need the most attention. SERVPRO of East Greenville County offers professional cleaning and preventative maintenance for upholstery and carpet. We have a number of specialized cleaning options for air ducts and HVAC units, deodorization, and many services. Call us at (864) 292-3495 to set up a maintenance schedule. Let us worry about the small details so you can focus on your business and your customers.

Restoring Your East Greenville County Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

5/23/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at Greenville area commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large-scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call, and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of East Greenville County

SERVPRO of East Greenville County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is 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 to restore your property.

Document Drying and Restoration Services for Greenville Businesses

5/15/2018 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO document restoration team uses the same innovate vacuum freeze-drying techniques as the Library of Congress to dry historical documents

SERVPRO of East Greenville County offers a variety of services from water/fire damage restoration, mold mitigation, and commercial/residential cleaning services. But did you know that we also provide Document Drying and Restoration for our commercial clients?

Damage from a water or fire event is not limited to the building and furniture. Sometimes files such as patient records, invoices, and legal documents are impacted by water, smoke, and soot contact. SERVPRO’s document drying process is designed to stabilize damaged documents and prevent further damage quickly. The treatment facility is secured, the chain of custody follows HIPAA guidelines, and our Drying Chamber personnel is Master HIPAA certified allowing them to handle protected health information (PHI).

Our Document Restoration Facility:

  • Innovative: we use the latest vacuum freeze-drying method, as well as gamma irradiation technology for sterilizing
  • Secure: managed by HIPPA Master-certified technicians, under 24/7 surveillance
  • Digital: we use a computerized inventory system for digitizing your documents
  • Flexible capacity - we can accommodate large commercial losses or small residential jobs
  • Full Service: we offer a range of services including drying, cleaning/disinfecting, re-jacketing, digitizing, and deodorization

SERVPRO document services also include digitization services that reduce the need for large filing rooms and help make data access more accessible for businesses. Certified destruction services allow for sensitive information to be appropriately disposed of and provide peace of mind to businesses and their clients.

Types of content:

  • paper documents
  • books and magazines
  • manuscripts and files
  • photographs, films, negatives, and microfiche
  • x-rays
  • blueprints and maps
  • parchment

For more information about SERVPRO of East Greenville’s Document Recovery or other commercial services visit our website or call 864-292-3495

SERVPRO of East Greenville Celebrates Mom All Month Long

5/15/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Greenville County is happy to celebrate moms and all other caregivers all month long

Mother’s Day has come and gone, and we hope that you had a fantastic day with your loved ones. But that is just it; one day is not enough. So we are happy to announce that we are extending our Mother’s Day contest until the end of the Month! That is two more weeks to leave a review on our Facebook page for your chance to win SERVPRO carpet cleaning services for UP TO 4 Rooms, a $175 value.

And if you totally rocked this year's Mother’s Day, then you can use the cleaning for your home or business. (Don’t worry we won't tell.)

Rules and Conditions

  • Reviews must be submitted by May 31, 2018
  • One entry per person per review
  • Prize is not redeemable for cash
  • Prize must be redeemed for residence within 25 miles of our location and must be redeemed before August 31, 2018
  • Prize must be redeemed at one time, and only for 1 location, service is for traffic areas only and must be scheduled in advance (regular business hours only)
  • Prize amount value covers 4 rooms, but service for additional rooms can be purchased (Contact SERVPRO of East Greenville County for pricing details)