What is an IICRC Certified Firm?

11/30/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southern Blair and Bedford County is an IICRC Certified Firm!

If you're wondering what an IICRC Certified Firm is, then you should know that it's more than just an "independent" organization. In fact, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the science and technology in inspection, cleaning and restoration.

The IICRC was established in 1972 by Ed York, but is managed by 15 industry leaders elected by the shareholders. The organization is known for a set of standards for conducting any inspection or cleaning job within the industry, as well as guidelines for setting up your firm as a certified business (or getting certified yourself).

Certified Firms are required to complete a rigorous training program developed by the leaders at the Institute of Inspection Cleaning & Restoration Certification. After completing training, each firm must pass an exam that measures knowledge of proper cleaning techniques as well as business management skills. The firm must also demonstrate financial stability, high levels of technical experience and unmatched professionalism. 

An IICRC Certification Means: 

• You can trust your certified firm to do the job right.
• Your certified firm will meet or exceed all industry standards.
• Your certified firm will provide you with a high quality, professional service.

An IICRC Certified Firm is a restoration company or business that has been trained and tested, has documented procedures, and offers qualified personnel, insurance and appropriate equipment, tools and/or vehicles. The certification process is a way to ensure that the firm you hire has the knowledge and experience necessary to perform the work. Certification ensures that your restoration service provider has proper equipment, tools and vehicles for performing their job. 

IICRC and SERVPRO of Southern Blair/Bedford County

The IICRC is committed to helping the public by making sure that your firm is qualified and has demonstrated its ability to meet the highest standards of professionalism. It’s important that you hire a certified firm, like SERVPRO of Southern Blair and Bedford County. With our team of certified professionals, you are assured of their training and experience in the field. SERVPRO of Southern Blair and Bedford County wants to assure our customers that they are hiring professionals who have been trained by an accredited organization and tested on their knowledge base. SERVPRO of Southern Blair and Bedford County is the local firm you can trust! 

How Keeping Electronic Files Makes Insurance Agents More Efficient

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

Electronic files make insurance agents more efficient.

How Keeping Electronic Files Makes Insurance Agents More Efficient

Digital document management has made filing an insurance claim for commercial restoration services more efficient for insurance companies, clients and cleanup experts in Huntingdon, PA. All parties benefit from the increased access and communication channels afforded by keeping files online. More than a simple convenience, because insurance companies have digitized the claims process, agents can be more effective when interacting with clients and vendors.

Stay Organized
For an insurance agent, being able to work onsite and online simultaneously helps them stay organized. Agents can use their laptops and phones to:

• Take and upload photos
  
• Type detailed notes
  
• Enter clients’ concerns
  
• Record vendor recommendations and estimates
  
  

The restoration professionals from SERVPRO will also provide pictures of essential items and a thorough list of damaged property. An agent then sends all of that data into a digital file, allowing them to access and retrieve information with the touch of a button. Furthermore, digital files eliminate the need for keeping track of hard copies of photographs and loose papers.

Communicate with Clients and Vendors
Every organization involved reaps the advantages of using electronic files. The most striking difference from sending traditional paper files is how insurance companies, clients and restoration professionals communicate and sign documents. No longer must they print, copy and mail documents to each other. Instead, agents can email and eSign documents. So, sending electronic documents saves paper, but more importantly, this way of doing business saves the time and money spent on postage and waiting for standard mail delivery.

Make Payments and Reimbursements for an Insurance Claim
Beyond staying organized and corresponding, insurance companies can electronically make and record payments to clients and restoration experts. Keeping track of the financial transactions during the restoration process is vital because costs accumulate, and the tangle of who pays who can get complicated.
Technology has revolutionized how insurance companies store and transfer information. The result is that filing and managing an insurance claim is more user-friendly.

3 Important Benefits of an Electronic Claims Service

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

An electronic claims process reduces the chance of inaccuracies and delayed payments.

Three Key Advantages of Using an Electronic Claims Service

If your business in Duncansville, PA, experiences a disaster, you will have your hands full. While your primary focus will be on the health of your employees and the restoration of your facility, you will also have to deal with other important issues. Filing a timely and accurate insurance claim should not be overlooked, and getting help from experienced professionals is a valuable resource at this time. Working with SERVPRO, a preferred vendor for many insurance companies in the U.S. gives you access to an electronic claims service that provides important benefits.

1. Clear Documentation
Your insurance agent will appreciate a clear accounting of damages to items as well as costs for restoration services. This will be sent in a digital format, making it easy to access, and the carrier will also have the benefit of digital photos that help speed up claims. This process works for all of the services a commercial damage restoration company deals with, including fire, water, storm and mold damages.

2. Insurance Claim Payment
The insurance process should result in a payment for all covered expenses related to a disaster. You want this to come quickly, in time for your company to pay bills and keep the company operating. A slow response will cause anxiety and it could even delay critical repairs and your company's return to normal operations. An electronic claims process reduces the chance of inaccuracies and delayed payments.

3. Greater Satisfaction
In the aftermath of a disaster, a lot can go wrong. That's why dealing with professionals who have an established process for dealing with insurance companies and restoring a damaged facility is so important. Waiting for the settlement of an insurance claim or dealing with inferior work reduces your satisfaction. A restoration franchise that is experienced in the insurance process is a good way to maximize your satisfaction with disaster cleanup.

Keeping Break Rooms Safe and Deodorized

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage can be overwhelming, but our teams are here to do the heavy lifting for you!

Break rooms are frequently used to supply food, water, and rest to employees. It’s always annoying when an odor lingers from something such as burned popcorn. But on a more serious note, there are many potential fire hazards that can come from the appliances in the room such as the microwave, refrigerator, and toaster. Here are some ways you can keep the workroom safe and deodorized:

Maintain Appliances

Often, workrooms have low-grade appliances that don’t work efficiently. While this can make it hard for employees to prepare food, it can also be a potential fire hazard. To ensure the safety of employees and the building:

• Plug all appliances into outlets that have overcurrent protection
• Clean the break room area frequently
• Install a smoke detector in the room
• Update your appliances, if needed

Taking these precautions can prevent any damage or harm from occurring. These precautions can also improve the atmosphere and mood of the workroom.

Remove Lingering Odors

It’s never good when you can still smell burned popcorn a week later. Luckily, there are many ways to remove this and other lingering scents. The easiest way is to crack open windows and provide some ventilation. Perhaps your break room’s carpet or ducts need to be cleaned. Smoke cleanup sometimes requires building deodorization, so it’s wise to determine what should be done if an unwanted smell remains. If anything, be sure to clean out the microwave or any appliance that was used recently by using vinegar and a sponge to eliminate stains and smells from inside the appliance.

Whether the problem is burned popcorn or unreliable appliances, you can improve the safety and smell of your break room in Blair or Bedford County, PA by following these tips. Be sure to keep the appliances in good shape and maintain the smoke detector so that you can be aware if a problem occurs. By taking care of your break room, you and your employees can safely continue to enjoy break time.

Reasons To Have Professional Smoke Odor Removal

3/15/2022 (Permalink)

Fires can release harmful chemicals into the air. It is always a good idea to seek professional help with fire restoration!

When a fire breaks out in a commercial building, it only takes a couple minutes for the soot and smoke to settle into fabrics and other materials. This can leave behind a pungent odor, necessitating immediate smoke cleaning. It will not be enough to simply spray an air freshener around the area. The smoke odor can potentially make a property in Blair or Bedford County, PA uninhabitable, so do not delay this treatment.

1. Professionals Know How to Safely Remove Odor

If you attempt to remove the odor yourself, then you may inadvertently breathe in soot. It can get into your respiratory system and cause various breathing problems. Other potential health hazards include:

• Cancer
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Asthma

2. Professionals Bring in Better Ventilation

You can help the ventilation process by bringing any box fans you already have into the affected room to air it out. You should also open up all the windows to help smoke cleaning. However, even with all this, you still need smoke damage professionals

3. Professionals Prevent Discoloration

You do not even want to attempt removing soot on your own. You need professionals to come in to make sure the soot is gone or else the soot is going to begin changing the color of your furniture and fabrics.

4. Professionals Prevent the Need for New Furniture

Prolonged soot exposure will make certain items completely unusable. It only takes a couple weeks for the soot to imbed itself in upholstery, and at that point, your only option will be to throw away the furniture. This can force you to spend a lot more money than you were anticipating.

Once the fire is put out in your building, your immediate thoughts should turn to remediation. Hiring smoke cleaning experts is the only way to ensure your belongings are safe, and there is a good chance your insurance can help you pay for it.

3 Ways SERVPRO Makes Filing an Insurance Claim Easier

2/22/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage specialist in Hollidaysburg, PA.

Why SERVPRO Is a Top Choice

When a client’s Hollidaysburg, PA  home has been damaged, you want to get the insurance claims process finished as quickly and easily as possible. Your client will likely be stressed and upset, so making the process as painless as possible can be helpful. Using a damage repair company with quality claim services is a good place to start. Here are a few reasons why SERVPRO is a top choice.

1. They Respond Quickly so You Can Get Started and Finished Sooner

Filing an insurance claim can be a lengthy process, so it is always better to start sooner rather than later. Because this company provides 24-hour service, you can get started right away. They can be on the site within just a few hours after you have contacted them about the damage. This quick emergency response can save a lot of time as you don’t have to wait around while damage continues to worsen.

2. They Inspect the Home and Assess Damage

Once they have arrived on the site, SERVPRO will do a thorough inspection of the home to determine the extent of the damage. They can help you and your client figure out what needs to be replaced and what can be repaired or restored. Once they have assessed the damage, it will be easier for you and your client to settle on an amount for the insurance claim.

3. Their Claims Information Center Helps Manage Information

When working on an insurance claim, you may have a lot of information to sift through. The Claims Information Center can make things easier. These claim services allow you to digitally manage the necessary information, so it is always available.
When you need a damage restoration company with claim services to help you get through the process quickly, this one is a great choice. They can provide everything you need to get the claim filed for your client.

Is It Black Mold? 3 Ways To Know

1/29/2022 (Permalink)

If you think you have found mold in your home you should schedule a mold inspection.

How To Identify Black Mold

Black mold are two words that no homeowner wants to hear. If you think this pesky problem is cropping up in your Claysburg, PA, home, a mold inspection is the best way to be sure. Until you can schedule one, however, here are a few quick tips to answer mold is what you’re dealing with.

Identification

All mold is comprised of microscopic organisms found indoors and outdoors. It spreads easily and comes in various colors including:

• White
  
• Pink
  
• Gray
  
• Orange
  
  

Black mold is the one that is best publicized and the one that homeowners most want to recognize and eradicate, fast.

Location

Molds of all kinds love damp, dark areas. That means attics, crawl spaces, areas under sinks and anywhere drips, leaks or condensation can create pooling water are perfect breeding grounds. In homes, bathrooms are another common mold area. If you spot something dark and fuzzy in any of these areas, schedule a mold inspection.

Color

Black-colored mold isn’t always just black. In fact, this type of mold often presents as a dark, greenish black and sometimes even has a grey tinge to it. While things like common dirt can take on this appearance, black mold also tends to be a bit slimy. If you see something matching this description, it might be black house mold.

Odor

This type of mold is known for its musty odor that is similar to the sharp, pungent odor of mildew. In many cases, you may not see black house mold, but the smell through your home can be a sign that it is present.

Black house mold is not something to play with. Left alone, it can spread and become an expensive problem to solve. If you think you have it, schedule a mold inspection and connect with a mold remediator to rid your house of the fungus.

How Do You Stop the Spread of Mold During Remediation

10/15/2021 (Permalink)

Mold contamination in a Hollidaysburg, PA.

How To Prevent Mold From Spreading

As a homeowner in Hollidaysburg, PA, you know that mold can be a big problem for your house. It doesn't take much for this fungus to spread to other rooms. In fact, mold can spread in a variety of ways:

• On your clothing
  
• Through the air
  
• Through water
  
• On animals
  
  

Because so many factors could lead to more mold contamination, you need to start the cleanup process as soon as possible. Residential mold removal teams can quickly assess your situation and create a plan that will keep the mold in a designated area until it is take care of.

Containment

To stop mold contamination, the professionals have to set up a containment unit. This can mean different things for different jobs. In some cases, it simply means closing windows and doors to discourage air flow and trap the spores. In other cases, it means setting up a negative air pressure system to ensure no air flows out of the room. Part of containment is limiting who can have access to the moldy parts of the home. You and your family may be asked to stay out of certain areas until the professionals have properly cleaned and removed the mold.

Filtration

Filtration often goes hand-in-hand with containment, but it is an important part of stopping the spread of mold. Because spores are so small, they can easily slip through barriers. If your team uses HEPA air filters, however, you have a better chance of keeping the spores in one place.

Removal

Another way to stop contamination is to remove all pieces of furniture, flooring and building materials that are affected by fungus growth. You may be able to clean and return some belongings, but others will have to simply be discarded. Ridding the area of mold-contaminated objects can help reduce your chances of spreading the fungus to other parts of your home.

Mold contamination can affect large portions of your Hollidaysburg, PA, home. With the proper containment plans, you may be able to stop the spread of the fungus.

Emergency Tips for Dealing with Mold

9/6/2021 (Permalink)

If you discover black mold in your home, there's not much you can do about it except call the experts.

If your home in Bedford, PA, has experienced water damage, it is also in danger of developing a black mold problem. Mold can start to grow in as little as 24 hours after water damage from a flood or leak occurs. It also spreads very easily. While waiting for mold remediation specialists to arrive and begin the mold cleanup process, you can do your part to prevent the spread of mold growth before they arrive by completing two tasks.

Water Cutoff

Mold loves excess moisture, so it makes sense that the easiest way to prevent the spread of mold is by denying it the moisture it needs to thrive. There are several ways to do this:

• Turning the water shutoff valve that serves the area where mold is present
• Drying surfaces to which the mold is most likely to spread
• Setting up a dehumidifier in unaffected parts of your home to give mold nowhere to go

If you have a moisture problem, you are likely to have a black mold problem. By controlling moisture, you can often prevent the spread of mold.

HVAC Cutoff

It may seem counterintuitive to shut off airflow when you are trying to dry out surfaces and prevent mold from spreading, but don't forget that there are mold spores in the air. As long as the air conditioner or heater is running, those mold spores have a free ride to anywhere in your home. If the excess moisture that allowed mold to grow in one area makes the rest of your home more humid, mold may start to grow in other places. Shutting down airflow curbs the travel of the mold spores that would cause this new growth.

If you discover black mold in your home, there's not much you can do about it except call the experts. While you are waiting for them, however, you can take measures to prevent it from spreading.